Channel access method and related apparatus for multi-link device

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of wireless communication, such as being applied to a wireless local area network supporting the 802.11be standard, and particularly relates to a channel access method of a multi-link device and related apparatus. The method comprises: when a length of a first PPDU sent by a first multi-link device on a first link is less than or equal to a first value, the first multi-link device does not start a medium synchronization delay timer on a second link, wherein the first multi-link device cannot simultaneously transmit and receive on the first link and the second link. By adopting the embodiments of the present application, the efficiency of channel access can be improved in the case that the non-STR MLD is in a blind state / self-interference state.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese Patent Application No. 202010924423.8, filed on September 4, 2020, entitled “Channel Access Method for Multi-link Device and Related Apparatus”, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to the technical field of wireless communication, and in particular, to a channel access method for multi-link device and related apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0003] With the development of wireless communication technology, more and more wireless communication devices support multi-link communication, such as simultaneously communicating in 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz frequency bands, or simultaneously communicating in different channels of the same frequency band, etc. Such wireless communication devices are usually referred to as multi-link devices (MLD). Obviously, multi-link devices can use multiple links for parallel communication to greatly improve the transmission rate.

[0004] Although multi-link devices can improve the transmission rate by using multiple links for parallel communication, when the frequency interval between multiple frequency bands supported by an extremely high throughput (EHT) multi-link device is small, transmitting a signal in one frequency band will affect receiving a signal in another frequency band. For example, an EHT multi-link device transmits on link 1, and since the frequency interval between link 1 and link 2 is small, the transmitted signal on link 1 will cause channel interference to link 2, affecting the channel access and receiving information on link 2. Therefore, this device cannot independently perform transmitting and receiving operations simultaneously in multiple frequency bands to avoid mutual interference. According to the current progress of the 802.11TGbe standard group, it is defined that an EHT multi-link device can have the capability of simultaneous transmitting and receiving (STR), and can have the capability of not simultaneous transmitting and receiving (non-STR).

[0005] When a non-STR capable MLD (non-STR MLD for short) transmits on a link, it is in a blind state (blindness period or deaf period) due to interference affecting the clear channel assessment (CCA) on other links. The blind state means that the non-STR MLD cannot listen to or cannot listen to any information on the channel. Therefore, when the non-STR MLD is in a blind state on some links, how the non-STR MLD performs channel access on these links becomes a problem to be solved. SUMMARY

[0006] Embodiments of the present application provide a channel access method of a multi-link device and related apparatus, which can improve the efficiency of channel access when the non-STR MLD is in a blind state / self-interference state.

[0007] The present application is described below from different aspects. It should be understood that the implementation and advantages of the different aspects below can be referred to each other.

[0008] In a first aspect, the present application provides a channel access method of a multi-link device, which includes: when a first PPDU transmitted by a first multi-link device on a first link has a length less than or equal to a first value, the first multi-link device does not start a medium synchronization delay timer on a second link, wherein the first multi-link device cannot simultaneously transmit and receive on the first link and the second link.

[0009] In the method, the first multi-link device does not start the medium synchronization delay timer on the second link includes: when the first multi-link device performs channel contention on the second link, an energy detection threshold used by a clear channel assessment (CCA) is set to a first threshold, and the first threshold is -62 dBm; or, after a backoff counter of the first multi-link device on the second link backs off to 0, the first multi-link device is allowed to transmit frames other than RTS frames and MU-RTS frames.

[0010] The present solution sets the energy detection threshold used by the CCA to -62 dBm when the length of the PPDU transmitted on one link is less than or equal to a certain value, or does not start the medium synchronization delay timer on another link, or does not need to use the RTS frame to perform channel protection / channel availability exploration on another link, thereby improving the channel access efficiency or the channel access success rate of the first multi-link device on another link, or improving the channel access opportunity of the first multi-link device on another link.

[0011] With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: receiving, by the first multi-link device, the first value. The first value can be carried in a beacon frame, and can also be carried in an association response frame or a re-association response frame.

[0012] Optionally, the first value can be carried in a multi-link element, or an extremely high throughput operation element, or a newly defined element.

[0013] With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: when the length of the first PPDU is greater than the first value, determining, by the first multi-link device, an initial value of a media synchronization delay timer corresponding to the length of the first PPDU, and starting the media synchronization delay timer on the second link with the initial value.

[0014] Optionally, the method further includes: receiving, by the first multi-link device, first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate a mapping relationship between a physical protocol data unit (PPDU) length and an initial value of a media synchronization delay timer.

[0015] According to the length of the first PPDU, the initial value of the media synchronization delay timer is determined in the scheme, so that the setting of the media synchronization delay timer is more flexible.

[0016] With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: when the length of the first PPDU is greater than the first value, starting, by the first multi-link device, the media synchronization delay timer on the second link; and if the first multi-link device performs channel contention on the second link within a time period counted by the media synchronization delay timer, setting an energy detection threshold used by CCA on the second link to a threshold value corresponding to the length of the first PPDU.

[0017] Optionally, before the first multi-link device transmits the first PPDU on the first link, the method further includes: receiving, by the first multi-link device, second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate a mapping relationship between a PPDU length and an energy detection threshold.

[0018] According to the length of the first PPDU, the energy detection threshold is determined in the scheme, so that the channel access mechanism on the second link is more flexible, thereby improving the channel access efficiency.

[0019] In a second aspect, the present application provides a first multi-link device or a chip in the first multi-link device, such as a Wi-Fi chip. The first multi-link device can be a non-STR MLD. The first multi-link device comprises a processing unit configured to start a medium synchronization delay timer on a second link when a length of a first PPDU sent by the first multi-link device on a first link is less than or equal to a first value, wherein the first multi-link device cannot simultaneously transmit and receive on the first link and the second link.

[0020] In some embodiments, the processing unit is further configured to set an energy detection threshold for a clear channel assessment (CCA) on the second link to a first threshold, the first threshold being -62 dBm. In some embodiments, the first multi-link device further comprises a transceiver configured to transmit a frame other than a request to send (RTS) frame and a multi-user request to send (MU-RTS) frame after a backoff counter on the second link backs off to 0.

[0021] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the first multi-link device further comprises a transceiver configured to receive the first value. The first value can be carried in a beacon frame, an association response frame, or a re-association response frame.

[0022] Optionally, the first value can be carried in a multi-link element, an extremely high throughput operation element, or a newly defined element.

[0023] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the processing unit is further configured to determine an initial value of the medium synchronization delay timer corresponding to the length of the first PPDU when the length of the first PPDU is greater than the first value, and start the medium synchronization delay timer on the second link with the initial value.

[0024] Optionally, the first multi-link device further comprises a transceiver configured to receive first indication information indicating a mapping relationship between a PPDU length and an initial value of a medium synchronization delay timer.

[0025] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the processing unit is further configured to start the medium synchronization delay timer on the second link when the length of the first PPDU is greater than the first value, and set an energy detection threshold for a clear channel assessment (CCA) on the second link to a threshold value corresponding to the length of the first PPDU if the first multi-link device performs a channel contention on the second link during a time period counted by the medium synchronization delay timer.

[0026] Optionally, the first multi-link device further comprises a transceiver, configured to: receive, by the first multi-link device, second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate a mapping relationship between a PPDU length and an energy detection threshold.

[0027] In a third aspect, the present application provides a channel access method of a multi-link device, the method comprising: when a first frame sent by a first multi-link device on a first link is of a first type, the first multi-link device does not start a medium synchronization delay timer on a second link, wherein the first multi-link device cannot simultaneously transmit and receive on the first link and the second link.

[0028] Optionally, the first multi-link device does not start the medium synchronization delay timer on the second link comprises: when the first multi-link device performs channel contention on the second link, setting an energy detection threshold used by a clear channel assessment (CCA) to a first threshold, the first threshold being -62 dBm; or, after a backoff counter of the first multi-link device on the second link backoffs to 0, allowing to send frames other than RTS frames and MU-RTS frames.

[0029] Optionally, the first frame is of the first type when the first frame is any one of the following frames: a request to send (RTS) frame, a multiple user RTS (MU-RTS) frame, a power save-Poll (PS-Poll) frame, a CTS frame, a buffer status report (BSR) frame, a bandwidth query report (BQR) frame, a null data packet (NDP) frame, an acknowledge (ACK) frame, and a block ACK (BA) block acknowledge frame.

[0030] Optionally, the first frame is an RTS frame or a MU-RTS frame. If the first multi-link device does not receive a clear to send (CTS) frame on the first link within a preset time, the first multi-link device does not start the medium synchronization delay timer on the second link.

[0031] Optionally, the first frame is a PS-Poll frame. If the first multi-link device does not receive a clear to send PS-Poll frame on the first link within a preset time, the first multi-link device does not start the medium synchronization delay timer on the second link.

[0032] Optionally, the first frame is a CTS frame. Before the first multi-link device transmits the first PPDU on the first link, the method further includes that the first multi-link device receives an RTS frame or an MU-RTS frame on the first link.

[0033] Optionally, the first frame is a status report BSR frame. Before the first multi-link device transmits the first PPDU on the first link, the method further includes that the first multi-link device receives a status report poll BSRP trigger frame on the first link.

[0034] Optionally, the first frame is a bandwidth query report BQR frame. Before the first multi-link device transmits the first PPDU on the first link, the method further includes that the first multi-link device receives a bandwidth query report poll BQRP trigger frame on the first link.

[0035] Optionally, the first frame is a null data packet NDP frame. Before the first multi-link device transmits the first PPDU on the first link, the method further includes that the first multi-link device receives a beamforming report poll BFRP trigger frame on the first link.

[0036] Optionally, the first frame is an ACK frame or a BA frame. Before the first multi-link device transmits the first PPDU on the first link, the first multi-link device receives a data frame or a management frame on the first link.

[0037] In a fourth aspect, a first multi-link device or a chip in the first multi-link device, such as a Wi-Fi chip, is provided. The first multi-link device can be a non-STR MLD. The first multi-link device includes a processing unit configured to, when a first frame transmitted by the first multi-link device on a first link is of a first type, the first multi-link device does not start a medium synchronization time delay timer on a second link, wherein the first multi-link device cannot simultaneously transmit and receive on the first link and the second link.

[0038] Optionally, the processing unit is specifically configured to set an energy detection threshold for a clear channel assessment CCA on the second link to a first threshold, the first threshold being -62 dBm. Alternatively, the first multi-link device further includes a transceiver configured to, after a backoff counter on the second link backs off to 0, transmit a frame other than an RTS frame and an MU-RTS frame.

[0039] Optionally, the first frame is of a first type when the first frame is any one of a request to send (RTS) frame, a multiple user RTS (MU-RTS) frame, a power save poll (PS-Poll) frame, a CTS frame, a buffer status report (BSR) frame, a bandwidth query report (BQR) frame, a null data packet (NDP) frame, an acknowledge (ACK) frame, or a block ACK (BA) frame.

[0040] Optionally, the first frame is an RTS frame or a MU-RTS frame. The processing unit is specifically configured to not start the medium synchronization delay timer on the second link when the first multi-link device does not receive a clear to send (CTS) frame on the first link within a preset time.

[0041] Optionally, the first frame is a PS-Poll frame. The processing unit is specifically configured to not start the medium synchronization delay timer on the second link when the first multi-link device does not receive a clear to send PS-Poll frame on the first link within a preset time.

[0042] Optionally, the first frame is a CTS frame. The first multi-link device further includes a transceiver configured to receive an RTS frame or a MU-RTS frame on the first link.

[0043] Optionally, the first PPDU is a buffer status report (BSR) frame. The first multi-link device further includes a transceiver configured to receive a buffer status report poll (BSRP) trigger frame on the first link.

[0044] Optionally, the first PPDU is a bandwidth query report (BQR) frame. The first multi-link device further includes a transceiver configured to receive a bandwidth query report poll (BQRP) trigger frame on the first link.

[0045] Optionally, the first PPDU is a null data packet (NDP) frame. The first multi-link device further includes a transceiver configured to receive a beamforming report poll (BFRP) trigger frame on the first link.

[0046] Optionally, the first PPDU is an ACK frame or a BA frame. The first multi-link device further includes a transceiver configured to receive a data frame or a management frame on the first link.

[0047] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a method for determining an initial length of a medium synchronization delay timer, which comprises: a first multi-link device receiving first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate a mapping relationship between a PPDU length and an initial value (or initial length) of a medium synchronization delay timer; the first multi-link device determining, according to a length of a first PPDU sent on a first link, an initial value of the medium synchronization delay timer corresponding to the length of the first PPDU, the initial value being used to determine whether to start the medium synchronization delay timer on a second link. The first multi-link device cannot simultaneously transmit and receive on the first link and the second link.

[0048] Optionally, the first multi-link device determines whether to start the medium synchronization delay timer on the second link according to the initial value of the medium synchronization delay timer corresponding to the length of the first PPDU.

[0049] Optionally, if the determined initial value of the medium synchronization delay timer is equal to 0, the first multi-link device does not start the medium synchronization delay timer on the second link. If the determined initial value of the medium synchronization delay timer is equal to 0, the first multi-link device starts the medium synchronization delay timer on the second link with the initial value.

[0050] Optionally, the first multi-link device starts the medium synchronization delay timer on the second link, which can be understood as (or can be described as): during the time counted by the medium synchronization delay timer, the first multi-link device can use a more conservative channel access mechanism on the second link. The more conservative channel access mechanism includes but is not limited to: 1) using a lower energy detection threshold (here, a lower ED threshold than -62 dBm) to determine whether the channel is busy; 2) having to send an RTS frame to probe the availability of the channel.

[0051] In the present solution, different PPDU lengths / byte lengths correspond to different initial values of the medium synchronization delay timer, so that the setting of the medium synchronization delay timer is more flexible, and the channel access efficiency can be improved.

[0052] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a method for determining an initial length of a medium synchronization delay timer, which comprises: a second multi-link device generating and sending first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate a mapping relationship between a PPDU length and an initial value (or initial length) of a medium synchronization delay timer.

[0053] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a first multi-link device or a chip in the first multi-link device, such as a Wi-Fi chip. The first multi-link device can be a non-STR MLD. The communication apparatus comprises: a transceiver configured to receive first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate a mapping relationship between a PPDU length and an initial value of a media synchronization delay timer; and a processor configured to determine, according to a length of a first PPDU transmitted on a first link, an initial value of the media synchronization delay timer corresponding to the length of the first PPDU. The communication apparatus cannot simultaneously transmit and receive on the first link and a second link.

[0054] Optionally, the processor is further configured to determine, according to the initial value of the media synchronization delay timer corresponding to the length of the first PPDU, whether to start the media synchronization delay timer on the second link.

[0055] Optionally, the processor is specifically configured to: if the determined initial value of the media synchronization delay timer is equal to 0, not start the media synchronization delay timer on the second link; or if the determined initial value of the media synchronization delay timer is equal to 0, start the media synchronization delay timer on the second link.

[0056] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a second multi-link device or a chip in the second multi-link device, such as a Wi-Fi chip. The second multi-link device can be an STR MLD. The communication apparatus comprises: a processor configured to generate first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate a mapping relationship between a PPDU length and an initial value (or an initial duration) of a media synchronization delay timer; and a transceiver configured to transmit the first indication information.

[0057] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a method for determining an energy detection threshold in a CCA process. The method comprises: a first multi-link device receiving second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate a mapping relationship between a PPDU length and an energy detection threshold; the first multi-link device transmitting a first PPDU on a first link; and the first multi-link device determining, according to a length of the first PPDU transmitted on the first link, an energy detection threshold corresponding to the length of the first PPDU, the energy detection threshold being used to determine whether to start a media synchronization delay timer on a second link. The first multi-link device cannot simultaneously transmit and receive on the first link and the second link.

[0058] Optionally, the first multi-link device determines, according to the energy detection threshold corresponding to the length of the first PPDU, whether to start the media synchronization delay timer on the second link.

[0059] Optionally, if the determined energy detection threshold is equal to -62dBm, the first multi-link device does not start the medium synchronization delay timer on the second link. If the determined energy detection threshold is less than -62dBm, the first multi-link device starts the medium synchronization delay timer on the second link.

[0060] In this solution, different PPDU length / byte length corresponds to different energy detection threshold, so that the channel access mechanism on the second link is more flexible, and the channel access efficiency can be improved.

[0061] In a tenth aspect, the present application provides a method for determining an energy detection threshold in a CCA process, comprising: a second multi-link device generating and sending second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate a mapping relationship between a PPDU length and an energy detection threshold.

[0062] In an eleventh aspect, the present application provides a first multi-link device or a chip in the first multi-link device, such as a Wi-Fi chip. The first multi-link device can be a non-STR MLD. The communication apparatus comprises: a transceiver unit, configured to receive second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate a mapping relationship between a PPDU length and an energy detection threshold; and a processing unit, configured to determine, according to a length of a first PPDU sent on a first link, an energy detection threshold corresponding to the length of the first PPDU, the energy detection threshold being used to determine whether to start a medium synchronization delay timer on a second link. The first multi-link device cannot simultaneously transmit and receive on the first link and the second link.

[0063] Optionally, the processing unit is further configured to determine, according to the energy detection threshold corresponding to the length of the first PPDU, whether to start the medium synchronization delay timer on the second link. The communication apparatus cannot simultaneously transmit and receive on the first link and the second link.

[0064] Optionally, the processing unit is specifically configured to: if the determined energy detection threshold is equal to -62dBm, the first multi-link device does not start the medium synchronization delay timer on the second link; and if the determined energy detection threshold is less than -62dBm, the first multi-link device starts the medium synchronization delay timer on the second link.

[0065] In a twelfth aspect, the present application provides a second multi-link device or a chip in the second multi-link device, such as a Wi-Fi chip. The second multi-link device can be an STR MLD. The communication apparatus comprises: a processing unit, configured to generate second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate a mapping relationship between a PPDU length and an energy detection threshold; and a transceiver unit, configured to send the second indication information.

[0066] In a thirteenth aspect, a first multi-link device is provided. The first multi-link device includes a processor. Optionally, the first multi-link device also includes a transceiver. The processor is configured to not start a medium synchronization delay timer on a second link when a first PPDU transmitted by the first multi-link device on a first link has a length less than or equal to a first value, where the first multi-link device cannot simultaneously transmit and receive on the first link and the second link.

[0067] In a possible design, the processor is configured to not start the medium synchronization delay timer on the second link when a first frame transmitted by the first multi-link device on the first link is of a first type, where the first multi-link device cannot simultaneously transmit and receive on the first link and the second link.

[0068] In a possible design, the transceiver is configured to receive first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate a mapping relationship between a PPDU length and an initial value (or an initial duration) of a medium synchronization delay timer. The processor is configured to determine, according to a length of a first PPDU transmitted on the first link, an initial value of a medium synchronization delay timer corresponding to the length of the first PPDU. The communication device cannot simultaneously transmit and receive on the first link and the second link.

[0069] In a possible design, the transceiver is configured to receive second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate a mapping relationship between a PPDU length / byte length and an energy detection threshold. The processor is configured to determine, according to a length of a first PPDU transmitted on the first link, an energy detection threshold corresponding to the length of the first PPDU, where the energy detection threshold is used to determine whether to start the medium synchronization delay timer on the second link. The first multi-link device cannot simultaneously transmit and receive on the first link and the second link.

[0070] In a fourteenth aspect, a second multi-link device is provided. The second multi-link device includes a processor and a transceiver. The processor is configured to generate first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate a mapping relationship between a PPDU length and an initial value (or an initial duration) of a medium synchronization delay timer. The transceiver is configured to transmit the first indication information.

[0071] In a possible design, the processor is configured to generate second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate a mapping relationship between a PPDU length and an energy detection threshold. The transceiver is configured to transmit the second indication information.

[0072] In a fifteenth aspect, a first multi-link device can exist in a product form of a chip. The first multi-link device includes an input / output interface and a processing circuit. The input / output interface is configured to receive code instructions and transmit the code instructions to the processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to not start a medium synchronization delay timer on a second link when a length of a first PPDU is less than or equal to a first value, where the first multi-link device cannot simultaneously transmit and receive on the first link and the second link.

[0073] In a possible design, the input / output interface is configured to receive code instructions and transmit the code instructions to the processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to not start a medium synchronization delay timer on a second link when a type of a first frame transmitted by the first multi-link device on a first link is a first type, where the first multi-link device cannot simultaneously transmit and receive on the first link and the second link.

[0074] In a possible design, the transceiver is configured to receive first indication information. The input / output interface is configured to receive the first indication information from the transceiver and transmit the first indication information to the processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to determine a mapping relationship between a length of a PPDU indicated by the first indication information and an initial value (or an initial length) of a medium synchronization delay timer according to the first indication information. The processing circuit is configured to determine an initial value of the medium synchronization delay timer corresponding to a length of a first PPDU transmitted on a first link according to the length of the first PPDU, where the initial value is used to determine whether to start the medium synchronization delay timer on a second link. The first multi-link device cannot simultaneously transmit and receive on the first link and the second link.

[0075] In a possible design, the transceiver is configured to receive second indication information. The input / output interface is configured to receive the second indication information from the transceiver and transmit the second indication information to the processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to determine a mapping relationship between a length of a PPDU indicated by the second indication information and an energy detection threshold according to the second indication information. The processing circuit is configured to determine an energy detection threshold corresponding to a length of a first PPDU transmitted on a first link according to the length of the first PPDU, where the energy detection threshold is used to determine whether to start the medium synchronization delay timer on a second link. The first multi-link device cannot simultaneously transmit and receive on the first link and the second link.

[0076] In a sixteenth aspect, this application provides a second multi-link device, which can exist in the form of a chip. The structure of the second multi-link device includes an input / output interface and a processing circuit. The input / output interface is used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the processing circuit. The processing circuit is used to generate first indication information, which indicates the mapping relationship between the PPDU length and the initial value (or initial duration) of the media synchronization delay timer. The input / output interface is used to send the first indication information to a transceiver, which is used to transmit the first indication information.

[0077] In one possible design, the input / output interface is used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the processing circuit, which generates second indication information to indicate the mapping relationship between the PPDU length and the energy detection threshold; the input / output interface is used to send the second indication information to a transceiver, which transmits the second indication information.

[0078] In a seventeenth aspect, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the methods described in the first aspect, or the third aspect, or the fifth aspect, or the seventh aspect, or the ninth aspect, or the tenth aspect.

[0079] In an eighteenth aspect, this application provides a computer program product containing program instructions that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods described in the first aspect, or the third aspect, or the fifth aspect, or the seventh aspect, or the ninth aspect, or the tenth aspect.

[0080] By implementing the embodiments of this application, the efficiency of channel access can be improved when the non-STR MLD is in a blind state / self-interference state. Attached Figure Description

[0081] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below.

[0082] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of communication between a non-AP MLD and an AP MLD provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0083] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a wireless communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0084] Figure 3a This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a multi-link device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0085] Figure 3b is another structural schematic diagram of a multi-link device provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0086] Figure 4 is a schematic flow diagram of a channel access method of a multi-link device provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0087] Figure 5 is another schematic flow diagram of a channel access method of a multi-link device provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0088] Figure 6a is a frame structure schematic diagram of a multi-link element provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0089] Figure 6b is a frame structure schematic diagram of an EHT operation element provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0090] Figure 6c is a frame structure schematic diagram of a non-STR MLD parameter set element provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0091] Figure 7 is a schematic flow diagram of a method for determining an initial duration of a media synchronization latency timer provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0092] Figure 8 is a mapping relationship schematic diagram between a PPDU length and an initial value of a media synchronization latency timer provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0093] Figure 9 is a schematic flow diagram of a method for determining an energy detection threshold in a CCA process provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0094] Figure 10 is a mapping relationship schematic diagram between a PPDU length and an energy detection threshold provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0095] Figure 11 is a structural schematic diagram of a first multi-link device provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0096] Figure 12 is a structural schematic diagram of a second multi-link device provided by an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0097] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0098] To facilitate understanding of the multi-link device channel access method provided by the embodiments of the present application, the system architecture and / or application scenario of the multi-link device channel access method provided by the embodiments of the present application will be described below. It can be understood that the system architecture and / or application scenario described in the embodiments of the present application are for more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application.

[0099] The embodiments of the present application provide a channel access method applied to a non-STR MLD, which can improve the efficiency of channel access when the non-STR MLD is in a blind state / self-interference state. The multi-link device channel access method can be implemented by a communication device in a wireless communication system or a chip or processor in the communication device. The communication device can be a wireless communication device supporting parallel transmission of multiple links, for example, the communication device can be referred to as a multi-link device or a multi-band device. Compared with a communication device supporting only single-link transmission, the multi-link device has higher transmission efficiency and larger throughput.

[0100] The multi-link device includes one or more affiliated stations (affiliated STAs), which are logical stations and can work on a link or a frequency band or a channel. Among them, the affiliated station can be an access point (AP) or a non-access point station (non-AP STA). For the sake of description, the multi-link device with the affiliated station as the AP is referred to as a multi-link AP or a multi-link AP device or an AP multi-link device (AP MLD), and the multi-link device with the affiliated station as the non-AP STA is referred to as a multi-link non-AP or a multi-link non-AP device or a non-AP multi-link device (non-AP MLD).

[0101] Optionally, a multi-link device can include multiple logical stations, each of which works on a link, but multiple logical stations are allowed to work on the same link.

[0102] Optionally, one or more STAs in the non-AP MLD can communicate after establishing an association relationship with one or more APs in the AP MLD. Referring to Figure 1 , Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the communication between the non-AP MLD and the AP MLD provided by the embodiments of the present application. As Figure 1As shown, the AP MLD includes AP1, AP2, …, APn; the non-AP MLD includes STA1, STA2, …, STAn. The AP MLD and the non-AP MLD can communicate in parallel through link1, link2, …, linkn. STA1 in the non-AP MLD establishes an association relationship with AP1 in the AP MLD, STA2 in the non-AP MLD establishes an association relationship with AP2 in the AP MLD, STAn in the non-AP MLD establishes an association relationship with APn in the AP MLD, and so on.

[0103] Optionally, the multi-link device can implement wireless communication in compliance with the IEEE 802.11 series of protocols, for example, a station in compliance with extremely high throughput (EHT) or a station in compliance with or compatible with IEEE 802.11be, to implement communication with other devices.

[0104] The channel access method of the multi-link device provided by the embodiments of the present application can be applied to a scenario in which one node communicates with one or more nodes; can also be applied to a single-user uplink / downlink communication scenario, a multi-user uplink / downlink communication scenario; and can also be applied to a device-to-device (D2D) communication scenario.

[0105] Any of the above nodes can be an AP MLD or a non-AP MLD. For example, a scenario in which an AP MLD communicates with a non-AP MLD; or a scenario in which an AP MLD communicates with an AP MLD, or a scenario in which a non-AP MLD communicates with a non-AP MLD; the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0106] Optionally, at least one node in any of the above scenarios has a non-STR capability, i.e., has a non-STR capability.

[0107] Optionally, for ease of description, the system architecture of the present application is described below by taking a scenario in which an AP MLD communicates with a non-AP MLD as an example. The channel access method of the multi-link device provided by the embodiments of the present application can be applied in a wireless local area network (WLAN). Referring to Figure 2 , Figure 2 is an architecture diagram of a wireless communication system provided by the embodiments of the present application. As shown in Figure 2As shown, the wireless communication system includes at least one AP MLD and at least one non-AP MLD. Among them, the AP MLD is a multi-link device that provides services for the non-AP MLD, and the non-AP MLD can communicate with the AP MLD through multiple links. One AP in the AP MLD can communicate with one STA in the non-AP MLD through a link. Understandably, Figure 2 The number of AP MLDs and non-AP MLDs is only exemplary. Optionally, the wireless communication system includes at least one MLD with non-STR capability.

[0108] Exemplarily, the multi-link device (which can be a non-AP MLD or an AP MLD) is a device with wireless communication function. The device can be a whole machine device, or a chip or processing system installed in a whole machine device, and the device installed with the chip or processing system can realize the method and function of the embodiments of the application under the control of the chip or processing system. For example, the non-AP multi-link device in the embodiments of the application has wireless transceiving function and can support 802.11 series protocol and can communicate with the AP multi-link device or other non-AP multi-link device. For example, the non-AP multi-link device is any user communication device that allows users to communicate with AP and then communicate with WLAN. For example, the non-AP multi-link device can be a tablet computer, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, an ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), a handheld computer, a netbook, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile phone, etc. which can be connected to the network, or an Internet of Things node in the Internet of Things, or a vehicle communication device in the Internet of Vehicles, etc. The non-AP multi-link device can also be a chip and a processing system in the above terminals. The AP multi-link device can be a device that provides services for the non-AP multi-link device and can support 802.11 series protocol. For example, the AP multi-link device can be a communication server, a router, a switch, a bridge, etc. communication entity, or the AP multi-link device can include various forms of macro base station, micro base station, relay station, etc. Of course, the AP multi-link device can also be a chip and a processing system in these various forms of devices. Among them, the 802.11 protocol can be a protocol supporting 802.11be or compatible with 802.11be.

[0109] It can be understood that the multi-link device can support high-rate low-latency transmission, and as the wireless local area network application scenarios continue to evolve, the multi-link device can also be applied to more scenarios, such as sensor nodes in smart cities (such as smart water meters, smart electricity meters, smart air detection nodes), smart devices in smart homes (such as smart cameras, projectors, display screens, televisions, sound systems, refrigerators, washing machines, etc.), nodes in the Internet of Things, entertainment terminals (such as AR, VR, and wearable devices), smart devices in smart offices (such as printers, projectors, etc.), Internet of Vehicles devices in the Internet of Vehicles, and some infrastructure in daily life (such as vending machines, self-service navigation stations in supermarkets, self-service checkout devices, and self-service ordering machines). The specific form of the multi-link device is not limited in the embodiments of the present application, and is only exemplarily described herein.

[0110] Optionally, referring to Figure 3a , Figure 3a is a structural schematic diagram of a multi-link device provided by an embodiment of the present application. The IEEE 802.11 standard focuses on the 802.11 physical layer (PHY) and medium access control (MAC) layer part in the multi-link device. As shown in Figure 3a , the multiple STAs included in the multi-link device are independent of each other at the low MAC (low MAC) layer and the PHY layer, and are also independent of each other at the high MAC (high MAC) layer. Referring to Figure 3b , Figure 3b is another structural schematic diagram of a multi-link device provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 3b , the multiple STAs included in the multi-link device are independent of each other at the low MAC (low MAC) layer and the PHY layer, and share the high MAC (high MAC) layer. Of course, the Non-AP multi-link device can adopt a structure in which the high MAC layers are independent of each other, or can adopt a structure in which the high MAC layers are shared. Similarly, the AP multi-link device can adopt a structure in which the high MAC layers are shared, or can adopt a structure in which the high MAC layers are independent of each other. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the internal structural schematic diagram of the multi-link device, Figure 3a and Figure 3b are only exemplarily described. Exemplarily, the high MAC layer or the low MAC layer can be implemented by one processor in a chip system of the multi-link device, and can also be implemented by different processing modules in one chip system, respectively.

[0111] Exemplarily, the multi-link device in the embodiments of the present application can be a single-antenna device or a multi-antenna device. For example, it can be a device with two or more antennas. The number of antennas included in the multi-link device is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. In the embodiments of the present application, the multi-link device can allow the same access category (AC) traffic to be transmitted on different links, or even allow the same data packet to be transmitted on different links; or can not allow the same access category traffic to be transmitted on different links, but allow different access category traffic to be transmitted on different links.

[0112] The frequency bands in which the multi-link device operates can include one or more of sub 1 GHz, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, and high frequency 60 GHz.

[0113] For the non-STR MLD, when it transmits on one link (for example, link 1), due to channel interference, it will cause the non-STR MLD to make a wrong judgment on the channel state on one or more other links (for example, link 2), and will affect the reception of the overlapped basic service set (OBSS) frame on link 2 by the non-STR MLD. The OBSS frame is used for the station to update the network allocation vector (NAV). Therefore, the non-STR MLD can miss the OBSS frame on the other link before the end of transmission on the one link, thereby missing the update of the NAV, causing the non-STR MLD to contend for the channel and access the channel on link 2 after the end of transmission on link 1, and the data transmitted on link 2 collides with the received OBSS frame, which is called the blind problem or self-interference problem.

[0114] It can be understood that the NAV can be understood as a countdown timer that gradually decreases with the passage of time, and when the countdown is 0, it is considered that the medium is in an idle state. Specifically, when a station receives a frame, if the receiving address of the frame is not the station, the station can update the NAV according to the duration field in the received frame. If the receiving address of the frame is the station, it means that the station is a receiving station, and the NAV cannot be updated. Before updating the NAV, it can also be judged whether the value of the duration field in the current frame is greater than the current NAV value of the station, and if it is greater, the NAV is updated; otherwise, if it is less than or equal to, the NAV is not updated. The NAV value is calculated from the end time of the received frame.

[0115] To solve the problem of non-STR MLD being blind, the embodiment of the present application proposes a medium synchronization delay (mediumSyncDelay) mechanism. Specifically, after the non-STR MLD transmits on one link (such as link 1), it needs to start a timer, i.e. a mediumSyncDelay timer, on another link. Within the time indicated by the mediumSyncDelay timer, the non-STR MLD needs to use a more conservative channel access mechanism on link 2. The more conservative channel access mechanism includes but is not limited to: 1) a lower energy detection (ED) threshold is used to determine whether the channel is busy. In the channel access mechanism, -62dBm is usually used as the energy detection threshold. If the energy on the channel is detected to exceed this threshold, i.e. exceed -62dBm, it is considered that the channel is busy. When a lower ED threshold than -62dBm is used, the signal farther away in the CCA detection will make the channel busy, so the channel access is more conservative. The lower energy detection threshold can be -82dBm or -72dBm, etc. 2) A request to send (RTS) frame must be sent to probe the availability of the channel. Optionally, the number of times of probing (or the number of times of sending the RTS frame) can only be 1 or a limited number of times.

[0116] In the above medium synchronization delay mechanism, no matter what kind of frame the non-STR MLD transmits on link 1, as long as it transmits on link 1, the non-STR MLD will use a more conservative channel access mechanism on link 2. However, the frames transmitted by the non-STR MLD on link 1 are various, which can be control frames, data frames or management frames, and the data frames can be long frames or short frames. Therefore, when the length of the frame transmitted by the non-STR MLD on link 1 is short, the time of the non-STR MLD being in a blind state on link 2 is also short, and the possibility (or probability) of the non-STR MLD missing important information (such as NAV) on link 2 is low. Therefore, in the medium synchronization delay mechanism, as long as the non-STR MLD transmits on link 1, the channel access of the non-STR MLD on link 2 must be limited, which will result in low channel access efficiency, low channel access success rate or reduced channel access opportunities on link 2.

[0117] In the present application, the non-STR MLD being in a blind state on a certain link can also be understood as the STA in the non-STR MLD working on the link being in a blind state.

[0118] It can be understood that the "blind state" mentioned in the present application can also be referred to as a "self-interference state" or a "unreceivable state" or a "deaf state" and the like.

[0119] It can be understood that the "non-STR MLD" in the present application can refer to an EHT MLD with a non-simultaneous transmit-receive capability.

[0120] It can be understood that the "long frame" and "short frame" mentioned in the present application are distinguished in terms of the time length of the frame occupying the air interface. For example, the "long frame" can refer to a frame occupying the air interface for a time length greater than or equal to a preset value A, and the "short frame" can refer to a frame occupying the air interface for a time length less than or equal to a preset value B. The preset value A and the preset value B can be the same or different. For example, the preset value A can be 1 ms (millisecond), and the preset value B can be 100 us (microsecond).

[0121] The channel access method of the multi-link device provided in the embodiments of the present application can improve the channel access efficiency or the channel access success rate of the non-STR MLD on the links or improve the channel access opportunity of the non-STR MLD on the links in the case that the non-STR MLD is in a blind state / self-interference state.

[0122] The technical solutions provided in the present application will be described in detail below in combination with more drawings.

[0123] It can be understood that the first multi-link device in the present application can be a non-STR MLD, and the second multi-link device can be an STR MLD. For the convenience of subsequent description, the present application is described by taking the scenario that two MLDs communicate through two or more links as an example. In the following embodiments, the technical solutions of the present application are introduced by taking two links as an example, but the technical solutions of the present application are also applicable to two MLDs supporting multiple links.

[0124] The technical solutions provided in the present application are described by embodiments one to four. Among them, embodiment one describes how to perform channel access on another link when a specific type of frame is sent on one link. Embodiment two describes whether a more conservative channel access mechanism needs to be used on another link according to the length of the frame sent on one link. Embodiment three describes how to determine the initial length of the mediumSyncDelay timer. Embodiment four describes how to determine the ED threshold used in the CCA process.

[0125] The embodiments one to four will be described in detail below. It can be understood that the technical solutions described in the embodiments one to four of the present application can be combined in any way to form new embodiments.

[0126] Embodiment one

[0127] Embodiment one of the present application introduces judging whether a more conservative channel access mechanism needs to be used on another link according to the type of a frame sent on a link.

[0128] Referring to Figure 4 , Figure 4 is a schematic flowchart of a channel access method of a multi-link device provided by the present application. As shown in Figure 4 , the channel access method of the multi-link device includes but is not limited to the following steps:

[0129] S101, when the type of a first frame sent by the first multi-link device on a first link is a first type, the first multi-link device does not start a medium synchronization delay timer on a second link, and the first multi-link device cannot simultaneously transmit and receive on the first link and the second link.

[0130] wherein the type of the first frame is the first type when the first frame is any of the following frames: a request to send (RTS) frame, a multiple user RTS (MU-RTS) frame, a power save poll (PS-Poll) frame, a clear to send (CTS) frame, a buffer status report (BSR) frame, a bandwidth query report (BQR) frame, a null data packet (NDP) frame, an acknowledge (ACK) frame, and a block acknowledge (BA) frame.

[0131] In the first implementation, the first frame is an RTS frame or an MU-RTS frame. Specifically, if the first multi-link device sends an RTS frame or an MU-RTS frame on a first link, and the first multi-link device does not receive a clear to send (CTS) frame within a preset time, the first multi-link device does not start a medium synchronization delay timer (mediumSyncDelay timer) on a second link. Wherein the first multi-link device cannot simultaneously transmit and receive on the first link and the second link. In other words, if the first multi-link device finishes sending the RTS / MU-RTS frame on the first link, and does not receive a CTS frame on the first link within a preset time (such as a short inter-frame space (SIFS) plus a time of one slot, plus a physical layer reception delay, i.e. a SIFS Time+a Slot Time+a RxPHYStartDelay), the first multi-link device does not start the mediumSyncDelay timer on the second link.

[0132] In the case that the first multi-link device does not start the mediumSyncDelay timer on the second link, it can be understood (or described) as: the first multi-link device uses a first energy detection threshold for CCA operation when it contends for the channel on the second link; or, the first multi-link device allows to transmit frames other than RTS and MU- RTS frames directly after backoff to 0 on the second link, in other words, the first multi-link device does not transmit RTS / MU-RTS frames to protect the channel / to probe the channel availability after backoff to 0 on the second link. The first energy detection threshold can be -62 dBm.

[0133] It can be understood that the reason why the first multi-link device does not receive the CTS frame within the preset time (e.g. a SIFS Time + a Slot Time + a RxPHYStart Delay) can be: (a) the RTS frame sent by the first multi-link device collides with the frame sent by other devices; (b) the receiver corresponding to the RTS frame sent by the first multi-link device fails to successfully receive the RTS frame; (c) the receiver corresponding to the RTS frame sent by the first multi-link device is in a busy state.

[0134] Optionally, if the first multi-link device has started the mediumSyncDelay timer on the second link after transmitting the RTS / MU-RTS frame on the first link, and the first multi-link device does not receive the CTS frame within the preset time, the first multi-link device closes (or stops, or cancels) the mediumSyncDelay timer.

[0135] Optionally, if the first multi-link device receives the CTS frame within the preset time, the first multi-link device can start the mediumSyncDelay timer. In the case that the first multi-link device starts the mediumSyncDelay timer on the second link, it can be understood (or described) as: the first multi-link device uses a more conservative channel access mechanism on the second link. That is, a lower energy detection threshold (e.g. -82 dBm, which is lower than -62 dBm) is used to determine whether the channel is busy, and the first multi-link device must transmit RTS / MU-RTS frames to probe the channel availability. Optionally, the number of times of probing (or the number of times of transmitting RTS / MU-RTS frames) can be only once, or a limited number of times.

[0136] Optionally, the RTS frame or the MU-RTS frame in the first implementation manner can be replaced by a power save-poll (PS-Poll) frame, and the CTS frame can be replaced by a data frame or an acknowledge (ACK) frame. Therefore, the first implementation manner can also be described as follows: if the first multi-link device sends a PS-Poll frame on the first link, and the first multi-link device does not receive a data frame or an ACK frame within the preset time, the first multi-link device does not start the mediumSyncDelay timer on the second link. Optionally, if the first multi-link device sends a PS-Poll frame on the first link, and the first multi-link device receives a data frame or an ACK frame within the preset time, the first multi-link device can start the mediumSyncDelay timer.

[0137] It can be seen that, in the case that the non-STR MLD (i.e., the first multi-link device) sends an RTS (or MU-RTS) frame on the first link but does not receive a CTS frame, the non-STR MLD does not start the mediumSyncDelay timer on the second link, so that the non-STR MLD performs normal channel contention (i.e., CCA operation) on the second link, that is, the energy detection threshold used in the CCA operation is -62 dBm, or the RTS / CTS frame can not be used for channel protection. Therefore, the channel access efficiency or the channel access success rate of the non-STR MLD on the second link is improved, or the channel access opportunity of the non-STR MLD on the second link is improved.

[0138] In the second implementation manner, the first frame is a CTS frame. Specifically, if the first multi-link device receives an RTS frame or a MU-RTS frame on the first link and replies / sends a CTS frame on the first link, the mediumSyncDelay timer is not started on the second link. The first multi-link device cannot simultaneously transmit and receive on the first link and the second link. In other words, the second multi-link device sends an RTS frame or a MU-RTS frame on the first link. Accordingly, the first multi-link device receives the RTS frame or the MU-RTS frame on the first link and replies / sends a CTS frame on the first link. After the first multi-link device sends the CTS frame on the first link, the mediumSyncDelay timer is not started on the second link.

[0139] In the above, the first multi-link device not starting the mediumSyncDelay timer on the second link can be understood as (or can be described as): when the first multi-link device performs channel contention on the second link, the energy detection threshold used by the CCA operation is the first threshold; or, after the first multi-link device backs off to 0 on the second link, the first multi-link device is allowed to directly send frames other than RTS and MU-RTS frames, in other words, after the first multi-link device backs off to 0 on the second link, the first multi-link device does not send RTS / MU-RTS frames to perform channel protection / perform channel availability probing. The first threshold can be -62 dBm.

[0140] Optionally, if the first multi-link device has started the mediumSyncDelay timer on the second link after sending the CTS frame on the first link, the first multi-link device closes (or stops, or cancels) the mediumSyncDelay timer.

[0141] Optionally, the RTS / CTS frame in the second implementation manner can be replaced by a buffer status report poll trigger (BSRP Trigger) frame / buffer status report (BSR) frame, or a bandwidth query report poll trigger (BQRP Trigger) frame / bandwidth query report (BQR), or a beamforming report poll trigger (BFRP Trigger) frame / null data packet (NDP) frame, or a data frame / acknowledge (ACK) frame, or a management frame / ACK frame, or a data frame / block acknowledge (BA) frame. Therefore, the step S201 can also be described as: the first multi-link device receives a BSRP Trigger frame on the first link, and replies / sends a BSR frame on the first link; or the first multi-link device receives a BQRP Trigger frame on the first link, and replies / sends a BQR frame on the first link; or the first multi-link device receives a BFRP Trigger frame on the first link, and replies / sends a NDP frame on the first link; or the first multi-link device receives a data frame or a management frame on the first link, and replies / sends an ACK frame on the first link; or the first multi-link device receives a data frame on the first link, and replies / sends a BA frame on the first link. Correspondingly, the second implementation manner can also be described as: after the first multi-link device sends the BSR frame or the BQR frame or the NDP frame on the first link, the first multi-link device does not start the media synchronization time delay timer on the second link.

[0142] It can be understood that after the first multi-link device replies / sends the CTS frame or the NDP frame or the BSR frame or the BQR frame or the ACK frame or the BA frame on the first link, the first multi-link device is in a receiving state on the first link, and therefore the receiving on the first link does not affect the channel contention on the second link. The first multi-link device can perform normal channel contention on the second link, that is, the energy detection threshold used in the CCA operation is -62 dBm, or can not use the RTS / CTS frame to perform channel protection.

[0143] It can be seen that, after the non-STR MLD (i.e., the first multi-link device) receives the RTS (or MU-RTS) frame on the first link and replies to the CTS frame, the mediumSyncDelay timer is not started on the second link, which can improve the channel access efficiency or the channel access success rate of the non-STR MLD on the second link, or improve the channel access opportunity of the non-STR MLD on the second link.

[0144] In the embodiments of the present application, the mediumSyncDelay timer is not started on the second link when a frame of a specific type is sent, which can improve the channel access efficiency or the channel access success rate of the non-STR MLD on the link, or improve the channel access opportunity of the non-STR MLD on the link, in the case that the non-STR MLD is in a blind state or a self-interference state.

[0145] Embodiment Two

[0146] The embodiments of the present application introduce how the non-STR MLD performs channel access on the second link when the length of the PPDU sent by the non-STR MLD on the first link is less than a preset value.

[0147] Reference is made to Figure 5 , Figure 5 is another schematic flowchart of the channel access method of the multi-link device provided by the embodiments of the present application. As shown in Figure 5 , the channel access method of the multi-link device includes but is not limited to the following steps:

[0148] S201, when the length of the first PPDU sent by the first multi-link device on the first link is less than or equal to a first value, the first multi-link device does not start a mediumSyncDelay timer on the second link, wherein the first multi-link device cannot simultaneously transmit and receive on the first link and the second link.

[0149] It can be understood (or can be described) that, when the first multi-link device performs channel contention on the second link, the energy detection threshold used by the CCA operation is a first threshold, or after the first multi-link device backs off to 0 on the second link, the first multi-link device is allowed to directly send other frames except RTS and MU-RTS frames, in other words, after the first multi-link device backs off to 0 on the second link, the first multi-link device does not send RTS / MU-RTS frames to perform channel protection or to perform channel availability exploration. The first threshold can be -62dBm.

[0150] Optionally, if the first multi-link device has started the mediumSyncDelay timer on the second link after sending the first PPDU on the first link, the first multi-link device stops (or cancels) the mediumSyncDelay timer when the length of the first PPDU is less than or equal to the first value.

[0151] Optionally, if the length of the first PPDU sent by the first multi-link device on the first link is less than or equal to the first value, the first multi-link device does not update the mediumSyncDelay timer on the second link when the mediumSyncDelay timer on the second link has been started.

[0152] Optionally, if the length of the PPDU sent by the first multi-link device on the first link is greater than the first value, the first multi-link device needs to update the mediumSyncDelay timer on the second link when the mediumSyncDelay timer on the second link has been started. The first multi-link device updating the mediumSyncDelay timer on the second link can be understood as updating the mediumSyncDelay timer on the second link to the initial value when the mediumSyncDelay timer on the second link is started, which is equivalent to restarting the mediumSyncDelay timer on the second link. Conversely, the first multi-link device not updating the mediumSyncDelay timer on the second link can be understood as not updating the mediumSyncDelay timer on the second link to the initial value when the mediumSyncDelay timer on the second link is started.

[0153] Optionally, the first value can be a fixed value specified by a protocol, such as 50us, or 100us, or 200us, etc.

[0154] Optionally, the first value can be 28us, which is the PPDU length when the CTS and ACK frames are sent in the 24Mbps Non-HT PPDU format, or the PPDU length when the CTS and ACK frames are sent in the 24Mbps Non-HT duplicate PPDU format.

[0155] Optionally, the first value can be 32us, which is the PPDU length when the BA (block ACK) frame with a bitmap length of 64 is sent in the 24Mbps Non-HT PPDU format or the 24Mbps Non-HT duplicate PPDU format.

[0156] Optionally, the first value can be 44us, which is the PPDU length when the CTS and ACK frames are sent in the Non-HT PPDU format of 6Mbps, or the PPDU length when the CTS and ACK frames are sent in the Non-HT duplicate PPDU format of 6Mbps.

[0157] Optionally, the first value can be 40us, which is the PPDU length when the BA frame with a bitmap length of 256 is sent in the Non-HT PPDU format or the Non-HT duplicate PPDU format of 24Mbps.

[0158] Optionally, the first value can be 36us, which is the PPDU length when the QoS-Null frame is sent in the Non-HT PPDU format or the Non-HT duplicate PPDU format of 24Mbps.

[0159] Optionally, the first value can be 68us, which is the PPDU length when the BA frame with a bitmap length of 64 is sent in the Non-HT PPDU format or the Non-HT duplicate PPDU format of 6Mbps.

[0160] Optionally, the above first value can also be determined by an access point (or AP MLD) and sent to a station (i.e. non-AP MLD). Specifically, before step S201, the channel access method of the multi-link device in the embodiments of the present application can further include: step S202, a second multi-link device sends indication information, the indication information being used to indicate the first value. Correspondingly, the first multi-link device receives the indication information. The indication information can be carried in a beacon frame, and can also be carried in an association response frame or a re-association response frame. The above first multi-link device can be a non-STR MLD, and specifically can be a non-AP MLD of non-STR. The above second multi-link device can be a STR MLD, and specifically can be an AP MLD of STR.

[0161] In an implementation manner, the indication information can be located in a multi-link element. Referring to Figure 6a , Figure 6a is a frame structure diagram of the multi-link element provided by the embodiments of the present application. As Figure 6aAs shown, the multi-link element can include an element ID field, a length field, an element ID extension field, a multi-link control field, a medium SyncDelay timer threshold field, optional subelements field, and the like. The medium SyncDelay timer threshold field is used to indicate the first value.

[0162] In another implementation, the indication information can be located in an EHT operation element. Referring to Figure 6b , Figure 6b is a frame structure diagram of the EHT operation element provided by the embodiments of the present application. As Figure 6b shown, the EHT operation element can include an element ID field, a length field, an element ID extension field, and a medium SyncDelay timer threshold field, and the like. The medium SyncDelay timer threshold field is used to indicate the first value.

[0163] In yet another implementation, a new information unit can also be defined to carry the indication information. The new information unit is used to carry the configuration parameters of the non-STR MLD. Optionally, the new information unit can be referred to as a non-STR MLD parameter set element. Understandably, the new information unit can have other names, which are not limited by the embodiments of the present application. Referring to Figure 6c , Figure 6c is a frame structure diagram of the non-STR MLD parameter set element provided by the embodiments of the present application. As Figure 6c shown, the non-STR MLD parameter set element can include an element ID field, a length field, an element ID extension field, and a medium SyncDelay timer threshold field, and the like. The medium SyncDelay timer threshold field is used to indicate the first value.

[0164] Optionally, when the length of the first PPDU is greater than the first value, the first multi-link device can start a medium synchronization delay timer on the second link. During the time counted by the medium synchronization delay timer, the first multi-link device can use a more conservative channel access mechanism on the second link. The more conservative channel access mechanism includes, but is not limited to, 1) using a lower energy detection threshold (here, a lower ED threshold than -62 dBm) to determine whether the channel is busy. 2) An RTS frame must be sent to probe the availability of the channel. Optionally, the number of times of probing (or the number of times of sending the RTS frame) can be only once or a limited number of times. Understandably, when the length of the first PPDU is equal to the first value, the operation of the first multi-link device can be to start the medium synchronization delay timer on the second link or not to start the medium synchronization delay timer on the second link. The application embodiment can set the operation of the first multi-link device when the length of the first PPDU is equal to the first value according to the actual situation.

[0165] Optionally, before the first multi-link device starts the medium synchronization delay timer on the second link, the first multi-link device can determine the initial value of the medium synchronization delay timer corresponding to the length of the first PPDU, and then start the medium synchronization delay timer on the second link. Understandably, the initial value of the medium synchronization delay timer started by the first multi-link device on the second link is the determined initial value corresponding to the length of the first PPDU.

[0166] In the standard protocol, the mapping relationship between the PPDU length and the initial value (or initial duration) of the medium synchronization delay timer can be specified. Alternatively, before the first multi-link device sends the first PPDU on the first link, the second multi-link device sends first indication information, and correspondingly, the first multi-link device receives the first indication information. The first indication information is used to indicate the mapping relationship between the PPDU length and the initial value (or initial duration) of the medium synchronization delay timer.

[0167] Optionally, after or at the same time as the first multi-link device starts the medium synchronization delay timer on the second link, the first multi-link device determines the energy detection threshold corresponding to the length of the first PPDU, and sets the energy detection threshold used in the CCA operation on the second link to the threshold value corresponding to the length of the first PPDU.

[0168] In the standard protocol, the mapping relationship between the PPDU length and the energy detection threshold can be specified. Alternatively, before the first multi-link device sends the first PPDU on the first link, the second multi-link device sends second indication information, and correspondingly, the first multi-link device receives the second indication information. The second indication information is used to indicate the mapping relationship between the PPDU length and the energy detection threshold.

[0169] It can be understood that the first indication information and the second indication information can be one indication information, that is, one indication information indicates the mapping relationship between the PPDU length and the initial value (or initial length) of the media synchronization delay timer, and the mapping relationship between the PPDU length and the energy detection threshold. In other words, the first indication information and the second indication information are carried in one frame.

[0170] It can be seen that, by restricting the non-STR MLD from starting the mediumSyncDelay timer on another link after sending a short frame on a link, or setting the energy detection threshold used by CCA to -62 dBm when performing channel contention on another link, or not using an RTS frame to perform channel protection / channel availability probing on another link, the channel access efficiency or the channel access success rate of the non-STR MLD on another link is improved, or the channel access opportunity of the non-STR MLD on another link is improved.

[0171] As an optional embodiment, the "length of the first PPDU" can be replaced by "length (in bytes or bits) of a medium access control (MAC) frame in the first PPDU". Correspondingly, the step S301 can be replaced by: when the length of the MAC frame in the first PPDU sent by the first multi-link device on the first link is less than or equal to a second value, the first multi-link device does not start the media synchronization delay timer on the second link, wherein the first multi-link device cannot simultaneously transmit and receive on the first link and the second link.

[0172] As another optional embodiment, the channel access method provided in the foregoing embodiment one and embodiment two can also be applied to a single-link, multi-access channel scenario. Taking two channels as an example, it is assumed that an AP can use 2 channels for channel access, but can only complete access on one of the channels at a time and cannot simultaneously access both channels. Specifically, the AP performs channel contention on a primary channel (such as a first channel), and when the primary channel is busy, the AP can switch to another channel (such as a second channel) to perform channel contention, and after backoff to 0 on the second channel, the AP performs transmission on the second channel.

[0173] For the single-link, multi-access channel scenario, the embodiment of the present application proposes that, after the AP sends a short frame (such as an RTS frame, a CTS frame, a block acknowledge (BA) frame, a BSR frame, a BQR frame, a PS-Poll frame, an NDP frame, etc.) on the second channel, the AP does not start a timer on the first channel. The timer can be a medium synchronization delay timer. Optionally, the embodiment of the present application further proposes that the AP sends a first PPDU on the second channel; and when the PPDU length of the first PPDU is less than or equal to a first value, the AP does not start a medium synchronization delay timer on the first channel.

[0174] Optionally, the AP not starting the timer on the first channel can be understood as (and can be described as) that, when the AP performs channel contention on the first channel, the energy detection threshold used by the CCA operation is a first threshold; or, after the AP backs off to 0 on the first channel, the AP is allowed to directly send frames other than RTS and MU-RTS frames, in other words, after the AP backs off to 0 on the first channel, the AP does not send RTS / MU-RTS frames to perform channel protection or to perform channel availability probing. The first threshold can be -62 dBm.

[0175] It can be understood that the second channel in the embodiment of the present application corresponds to the first link in the aforementioned embodiment one and embodiment two, and the first channel in the embodiment of the present application corresponds to the second link in the aforementioned embodiment one and embodiment two.

[0176] It can be seen that the channel access method provided by the embodiment of the present application can also be applied to the single-link, multi-access channel scenario, which expands the scenario of the method and can also improve the channel access efficiency or the channel access success rate of the AP on the first channel.

[0177] Embodiment three

[0178] The embodiment three of the present application provides a method for determining an initial length of a medium synchronization delay timer. The method for determining the initial length of the medium synchronization delay timer determines the initial length of the medium synchronization delay timer through the length of a frame sent on a first link (or a second channel).

[0179] Referring to Figure 7 , Figure 7 is a schematic flowchart of the method for determining the initial length of the medium synchronization delay timer provided by the embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 7 , the method for determining the initial length of the medium synchronization delay timer includes but is not limited to the following steps:

[0180] S301, the second multi-link device sends first indication information, the first indication information is used to indicate a mapping relationship between a PPDU length / byte length and an initial value (or an initial length) of a media synchronization delay timer.

[0181] Specifically, the second multi-link device can be an AP MLD, and the AP MLD has STR capability. The link on which the AP MLD sends the first indication information can be the first link or another link, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this. The above-mentioned first indication information can be used to indicate a mapping relationship between a PPDU length and an initial value (or an initial length) of a media synchronization delay timer.

[0182] In one example, referring to Figure 8 , Figure 8 is a mapping relationship between a PPDU length and an initial value of a media synchronization delay timer provided by the embodiments of the present application. As shown in Figure 8 , when the PPDU length is in the range of 0 to 100us (i.e. interval [0, 100us], or interval (0, 100us), or interval (0, 100us], or interval [0, 100us]), the initial value of the media synchronization delay timer is 0ms. When the PPDU length is in the range of 100us to 1ms (i.e. interval [100us, 1000us], or interval (100us, 1000us), or interval (100us, 1000us], or interval [100us, 1000us]), the initial value of the media synchronization delay timer is 3ms. When the PPDU length is greater than or equal to 1ms, the initial value of the media synchronization delay timer is 6ms.

[0183] wherein, Figure 8 The mapping relationship shown in

[0184] Table 1

[0185] PPDU length Initial value (or initial duration) of media synchronization delay timer <= 100us 0 >= 100us and <= 1ms 3ms >= 1ms 6ms

[0186] As can be understood, Figure 8 and the mapping relationship shown in Table 1 is only an example, and in actual application, the mapping relationship can be determined according to the actual application scenario. For example, it can also be that when the PPDU length is less than or equal to 50us, the initial value of the media synchronization delay timer is 0ms; when the PPDU length is greater than or equal to 50us and less than or equal to 200us, the initial value of the media synchronization delay timer is 1ms; when the PPDU length is greater than or equal to 200us and less than or equal to 500us, the initial value of the media synchronization delay timer is 3ms; and when the PPDU length is greater than or equal to 500us, the initial value of the media synchronization delay timer is 5ms. The embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0187] Optionally, the first indication information can comprise an array. For example, array (0, 100, 0) indicates that when the length of the PPDU is in the range of 0 to 100 us, the initial value of the media synchronization delay timer is 0 ms; array (100, 1000, 3) indicates that when the length of the PPDU is in the range of 100 us to 1 ms, the initial value of the media synchronization delay timer is 3 ms; array (1000, the maximum PPDU length, 6) indicates that when the length of the PPDU is in the range of 1 ms to the maximum PPDU length, the initial value of the media synchronization delay timer is 6 ms. Wherein, the maximum PPDU length is specified by the standard protocol.

[0188] Optionally, the first indication information can comprise two fields, the first field is used to determine N intervals, and the second field is used to indicate the initial value of the media synchronization delay timer corresponding to each interval in the N intervals.

[0189] Wherein, the first field can comprise N+1 subfields, the values of the N+1 subfields monotonically increase, and the values of two adjacent subfields can determine an interval, so that the N+1 subfields can determine N intervals. For example, the value of the first subfield is 0; the value of the N+1 subfield is the maximum PPDU length, or a larger value than the maximum PPDU length, for example, 6 ms. Optionally, the first subfield (or the N+1 subfield) can not be carried in the first field.

[0190] The second field comprises N subfields, and the value of a subfield indicates the initial value of the media synchronization delay timer corresponding to an interval.

[0191] S302, the first multi-link device receives the first indication information.

[0192] S303, the first multi-link device determines the initial value of the media synchronization delay timer corresponding to the length of the first PPDU transmitted on the first link according to the length of the first PPDU, and the initial value is used to determine whether to start the media synchronization delay timer on the second link. The first multi-link device cannot simultaneously transmit and receive on the first link and the second link.

[0193] Specifically, the first multi-link device can be a non-AP MLD, and the non-AP MLD has non-STR capability. The first multi-link device can determine, according to a mapping relationship between a PPDU length indicated by the first indication information and an initial value (or initial duration) of the medium synchronization delay timer and the PPDU length of the first PPDU, the initial value (or initial duration) of the medium synchronization delay timer corresponding to the PPDU length of the first PPDU. For example, the mapping relationship is shown in Table 1, and assuming that the length of the first PPDU is 200us, the initial value (or initial duration) of the medium synchronization delay timer is 3ms.

[0194] Optionally, the first multi-link device determines whether to start the medium synchronization delay timer on the second link according to the initial value (or initial duration) of the medium synchronization delay timer corresponding to the length of the first PPDU.

[0195] Specifically, if the initial value (or initial duration) of the medium synchronization delay timer is equal to 0, the first multi-link device does not start the medium synchronization delay timer on the second link. If the initial value (or initial duration) of the medium synchronization delay timer is greater than 0, the first multi-link device starts the medium synchronization delay timer on the second link, and the initial value / initial duration of the medium synchronization delay timer is the value determined in step S404.

[0196] Wherein, the first multi-link device starting the mediumSyncDelay timer on the second link can be understood as (or can be described as): during the time counted by the mediumSyncDelay timer, the first multi-link device can use a more conservative channel access mechanism on the second link. The more conservative channel access mechanism includes but is not limited to: 1) using a lower energy detection threshold (here, a lower ED threshold than -62dBm) to determine whether the channel is busy. 2) Must send an RTS frame to probe the availability of the channel. Optionally, the number of times of probing (or the number of times of sending the RTS frame) can only be 1 or a limited number of times.

[0197] The first multi-link device not starting the mediumSyncDelay timer on the second link can be understood as (or can be described as): when the first multi-link device competes for the channel on the second link, the energy detection threshold used by the CCA operation is the first threshold; or, after the first multi-link device backs off to 0 on the second link, it is allowed to directly send frames other than RTS and MU-RTS frames. The first threshold can be -62dBm.

[0198] It can be understood that the initial length determination method of the media synchronization delay timer provided by the embodiments of the present application can also be applied to a single link, multi-access channel scenario. In the single link, multi-access channel scenario, the first channel is equivalent to the second link described above, and the second channel is equivalent to the first link described above, which will not be described here.

[0199] It can be seen that the embodiments of the present application indicate the mapping relationship between the PPDU length and the initial value (or initial length) of the media synchronization delay timer through the first indication information, so that the first multi-link device determines the initial value of the media synchronization delay timer corresponding to the length of the first PPDU according to the mapping relationship and the length of the first PPDU transmitted on the first link, and when the initial value is equal to 0, the mediumSyncDelay timer is not started on the second link, and when the initial value is greater than 0, the mediumSyncDelay timer is started on the second link. Different PPDU lengths correspond to different initial values of the mediumSyncDelay timer, so that the setting of the mediumSyncDelay timer is more flexible, and the channel access efficiency can be improved.

[0200] As an optional embodiment, the mapping relationship between the PPDU length and the initial value (or initial length) of the media synchronization delay timer can be specified in a standard protocol. When the mapping relationship is specified in the standard protocol, Figure 7 The initial length determination method of the media synchronization delay timer can not include step S301 and step S302. That is, the initial length determination method of the media synchronization delay timer can include step S303.

[0201] Embodiment Four

[0202] The fourth embodiment of the present application provides a CCA energy detection threshold determination method. The CCA energy detection threshold determination method determines the size of the ED threshold used in the CCA process when performing backoff on the second link during the mediumSyncDelay period through the length of the frame transmitted on the first link (or the second channel).

[0203] Referring to Figure 9 , Figure 9 is a schematic flow chart of the CCA energy detection threshold determination method provided by the embodiments of the present application. As Figure 9 shown, the CCA energy detection threshold determination method includes but is not limited to the following steps:

[0204] S401, the second multi-link device sends second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate the mapping relationship between the PPDU length and the energy detection threshold.

[0205] Specifically, the second multi-link device can be an AP MLD, and the AP MLD has STR capability. The link on which the AP MLD sends the second indication information can be the first link or another link, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this. The second indication information described above can be used to indicate the mapping relationship between the PPDU length and the energy detection threshold.

[0206] In one example, referring to Figure 10 , Figure 10 is a mapping relationship between the PPDU length and the energy detection threshold provided by the embodiments of the present application. As shown in Figure 10 , when the PPDU length is in the range of 0 to 100us (i.e. interval [0, 100us], or interval (0, 100us), or interval (0, 100us], or interval [0, 100us]), the energy detection threshold is -62dBm. When the PPDU length is in the range of 100us to 1ms (i.e. interval [100us, 1000us], or interval (100us, 1000us), or interval (100us, 1000us], or interval [100us, 1000us]), the energy detection threshold is -72dBm. When the PPDU length is greater than or equal to 1ms, the energy detection threshold is -82dBm.

[0207] Among them, Figure 10 The mapping relationship shown in Table 2 can be summarized as follows.

[0208] Table 2

[0209] PPDU duration Energy detection threshold <= 100us -62dBm >= 100us and <= 1ms -72dBm >= 1ms -82dBm

[0210] It can be understood that Figure 10 The mapping relationship shown in Table 2 is only an example, and in actual application, the mapping relationship can be determined according to the actual application scenario. For example, it can also be that when the PPDU length is less than or equal to 50us, the energy detection threshold is -62dBm; when the PPDU length is greater than or equal to 50us and less than or equal to 200us, the energy detection threshold is -67dBm; when the PPDU length is greater than or equal to 200us and less than or equal to 500us, the energy detection threshold is -72dBm; and when the PPDU length is greater than or equal to 500us, the energy detection threshold is -82dBm. The embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0211] Optionally, the second indication information can include an array. For example, an array (0, 100, -62) indicates that when the PPDU length is in the range of 0 to 100 us, the energy detection threshold is -62 dBm; an array (100, 1000, -72) indicates that when the PPDU length is in the range of 100 us to 1 ms, the energy detection threshold is -72 dBm; and an array (1000, the maximum PPDU length, -82) indicates that when the PPDU length is in the range of 1 ms to the maximum PPDU length, the energy detection threshold is -62 dBm. The maximum PPDU length is specified by a standard protocol.

[0212] Optionally, the second indication information can include two fields, a first field for determining N intervals and a second field for indicating the energy detection threshold corresponding to each interval in the N intervals.

[0213] The first field can include N+1 subfields, the values of the N+1 subfields monotonically increase, and the values of two adjacent subfields can determine an interval, so that the N+1 subfields can determine N intervals. For example, the value of the first subfield is 0; the value of the N+1 subfield is the maximum PPDU length or a larger value than the maximum PPDU length, for example, 6 ms. Alternatively, the first subfield (or the N+1 subfield) can not be carried in the first field.

[0214] The second field includes N subfields, and the value of a subfield indicates the energy detection threshold corresponding to an interval.

[0215] S402, the first multi-link device receives the second indication information.

[0216] S403, the first multi-link device determines, according to the length of the first PPDU sent on the first link, the energy detection threshold corresponding to the length of the first PPDU, and the energy detection threshold is used to determine whether to start the media synchronization delay timer on the second link.

[0217] Specifically, the first multi-link device can be a non-AP MLD, and the non-AP MLD has a non-STR capability. The first multi-link device can determine the energy detection threshold corresponding to the length of the first PPDU according to the mapping relationship between the PPDU length and the energy detection threshold indicated by the second indication information and the length of the first PPDU. For example, the mapping relationship is shown in Table 2, and assuming that the length of the first PPDU is 200 us, the energy detection threshold is -72 dBm.

[0218] Optionally, the first multi-link device determines whether to start the medium synchronization delay timer on the second link according to the energy detection threshold corresponding to the length of the first PPDU. Specifically, if the energy detection threshold determined in step S403 is equal to -62 dBm, the first multi-link device does not start the medium synchronization delay timer on the second link. If the energy detection threshold determined in step S403 is less than -62 dBm, the first multi-link device starts the medium synchronization delay timer on the second link. If the first multi-link device starts the medium synchronization delay timer on the second link, it means that the second link is in the mediumSyncDelay period, and when the first multi-link device performs channel contention on the second link, the energy detection threshold used by CCA is set to the energy detection threshold corresponding to the length of the first PPDU (i.e., the energy detection threshold determined in step S504).

[0219] Wherein, the first multi-link device starting the mediumSyncDelay timer on the second link can be understood as (or can be described as): during the mediumSyncDelay period, the first multi-link device can use a more conservative channel access mechanism on the second link. The more conservative channel access mechanism includes but is not limited to: 1) using a lower energy detection threshold (here, referring to an ED threshold lower than -62 dBm) to determine whether the channel is busy. 2) Must send an RTS frame to probe channel availability. Optionally, the number of times of probing (or the number of times of sending an RTS frame) can only be 1 or a limited number of times.

[0220] The first multi-link device not starting the mediumSyncDelay timer on the second link can be understood as (or can be described as): when the first multi-link device performs channel contention on the second link, the energy detection threshold used by CCA operation is the first threshold; or, after the first multi-link device backs off to 0 on the second link, it is allowed to directly send frames other than RTS and MU-RTS frames. The first threshold can be -62 dBm.

[0221] It can be understood that the energy detection threshold determination method in the CCA process provided by the embodiments of the application can also be applied to a single-link, multi-access channel scenario. Wherein, the first channel in the single-link, multi-access channel scenario is equivalent to the second link described above, and the second channel in the single-link, multi-access channel scenario is equivalent to the first link described above, which will not be described here.

[0222] It can be seen that the embodiment of the present application indicates the mapping relationship between the PPDU length and the energy detection threshold by the second indication information, so that the first multi-link device determines the energy detection threshold corresponding to the length of the first PPDU according to the mapping relationship and the length of the first PPDU transmitted on the first link, and does not start the mediumSyncDelay timer on the second link when the energy detection threshold is equal to -62dBm, and starts the mediumSyncDelay timer on the second link when the energy detection threshold is less than -62dBm. Different PPDU lengths correspond to different energy detection thresholds, so that the channel access mechanism on the second link is more flexible, and the channel access efficiency can be improved.

[0223] As an optional embodiment, the mapping relationship between the PPDU length and the energy detection threshold can be specified in a standard protocol. When the mapping relationship is specified in the standard protocol, Figure 9 The energy detection threshold determination method in the CCA process shown can not include steps S401 and S402. That is, the energy detection threshold determination method in the CCA process can include step S403.

[0224] As another optional embodiment, the first indication information in the foregoing embodiment three and the second indication information in the foregoing embodiment four can be one indication information, or the first indication information and the second indication information are carried in the same frame. Therefore, the foregoing embodiment three and the foregoing embodiment four can be combined into one embodiment. Specifically, the second multi-link device transmits indication information, the indication information being used to indicate the mapping relationship between the PPDU length and the initial value (or initial length) of the medium synchronization delay timer, and the mapping relationship between the PPDU length and the energy detection threshold; the first multi-link device receives the indication information; the first multi-link device transmits the first PPDU on the first link; the first multi-link device determines the initial value of the medium synchronization delay timer corresponding to the length of the first PPDU, and the energy detection threshold corresponding to the length of the first PPDU according to the length of the first PPDU. Optionally, the first multi-link device can also determine whether to start the medium synchronization delay timer on the second link according to the energy detection threshold corresponding to the length of the first PPDU, or the initial value of the medium synchronization delay timer corresponding to the length of the first PPDU.

[0225] The above describes the method provided by the present application in detail. In order to better implement the above-mentioned scheme of the embodiment of the present application, the embodiment of the present application also provides a corresponding device or equipment.

[0226] The embodiments of the present application can divide the function modules of the communication device according to the above method examples. For example, each function module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated in one processing module. The integrated module can be realized in the form of hardware or in the form of a software function module. It should be noted that the division of the modules in the embodiments of the present application is illustrative, and is only a logical function division. In actual implementation, another division mode can be used.

[0227] In the case of using an integrated unit, refer to Figure 11 , Figure 11 is a structural schematic diagram of a first multi-link device provided by the embodiments of the present application. As shown in Figure 11 , the first multi-link device includes a transceiving unit 11 and a processing unit 12.

[0228] In one design, the processing unit 12 is configured to not start a medium synchronization delay timer on a second link when a first PPDU sent by the first multi-link device on a first link has a length less than or equal to a first value, wherein the first multi-link device cannot simultaneously transmit and receive on the first link and the second link.

[0229] In the design, the processing unit 12 is specifically configured to set an energy detection threshold used in CCA operation to a first threshold when performing channel contention on the second link. Alternatively, the transceiving unit 11 is configured to send a frame other than an RTS frame and an MU-RTS frame after backoff to 0 on the second link. The first threshold can be -62 dBm.

[0230] It should be understood that the first multi-link device in the design can correspond to the implementation of the foregoing embodiment two, and the above operations or functions of each unit in the first multi-link device are respectively used to implement the corresponding operations of the first multi-link device in the foregoing embodiment two. For brevity, details are not described herein.

[0231] In one design, the processing unit 12 is configured to not start a medium synchronization delay timer on a second link when a first frame sent by the first multi-link device on a first link is of a first type, wherein the first multi-link device cannot simultaneously transmit and receive on the first link and the second link.

[0232] In the design, the processing unit 12 is specifically configured to set an energy detection threshold used in CCA operation to a first threshold when performing channel contention on the second link. Alternatively, the transceiving unit 11 is configured to send a frame other than an RTS frame and an MU-RTS frame after backoff to 0 on the second link. The first threshold can be -62 dBm.

[0233] It should be understood that the first multi-link device in this design can correspond to the implementation of the foregoing embodiment one, and the above operations or functions of each unit in the first multi-link device are respectively for realizing the corresponding operations of the first multi-link device in the foregoing embodiment one, and for the sake of brevity, will not be repeated here.

[0234] In one design, the transceiver 11 is configured to receive first indication information indicating a mapping relationship between a PPDU length and an initial value of a media synchronization latency timer; and the processing unit 12 is configured to determine, according to a length of a first PPDU transmitted on a first link, an initial value of a media synchronization latency timer corresponding to the length of the first PPDU, the initial value being used to determine whether to start the media synchronization latency timer on a second link. The first multi-link device cannot simultaneously transmit and receive on the first link and the second link.

[0235] Optionally, the processing unit 12 is further configured to determine, according to the energy detection threshold corresponding to the length of the first PPDU, whether to start the media synchronization latency timer on the second link.

[0236] Optionally, the processing unit 12 is specifically configured to: if the determined initial value of the media synchronization latency timer is equal to 0, not to start the media synchronization latency timer on the second link; and if the determined initial value of the media synchronization latency timer is equal to 0, start the media synchronization latency timer on the second link.

[0237] It should be understood that the first multi-link device in this design can correspond to the implementation of the foregoing embodiment three, and the above operations or functions of each unit in the first multi-link device are respectively for realizing the corresponding operations of the first multi-link device in the foregoing embodiment three, and for the sake of brevity, will not be repeated here.

[0238] In one design, the transceiver 11 is configured to receive second indication information indicating a mapping relationship between a PPDU length and an energy detection threshold; and the processing unit 12 is configured to determine, according to a length of a first PPDU transmitted on a first link, an initial value of a media synchronization latency timer corresponding to the length of the first PPDU. The communication device cannot simultaneously transmit and receive on the first link and the second link.

[0239] Optionally, the processing unit 12 is further configured to determine, according to the energy detection threshold corresponding to the length of the first PPDU, whether to start the media synchronization latency timer on the second link.

[0240] Optionally, the processing unit 12 is specifically configured to: if the determined energy detection threshold is equal to -62dBm, the first multi-link device does not start the media synchronization delay timer on the second link; if the determined energy detection threshold is less than -62dBm, the first multi-link device starts the media synchronization delay timer on the second link.

[0241] It should be understood that the first multi-link device in this design can correspond to the implementation of the aforementioned embodiment four, and the above operations or functions of each unit in the first multi-link device are respectively for realizing the corresponding operations of the first multi-link device in the aforementioned embodiment four, and for brevity, will not be repeated here.

[0242] Referring to Figure 12 , Figure 12 is a structural schematic diagram of a second multi-link device provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 12 , the second multi-link device comprises a processing unit 21 and a transceiver unit 22.

[0243] In one design, the processing unit 21 is configured to generate first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate a mapping relationship between a PPDU length and an initial value (or initial duration) of a media synchronization delay timer; and the transceiver unit 22 is configured to send the first indication information.

[0244] It should be understood that the second multi-link device in this design can correspond to the implementation of the aforementioned embodiment three, and the above operations or functions of each unit in the second multi-link device are respectively for realizing the corresponding operations of the second multi-link device in the aforementioned embodiment three, and for brevity, will not be repeated here.

[0245] In another design, the processing unit 21 is configured to generate second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate a mapping relationship between a PPDU length and an energy detection threshold; and the transceiver unit 22 is configured to send the second indication information.

[0246] It should be understood that the second multi-link device in this design can correspond to the implementation of the aforementioned embodiment four, and the above operations or functions of each unit in the second multi-link device are respectively for realizing the corresponding operations of the second multi-link device in the aforementioned embodiment four, and for brevity, will not be repeated here.

[0247] The first multi-link device and the second multi-link device of the embodiments of the present application are introduced above, and possible product forms of the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device are introduced below. It should be understood that any form of product that has the functions of the aforementioned Figure 11 first multi-link device, any form of product that has the functions of the aforementioned Figure 12Any form of product of the function of the second multi-link device falls within the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application. It should also be understood that the following introduction is only for example, and the product form of the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device of the embodiments of the present application is not limited to this.

[0248] As a possible product form, the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device described in the embodiments of the present application can be realized by a general bus architecture.

[0249] The first multi-link device includes a processor and a transceiver in internal connection communication with the processor.

[0250] In one design, the processor is configured to not start a medium synchronization delay timer on a second link when a first PPDU transmitted by the first multi-link device on a first link has a length less than or equal to a first value, where the first multi-link device cannot simultaneously transmit and receive on the first link and the second link. Optionally, the transceiver is configured to transmit the first PPDU on the first link.

[0251] In one design, the processor is configured to not start a medium synchronization delay timer on a second link when a first frame transmitted by the first multi-link device on a first link is of a first type, where the first multi-link device cannot simultaneously transmit and receive on the first link and the second link.

[0252] In one design, the transceiver is configured to receive first indication information indicating a mapping relationship between a PPDU length and an initial value of a medium synchronization delay timer; and the processor is configured to determine, according to a length of a first PPDU transmitted on a first link, an initial value of a medium synchronization delay timer corresponding to the length of the first PPDU, where the initial value is used to determine whether to start the medium synchronization delay timer on a second link. The first multi-link device cannot simultaneously transmit and receive on the first link and the second link.

[0253] In one design, the transceiver is configured to receive second indication information indicating a mapping relationship between a PPDU length / byte length and an energy detection threshold; and the processor is configured to determine, according to a length of a first PPDU transmitted on a first link, an initial value of a medium synchronization delay timer corresponding to the length of the first PPDU. The communication device cannot simultaneously transmit and receive on the first link and the second link.

[0254] The second multi-link device includes a processor and a transceiver in internal connection communication with the processor.

[0255] In one design, the processor is configured to generate first indication information indicating a mapping relationship between a PPDU length and an initial value (or initial duration) of a medium synchronization delay timer; and the transceiver is configured to transmit the first indication information.

[0256] In another design, the processor is configured to generate second indication information indicating a mapping relationship between a PPDU length and an energy detection threshold; and the transceiver is configured to transmit the second indication information.

[0257] As one possible product form, the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device described in embodiments of the present application can be implemented by a chip.

[0258] A chip implementing the first multi-link device includes a processing circuit and an input / output interface that is internally connected to the processing circuit for communication.

[0259] In one design, the input / output interface is configured to receive code instructions and transmit the code instructions to the processing circuit, and the processing circuit is configured to not start a medium synchronization delay timer on a second link when a length of a first PPDU is less than or equal to a first value, where the first multi-link device cannot simultaneously transmit and receive on the first link and the second link.

[0260] In one design, the input / output interface is configured to receive code instructions and transmit the code instructions to the processing circuit, and the processing circuit is configured to not start a medium synchronization delay timer on a second link when a type of a first frame transmitted by the first multi-link device on a first link is a first type, where the first multi-link device cannot simultaneously transmit and receive on the first link and the second link.

[0261] In one design, the transceiver is configured to receive first indication information, the input / output interface is configured to receive the first indication information from the transceiver and transmit the first indication information to the processing circuit for processing, to obtain a mapping relationship between a PPDU length and an initial value (or initial duration) of a medium synchronization delay timer indicated by the first indication information; and the processing circuit is configured to determine, according to a length of a first PPDU transmitted on a first link, an initial value of a medium synchronization delay timer corresponding to the length of the first PPDU, where the initial value is used to determine whether to start the medium synchronization delay timer on a second link. The first multi-link device cannot simultaneously transmit and receive on the first link and the second link.

[0262] In one design, the transceiver is configured to receive the second indication information, the input / output interface is configured to receive the second indication information from the transceiver and send the second indication information to the processing circuitry for obtaining a mapping relationship between a PPDU length and an energy detection threshold indicated by the second indication information; and the processing circuitry is configured to determine, according to a length of a first PPDU sent on the first link, an energy detection threshold corresponding to the length of the first PPDU, the energy detection threshold being used to determine whether to start the medium synchronization latency timer on the second link. The first multi-link device cannot simultaneously transmit and receive on the first link and the second link.

[0263] A chip implementing the second multi-link device includes a processing circuitry and an input / output interface in communication with the processing circuitry.

[0264] In one design, the input / output interface is configured to receive code instructions and send the code instructions to the processing circuitry, the processing circuitry is configured to generate first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate a mapping relationship between a PPDU length and an initial value (or initial length) of a medium synchronization latency timer; and the input / output interface is configured to send the first indication information to the transceiver, the transceiver is configured to send the first indication information.

[0265] In another design, the input / output interface is configured to receive code instructions and send the code instructions to the processing circuitry, the processing circuitry is configured to generate second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate a mapping relationship between a PPDU length and an energy detection threshold; and the input / output interface is configured to send the second indication information to the transceiver, the transceiver is configured to send the second indication information.

[0266] As one possible product form, the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device described in the embodiments of the present application can also be implemented using one or more FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays), PLDs (programmable logic devices), controllers, state machines, gate logic, discrete hardware components, any other suitable circuitry, or any combination of circuitry capable of performing the various functions described throughout this application.

[0267] It should be understood that the communication apparatuses in the various product forms described above have any of the functions of the first multi-link device or the second multi-link device in the method embodiments described above, which will not be described again here.

[0268] The embodiments of the present application also provide a computer readable storage medium, which stores instructions, when the instructions are executed on a computer, causing the computer to execute the method in any of the preceding embodiments.

[0269] The embodiments of the present application also provide a computer program product, when the computer program product is executed on a computer, causing the computer to execute the method in any of the preceding embodiments.

[0270] The embodiment of the present application also provides a communication device, which can exist in the form of a chip product, and the structure of the device comprises a processor and an interface circuit, the processor is used for communicating with other devices through the receiving circuit, so that the device executes the method in any of the foregoing embodiments.

[0271] The steps of some of the methods or algorithms described in connection with the present disclosure can be implemented in hardware, or as software executed by a processor. The software instructions can be included in the form of software modules, which can be stored in a random access memory (RAM), a flash memory, an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically EPROM (EEPROM), a register, a hard disk, a mobile hard disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor, such that the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium can be a component of the processor. The processor and the storage medium can be located in an ASIC. The ASIC can be located in the core network interface device. Of course, the processor and the storage medium can also exist as discrete components in the core network interface device.

[0272] Those skilled in the art should be aware that, in one or more examples described above, the functions described in the present application can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, these functions can be stored in a computer readable medium or transmitted as one or more instructions or codes on a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium includes computer readable storage medium and communication medium, wherein the communication medium includes any medium that facilitates the transfer of computer programs from one place to another. The storage medium can be any available medium accessible by a general or special purpose computer.

[0273] The above detailed description further illustrates the purpose, technical solutions and beneficial effects of the present application. It should be understood that the above description is only a specific embodiment of the present application, and is not used to limit the protection scope of the present application. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made on the basis of the technical solutions of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A channel access method for multi-link devices, characterized in that, include: If the mediumSyncDelay timer on the second link is already enabled, and the length of the first PPDU sent by the first multi-link device on the first link is less than or equal to the first value, then the first multi-link device will not update the mediumSyncDelay timer on the second link to the initial value when the mediumSyncDelay timer is enabled, wherein the first multi-link device cannot transmit and receive simultaneously on the first link and the second link.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first multi-link device receives a first value, which is carried in a beacon frame, an association response frame, or a reassociation response frame.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: When the length of the first PPDU is greater than the first value, the first multi-link device determines the initial value of the mediumSyncDelay timer corresponding to the length of the first PPDU, and starts the mediumSyncDelay timer on the second link with the initial value.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first multi-link device receives first indication information, which is used to indicate the mapping relationship between the PPDU length and the initial value of the mediumSyncDelay timer.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The method further includes: When the length of the first PPDU is greater than the first value, the first multi-link device starts the mediumSyncDelay timer on the second link; If the first multi-link device engages in channel contention on the second link during the time period of the mediumSyncDelay timer, the energy detection threshold used by the CCA on the second link is set to the threshold value corresponding to the length of the first PPDU.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, Before the first multi-link device sends the first PPDU on the first link, the method further includes: The first multi-link device receives second indication information, which is used to indicate the mapping relationship between PPDU length and energy detection threshold.

7. A first multi-link device, characterized in that, include: The processing unit is configured to, when the mediumSyncDelay timer on the second link is already enabled, and the length of the first PPDU sent by the first multi-link device on the first link is less than or equal to a first value, not update the mediumSyncDelay timer on the second link to the initial value when the mediumSyncDelay timer is enabled, wherein the first multi-link device cannot transmit and receive simultaneously on the first link and the second link.

8. The first multi-link device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first multi-link device further includes a transceiver unit, which is used to receive a first value, which is carried in a beacon frame, an association response frame, or a reassociation response frame.

9. The first multi-link device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The processing unit is further configured to: when the length of the first PPDU is greater than the first value, determine the initial value of the mediumSyncDelay timer corresponding to the length of the first PPDU, and start the mediumSyncDelay timer on the second link with the initial value.

10. The first multi-link device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first multi-link device further includes a transceiver unit, which is used to receive first indication information, which is used to indicate the mapping relationship between the PPDU length and the initial value of the mediumSyncDelay timer.

11. The first multi-link device according to any one of claims 7-10, characterized in that, The processing unit is further configured to: When the length of the first PPDU is greater than the first value, the mediumSyncDelay timer is started on the second link; If the first multi-link device engages in channel contention on the second link during the time period of the mediumSyncDelay timer, the energy detection threshold used by the CCA on the second link is set to the threshold value corresponding to the length of the first PPDU.

12. The first multi-link device according to claim 11, characterized in that, The first multi-link device further includes a transceiver unit, which is used to receive second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate the mapping relationship between PPDU length and energy detection threshold.

13. A first multi-link device, characterized in that, The processor includes a media synchronization delay timer on the second link that is enabled when the length of the first PPDU sent by the first multi-link device on the first link is less than or equal to a first value. The processor is configured to not update the media synchronization delay timer on the second link to the initial value when the media synchronization delay timer is enabled, provided that the media synchronization delay timer mediumSyncDelay timer on the second link is enabled. The first multi-link device cannot transmit and receive simultaneously on the first link and the second link.

14. A first multi-link device, characterized in that, The device includes an input / output interface and a processing circuit. The input / output interface is used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the processing circuit. The processing circuit is used to prevent the mediumSyncDelay timer on the second link from updating its initial value when the length of the first PPDU sent by the first multi-link device on the first link is less than or equal to a first value, provided that the mediumSyncDelay timer on the second link is already enabled. This is because the first multi-link device cannot transmit and receive simultaneously on the first link and the second link.

15. A computer-readable storage medium storing program instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-6.

16. A computer program product comprising program instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-6.

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