From channel access methods, terminals and storage media

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of wireless network communication technology, and discloses a method for accessing a secondary channel, a terminal, and a storage medium. In this invention, data interaction between two parties is achieved by establishing a wireless channel. When the primary channel in the wireless channel is busy, access is made to a secondary channel. Since the bandwidth of a wireless channel is limited and susceptible to various interference factors, the transmission of certain services to be transmitted is restricted to the secondary channel, based on the service type of the service to be transmitted. Restricting the types of services transmitted on the secondary channel ensures high-priority transmission of critical services. For example, in some embodiments, certain services have high requirements for latency and reliability. By restricting the use of low-priority or non-critical services, it can be ensured that these high-priority services obtain sufficient bandwidth and transmission quality to meet their specific application requirements. Furthermore, restricting service types also helps to mitigate channel congestion and collisions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of wireless network communication technology, and in particular to a channel access method, terminal, and storage medium. Background Technology

[0002] In the development of Wi-Fi technology, the concepts of primary and secondary channels were introduced to expand the bandwidth of existing channels, thereby improving data transmission efficiency and capacity. The primary channel, as the core channel of the Wi-Fi network, is responsible for transmitting management frames and maintaining network stability. Its main function is to ensure the normal operation of the network, including device access, authentication, and broadcasting network status. Simultaneously, the primary channel ensures compatibility with older devices, allowing new and old devices to coexist harmoniously in the same network environment. The secondary channel, as a supplement and extension to the primary channel, is mainly used for data transmission to improve network throughput and efficiency. By introducing secondary channels, Wi-Fi systems can achieve high-speed data transmission without interfering with the normal operation of the primary channel, thus meeting the ever-increasing demand for data transmission.

[0003] The inventors discovered at least the following problems in the relevant technology: Current Wi-Fi protocols follow a strict access strategy. Devices only connect when both the primary and secondary channels are idle. If the primary channel is idle while the secondary channel is busy, the device chooses to connect to the primary channel to ensure smooth communication. With the continuous advancement of wireless communication technology, Wi-Fi systems can now support larger operating bandwidths, including 80MHz, 160MHz, and 320MHz. However, despite the expansion of bandwidth, the traditional primary and secondary channel access mechanism has remained unchanged and is still in use today. This mechanism undoubtedly represents a huge waste of wireless resources. This waste is exacerbated, especially as the overall channel bandwidth increases, the bandwidth of the secondary channels also increases. In the discussions surrounding the Wi-Fi 8 standard, how to efficiently utilize the secondary channels has become a technological gap in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a method, terminal, and storage medium for accessing a secondary channel, allowing the terminal to access the secondary channel when the primary channel is busy and the secondary channel is idle. Restricting the types of services transmitted on the secondary channel ensures high-priority transmission of critical services, which not only greatly improves the utilization of wireless resources and reduces channel congestion and collisions, but also further optimizes network performance.

[0005] To address the aforementioned technical problems, embodiments of the present invention provide a method for accessing a secondary channel, comprising: establishing a wireless channel to achieve data interaction; accessing a secondary channel in the wireless channel when the primary channel in the wireless channel is busy; and restricting the transmission of a portion of the service to be transmitted on the secondary channel in the wireless channel according to the service type of the service to be transmitted.

[0006] Embodiments of the present invention also provide a terminal, comprising: at least one processor; and a memory communicatively connected to the at least one processor; wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the at least one processor, the instructions being executed by the at least one processor to enable the at least one processor to perform the above-described channel access method.

[0007] Embodiments of the present invention also provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, which, when executed by a processor, implements the above-described channel access method.

[0008] In this embodiment of the invention, data interaction between the two parties is achieved by establishing a wireless channel. When the primary channel in the wireless channel is busy, a secondary channel in the wireless channel is accessed. Since the bandwidth of the wireless channel is limited and susceptible to various interference factors, the transmission of some services to be transmitted is restricted to the secondary channel, depending on the service type. Restricting the types of services transmitted on the secondary channel ensures high-priority transmission of critical services. For example, in some embodiments, certain services have high requirements for latency and reliability. By restricting the use of low-priority or non-critical services, it can be ensured that these high-priority services receive sufficient bandwidth and transmission quality to meet their specific application requirements. Furthermore, restricting service types also helps to mitigate channel congestion and collisions. Attached Figure Description

[0009] One or more embodiments are illustrated by way of example with reference numerals in the accompanying drawings. These illustrations do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments. Elements with the same reference numerals in the drawings are denoted as similar elements. Unless otherwise stated, the figures in the drawings are not to be limited by scale.

[0010] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of a channel access method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the terminal structure according to another embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0012] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, those skilled in the art will understand that many technical details are presented in the various embodiments of the present invention to facilitate a better understanding of this application. However, the technical solutions claimed in this application can be implemented even without these technical details and various changes and modifications based on the following embodiments. The division of the various embodiments below is for ease of description and should not constitute any limitation on the specific implementation of the present invention. The various embodiments can be combined with and referenced by each other without contradiction.

[0013] One embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for accessing a secondary channel, which can be applied to terminal (STA) devices such as mobile phones and computers, or terminal (STA) devices corresponding to multiple linked devices, or access point (AP) devices, or jointly implemented by terminal devices and access point devices corresponding to both sides of a wireless channel. In this embodiment, data interaction between the two parties is achieved by establishing a wireless channel; when the primary channel in the wireless channel is busy, access is made to the secondary channel in the wireless channel; since the bandwidth of the wireless channel is limited and susceptible to various interference factors, some services to be transmitted are restricted from being transmitted on the secondary channel in the wireless channel according to the service type of the service to be transmitted. Restricting the types of services transmitted on the secondary channel can ensure the high-priority transmission of critical services. In addition, restricting the types of services also helps to alleviate channel congestion and collisions. In WiFi networks, multiple devices may attempt to access the channel simultaneously, leading to signal interference and transmission collisions. By restricting the use of certain service types, the number and frequency of concurrent transmissions can be reduced, thereby reducing the probability of collisions and improving the stability and efficiency of the entire network. The implementation details of the secondary channel access method of this embodiment are described in detail below. The following content is only for the convenience of understanding the implementation details and is not necessary for implementing this solution.

[0014] like Figure 1 As shown, in step 101, the terminal device and / or access point device establish a wireless channel to achieve data interaction. The wireless channel consists of a primary channel and secondary channels or non-primary channels (NPCH). Furthermore, the secondary channels may have definitions related to their granularity. Here, granularity refers to the bandwidth or sub-channel size accessed by the secondary channel, which may consist of one or more 20MHz channels, thus resulting in multiple secondary channels within a single wireless channel based on granularity.

[0015] In step 102, when the primary channel in the wireless channel is busy, the terminal device and / or access point device accesses a secondary channel in the wireless channel; channel access is a key step in ensuring that multiple wireless devices can share wireless resources fairly and effectively. Since the bandwidth of a wireless channel is limited and susceptible to various interference factors, it is particularly important to restrict the types of services transmitted on the secondary channel.

[0016] Limiting the types of services transmitted over a channel ensures high-priority transmission of critical services. For example, in some embodiments, certain services have high requirements for latency and reliability. By restricting the use of low-priority or non-critical services, sufficient bandwidth and transmission quality can be ensured for these high-priority services to meet their specific application needs. Furthermore, limiting service types helps mitigate channel congestion and collisions. In WiFi networks, multiple devices may simultaneously attempt to access the channel, leading to signal interference and transmission collisions. By limiting the use of certain service types, the number and frequency of concurrent transmissions can be reduced, thereby lowering the probability of collisions and improving the stability and efficiency of the entire network.

[0017] Therefore, in step 103, the terminal device and / or access point device restrict the transmission of some services to be transmitted on the secondary channel in the wireless channel according to the service type of the service to be transmitted.

[0018] When performing multi-link operation via a wireless channel, step 103 may specifically be: when performing multi-link operation via a wireless channel, according to the service type of the service to be transmitted, define a corresponding service identifier to link mapping relationship for each slave channel in the wireless channel, so as to restrict some services to be transmitted to be transmitted on the slave channels in the wireless channel according to the service identifier to link mapping relationship.

[0019] Multi-link Operation (MLO) is a core technology of WiFi 7. It allows devices to simultaneously send and receive data on different frequency bands and channels, enabling link aggregation and switching. MLO can improve network throughput and robustness, reduce interference and congestion, and optimize network load balancing and dynamic adjustment. MLO can also support more efficient mesh networks, providing the latest interference mitigation technologies to ensure that wireless devices always connect quickly and reliably in dense network environments. Traffic Identifier (TID) to Link Mapping is an important concept in MLO. It refers to the process of assigning data packets to different links based on different TID fields. The TID field uses 4 bits to represent 16 different traffic types. Eight of these (Bits 0-7) are predefined traffic categories (TCs), corresponding to the four default priorities. The other eight (Bits 8-15) are configurable traffic streams (TSs), which are negotiated and determined between nodes and access points (APs).

[0020] For secondary channels (or non-primary channels, or NPCHs), there should be corresponding Quality of Service (QoS) requirements. Certain services should not be transmitted on secondary channels; therefore, it is necessary to define corresponding TID-to-link mappings for secondary channels. In some embodiments, to ensure effective cooperation and transmission efficiency between primary and secondary channels, it is necessary to configure corresponding TID-to-link mappings for each primary and secondary channel separately.

[0021] To achieve this goal, the following will illustrate two methods for implementing the above-mentioned mapping relationship from the service type of the service to be transmitted to the link defined in the wireless channel:

[0022] The first method involves configuring additional service identifier-to-link mapping elements for each slave channel in the wireless channel, based on the service type of the service to be transmitted. This defines a corresponding service identifier-to-link mapping relationship for each slave channel. It can be seen that this configures an additional TID-to-link mapping element specifically for slave channels, which can be called a TID-to-link-to-NPCH mapping element. The format of this element can follow the existing TID-to-link mapping element format, but the Element ID needs to be assigned a reserved element number in the current protocol, such as 47, 49, 128, 129, etc. The corresponding TID-to-link-to-NPCH mapping element also needs to be configured when configuring slave channels. Regarding configuring the TID-to-link mapping relationship between the master channel and slave channels, the following two configuration schemes are examples:

[0023] 1. The TID-to-link mapping relationship between the master channel and the slave channel is completely independent, which is equivalent to assigning TIDs to the master channel and slave channel respectively. Each channel transmits the services associated with its assigned TID. This method can improve transmission efficiency, and each channel is responsible for its own TID transmission without affecting each other.

[0024] 2. The TID-to-link mapping of the slave channel is a subset of that of the master channel, which is equivalent to allocating a portion of the TIDs allocated to the master channel for transmission to the slave channel. In this case, the following two scenarios need to be considered separately:

[0025] (1) When the main channel is currently in an idle state, the transmission of the main channel should take precedence. That is, if the service corresponding to the TID allocated to the secondary channel is to be transmitted, the main channel should take precedence. In other words, the service of the TID should be transmitted on the main channel. When the bandwidth of the main channel is insufficient, it should be transmitted together with the secondary channel. For example, after configuring additional service identifiers to link mapping elements for each secondary channel in the wireless channel, if the service identifier to link mapping relationship of the secondary channel is a subset of the main channel, then when the main channel is in an idle state, the service to be transmitted corresponding to the service identifier allocated to the secondary channel is transmitted through the main channel. When the bandwidth of the main channel is insufficient during the transmission process, it is transmitted together with the secondary channel corresponding to the service identifier.

[0026] (2) When the main channel is currently in a busy state, the TID service allocated to the secondary channel can be transmitted on the secondary channel when it needs to be transmitted.

[0027] It is worth noting that the TID assigned to the slave channel can be a service with higher priority or higher latency requirements. This configuration helps ensure that critical services can be processed and transmitted in a timely manner when needed.

[0028] The second method, based on the service type of the service to be transmitted, adds a field to the service identifier-to-link mapping element corresponding to each slave channel in the wireless channel. This field defines the corresponding service identifier-to-link mapping relationship for each slave channel. In other words, it extends the original TID-to-link mapping element by adding an indication for TID-to-link mapping on the slave channel. Examples of the following two strategies are as follows:

[0029] 1. Add an indication for channel information to the TID-to-link mapping control field in the existing TID-to-link mapping element. Examples of this strategy are as follows:

[0030] a) Option 1: Add a slave channel configuration to the existing Direction field. For example, when the Direction field is configured as 3, it indicates that the current TID-to-link mapping is configured for the slave channel. The configured TID-to-link mapping direction, such as uplink, downlink, or both, remains consistent with the master channel's TID-to-link mapping configuration. Frames carrying the TID-to-link mapping element configured for the slave channel can be sent alternately with frames configured for the master channel, or sent only when TID-to-link mapping for the slave channel is required, otherwise remaining consistent with the master channel.

[0031] b) Option 2: Add an indication field named NPCH indication. When NPCH Indication is configured as 1, it indicates that the current TID-to-link mapping is configured for the slave channel; when NPCH Indication is configured as 0, it indicates that the current TID-to-link mapping is configured for the master channel. See below:

[0032]

[0033] Among them, Direction is the direction field; Default Link Mapping is the default link mapping field; Mapping Switch Time Present is the mapping switch presence time field; Expected Duration Present is the expected duration field; Link Mapping Size is the link mapping size field; NPCH Indication is the NPCH indicator field; Reserved is the reserved field; and Link Mapping Presence Bitmap is the link mapping status bitmap.

[0034] 2. Add configuration for slave channel TID-to-link mapping information to the existing TID-to-link mapping element: Add a set of Link Mapping of TID i configuration to the slave channel, as shown below (this table is too long and will be written in two parts by continuation; in the actual example, there is no split). Configure a separate NPCH LinkMapping of TID i specifically to indicate the slave channel's TID-to-link mapping information, where the slave channel's LinkMapping Presence Bitmap shares the same configuration as the master channel.

[0035]

[0036]

[0037] Wherein, Element ID is the element ID; Length is the length field; Element ID Extension is the element ID extension field; TID-to-link mapping control is the service identifier to link mapping control field; Mappingswitch time is the mapping switch time field; Expected Duration is the expected duration field; Linkmapping of TID 0 (Optional) is the link mapping field for TID 0; Link mapping of TID 7 (Optional) is the link mapping field for TID 7; NPCH Link mapping of TID 0 (Optional) is the NPCH link mapping field for TID 0; NPCH Link mapping of TID 7 (Optional) is the NPCH link mapping field for TID 7.

[0038] The TID-to-link mapping relationship between the primary and secondary channels can reuse the scheme from the first method described above. Optionally, when the primary channel is in a BUSY state, only low-latency services or higher-priority services can be required to be transmitted on the secondary channel. Alternatively, in some embodiments, when the primary channel changes from a BUSY state to an IDLE state, services transmitted on the secondary channel should stop transmitting and switch back to the primary channel for transmission. In this case, it is important to ensure that the service transmission on the secondary channel is completed before the primary channel's NAV expires. Therefore, services allocated to the secondary channel should pay attention to the remaining NAV of the primary channel and only allow services that can complete transmission before the NAV expires to be transmitted on the secondary channel. In particular, for low-latency services, to ensure high reliability of their transmission, this rule may not be followed, and the service can switch back to the primary channel only after the low-latency service transmission is completed.

[0039] In WiFi systems, the types of frames that can be transmitted on secondary channel access (or non-primary channel access) are currently unclear. To optimize spectrum usage, improve network performance, simplify network management, and support higher-level functions and services, defining the frame types that can be transmitted on secondary channels is essential. In one example, after restricting the transmission of certain services on secondary channels within the wireless channel, the transmission of certain frames on secondary channels is restricted based on the frame type of the frames to be transmitted.

[0040] The following four solutions will be given as examples:

[0041] Option 1: No restrictions are imposed. The system allows any frame to be sent on the secondary channel as long as it complies with the non-primary channel access rule. This ensures that the secondary channel can be used reasonably without affecting the normal communication of the primary channel. This option provides the network with maximum flexibility.

[0042] Option 2: The slave channel does not restrict frame types for low-latency or emergency services; any frame can be sent based on actual conditions. Other transmissions require frame type restrictions. The system needs to monitor the status of the primary and slave channels in real time to ensure that low-latency or emergency services can be transmitted on the slave channel when the primary channel is busy and the slave channel is idle. In some cases, the TID value or Access Category (AC) can be restricted, allowing only specific TIDs or AC categories to be transmitted on the slave channel. For example, transmission is permitted only when the current transmission TID > Threshold, or when one or more specific AC categories are met. The specific Threshold value and AC category are determined by the transmitting device. This option ensures that low-latency and emergency services are prioritized, improving network response speed and service quality.

[0043] 3. Option 3: Limit the transmission frame type to notification-type control or management frames. For example, in energy-saving mode, request frames used to retrieve buffered data from the AP, such as PS-Poll and QoS null frames, are allowed to be transmitted on the secondary channel. Furthermore, in some cases, Beacon frames can also be allowed to be transmitted on the secondary channel when the primary channel is busy, to maintain basic network connectivity. In some situations, the values ​​or ranges of the type value and / or subtype value fields of the transmission frame can also be restricted, allowing only eligible transmission frames to be transmitted on the secondary channel. This restriction helps simplify network management while reducing unnecessary interference.

[0044] 4. Limit the duration of transmission frames. Considering the handover efficiency and resource utilization between the primary and secondary channels, this scheme proposes to allow only short frames to be transmitted on the secondary channel. Specifically, when the primary channel is in BUSY state, the system will configure the corresponding NAV and, after initiating secondary channel access, ensure that service transmission on the secondary channel is completed before the primary channel NAV ends. To achieve this, a duration threshold Threshold1 can be set; only frames with a duration less than this threshold are allowed to be sent on the secondary channel. The specific value of Threshold1 is configured by higher layers and must be ensured not to exceed the length of the primary channel NAV to ensure stable network operation.

[0045] The four schemes above are merely illustrative examples; the specific content can be combined arbitrarily as needed, and no restrictions are imposed here.

[0046] In one example, the transmission direction of frames on the secondary channel can be restricted to ensure the reliability and utilization of transmission on that channel. Transmission direction includes uplink (UL) and downlink (DL), the difference being whether the transmission is from the STA to the AP or vice versa. TXOP (Transmission Opportunity) refers to a transmission opportunity in a wireless network. Restricting the transmission direction of frames on the secondary channel means, after limiting the transmission of some services on the secondary channel, further restricting the transmission of some frames on the secondary channel based on their transmission direction. This step can be discussed and illustrated from the following aspects:

[0047] 1. When the main channel is in DL TXOP mode:

[0048] When the primary channel is in BUSY state and in DL TXOP, the secondary channel will only allow frame switching triggered by uplink transmissions. This means that only non-AP STAs can send the necessary frames to the AP, and the AP will decide whether to provide corresponding feedback on the secondary channel based on the actual situation.

[0049] For example, if a non-AP STA needs to transmit a low-latency service to the AP, it can utilize the secondary channel access function to transmit a low-latency service indication to the AP on the secondary channel, informing the AP that a low-latency service request is pending. If the AP agrees to the low-latency service transmission, it can allocate the transmission on either the primary or secondary channel, depending on the situation. If the AP specifies that the low-latency service should be transmitted on the primary channel, the current transmission needs to be interrupted, and an indication needs to be sent to the non-AP STA to inform it that the low-latency service is being transmitted on the primary channel. This notification should be transmitted simultaneously on both the primary and secondary channels to ensure that the non-AP STA can successfully receive the notification and complete frame switching on the primary channel. Optionally, the non-AP STA with the low-latency service can be notified only on the secondary channel to switch to the primary channel for low-latency service frame switching. If the AP specifies that the low-latency service is transmitted on the secondary channel, the frames currently being transmitted on the primary channel remain unchanged, and frame switching for the low-latency service only occurs on the secondary channel.

[0050] In another scenario, if the STA is in power-saving mode, it can use the secondary channel to transmit PS-Poll, QoS null frames, etc., to request buffered data from the AP. Similarly, the AP decides whether to transmit the buffered data via the primary or secondary channel. If transmitted on the primary channel, an ACK frame needs to be sent back on the secondary channel to inform the STA to switch to the primary channel, and the AP must wait until the current transmission on the primary channel is complete before transmitting the buffered data to the STA. If transmitted on the secondary channel, the transmission will proceed according to the protocol.

[0051] 2. When the main channel is in UL TXOP:

[0052] When the primary channel is in BUSY state and UL TXOP, the secondary channel will only allow frame switching caused by downlink transmissions. In other words, the secondary channel can only be used for emergency service transmissions when the AP needs to send some instructions or when high-reliability, low-latency services need to be transmitted.

[0053] Similarly, when the primary channel is in UL TXOP, if the AP needs to transmit low-latency or urgent services, it can send a low-latency service indication to the corresponding STA via the secondary channel and initiate the low-latency service frame switching process according to the actual situation. Furthermore, if the AP has other scheduling needs, it can also use the secondary channel to make indications and perform corresponding frame switching.

[0054] 3. The AP indicates the transmission direction from the channel:

[0055] In some embodiments, the allowed transmission direction of the secondary channel is indicated by the AP, which can be defined as the NPCH direction field. When NPCH direction is configured as 0, it indicates that the secondary channel only allows frame switching caused by uplink transmission; when NPCH direction is configured as 1, it indicates that the secondary channel only allows frame switching caused by downlink transmission; and when NPCH direction is configured as 2, it indicates that the secondary channel allows frame switching caused by both uplink and downlink transmission. Specifically, the NPCH direction field can be configured in the channel switch element and sent out via Beacon frames or other control or management frames. This allows associated STAs to receive information about the transmission direction of the secondary channel and adjust their transmission strategies accordingly. In this way, devices in the network can utilize the secondary channel more coordinatedly, improving the efficiency and reliability of data transmission.

[0056] In current discussions of WiFi protocols, preemption strategies are undoubtedly a key focus. For low-latency, high-priority, urgent, or other services requiring preemption, implementing preemption strategies ensures these services are prioritized, significantly reducing transmission latency and guaranteeing high reliability. However, how to better integrate preemption strategies into existing master and slave channel architectures, and in the design of slave channel access schemes, to optimize resource allocation and ensure the quality of real-time communication, remains a question requiring further in-depth exploration. This embodiment proposes several innovative solutions aimed at achieving seamless integration of preemption strategies with existing channel structures, bringing a more efficient and stable communication experience to WiFi systems. Specifically, in one example, when the service type of a service to be transmitted meets a preset preemption criterion, a preset preemption strategy is implemented to ensure that services meeting the preemption criterion are transmitted with priority.

[0057] The pre-defined preemption strategy can be analyzed from two perspectives, which will be illustrated below:

[0058] The first area of ​​analysis is when the primary channel is busy and there are idle secondary channels in the wireless channel. In this case, the following three preemption strategies will be used as examples:

[0059] 1. Perform preemption on the currently camped channel in the wireless channel; this is a concise preemption strategy implementation. Under this scheme, the STA needing to preempt can only perform the preemption step on its original camped channel. This design greatly simplifies the implementation of the preemption strategy, reducing system complexity and potential conflict risks. Specifically, this scheme does not restrict which channel the STA camps on. If a STA needing to preempt is currently camped on the primary channel, it can only perform the preemption step on the primary channel, utilizing its resources for priority transmission. Similarly, if the STA camps on a secondary channel, it can only perform the preemption step on the secondary channel, ensuring reasonable utilization of secondary channel resources. The advantage of this scheme lies in its clear and explicit operating rules, enabling each STA to perform preemption operations based on its own camped channel, avoiding the complexity and uncertainty that cross-channel preemption may bring. At the same time, this scheme also makes full use of existing channel resources, achieving reasonable allocation and efficient utilization of resources.

[0060] 2. Access an idle slave channel and perform a preemption operation on it. This scheme further expands the application scenarios of the preemption strategy, especially when the device supports slave channel access. For example, when the main channel is busy, if a STA needs to perform a preemption operation, it can access a slave channel to transmit relevant data. This strategy requires that the relevant STA meets the conditions for slave channel access and is permitted by the system to perform the slave channel access operation. When there are multiple slave channels, the specific slave channel accessed is determined by negotiation between the STA and the AP; in some cases, the AP or the system can decide which slave channel to access; in other cases, data transmission can be performed according to the slave channel priority or a pre-configured access order, either in descending order of priority or according to the access sequence.

[0061] Implementing this approach requires the system to have the capability to access multiple channels, and the STA needs to support flexible switching between multiple channels. This method effectively avoids congestion on the main channel, ensuring that low-latency, high-priority, or urgent services can be processed promptly. Simultaneously, it improves the system's resource utilization efficiency and flexibility, enabling the WiFi network to better adapt to various complex scenarios and changing needs.

[0062] 3. Based on the instruction received from the access point corresponding to the wireless channel, perform a preemption operation on the indicated channel. This scheme determines the channel to be preempted based on the AP's instruction. This method provides a more flexible and centralized preemption strategy management approach. In some cases, the above two methods can be combined. The STA that needs to perform preemption sends a preemption instruction to the AP, and the AP determines the solution. The AP can notify the STA how to perform the preemption steps by sending an instruction frame.

[0063] • If the AP indicates preemption on the main channel, the relevant STA will perform the preemption operation on the main channel;

[0064] • If the AP indicates to preempt on a slave channel (if there are multiple slave channels, the specific slave channel or the granular bandwidth of the slave channel must be indicated), then the STA performs slave channel access according to the instruction and transmits relevant data on that slave channel.

[0065] It is important to note that if the STA that needs to perform the preemption operation is an AP, the AP does not need to send a preemption request to itself; it only needs to send the decision result to the relevant STA. Furthermore, the indication frame sent by the AP can be a control frame, management frame, or trigger frame, or existing control frames, management frames, and trigger frames can be modified to include master / slave channel preemption indication information. This method enables more granular and flexible channel preemption management, ensuring that low-latency, high-priority, or urgent services are still prioritized even when the network is busy.

[0066] The second area of ​​analysis is the strategy for situations where both the primary and secondary channels are busy, i.e., when all channels in the wireless network are busy. Examples of corresponding solutions will be given below:

[0067] 1. When both the primary and secondary channels are busy, a pre-set preemption order can be used to ensure timely transmission of critical services. This preemption order can be specifically designed for preemption scenarios, aiming to ensure that different services are reasonably allocated and prioritized when channels are busy. The preset preemption order can be determined by the service type of the service to be transmitted and the channel priority of each channel in the wireless channel. Specifically:

[0068] In some cases, the preemption order can also be determined based on the priority of each channel. For example, preemption can be performed according to channel priority from low to high or from high to low. Channel priorities can be set based on various factors, such as channel bandwidth and granularity. For example, based on pre-defined master and slave channels, a priority can be assigned to each channel in X MHz, where X can be a specific number such as 20MHz or 40MHz. In this way, channels with different bandwidths will be assigned different priorities.

[0069] When multiple slave channels exist, each slave channel should also have its own priority. This priority can be set based on factors such as the slave channel's performance, stability, and interference. For example, a slave channel with better performance and greater stability can be given a higher priority so that it can be used first when preemption is required.

[0070] By pre-setting preemption order or channel priority, channel resources can be allocated more rationally when both the primary and secondary channels are busy, ensuring that critical services are processed with priority. This strategy helps improve the overall performance and reliability of the network, meeting various real-time communication needs.

[0071] 2. This method is similar to the third type of strategy in the first analysis direction. It determines the channel to be preempted based on the AP's instructions. The STA needing to preempt send a preemption instruction to the AP, which then determines the solution. The AP can notify the STA how to proceed with the preemption steps by sending an instruction frame. For further details, please refer to the description of the third type of strategy in the first analysis direction above. For example:

[0072] • If the AP indicates preemption on the main channel, the relevant STA will perform the preemption operation on the main channel;

[0073] • If the AP indicates to preempt on a slave channel (if there are multiple slave channels, the specific slave channel or the granular bandwidth of the slave channel must be indicated), then the STA performs slave channel access according to the instruction and transmits relevant data on that slave channel.

[0074] • In conjunction with Scheme 1, AP can also indicate a preemption order to the relevant STA, and the STA will then perform preemption according to that order.

[0075] Similarly, if the STA that needs to perform the preemption operation is the AP, the AP does not need to send a preemption request to itself; it only needs to send the decision result to the relevant STA. Furthermore, the indication frame sent by the AP can be a control frame, management frame, or trigger frame, or existing control frames, management frames, or trigger frames can be modified to include preemption indication information for the master and slave channels.

[0076] In this embodiment, data interaction between the two parties is achieved by establishing a wireless channel. When the primary channel in the wireless channel is busy, a secondary channel is accessed. Since the bandwidth of the wireless channel is limited and susceptible to various interference factors, some services to be transmitted are restricted from being transmitted on the secondary channel, based on the service type of the service to be transmitted. Restricting the types of services transmitted on the secondary channel ensures high-priority transmission of critical services. Furthermore, restricting service types helps mitigate channel congestion and collisions. In a WiFi network, multiple devices may simultaneously attempt to access the channel, leading to signal interference and transmission collisions. By restricting the use of certain service types, the number and frequency of concurrent transmissions can be reduced, thereby lowering the probability of collisions and improving the stability and efficiency of the entire network.

[0077] The steps described above are for clarity only. In practice, they can be combined into one step or some steps can be split into multiple steps. As long as they include the same logical relationship, they are all within the scope of protection of this application. Adding insignificant modifications or introducing insignificant designs to the algorithm or process, but without changing the core design of the algorithm and process, are also within the scope of protection of this application.

[0078] Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a terminal, such as Figure 2 As shown, it includes at least one processor 201; and a memory 202 communicatively connected to the at least one processor; wherein the memory 202 stores instructions executable by the at least one processor 201, the instructions being executed by the at least one processor 201 to enable the at least one processor 201 to perform the channel access method as described above.

[0079] The memory 202 and processor 201 are connected via a bus, which may include any number of interconnecting buses and bridges, connecting various circuits of one or more processors 201 and memory 202 together. The bus may also connect various other circuits, such as peripheral devices, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art and therefore will not be described further herein. A bus interface provides an interface between the bus and the transceiver. The transceiver may be a single element or multiple elements, such as multiple receivers and transmitters, providing a unit for communicating with various other devices over a transmission medium. Data processed by processor 201 is transmitted over a wireless medium via an antenna, which further receives data and transmits it to processor 201.

[0080] Processor 201 is responsible for managing the bus and general processing, and can also provide various functions, including timing, peripheral interfaces, voltage regulation, power management, and other control functions. Memory 202 can be used to store data used by processor 201 during operation.

[0081] Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program. When executed by a processor, the computer program implements the above-described method embodiments.

[0082] That is, those skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the steps in the methods of the above embodiments can be implemented by a program instructing related hardware. This program is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a device (which may be a microcontroller, chip, etc.) or processor to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as a USB flash drive, a portable hard drive, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0083] Those skilled in the art will understand that the above embodiments are specific examples of implementing the present invention, and in practical applications, various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for accessing a channel, characterized in that, Applied to the first device, including: Data interaction with a second device is achieved by establishing a wireless channel; In the NPCA mechanism, when the primary channel in the wireless channel is busy, the secondary channel in the wireless channel is accessed. Based on the service type of the service to be transmitted, some of the services to be transmitted are restricted from being transmitted on the secondary channel in the wireless channel; The method further includes: When the service type of the service to be transmitted meets the preset preemption criteria, the preset preemption strategy is implemented to ensure that the service to be transmitted that meets the preemption criteria is transmitted with priority. The preset preemption strategy includes: When the master channel is busy and there is an idle slave channel in the wireless channel, a preemption operation is performed on the currently occupied channel in the wireless channel; or, When the primary channel is busy and there is an idle secondary channel among the wireless channels, access is made to the idle secondary channel, and the preemption operation is performed on the idle secondary channel; or, Based on the instruction received from the access point corresponding to the wireless channel, a preemption operation is performed on the indicated channel in the wireless channel; The method further includes: After the service to be transmitted described in the restriction section is transmitted on the secondary channel in the wireless channel, the frame to be transmitted described in the restriction section is transmitted on the secondary channel in the wireless channel according to the transmission direction of the frame to be transmitted.

2. The channel access method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The preset preemption strategy also includes: When all channels in the wireless channel are busy, the preemption operation is performed according to the preset preemption order. The preset preemption order is determined by the service type of the service to be transmitted and the channel priority of each channel in the wireless channel.

3. The channel access method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: After the service to be transmitted described in the restriction section is transmitted on the secondary channel in the wireless channel, the frame to be transmitted described in the restriction section is transmitted on the secondary channel in the wireless channel according to the frame type of the frame to be transmitted.

4. The channel access method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of restricting the transmission of a portion of the service to be transmitted on the secondary channel in the wireless channel according to the service type of the service to be transmitted includes: When performing multi-link operation through the wireless channel, according to the service type of the service to be transmitted, a corresponding service identifier to link mapping relationship is defined for each slave channel in the wireless channel, so as to restrict the transmission of some of the services to be transmitted on the slave channels in the wireless channel according to the service identifier to link mapping relationship.

5. The channel access method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The step of defining the corresponding service identifier to link mapping relationship for each channel in the wireless channel according to the service type of the service to be transmitted includes: Based on the service type of the service to be transmitted, additional service identifiers to link mapping elements are configured for each slave channel in the wireless channel, thereby defining a corresponding service identifier to link mapping relationship for each slave channel in the wireless channel; or, Based on the service type of the service to be transmitted, a field is added to the service identifier-to-link mapping element corresponding to each slave channel in the wireless channel to define the corresponding service identifier-to-link mapping relationship for each slave channel in the wireless channel.

6. The channel access method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The method further includes: After configuring additional service identifiers to link mapping elements for each slave channel in the wireless channel, if the service identifier to link mapping relationship corresponding to the slave channel is a subset of the main channel, then when the main channel is idle, the service to be transmitted corresponding to the service identifier allocated to the slave channel is transmitted through the main channel. If the bandwidth of the main channel is insufficient during transmission, the slave channel corresponding to the service identifier is used for transmission together.

7. A terminal, characterized in that, include: At least one processor; as well as, A memory communicatively connected to the at least one processor; wherein, The memory stores instructions that can be executed by the at least one processor to enable the at least one processor to perform the channel access method as described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, characterized in that, When the computer program is executed by a processor, it implements the channel access method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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