Communication method and apparatus, electronic device, and storage medium

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the technical field of mobile communication, and provide a communication method and device, electronic equipment and a storage medium. The method is applied to a station device Non-AP MLD supporting multi-connection, and the method comprises: sending a first wireless frame; wherein the first wireless frame carries basic service set BSS change indication information; the BSS change indication information comprises a BSS change parameter between an access point device AP MLD, and the BSS change parameter comprises a change sequence element and / or a change count value. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a manner of indicating that BSS parameters change in a multi-connection scenario.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of mobile communication technology, and more specifically, to a communication method and apparatus, an electronic device, and a storage medium. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of mobile communication technology, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) technology has made great progress in terms of transmission rate and throughput. Currently, research on Wi-Fi technology includes aspects such as 320MHz bandwidth transmission, aggregation and coordination of multiple frequency bands, and its main application scenarios include video transmission, Augmented Reality (AR), and Virtual Reality (VR).

[0003] Specifically, multi-band aggregation and coordination refers to devices communicating simultaneously in 2.4GHz, 5.8GHz, 6GHz, and other frequency bands. For scenarios where devices communicate simultaneously in multiple frequency bands, a new Media Access Control (MAC) mechanism needs to be defined for management. Furthermore, multi-band aggregation and coordination is expected to support low-latency transmission.

[0004] Currently, the maximum bandwidth supported by multi-band aggregation and coordination technology is 320MHz (160MHz+160MHz). In addition, it may also support 240MHz (160MHz+80MHz) and other bandwidths supported by existing standards.

[0005] Current Wi-Fi technologies support multi-connection communication. For example, in a wireless LAN, a Basic Service Set (BSS) can consist of an Access Point (AP) and one or more Stations (STAs) communicating with the AP. The AP and STA can each be a Multi-Link Device (MLD), which supports simultaneous transmission and / or reception under multiple connections. Therefore, multiple connections can exist between the AP MLD and the STA MLD for communication. In multi-connection scenarios, there are multiple BSS parameters related to the BSS, and these parameters may change (or be updated); therefore, a method is needed to indicate changes in BSS parameters in multi-connection scenarios. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This disclosure provides a communication method, apparatus, electronic device, and storage medium to provide a way to indicate changes in BSS parameters in a multi-connection scenario.

[0007] On one hand, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method applied to a Non-AP MLD (Multi-Access Site Device) supporting multiple connections, the method comprising:

[0008] Send a first radio frame; wherein the first radio frame carries Basic Service Set (BSS) change indication information; the BSS change indication information includes BSS change parameters between the access point device (AP) and the MLD, and the BSS change parameters include change sequence elements and / or change count values.

[0009] On the other hand, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication method applied to an access point device (AP MLD) that supports multiple connections, the method comprising:

[0010] Receive a first radio frame; wherein the first radio frame carries Basic Service Set (BSS) change indication information; the BSS change indication information includes BSS change parameters between the site equipment (Non-AP MLD) and the site equipment (Non-AP MLD), and the BSS change parameters include change sequence elements and / or change count values.

[0011] On the other hand, this disclosure also provides a site device, which is a multi-connection site device (Non-AP MLD), the site device comprising:

[0012] A transmitting module is used to transmit a first radio frame; wherein the first radio frame carries Basic Service Set (BSS) change indication information; the BSS change indication information includes BSS change parameters between the BSS and the Access Point Device (AP MLD), and the BSS change parameters include change sequence elements and / or change count values.

[0013] On the other hand, this disclosure also provides an access point device, which is an access point device (AP MLD) supporting multiple connections, and the access point device includes:

[0014] A wireless frame receiving module is used to receive a first wireless frame; wherein the first wireless frame carries Basic Service Set (BSS) change indication information; the BSS change indication information includes BSS change parameters between the BSS and the site equipment (Non-AP MLD), and the BSS change parameters include change sequence elements and / or change count values.

[0015] On the other hand, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication device applied to a multi-connection site device (Non-APMLD), the device comprising:

[0016] A first transmitting module is configured to transmit a first radio frame; wherein the first radio frame carries Basic Service Set (BSS) change indication information; the BSS change indication information includes BSS change parameters between the BSS and the Access Point Device (AP MLD), and the BSS change parameters include change sequence elements and / or change count values.

[0017] On the other hand, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication device that supports multiple connections, an access point device (APMLD), the device comprising:

[0018] A first receiving module is configured to receive a first radio frame; wherein the first radio frame carries Basic Service Set (BSS) change indication information; the BSS change indication information includes BSS change parameters between the BSS and the Non-AP MLD, and the BSS change parameters include change sequence elements and / or change count values.

[0019] This disclosure also provides an electronic device, including a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, wherein the processor executes the program to implement one or more of the methods described in this disclosure.

[0020] This disclosure also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements one or more of the methods described in this disclosure.

[0021] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the non-AP MLD sends a first radio frame to request the AP MLD to update its system information. The first radio frame carries BSS change indication information, which includes BSS change parameters for one or more communication connections between the non-AP MLD and the AP MLD, to provide a way to indicate changes in BSS parameters in a multi-connection scenario.

[0022] Additional aspects and advantages of embodiments of this disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and will become apparent from the description or may be learned by practice of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0023] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments of this disclosure will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this disclosure. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0024] Figure 1 One of the flowcharts for the communication method provided in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a first example of an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0026] Figure 3 A second flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in this embodiment of the disclosure;

[0027] Figure 4 The third flowchart of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0028] Figure 5 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0029] Figure 6 This is a second schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0030] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0031] In this disclosure, the term "and / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent three cases: A alone, A and B simultaneously, and B alone. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0032] In this disclosure, the term "multiple" refers to two or more, and other quantifiers are similar.

[0033] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise indicated, the same numerals in different drawings denote the same or similar elements in the following description relating to the drawings. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with the present invention. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with some aspects of the invention as detailed in the appended claims.

[0034] The terminology used in this disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. The singular forms “a,” “the,” and “the” as used in this disclosure and the appended claims are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term “and / or” as used herein refers to and includes any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0035] It should be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used in this disclosure to describe various information, such information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish information of the same type from one another. For example, without departing from the scope of this disclosure, first information may also be referred to as second information, and similarly, second information may also be referred to as first information. Depending on the context, for example, the word "if" as used herein may be interpreted as "when," "when," or "in response to determination."

[0036] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this disclosure, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0037] This disclosure provides a communication method, apparatus, electronic device, and storage medium for indicating changes in BSS parameters in a multi-connection scenario.

[0038] The method and apparatus are based on the same concept of the application. Since the methods and apparatus solve problems in similar ways, the implementation of the apparatus and methods can refer to each other, and the repeated parts will not be described again.

[0039] like Figure 1 As shown in the illustration, this disclosure provides a communication method. Optionally, the method can be applied to a Non-AP MLD (Multi-Access Site Device) that supports multiple connections. The method may include the following steps:

[0040] Step 101: Send a first radio frame; wherein the first radio frame carries Basic Service Set (BSS) change indication information; the BSS change indication information includes BSS change parameters between the access point device (AP) and the MLD, and the BSS change parameters include change sequence elements and / or change count values.

[0041] In this disclosure, the AP and STA can be devices that support multiple connections, for example, they can be represented as APMLD and non-AP MLD, respectively. For ease of description, the following mainly describes an example of one AP and one STA communicating under multiple connections; however, the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0042] As a first example, see Figure 2 AP MLD can represent an access point that supports multi-connection communication, while non-APMLD can represent a site that supports multi-connection communication. (See reference...) Figure 2The AP MLD can operate under three communication links, such as Figure 2 As shown, AP1, AP2, and AP3 can each operate under (communication) connection 1, connection 2, and connection 3 respectively; non-AP MLDs can also operate under all three connections, such as... Figure 2 As shown, STA1, STA2, and STA3 operate at connection 1, STA2 at connection 2, and STA3 at connection 3. Figure 2 In the example, assume AP1 communicates with STA1 via the corresponding first connection Link 1; similarly, AP2 communicates with STA2 via the corresponding second connection Link 2, and AP communicates with STA3 via the third connection Link 3. Furthermore, Links 1 to 3 can be multiple connections at different frequencies, such as connections at 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz, or several connections with the same or different bandwidths at 2.4GHz. Additionally, multiple channels can exist under each connection. It is understood that... Figure 2 The communication scenarios shown are merely exemplary, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, an AP MLD can connect to multiple non-AP MLDs, or under each connection, the AP can communicate with multiple other types of sites.

[0043] When the system information of the AP MLD is updated, the non-AP MLD needs to know the update status. Therefore, the non-AP MLD sends a first radio frame to the AP MLD, carrying Basic Service Set (BSS) change indication information to obtain the updated system information under one or more communication connections. Optionally, the non-AP MLD can send the first radio frame in one communication connection with the AP MLD to save signaling resources.

[0044] Optionally, the BSS change indication information includes: BSS change parameters for one or at least two communication connections with the AP MLD, wherein the BSS change parameters include at least one of a change sequence element and a change count. Optionally, when the AP MLD receives a first radio frame from the non-AP MLD containing a change sequence element, the AP MLD compares the received change sequence field value with its most recently maintained (most recently, i.e., closest to the current time) change sequence field value. If the comparison result is not equal, the AP MLD sends the change sequence element and other elements that need to be updated by the non-AP MLD to the non-AP MLD, so that the non-AP MLD performs corresponding operations based on this update.

[0045] As a first example, the format of the Change Sequence element is shown in Table 1 below:

[0046] Table 1:

[0047]

[0048] In Table 1, the Change Sequence element includes 3 sub-elements, each occupying 1 byte.

[0049] Change Count records the number of BSS parameter changes for the AP MLD. Normally, the Change Count of each AP is initialized to 0 and should be incremented (modulo operation, modulo 256) when the AP's operating parameters are critically updated. For example, if the AP's operating parameters are critically updated and the Change Count is N (N is a natural number), increment N to N+1, then take the modulo value of N+1 and 256 to obtain the updated Change Count.

[0050] Optionally, the first wireless frame may be an ML Probe Request frame.

[0051] In this way, the non-AP MLD sends the first radio frame under a connection to request the AP MLD system information update; wherein, the non-AP MLD may not send the BSS change parameters corresponding to each connection under every connection to save signaling messages; for example, it may send the BSS change parameters of all connections under a connection.

[0052] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the non-AP MLD sends a first radio frame to request the AP MLD to update its system information. The first radio frame carries BSS change indication information, which includes BSS change parameters for one or more communication connections between the non-AP MLD and the AP MLD, to provide a way to indicate changes in BSS parameters in a multi-connection scenario.

[0053] In an optional embodiment, the BSS change indication information further includes: connection identification information of the target communication connection corresponding to each of the BSS change parameters.

[0054] The link identification information, or Link ID, identifies the connection whose change sequence element and / or change count value has changed, and there is a one-to-one correspondence between them. When the BSS change instruction information includes BSS change parameters for multiple communication connections, a corresponding target communication connection can be added for each BSS change parameter. As a second example, the format of the BSS change instruction information is shown in Table 2 below:

[0055] Table 2:

[0056]

[0057] Each Link ID is followed by its corresponding Change Sequence element and / or ChangeCount.

[0058] In an optional embodiment, before transmitting the first radio frame, the method further includes:

[0059] Receive the second radio frame;

[0060] Obtain the connection identifier information from the first multi-connection ML element in the second wireless frame.

[0061] Optionally, the second radio frame may be a beacon frame. The non-AP MLD receives the second radio frame under each communication connection and obtains the connection identification information in the first ML element carried by the AP MLD in the second radio frame.

[0062] In an optional embodiment, the BSS change indication information further includes: BSS parameter change count presentation indication information; the BSS parameter change count presentation indication information (BSS Parameter Change Count Present) is used to indicate whether the BSS change indication information is included, that is, whether the first radio frame includes the BSS change indication information. For example, an indication field is added to an element of the first radio frame, carrying BSS Parameter Change CountPresent in it. For example, when the non-AP MLD detects a Change Count in the second radio frame, indicating that the AP MLD's system information has been updated, the non-AP MLD sets the value of BSS Parameter Change Count Present to 1 to indicate that the first radio frame is used to request the updated system information from the AP MLD. In addition, the non-AP MLD also increments the current Change Count (denoted as M) by 1, and sends the incremented Change Count (denoted as M+1) to the AP MLD in the first radio frame, so that the AP MLD can update M+1 to the current Change Count.

[0063] In an optional embodiment, the BSS change indication information further includes: Multi-Connection Device Identifier (MLD ID);

[0064] The MLD ID includes the Media Access Control (MAC) address of the Non-AP MLD, which is the identifier of the Non-AP MLD that carries the system information update request from the AP MLD in the BSS change instruction information; the Media Access Control (MAC) address is used as the MLD ID.

[0065] As a third example, the format of BSS change instruction information is shown in Table 3 below:

[0066] Table 3:

[0067]

[0068] In Table 3, each MLD ID includes multiple Links, and each Link ID is followed by its corresponding ChangeSequence element and / or Change Count.

[0069] In an optional embodiment, transmitting the first wireless frame includes:

[0070] In one of the communication connections, the first wireless frame is transmitted.

[0071] The non-AP MLD sends the first radio frame under a connection to request the AP MLD to send the BSS change parameters corresponding to all communication connections, in order to save signaling messages and reduce the possibility of collisions; at the same time, reducing the sending of signaling messages can reduce power consumption.

[0072] In an optional embodiment, transmitting the first wireless frame includes:

[0073] When the Non-AP MLD is in power-saving mode, the first wireless frame is transmitted.

[0074] The power-saving state is the power-saving state. When the Non-AP MLD is in power-saving state, it can send the first radio frame without waking up. That is, when the Non-AP MLD sends the first radio frame, it does not need to switch from power-saving state to wake-up state, so as to further save power.

[0075] See Figure 3 This disclosure also provides a communication method, which, optionally, can be applied to Non-AP MLD, and may include the following steps:

[0076] Step 301: Send a first radio frame; the first radio frame includes a Multiple Connection Probe Request (ML) frame.

[0077] The ML Probe Request carries Basic Service Set (BSS) change indication information; the BSS change indication information includes BSS change parameters between the access point device (AP MLD) and the BSS change parameters include change sequence elements and / or change count values.

[0078] The BSS change instruction information is carried in the second ML information element of the ML Probe Request, and the type of the second ML information element is Probe Request.

[0079] When the system information of the AP MLD is updated, the non-AP MLD needs to know the update status. Therefore, the non-AP MLD sends an ML Probe Request to the AP MLD, which carries Basic Service Set (BSS) change indication information to obtain the updated system information under one or more communication connections. Optionally, the non-AP MLD can send the ML Probe Request within a single communication connection with the AP MLD to save signaling resources.

[0080] Optionally, the BSS change indication information includes: BSS change parameters for one or at least two communication connections with the AP MLD, wherein the BSS change parameters include at least one of Change Sequence element and ChangeCount.

[0081] Specifically, the ML Probe Request includes a second ML information element, the type of which is Probe Request. As a fourth example, the type subfield encoding of the second ML information element is shown in Table 4, and its type is Probe Request.

[0082] Table 4:

[0083]

[0084] Furthermore, the format of the second ML information element is shown in Table 5, which includes element identifier, length, element identifier extension, multi-connection control, and general information, etc.

[0085] Table 5:

[0086]

[0087] As shown in Table 5, the second ML information element includes a multi-connection control field. Furthermore, the identifier rendering bitmap in the multi-connection control field carries the BSS change indication information, as shown in Table 6:

[0088] Table 6:

[0089]

[0090] Add a new indicator field to the identifier rendering bitmap in Table 6, carrying BSS change indicator information.

[0091] In an optional embodiment, the second ML information element further includes a site configuration per-STA profile sub-element, in which the BSS change indication information is carried. An indication field is added to the per-STA profile sub-element of the second ML information element to carry the BSS change indication information.

[0092] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the non-AP MLD sends an ML Probe Request to request system information updates from the AP MLD. The ML Probe Request carries BSS change indication information, which includes BSS change parameters for one or more communication connections between the non-AP MLD and the AP MLD, to provide a way to indicate changes in BSS parameters in a multi-connection scenario.

[0093] See Figure 4 This disclosure also includes a communication method applied to an access point device (APMLD) that supports multiple connections, the method comprising:

[0094] Step 401: Receive a first radio frame; wherein the first radio frame carries Basic Service Set (BSS) change indication information; the BSS change indication information includes BSS change parameters between the site equipment (Non-AP MLD) and the site equipment (Non-AP MLD), and the BSS change parameters include change sequence elements and / or change count values.

[0095] In this disclosure, the AP and STA can be devices that support multiple connections, for example, they can be represented as APMLD and non-AP MLD, respectively. For ease of description, the following mainly describes an example of one AP and one STA communicating under multiple connections; however, the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0096] As a first example, see Figure 2 AP MLD can represent an access point that supports multi-connection communication, while non-APMLD can represent a site that supports multi-connection communication. (See reference...) Figure 2 The AP MLD can operate under three communication links, such as Figure 2 As shown, AP1, AP2, and AP3 can each operate under (communication) connection 1, connection 2, and connection 3 respectively; non-AP MLDs can also operate under all three connections, such as... Figure 2 As shown, STA1, STA2, and STA3 operate at connection 1, STA2 at connection 2, and STA3 at connection 3. Figure 2In the example, assume AP1 communicates with STA1 via the corresponding first connection Link 1; similarly, AP2 communicates with STA2 via the corresponding second connection Link 2, and AP communicates with STA3 via the third connection Link 3. Furthermore, Links 1 to 3 can be multiple connections at different frequencies, such as connections at 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz, or several connections with the same or different bandwidths at 2.4GHz. Additionally, multiple channels can exist under each connection. It is understood that... Figure 2 The communication scenarios shown are merely exemplary, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, an AP MLD can connect to multiple non-AP MLDs, or under each connection, the AP can communicate with multiple other types of sites.

[0097] When the system information of the AP MLD is updated, the non-AP MLD needs to know the update status. Therefore, the non-AP MLD sends a first radio frame to the AP MLD, carrying Basic Service Set (BSS) change indication information to obtain the updated system information under one or more communication connections. Optionally, the non-AP MLD can send the first radio frame in one communication connection with the AP MLD to save signaling resources.

[0098] Optionally, the BSS change indication information includes: BSS change parameters for one or at least two communication connections with the AP MLD, wherein the BSS change parameters include at least one of a change sequence element and a change count.

[0099] Change Count records the number of BSS parameter changes for the AP MLD. Normally, the Change Count of each AP is initialized to 0 and should be incremented (modulo 256) when a critical update occurs to the operating parameters of that AP.

[0100] Optionally, the first wireless frame may be an ML Probe Request frame.

[0101] In this way, the non-AP MLD sends the first radio frame under a connection to request the AP MLD system information update; wherein, the non-AP MLD may not send the BSS change parameters corresponding to each connection under every connection to save signaling messages; for example, it may send the BSS change parameters of all connections under a connection.

[0102] After receiving the first radio frame, the AP MLD compares the change sequence field value in the BSS change parameters with its most recently saved change sequence field value. If the comparison result is not equal, the AP MLD sends the change sequence element and other elements that need to be updated by the non-AP MLD to the non-AP MLD, so that the non-AP MLD can perform the corresponding operation based on this update.

[0103] In an optional embodiment, before receiving the first radio frame, the method further includes:

[0104] A second radio frame is sent, in which the connection identification information is carried in the first multi-connection ML element.

[0105] Optionally, the second radio frame can be a beacon frame. The AP MLD sends the second radio frame to the non-APMLD under each communication connection, carrying the connection identification information in the first ML element.

[0106] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the AP MLD receives a first radio frame, which carries BSS change indication information. The BSS change indication information includes BSS change parameters of one or more communication connections between the non-AP MLD and the AP MLD, so as to provide a way to indicate changes in BSS parameters in a multi-connection scenario.

[0107] Based on the same principles as the methods provided in the embodiments of this disclosure, the embodiments of this disclosure also provide a station device, which may be a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to a user, a handheld device with wireless connectivity, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, etc.

[0108] like Figure 5 As shown, this disclosure provides a site device, which is a multi-connection site device (Non-AP MLD). The site device includes:

[0109] The transmitting module 501 is used to transmit a first radio frame; wherein the first radio frame carries Basic Service Set (BSS) change indication information; the BSS change indication information includes BSS change parameters between the BSS and the Access Point Device (AP MLD), and the BSS change parameters include change sequence elements and / or change count values.

[0110] In this disclosure, the AP and STA can be devices that support multiple connections, for example, they can be represented as APMLD and non-AP MLD, respectively. For ease of description, the following mainly describes an example of one AP and one STA communicating under multiple connections; however, the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0111] As a first example, see Figure 2 AP MLD can represent an access point that supports multi-connection communication, while non-APMLD can represent a site that supports multi-connection communication. (See reference...) Figure 2 The AP MLD can operate under three communication links, such as Figure 2 As shown, AP1, AP2, and AP3 can each operate under (communication) connection 1, connection 2, and connection 3 respectively; non-AP MLDs can also operate under all three connections, such as... Figure 2 As shown, STA1, STA2, and STA3 operate at connection 1, STA2 at connection 2, and STA3 at connection 3. Figure 2 In the example, assume AP1 communicates with STA1 via the corresponding first connection Link 1; similarly, AP2 communicates with STA2 via the corresponding second connection Link 2, and AP communicates with STA3 via the third connection Link 3. Furthermore, Links 1 to 3 can be multiple connections at different frequencies, such as connections at 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz, or several connections with the same or different bandwidths at 2.4GHz. Additionally, multiple channels can exist under each connection. It is understood that... Figure 2 The communication scenarios shown are merely exemplary, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, an AP MLD can connect to multiple non-AP MLDs, or under each connection, the AP can communicate with multiple other types of sites.

[0112] When the system information of the AP MLD is updated, the non-AP MLD needs to know the update status. Therefore, the non-AP MLD sends a first radio frame to the AP MLD, carrying Basic Service Set (BSS) change indication information to obtain the updated system information under one or more communication connections. Optionally, the non-AP MLD can send the first radio frame in one communication connection with the AP MLD to save signaling resources.

[0113] Optionally, the BSS change indication information includes: BSS change parameters for one or at least two communication connections with the AP MLD, wherein the BSS change parameters include at least one of a change sequence element and a change count. Optionally, when the AP MLD receives a first radio frame from a non-AP MLD containing a change sequence element, the AP MLD compares the received change sequence field value with its most recently saved change sequence field value. If the comparison result is not equal, the AP MLD sends the change sequence element and other elements that need to be updated by the non-AP MLD to the non-AP MLD, so that the non-AP MLD performs the corresponding operation based on this update. As a first example, the format of the change sequence element is shown in Table 1 below:

[0114] Table 1:

[0115]

[0116] In Table 1, the Change Sequence element includes 3 sub-elements, each occupying 1 byte.

[0117] Change Count records the number of BSS parameter changes for the AP MLD. Normally, the Change Count of each AP is initialized to 0 and should be incremented (modulo 256) when a critical update occurs to the operating parameters of that AP.

[0118] Optionally, the first wireless frame may be an ML Probe Request frame.

[0119] In this way, the non-AP MLD sends the first radio frame under a connection to request the AP MLD system information update; wherein, the non-AP MLD may not send the BSS change parameters corresponding to each connection under every connection to save signaling messages; for example, it may send the BSS change parameters of all connections under a connection.

[0120] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the BSS change indication information further includes: connection identification information of the target communication connection corresponding to each of the BSS change parameters.

[0121] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the site device further includes:

[0122] The receiving module is used to receive the second radio frame;

[0123] The acquisition module is used to acquire the connection identification information in the first multi-connection ML element in the second wireless frame.

[0124] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the BSS change indication information further includes: BSS parameter change count presentation indication information; the BSS parameter change count presentation indication information is used to indicate whether the BSS change indication information is included.

[0125] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the BSS change indication information further includes: Multi-Connection Device Identifier (MLD ID);

[0126] The MLD ID includes the Media Access Control (MAC) address of the Non-AP MLD.

[0127] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the sending module 501 includes:

[0128] A first transmitting submodule is configured to transmit the first wireless frame within one of the communication connections.

[0129] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the sending module 501 includes:

[0130] The second transmitting submodule is used to transmit the first wireless frame when the Non-AP MLD is in power-saving mode.

[0131] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the first wireless frame includes a Multiple Connection Probe Request (ML) frame;

[0132] The BSS change instruction information is carried in the second ML information element of the ML Probe Request, and the type of the second ML information element is Probe Request.

[0133] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the BSS change indication information is carried in the site configuration per-STA profile sub-element of the second ML information element.

[0134] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the BSS change indication information includes: BSS change parameters of one or at least two communication connections with the AP MLD.

[0135] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the sending module 501 sends a first radio frame to request system information updates for the AP MLD; the first radio frame carries BSS change indication information, which includes BSS change parameters for one or more communication connections between the non-AP MLD and the AP MLD, to provide a way to indicate changes in BSS parameters in a multi-connection scenario.

[0136] This disclosure also provides a communication device for use in a multi-connection site device (Non-AP MLD), the device comprising:

[0137] A first transmitting module is configured to transmit a first radio frame; wherein the first radio frame carries Basic Service Set (BSS) change indication information; the BSS change indication information includes BSS change parameters between the BSS and the Access Point Device (AP MLD), and the BSS change parameters include change sequence elements and / or change count values.

[0138] The device also includes other modules of the site equipment in the foregoing embodiments, which will not be described in detail here.

[0139] See Figure 6 This disclosure also provides an access point device, which is an access point device (AP MLD) supporting multiple connections. The access point device includes:

[0140] The wireless frame receiving module 601 is used to receive a first wireless frame; wherein the first wireless frame carries Basic Service Set (BSS) change indication information; the BSS change indication information includes BSS change parameters between the BSS and the site equipment (Non-AP MLD), and the BSS change parameters include change sequence elements and / or change count values.

[0141] In this disclosure, the AP and STA can be devices that support multiple connections, for example, they can be represented as APMLD and non-AP MLD, respectively. For ease of description, the following mainly describes an example of one AP and one STA communicating under multiple connections; however, the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0142] As a first example, see Figure 2 AP MLD can represent an access point that supports multi-connection communication, while non-APMLD can represent a site that supports multi-connection communication. (See reference...) Figure 2 The AP MLD can operate under three communication links, such as Figure 2 As shown, AP1, AP2, and AP3 can each operate under (communication) connection 1, connection 2, and connection 3 respectively; non-AP MLDs can also operate under all three connections, such as... Figure 2 As shown, STA1, STA2, and STA3 operate at connection 1, STA2 at connection 2, and STA3 at connection 3. Figure 2 In the example, assume AP1 communicates with STA1 via the corresponding first connection Link 1; similarly, AP2 communicates with STA2 via the corresponding second connection Link 2, and AP communicates with STA3 via the third connection Link 3. Furthermore, Links 1 to 3 can be multiple connections at different frequencies, such as connections at 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz, or several connections with the same or different bandwidths at 2.4GHz. Additionally, multiple channels can exist under each connection. It is understood that... Figure 2 The communication scenarios shown are merely exemplary, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, an AP MLD can connect to multiple non-AP MLDs, or under each connection, the AP can communicate with multiple other types of sites.

[0143] When the system information of the AP MLD is updated, the non-AP MLD needs to know the update status. Therefore, the non-AP MLD sends a first radio frame to the AP MLD, carrying Basic Service Set (BSS) change indication information to obtain the updated system information under one or more communication connections. Optionally, the non-AP MLD can send the first radio frame in one communication connection with the AP MLD to save signaling resources.

[0144] Optionally, the BSS change indication information includes: BSS change parameters for one or at least two communication connections with the AP MLD, wherein the BSS change parameters include at least one of a change sequence element and a change count.

[0145] Change Count records the number of BSS parameter changes for the AP MLD. Normally, the Change Count of each AP is initialized to 0 and should be incremented (modulo 256) when a critical update occurs to the operating parameters of that AP.

[0146] Optionally, the first wireless frame may be an ML Probe Request frame.

[0147] In this way, the non-AP MLD sends the first radio frame under a connection to request the AP MLD system information update; wherein, the non-AP MLD may not send the BSS change parameters corresponding to each connection under every connection to save signaling messages; for example, it may send the BSS change parameters of all connections under a connection.

[0148] After receiving the first radio frame, the AP MLD compares the change sequence field value in the BSS change parameters with its most recently saved change sequence field value. If the comparison result is not equal, the AP MLD sends the change sequence element and other elements that need to be updated by the non-AP MLD to the non-AP MLD, so that the non-AP MLD can perform the corresponding operation based on this update.

[0149] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the access point device further includes:

[0150] A wireless frame transmission module is used to transmit a second wireless frame, in which the connection identification information is carried in a first multi-connection (ML) element.

[0151] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the wireless frame receiving module 601 receives a first wireless frame, which carries BSS change indication information. The BSS change indication information includes BSS change parameters of one or more communication connections between the non-AP MLD and the AP MLD, so as to provide a way to indicate changes in BSS parameters in a multi-connection scenario.

[0152] This disclosure also provides a communication device for use in an access point device (AP MLD) that supports multiple connections, the communication device comprising:

[0153] A first receiving module is configured to receive a first radio frame; wherein the first radio frame carries Basic Service Set (BSS) change indication information; the BSS change indication information includes BSS change parameters between the BSS and the Non-AP MLD, and the BSS change parameters include change sequence elements and / or change count values.

[0154] The device also includes other modules of the access point device in the foregoing embodiments, which will not be described in detail here.

[0155] In one optional embodiment, this disclosure also provides an electronic device, such as... Figure 7 As shown, Figure 7The illustrated electronic device 7000 can be a server, including a processor 7001 and a memory 7003. The processor 7001 and the memory 7003 are connected, for example, via a bus 7002. Optionally, the electronic device 7000 may also include a transceiver 7004. It should be noted that in practical applications, the transceiver 7004 is not limited to one type, and the structure of this electronic device 7000 does not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0156] Processor 7001 may be a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a general-purpose processor, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. It may implement or execute the various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with this disclosure. Processor 7001 may also be a combination that implements computational functions, such as including one or more microprocessor combinations, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, etc.

[0157] Bus 7002 may include a pathway for transmitting information between the aforementioned components. Bus 7002 may be a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus or an EISA (Extended Industry Standard Architecture) bus, etc. Bus 7002 can be divided into address bus, data bus, control bus, etc. For ease of representation, Figure 7 The bus is represented by a single thick line, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0158] The memory 7003 may be ROM (Read Only Memory) or other types of static storage devices capable of storing static information and instructions, RAM (Random Access Memory) or other types of dynamic storage devices capable of storing information and instructions, or EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital universal optical discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and accessible by a computer, but not limited thereto.

[0159] The memory 7003 stores application code that executes the present disclosure and is controlled by the processor 7001. The processor 7001 executes the application code stored in the memory 7003 to implement the content shown in the foregoing method embodiments.

[0160] Among them, electronic devices include, but are not limited to: mobile terminals such as mobile phones, laptops, digital radio receivers, PDAs (personal digital assistants), PADs (tablet computers), PMPs (portable multimedia players), and in-vehicle terminals (such as in-vehicle navigation terminals), as well as fixed terminals such as digital TVs and desktop computers. Figure 7 The electronic device shown is merely an example and should not be construed as limiting the functionality and scope of the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0161] The server provided in this disclosure can be a standalone physical server, a server cluster or distributed system composed of multiple physical servers, or a cloud server providing basic cloud computing services such as cloud services, cloud databases, cloud computing, cloud functions, cloud storage, network services, cloud communication, middleware services, domain name services, security services, CDN, and big data and artificial intelligence platforms. The terminal can be a smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop computer, smart speaker, smartwatch, etc., but is not limited to these. The terminal and server can be directly or indirectly connected via wired or wireless communication, and this disclosure does not impose any restrictions.

[0162] This disclosure provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program that, when run on a computer, enables the computer to execute the corresponding content in the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0163] It should be understood that although the steps in the flowcharts of the accompanying figures are shown sequentially as indicated by the arrows, these steps are not necessarily executed in the order indicated by the arrows. Unless explicitly stated herein, there is no strict order restriction on the execution of these steps, and they can be executed in other orders. Moreover, at least some steps in the flowcharts of the accompanying figures may include multiple sub-steps or multiple stages. These sub-steps or stages are not necessarily completed at the same time, but can be executed at different times, and their execution order is not necessarily sequential, but can be performed alternately or in turn with other steps or at least some of the sub-steps or stages of other steps.

[0164] It should be noted that the computer-readable medium described in this disclosure can be a computer-readable signal medium or a computer-readable storage medium, or any combination thereof. A computer-readable storage medium can be, for example,—but not limited to—an electrical, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any combination thereof. More specific examples of a computer-readable storage medium may include, but are not limited to: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer disk, a hard disk, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), optical fiber, portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), optical storage device, magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination thereof. In this disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium can be any tangible medium containing or storing a program that can be used by or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. In this disclosure, a computer-readable signal medium can include a data signal propagated in baseband or as part of a carrier wave, carrying computer-readable program code. Such propagated data signals can take various forms, including but not limited to electromagnetic signals, optical signals, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer-readable signal medium can be any computer-readable medium other than a computer-readable storage medium, which can send, propagate, or transmit a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The program code contained on the computer-readable medium can be transmitted using any suitable medium, including but not limited to: wires, optical fibers, RF (radio frequency), etc., or any suitable combination thereof.

[0165] The aforementioned computer-readable medium may be included in the aforementioned electronic device; or it may exist independently and not assembled into the electronic device.

[0166] The aforementioned computer-readable medium carries one or more programs, which, when executed by the electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform the methods shown in the above embodiments.

[0167] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a computer program product or computer program is provided, comprising computer instructions stored in a computer-readable storage medium. A processor of a computer device reads the computer instructions from the computer-readable storage medium and executes the computer instructions, causing the computer device to perform the communication methods provided in the various alternative implementations described above.

[0168] Computer program code for performing the operations of this disclosure can be written in one or more programming languages ​​or a combination thereof, including object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Java, Smalltalk, and C++, and conventional procedural programming languages ​​such as the "C" language or similar programming languages. The program code can be executed entirely on the user's computer, partially on the user's computer, as a standalone software package, partially on the user's computer and partially on a remote computer, or entirely on a remote computer or server. In cases involving remote computers, the remote computer can be connected to the user's computer via any type of network—including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN)—or can be connected to an external computer (e.g., via the Internet using an Internet service provider).

[0169] The flowcharts and block diagrams in the accompanying drawings illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of this disclosure. In this regard, each block in a flowchart or block diagram may represent a module, segment, or portion of code containing one or more executable instructions for implementing a specified logical function. It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions indicated in the blocks may occur in a different order than those indicated in the drawings. For example, two consecutively indicated blocks may actually be executed substantially in parallel, and they may sometimes be executed in reverse order, depending on the functions involved. It should also be noted that each block in the block diagrams and / or flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and / or flowcharts, can be implemented using a dedicated hardware-based system that performs the specified function or operation, or using a combination of dedicated hardware and computer instructions.

[0170] The modules described in the embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented in software or in hardware. The name of a module does not necessarily limit the module itself; for example, module A can also be described as "module A for performing operation B".

[0171] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this disclosure and an explanation of the technical principles employed. Those skilled in the art should understand that the scope of this disclosure is not limited to technical solutions formed by specific combinations of the above-described technical features, but should also cover other technical solutions formed by arbitrary combinations of the above-described technical features or their equivalents without departing from the above-described concept. For example, technical solutions formed by substituting the above features with (but not limited to) technical features disclosed in this disclosure that have similar functions.

Claims

1. A communication method applied to a Non-AP MLD (Multi-Access Site Device) supporting multiple connections, characterized in that: The method includes: A first radio frame is transmitted; wherein the first radio frame carries Basic Service Set (BSS) change indication information; the BSS change indication information includes BSS change parameters between the BSS and the Access Point Device (AP MLD), and the BSS change parameters include change sequence elements and / or change count values; The first wireless frame includes a Multiple Connection Probe Request (ML) frame.

2. The communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The BSS change indication information also includes: connection identification information of the target communication connection corresponding to each BSS change parameter.

3. The communication method according to claim 2, characterized in that, Before sending the first wireless frame, the method further includes: Receive the second radio frame; Obtain the connection identifier information from the first multi-connection ML element in the second wireless frame.

4. The communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The BSS change indication information also includes: BSS parameter change count presentation indication information; the BSS parameter change count presentation indication information is used to indicate whether the BSS change indication information is included.

5. The communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The BSS change instruction information also includes: Multi-Connection Device Identifier (MLD ID); The MLD ID includes the Media Access Control (MAC) address of the Non-AP MLD.

6. The communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transmission of the first wireless frame includes: In a communication connection, the first wireless frame is sent.

7. The communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transmission of the first wireless frame includes: When the Non-AP MLD is in power-saving mode, the first wireless frame is transmitted.

8. The communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The BSS change instruction information is carried in the second ML information element of the ML Probe Request, and the type of the second ML information element is Probe Request.

9. The communication method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The BSS change instruction information is carried in the per-STA profile sub-element of the second ML information element.

10. The communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The BSS change indication information includes: BSS change parameters between the AP MLD and one or at least two communication connections.

11. A communication method applied to an access point device (AP MLD) supporting multiple connections, characterized in that, The method includes: Receive a first radio frame; wherein the first radio frame carries Basic Service Set (BSS) change indication information; the BSS change indication information includes BSS change parameters between the BSS and the Non-AP MLD, and the BSS change parameters include change sequence elements and / or change count values; The first wireless frame includes a Multiple Connection Probe Request (ML) frame.

12. The communication method according to claim 11, characterized in that, Before receiving the first wireless frame, the method further includes: A second radio frame is sent, in which connection identification information is carried in the first multi-connection ML element.

13. A site device, wherein the site device is a multi-connection site device (Non-AP MLD), characterized in that, The site equipment includes: A transmitting module is configured to transmit a first radio frame; wherein the first radio frame carries Basic Service Set (BSS) change indication information; the BSS change indication information includes BSS change parameters between the BSS and the Access Point Device (AP MLD), and the BSS change parameters include change sequence elements and / or change count values; The first wireless frame includes a Multiple Connection Probe Request (ML) frame.

14. The site equipment according to claim 13, characterized in that, The BSS change indication information also includes: connection identification information of the target communication connection corresponding to each BSS change parameter.

15. The site equipment according to claim 14, characterized in that, The site equipment also includes: The receiving module is used to receive the second radio frame; The acquisition module is used to acquire the connection identification information in the first multi-connection ML element in the second wireless frame.

16. The site equipment according to claim 13, characterized in that, The BSS change indication information also includes: BSS parameter change count presentation indication information; the BSS parameter change count presentation indication information is used to indicate whether the BSS change indication information is included.

17. The site equipment according to claim 13, characterized in that, The BSS change instruction information also includes: Multi-Connection Device Identifier (MLD ID); The MLD ID includes the Media Access Control (MAC) address of the Non-AP MLD.

18. An access point device, wherein the access point device is a multi-connection access point device (AP MLD), characterized in that, The access point device includes: A wireless frame receiving module is configured to receive a first wireless frame; wherein the first wireless frame carries Basic Service Set (BSS) change indication information; the BSS change indication information includes BSS change parameters between the BSS and the Non-AP MLD (Minimum Access Device), and the BSS change parameters include change sequence elements and / or change count values; The first wireless frame includes a Multiple Connection Probe Request (ML) frame.

19. A communication device applied to a multi-connection site device (Non-AP MLD), characterized in that, The device includes: A first transmitting module is configured to transmit a first radio frame; wherein the first radio frame carries Basic Service Set (BSS) change indication information; the BSS change indication information includes BSS change parameters between the BSS and the Access Point Device (AP MLD), and the BSS change parameters include change sequence elements and / or change count values; The first wireless frame includes a Multiple Connection Probe Request (ML) frame.

20. A communication device applied to an access point device (AP MLD) supporting multiple connections, characterized in that, The device includes: A first receiving module is configured to receive a first radio frame; wherein the first radio frame carries Basic Service Set (BSS) change indication information; the BSS change indication information includes BSS change parameters between the BSS and the Non-AP MLD, and the BSS change parameters include change sequence elements and / or change count values; The first wireless frame includes a Multiple Connection Probe Request (ML) frame.

21. An electronic device, characterized in that, It includes a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, wherein the processor, when executing the program, implements the method of any one of claims 1 to 12.

22. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the method of any one of claims 1 to 12.

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