Cooperative communication method and device

Abstract

Provided are a cooperative communication method and apparatus, the method comprising: a first device receiving a first frame from a second device on a first link, the first device using a non-simultaneous transmit and receive (NSTR) link pair comprising the first link and a second link, the first link being a secondary link of the first device, the second link being a secondary link of the first device, and the second link being a secondary link of the second device; the second link is a main link of the first device, the first frame is used for indicating to share a first time-frequency resource on the first link, and the time domain position of the first time-frequency resource is within a first transmission opportunity TXOP of a second device on the first link; and the first device determines whether to send a second frame to the second device on the first link according to the states of the first link and the second link, the second frame being a response frame of the first frame. Through the method, the cooperation among a plurality of APs can be simpler and more efficient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and more specifically, to a collaborative communication method and device. Background Art

[0002] With the development of wireless networks and the increasing popularity of wireless local area network (WLAN) technology, WLAN devices are becoming more and more dense. Wireless access points (APs) are easy to deploy, and the increasing density of APs also brings more interference between cells. In the current multi-AP networking scenario, there are the following channel selection rules: If the working channels (bandwidth) of two APs overlap, the main channel positions of the two APs should be the same. Based on the above rules, in order to reduce interference between cells, APs usually select smaller and non-overlapping bandwidths.

[0003] However, the smaller bandwidth leads to a lower peak rate when APs communicate, and the non-overlapping bandwidth limits the collaboration between multiple APs, which is not conducive to improving the user's service quality. Therefore, how to improve the collaboration efficiency between multiple APs while ensuring the user's service quality is an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present application provides a collaborative communication method and device, which can make the collaboration between multiple APs simpler and more efficient while ensuring the user service quality.

[0005] In a first aspect, a method for collaborative communication is provided, the method comprising: a first device receives a first frame from a second device on a first link, the first device uses the first link and the second link, the first frame is used to indicate that the second device shares a first time-frequency resource on the first link with the first device, the time domain position of the first time-frequency resource is within a current first transmission opportunity TXOP, and the first TXOP is a transmission opportunity for the second device on the first link; when a first condition is met, the first device sends a second frame to the second device on the first link, the second frame is a response frame to the first frame, and the first condition comprises: the first device determines that the first link is currently in an idle state; and the first device determines that the second link is currently in a busy state, or the first device is able to send data on the second link.

[0006] It should be understood that the first device and the second device can be multi-link devices (MLD), or the first device and the second device can be access points (AP) in the multi-link device MLD, or the first device and the second device can be stations (STA) in the multi-link device MLD, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited to this.

[0007] It should be noted that the first device uses the first link and the second link, which can be understood as the first device establishes the first link and the second link.

[0008] It should be noted that, when the second device is an MLD, the first TXOP is a transmission opportunity of the second device on the first link, which can be understood as the first TXOP is a transmission opportunity of an AP or a STA in the second device.

[0009] It should be understood that the second frame is used to indicate that the first device confirms the use of the first time-frequency resource.

[0010] It should be understood that the embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific manner in which the first device determines that the first link is in an idle state. Exemplarily, the first device can determine that the second link is in an idle state through energy detection based on a (Clear Channel Assessment, CCA) mechanism.

[0011] Based on the above scheme, the first device receives the first frame from the second device, and determines whether to use the first time-frequency resources shared on the first link according to the status of the first link and the second link, so that multiple devices can share TXOP on one link, thereby improving the collaboration efficiency between multiple devices while ensuring the quality of user service.

[0012] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the second device uses the second link.

[0013] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the first link and the second link belong to a non-simultaneous sending and receiving NSTR link pair.

[0014] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the first link is a secondary link of the first device, and the first link is a primary link of the second device; the second link is the primary link of the first device, and the second link is a secondary link of the second device.

[0015] Based on the above scheme, the first device receives the first frame from the second device, and the first frame is used to share the first time-frequency resources on its secondary link. Furthermore, the first device determines whether to use the first time-frequency resources according to the status of its secondary link and the main link, so that when the first time-frequency resources of the secondary link are shared, the first device can use the first time-frequency resources under the premise of ensuring that the transmission on the main link is not interfered, thereby improving the collaboration efficiency between multiple devices while ensuring the quality of user service.

[0016] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first device determines that there is currently transmission from a non-cell on the second link.

[0017] Based on the above solution, the first device determines that the busy state of the second link is specifically that there is transmission from a non-cell on the second link, so that the first time-frequency resource can be used without interfering with the transmission on the main link.

[0018] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the method also includes: the first device determines a first time, and the first time is the end time of the transmission of the non-cell; the first device stops using the first time-frequency resource before the first time.

[0019] It should be understood that the embodiments of the present application do not limit how to determine the first time. As an example and not a limitation, the first device determines the first time based on the duration of the data packet on the first link.

[0020] As an example but not limitation, the first device implements virtual monitoring through a network allocation vector (Network Allocation Vector, NAV), thereby determining the first time according to a Duration / ID field in a data packet.

[0021] Based on the above scheme, the first device can use the first time-frequency resources shared on the secondary link before the end of the first time after determining that its main link will be busy for the first time, so that the first time-frequency resources can be used while ensuring that the transmission on the main link is not interfered with.

[0022] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the first device is able to send data on the second link, including: the first device completes backoff on the second link; or the first device shares a second time-frequency resource on the second link with the second device, the time domain position of the second time-frequency resource is within a second TXOP, and the second TXOP is a transmission opportunity for the second device on the second link.

[0023] Based on the above scheme, when the first device shares the first time-frequency resources on the secondary link, the first device determines that data can be sent on its main link, that is, the first device completes the backoff before receiving the first frame, or the first device shares the second time-frequency resources before receiving the first frame, so that the main link and the secondary link can be used for transmission at the same time while ensuring that the transmission on the main link is not interfered with, thereby improving the efficiency of multi-device collaboration.

[0024] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the first device shares the second time-frequency resources on the second link with the second device, including: the first device receives a third frame from the second device on the second link, and the third frame is used to indicate that the second device shares the second time-frequency resources with the first device; when the first device determines that the second link is idle, the first device sends a fourth frame to the second device on the second link, and the fourth frame is a response frame to the third frame.

[0025] It should be understood that the fourth frame is used to indicate that the first device confirms the use of the second time-frequency resource.

[0026] Based on the above scheme, when the first device shares the time and frequency resources on the main link, it determines that the main link is in an idle state when the third frame is received, thereby improving the collaboration efficiency between multiple devices while ensuring the user service quality.

[0027] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first frame and the third frame are MU-RTS frames, and the second frame and the fourth frame are CTS frames.

[0028] Based on the above scheme, the first frame and the third frame can use multi-user request to send (Multi-User Request to Send, MU-RTS) frames, and the second frame and the fourth frame can use clear to send (CTS) frames, thereby making the method of multi-device collaborative transmission simpler.

[0029] In a second aspect, a method for collaborative communication is provided, the method comprising: a second device obtains a first transmission opportunity TXOP on a first link; the second device sends a first frame to the first device on the first link, the first device uses a non-simultaneous sending and receiving NSTR link pair, the NSTR link pair includes the first link and the second link, the first link is a secondary link of the first device, the first frame is used to indicate that the second device shares a first time-frequency resource on the first link with the first device, and the time domain position of the first time-frequency resource is within the first TXOP; the second device receives a second frame from the first device on the first link, the second frame being a response frame to the first frame.

[0030] It should be understood that the definitions of the first device and the second device can refer to the first aspect and will not be repeated here.

[0031] It should be understood that the second frame is used to indicate that the first device confirms the use of the first time-frequency resource.

[0032] It should be noted that the first device uses the NSTR link pair, which can be understood as the first device establishing the first link and the second link in the NSTR link pair.

[0033] Based on the above scheme, after the second device obtains a transmission opportunity on the first link, it can share the time-frequency resources in the transmission opportunity with the first device by sending a first frame, and the link is the secondary link of the first device. Correspondingly, the second device will determine whether to use the first time-frequency resources based on the status of its secondary link and the main link, so that when the first device shares the first time-frequency resources of the secondary link, it can use the first time-frequency resources on the premise of ensuring that it does not interfere with the transmission on the main link, thereby improving the collaboration efficiency between multiple devices while ensuring the quality of user service.

[0034] In combination with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the second device uses the NSTR link pair, the first link is the primary link of the second device, the second link is the secondary link of the second device, and the second link is the primary link of the first device.

[0035] In combination with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the method also includes: the second device obtains a second TXOP on the second link; the second device sends a third frame to the first device on the second link, the third frame being used to indicate that the second device shares second time-frequency resources on the second link with the first device, and the time domain position of the second time-frequency resources is within the second TXOP; the second device receives a fourth frame from the first device on the second link, the fourth frame being a response frame to the third frame.

[0036] It should be understood that the fourth frame is used to indicate that the first device confirms the use of the second time-frequency resource.

[0037] Based on the above scheme, after the second device obtains the second TXOP on the second link, it can share the second time-frequency resources in the second TXOP with the first device by sending a third frame on the second link, wherein the second link is the secondary link of the second device and the primary link of the first device. Correspondingly, after receiving the third frame, the first device determines that the second link is idle and replies with a fourth frame to confirm the use of the second time-frequency resources, thereby improving the collaboration efficiency between multiple devices while ensuring the quality of user service.

[0038] In combination with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, before the second device acquires the second TXOP on the second link, the method further includes: the second device determining that there is currently a transmission on the first link that is not from the current cell.

[0039] Based on the above solution, the second device determines that the busy state of the second link is specifically that there is transmission from a non-cell on the second link, so that the second TXOP can be obtained without interfering with the transmission on the main link.

[0040] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: the second device determines a second time, the second time being the end time of the transmission of the non-cell; before the second time, the second device stops using the second TXOP.

[0041] It should be understood that the embodiments of the present application do not limit how to determine the second time. The specific method can be referred to the description of determining the first method in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0042] Based on the above scheme, the second device can obtain a second TXOP on the secondary link after determining that its main link will be busy for the second time, and use the second TXOP before sharing the second time-frequency resources within the second TXOP, thereby improving the efficiency of multi-device collaboration while avoiding interference with the main link transmission.

[0043] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first frame and the third frame are multi-user request to send MU-RTS frames, and the second frame and the fourth frame are confirmation to send CTS frames.

[0044] Based on the above scheme, the first frame and the third frame can use MU-RTS frames, and the second frame and the fourth frame can use CTS frames, thereby making the method of multi-device collaborative transmission simpler.

[0045] According to a third aspect, a collaborative transmission method is provided, the method comprising: a first device receives a third frame from a second device on a second link, wherein the second device uses a non-simultaneous sending and receiving NSTR link pair, the NSTR link pair includes a first link and the second link, and the second link is a secondary link of the second device, the third frame is used to indicate that the second device shares a second time-frequency resource on the second link with the first device, the time domain position of the second time-frequency resource is within the second TXOP, and the second TXOP is a transmission opportunity for the second device on the second link; when the first device determines that the second link is idle, the first device sends a fourth frame to the second device on the second link, and the fourth frame is a response frame to the third frame.

[0046] It should be understood that the definitions of the first device and the second device can refer to the first aspect and will not be repeated here.

[0047] It should be understood that the second frame is used to indicate that the first device confirms the use of the first time-frequency resource.

[0048] It should be noted that the second device uses the NSTR link pair, which can be understood as the second device establishing the first link and the second link in the NSTR link pair.

[0049] Based on the above scheme, the first device receives the third frame from the second device, and the third frame is used to share the second time-frequency resources on the second link. Furthermore, the first device sends the fourth frame when determining that its main link is in an idle state to determine the use of the second time-frequency resources, thereby improving the collaboration efficiency between multiple devices while ensuring the quality of user service.

[0050] In combination with the third aspect, in certain implementations of the third aspect, the first device uses the NSTR link pair, and the second link is a main link of the first device.

[0051] In combination with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the third frame is a MU-RTS frame, and the fourth frame is a CTS frame.

[0052] Based on the above scheme, the third frame can use the MU-RTS frame, and the fourth frame can use the CTS frame, thereby making the method of multi-device collaborative transmission simpler.

[0053] In a fourth aspect, a method for collaborative transmission is provided, the method comprising: a second device determines that a first link is in a busy state, the second device uses a non-simultaneous sending and receiving NSTR link pair, the NSTR link pair includes the first link and the second link, the first link is the main link of the second device; the second device obtains a second transmission opportunity TXOP on the second link, the second link is the secondary link of the second device; the second device sends a third frame to the first device on the second link, the third frame is used to indicate that the second device shares a second time-frequency resource on the second link with the first device, and the time domain position of the second time-frequency resource is within the second TXOP; the second device receives a fourth frame from the first device on the second link, the fourth frame is a response frame to the third frame.

[0054] It should be understood that the definitions of the first device and the second device can refer to the first aspect and will not be repeated here.

[0055] It should be understood that the second frame is used to indicate that the first device confirms the use of the first time-frequency resource.

[0056] It should be noted that the second device uses the NSTR link pair, which can be understood as the second device establishing the first link and the second link in the NSTR link pair.

[0057] Based on the above scheme, after the second device determines that its main link (i.e., the first link) is in a busy state, it obtains a second TXOP on its secondary link (i.e., the second link), and shares the second time-frequency resources in the second TXOP with the first device through a third frame. Correspondingly, after receiving the third frame, the first device determines that the second link is in an idle state and then sends a fourth frame to determine the use of the second time-frequency resources, thereby improving the collaboration efficiency between multiple devices while ensuring the quality of user service.

[0058] In combination with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the first device uses the NSTR link pair, and the first link is a main link of the first device.

[0059] In combination with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the second device determines that the first link is in a busy state, including: the first device determines that there is transmission on the second link that is not in the current cell.

[0060] Based on the above solution, the second device determines that the busy state of the second link is specifically that there is transmission from a non-cell on the second link, so that the second TXOP can be obtained without interfering with the transmission on the main link.

[0061] In combination with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the method further includes: the second device determines a second time, the second time being the end time of the transmission of the non-cell; before the second time, the second device stops using the second TXOP.

[0062] It should be understood that the embodiments of the present application do not limit how to determine the second time. The specific method can be referred to the description of determining the first method in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0063] Based on the above scheme, the second device can obtain a second TXOP on the secondary link after determining that its main link will be busy for the second time, and use the second TXOP before sharing the second time-frequency resources within the second TXOP, thereby improving the efficiency of multi-device collaboration while avoiding interference with the main link transmission.

[0064] In combination with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the end time of the second time-frequency resource is no earlier than the second time.

[0065] In combination with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the end time of the second time-frequency resource is earlier than the second time.

[0066] Based on the above solution, the present application does not limit the relationship between the second time-frequency resources shared by the second device to the first device and the second time, thereby further improving the efficiency of multi-device collaboration.

[0067] In combination with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the third frame is a MU-RTS frame, and the fourth frame is a CTS frame.

[0068] Based on the above scheme, the third frame can use the multi-user request to send MU-RTS frame, and the fourth frame can use the confirmation to send CTS frame, thereby making the method of multi-device cooperative transmission simpler.

[0069] In a fifth aspect, a method for collaborative transmission is provided, the method comprising: a first device receives a first frame from a second device on a first link, both the first device and the second link use the first link and the second link, the first frame is used to indicate that the second device shares a first time-frequency resource on the first link with the first device, the time domain position of the first time-frequency resource is within a current first transmission opportunity TXOP, and the first TXOP is a transmission opportunity for the second device on the first link; the first device receives a third frame from the second device on the second link, the third frame is used to indicate that the second device shares a second time-frequency resource on the second link with the first device, the time domain position of the second time-frequency resource is within the second TXOP, and the second TXOP is a transmission opportunity for the second device on the second link; when the first device determines that the second link is idle, the first device sends a fourth frame to the second device on the second link, the fourth frame being a response frame to the third frame; in response to the first device sending the fourth frame, and when the first device determines that the first link is currently in an idle state, the first device sends a second frame to the second device on the first link, the second frame being a response frame to the first frame.

[0070] It should be understood that the definitions of the first device and the second device can refer to the first aspect and will not be repeated here.

[0071] It should be understood that the second frame is used to indicate that the first device confirms the use of the first time-frequency resource, and the fourth frame is used to indicate that the first device confirms the use of the second time-frequency resource.

[0072] Based on the above scheme, after the second device obtains the transmission opportunity on the first link and the second link, it can share the first time-frequency resources and the second time-frequency resources in the transmission opportunity with the first device by sending the first frame and the third frame. Correspondingly, the second device will determine whether to use the first time-frequency resources and the second time-frequency resources based on the status of its first link and the second link, that is, whether the first link and the second link are idle, thereby improving the collaboration efficiency between multiple devices while ensuring the quality of user service.

[0073] In combination with the fifth aspect, in certain implementations of the fifth aspect, the first link and the second link belong to a non-simultaneous sending and receiving NSTR link pair.

[0074] In combination with the fifth aspect, in certain implementations of the fifth aspect, the first link is a secondary link of the first device, and the first link is a primary link of the second device; the second link is the primary link of the first device, and the second link is a secondary link of the second device.

[0075] Based on the above scheme, after the second device obtains a transmission opportunity on the main link and the secondary link, it can share the first time-frequency resources and the second time-frequency resources in the transmission opportunity with the first device by sending a first frame. Correspondingly, the second device shares the first time-frequency resources and the second time-frequency resources on its main link and the secondary link. The second device determines that its main link is idle, and sends a fourth frame to confirm the use of the second time-frequency resources. Furthermore, the second device determines that the secondary link is idle, and sends a second frame to confirm the use of the second time-frequency resources, thereby improving the collaboration efficiency between multiple devices while ensuring the quality of user service.

[0076] In combination with the fifth aspect, in certain implementations of the fifth aspect, the method further includes: when the first device determines that the second link is in a busy state and the first link is in an idle state, the first device sends the second frame to the second device on the first link.

[0077] Based on the above scheme, when the first device shares the first time-frequency resource on the secondary link, when it is determined that the secondary link is in an idle state and the main link will be busy for a period of time, the first device can send a second frame to the second device to confirm the use of the second time-frequency resource, so that the first time-frequency resource can be used under the premise of ensuring that the transmission on the main link is not interfered with.

[0078] In a sixth aspect, a method for collaborative transmission is provided, the method comprising: a second device obtains a first transmission opportunity TXOP on a first link, and obtains a second TXOP on a second link; the second device sends a first frame to the first device on the first link, the first device and the second device both use the first link and the second link, the first frame is used to indicate that the second device shares a first time-frequency resource on the first link with the first device, and the time domain position of the first time-frequency resource is within the first TXOP; the second device sends a third frame to the first device on the second link, the third frame is used to indicate that the second device shares a second time-frequency resource on the second link with the first device, and the time domain position of the second time-frequency resource is within the second TXOP; the second device receives a second frame from the first device on the first link, the second frame being a response frame of the first frame; the second device receives a fourth frame from the first device on the second link, the fourth frame being a response frame of the third frame.

[0079] It should be understood that the definitions of the first device and the second device can refer to the first aspect and will not be repeated here.

[0080] It should be understood that the second frame is used to indicate that the first device confirms the use of the first time-frequency resource, and the fourth frame is used to indicate that the first device confirms the use of the second time-frequency resource.

[0081] Based on the above scheme, after the second device obtains the transmission opportunity on the first link and the second link, it can share the first time-frequency resources and the second time-frequency resources in the transmission opportunity with the first device by sending the first frame and the third frame. Correspondingly, the second device will determine whether to use the first time-frequency resources and the second time-frequency resources based on the status of its first link and the second link, thereby improving the collaboration efficiency between multiple devices while ensuring the quality of user service.

[0082] In combination with the sixth aspect, in certain implementations of the sixth aspect, the first link and the second link belong to a non-simultaneous sending and receiving NSTR link pair.

[0083] In combination with the sixth aspect, in certain implementations of the sixth aspect, the first link is a secondary link of the first device, and the first link is a primary link of the second device; the second link is the primary link of the first device, and the second link is a secondary link of the second device.

[0084] Based on the above scheme, after the second device obtains a transmission opportunity on the main link and the secondary link, it can share the first time-frequency resources and the second time-frequency resources in the transmission opportunity with the first device by sending a first frame. Correspondingly, the second device shares the first time-frequency resources and the second time-frequency resources on its main link and the secondary link. Furthermore, the second device will determine whether to use the first time-frequency resources and the second time-frequency resources based on the status of its secondary link and the main link, thereby improving the collaboration efficiency between multiple devices while ensuring the quality of user service.

[0085] In combination with the sixth aspect, in certain implementations of the sixth aspect, before sending the first frame, the first device can use the first TXOP.

[0086] In combination with the sixth aspect, in certain implementations of the sixth aspect, before sending the third frame, the first device can use the second TXOP.

[0087] Based on the above solution, after obtaining the transmission opportunity, the second device can use the transmission opportunity and share the time and frequency resources in the transmission opportunity with the first device after the use ends, thereby further improving the collaboration efficiency between multiple devices.

[0088] In combination with the sixth aspect, in certain implementations of the sixth aspect, the first frame and the third frame are MU-RTS frames, and the second frame and the fourth frame are CTS frames.

[0089] Based on the above scheme, the first frame and the third frame can use MU-RTS frames, and the second frame and the fourth frame can use CTS frames, thereby making the method of multi-device collaborative transmission simpler.

[0090] In the seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, which is used to execute the method provided in any one of the first to sixth aspects. Specifically, the communication device may include a unit and / or module for executing the method provided in the first aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementations of the first aspect, or include a unit and / or module for executing the method provided in the second aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementations of the second aspect, or include a unit and / or module for executing the method provided in the third aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementations of the third aspect, or include a unit and / or module for executing the method provided in the fourth aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementations of the fourth aspect, or include a unit and / or module for executing the method provided in the fifth aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementations of the fifth aspect, or include a unit and / or module for executing the method provided in the sixth aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementations of the sixth aspect, such as a processing unit and / or a transceiver unit.

[0091] In one implementation, the communication device is a first device or a second device. When the communication device is a device, the transceiver unit may be a transceiver, or an input / output interface; the processing unit may be at least one processor. Optionally, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface may be an input / output circuit.

[0092] In another implementation, the communication device is a chip, a chip system or a circuit used in the first device or the second device. When the communication device is a chip, a chip system or a circuit used in a device, the transceiver unit may be an input / output interface, an interface circuit, an output circuit, an input circuit, a pin or a related circuit on the chip, the chip system or the circuit; the processing unit may be at least one processor, a processing circuit or a logic circuit.

[0093] In an eighth aspect, a communication device is provided, the device comprising: a memory for storing programs; and at least one processor for executing computer programs or instructions stored in the memory to execute the method provided by the first aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementations of the first aspect, or to execute the method provided by the second aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementations of the second aspect, or to execute the method provided by the third aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementations of the third aspect, or to execute the method provided by the fourth aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementations of the fourth aspect, or to execute the method provided by the fifth aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementations of the fifth aspect, or to execute the method provided by the sixth aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementations of the sixth aspect.

[0094] In one implementation, the communication apparatus is a first device or a second device.

[0095] In another implementation, the apparatus is a chip, a chip system, or a circuit used in the first device or the second device.

[0096] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a processor for executing the methods provided in the above aspects.

[0097] For the operations such as sending and acquiring / receiving involved in the processor, unless otherwise specified, or unless they conflict with their actual function or internal logic in the relevant description, they can be understood as operations such as processor output, reception, input, etc., or as sending and receiving operations performed by the radio frequency circuit and antenna, and this application does not limit this.

[0098] In a tenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a program code for execution by a device, wherein the program code includes instructions for executing the method provided by the first aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementations of the first aspect, or includes instructions for executing the method provided by the second aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementations of the second aspect, or includes instructions for executing the method provided by the third aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementations of the third aspect, or includes instructions for executing the method provided by the fourth aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementations of the fourth aspect, or includes instructions for executing the method provided by the fifth aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementations of the fifth aspect, or includes instructions for executing the method provided by the sixth aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementations of the sixth aspect.

[0099] In the eleventh aspect, a computer program product comprising instructions is provided. When the computer program product runs on a computer, it enables the computer to execute the method provided by the first aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementations of the first aspect, or enables the computer to execute the method provided by the second aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementations of the second aspect, or enables the computer to execute the method provided by the third aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementations of the third aspect, or enables the computer to execute the method provided by the fourth aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementations of the fourth aspect, or enables the computer to execute the method provided by the fifth aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementations of the fifth aspect, or enables the computer to execute the method provided by the sixth aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementations of the sixth aspect.

[0100] In the twelfth aspect, a chip is provided, the chip including a processor and a communication interface, the processor reads instructions stored in a memory through the communication interface, executes the method provided by the first aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementations of the first aspect, or executes the method provided by the second aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementations of the second aspect, or executes the method provided by the third aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementations of the third aspect, or executes the method provided by the fourth aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementations of the fourth aspect, or executes the method provided by the fifth aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementations of the fifth aspect, or executes the method provided by the sixth aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementations of the sixth aspect.

[0101] Optionally, as an implementation method, the chip also includes a memory, in which a computer program or instruction is stored, and the processor is used to execute the computer program or instruction stored in the memory. When the computer program or instruction is executed, the processor is used to execute the method provided by the first aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementation methods of the first aspect, or execute the method provided by the second aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementation methods of the second aspect, or execute the method provided by the third aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementation methods of the third aspect, or execute the method provided by the fourth aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementation methods of the fourth aspect, or execute the method provided by the fifth aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementation methods of the fifth aspect, or execute the method provided by the sixth aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementation methods of the sixth aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0102] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a communication system applicable to an embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0103] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of multi-link communication is shown;

[0104] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of a channel selection method;

[0105] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of another channel selection method;

[0106] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a channel selection method applicable to an embodiment of the present application;

[0107] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of a scenario in which two links send and receive non-simultaneously;

[0108] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a collaborative communication method 100 provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0109] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a collaborative communication method 200 provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0110] Fig. 9 It is a schematic diagram of a usage scenario of solution A of method 200 proposed in an embodiment of the present application;

[0111] Fig.10 This is a schematic diagram of a usage scenario of solution B of method 200 proposed in an embodiment of the present application;

[0112] Fig.11 It is a schematic diagram of a usage scenario of solution C of method 200 proposed in an embodiment of the present application;

[0113] Fig.12 is a schematic block diagram of a device for collaborative communication provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0114] Fig.13 is a schematic diagram of a communication device 3000 provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0115] Fig.14 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 4000 according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0116] Fig.15 It is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 5000 according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0117] The technical solution provided in the present application can be applicable to wireless local area network (WLAN) scenarios, for example, it can be applicable to IEEE 802.11 system standards, such as 802.11a / b / g standards, 802.11n standards, 802.11ac standards, 802.11ax standards, or their next generations, such as 802.11be standards or even later generations.

[0118] Although the present application is mainly described by deploying a WLAN network, especially a network using the IEEE 802.11 system standard, it is easy for those skilled in the art to understand that the various aspects involved in the present application can be extended to other networks using various standards or protocols, such as Bluetooth, high performance radiolocal area network (HIPERLAN) and wide area network (WAN), personal area network (PAN) or other networks known now or developed later. Therefore, regardless of the coverage range and wireless access protocol used, the various aspects provided in the present application can be applied to any suitable wireless network.

[0119] The technical solution of the present application can also be applied to various communication systems, such as: global system for mobile communication (GSM) system, code division multiple access (CDMA) system, wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) system, general packet radio service (GPRS), long term evolution (LTE) system, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (TDD), universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, fifth generation (5G) system or new radio (NR), sixth generation (6G) system, Internet of Things (IoT) network or vehicle to X (V2X) and other wireless local area network systems, etc.

[0120] The above-mentioned communication system applicable to the present application is only an example for illustration, and the communication system applicable to the present application is not limited to this. A unified description is given here and no further elaboration is given below.

[0121] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, first Figure 1 A communication system applicable to an embodiment of the present application is described in detail.

[0122] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is another schematic diagram of a wireless communication system 100 applicable to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 1 As shown, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application can be applied to a wireless local area network. The wireless communication system 100 may include at least two access point (AP) devices, such as Figure 1 The wireless communication system 100 may also include at least two station (STA) devices, such as Figure 1 STA 121 and STA 122 are shown. By way of example, the AP may be a multi-link AP, or the STA may be a multi-link STA.

[0123] One or more STAs in the station device may communicate with one or more APs in the access point device after establishing an association relationship. For example, AP111 may communicate with STA 121, for example, AP111 communicates with STA 121 after establishing an association relationship. AP 112 may communicate with STA 122, for example, AP112 communicates with STA 122 after establishing an association relationship.

[0124] In the embodiment of the present application, the first device and the second device may be, for example, access point devices, such as the first device may include AP111, and the second device may include AP112. Alternatively, the first device and the second device may be, for example, station devices, such as the first device may include STA121, and the second device may include STA122.

[0125] It should be understood that the above combination Figure 1 The communication system applicable to the present application is only an example, and the communication system applicable to the present application is not limited thereto. For example, the communication system may include a larger number of APs. For another example, the communication system may also include a larger number of STAs. For another example, the embodiments of the present application may be applied to scenarios of multi-device collaboration, such as multi-AP (multiple access points, Multi-AP) collaboration, or multi-site collaboration.

[0126] The AP device in the embodiment of the present application can be a device in a wireless network. The AP device can be a communication entity such as a communication server, a router, a switch, a bridge, or the AP device can include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, etc. Of course, the AP can also be a chip or circuit or processing system in these various forms of devices, so as to realize the method and function of the embodiment of the present application. The AP device can be applied to a variety of scenarios, such as sensor nodes in smart cities (such as smart water meters, smart electric meters, smart air detection nodes), smart devices in smart homes (such as smart cameras, projectors, display screens, televisions, speakers, refrigerators, washing machines, etc.), nodes in the Internet of Things, entertainment terminals (such as wearable devices such as AR and VR), smart devices in smart offices (such as printers, projectors, etc.), Internet of Vehicles devices in Internet of Vehicles, some infrastructure in daily life scenarios (such as vending machines, self-service navigation desks in supermarkets, self-service cash registers, self-service ordering machines), etc.

[0127] The STA device in the embodiment of the present application may be a device with wireless transceiver functions, such as a device that supports the 802.11 series of protocols and can communicate with an AP or other STAs. For example, a STA is any user communication device that allows a user to communicate with an AP and then communicate with a WLAN. STA devices are, for example, user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent or user device, etc.

[0128] The STA in the embodiment of the present application may also be a device that provides voice / data connectivity to users, such as a handheld device or a vehicle-mounted device with a wireless connection function. For example, mobile phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, PDAs, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self driving, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other processing devices connected to wireless modems, vehicle-mounted devices, wearable devices, terminal devices in 5G networks or future evolved public land mobile communication networks (public land mobile The embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0129] As an example but not a limitation, in the embodiments of the present application, the STA device may also be a wearable device. Wearable devices may also be called wearable smart devices, which are a general term for wearable devices that are intelligently designed and developed using wearable technology for daily wear, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes. For example: smart watches or smart glasses, and those that only focus on a certain type of application function and need to be used in conjunction with other devices such as smart phones, such as various smart bracelets and smart jewelry for vital sign monitoring.

[0130] In addition, in the embodiment of the present application, the STA device can also be a terminal device in the Internet of Things (IoT) system. IoT is an important part of the future development of information technology. Its main technical feature is to connect objects to the network through communication technology, thereby realizing an intelligent network of human-machine interconnection and object-to-object interconnection. In the embodiment of the present application, IoT technology can achieve massive connections, deep coverage, and terminal power saving through, for example, narrow band NB technology.

[0131] In addition, in the embodiment of the present application, the STA device may be a device in a vehicle networking system. The communication methods in the vehicle networking system are collectively referred to as V2X (X represents anything), for example, the V2X communication includes: vehicle to vehicle (V2V) communication, vehicle to roadside infrastructure (V2I) communication, vehicle to pedestrian (V2P) communication or vehicle to network (V2N) communication, etc.

[0132] In addition, in an embodiment of the present application, the STA device may also include sensors such as smart printers, train detectors, gas stations, etc., and its main functions include collecting data (partial terminal devices), receiving control information and downlink data from AP devices, and sending electromagnetic waves to transmit data to AP devices.

[0133] In addition, the AP device in the embodiment of the present application may be a device for communicating with a STA device. The AP device may be a network device in a wireless local area network. The AP device may be used to communicate with the STA device through the wireless local area network.

[0134] It should be understood that the specific forms of the STA device and the AP device in the embodiments of the present application are not particularly limited and are merely illustrative.

[0135] In the embodiments of the present application, the specific structure of the execution subject of the method provided in the embodiments of the present application is not particularly limited. As long as it is possible to communicate according to the method provided in the embodiments of the present application by running a program that records the code of the method provided in the embodiments of the present application, for example, the execution subject of the method provided in the embodiments of the present application may be a device (such as an AP device or a STA device), or a functional module in a device (such as an AP device or a STA device) that can call and execute a program.

[0136] In addition, the computer-readable medium of the present application may include, but is not limited to: magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disks, floppy disks, or magnetic tapes, etc.), optical disks (e.g., compact discs (CDs), digital versatile discs (DVDs), etc.), smart cards, and flash memory devices (e.g., erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), cards, sticks, or key drives, etc.). In addition, the various storage media described herein may represent one or more devices and / or other machine-readable media for storing information. The term "machine-readable medium" may include, but is not limited to, wireless channels and various other media capable of storing, containing, and / or carrying instructions and / or data.

[0137] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, several terms involved in the present application are briefly introduced below.

[0138] 1.Multi-link communication

[0139] The wireless communication system provided in the embodiment of the present application may be a WLAN or a cellular network, and the method may be implemented by a communication device in the wireless communication system or a chip or a processor in the communication device, and the communication device may be a wireless communication device that supports multiple links for transmission in parallel, for example, a multi-link device (MLD). Compared with a device that only supports single-link transmission, a multi-link device has higher transmission efficiency and higher throughput.

[0140] As an example, the embodiment of the present application can also be used in a multi-link communication scenario. For example, the first device can be a multi-link access point device 1, and the second device can be a multi-link access point device 2. Figure 2 As shown, it is assumed that the multi-link access point device 2 includes: AP21, AP22, ..., AP2n, and the multi-link access point device 1 includes: AP11, AP12, ..., AP1n, where n is an integer greater than 1 or equal to 1. For example, AP21 and AP11 can communicate through link 1. For another example, AP22 and AP12 can communicate through link 1. Figure 2For example, AP2n and AP1n can communicate via link 2. Figure 2 Communicate via link n in the

[0141] During the multi-link establishment (or multi-link association) process, a station in the multi-link station device can send an association request frame to an access point in the multi-link access point device, and the association request frame carries a multi-link element (multi-link element, MLE, or multi-link information unit) to carry the information of the multi-link station device and other stations in the device. Similarly, the association response frame replied by the access point to the station can also carry MLE to carry the information of the multi-link access point device and other access points in the device.

[0142] It should be understood that the embodiments of the present application are not limited to multi-link communication. The embodiments of the present application can be applied to any scenario of multi-device collaboration, such as multi-AP (multiple access points, Multi-AP) collaboration, and can also be applied to scenarios such as multi-site collaboration.

[0143] 2. Multi-AP collaboration scenario:

[0144] With the development of wireless networks and the increasing popularity of WLAN technology, WLAN devices are becoming more and more dense. Since APs are easy to deploy, the increasing density of APs also brings more cell interference. How to reduce inter-cell interference and improve user service quality through collaboration between APs is an issue that needs to be considered in the next generation of Wi-Fi technology.

[0145] The forms of cooperation between multiple APs may include, but are not limited to, coordinated time division multiple access (Coordinated Time Division Multiple Access, Co-TDMA), coordinated orthogonal frequency division multiple access (Co-OFDMA), and coordinated spatial reuse (Coordinated Spatial Reuse, Co-SR).

[0146] 2.1Co-TDMA

[0147] When an AP obtains a transmission opportunity (TXOP) and then transmits, if the AP fails to use up its transmission opportunity, the remaining transmission opportunity time can be allocated to other APs for transmission, so that other APs can obtain transmission faster, thereby reducing communication delay.

[0148] 2.2 Co-OFDMA

[0149] OFDM is the basic transmission method of current wireless communication and is widely used in wireless communication systems such as LTE, WiMAX, and WiFi. In addition, OFDM is also further applied to fixed-line transmission, such as optical fiber, copper twisted wire, cable and other transmission methods. The basic principle of OFDM is to use the orthogonality of the subcarriers to compress the subcarrier spacing to the minimum within the allowable range. This can ensure the formation of multiple parallel and non-interfering paths, while also improving the frequency utilization efficiency of the system. For example, when the bandwidth is large, multiple APs can transmit on different channels in the form of OFDMA, so as to achieve the effect of non-interference.

[0150] Furthermore, due to the above characteristics of OFDM, if the non-interfering subcarriers of OFDM are allocated to multiple users, OFDM can be used to achieve multi-user access or transmission. This is OFDMA. OFDMA can achieve parallel transmission of multi-user data, which is an effective way to improve transmission concurrency. In Co-OFDMA, when the traffic volume of a certain AP is not large, that is, when the entire channel bandwidth does not need to be used for transmission, it can be transmitted together with other APs, and its transmission can be staggered on different channels or resource blocks in the form of OFDMA, thereby effectively utilizing channel resources.

[0151] 2.3Co-SR

[0152] When the distance between two APs is far, the two APs can transmit simultaneously on the same channel / resource block, and the interference between the two APs can be kept low by controlling power and user selection, thereby effectively utilizing channel resources.

[0153] Generally, an AP that initiates multi-AP cooperative transmission may be referred to as a sharing AP, and other APs that share transmission resources or transmission opportunities may be referred to as shared APs.

[0154] 3. Channel selection rules

[0155] In a multi-AP networking scenario, there are the following channel selection rules: If the working channels (bandwidths) of two APs overlap, the main channel positions of the two APs should be the same.

[0156] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a channel selection method. Figure 3As shown in the figure, AP1 and AP2 select a smaller bandwidth of 20MHz when selecting bandwidth to ensure that their working channels do not overlap with the working channels of all surrounding APs. However, when AP selects channels in this way, on the one hand, it will select a smaller bandwidth, which leads to a lower peak rate during AP communication; on the other hand, since the working channels between multiple APs do not overlap, that is, multiple APs work independently, it is not conducive to collaboration between multiple APs.

[0157] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of another channel selection method. Figure 4 As shown in the figure, AP1 and AP2 use overlapping bandwidth and select the same channel position for the primary channel. Although AP can achieve multiple AP collaboration in this way, when such APs perform Co-OFDMA transmission, some APs need to temporarily change the position of the primary channel, and the STA connected to the AP also needs to change accordingly, which will lead to higher operational complexity.

[0158] In view of this, the present application proposes a method, starting from the collaboration of multiple APMLDs in multiple links, which can make the APMLD collaboration easier and more efficient.

[0159] Figure 5 The present invention is a schematic diagram of a channel selection method applicable to an embodiment of the present application.

[0160] APMLD can establish multiple links, which can occupy adjacent bandwidths, and the bandwidths of multiple links of multiple AP MLDs can overlap each other.

[0161] like Figure 5 As shown, since the frequency domain positions of link 1 and link 2 are very close, the same APMLD cannot simultaneously receive and transmit between multiple links. For example, APMLD 1 cannot transmit on link 1 and receive on link 2 at the same time. Usually this situation is called non-simultaneous transmit and receive (NSTR), and link 1 and link 2 are called NSTR link pair. Correspondingly, the APMLD including the NSTR pair is called NSTRAPMLD. The multi-APMDL collaboration method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to NSTRAPMLD.

[0162] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a scenario where two links are not sending and receiving at the same time. Figure 6As shown, among the multiple links established between NSTRAP MLD and another multi-link device, when NSTR AP MLD needs to receive physical layer protocol data units (Physical Protocol Data Unit, PPDU) 1 and PPDU2, and send block acknowledgments (Block Acknowledge, BA) 1 and BA2 accordingly, since the frequency interval between link 1 and link 2 is very small, if the time of sending BA2 of PPDU2 on link 2 overlaps with the time of receiving PPDU1 on link 1, the energy leaked during the sending process of BA2 on link 2 will block the reception on PPDU1, thereby affecting the reception of PPDU1.

[0163] Furthermore, in the NSTR pair, one of the links can be designated as the primary link and the other links can be designated as secondary links. As an example and not a limitation, APMLD 1 can use link 1 as the primary link and link 2 as the secondary link. After the primary link is determined, in order to ensure that the transmission on the secondary link does not interfere with the ongoing or upcoming transmission on the primary link, it is specified that the APMLD can transmit alone on the primary link, or transmit on both the primary link and the secondary link at the same time, but cannot transmit alone on the secondary link. Similarly, in order to avoid interference of the transmission on the secondary link with the transmission on the primary link, if the APMLD transmits on both the primary link and the secondary link at the same time, the start time of the transmission on the primary link and the secondary link needs to be exactly the same. The above rules are based on the definition of NSTR soft AP MLD in the 802.11be standard.

[0164] The embodiment of the present application proposes a method different from the above-mentioned link usage rules. It is understandable that in order to achieve better cooperation between APMLDs, it can be stipulated that different primary links are selected between APMLDs. For example, in Figure 5 In the example, APMLD 1 selects link 1 as the main link, and APMLD 2 selects link 2 as the main link. On this basis, the embodiment of the present application provides a method for multi-AP MLD collaboration, which improves transmission efficiency by sharing the time-frequency resources of the TXOP of one APMLD on one or more links with another APMLD.

[0165] The various embodiments provided by the present application will be described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. As an example, in the various embodiments below, the device may be an APMLD, for example, the first device is a first APMLD, and the second device is a second APMLD. As another example, in the various embodiments below, the device may also be a non-AP MLD (or STA), for example, the second device is a first non-AP MLD, and the first device is a second non-AP MLD. That is to say, the embodiments of the present application can be applied to multi-AP collaboration, and can also be applied to scenarios such as multi-site collaboration.

[0166] Figure 7 1 is a schematic diagram of a collaborative communication method 100 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method 100 may include the following steps.

[0167] 110. The second device determines time #A (ie, second time), where time #A is the end time of the busyness of the first link, and the first link is the main link of the second device.

[0168] It should be understood that the embodiments of the present application do not limit how the second device determines time #A.

[0169] In a possible implementation, the second device can determine the time #A by the duration of the received data packet.

[0170] In another possible implementation, the second device implements virtual monitoring through a network allocation vector (NAV), thereby determining the time #A according to a Duration / ID field in a data packet.

[0171] It should be understood that the time #A can be the duration of a data packet, or the time #A can be the duration of multiple data packets, and the embodiment of the present application does not limit this.

[0172] Optionally, before step 110 , method 100 may further include step 101 .

[0173] 101. The second device determines whether the transmission on the first link is the transmission of the current cell.

[0174] The following describes step 101 by taking the second device being an APMLD and the second device being a non-APMLD as examples.

[0175] In a possible implementation, the second device is an APMLD, and the APMLD, when executing step 110, further determines whether the transmission on the main link is the transmission of the cell, for example, whether the transmission on the main link is a point-to-point (end-to-end, D2D) transmission in the cell. It is easy to understand that since the APMLD belongs to the NSTR link pair and cannot transmit and receive at the same time, if the transmission on the first link of the APMLD is the transmission of the cell, the second link cannot be used for transmission.

[0176] In another possible implementation, the second device is a non-APMLD (or STA). When the STA performs S110 to determine the time #A when the main link will be busy, it also needs to determine whether the transmission on the main link is the transmission of the cell, that is, determine whether the AP of the cell where the STA is located is transmitting with other STAs. Similarly, if the transmission on the first link of the STA is the transmission of the cell, the second link cannot be used for transmission.

[0177] It should be understood that the embodiments of the present application do not limit how the second device determines whether the transmission on the first link is the transmission of the current cell.

[0178] In one example, the second device determines whether the transmission is for the current cell based on whether the address of the sender and / or receiver of the transmission on the first link is a site address in the current cell.

[0179] In another example, the second device determines whether the transmission is for the current cell based on whether the BSSColor field of the radio frame transmitted on the first link corresponds to the BSSColor of the current cell.

[0180] S120: The second device performs channel backoff on the second link, and after the backoff is completed, performs transmission on the second link.

[0181] The second device obtains a transmission opportunity (TXOP) on the second link by channel contention, and transmits on the second link after the backoff time expires.

[0182] It should be noted that, since the second device belongs to the NSTR link pair and cannot transmit and receive at the same time, in order to avoid the transmission of the second device on the second link interfering with the transmission that may be performed on the first link after time #A, method 100 stipulates that the transmission of the second device on the second link needs to end before time #A. Specifically, the second device needs to end the TXOP obtained on the second link before time #A.

[0183] It should be understood that the embodiment of the present application does not limit the data transmitted by the second device on the second link. Exemplarily, the second device transmits a data frame on the second link after the backoff ends.

[0184] Based on the method 100 provided in the embodiment of the present application, after determining that the first link will be busy for time #A, the second device can use the second link alone for transmission, thereby improving communication efficiency.

[0185] Based on the method 100, for the scenario of multiple APMLDs, the embodiment of the present application further provides a collaborative communication method 200.

[0186] Figure 8 2 is a schematic diagram of a collaborative communication method 200 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method 200 may include the following steps.

[0187] 201. A second device obtains transmission opportunity #1 (ie, a first TXOP) on a first link.

[0188] Optionally, the second device obtains transmission opportunity #2 (ie, a second TXOP) on the second link.

[0189] It should be understood that the embodiments of the present application do not limit how the second device obtains a transmission opportunity.

[0190] In a possible implementation, the second device may obtain transmission opportunity #1 by means of channel competition.

[0191] It should be understood that the first device and the second device have established at least one identical link. For example, the first device has established the first link and the second link, and the second device has established the first link. Alternatively, the first device and the second device can both establish the first link and the second link, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. The following description is based on the example that the first device has established the first link and the second link.

[0192] In a possible implementation, the first link and the second link belong to the same NSTR link pair, wherein the first link is the primary link of the second device and the secondary link of the first device, and the second link is the secondary link of the second device and the primary link of the first device.

[0193] It should be understood that when the second link is a secondary link of the second device, the specific manner in which the second device obtains a transmission opportunity on the secondary link may refer to method 100, which will not be described in detail herein.

[0194] 210. The second device sends a first wireless frame (i.e., a first frame) on the first link, where the first wireless frame is used to indicate that the time-frequency resource #1 of the second device on the first link is shared with the first device, and the time domain position of the time-frequency resource #1 is within the transmission opportunity #1.

[0195] Optionally, the above step 210 can be replaced by: the second device sends a second wireless frame (i.e., the third frame) on the second link, and the second wireless frame is used to indicate that the time-frequency resource #2 of the second device on the second link is shared with the first device, and the time domain position of the time-frequency resource #2 is within the transmission opportunity #2.

[0196] Optionally, the above step 210 can be replaced by: the second device sends a first wireless frame on the first link, and sends a second wireless frame on the second link, the first wireless frame is used to indicate that the time-frequency resource #1 of the second device on the first link is shared with the first device, and the second wireless frame is used to indicate that the time-frequency resource #2 of the second device on the second link is shared with the first device.

[0197] It should be understood that the above-mentioned first wireless frame, second wireless frame, and the first confirmation frame (i.e., second frame) and second confirmation frame (i.e., fourth frame) are all named to distinguish different functions, and their naming does not limit the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application. In future protocols, the names used to represent the same functions are applicable to the embodiments of the present application.

[0198] The second device can share time and frequency resources with the first device. In other words, the first device can use the time resources of the second device. Through the embodiments of the present application, the various devices collaborate with each other, such as the various devices can share time and frequency resources.

[0199] In the following, for the purpose of distinction, the time-frequency resources shared (or allocated) by the second device on the first link are recorded as time-frequency resources #1, that is, the time-frequency resources shared by the second device to the first device on the first link are recorded as time-frequency resources #1; the time-frequency resources shared by the second device on the second link are recorded as time-frequency resources #2, that is, the time-frequency resources shared by the second device to the first device on the second link are recorded as time-frequency resources #2.

[0200] It should also be understood that in the present application, it is mentioned many times that the first device shares time-frequency resource #1 or the first device uses time-frequency resource #1, which is used to indicate that the first device can use part of the time-frequency resources of the second device, that is, the first device can use this part of the time-frequency resources for transmission. Of course, the first device can also use all the time-frequency resources of the second device, and there is no limitation on this. It can be understood that time-frequency resource #1 can be part of the time-frequency resources of the second device in transmission opportunity #1, or it can be all the time-frequency resources of the second device in transmission opportunity #1. Similarly, time-frequency resource #2 can be part of the time-frequency resources of the second device in transmission opportunity #2, or it can be all the time-frequency resources of the second device in transmission opportunity #2, and there is no limitation on this. This will not be described below.

[0201] In this application, the sharing device is recorded as the second device, that is, the second device represents the sharing device, and the second device may be, for example, a sharing AP; the shared device is recorded as the first device, that is, the second device represents the shared device, and the first device may be, for example, a shared AP. This will not be described below.

[0202] It should be understood that in the embodiment of the present application, the timing when the second device sends the first radio frame and / or the second radio frame is not limited. The following description is made by taking the timing when the second device sends the first radio frame as an example.

[0203] In one example, the second device may send the first radio frame after obtaining transmission opportunity #1.

[0204] For example, after the second device obtains the TXOP through channel competition on the first link, it can send a first radio frame on the first link, and the first radio frame is used to share the TXOP with the first device on the first link. In other words, the second device can share its TXOP with the first device on the first link, thereby improving the efficiency of multi-APMLD collaboration.

[0205] As another example, the second device may obtain time resources and transmit first, and then send the first wireless frame after the transmission is completed.

[0206] For example, after the second device obtains the TXOP through channel competition on the first link, it can first transmit, and then after the transmission is completed, send a first radio frame on the first link, and the first radio frame is used to share the TXOP with the first device on the first link. In other words, the second device can share the unused TXOP on the first link with the first device, so as to not only ensure the transmission of the second device, but also enable other devices (i.e., the first device) to communicate using the unused resources, thereby improving the efficiency of multi-APMLD collaboration.

[0207] It should be understood that the embodiments of the present application do not limit the time resources shared by the second device.

[0208] 220. The first device determines whether to send a first confirmation frame (ie, a second frame) to the second device according to the states of the first link and the second link. The first confirmation frame is used to instruct the first device to use the time resource #1.

[0209] Optionally, in response to the second radio frame, the above step 220 can be replaced by: the first device determines whether to send a second confirmation frame to the second device on the second link according to the state of the second link, and the second confirmation frame is used to instruct the first device to use the time resource #2.

[0210] Optionally, in response to the first wireless frame and the second wireless frame, the above step 220 can be replaced by: the first device determines whether to send a first confirmation frame and a second confirmation frame to the second device based on the status of the first link and the second link, the first confirmation frame being used to indicate the first device to use the time resource #1, and the second confirmation frame being used to indicate the first device to use the time resource #2.

[0211] It should be understood that the specific manner in which the first device determines whether to send the first confirmation frame and / or the second confirmation frame according to the states of the first link and the second link will be described in detail later.

[0212] It should be understood that the embodiments of the present application do not limit the time and frequency resources shared by the second device with the first device. Exemplarily, the second device can only share the time and frequency resources on the primary link, or the second device can only share the time and frequency resources on the secondary link, or the second device can share the time and frequency resources on both the primary link and the secondary link.

[0213] In the method 200 provided in the embodiment of the present application, based on the specific time resource shared by the second device, the following three solutions can be included:

[0214] Solution A: The second device can share the time-frequency resource #1 only through the first radio frame;

[0215] Solution B: The second device can share the time-frequency resource #2 only through the second radio frame;

[0216] Solution C: The second device can share time-frequency resource #1 and time-frequency resource #2 through the first radio frame and the second radio frame, and there is no limitation on this.

[0217] The following introduces the three possible solutions. First, solution A is introduced. Solution A may include the following steps.

[0218] A10, the second device sends a first radio frame on the first link, where the first radio frame is used to indicate that the time-frequency resource #1 obtained by the second device on the first link is shared with the first device.

[0219] Optionally, before sending the first radio frame, the second device can transmit on the first link.

[0220] A20, when the first condition is met, the first device sends a first confirmation frame to the second device on the first link, and the first confirmation frame is used to confirm that the first device uses the time-frequency resource #1. The first condition includes: the first device determines that the first link is currently in an idle state; and the first device determines that the second link is currently in a busy state rather than an idle state within the time domain range of the first TXOP, or the first device can send data on the second link.

[0221] It should be noted that the first link is the primary link of the second device and the secondary link of the first device, and the second link is the secondary link of the second device and the primary link of the first device.

[0222] It can be understood that, since the first link is a secondary link of the first device, when the second device shares time resource #1 with the first device, the first device needs to ensure that transmission on the second link does not affect transmission on the first link.

[0223] It can be understood that based on the principle of using the secondary link alone proposed in the embodiment of the present application, before sending the first confirmation frame, the first device also needs to check whether the first link and the second link meet the first condition. That is, while determining that the first link is idle, it is also necessary to determine whether the second link will be busy for a period of time, or whether the first device can send data on the second link to avoid the transmission on the secondary link affecting the transmission on the main link.

[0224] In a possible implementation, the first device can send the first confirmation frame to the second device on the first link only when the first device is idle on the first link and has completed backoff on the second link.

[0225] It should be understood that the specific manner in which the first device determines that the first link is in an idle state is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0226] In one example, the first device determines that the first link is in an idle state through energy detection (Energy Detection) according to a (Clear Channel Assessment, CCA) mechanism.

[0227] In another example, the first device performs virtual carrier sensing through NAV and determines that the first link is in an idle state.

[0228] It should be understood that in this implementation, the first device completes the backoff on the second link (ie, the backoff counter is 0) before receiving the first radio frame.

[0229] Another possible implementation is that the first device can send the first confirmation frame to the second device on the first link only when the first link is idle and the first device determines that the second link is busy, for example, there is a transmission of a non-cell on the second link. The specific method can refer to method 100 and will not be repeated here.

[0230] In this implementation, the first device determines the time #B (i.e., the first time) when the second link ends being busy, and the first device stops using the time resource #1 before time #B. In other words, the first device needs to end transmission on the first link before the time #B when the second link is busy.

[0231] It should be understood that the time indicated by the Duration field in the first confirmation frame of the first device is earlier than the time #B.

[0232] It should be understood that the first wireless frame and the first confirmation frame in the embodiment of the present application can reuse the current wireless frame, or can be a newly added wireless frame, and there is no limitation on this.

[0233] In one example, the first wireless frame is a MU-RTS (Multi-User Request to Send) frame, and the first confirmation frame is a CTS (Clear to Send, CTS) frame.

[0234] It can be understood that after sending the first confirmation frame, the first device uses time-frequency resource #1 on the first link.

[0235] It should be understood that the embodiment of the present application does not limit the data transmitted by the first device on the first link. Exemplarily, the second device transmits a data frame on the first link after sending the first confirmation frame.

[0236] Fig. 9 2 is a schematic diagram of a usage scenario of solution A of method 200 proposed in an embodiment of the present application. Fig. 9 As shown, after AP 11 belonging to APMLD1 (i.e., the second device) completes data transmission on link 1, it sends a first wireless frame to AP21 belonging to APMLD2 (i.e., the first device). In response, AP21 sends a first confirmation frame to AP11 on link 1 after the above judgment (the figure shows that AP22 belonging to APMLD2 sends data on link 2), and then performs data transmission on link 1.

[0237] The following describes Scheme B. Scheme B may include the following steps.

[0238] B10. The second device sends a second radio frame on the second link, where the second radio frame is used to indicate that the time-frequency resource #2 obtained by the second device on the second link is shared with the first device.

[0239] It should be noted that the first link is the primary link of the second device and the secondary link of the first device, and the second link is the secondary link of the second device and the primary link of the first device.

[0240] It can be understood that since the second link is a secondary link of the second device, no matter the second device itself uses the second link for transmission (i.e., method 100) or the second device shares time-frequency resource #2 with the first device, the second device needs to ensure that the transmission on the second link does not affect the transmission on the first link.

[0241] Based on the above principles, before step B10, scheme B also includes the following steps:

[0242] B01, the second device determines time #A, which is the end time of the busy first link. The specific method can refer to method 100, which will not be described here.

[0243] B02, the second device performs channel backoff on the second link, and determines time-frequency resource #2 after the backoff is completed. The specific method can be referred to step 201, which will not be described in detail here.

[0244] In a possible implementation, before sending the second radio frame, the second device can transmit on the second link.

[0245] It should be understood that the second device needs to end transmission on the second link before time #A ends.

[0246] B20. The first device sends a second confirmation frame to the second device on the second link, where the second confirmation frame is used to confirm that the first device uses the time-frequency resource #2.

[0247] It can be understood that, since the second link is the main link of the first device, the first device can send the second confirmation frame after receiving the second radio frame and determining that the second link is idle.

[0248] It should be understood that the second wireless frame and the second confirmation frame in the embodiment of the present application can reuse the current wireless frame, or can be a newly added wireless frame, and there is no limitation on this.

[0249] In one example, the second radio frame is a MU-RTS frame, and the second confirmation frame is a CTS frame.

[0250] B30. The first device uses time-frequency resource #2 on the second link.

[0251] It should be understood that the embodiment of the present application does not limit the data transmitted by the first device on the first link. Exemplarily, the second device transmits a data frame on the first link after sending the first confirmation frame.

[0252] It should be understood that the embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific end time of the first device using time-frequency resource #2 for transmission.

[0253] Specifically, the end time of the time-frequency resource #2 indicated by the second device in the second radio frame can be after time #A.

[0254] Correspondingly, the first device can end transmission on the second link before the first device ends at time #A, or, when the end time of the time-frequency resource #2 shared by the second device is after time #A, the first device can end transmission on the second link after time #A and before the end time of the time-frequency resource #2.

[0255] Fig.10 2 is a schematic diagram of a usage scenario of solution B of method 200 proposed in an embodiment of the present application. Fig.10As shown, after AP12 belonging to APMLD1 (i.e., the second device) completes channel preemption (not shown in the figure) and data transmission on link 2, it sends a second wireless frame to AP22 belonging to APMLD2 (i.e., the first device). In response, AP22 sends a second confirmation frame to AP12 on link 2 after the above judgment, and then performs data transmission on link 2.

[0256] Scheme C is described below. Scheme C may include the following steps.

[0257] C01, the second device obtains transmission opportunity #1 on the first link, and obtains transmission opportunity #2 on the second link.

[0258] It should be understood that the second device obtaining the transmission opportunity #2 on the second link may refer to method 100, which will not be described in detail here.

[0259] C10, the second device sends a first radio frame on the first link, and sends a second radio frame on the second link, the first radio frame is used to indicate that the time-frequency resource #1 obtained by the second device on the first link is shared with the first device, and the second radio frame is used to indicate that the time-frequency resource #2 obtained by the second device on the second link is shared with the first device.

[0260] In a possible implementation manner, the second device sends the first radio frame and the second radio frame simultaneously.

[0261] In a possible implementation manner, the first radio frame and the second radio frame have the same length.

[0262] C20, the first device sends a first confirmation frame to the second device on the first link, and sends a second confirmation frame to the second device on the second link, the first confirmation frame is used to confirm that the first device uses the time-frequency resource #1, and the second confirmation frame is used to confirm that the first device uses the time-frequency resource #2.

[0263] It should be understood that before the first device sends the first confirmation frame and the second confirmation frame, the first device first needs to determine that the first link and the second link are in an idle state. Specifically, the conditions for the first device to reply to the first confirmation frame include: the first link is idle and the second link is idle, or the first link is idle and there is a transmission on the second link that is not in the cell; the conditions for the first device to reply to the second confirmation frame include: the second link is idle. Among them, the specific method for the first device to determine that the first link and the second link are idle can refer to Solution A, which will not be repeated here.

[0264] It should be understood that based on the principle of using the secondary link alone proposed in the embodiment of the present application, if the first device determines that the second link is busy and the first link is idle, the first device can send the first confirmation frame. That is, under the premise of avoiding the transmission on the secondary link affecting the transmission on the primary link, the first device can use the time-frequency resource #1 on the secondary link alone.

[0265] It should be understood that the first wireless frame and the first confirmation frame in the embodiment of the present application can reuse the current wireless frame, or can be a newly added wireless frame, and there is no limitation on this.

[0266] In one example, the first radio frame is a MU-RTS frame, and the first confirmation frame is a CTS frame.

[0267] C30. The first device uses time-frequency resource #1 on the first link and uses time-frequency resource #2 on the second link.

[0268] It should be understood that the embodiments of the present application do not limit the data transmitted by the first device on the first link and the second link. Exemplarily, the second device transmits a data frame on the first link after sending a first confirmation frame, and sends a control frame on the second link after sending a second confirmation frame.

[0269] Fig.11 2 is a schematic diagram of a usage scenario of solution C of method 200 proposed in the embodiment of the present application. Fig.11 As shown, after completing data transmission on link 1, AP11 belonging to APMLD1 (i.e., the second device) sends a first wireless frame to AP21 belonging to APMLD2 (i.e., the first device); after completing data transmission on link 2, AP12 belonging to APMLD1 sends a second wireless frame to AP22 belonging to APMLD2. In response, after the above judgment, AP22 sends a first confirmation frame to AP11 on link 1 and a second confirmation frame to AP12 on link 2, and then performs data transmission on link 1 and link 2 respectively.

[0270] It should be noted that the above links are only used as examples for convenience of description, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit the scenario of collaborative transmission between multiple AP MLDs.

[0271] Optionally, the above-mentioned link can be replaced by a channel, and the main link is the main channel.

[0272] Optionally, the above-mentioned link can be replaced by a frequency domain position, and the main link is the frequency domain position where the main channel is located, wherein the frequency domain position can represent an interval in the spectrum, such as [f1, f2].

[0273] Similarly, the links in the NSTR link pair in the embodiment of the present application can be replaced by frequency domain positions, that is, the device cannot transmit and receive simultaneously at two frequency domain positions.

[0274] Furthermore, the above-mentioned link 1 and link 2 can be replaced by two frequency domain positions on the same link, wherein the frequency domain position where the main channel is located is used as the main link.

[0275] Exemplarily, a link includes one or more anchor channels, and when the main channel on the link is busy, transmission can be performed on other anchor channels. In this example, the main channel in the link can be analogous to the main link, and the remaining anchor channels can be analogous to the secondary links.

[0276] Above, combined Figures 7 to 11 The method provided by the embodiment of the present application is described in detail. Figures 12 to 15 The device provided in the embodiment of the present application is described in detail. It should be understood that the description of the device embodiment corresponds to the description of the method embodiment, so the contents not described in detail can be referred to the method embodiment above, and for the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0277] The above mainly describes the solution provided by the embodiment of the present application from the perspective of interaction between various devices. It is understandable that each device, such as the second device and the first device, includes a hardware structure and / or software module corresponding to each function in order to realize the above functions. Those skilled in the art should be aware that, in combination with the units and algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in the form of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to exceed the scope of protection of the present application.

[0278] The embodiment of the present application can divide the functional modules of the second device and the first device according to the above method example. For example, each functional module can be divided corresponding to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The above integrated module can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional modules. It should be noted that the division of modules in the embodiment of the present application is schematic and is only a logical functional division. There may be other feasible division methods in actual implementation. The following is an example of dividing each functional module corresponding to each function.

[0279] Fig.122000 is a schematic block diagram of a device for collaborative communication provided in an embodiment of the present application. The device 2000 includes a transceiver unit 2010 and a processing unit 2020. The transceiver unit 2010 can implement corresponding communication functions, and the processing unit 2020 is used for data processing. The transceiver unit 2010 can also be called a communication interface or a communication unit.

[0280] Optionally, the device 2000 may further include a storage unit, which may be used to store instructions and / or data, and the processing unit 2020 may read the instructions and / or data in the storage unit so that the device implements the aforementioned method embodiment.

[0281] In the first design, the communication device 2000 may be the second device in the aforementioned embodiment, or may be a component (such as a chip) of the second device. The communication device 2000 may implement the steps or processes corresponding to those performed by the second device in the above method embodiment, wherein the transceiver unit 2010 may be used to perform the transceiver-related operations of the second device in the above method embodiment, and the processing unit 2020 may be used to perform the processing-related operations of the second device in the above method embodiment.

[0282] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 2010 is used to receive a first frame from a second device on a first link, the first device uses the first link and the second link, the first frame is used to indicate that the second device shares a first time-frequency resource on the first link with the first device, the time domain position of the first time-frequency resource is within a current first transmission opportunity TXOP, and the first TXOP is a transmission opportunity for the second device on the first link; when a first condition is met, the transceiver unit 2010 is also used to send a second frame to the second device on the first link, the second frame being a response frame to the first frame, and the first condition includes: the first link is currently in an idle state; the second link is currently in a busy state, or data can be sent on the second link.

[0283] In another possible implementation, the transceiver unit 2010 is used to receive a third frame from the second device on the second link, wherein the second device uses a non-simultaneous sending and receiving NSTR link pair, the NSTR link pair includes the first link and the second link, and the second link is a secondary link of the second device, and the third frame is used to indicate that the second device shares a second time-frequency resource on the second link with the first device, the time domain position of the second time-frequency resource is within the second TXOP, and the second TXOP is a transmission opportunity for the second device on the second link; the processing unit 2020 is used to determine that the second link is in an idle state; the transceiver unit 2010 is also used to send a fourth frame to the second device on the second link, and the fourth frame is a response frame to the third frame.

[0284] In the second design, the communication device 2000 may be the second device in the aforementioned embodiment, or may be a component (such as a chip) of the second device. The communication device 2000 may implement the steps or processes corresponding to those performed by the second device in the above method embodiment, wherein the transceiver unit 2010 may be used to perform the transceiver-related operations of the second device in the above method embodiment, and the processing unit 2020 may be used to perform the processing-related operations of the second device in the above method embodiment.

[0285] In a possible implementation, the processing unit 2020 is used to obtain a first transmission opportunity TXOP on a first link, and the second device uses a non-simultaneous sending and receiving NSTR link pair, the NSTR link pair includes the first link and the second link, and the first link is the main link of the second device; the transceiver unit 2010 is used to send a first frame to the first device on the first link, the first device uses the NSTR link pair, the first link is the secondary link of the first device, and the first frame is used to indicate that the second device shares a first time-frequency resource on the first link with the first device, and the time domain position of the first time-frequency resource is within the first TXOP; the transceiver unit 2010 is also used to receive a second frame from the first device on the first link, and the second frame is a response frame to the first frame.

[0286] In another possible implementation, the processing unit 2020 is used to determine that the first link is in a busy state, and the second device uses a non-simultaneous sending and receiving NSTR link pair, the NSTR link pair includes the first link and the second link, and the first link is the main link of the second device; the processing unit 2020 is also used to obtain a second TXOP on the second link, and the second link is the secondary link of the second device; the transceiver unit 2010 is used to send a third frame to the first device on the second link, and the third frame is used to indicate that the second device shares a second time-frequency resource on the second link with the first device, and the time domain position of the second time-frequency resource is within the second TXOP; the transceiver unit 2010 is also used to receive a fourth frame from the first device on the second link, and the fourth frame is a response frame to the third frame.

[0287] It should be understood that the specific process of each unit executing the above corresponding steps has been described in detail in the above method embodiments, and for the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0288] It should also be understood that the communication device 2000 here is embodied in the form of a functional unit. The term "unit" here may refer to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (such as a shared processor, a proprietary processor or a group processor, etc.) and a memory for executing one or more software or firmware programs, a merged logic circuit and / or other suitable components that support the described functions. In an optional example, those skilled in the art may understand that the communication device 2000 may be specifically the second device in the above-mentioned embodiment, and may be used to execute the various processes and / or steps corresponding to the second device in the above-mentioned method embodiments; or, the communication device 2000 may be specifically the first device in the above-mentioned embodiment, and may be used to execute the various processes and / or steps corresponding to the first device in the above-mentioned method embodiments. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here. The above-mentioned transceiver unit 2010 may also be a transceiver circuit (for example, it may include a receiving circuit and a transmitting circuit), and the processing unit 2020 may be a processing circuit.

[0289] Fig.12 The communication device 2000 in the embodiment may be a device in the aforementioned embodiment, or may be a chip or a chip system, such as a system on chip (SoC). The transceiver unit may be an input / output circuit or a communication interface; the processing unit may be a processor or a microprocessor or an integrated circuit integrated on the chip. This is not limited here.

[0290] The communication device 2000 of each of the above schemes has the function of implementing the corresponding steps performed by the second device or the first device in the above method. The function can be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing the corresponding software implementation. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions; for example, the transceiver unit can be replaced by a transceiver (for example, the sending unit in the transceiver unit can be replaced by a transmitter, and the receiving unit in the transceiver unit can be replaced by a receiver), and other units, such as the processing unit, can be replaced by a processor to respectively perform the transceiver operations and related processing operations in each method embodiment.

[0291] Fig.13 3000 is a schematic diagram of a communication device 3000 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 3000 includes a processor 3010, and the processor 3010 is used to execute a computer program or instruction stored in a memory 3020, or read data / signaling stored in the memory 3020 to execute the method in each method embodiment above. Optionally, there are one or more processors 3010.

[0292] Alternatively, if Fig.13As shown, the communication device 3000 also includes a memory 3020, which is used to store computer programs or instructions and / or data. The memory 3020 can be integrated with the processor 3010, or can also be separately set. Optionally, the memory 3020 is one or more.

[0293] Alternatively, if Fig.13 As shown, the communication device 3000 further includes a transceiver 3030, and the transceiver 3030 is used for receiving and / or sending signals. For example, the processor 3010 is used to control the transceiver 3030 to receive and / or send signals.

[0294] As a solution, the communication apparatus 3000 is used to implement the operations performed by the second device in each of the above method embodiments.

[0295] For example, the processor 3010 is used to execute the computer program or instructions stored in the memory 3020 to implement the relevant operations of the second device in each of the above method embodiments. Figures 7 to 11 The method is performed by the second device in the illustrated embodiment.

[0296] As another solution, the communication apparatus 3000 is used to implement the operations performed by the first device in each of the above method embodiments.

[0297] For example, the processor 3010 is configured to execute a computer program or instruction stored in the memory 3020 to implement the related operations of the second AP in each of the above method embodiments. Figures 7 to 11 The method is performed by the first device in the illustrated embodiment.

[0298] It should be understood that the processor mentioned in the embodiments of the present application may be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may also be any conventional processor, etc.

[0299] It should also be understood that the memory mentioned in the embodiments of the present application may be a volatile memory and / or a non-volatile memory. Among them, the non-volatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be a random access memory (RAM). For example, RAM can be used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, RAM includes the following forms: static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM).

[0300] It should be noted that when the processor is a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware component, the memory (storage module) can be integrated into the processor.

[0301] It should also be noted that the memory described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0302] Fig.14 4 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 4000 according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 4000 may be a multi-link access point second device PMLD (i.e., a second device or a first device), or may be a chip. The communication device 4000 may be used to perform the above Figures 7 to 11 The operations in the illustrated method embodiment are performed by the second device or the first device.

[0303] When the communication device 1000 is an APMLD, for example, it is a base station. Fig.14A simplified schematic diagram of the base station structure is shown. The base station includes module 4010, module 4020 and module 4030. Module 4010 is mainly used for baseband processing, controlling the base station, etc.; module 4010 is usually the control center of the base station, which can be generally referred to as a processor, and is used to control the base station to perform the processing operations on the network device side in the above method embodiment. Module 4020 is mainly used to store computer program code and data. Module 4030 is mainly used for receiving and transmitting radio frequency signals and converting radio frequency signals into baseband signals; module 4030 can generally be referred to as a transceiver module, a transceiver, a transceiver circuit, or a transceiver, etc. The transceiver module of module 4030, which can also be referred to as a transceiver or a transceiver, etc., includes an antenna 4033 and a radio frequency circuit ( Fig.14 Not shown), wherein the RF circuit is mainly used for RF processing. Optionally, the device for implementing the receiving function in module 4030 can be regarded as a receiver, and the device for implementing the sending function can be regarded as a transmitter, that is, module 4030 includes a receiver 4032 and a transmitter 4031. The receiver can also be called a receiving module, a receiver, or a receiving circuit, etc., and the transmitter can be called a transmitting module, a transmitter, or a transmitting circuit, etc.

[0304] Module 4010 and module 4020 may include one or more single boards, each of which may include one or more processors and one or more memories. The processor is used to read and execute the program in the memory to realize the baseband processing function and the control of the base station. If there are multiple single boards, each single board can be interconnected to enhance the processing capability. As an optional implementation, multiple single boards may share one or more processors, or multiple single boards may share one or more memories, or multiple single boards may share one or more processors at the same time.

[0305] For example, in one implementation, the transceiver module of module 4030 is used to perform Figures 7 to 11 In the embodiment shown, the second device performs a process related to sending and receiving. The processor of module 4010 is used to perform Figures 7 to 11 The illustrated embodiment relates to a process performed by the second device.

[0306] In another implementation, the processor of module 4010 is used to execute Figures 7 to 11 The illustrated embodiment relates to a process performed by the first device.

[0307] In another implementation, the transceiver module of module 4030 is used to execute Figures 7 to 11 The illustrated embodiment shows a process related to sending and receiving performed by the first device.

[0308] It should be understood that Fig.14 This is only an example and not a limitation. The network device including the processor, memory and transceiver may not rely on Figure 12 to Figure 13 The structure shown.

[0309] When the communication device 1000 is a chip, the chip includes a transceiver, a memory and a processor. The transceiver may be an input / output circuit or a communication interface; the processor may be a processor, a microprocessor or an integrated circuit integrated on the chip. The sending operation of the network device in the above method embodiment may be understood as the output of the chip, and the receiving operation of the network device in the above method embodiment may be understood as the input of the chip.

[0310] Fig.15 : is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 5000 of an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 5000 may be a multi-link site device non-APMLD (i.e., the second device and the first device), a processor of the non-APMLD, or a chip. The communication device 5000 may be used to perform the operations performed by the second device and the first device in the above method embodiment.

[0311] When the communication device 5000 is a non-APMLD, and the non-APMLD is a terminal device, Fig.10 FIG. 1 shows a simplified schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal device. Fig.15 As shown, the terminal device includes a processor 5010, a memory 5020, and a transceiver 5030. The memory 5020 can store computer program codes, and the transceiver 5030 includes a transmitter 5031, a receiver 5032, a radio frequency circuit ( Fig.15 Not shown), antenna 5033 and input / output device ( Fig.15 not shown).

[0312] The processor 5010 is mainly used to process the communication protocol and communication data, control the terminal device, execute the software program, process the data of the software program, etc. The memory 5020 is mainly used to store the software program and data. The radio frequency circuit is mainly used for the conversion between the baseband signal and the radio frequency signal and the processing of the radio frequency signal. The antenna 5033 is mainly used to send and receive radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. Input and output devices. For example, a touch screen, a display screen, a keyboard, etc. are mainly used to receive data input by a user and output data to the user. It should be noted that some types of terminal devices may not have input and output devices.

[0313] When data needs to be sent, the processor performs baseband processing on the data to be sent and outputs the baseband signal to the RF circuit. The RF circuit performs RF processing on the baseband signal and then sends the RF signal outward in the form of electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the terminal device, the RF circuit receives the RF signal through the antenna, converts the RF signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor. The processor converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data. For ease of explanation, Fig.15 Only one memory, processor and transceiver are shown. In an actual terminal device product, there may be one or more processors and one or more memories. The memory may also be referred to as a storage medium or a storage device. The memory may be set independently of the processor or integrated with the processor, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0314] In the embodiment of the present application, the antenna and the radio frequency circuit with transceiver functions can be regarded as the transceiver module of the terminal device, and the processor with processing function can be regarded as the processing module of the terminal device.

[0315] like Fig.15 As shown, the terminal device includes a processor 5010, a memory 5020 and a transceiver 5030. The processor 5010 may also be referred to as a processing unit, a processing board, a processing module, a processing device, etc., and the transceiver 5030 may also be referred to as a transceiver unit, a transceiver, a transceiver device, etc.

[0316] Optionally, the device for implementing the receiving function in the transceiver 5030 may be regarded as a receiving module, and the device for implementing the sending function in the transceiver 5030 may be regarded as a sending module, that is, the transceiver 5030 includes a receiver and a transmitter. A transceiver may sometimes be referred to as a transceiver, a transceiver module, or a transceiver circuit, etc. A receiver may sometimes be referred to as a receiver, a receiving module, or a receiving circuit, etc. A transmitter may sometimes be referred to as a transmitter, a transmitting module, or a transmitting circuit, etc.

[0317] For example, in one implementation, the processor 5010 is used to execute Figures 7 to 11 In the embodiment shown, the processing action on the second device side is performed by the transceiver 5030. Figures 7 to 11 The sending and receiving actions on the second device side.

[0318] For example, in one implementation, the processor 5010 is used to execute Figures 7 to 11 In the embodiment shown, the processing action on the first device side is performed by the transceiver 5030. Figures 7 to 11 The sending and receiving actions on the first device side.

[0319] It should be understood that Fig.15 This is only an example and not a limitation. The terminal device including the transceiver module and the processing module may not rely on Figure 12 to Figure 13 The structure shown.

[0320] When the communication device 5000 is a chip, the chip includes a processor, a memory and a transceiver. The transceiver may be an input / output circuit or a communication interface; the processor may be a processing module or a microprocessor or an integrated circuit integrated on the chip. The sending operation of the terminal device in the above method embodiment may be understood as the output of the chip, and the receiving operation of the terminal device in the above method embodiment may be understood as the input of the chip.

[0321] An embodiment of the present application also provides a chip, including a processor, for calling and executing instructions stored in a memory from the memory, so that a communication device equipped with the chip executes the methods in the above examples.

[0322] An embodiment of the present application also provides another chip, including: an input interface, an output interface, a processor and a memory, wherein the input interface, the output interface, the processor and the memory are connected via an internal connection path, and the processor is used to execute the code in the memory. When the code is executed, the processor is used to execute the methods in the above examples.

[0323] An embodiment of the present application also provides a processor, which is coupled to a memory and is used to execute the methods and functions involving a satellite or a user equipment in any of the above embodiments.

[0324] In another embodiment of the present application, a computer program product is provided. When the computer program product is run on a computer, the method of the above embodiment is implemented.

[0325] In another embodiment of the present application, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, and when the computer program is executed by a computer, the method described in the above embodiment is implemented.

[0326] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified, "multiple" refers to two or more than two. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single items or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can be represented by: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, wherein a, b, c can be single or multiple. In addition, in order to facilitate the clear description of the technical scheme of the embodiments of the present application, in the embodiments of the present application, the words "first", "second" and the like are used to distinguish the same items or similar items with substantially the same functions and effects. Those skilled in the art can understand that the words "first", "second" and the like do not limit the quantity and execution order, and the words "first", "second" and the like do not limit necessarily different. At the same time, in the embodiments of the present application, the words "exemplary" or "for example" are used to represent examples, illustrations or descriptions.

[0327] Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of the present application should not be interpreted as being more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present related concepts in a concrete manner for ease of understanding.

[0328] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified, " / " indicates that the objects associated before and after are in an "or" relationship, for example, A / B can represent A or B; "and / or" in the present application is merely a description of the association relationship between associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist, for example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural.

[0329] It should be appreciated that reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic related to the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention.

[0330] Therefore, the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" appearing in various places throughout the specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. In addition, these specific features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in one or more embodiments in any suitable manner. In various embodiments of the present invention, the sequence numbers of the above-mentioned processes do not mean the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0331] It will be understood that the “embodiment” mentioned throughout the specification means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic related to the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present application.

[0332] Therefore, the various embodiments in the entire specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. In addition, these specific features, structures or characteristics can be combined in one or more embodiments in any suitable manner. It is understood that in various embodiments of the present application, the size of the sequence number of each process does not mean the order of execution, and the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiment of the present application.

[0333] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to be beyond the scope of this application.

[0334] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and simplicity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments, and will not be repeated here. In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely schematic. For example, the division of units is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed.

[0335] Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be an indirect coupling or communication connection through some interface, device or unit, which may be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0336] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components displayed as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place, or they may be distributed on multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the scheme of this embodiment. In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into a processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0337] If the function is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application, or the part that contributes to the prior art or the part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product, which is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for a computer device (which can be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the various embodiments of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: U disk, mobile hard disk, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), disk or optical disk, and other media that can store program codes.

[0338] The above is only a specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art who is familiar with the present technical field can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, which should be included in the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A collaborative communication method, characterized in that: include: A first device receives a first frame from a second device on a first link, the first device uses a non-simultaneous sending and receiving NSTR link pair, the NSTR link pair includes the first link and the second link, the first link is a secondary link of the first device, the second link is a primary link of the first device, the first frame is used to instruct the second device to share a first time-frequency resource on the first link with the first device, the time domain position of the first time-frequency resource is within a current first transmission opportunity TXOP, and the first TXOP is a transmission opportunity of the second device on the first link; When a first condition is met, the first device sends a second frame to the second device on the first link, where the second frame is a response frame to the first frame, and the first condition includes: The first device determines that the first link is currently in an idle state; and The first device determines that the second link is currently busy, or the first device is able to send data on the second link.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first device determines that the second link is currently in a busy state, including: The first device determines that there is currently transmission from a non-cell on the second link.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first device determines a first time, where the first time is an end time of the transmission of the non-cell; The first device stops using the first time-frequency resource before the first time.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The first device is capable of sending data on the second link, including: The first device completes backoff on the second link; or The first device shares the second time-frequency resources on the second link with the second device, the second device uses the NSTR link pair, the second link is the secondary link of the second device, the time domain position of the second time-frequency resources is within the second TXOP, and the second TXOP is the transmission opportunity of the second device on the second link.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The first device shares a second time-frequency resource on a second link with the second device, including: The first device receives a third frame from the second device on the second link, where the third frame is used to instruct the second device to share the second time-frequency resource with the first device; When the first device determines that the second link is idle, the first device sends a fourth frame to the second device on the second link, where the fourth frame is a response frame to the third frame.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The first frame and the third frame are multi-user request to send MU-RTS frames, and the second frame and the fourth frame are confirmation to send CTS frames.

7. A collaborative communication method, characterized in that: include: The second device obtains a first transmission opportunity TXOP on the first link; The second device sends a first frame to the first device on the first link, the first device uses a non-simultaneous sending and receiving NSTR link pair, the NSTR link pair includes the first link and the second link, the first link is a secondary link of the first device, the first frame is used to indicate that the second device shares a first time-frequency resource on the first link with the first device, and the time domain position of the first time-frequency resource is within the first TXOP; The second device receives a second frame from the first device on the first link, where the second frame is a response frame of the first frame.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The second device uses the NSTR link pair, the first link is a primary link of the second device, the second link is a secondary link of the second device, and the second link is a primary link of the first device; as well as The method further comprises: The second device acquires a second TXOP on the second link; The second device sends a third frame to the first device on the second link, where the third frame is used to instruct the second device to share a second time-frequency resource on the second link with the first device, where a time domain location of the second time-frequency resource is within the second TXOP; The second device receives a fourth frame from the first device on the second link, where the fourth frame is a response frame to the third frame.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that: Before the second device acquires the second TXOP on the second link, the method further includes: The first device determines that there is currently transmission from a non-cell on the first link.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The method further comprises: The second device determines a second time, where the second time is an end time of the transmission of the non-cell; Before the second time, the second device stops using the second TXOP.

11. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that The first frame and the third frame are multi-user request to send MU-RTS frames, and the second frame and the fourth frame are confirmation to send CTS frames.

12. A collaborative communication method, characterized in that: include: The first device receives a third frame from the second device on the second link, wherein the second device uses a non-simultaneous sending and receiving NSTR link pair, the NSTR link pair includes the first link and the second link, the second link is a secondary link of the second device, and the third frame is used to instruct the second device to share a second time-frequency resource on the second link with the first device, the time domain position of the second time-frequency resource is within the second TXOP, and the second TXOP is a transmission opportunity of the second device on the second link; When the first device determines that the second link is idle, the first device sends a fourth frame to the second device on the second link, where the fourth frame is a response frame to the third frame.

13. A collaborative communication method, characterized in that: include: The second device determines that the first link is in a busy state, and the second device uses a non-simultaneous sending and receiving NSTR link pair, the NSTR link pair includes the first link and the second link, and the first link is a main link of the second device; The second device obtains a second transmission opportunity TXOP on a second link, where the second link is a secondary link of the second device; The second device sends a third frame to the first device on the second link, where the third frame is used to instruct the second device to share a second time-frequency resource on the second link with the first device, where a time domain location of the second time-frequency resource is within the second TXOP; The second device receives a fourth frame from the first device on the second link, where the fourth frame is a response frame to the third frame.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The second device determines that the first link is in a busy state, including: The first device determines that there is transmission from a non-cell on the second link.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that The method further comprises: The second device determines a second time, where the second time is an end time of the transmission of the non-cell; Before the second time, the second device stops using the second TXOP.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The end time of the second time-frequency resource is no earlier than the second time.

17. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that The third frame is a multi-user request to send MU-RTS frame, and the fourth frame is a confirmation to send CTS frame.

18. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device includes a unit for executing the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, or includes a unit for executing the method as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 11, or includes a unit for executing the method as claimed in claim 12, or includes a unit for executing the method as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 17.

19. A communication device, characterized in that: include: A processor, configured to execute computer instructions stored in a memory so that the communication device performs the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, or the communication device performs the method according to any one of claims 7 to 11, or the communication device performs the method according to claim 12, or the communication device performs the method according to any one of claims 13 to 17.

20. The communication device according to claim 19, characterized in that The communication device further comprises the memory.

21. The communication device according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that: The communication device further includes a communication interface, which is coupled to the processor and is used to input and / or output information.

22. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: Used to store a computer program, the computer program comprising instructions for implementing the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, or comprising instructions for implementing the method as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 11, or comprising instructions for implementing the method as claimed in claim 12, or comprising instructions for implementing the method as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 17.

23. A computer program, characterized in that The computer program comprises instructions for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, or comprises instructions for implementing the method according to any one of claims 7 to 11, or comprises instructions for implementing the method according to claim 12, or comprises instructions for implementing the method according to any one of claims 13 to 17.

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