Multi-link communication method and multi-link device

Abstract

The invention provides a multi-link communication method and multi-link equipment, which are applied to a wireless local area network system supporting IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) 802.11 ax next generation Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) protocols, such as 802.11 be and Wi-Fi 7, and then 802.11 be next generation, such as Wi-Fi 8 and the like, and can also be applied to a wireless personal local area network system based on ultra-bandwidth. The method comprises: a first multi-link device sends a wireless frame comprising indication information to a second multi-link device, the indication information being used for indicating that the first multi-link device supports a cross-link capability, the second multi-link device can determine that the first multi-link device supports the cross-link capability based on the indication information, and further, the second multi-link device determines that the first multi-link device supports the cross-link capability. The first multi-link device and the second multi-link device can carry out more effective uplink and downlink service transmission on a high frequency band based on the cross-link capability supported by the first multi-link device.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] A multi-link device (MLD) (e.g., an access point (AP) multi-link device and a station (STA) multi-link device) can support multi-link communications. For example, it can communicate simultaneously on the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz frequency bands, thereby significantly improving throughput.

[0003] Specifically, the downlink transmission between AP MLD and STA MLD on the low-frequency link cannot meet the requirements of low latency and high throughput due to the small bandwidth. AP MLD and STA MLD need to meet the requirements of low latency and high throughput through the high-frequency link. The coverage of the high-frequency band is smaller than that of the low-frequency band. The downlink transmission between AP MLD and STA MLD will not be affected, but the uplink transmission between AP MLD and STA MLD will be affected. Therefore, how to support APMLD and STA MLD to perform more effective uplink and downlink service transmission in the high-frequency band is a technical problem that needs to be solved urgently. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present application provides a multi-link communication method and a multi-link device, which can support AP MLD and STA MLD to perform more effective uplink and downlink service transmission in high frequency bands.

[0005] In a first aspect, a multi-link communication method is provided, comprising: a first multi-link device determines a first radio frame, the first radio frame includes first indication information, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first multi-link device supports cross-link capability, the cross-link capability is the ability of the first multi-link device to confirm service transmission between the first multi-link device and a second multi-link device on the first link on the second link; the first multi-link device sends the first radio frame to the second multi-link device.

[0006] Specifically, the first multi-link device may be a STA MLD, and the second multi-link device may be an AP MLD; or, the first multi-link device may be an AP MLD, and the second multi-link device may be a STA MLD, which is not limited. When the first multi-link device is a STA MLD, the above-mentioned cross-link capability may be a cross-link uplink capability. When the first multi-link device is an APMLD, the above-mentioned cross-link capability may be a cross-link downlink capability. Among them, the cross-link uplink capability refers to that the AP MLD sends a downlink service to the STA MLD through the second link, and when the STA MLD cannot confirm the downlink service through the second link, the STA MLD confirms the downlink service to the AP MLD through the first link. The cross-link downlink capability refers to that when the AP MLD cannot send a downlink service to the STA MLD through the first link, the AP MLD can send a downlink service to the STA MLD through the second link, and the STA MLD can confirm the downlink service to the AP MLD through the first link.

[0007] It should be noted that when the above-mentioned service transmission is data service transmission, the first multi-link device can send a confirmation frame (which can be understood as confirmation) through the second link to confirm the reception of the data service transmission; when the above-mentioned service transmission is control service transmission (such as a channel detection task), the first multi-link device can send a wireless frame (which can be understood as confirmation or feedback) through the second link to provide feedback on the control service transmission. Therefore, this application does not limit the specific meaning of the above-mentioned "confirmation".

[0008] By carrying indication information in the wireless frame for indicating that the multi-link device has cross-link capability, the present application supports the interaction between multi-link devices to support cross-link capability, and thus supports cross-link communication between multi-link devices. Furthermore, it can support more efficient uplink and downlink service transmission between multi-link devices on high-frequency links. For example, the second multi-link device sends a data frame to the first multi-link device via a high-frequency link, and the first multi-link device replies to the second multi-link device via a low-frequency link with a confirmation frame corresponding to the data frame, etc. In this way, the complete uplink and downlink service transmission between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device can be completed.

[0009] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the first multi-link device sends a second wireless frame to the second multi-link device, the second wireless frame being used to indicate whether the first link enables the cross-link capability; the first multi-link device receives a first confirmation frame sent by the second multi-link device, the first confirmation frame being used to confirm receipt of the second wireless frame.

[0010] Specifically, the second radio frame is used to indicate whether the first link enables the cross-link capability, which is only a general reference, that is, the second radio frame can also be used to indicate whether other links enable the cross-link capability, and this is not limited.

[0011] It should be noted that whether the first link enables the cross-link capability may take effect immediately after the first confirmation frame is sent, or may take effect after a first delay after the first confirmation frame is sent, and there is no limitation on this.

[0012] In this way, the interaction of whether to activate the cross-link capability of the link can be completed, thereby supporting more efficient uplink and downlink service transmission between multi-link devices on high-frequency links.

[0013] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the first multi-link device receives a third wireless frame sent by the second multi-link device, the third wireless frame being used to indicate whether the first link enables the cross-link capability; the first multi-link device sends a second confirmation frame to the second multi-link device, the second confirmation frame being used to confirm receipt of the third wireless frame.

[0014] In this way, the interaction between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device on whether to activate the cross-link capability of the link can be completed. Further, the complete interaction between the multi-link devices on whether to enable the cross-link capability of the multi-link device can be completed.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the second wireless frame is used to indicate that the first link enables the cross-link capability, and the method also includes: the first multi-link device receives a data frame sent by the second multi-link device through the first link; the first multi-link device receives a request frame sent by the second multi-link device through the second link, the request frame is used to request the first multi-link device to send a third confirmation frame on the second link, and the third confirmation frame is used to confirm the reception of the data frame; the first multi-link device sends a third confirmation frame to the second multi-link device through the second link.

[0016] Specifically, when the first link enables the cross-link capability, through the above technical solution, the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device can transmit downlink data services on the high-frequency link, and transmit uplink confirmation services on the low-frequency link, which can make full use of the large bandwidth capability of the high frequency band and make downlink data transmission more reliable.

[0017] In a possible implementation, the second wireless frame is used to indicate that the first link enables the cross-link capability, and the method also includes: the first multi-link device receives a null data physical protocol data unit announcement (NDPA) frame sent by the second multi-link device through the first link, the NDPA frame includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the first multi-link device sends a beamforming report (BFR) frame on a non-first link, the BFR frame includes channel information of the first link, and the channel information of the first link is obtained by the first multi-link device based on a null data physical protocol data unit (NDP) frame; the first multi-link device receives the NDP frame sent by the second multi-link device through the first link; and the first multi-link device sends the BFR frame to the second multi-link device through the second link.

[0018] In this way, the first multi-link device can feed back the BFR frame corresponding to the first link on the non-first link.

[0019] Specifically, when the first link enables the cross-link capability, through the above technical solution, the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device can better complete the channel detection task.

[0020] In a possible implementation, the second wireless frame is used to indicate that the first link enables the cross-link capability, and the method also includes: the first multi-link device receives an NDPA frame sent by the second multi-link device through the first link, the NDPA frame includes identification information of the second link, and the identification information of the second link is used to indicate that the first multi-link device sends a BFR frame on the second link, the BFR frame includes channel information of the first link, and the channel information of the first link is obtained by the first multi-link device based on the NDP frame; the first multi-link device receives the NDP frame sent by the second multi-link device through the first link; and the first multi-link device sends the BFR frame to the second multi-link device through the second link.

[0021] In this way, the first multi-link device can feed back the BFR frame corresponding to the first link on the non-first link.

[0022] Specifically, when the first link enables the cross-link capability, through the above technical solution, the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device can better complete the channel detection task.

[0023] In a possible implementation, the second wireless frame is used to indicate that the first link enables the cross-link capability, and the method also includes: the first multi-link device receives the NDPA frame sent by the second multi-link device through the first link; the first multi-link device receives the NDP frame sent by the second multi-link device through the first link; the first multi-link device receives the beamforming report poll (BFRP) frame sent by the second multi-link device through the second link, and the BFRP frame is used to indicate that the first multi-link device sends a BFR frame on the second link, and the BFR frame includes channel information of the first link, and the channel information of the first link is obtained by the first multi-link device based on the NDP frame; the first multi-link device sends the BFR frame to the second multi-link device through the second link.

[0024] In this way, the first multi-link device can feed back the BFR frame corresponding to the first link on the non-first link.

[0025] Specifically, when the first link enables the cross-link capability, through the above technical solution, the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device can better complete the channel detection task.

[0026] In a possible implementation manner, the BFRP frame includes identification information of the first link, and the identification information of the first link is used to instruct the first multi-link device to send the BFRP frame on the second link.

[0027] In a possible implementation, the second wireless frame is used to indicate that the first link enables the cross-link capability, and the method also includes: the first multi-link device receives an NDPA frame sent by the second multi-link device through the first link, the NDPA frame includes a detection dialogue token value, and the detection dialogue token value uniquely corresponds to the first link; the first multi-link device receives an NDP frame sent by the second multi-link device through the first link; the first multi-link device sends a BFR frame to the second multi-link device through the second link, the BFR frame includes the detection dialogue token value, and the BFR frame includes channel information of the first link, and the channel information of the first link is obtained by the first multi-link device based on the NDP frame.

[0028] Through the above scheme, the present application supports making minor changes to the structure of the NDPA frame.

[0029] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the first multi-link device receiving a fourth radio frame sent by the second multi-link device, where the fourth radio frame is used to respond to the first radio frame.

[0030] Through the above technical solution, the first multi-link device determines that the second multi-link device has obtained the cross-link capability supported by the first multi-link device. In this way, the complete interaction between the multi-link devices on the cross-link capability supported by the multi-link devices can be completed.

[0031] In a possible implementation manner, the first wireless frame is any one of the following: a probe request frame, an association request frame, or a beacon frame.

[0032] In a second aspect, a multi-link communication method is provided, including: a second multi-link device receives a first radio frame sent by a first multi-link device, the first radio frame includes first indication information, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first multi-link device supports cross-link capability, the cross-link capability is the ability of the first multi-link device to confirm service transmission between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device on the first link on the second link; the second multi-link device determines, based on the first indication information, that the first multi-link device supports the cross-link capability.

[0033] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the second multi-link device receives a second wireless frame sent by the first multi-link device, the second wireless frame being used to indicate whether the first link enables the cross-link capability; the second multi-link device sends a first confirmation frame to the first multi-link device, the first confirmation frame being used to confirm receipt of the second wireless frame.

[0034] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the second multi-link device sends a third wireless frame to the first multi-link device, the third wireless frame being used to indicate whether the first link enables the cross-link capability; the second multi-link device receives a second confirmation frame sent by the first multi-link device, the second confirmation frame being used to confirm receipt of the third wireless frame.

[0035] In a possible implementation, the second wireless frame is used to indicate that the first link enables the cross-link capability, and the method also includes: the second multi-link device sends a data frame to the first multi-link device through the first link; the second multi-link device sends a request frame to the first multi-link device through the second link, and the request frame is used to request the first multi-link device to send a third confirmation frame on the second link, and the third confirmation frame is used to confirm the reception of the data frame; the second multi-link device receives the third confirmation frame sent by the first multi-link device through the second link.

[0036] In a possible implementation, the second wireless frame is used to indicate that the first link enables the cross-link capability, and the method also includes: the second multi-link device sends an NDPA frame to the first multi-link device through the first link, the NDPA frame includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the first multi-link device sends a BFR frame on a non-first link, the BFR frame includes channel information of the first link, and the channel information of the first link is obtained by the first multi-link device based on the NDP frame; the second multi-link device sends the NDP frame to the first multi-link device through the first link; and the second multi-link device receives the BFR frame sent by the second multi-link device through the second link.

[0037] In a possible implementation, the second wireless frame is used to indicate that the first link enables the cross-link capability, and the method also includes: the second multi-link device sends an NDPA frame to the first multi-link device through the first link, the NDPA frame includes identification information of the second link, and the identification information of the second link is used to indicate that the first multi-link device sends a BFR frame on the second link, the BFR frame includes channel information of the first link, and the channel information of the first link is obtained by the first multi-link device based on the NDP frame; the second multi-link device sends the NDP frame to the first multi-link device through the first link; the second multi-link device receives the BFR frame sent by the first multi-link device through the first link.

[0038] In a possible implementation, the second wireless frame is used to indicate that the first link enables the cross-link capability, and the method also includes: the second multi-link device sends an NDPA frame to the first multi-link device through the first link; the second multi-link device sends an NDP frame to the first multi-link device through the first link; the second multi-link device sends a BFRP frame to the first multi-link device through the second link, and the BFRP frame is used to indicate that the first multi-link device sends a BFR frame on the second link, and the BFR frame includes channel information of the first link, and the channel information of the first link is obtained by the first multi-link device based on the NDP frame; the second multi-link device receives the BFR frame sent by the first multi-link device through the second link.

[0039] In a possible implementation manner, the BFRP frame includes identification information of the first link, and the identification information of the first link is used to instruct the first multi-link device to send the BFRP frame on the second link.

[0040] In a possible implementation, the second wireless frame is used to indicate that the first link enables the cross-link capability, and the method also includes: the second multi-link device sends an NDPA frame to the first multi-link device through the first link, the NDPA frame includes a detection dialogue token value, and the detection dialogue token value uniquely corresponds to the first link; the second multi-link device sends an NDP frame to the first multi-link device through the first link; the second multi-link device receives a BFR frame sent by the first multi-link device through the second link, the BFR frame includes the detection dialogue token value, and the BFR frame includes channel information of the first link, and the channel information of the first link is obtained by the first multi-link device based on the NDP frame.

[0041] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the second multi-link device sending a fourth radio frame to the first multi-link device, where the fourth radio frame is used to respond to the first radio frame.

[0042] In a possible implementation manner, the first wireless frame is any one of the following: a probe request frame, an association request frame, or a beacon frame.

[0043] According to a third aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device may be a first multi-link device, or may be a device or module for executing the first multi-link device.

[0044] In one possible implementation, the communication device may include a module or unit corresponding to each of the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the first aspect. The module or unit may be a hardware circuit, software, or a combination of a hardware circuit and software.

[0045] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes: a processing unit, used to determine a first radio frame, the first radio frame includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the communication device supports cross-link uplink capability; a transceiver unit, used to send the first radio frame to a second multi-link device.

[0046] The communication device described in the third aspect can also be used to execute any method described in the first aspect.

[0047] In a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device may be a second multi-link device, or may be a device or module for executing the second multi-link device.

[0048] In one possible implementation, the communication device may include a module or unit corresponding to each of the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the second aspect. The module or unit may be a hardware circuit, software, or a combination of hardware circuit and software.

[0049] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes: a transceiver unit, used to receive a first radio frame sent by a first multi-link device, the first radio frame includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the first multi-link device supports cross-link uplink capability; a processing unit, used to determine that the first multi-link device supports cross-link uplink capability according to the first indication information.

[0050] Among them, the communication device described in the fourth aspect can also be used to execute any method described in the aforementioned second aspect.

[0051] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor, wherein the processor is used to enable the communication device to execute the method described in the first aspect and any possible method described in the first aspect by executing a computer program or instruction, or by a logic circuit; or to enable the communication device to execute the method described in the second aspect and any possible method described in the second aspect.

[0052] In a possible implementation, the communication device further includes a memory for storing the computer program or instruction.

[0053] In a possible implementation manner, the communication device further includes a communication interface, which is used to input and / or output signals.

[0054] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a logic circuit and an input / output interface, the input / output interface being used to input and / or output signals, the logic circuit being used to execute the method described in the first aspect and any possible embodiment of the first aspect; or the logic circuit being used to execute the method described in the second aspect and any possible embodiment of the second aspect.

[0055] In the seventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, on which a computer program or instruction is stored. When the computer program or the instruction is run on a computer, the method described in the first aspect and any possibility of the first aspect is executed; or, the method described in the second aspect and any possibility of the second aspect is executed.

[0056] In an eighth aspect, a computer program product is provided, comprising instructions, which, when executed on a computer, cause the method described in the first aspect and any possible method of the first aspect to be executed; or, cause the method described in the second aspect and any possible method of the second aspect to be executed.

[0057] The descriptions of the beneficial effects of the second to eighth aspects may correspond to the descriptions of the beneficial effects of the first aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0058] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of an application scenario of an embodiment of the present application.

[0059] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the association relationship between multi-link devices in an embodiment of the present application.

[0060] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the interaction flow of the multi-link communication method 300 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0061] Figure 4 It is a structural diagram of wireless frame 1 of an embodiment of the present application.

[0062] Figure 5 It is an interactive flow chart of the multi-link communication method 500 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0063] Figure 6 It is a structural diagram of wireless frame 3 of an embodiment of the present application.

[0064] Figure 7 It is an interactive flow chart of the multi-link communication method 700 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0065] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of the interaction flow of the multi-link communication method 800 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0066] Fig. 9 It is a schematic diagram of the interaction flow of the multi-link communication method 900 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0067] Fig.10 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the NDPA frame 1 of an embodiment of the present application.

[0068] Fig.11 It is a schematic diagram of the interaction flow of the multi-link communication method 1100 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0069] Fig.12 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of BFRP frame 2 of an embodiment of the present application.

[0070] Fig.13 It is a schematic diagram of the interaction process of clearing to send and requesting to send between multi-link devices in an embodiment of the present application.

[0071] Fig.14 It is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 1400 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0072] Fig.15 It is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 1500 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0073] Fig.16 It is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 1600 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0074] Fig.17It is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 1700 according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0075] In order to facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, the following points are first explained.

[0076] 1. In the various embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced to each other, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their internal logical relationships.

[0077] 2. The various digital numbers involved in this application are only used for the convenience of description and are not used to limit the scope of this application. The size of the serial numbers involved in this application does not mean the order of execution. The order of execution of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic. For example, the terms "first", "second", "third", "fourth" and other various terminology labels (if any) in the specification and claims of this application and the drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the data used in this way can be interchangeable where appropriate so that the embodiments described here can be implemented in an order other than what is illustrated or described here.

[0078] 3. The terms "comprise", "include", "have" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product or apparatus comprising a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products or apparatuses.

[0079] 4. In this application, "used to indicate" can be understood as "enable", and "enable" can include direct enablement and indirect enablement. When describing that a certain information is used to enable A, it can include that the information directly enables A or indirectly enables A, and it does not mean that the information must carry A.

[0080] The information enabled by the information is called information to be enabled. In the specific implementation process, there are many ways to enable the information to be enabled, such as but not limited to, the information to be enabled can be directly enabled, such as the information to be enabled itself or the index of the information to be enabled. The information to be enabled can also be indirectly enabled by enabling other information, wherein there is an association relationship between the other information and the information to be enabled. It is also possible to enable only a part of the information to be enabled, while the other parts of the information to be enabled are known or agreed in advance. For example, the enabling of specific information can also be achieved by means of the arrangement order of each piece of information agreed in advance (such as specified by the protocol), thereby reducing the enabling overhead to a certain extent. At the same time, the common parts of each piece of information can also be identified and enabled uniformly to reduce the enabling overhead caused by enabling the same information separately.

[0081] 5. The "storage" or "saving" involved in this application may refer to storage in one or more memories. The one or more memories may be set separately or integrated in an encoder or decoder, a processor, or a communication device. The one or more memories may also be partially set separately and partially integrated in a decoder, a processor, or a communication device. The type of memory may be any form of storage medium, which is not limited by this application.

[0082] 6. The “protocol” referred to in this application may refer to a standard protocol in the field of communications, such as the fourth generation (4G) network, the fifth generation (5G) network protocol, the new radio (NR) protocol, the 5.5G network protocol, the sixth generation (6 th The present application does not limit the network protocols used in future communication systems.

[0083] 7. The arrows or boxes indicated by dotted lines in the schematic diagrams of the drawings in the specification of this application represent optional steps or optional modules.

[0084] 8. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in 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 specific way for easy understanding.

[0085] IX. In this application, unless otherwise specified, “ / ” indicates that the objects associated with each other are in an “or” relationship. For example, A / B can represent A or B. “And / or” in this 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.

[0086] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0087] The technical solution of the embodiments of 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.

[0088] The technical solution of the embodiments of 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.

[0089] Although the embodiments of the present application are 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 embodiments of the present application can be extended to other networks using various standards or protocols, such as Bluetooth, high-performance radio local 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 embodiments of the present application can be applied to any suitable wireless network.

[0090] The technical solutions of the embodiments 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), future sixth generation (6G) system, Internet of Things (IoT) network or vehicle to X (V2X) and other wireless local area network systems, etc.

[0091] 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.

[0092] The terminal in the embodiments of the present application may refer to user equipment (UE), 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. The terminal may also be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication function, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a terminal in a 5G network, a terminal in a future 6G network or a terminal in a public land mobile network (PLMN), etc., and the embodiments of the present application are not limited to this.

[0093] The network device in the embodiment of the present application can be a device for communicating with a terminal. The network device can be a base station (base transceiver station, BTS) in a global system of mobile communication (GSM) system or code division multiple access (CDMA), or a base station (nodeB, NB) in a wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) system, or an evolved base station (evolutional nodeB, eNB or eNodeB) in an LTE system, or a wireless controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario, or the network device can be a relay station, an access point, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a network device in a 5G network, a network device in a 6G network, or a network device in a PLMN network, etc., and the embodiments of the present application are not limited.

[0094] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of an application scenario of an embodiment of the present application. Figure 1 In the present invention, an access point (AP) may be a communication server, a router, a switch, or any of the above-mentioned network devices, and a station (STA) may be a mobile phone, a computer, or any of the above-mentioned terminals, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0095] The technical solution of the embodiment of the present application is not only applicable to communication between AP and one or more STAs, but also to mutual communication between APs and mutual communication between STAs. For the convenience of description, the embodiment of the present application only takes the communication between AP and one or more STAs as an example for explanation, but this description method does not have any limiting effect on the actual application scope of the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application. This is explained uniformly here and will not be repeated in the following text.

[0096] An access point can be an access point for a terminal (such as a mobile phone) to enter a wired (or wireless) network. It is mainly deployed in homes, buildings, and parks. The typical coverage radius is tens of meters to hundreds of meters. Of course, it can also be deployed outdoors. The access point is equivalent to a bridge connecting a wired network and a wireless network. Its main function is to connect various wireless network clients together and then connect the wireless network to the Ethernet. Specifically, an access point can be a terminal (such as a mobile phone) or a network device (such as a router) with a Wi-Fi chip. The access point can be a device that supports the 802.11be standard. The access point can also be a device that supports multiple WLAN standards of the 802.11 family, such as 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, and the next generation of 802.11be. The access point in this application can be a HE AP or an EHT AP, or it can be an access point applicable to a future generation of Wi-Fi standards.

[0097] The site can be a wireless communication chip, a wireless sensor or a wireless communication terminal, etc., and can also be called a user. For example, the site can be a mobile phone that supports Wi-Fi communication function, a tablet computer that supports Wi-Fi communication function, a set-top box that supports Wi-Fi communication function, a smart TV that supports Wi-Fi communication function, a smart wearable device that supports Wi-Fi communication function, a vehicle-mounted communication device that supports Wi-Fi communication function, and a computer that supports Wi-Fi communication function, etc. Optionally, the site can support the 802.11be standard. The site can also support WLAN standards of the 802.11 family such as 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, and 802.11be next generation.

[0098] For example, access points and sites can be devices used in the Internet of Vehicles, IoT nodes and sensors in the Internet of Things (IoT), smart cameras and smart remote controls in smart homes, smart water and electricity meters, and sensors in smart cities.

[0099] The wireless communication system of 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 processor in the communication device, and the communication device may be a wireless communication device that supports parallel transmission of multiple links, 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. A multi-link device includes one or more affiliated stations STA (affiliated STA), and an affiliated STA is a logical station that can work on a link. Among them, the affiliated station may be an AP or a non-AP STA. For the convenience of description, in the embodiment of the present application, a multi-link device whose affiliated station is an AP may be referred to as a multi-link AP or a multi-link AP device or an AP multi-link device (AP MLD), and a multi-link device whose affiliated station is a non-AP STA may be referred to as a multi-link STA or a multi-link STA device or a STA multi-link device (non-AP MLD).

[0100] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the association relationship between multi-link devices in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 2 The AP MLD shown in FIG. 1 may include multiple APs, and the STA MLD may include multiple STAs. If the AP MLD needs to communicate with the STA MLD, each AP in the APMLD needs to be associated with the corresponding STA in the STA MLD. Figure 2 As shown, AP1 in AP MLD is associated with STA1 in STA MLD and works on link 1. AP2 in AP MLD is associated with STA2 in STA MLD and works on link 2. APn in AP MLD is associated with STAAn in STA MLD and works on link n. Each AP in AP MLD can establish a connection with the corresponding STA in STA MLD on its own link, thus realizing multi-link communication between the two MLDs.

[0101] As can be seen from the content described in the background technology, AP MLD and STA MLD can communicate through multiple links, and the multiple links include at least low-frequency links (such as 2.4GHz) and high-frequency links (such as 5GHz). For low-frequency links, their bandwidth is small, channel interference is large, and channel busyness is high. The service quality of uplink and downlink business transmission is difficult to meet the requirements (for example, it cannot meet high throughput and low latency, etc.), especially downlink business transmission has high requirements for bandwidth. In order to solve the bandwidth problem, APMLD and STA MLD can use high-frequency links for uplink and downlink business transmission. Since the coverage range of the signal transmitted on the high-frequency link is small, even if AP MLD can successfully send downlink business to STA MLD, STA MLD may not be able to provide uplink feedback on the downlink business, which may affect the service quality of uplink and downlink business transmission between AP MLD and STA MLD. Therefore, APMLD and STA MLD can feedback the downlink business transmission on the high-frequency link through the low-frequency link, which requires the interaction of cross-link uplink capabilities between AP MLD and STA MLD. However, how to achieve this and thus support APMLD and STA MLD to perform more effective uplink and downlink service transmission in high frequency bands is a technical problem that needs to be solved urgently.

[0102] In view of this, the present application provides a multi-link communication method and a multi-link device, which can support interaction between multi-link devices regarding the cross-link capabilities of the multi-link devices, and further can support AP MLD and STAMLD to perform more efficient uplink and downlink service transmission in high frequency bands.

[0103] The following will combine Figure 3 The multi-link communication method of the embodiment of the present application is described.

[0104] Figure 3 3 is a schematic flow chart of a method 300 for multi-link communication according to an embodiment of the present application. The method 300 involves interaction between a multi-link device A (such as a first multi-link device) and a multi-link device B (such as a second multi-link device). There are N links between the multi-link device A and the multi-link device B, where N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2. For ease of description, the embodiment of the present application is described by taking N=2 as an example, that is, the multi-link device A and the multi-link device B include link 1 (such as a first link) and link 2 (such as a second link). Exemplarily, link 1 is a high-frequency link and link 2 is a low-frequency link, but is not limited thereto. The method 300 includes:

[0105] S310, the multi-link device A generates a radio frame 1 (such as a first radio frame), the radio frame 1 includes indication information 1 (such as first indication information), and the indication information 1 is used to indicate that the multi-link device A supports cross-link capability.

[0106] S320: Multi-link device A sends wireless frame 1 to multi-link device B.

[0107] Accordingly, multi-link device B receives wireless frame 1.

[0108] S330: The multi-link device B determines, according to the indication information 1, that the multi-link device A supports the cross-link capability.

[0109] Specifically, the multi-link device A may be a STA MLD, and the multi-link device B may be an AP MLD; or, the multi-link device A may be an AP MLD, and the multi-link device B may be a STA MLD, and this is not limited. When the multi-link device A is a STAMLD, the cross-link capability is the cross-link uplink capability. When the multi-link device A is an AP MLD, the cross-link capability is the cross-link downlink capability. Among them, the cross-link uplink capability means that the AP MLD sends downlink services to the STA MLD through link 1, and when the STA MLD cannot confirm the downlink services through link 1, the STA MLD confirms the downlink services to the AP MLD through link 2. The cross-link downlink capability means that when the AP MLD cannot send downlink services to the STA MLD through link 1, the AP MLD can send downlink services to the STA MLD through link 2, and the STA MLD can confirm the downlink services to the AP MLD through link 1 or link 2, which can also be understood as the AP MLD confirming the service transmission between the AP MLD and the STA MLD on link 1 through link 2.

[0110] In summary, the cross-link capability is the ability of the multi-link device A to confirm the service transmission between the multi-link device A and the multi-link device B on the link 1 on the link 2. For the convenience of description, the embodiment of the present application takes the cross-link capability as the cross-link uplink capability as an example for description, but the description of the cross-link uplink capability is also applicable to the description of the cross-link downlink capability, so the description of the cross-link downlink capability can refer to the description of the cross-link uplink capability, and will not be repeated below.

[0111] It should be noted that when the above-mentioned service transmission is data service transmission, the multi-link device A can send a confirmation frame (which can be understood as confirmation) to confirm the reception of the data service transmission through link 2; when the above-mentioned service transmission is control service transmission (such as a channel detection task), the multi-link device A can send a wireless frame (which can be understood as confirmation or feedback) to provide feedback on the control service transmission through link 2. Therefore, the present application does not limit the specific meaning of the above-mentioned confirmation.

[0112] Specifically, radio frame 1 includes indication information 1, and indication information 1 is used to indicate to multi-link device B that multi-link device A supports (or has) cross link uplink capability (cross link UL capability), that is, to indicate that multi-link device A supports cross link uplink transmission. Among them, cross link uplink capability is the ability of multi-link device A to confirm (or feedback) the service transmission (including user data service transmission and control data service transmission, etc.) between multi-link device A and multi-link device B on link 1 on link 2, and the details can be referred to the following description.

[0113] Specifically, when multi-link device A and multi-link device B are performing data transmission on link 1, multi-link device A confirms (or gives feedback) the data transmission on link 1 between multi-link device A and multi-link device B on link 2; when multi-link device A and multi-link device B are performing a channel detection task on link 1, multi-link device A confirms (or gives feedback) the channel detection task on link 1 between multi-link device A and multi-link device B on link 2.

[0114] When multi-link device A has cross-link uplink capability, a STA (for example, STA 1) in multi-link device A (for example, multi-link device A is STA MLD) can carry indication information 1 (which can also be a cross-link uplink capability indication field) in a radio frame 1 sent to an AP (for example, AP1) to be associated in multi-link device B (for example, multi-link device B is AP MLD). If AP MLD also has cross-link uplink capability, indication information 2 can be carried in radio frame 2 (such as the fourth radio frame), and indication information 2 is used to indicate that multi-link device B also supports cross-link uplink capability.

[0115] In a possible implementation, the radio frame 1 may be a probe request frame. In this way, the multi-link device A and the multi-link device B interact through the probe request frame, and the multi-link device A supports the cross-link uplink capability.

[0116] In a possible implementation, the radio frame 1 may be an association request frame. In this way, the multi-link device A and the multi-link device B interact through the association request frame, and the multi-link device A supports the cross-link uplink capability.

[0117] In a possible implementation, the radio frame 1 may be a beacon frame. In this way, the multi-link device A and the multi-link device B interact through the beacon frame, and the multi-link device A supports the cross-link uplink capability.

[0118] When the multi-link device A and the multi-link device B exchange wireless frames 1, the present application does not limit the specific link between the multi-link device A and the multi-link device B, and it can be any link.

[0119] In the above description, the wireless frame 1 includes a multi-link basic element (Multi-Link element), and the multi-link basic element includes indication information 1. For details, see Figure 4 .

[0120] Figure 4 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the wireless frame 1 of the embodiment of the present application. Figure 4As shown in (a), wireless frame 1 includes: element ID field, length field, element ID extension field, multi-link control field, common information field and link information field. The multi-link control field includes: type field and presence bitmap field. The presence bitmap fields include: link information presence indication field, basic service set (BSS) parameter change count present field, medium synchronization delay information present field, enhanced multiple link capabilities (EML capabilities) present field, MLD capabilities and operation present field, AP MLD ID present field, extended MLD capabilities and operation present field, and cross-link uplink capability present field.The common information domain includes: common information length domain, MLD MAC address domain, link ID information domain, BSS parameters change count domain, medium synchronization delay information domain, enhanced multiple link capabilities (EML capabilities) domain, MLD capabilities and operation domain, AP MLD ID domain, extended MLD capabilities and operation domain, and cross link UL capabilities domain. The cross link UL capabilities domain includes: cross link UL support domain, response protect delay domain, and cross link UL transition timeout domain. For descriptions of other domains, please refer to existing standards and will not be repeated here.

[0121] When the value of the cross-link uplink capability existence domain is 1, it indicates that the cross-link uplink capability domain exists. When the value of the cross-link uplink capability existence domain is 0, it indicates that the cross-link uplink capability domain does not exist. The cross-link uplink support domain in the cross-link uplink capability domain is used to indicate whether the multi-link device A supports the cross-link uplink capability. A value of 1 indicates that the multi-link device A supports the cross-link uplink capability. A value of 0 indicates that the multi-link device A does not support the cross-link uplink capability.

[0122] The cross-link uplink support field has a value of 1. The response protection delay field is used to indicate the shortest time from the moment when the data frame sent by multi-link device B is received on link 1 to the moment when the block acknowledgement (BA) frame is replied on link 2. The value and meaning of the field are shown in Table 1. The value of a time unit (TU) in Table 1 is 1024 μs.

[0123] Table 1

[0124] Response protection delay domain value Corresponding response protection delay time 0 0 1 32μs 2 64μs 3 128μs 4 256μs 5 512μs 6 1TU 7 2TU 8 4TU 9 8TU 10 16TU

[0125] As shown in Table 1, different response protection delay domain values ​​correspond to different response protection delay durations. For example, when the response protection delay domain value is 0, it corresponds to 0; when the response protection delay domain value is 1, it corresponds to 32μs; when the response protection delay domain value is 2, it corresponds to 64μ; when the response protection delay domain value is 3, it corresponds to 128μs; when the response protection delay domain value is 4, it corresponds to 256μs; when the response protection delay domain value is 5, it corresponds to 512μs, and so on. The content shown in Table 1 is only understood as an example and is not a final limitation.

[0126] The cross link uplink switching timeout field is used to indicate the timeout period of the cross link uplink operation mode notification frame (Cross link ULMode Notification frame). For its value and meaning, see Table 2.

[0127] Table 2

[0128]

[0129]

[0130] As shown in Table 2, different cross-link uplink switching timeout domain values ​​correspond to different timeout durations. For example, when the cross-link uplink switching timeout domain value is 0, it corresponds to 0; when the cross-link uplink switching timeout domain value is 1, it corresponds to 128μs; when the cross-link uplink switching timeout domain value is 2, it corresponds to 256μs; when the cross-link uplink switching timeout domain value is 3, it corresponds to 512μs, and so on. The content shown in Table 2 is understood as an example only and is not a final limitation.

[0131] like Figure 4As shown in (b), wireless frame 1 includes: an element identification field, a length field, an element identification extension field, a multi-link control field, a public information field and a link information field. The multi-link control field includes: a type field and an existence bitmap field. The existence bitmap field includes: a link information existence indication field, a basic service set parameter change count existence field, a media synchronization delay information existence field, an EML capability existence field, an MLD capability and operation existence field, an AP MLD identification existence field and an extended MLD capability and operation field. The public information field includes: a public information length field, an MLD media access control layer (media access control, MAC) address field, a link identification information field, a BSS parameter change count field, a media synchronization delay information field, an EML capability field, an MLD capability and operation existence field, an AP MLD identification field and an extended MLD capability and operation field. The extended MLD capability and operation field includes: a cross link uplink support (cross link UL support) field, a response protection delay field, a cross link uplink switching timeout switching delay field and an operation parameters update support field (operation parameters update support). For descriptions of other domains, please refer to existing standards and will not be elaborated here.

[0132] Specifically, the existence bitmap contains a one-bit extended multi-link capability and operation existence domain, whose value is 1 to indicate the existence of the extended multi-link capability and operation domain, and a value of 0 to indicate the non-existence. The cross-link uplink support domain, response protection delay domain, and cross-link uplink switching timeout domain can be added to the extended multi-link capability and operation domain. The response protection delay domain and the cross-link uplink switching timeout domain are only effective when the cross-link uplink support domain is 1.

[0133] Depend on Figure 4 It can be seen that Figure 4 (a) and Figure 4 (b) respectively describes the structural diagrams of two types of wireless frames 1. The above contents are only understood as examples and are not intended to be the final limitation.

[0134] In the embodiment of the present application, wireless frame 1 does not necessarily need to carry the response protection delay field and the cross-link uplink switching timeout field. For example, the value of the response protection delay field and the value of the cross-link uplink switching timeout field can be specified; for example, if the cache data of the two links is specified to be shared, the value of the response protection delay field can be 0; for example, when the mode is switched, it is necessary to wait for the AP MLD to send a response frame, and there is no need to carry the cross-link uplink switching timeout field; for another example, the cross-link uplink operation mode notification frame can carry the response protection delay field and the cross-link uplink switching timeout field. For a description of the cross-link uplink operation mode notification frame, please refer to the following.

[0135] To summarize, by carrying indication information in a wireless frame to indicate that a multi-link device has cross-link uplink capability, the present application supports interaction between multi-link devices to support cross-link uplink capability, thereby supporting cross-link uplink communication between multi-link devices, and further, can support more efficient uplink and downlink service transmission between multi-link devices on high-frequency links.

[0136] In a possible implementation, method 300 may further include:

[0137] S340 , the multi-link device B sends a wireless frame 2 to the multi-link device A, where the wireless frame 2 is used to respond to the wireless frame 1 .

[0138] Correspondingly, multi-link device A receives wireless frame 2.

[0139] It should be noted that when wireless frame 1 is a probe request frame, wireless frame 2 is a probe response frame. When wireless frame 1 is an association request frame, wireless frame 2 is an association response frame. When wireless frame 1 is a beacon frame, multi-link device B does not need to send wireless frame 2 to multi-link device A.

[0140] Through the above technical solution, multi-link device A determines that multi-link device B has obtained the cross-link uplink capability supported by multi-link device A. In this way, the full interaction between multi-link devices on the cross-link uplink capability supported by the multi-link devices can be completed.

[0141] In method 300, the embodiment of the present application describes how multi-link device A and multi-link device B interact to determine whether multi-link device A supports cross-link uplink capability. After multi-link device A and multi-link device B complete the interaction to determine whether multi-link device A supports cross-link uplink capability, multi-link device A and multi-link device B still need to interact to determine whether to enable cross-link uplink capability of multi-link device A. For details, see Figures 5 to 7 The following description is made by taking the multi-link device A as a STA MLD and the multi-link device B as an AP MLD as an example.

[0142] It should be noted that the following content is described by taking link 1 enabling cross-link uplink capability as an example, but is not limited to this.

[0143] Figure 5 5 is an interactive flow chart of a multi-link communication method 500 according to an embodiment of the present application. The method 500 includes:

[0144] S510 : The STA MLD sends a radio frame 3 (eg, a second radio frame) to the AP MLD. The radio frame 3 is used to indicate whether the link 1 enables the cross-link uplink capability.

[0145] Correspondingly, AP MLD receives wireless frame 3.

[0146] S520 . The AP MLD sends a confirmation frame 1 (such as a first confirmation frame) to the STA MLD. The confirmation frame 1 is used to confirm the reception of the wireless frame 3 .

[0147] Accordingly, the STA MLD receives the confirmation frame 1 , and determines based on the confirmation frame 1 that the AP MLD has received the radio frame 3 .

[0148] It should be noted that the use of radio frame 3 to indicate whether link 1 enables the cross-link uplink capability is only a general reference, that is, radio frame 3 can also be used to indicate whether other links enable the cross-link uplink capability, and this is not limited.

[0149] Specifically, radio frame 3 may be the aforementioned cross-link uplink operation mode notification frame, which is used to enable / disable (or to indicate whether to enable) the cross-link uplink capability of link 1. For example, when the cross-link uplink capability of link 1 is in an enabled state, STA MLD may indicate through radio frame 3 that the cross-link uplink capability of link 1 is not enabled; when the cross-link uplink capability of link 1 is in a disabled state, STA MLD may indicate through radio frame 3 that the cross-link uplink capability of link 1 is enabled. STA MLD may also indicate through radio frame 3 whether to change the cross-link uplink capability parameters of link 1, for example, to change the value of the response protection delay field or the value of the cross-link uplink switching timeout field.

[0150] When STA MLD decides to switch the cross-link uplink capability enabling mode (i.e., switching from cross-link uplink capability disabled to cross-link uplink capability enabled, or switching from cross-link uplink capability enabled to cross-link uplink capability disabled) or modify the cross-link uplink capability parameters, a STA1 belonging to STA MLD can send radio frame 3 to AP1 associated with AP MLD after successfully competing for the channel. The structure of radio frame 3 can be seen in Figure 6 .

[0151] Figure 6 3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the wireless frame 3 of the embodiment of the present application. Figure 6As shown, the wireless frame 3 at least includes: a category field, a protected extreme high throughput action field, a dialog token field, and a cross link UL control field. The cross link UL control field includes: a cross link UL mode field, a response protection delay field, and a cross link UL protected link bitmap field.

[0152] Specifically, a value of 1 in the cross-link uplink mode domain indicates that the STA MLD enables the cross-link uplink function, and a value of 0 indicates that the STA MLD does not enable the cross-link uplink function. If the response protection delay of the STA MLD does not change, it is necessary to fill in a value that is exactly the same as the value of the latest update. The cross-link uplink protection link bitmap domain is a link bitmap, and the link corresponding to the position with a value of 1 is a protection link (that is, the uplink transmission coverage of the link is insufficient, and the BA frame required to reply to the downlink data of the link needs to be transmitted on other non-protected links), and links other than the protection link are called non-protected links. If at least one link is a protection link, the value of the cross-link uplink mode domain is 1; if all links are not protection links, the value of the cross-link uplink mode domain is 0. Among them, the embodiment of the present application does not limit the length of the cross-link uplink protection link bitmap domain, for example, it can be 16 bits or 8 bits.

[0153] If the non-protected link is flexible, an uplink field needs to be added to indicate which non-protected link the uplink confirmation frame uses. If multiple uplink confirmation frames are available, multiple uplink fields or bitmaps can also be used to indicate the non-protected link used by the uplink confirmation frame. For example, the protected link is a link in the 60 GHz frequency band, and the non-protected link can be a link in the 5 GHz frequency band.

[0154] In method 500, the time interval between the effective time of whether link 1 enables the cross-link uplink capability and the moment when the sending of confirmation frame 1 is completed is greater than or equal to the delay corresponding to the value of the aforementioned cross-link uplink switching timeout domain. The delay corresponding to the value of the aforementioned cross-link uplink switching timeout domain can also be referred to as the first delay.

[0155] A possible implementation method is that when STA MLD enables the cross-link uplink capability of link 1 through radio frame 3, the cross-link uplink capability of link 1 will be enabled after the first delay. When STA MLD does not enable the cross-link uplink capability of link 1 through radio frame 3, the cross-link uplink capability of link 1 will be shut down after the first delay. In summary, the effective time of whether the cross-link uplink capability of link 1 of STA MLD is enabled is after the first delay (may also include the first delay). The first delay can be predefined or carried in the indication information 1.

[0156] In a possible implementation, when STA MLD enables the cross-link uplink capability of link 1 through radio frame 3, the cross-link uplink capability of link 1 will be enabled after the confirmation frame 1 is sent. When STA MLD does not enable the cross-link uplink capability of link 1 through radio frame 3, the cross-link uplink capability of link 1 will be disabled after the confirmation frame 1 is sent. In summary, the effective time of whether the cross-link uplink capability of link 1 is enabled is after the confirmation frame 1 is sent.

[0157] Through the above solution, STA MLD and AP MLD can complete the interaction of whether to enable the cross-link uplink capability of link 1, thereby supporting cross-link uplink communication between multi-link devices. In this way, more efficient uplink and downlink service transmission between multi-link devices on high-frequency links can be supported.

[0158] It should be noted that the above content is described using link 1 to enable cross-link uplink capability as an example, that is, the uplink coverage capability of link 1 is weak, and STA MLD can send BA frames corresponding to downlink data frames transmitted on link 1 to AP MLD through other links (taking link 2 as an example).

[0159] Figure 7 700 is an interactive flow chart of a multi-link communication method 700 according to an embodiment of the present application. The method 700 includes:

[0160] S710 : The STA MLD sends a radio frame 3 to the AP MLD. The radio frame 3 is used to indicate whether the link 1 enables the cross-link uplink capability.

[0161] Correspondingly, AP MLD receives wireless frame 3.

[0162] For a detailed description, please refer to S510, which will not be repeated here.

[0163] S720 . The AP MLD sends a confirmation frame 1 to the STA MLD. The confirmation frame 1 is used to confirm the reception of the wireless frame 3 .

[0164] Accordingly, the STA MLD receives the confirmation frame 1 , and determines based on the confirmation frame 1 that the AP MLD has received the radio frame 3 .

[0165] Specifically, after receiving wireless frame 3, AP MLD waits for a short inter-frame space (SIFS) ( Figure 7 (not shown) replies with confirmation frame 2.

[0166] S730 . The AP MLD sends a radio frame 4 (eg, a third radio frame) to the STA MLD. The radio frame 4 indicates whether the link 1 enables the cross-link uplink capability.

[0167] Correspondingly, STA MLD receives radio frame 4.

[0168] Within the first delay after the AP MLD replies to the confirmation frame 2, the AP MLD sends the radio frame 4 to the STA MLD in a unicast address mode. The content of the cross-link uplink control field in the radio frame 4 is consistent with the content of the cross-link uplink control field in the radio frame 3.

[0169] S740 , the STA MLD sends a confirmation frame 2 (such as a second confirmation frame) to the AP MLD, where the confirmation frame 2 is used to confirm the reception of the wireless frame 4 .

[0170] Specifically, after receiving the wireless frame 4 sent by the AP MLD, the STA MLD waits for a SIFS to reply with the confirmation frame 2.

[0171] Through the above process, the effective time of whether the cross-link uplink capability of link 1 is enabled is after the sending of confirmation frame 2 is completed.

[0172] Through the above solution, STA MLD and AP MLD can complete the interaction of whether to enable the cross-link uplink capability of link 1, thereby supporting cross-link uplink communication between multi-link devices. In this way, the complete interaction between multi-link devices on whether to enable the cross-link uplink capability of multi-link devices can be completed.

[0173] In methods 500 to 700, the STA MLD and the AP MLD interact with each other on whether to enable the cross-link uplink capability of link 1. The STA MLD and the AP MLD may interact with each other on whether to enable the cross-link uplink capability of link 1 through any link, and this is not limited.

[0174] It should be noted that method 700 may be a further technical solution of method 500, that is, S710 may be S510, and S720 may be S520.

[0175] After the STA MLD and AP MLD complete the interaction to enable the cross-link uplink capability of link 1, the STA MLD and AP MLD can perform cross-link user data service transmission and cross-link control data service transmission. For details, see Figure 8-Figure 12 .

[0176] Figure 8 800 is an interactive flow diagram of a multi-link communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. The method 800 includes:

[0177] S810 . AP MLD sends data frame 1 to STA MLD through link 1 .

[0178] Correspondingly, STA MLD receives data frame 1 through link 1.

[0179] S820 . AP MLD sends a request frame 1 to STA MLD through link 2 .

[0180] Correspondingly, STA MLD receives request frame 1 through link 2. Request frame 1 is used to request to send confirmation frame 3 (such as the third confirmation frame), and confirmation frame 3 is used to confirm receiving data frame 1.

[0181] Specifically, the request frame 1 may be a block acknowledgement request (BA request, BAR) frame or an acknowledgement request frame. When the request frame 1 is a BAR frame, the acknowledgement frame 3 may be a BA frame; when the request frame 1 is an acknowledgement request frame, the acknowledgement frame 3 may be an ACK frame, which is not limited.

[0182] S830 : STA MLD sends confirmation frame 3 to AP MLD through link 2 .

[0183] Accordingly, AP MLD receives confirmation frame 3 via link 2.

[0184] Specifically, if the cross-link uplink capability of the STA MLD is enabled (i.e., the cross-link uplink mode field is set to 1), the regulations for downlink transmission are as follows:

[0185] AP MLD can send data frame 1 to the device working on the link belonging to STA MLD on any protection link (taking link 1 as an example). The transmission end time (or reception completion time) of data frame 1 is recorded as t DL .

[0186] After AP MLD sends data frame 1 on any protection link, it sends request frame 1 on a non-protection link (taking link 2 as an example) to explicitly request the device belonging to STA MLD working on the non-protection link to reply with confirmation frame 3. The starting time (or start time) of sending confirmation frame 3 is t3.

[0187] t 3- t DL ≥t pro .t pro Indicates the response protection delay time (it can also be the second delay, corresponding to the value of the response protection delay domain mentioned above). 3- t DL <t pro This means that the AP MLD cannot determine whether the media access control protocol data unit (MAC protocol data unit, MPDU) with the corresponding bit set to 0 in the confirmation frame 3 fed back before the second delay is a reception error or there is no time to transfer the cross-link information.

[0188] Specifically, when link 1 enables the cross-link uplink capability, through the above-mentioned technical solution, STA MLD and APMLD can transmit downlink data services on the high-frequency link, and transmit uplink feedback services on the low-frequency link. This can make full use of the large bandwidth capability of the high-frequency band and make downlink data transmission more reliable.

[0189] Through the above solution, user data can be transmitted across links between the STA MLD and the AP MLD.

[0190] Fig. 9 9 is a schematic diagram of an interaction flow of a method 900 for multi-link communication according to an embodiment of the present application. The method 900 includes:

[0191] S910 . AP MLD sends NDPA frame 1 to STA MLD through link 1 .

[0192] Correspondingly, STA MLD receives NDPA frame 1 through link 1.

[0193] Specifically, the NDPA frame 1 is used to specify the multi-link device (taking the above-mentioned STA MLD as an example) participating in this channel sounding and related parameters. The STA MLD participating in this channel sounding measures the NDP frame 1 and obtains the measurement result.

[0194] S920 . AP MLD sends NDP frame 1 to STA MLD through link 1 .

[0195] Correspondingly, STA MLD receives NDP frame 1 through link 1.

[0196] Optionally, S930 , the AP MLD sends the BFRP frame 1 to the STA MLD through the link 2 .

[0197] Correspondingly, STA MLD receives BFRP frame 1 through link 2, and determines to report BFR frame 1 to AP MLD based on BFRP frame 1. BFR frame 1 includes channel information of link 1, and the channel information of link 1 is obtained by STA MLD based on NDP frame 1. The channel information of link 1 may include channel state information (CSI) of link 1, etc.

[0198] S940 : STA MLD sends BFR frame 1 to AP MLD through link 2 .

[0199] Accordingly, AP MLD receives BFR frame 1 through link 2.

[0200] In the above scheme, STA MLD and AP MLD exchange NDPA frame 1 and NDP frame 1 through link 1, and AP MLD and STAMLD exchange BFRP frame 1 (optional) and BFR frame 1 through link 2. Accordingly, link 1 is the aforementioned protection link. Specifically, STA MLD and AP MLD can instruct STA MLD to report BFR frame 1 through link 2 through NDPA frame 1.

[0201] A possible implementation method, the embodiment of the present application supports modification of NDPA frame 1, see Fig.10 .

[0202] Fig.10 : is a schematic diagram of the structure of the NDPA frame 1 of the embodiment of the present application. Fig.10As shown in (a), NDPA frame 1 includes: frame control field, duration field, receiving address (RA), transmitting address (TA), sounding dialog token field, station information (STA information) field and frame check sequence (FCS) field. Among them, the station information field includes: 11-bit association identifier 11 (AID 11) field, partial bandwidth information field, cross link indication field, number of columns (N) field, and so on. c index) field, feedback type and Ng field, disambiguation field, and codebook size field.

[0203] Fig.10 In the structure shown in (a), a cross link indication field (which can be called indication information 3 (such as second indication information)) is newly added in the site information field. When the value of this field is 1, it indicates that STA MLD feeds back BFR frame 1 in other links, and STA MLD needs to select a non-uplink protection link (taking link 2 as an example) to reply BFR frame 1. When the value of this field is 0, it indicates that STA MLD replies to BFR frame in this link (taking link 1 as an example). Among them, the cross link indication field can include one bit, but is not limited to this.

[0204] Fig.10 The structure shown in (b) is Fig.10 The structure shown in (a) is similar to that shown in (a), but the difference between the two is: Fig.10 The site information field in the NDPA frame 1 shown in (b) includes a cross link ID field, and the link corresponding to the value of the cross link ID field is the link to which the STA MLD needs to report the BFR frame 1. This application supports the provision that when the link ID field value is 15, it indicates that the STA MLD replies to the BFR frame 1 on this link.

[0205] Depend on Fig.10From the description, it can be seen that NDPA frame 1 includes a detection dialogue token field, which is used to identify the channel detection process of link 1. The present application supports that the value of the detection dialogue token field in NDPA frame 1 can uniquely correspond to link 1. For example, the value of the detection dialogue token field is 0-10 corresponding to link 1, and the value is 11-20 corresponding to link 2. Then, it can be stipulated that when the value of the detection dialogue token field in NDPA1 is 0-10, the detection dialogue token value in NDPA frame 1 can uniquely correspond to link 1, and it can also correspond to other links if it cannot. Accordingly, when STA MLD determines that it cannot feedback BFR frame 1 on link 1, STA MLD can feedback BFR frame 1 on link 2, and the BFR frame 1 includes the detection dialogue token value included in NDPA frame 1. Accordingly, AP MLD determines that the BFR frame 1 reported by STA MLD through link 2 corresponds to NDPA frame 1. In this way, minor changes can be made to NDPA frame 1 and BRF frame 1.

[0206] It should be noted that when the detection dialogue token in NDPA frame 1 is changed, the embodiment of the present application supports APMLD not to send BFRP frame 1 to STA MLD. When AP MLD sends BFRP frame 1 to STA MLD, the embodiment of the present application supports APMLD to send BFRP frame 1 to STA MLD through link 2.

[0207] Specifically, when link 1 enables the cross-link uplink capability, through the above technical solution, the channel detection task can be better completed between AP MLD and STAMLD.

[0208] Depend on Fig.10 It can be seen that Fig.10 (a) and Fig.10 (b) respectively describes the structural diagrams of two types of NDPA frames 1. The above contents are only understood as examples and are not intended to be the final limitation.

[0209] Fig.11 1 is a schematic diagram of an interaction flow of a method 1100 for multi-link communication according to an embodiment of the present application. The method 1100 includes:

[0210] S1110 . AP MLD sends NDPA frame 2 to STA MLD through link 1 .

[0211] Correspondingly, STA MLD receives NDPA frame 2 through link 1.

[0212] S1120 . AP MLD sends NDP frame 2 to STA MLD through link 1 .

[0213] Correspondingly, STA MLD receives NDP frame 2 through link 1.

[0214] Specifically, the description of NDPA frame 2 and NDP frame 2 can be found in the previous text and will not be repeated here.

[0215] S1130 . AP MLD sends BFRP frame 2 to STA MLD through link 2 . BFRP frame 2 is used to instruct STA MLD to send BFR frame 2 on link 2 . BFR frame 2 includes channel information of link 1 . Channel information of link 1 is obtained by STA MLD based on NDP frame 2 .

[0216] Correspondingly, STA MLD receives BFRP frame 2 through link 2, and determines to report BFR frame 2 to AP MLD based on BFRP frame 2. For the description of BFR frame 2, reference may be made to the description of BFR frame 1, which will not be repeated here.

[0217] Specifically, this application supports modification of BFRP frame 2. For details, see Fig.12 .

[0218] Fig.12 Schematic diagram of the structure of BFRP frame 2 in the embodiment of the present application. Fig.12 As shown in (a), BFRP frame 2 includes: frame control field, duration field, receiving address field, sending address field, common information field, user information list field, padding field, and frame detection sequence field. The common information field includes: trigger frame type field, link ID present field, and trigger dependet common information field. The common information field based on the trigger frame type includes the link ID information field. When the link ID present field takes the value of 1, it indicates that the common information field based on the trigger frame type includes the link ID information field.

[0219] like Fig.12 As shown in (b), BFRP frame 2 includes: frame control field, duration field, receiving address field, sending address field, public information field, user information list field, padding field and frame detection sequence field. The user information list field includes: multiple user information fields. The user information field includes: 12-bit association identifier (AID12) field, link identifier existence field and trigger frame type based user information (trigger dependet user information) field. The user information field based on the trigger frame type includes the link identifier information field. When the link identifier existence field takes the value of 1, it indicates that the user information field based on the trigger frame type includes the link identifier information field.

[0220] like Fig.12 As shown in (c), BFRP frame 2 includes: a frame control field, a duration field, a receiving address field, a sending address field, a public information field, a user information list field, a padding field, and a frame detection sequence field. The common information fields include: trigger frame type field (which can take a value that is not currently taken, such as 9), length field, cascade indication field, carrier sense reequired field, bandwidth field, guard interval long training field (GI+LTF) field, multiple user multip input-muptip output LTF mode field, high efficiency (HE)-LTF symbol number field, low density parity check (LDPC) extra symbol segment field, AP TX power field, packet extension field, spatial reuse field, Doppler field, and HE SIG-A reserved field, etc. The user information list field includes: AID association identifier (AID 12) field, resource unit allocation field, coding type field, modulation and coding scheme (MCS) field, dual carrier modulation (DCM) field, spatial stream allocation field, target received signal strength indicator (RSSI) (target RSSI) field, and user information field based on trigger frame type. The user information field based on trigger frame type includes link information identifier field and feedback segment retransmission bitmap field.

[0221] like Fig.12As shown in (d), BFRP frame 2 includes: AID12 association identifier (AID 12) field, physical layer version identifier (PHY version identifier) ​​field, uplink bandwidth extension (UL bandwidth extension) field, extreme high throughput (EHT) spatial reuse 1 (EHT spatial reuse 1) field, EHT spatial reuse 2 (EHT spatial reuse 2) field, U-SIG disregard and valid (U-SIG disregard and validate) field, link identification information existence field and user information field based on trigger frame type. Among them, the user information field based on the trigger frame type includes the link identification information field.

[0222] exist Fig.12 (a)~ Fig.12 In the content described in (d), the BFR frame 2 sent by the STA MLD on link 2 corresponds to the link corresponding to the value of the link identification information field (taking link 1 as an example). The above link identification information field is used to instruct the STA MLD to send the BFR frame 2 on link 2.

[0223] Depend on Fig.12 It can be seen that Fig.12 (a) Fig.12 (b) Fig.12 (c) and Fig.12 (d) of FIG. 1 respectively describes the structural diagrams of four types of BFRP frames 2. The above contents are only understood as examples and are not intended to be the final limitation.

[0224] It should also be noted that the above Fig.12 (a)~ Fig.12 The frame structure shown in (d) is understood as an example only, and the embodiments of the present application support making corresponding modifications based on the above-mentioned structure to achieve the same purpose.

[0225] S1140 : STA MLD sends BFR frame 2 to AP MLD through link 2 .

[0226] Accordingly, AP MLD receives BFR frame 2 through link 2.

[0227] In the above scheme, AP MLD and STA MLD exchange NDPA frame 2 and NDP frame 2 through link 1, and AP MLD and STA MLD exchange BFRP frame 2 and BFR frame 2 through link 2. In this way, cross-link control data transmission between multi-link devices can be achieved.

[0228] It should be noted that BFRP frame 2 can be used to indicate that BFR frame 2 corresponding to link 1 is sent on link 2. Among them, the present application supports achieving the above purpose by changing the structure of BFRP frame 2; or, the present application also supports adding indication information 4 in BFRP frame 2, and indication information 4 is used to instruct STA MLD to send BFR frame 2 corresponding to link 1 on link 2. In summary, BFRP frame 2 is used to instruct STA MLD to send BFR frame 2 on link 2.

[0229] The present application also provides a multi-link communication method, which can be used to provide channel protection for data transmission between a multi-link device A and a multi-link device B. For details, see Fig.13 The following description is made by taking the multi-link device A as a STA MLD and the multi-link device B as an AP MLD as an example.

[0230] Fig.13 It is a schematic diagram of the interaction process of clear to send (CTS) and request to send (RTS) between multi-link devices in an embodiment of the present application. It should be noted that the AP MLD and the STA MLD can interact with each other to enable cross-link uplink capability of link 1 through the aforementioned method. In this way, the AP MLD and the STA MLD interact with RTS / CTS in link 1, as shown below.

[0231] like Fig.13 As shown in (a), when link 1 enables cross-link uplink capability, AP MLD interacts with STA MLD on link 1 through RTS1 / CTS1. The present application supports the assumption that AP MLD can receive CTS1 normally. For example, when APMLD sends RTS1 to STA MLD via link 1, it starts a timer, and the timing duration of the timer is 2SIFS+t CTS1 Among them, t CTS1 is the transmission duration of CTS1. After the timing duration arrives, AP MLD sends data frame 2 to STA MLD through link 1, sends BAR frame 2 through link 2, and receives BA frame 2 for confirming the reception of data frame 2 through link 2. In this way, channel protection for data transmission can be achieved.

[0232] like Fig.13As shown in (b), when link 1 enables cross-link uplink capability, AP MLD and STA MLD perform RTS / CTS interaction on link 1. Exemplarily, link 1 includes STA1 and STA2, STA1 does not enable or does not support cross-link uplink capability (that is, the uplink information sent by STA1 on link 1 can be received by AP MLD), STA2 enables cross-link uplink capability (that is, the uplink information sent by STA1 on link 1 cannot be received by AP MLD), AP MLD can perform RTS1 / CTS1 interaction with STA1 through link 1, for example, AP MLD sends RTS1 to STA1 through link 1, and STA1 sends CTS1 to AP MLD through link 1. Further, AP MLD sends data frame 2 to STA2 through link 1, and receives BA frame 2 through link 2. In this way, channel protection for data transmission can be achieved.

[0233] like Fig.13 As shown in (c), when link 1 enables cross-link uplink capability, AP MLD and STA MLD perform MU-RTS / CTS interaction on link 1. Exemplarily, AP MLD sends multi-user RTS1 (multipleuser RTS1, MU-RTS1) to STA MLD through link 1, which is used to instruct multiple STAs on link 1 (there is at least one STA among the multiple STAs that does not enable or support cross-link uplink capability) to reply to CTS1 at the same time. Exemplarily, AP MLD sends MU-RTS1 through link 1, and STA MLD replies to CTS1 through link 1. Further, AP MLD sends data frame 2 to STA MLD through link 1, AP MLD sends BAR frame 2 through link 2, and AP MLD receives BA frame 2 through link 2. In this way, channel protection for data transmission can be achieved.

[0234] In a possible implementation, the embodiment of the present application supports prohibiting the STA MLD from performing RTS / CTS interaction with the AP MLD on the protection link. Alternatively, the AP MLD sends a CTS-to-Self frame, which can also implement channel protection for data transmission.

[0235] Through the above content, the embodiment of the present application describes how to provide protection for data transmission between multi-link device A and multi-link device B.

[0236] The method embodiments of the present application are described above, and the corresponding device embodiments are introduced below.

[0237] Fig.141 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 1400 of an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1400 includes a processor 1401, a memory 1402 (optional), and a communication interface 1403. The processor 1401, the memory 1402, and the communication interface 1403 are interconnected via a bus 1404. The communication device 1400 may be a multi-link device A or a multi-link device B.

[0238] Specifically, the memory 1402 includes but is not limited to random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), or portable read only memory (CD-ROM), and the memory 1402 is used for related instructions and data.

[0239] The processor 1401 may be one or more central processing units (CPUs). When the processor 1401 is a CPU, the CPU may be a single-core CPU or a multi-core CPU.

[0240] Exemplarily, when the communication apparatus 1400 is a multi-link device A, the processor 1401 is configured to read the program code stored in the memory 1402 and perform the following operations: determining a radio frame 1, where the radio frame 1 includes indication information 1; and sending the radio frame 1.

[0241] Exemplarily, when the communication apparatus 1400 is a multi-link device B, the processor 1401 is used to read the program code stored in the memory 1402 and perform the following operations: receiving a wireless frame 1 from a multi-link device A, the wireless frame 1 including indication information 1; and determining, according to the indication information 1, that the multi-link device A supports cross-link capability.

[0242] It should be noted that Fig.14 The implementation of each operation in can also refer to Figure 3 to Figure 13 The corresponding description of the method embodiment shown in .

[0243] Fig.15 1 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 1500 of an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1500 is applied to a multi-link device A, and can also be applied to a multi-link device B, and can be used to implement the method involved in the above method embodiment. The communication device 1500 includes a transceiver unit 1501 and a processing unit 1502. The transceiver unit 1501 and the processing unit 1502 are introduced below.

[0244] Exemplarily, when the communication apparatus 1500 is a multi-link device A, the processing unit 1502 is used to determine a radio frame 1, where the radio frame 1 includes indication information 1; and the transceiver unit 1501 is used to send the radio frame 1 to the multi-link device B.

[0245] Exemplarily, when the communication apparatus 1500 is a multi-link device B, the transceiver unit 1501 is used to receive a radio frame 1 from a multi-link device A, where the radio frame 1 includes indication information 1; the processing unit 1502 is used to determine, according to the indication information 1, that the multi-link device A supports cross-link capability.

[0246] It should be noted that Fig.15 The implementation of each operation in can also refer to the corresponding description of the method shown in the above embodiment, which is only understood as an example.

[0247] Fig.16 1 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 1600 according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1600 may be an AP MLD or a chip. The communication device 1600 may be used to perform the above Figures 3 to 13 The operations performed by the AP MLD in the method embodiment are shown.

[0248] When the communication device 1600 is an AP MLD, for example, it is a base station. Fig.16 A simplified schematic diagram of the base station structure is shown. The base station includes module 1610, module 1620 and module 1630. Module 1610 is mainly used for baseband processing, controlling the base station, etc.; module 1610 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 1620 is mainly used to store computer program code and data. Module 1630 is mainly used for receiving and transmitting radio frequency signals and converting radio frequency signals into baseband signals; module 1630 can generally be referred to as a transceiver module, a transceiver, a transceiver circuit, or a transceiver, etc. The transceiver module of module 1630, which can also be referred to as a transceiver or a transceiver, etc., includes an antenna 1633 and a radio frequency circuit ( Fig.16 Not shown), wherein the RF circuit is mainly used for RF processing. Optionally, the device for implementing the receiving function in module 1630 can be regarded as a receiver, and the device for implementing the sending function can be regarded as a transmitter, that is, module 1630 includes a receiver 1632 and a transmitter 1631. 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.

[0249] Module 1610 and module 1620 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.

[0250] For example, in one implementation, the transceiver module of module 1630 is used to perform Figures 3 to 13 The processor of module 1610 is used to execute the sending and receiving related processes performed by the AP MLD in the embodiment shown. Figures 3 to 13 The illustrated embodiment relates to the processing performed by the APMLD.

[0251] In another implementation, the processor of module 1610 is used to execute Figures 3 to 13 The illustrated embodiment is a process related to the processing performed by the communication device.

[0252] In another implementation, the transceiver module of module 1630 is used to execute Figures 3 to 13 The illustrated embodiment shows a process related to transmission and reception performed by a communication device.

[0253] It should be understood that Fig.16 This is only an example and not a limitation. The network device including the processor, memory and transceiver may not rely on Figure 14 to Figure 15 The structure shown.

[0254] When the communication device 1600 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.

[0255] Fig.17 1 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 1700 of an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1700 may be a STA MLD, a processor of a STA MLD, or a chip. The communication device 1700 may be used to execute the operations executed by the STA MLD or the communication device in the above method embodiment.

[0256] When the communication device 1700 is a STA MLD, the STA MLD is a terminal device, Fig.10 FIG. 1 shows a simplified schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal device. Fig.17As shown, the terminal device includes a processor 1710, a memory 1720, and a transceiver 1730. The memory 1720 can store computer program codes, and the transceiver 1730 includes a transmitter 1731, a receiver 1732, a radio frequency circuit ( Fig.17 Not shown), antenna 1733 and input / output device ( Fig.17 not shown).

[0257] The processor 1710 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 1720 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 1733 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.

[0258] 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.17 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.

[0259] 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.

[0260] like Fig.17 As shown, the terminal device includes a processor 1710, a memory 1720 and a transceiver 1730. The processor 1710 may also be referred to as a processing unit, a processing board, a processing module, a processing device, etc., and the transceiver 1730 may also be referred to as a transceiver unit, a transceiver, a transceiver device, etc.

[0261] Optionally, the device for implementing the receiving function in the transceiver 1730 may be regarded as a receiving module, and the device for implementing the transmitting function in the transceiver 1730 may be regarded as a transmitting module, that is, the transceiver 1730 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.

[0262] For example, in one implementation, the processor 1710 is used to execute Figures 3 to 13 In the embodiment shown, the processing action of STAMLD is performed by the transceiver 1730. Figures 3 to 13 The sending and receiving actions of STA MLD.

[0263] For example, in one implementation, the processor 1710 is used to execute Figures 3 to 13 In the embodiment shown, the processing action of STAMLD is performed by the transceiver 1730. Figures 3 to 13 The sending and receiving actions of STA MLD.

[0264] It should be understood that Fig.17 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 14 to Figure 15 The structure shown.

[0265] When the communication device 1700 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.

[0266] 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.

[0267] 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.

[0268] 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.

[0269] 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.

[0270] 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.

[0271] 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.

[0272] 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.

[0273] 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.

[0274] 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.

[0275] 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.

[0276] 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.

[0277] 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.

[0278] 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.

[0279] 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.

[0280] 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.

[0281] 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.

[0282] 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.

[0283] The above are only specific implementations of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any technician familiar with the 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 multi-link communication method, characterized in that: include: A first multi-link device generates a first radio frame, the first radio frame includes first indication information, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first multi-link device supports cross-link capability, the cross-link capability is the ability of the first multi-link device to confirm, on a second link, service transmission between the first multi-link device and a second multi-link device on a first link; The first multi-link device sends the first radio frame to the second multi-link device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first multi-link device sends a second radio frame to the second multi-link device, where the second radio frame is used to indicate whether the first link enables the cross-link capability; The first multi-link device receives a first confirmation frame sent by the second multi-link device, where the first confirmation frame is used to confirm receipt of the second radio frame.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first multi-link device receives a third radio frame sent by the second multi-link device, where the third radio frame is used to indicate whether the first link enables the cross-link capability; The first multi-link device sends a second confirmation frame to the second multi-link device, where the second confirmation frame is used to confirm receipt of the third radio frame.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The second radio frame is used to indicate that the first link enables the cross-link capability, and the method further includes: The first multi-link device receives a data frame sent by the second multi-link device through the first link; The first multi-link device receives a request frame sent by the second multi-link device through the second link, wherein the request frame is used to request the first multi-link device to send a third confirmation frame on the second link, and the third confirmation frame is used to confirm reception of the data frame; The first multi-link device sends the third confirmation frame to the second multi-link device through the second link.

5. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The second radio frame is used to indicate that the first link enables the cross-link capability, and the method further includes: The first multi-link device receives, through the first link, a null data physical layer protocol data unit declaration NDPA frame sent by the second multi-link device, the NDPA frame including second indication information, the second indication information being used to instruct the first multi-link device to send a beam training report BFR frame on a non-first link, the BFR frame including channel information of the first link, the channel information of the first link being obtained by the first multi-link device based on a null data physical layer protocol data unit NDP frame; The first multi-link device receives the NDP frame sent by the second multi-link device through the first link; The first multi-link device sends the BFR frame to the second multi-link device through the second link.

6. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The second radio frame is used to indicate that the first link enables the cross-link capability, and the method further includes: The first multi-link device receives, through the first link, a null data physical layer protocol data unit declaration NDPA frame sent by the second multi-link device, the NDPA frame including identification information of the second link, the identification information of the second link being used to instruct the first multi-link device to send a beam training report BFR frame on the second link, the BFR frame including channel information of the first link, the channel information of the first link being obtained by the first multi-link device based on a null data physical layer protocol data unit NDP frame; The first multi-link device receives the NDP frame sent by the second multi-link device through the first link; The first multi-link device sends the BFR frame to the second multi-link device through the second link.

7. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The second radio frame is used to indicate that the first link enables the cross-link capability, and the method further includes: The first multi-link device receives, through the first link, a null data physical layer protocol data unit declaration NDPA frame sent by the second multi-link device; The first multi-link device receives, through the first link, a null data physical layer protocol data unit (NDP) frame sent by the second multi-link device; The first multi-link device receives, through the second link, a beam training report inquiry triggering BFRP frame sent by the second multi-link device, where the BFRP frame is used to instruct the first multi-link device to send a beam training report BFR frame on the second link, where the BFR frame includes channel information of the first link, where the channel information of the first link is obtained by the first multi-link device based on the NDP frame; The first multi-link device sends the BFR frame to the second multi-link device through the second link.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The BFRP frame includes identification information of the first link, where the identification information of the first link is used to instruct the first multi-link device to send the BFR frame on the second link.

9. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The second radio frame is used to indicate that the first link enables the cross-link capability, and the method further includes: The first multi-link device receives, through the first link, a null data physical layer protocol data unit declaration NDPA frame sent by the second multi-link device, the NDPA frame including a detection dialogue token value, and the detection dialogue token value uniquely corresponds to the first link; The first multi-link device receives, through the first link, a null data physical layer protocol data unit (NDP) frame sent by the second multi-link device; The first multi-link device sends a beam training report BFR frame to the second multi-link device through the second link, the BFR frame includes the detection dialogue token value, the BFR frame includes channel information of the first link, and the channel information of the first link is obtained by the first multi-link device based on the NDP frame.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first multi-link device receives a fourth radio frame sent by the second multi-link device, where the fourth radio frame is used to respond to the first radio frame.

11. A multi-link communication method, characterized in that: include: The second multi-link device receives a first radio frame sent by the first multi-link device, where the first radio frame includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the first multi-link device supports cross-link capability, where the cross-link capability is a capability of the first multi-link device to confirm, on a second link, service transmission between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device on a first link; The second multi-link device determines, according to the first indication information, that the first multi-link device supports the cross-link capability.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The method further comprises: The second multi-link device receives a second radio frame sent by the first multi-link device, where the second radio frame is used to indicate whether the first link enables the cross-link capability; The second multi-link device sends a first confirmation frame to the first multi-link device, where the first confirmation frame is used to confirm receipt of the second radio frame.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The method further comprises: The second multi-link device sends a third radio frame to the first multi-link device, where the third radio frame is used to indicate whether the first link enables the cross-link capability; The second multi-link device receives a second confirmation frame sent by the first multi-link device, where the second confirmation frame is used to confirm reception of the third radio frame.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that The second radio frame is used to indicate that the first link enables the cross-link capability, and the method further includes: The second multi-link device sends a data frame to the first multi-link device through the first link; The second multi-link device sends a request frame to the first multi-link device through the second link, wherein the request frame is used to request the first multi-link device to send a third confirmation frame on the second link, and the third confirmation frame is used to confirm receipt of the data frame; The second multi-link device receives the third confirmation frame sent by the first multi-link device through the second link.

15. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that The second radio frame is used to indicate that the first link enables the cross-link capability, and the method further includes: The second multi-link device sends a Null Data Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit Declaration NDPA frame to the first multi-link device through the first link, the NDPA frame includes second indication information, the second indication information is used to instruct the first multi-link device to send a Beam Training Report BFR frame on a non-first link, the BFR frame includes channel information of the first link, and the channel information of the first link is obtained by the first multi-link device based on a Null Data Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit NDP frame; The second multi-link device sends the NDP frame to the first multi-link device through the first link; The second multi-link device receives the BFR frame sent by the second multi-link device through the second link.

16. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that The second radio frame is used to indicate that the first link enables the cross-link capability, and the method further includes: The second multi-link device sends a Null Data Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit Declaration NDPA frame to the first multi-link device through the first link, the NDPA frame includes identification information of the second link, the identification information of the second link is used to instruct the first multi-link device to send a Beam Training Report BFR frame on the second link, the BFR frame includes channel information of the first link, and the channel information of the first link is obtained by the first multi-link device based on the Null Data Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit NDP frame; The second multi-link device sends the NDP frame to the first multi-link device through the first link; The second multi-link device receives the BFR frame sent by the first multi-link device through the first link.

17. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that The second radio frame is used to indicate that the first link enables the cross-link capability, and the method further includes: The second multi-link device sends a null data physical layer protocol data unit declaration NDPA frame to the first multi-link device through the first link; The second multi-link device sends a Null Data Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (NDP) frame to the first multi-link device through the first link; The second multi-link device sends a beam training report inquiry triggering BFRP frame to the first multi-link device through the second link, where the BFRP frame is used to instruct the first multi-link device to send a beam training report BFR frame on the second link, where the BFR frame includes channel information of the first link, where the channel information of the first link is obtained by the first multi-link device based on the NDP frame; The second multi-link device receives the BFR frame sent by the first multi-link device through the second link.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The BFRP frame includes identification information of the first link, where the identification information of the first link is used to instruct the first multi-link device to send the BFR frame on the second link.

19. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that: The second radio frame is used to indicate that the first link enables the cross-link capability, and the method further includes: The second multi-link device sends a null data physical layer protocol data unit declaration NDPA frame to the first multi-link device through the first link, the NDPA frame including a detection dialogue token value, and the detection dialogue token value uniquely corresponds to the first link; The second multi-link device sends a Null Data Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (NDP) frame to the first multi-link device through the first link; The second multi-link device receives a beam training report BFR frame sent by the first multi-link device through the second link, the BFR frame including the detection dialogue token value, the BFR frame including channel information of the first link, and the channel information of the first link is obtained by the first multi-link device based on the NDP frame.

20. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 19, characterized in that The method further comprises: The second multi-link device sends a fourth radio frame to the first multi-link device, where the fourth radio frame is used to respond to the first radio frame.

21. A communication device, characterized in that: comprising a processor, the processor being configured to: The communication device executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 20 by executing a computer program or an instruction, or by a logic circuit.

22. The communication device according to claim 21, characterized in that The communication device further comprises a memory for storing the computer program or instructions.

23. The communication device according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that: The communication device further comprises a communication interface, and the communication interface is used for inputting and / or outputting signals.

24. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises a logic circuit and an input / output interface, wherein the input / output interface is used to input and / or output signals, and the logic circuit is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 20.

25. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, and when the computer program or instructions are executed on a computer, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 20 is executed.

26. A computer program product, characterized in that The invention comprises instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enable the method according to any one of claims 1 to 20 to be executed.

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