Information transmission method and device

Abstract

The invention provides an information transmission method and device, aims to avoid BSS transfer of multi-link site equipment with multiple links in a link de-enabling scene, and relates to the technical field of wireless communication. In the method, a multi-link site device can receive a BTM request frame, the BTM request frame comprises first information, and the first information is used for indicating that BSS transfer is not performed. The multi-link site device may respond to the BTM request frame, ignore the BTM request frame, or perform a link de-enable operation. Based on the above scheme, the multi-link site device with multiple links established can determine not to perform BSS transfer based on the first information according to the BTM request frame broadcasted for link de-enabling at the AP, so that the multi-link site device can be prevented from performing BSS transfer mistakenly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and in particular to an information transmission method and device. Background Art

[0002] Currently, in the link disabling scenario, the access point (AP) multi-link device (MLD) can indicate that a link is disabled at a certain time by carrying a service identifier to link mapping element in the beacon frame. The disabled link cannot be used for any transmission. However, since the legacy station (STA) has only one link, link disabling is not supported. Therefore, before link disabling, the legacy STA must perform BSS transfer. To this end, the AP MLD needs to broadcast a basic service set transition management (BTM) request frame on the corresponding link to instruct the legacy STA to perform BSS transfer.

[0003] However, the multi-link station device (non-AP MLD) on the corresponding link will also receive the BTM request frame broadcast by the AP MLD, and thus perform BSS transfer. However, if the multi-link station device has established multiple links, BSS transfer is not required. The BSS corresponding to the disabled link will be suspended. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present application provides an information transmission method and apparatus, so as to establish a multi-link site device with multiple links without performing BSS transfer in a link disabling scenario.

[0005] In a first aspect, an information transmission method is provided. The method may be performed by a multi-link site device, or by a chip / chip system. The multi-link site device involved in the present application may be a site device with multiple links established. In the method, a BTM request frame is received, the BTM request frame includes first information, and the first information is used to indicate that a BSS transfer is not to be performed. In response to the BTM request frame, the BSS transfer request corresponding to the BTM request frame is ignored or a link disabling operation is performed.

[0006] Based on the above solution, in the BTM request frame broadcast by the AP for link disabling, the multi-link station device can determine not to perform BSS transfer based on the first information, thereby preventing the multi-link station device from erroneously performing BSS transfer.

[0007] In a possible implementation, after ignoring the BTM request frame, a service identifier to link mapping element is received. Based on the service identifier to link mapping element, a link disabling operation is performed. Based on the above scheme, since the BTM request frame is broadcast and sent for link disabling, the multi-link site device can ignore the BTM request frame and receive the service identifier to link mapping element to perform the link disabling operation.

[0008] In one possible implementation, a service identifier to link mapping element is received, the service identifier to link mapping element includes an association relationship between a service identifier and a link mapping, and the first link in the association relationship is not associated with any service. Based on the above solution, when performing a link disabling operation, the multi-link site device can perform the link disabling operation based on the service identifier to link mapping element.

[0009] In a possible implementation, at the time indicated by the BSS termination time contained in the BTM request frame, the BSS corresponding to the link where the BTM request frame is located is terminated. Based on the above scheme, the multi-link site device can obtain the information required for link disabling based on the BTM request frame, thereby performing the link disabling operation without receiving the beacon frame and parsing the service identifier carried in the beacon frame to the link mapping element, thereby meeting the information self-contained requirement.

[0010] In a possible implementation, the BTM request frame also includes a termination duration, which is used to indicate the duration of terminating the BSS. Based on the above solution, the multi-link site device can determine the duration of terminating the BSS based on the BTM request frame without receiving the beacon frame and parsing the service identifier to link mapping element carried in the beacon frame, thereby meeting the information self-contained requirement.

[0011] In a possible implementation, the disassociation frames broadcast on the link are ignored. For example, the disassociation frames broadcast on the link within the target beacon transform time (TBTT) time range indicated by the disassociation time indicated by the BTM request frame are ignored.

[0012] Based on the above scheme, the AP may send a disassociation frame to disassociate the traditional AP on the link. Since the multi-link site device can perform link disabling operations based on the BTM request frame, the multi-link site device may also receive the disassociation frame and be erroneously disassociated. Therefore, ignoring the disassociation frame broadcast on the link can prevent the multi-link site device from being erroneously disassociated.

[0013] In a second aspect, an information transmission method is provided. The method may be performed by a multi-link site device, or a chip / chip system. In the method, a BTM request frame is received, the BTM request frame includes second information, and the second information is used to indicate link removal. At the time indicated by the BSS termination time included in the BTM request frame, the BSS corresponding to the BTM request frame is terminated.

[0014] Based on the above scheme, the multi-link site device can obtain the information required for link removal based on the BTM request frame, thereby performing the link removal operation without receiving the beacon frame and parsing the multi-link reconfiguration elements carried in the beacon frame, meeting the information self-contained requirement.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the disassociation frame broadcast on the link is ignored. For example, the disassociation frame broadcast on the link within the TBTT time range indicated by the disassociation time included in the BTM request frame is ignored.

[0016] Based on the above scheme, the AP may send a disassociation frame to disassociate the traditional AP on the link. Since the multi-link site device can perform link disabling operations based on the BTM request frame, the multi-link site device may also receive the disassociation frame and be erroneously disassociated. Therefore, it is necessary to ignore the disassociation frame broadcast on the link to avoid the multi-link site device from being erroneously disassociated.

[0017] In a third aspect, an information transmission method is provided. The method can be performed by a multi-link site device, or a chip / chip system. In the method, a BTM request frame is received, and the BTM request frame includes third information. The third information indicates BSS transfer, and BSS transfer is performed. Alternatively, the third information indicates link removal, and a link removal operation is performed. Alternatively, the third information indicates link disabling, and a link disabling operation is performed. Alternatively, the third information indicates link disabling, and the BTM request frame is ignored.

[0018] Based on the above scheme, the third information can jointly indicate the link disabling operation, link removal operation or BSS transfer operation, so that an extra reserved value can be used for other operations in the subsequent evolution process, avoiding the frequent addition of new fields in the BTM request frame during the evolution process.

[0019] In a possible implementation manner, the method of executing link disabling may be implemented with reference to the first aspect.

[0020] In a possible implementation manner, the method of performing link removal may be implemented with reference to the second aspect.

[0021] In a possible implementation manner, after ignoring the BTM request frame, a link disabling operation may be performed with reference to the implementation manner of the first aspect.

[0022] In a fourth aspect, an information transmission method is provided. The method may be performed by an AP, or by a chip / chip system. In the method, a BTM request frame is sent, the BTM request frame includes first information, and the first information is used to indicate that a BSS transfer is not performed. The first information is used by a multi-link site device to perform a link disabling operation.

[0023] In a possible implementation, a service identifier is sent to a link mapping element, where the service identifier to link mapping element includes a mapping relationship between a service identifier and a link, and the first link in the association relationship is not associated with any service.

[0024] In a possible implementation manner, the BTM request frame includes a BSS termination time, and the BSS termination time indicates a termination time of a corresponding BSS.

[0025] In a possible implementation manner, the BTM request frame further includes a termination duration, where the termination duration is used to indicate a duration for terminating the BSS.

[0026] In a fifth aspect, an information transmission method is provided. The method may be executed by an AP, or by a chip / chip system. In the method, a BTM request frame is sent, and the BTM request frame includes third information. The third information indicates a BSS transfer. Alternatively, the third information indicates a link removal. Alternatively, the third information indicates link disabling.

[0027] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processing unit and a transceiver unit;

[0028] The transceiver unit is used to receive a BTM request frame, the BTM request frame includes first information, and the first information is used to indicate that the BSS transfer is not to be performed. The processing unit is used to respond to the BTM request frame, ignore the BTM request frame or perform a link disabling operation.

[0029] In a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a service identifier-to-link mapping element. The processing unit is further configured to perform a link disabling operation based on the service identifier-to-link mapping element.

[0030] In a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a service identifier to link mapping element, where the service identifier to link mapping element includes an association relationship between a service and a link, wherein the first link in the association relationship is not associated with any service.

[0031] In a possible implementation manner, the processing unit is specifically configured to terminate the BSS corresponding to the BTM request frame at a time indicated by the BSS termination time contained in the BTM request frame.

[0032] In a possible implementation manner, the BTM request frame further includes a termination duration, where the termination duration is used to indicate a duration for terminating the BSS.

[0033] In a possible implementation, the processing unit is further configured to ignore the disassociation frame broadcast on the link, for example, ignore the disassociation frame broadcast on the link within the TBTT time range indicated by the disassociation time indicated by the BTM request frame.

[0034] In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processing unit and a transceiver unit.

[0035] The transceiver unit is used to receive a BTM request frame, the BTM request frame includes second information, and the second information is used to indicate link removal. The processing unit is used to terminate the BSS corresponding to the BTM request frame at the time indicated by the BSS termination time included in the BTM request frame.

[0036] In a possible implementation, the processing unit is further configured to ignore the disassociation frame broadcast on the link, for example, ignore the disassociation frame broadcast on the link within the time range indicated by the disassociation time included in the BTM request frame.

[0037] In an eighth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processing unit and a transceiver unit.

[0038] The transceiver unit is used to receive a BTM request frame, wherein the BTM request frame includes third information. The third information indicates BSS transfer, and the processing unit is used to perform BSS transfer. Alternatively, the third information indicates link removal, and the processing unit is used to perform a link removal operation. Alternatively, the third information indicates link disabling, and the processing unit is used to perform a link disabling operation. Alternatively, the third information indicates link disabling, and the processing unit is used to ignore the BTM request frame.

[0039] In a possible implementation manner, the method of executing link disabling may be implemented with reference to the first aspect.

[0040] In a possible implementation manner, the method of performing link removal may be implemented with reference to the second aspect.

[0041] In a possible implementation manner, after ignoring the BTM request frame, a link disabling operation may be performed with reference to the implementation manner of the first aspect.

[0042] In a ninth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processing unit and a transceiver unit.

[0043] The processing unit is used to generate a BTM request frame. The transceiver unit is used to send the BTM request frame, the BTM request frame includes first information, and the first information is used to indicate that the BSS transfer is not performed. The first information is used for the multi-link site device to perform a link disabling operation.

[0044] In a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to send a service identifier to a link mapping element, where the service identifier to a link mapping element includes an association relationship between a service and a link, and the first link in the association relationship is not associated with any service.

[0045] In a possible implementation manner, the BTM request frame includes a BSS termination time, and the BSS termination time indicates a time when the multi-link site device terminates the BSS corresponding to the BTM request frame.

[0046] In a possible implementation manner, the BTM request frame further includes a termination duration, where the termination duration is used to indicate a duration for terminating the BSS.

[0047] In a tenth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processing unit and a transceiver unit.

[0048] The processing unit is used to generate a BTM request frame. The transceiver unit is used to send the BTM request frame, wherein the BTM request frame includes third information. The third information indicates BSS transfer. Alternatively, the third information indicates link removal. Alternatively, the third information indicates link disabling.

[0049] In the eleventh aspect, a communication device is provided, which may be a communication device in any possible implementation of the sixth aspect to the tenth aspect in the above-mentioned embodiments, or a chip arranged in a communication device in any aspect of the sixth aspect to the tenth aspect. The communication device includes a communication interface and a processor, and optionally, also includes a memory. The memory is used to store computer programs or instructions or data, and the processor is coupled to the memory and the communication interface. When the processor reads the computer program or instructions or data, the communication device executes the method executed by the communication device in any possible implementation of the first aspect to the ninth aspect.

[0050] It should be understood that the communication interface can be implemented by an antenna, a feeder, a codec, etc. in the communication device, or, if the communication device is a chip provided in the communication device, the communication interface can be an input / output interface of the chip, such as an input / output pin, etc. The communication device may also include a transceiver for the communication device to communicate with other devices.

[0051] In a twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip system, which includes a processor and may also include a memory, for implementing a method performed by a communication device in any possible implementation of the first to ninth aspects. In one possible implementation, the chip system also includes a memory for storing program instructions and / or data. The chip system may be composed of a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0052] In a thirteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions, which, when executed, implements the methods performed by the multi-link site device and the AP in the above aspects.

[0053] In a fourteenth aspect, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product comprising: computer program code or instructions, when the computer program code or instructions are executed, the methods performed by the multi-link site device and the AP in the above aspects are executed.

[0054] In a fifteenth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a unit or module for executing the above-mentioned methods.

[0055] In a sixteenth aspect, a chip system is provided, comprising a logic circuit and an input / output interface. The logic circuit is used to execute the method executed by the multi-link station device and the AP. The input / output interface is used to communicate with other devices.

[0056] In a seventeenth aspect, a system is provided, comprising at least one multi-link site device that executes the method described in any possible implementation of the above aspects and at least one AP that executes the method described in any possible implementation of the above aspects.

[0057] The beneficial effects of the above-mentioned fourth to seventeenth aspects and their implementation methods can refer to the description of the beneficial effects of the methods of the first to third aspects and their implementation methods. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0058] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a MLD MAC address;

[0059] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0060] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the format of a multi-link reconfiguration element provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0061] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a BTM process provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0062] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the format of a BTM request frame provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0063] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the format of a BSS termination duration sub-element provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0064] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the format of a BTM response frame provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0065] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the format of a service identifier to link mapping element provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0066] Fig. 9 An exemplary flow chart of an information transmission method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0067] Fig.10 A schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0068] Fig.11 A schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0069] Fig.12 A schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0070] Fig.13 A schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0071] In order to facilitate the description of the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application, the technical terms involved in the embodiments of the present application are explained and illustrated below.

[0072] 1) Multi-link device (MLD) refers to a device that has multiple RF blocks, each working on a different frequency band / channel. When the channel spacing between two RF modules in a device is large enough, they can operate independently without interfering with each other. If any two links can support sending on one link while receiving on the other link, we call the two links supporting simultaneous transmission and reception (STR) capability, otherwise the two links are called Non-STR. In addition to each link having its own media access and control (MAC) address, each AP MLD also has an MLD MAC address, such as Figure 1 shown.

[0073] 2) Basic service set (BSS) is the basic component of the network, which is used to describe a group of mobile devices that communicate with each other. There are two types of basic service sets: one is an independent basic service set (IBSS), which is a temporary network composed of a few workstations for a specific purpose. Because it does not last long, is very small in scale and has a special purpose, it is sometimes called an ad hoc BSS or ad hoc network. In an IBSS, workstations can communicate directly with each other, but the distance between them must be within the range for direct communication. The other is an infrastructure basic service set (Infrastructure BSS), which includes an AP and several mobile stations. Each basic service set has a unique identifier, called a basic service set identifier (BSS identifier, BSSID).

[0074] 3) Link removal: AP MLD can indicate that the affiliated AP on a link is completely removed at a given time, the corresponding BSS is shut down, and the relevant information of the link, such as capability information and operating parameters, is completely deleted.

[0075] 4) Link disabling: AP MLD can carry a task identifier to link mapping element (TID-to-link Mapping element) in the beacon frame to indicate that a link is disabled at a given time, that is, the link cannot be used for any transmission, but the relevant information of the link is retained. After disabling a link, AP MLD can re-enable the link and use it for transmission immediately without re-establishing the link or negotiating related parameters. In one case, when there is no task identifier (TID) mapped to a link, the link is said to be disabled.

[0076] The technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present application is described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0077] The embodiments of the present application may be applicable to WLAN scenarios, for example, to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 system standards, such as 802.11a / b / g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax standards, or their next generations, such as 802.11be standards, Wi-Fi 7 or extremely high throughput (EHT), 802.11ad, 802.11ay, 802.11bf, and the next generation of 802.11be, such as Wi-Fi 8 or the next generation standard. Alternatively, the embodiments of the present application may also be applicable to wireless local area network systems such as the Internet of Things (IoT) network or the Vehicle to X (V2X) network. Of course, the embodiments of the present application can also be applied to other possible communication systems, such as 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, 5G communication system, and future 6G communication system.

[0078] The following takes the scenario in which the embodiment of the present application can be applied to WLAN as an example. It should be understood that WLAN started from the 802.11a / g standard, and went through 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax and the 802.11be that is being discussed now. Among them, 802.11n can also be called high throughput (HT); 802.11ac can also be called very high throughput (VHT); 802.11ax can also be called high efficiency (HE) or Wi-Fi 6; 802.11be can also be called EHT or Wi-Fi 7, and the standards before HT, such as 802.11a / b / g, etc. can be collectively referred to as non-high throughput (Non-HT).

[0079] See also Figure 2 , shows a network architecture diagram of a WLAN applicable to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 2Take the example of a WLAN including one wireless access point (AP) and two stations (STA). These two stations may include a multi-link station device (non-AP MLD). The STA associated with the AP can receive wireless frames sent by the AP and can also send wireless frames to the AP. In addition, the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to communication between APs. For example, each AP can communicate with each other through a distributed system (DS). The embodiments of the present application are also applicable to communication between STAs. It should be understood that Figure 2 The number of APs and STAs is just an example and can be more or less.

[0080] Among them, the access point can be an access point for terminal devices (such as mobile phones) to enter the wired (or wireless) network. It is mainly deployed in homes, buildings and parks, with a typical coverage radius of tens of meters to hundreds of meters. Of course, it can also be deployed outdoors. The access point is equivalent to a bridge connecting the wired network and the wireless network. Its main function is to connect various wireless network clients together and then connect the wireless network to the Ethernet. Specifically, the access point can be a terminal device (such as a mobile phone) or a network device (such as a router) with a Wi-Fi chip, or a wireless communication chip, wireless sensor or wireless communication terminal with access point function. The access point can be a device that supports the 802.11be standard. The access point can also be a device that supports multiple wireless local area networks (WLAN) standards of the 802.11 family, such as 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11ad, 802.11ay, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a and 802.11be next generation.

[0081] 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 multiple wireless local area networks (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.

[0082] 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.

[0083] The AP and STA involved in the embodiments of the present application may be AP and STA applicable to the IEEE 802.11 system standard. AP is a device deployed in a wireless communication network to provide wireless communication functions for its associated STA. The AP can be used as the hub of the communication system, and is usually a network-side product that supports the MAC and PHY of the 802.11 system standard. For example, it may be a base station, a router, a gateway, a repeater, a communication server, a switch or a bridge and other communication equipment, wherein the base station may include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, etc. Here, for the convenience of description, the above-mentioned devices are collectively referred to as AP. STA is usually a terminal product that supports the media access control (MAC) and physical layer (PHY) of the 802.11 system standard, such as a mobile phone, a laptop computer, etc.

[0084] Currently, MLD has multiple communication links and can transmit data on multiple links. MLD also supports link removal, and the removed link is not used for any transmission. For example, the AP on a link can broadcast a multi-link reconfiguration element (Reconfiguration Multi-link element) in a beacon frame to indicate the removal of the link.

[0085] See also Figure 3, the multi-link reconfiguration element may include at least one of the following fields: element ID, length, element ID extension, multi-link control, common information length, MLD MAC address, single STA configuration. Exemplarily, the multi-link control field includes type, presence bitmap and reservation. Exemplarily, the single STA configuration includes sub-element ID, length, STA control (STAcontrol) and STA information (STA info). Among them, the STA control field may include link ID, complete profile, STA MAC address present (STA MAC address present), AP removal timer present (AP removal timer present), operation parameters present (operation parameters present) and reservation. The STA information field includes STA information length, STA MAC address, AP removal timer and operation parameter subfields.

[0086] The link removal operation mainly involves the following two fields:

[0087] 1. The AP Removal Timer Present subfield is used to indicate whether the AP Removal Timer field appears.

[0088] 2. The AP Removal Timer subfield is used to indicate the number of target beacon transform times (TBTT) after which the AP is removed.

[0089] Through the AP removal timer subfield, the STA on this link can determine when the AP is removed, that is, when the link is removed.

[0090] However, the traditional STA does not support link removal because it only has one link. Therefore, before link removal, the traditional STA on the link must be allowed to perform BSS transfer. To this end, the AP on the removed link needs to broadcast a BTM request frame to allow the traditional STA to perform BSS transfer. Figure 4 Introducing the BTM process, AP can Figure 4 The process shown allows the traditional STAs on the link to perform BSS transfer.

[0091] S1: AP sends a BTM request frame.

[0092] For example, the AP may broadcast a BTM request frame. The STAs on the link may receive the BTM request frame broadcast by the AP. Among them, the traditional STAs may also receive the BTM request frame broadcast by the AP.

[0093] For example, Figure 5 As shown, the BTM request frame may include the following fields: category, radio network management operation, session token, request mode, disassociation timer, validity interval, BSS termination duration, session information URL, and BSS transfer candidate list. The BSS transfer candidate list is optional.

[0094] The validity interval field is used to indicate how many beacon periods the BSS transfer candidate list is valid for.

[0095] The disassociation timer field is used to indicate how long it will take for the AP to send a disassociation frame, in units of TBTT.

[0096] The BSS termination duration field carries a BSS Termination Duration subelement, which has the following format: Figure 6 shown.

[0097] The BSS Termination TSF field carries the value of the TSF timer, which is used to indicate the time when the BSS is terminated.

[0098] The Duration field indicates the duration of the BSS being terminated, in minutes. 0 indicates that this field is reserved.

[0099] The request mode field is used to indicate a specific request mode. The request mode field may include the following fields: whether to carry a preferred candidate list (preferred candidate list include), bridge (abridge), disassociation imminent (disassociation imminent), whether BSS is terminated (BSS termination included), extended service set (ESS) disassociation imminent (ESS disassociation imminent), link removal imminent (Link Removal imminent), reserved (reserved) bits. Among them, the reserved bits are 2 bits.

[0100] The field "whether to carry a preferred candidate list (preferred candidate list include)" is used to indicate whether to carry a preferred candidate list.

[0101] Purpose of the abridge field: If the AP does not recommend or prohibits the STA from switching to a BSS that does not appear in the preferred candidate list include, the abridge field is set to 0; if the AP sets the preference value of the BSS that does not appear in the preferred candidate list include to 0, the abridge field is set to 1.

[0102] Purpose of the Disassociation Imminent field: When the Disassociation Imminent field is set to 1, it means that the AP will send a Disassociation frame to disassociate the STA; when the Disassociation Imminent field is set to 0, it means that the AP will not send a Disassociation frame to disassociate the STA.

[0103] The BSS termination included field is used to indicate whether the BSS on the link will be shut down.

[0104] The ESS disassociation imminent field is used to indicate whether the STA will be disassociated from the entire ESS.

[0105] S2: STA sends a response (acknoledgement, ACK) of the BTM request frame to the AP.

[0106] Correspondingly, the AP receives an ACK from the STA.

[0107] The ACK of the BTM request frame may be used to inform the AP that the STA has received the BTM request frame.

[0108] S3: STA sends a BTM response frame to AP.

[0109] Correspondingly, the AP receives a BTM response frame from the STA.

[0110] For example, Figure 7 As shown, the BTM response frame may include the following fields: category, wireless network management operation, session token, BTM status code, BSS termination delay, target BSSID, and BSS transfer candidate list. Among them, the target BSSID and the BSS transfer candidate list are optional. At present, in the related art, when the value of the BTM status code is 0, the BTM response frame will include the target BSSID field.

[0111] The BTM status code is used to indicate whether the BSS transfer request is accepted. The BSS termination delay is used to indicate the duration of the time period from the current time to the termination of the BSS.

[0112] Exemplarily, the BTM status code may refer to that shown in Table 1.

[0113] Table 1: Example of a BTM status code

[0114]

[0115] S4: AP sends an ACK of the BTM response frame.

[0116] For example, the AP may broadcast the ACK of the BTM response frame, or the AP may unicast or multicast the ACK of the BTM response frame. The ACK of the BTM response frame may be used to inform the STA that the AP has received the BTM response frame.

[0117] Based on the above Figure 3In the process shown, the traditional STA on the link can perform BSS transfer. In this way, the AP to which the link belongs can carry the multi-link reconfiguration element in the beacon frame to remove the link. However, during the above BSS transfer process, the multi-link station device (non-AP MLD) on the link will also receive the BTM request frame broadcast by the AP, thereby performing BSS transfer. However, the multi-link station device has multiple links, so in the scenario of link removal, the multi-link station device does not need to perform BSS transfer, and the BSS on the removed link will be terminated.

[0118] In view of this, the related art adds a link removal imminent field to the BTM request frame. When the AP broadcasts a BTM request frame due to link removal, the link removal imminent field needs to be set to 1, the aforementioned BSS termination (BSS Termination Included) field is also set to 1, and the disassociation imminent (Disassociation Imminent) field is also set to 1. In this way, when a traditional STA receives a broadcast BTM request frame, the traditional STA needs to perform a BSS transfer, and the AP will send a disassociation frame to disassociate all traditional STAs, and the corresponding BSS will also be terminated. However, for a multi-link site device, after receiving a broadcast BTM request frame, it does not need to perform a BSS transfer, and the BSS will be terminated.

[0119] The above solution introduces the situation where a multi-link station does not need to transfer BSS in the link removal scenario. In the related art, a link disabling operation is introduced. In the link disabling scenario, the disabled link cannot be used for any transmission, but the relevant information of the link will be retained. In this way, the AP can re-enable the link and use it for transmission immediately without re-establishing the link or negotiating related parameters.

[0120] For example, the AP may carry a TID-to-link Mapping element in a beacon frame. The format of the TID-to-link Mapping element is as follows: Figure 8 As shown, the meaning of each field is as follows.

[0121] The format of the TID-To-Link Mapping Control field and the meaning of each subfield are as follows:

[0122] When the Direction subfield is set to 0, it indicates that the service identifier to link mapping element is used for the indication of downlink service identifier to link mapping; when it is set to 1, it indicates that the service identifier to link mapping element is used for the indication of uplink service identifier to link mapping; when it is set to 2, it indicates that the service identifier to link mapping element is used for the indication of uplink and downlink service identifier to link mapping.

[0123] The Default Link Mapping subfield is set to 1 to indicate the default service identifier to link mapping, that is, all service identifiers are mapped to all links; otherwise, it is set to 0.

[0124] Mapping Switch Time Present is used to indicate whether the Mapping Switch Time field is present. A setting of 1 indicates that the Mapping Switch Time field is present; a setting of 0 indicates that the Mapping Switch Time field is not present.

[0125] The Expected Duration Present subfield is used to indicate whether the Expected Duration field is present. If it is set to 1, it indicates that the Expected Duration field is present; if it is set to 0, it indicates that the Expected Duration field is not present.

[0126] The Link Mapping Size subfield is used to indicate the length of the Link Mapping field of TID#n. If it is set to 0, it means that the length of the Link Mapping field of TID#n is 2; if it is set to 1, it means that the length of the Link Mapping field of TID#n is 1.

[0127] The Link Mapping Presence Indicator subfield is used to indicate whether the link mapping field of the corresponding TID is present. When the nth bit is set to 1, it indicates that the link mapping field of TID#n is present, and when the nth bit is set to 0, it indicates that the link mapping field of TID#n is not present.

[0128] The Mapping Switch Time field is used to indicate the establishment time of the service identifier and the service identifier to the link mapping element, in time units (TU). 1TU is equal to 1024 (=2^10) microseconds. Therefore, the value of the Mapping Switch Time corresponds to bits 10 to 25 of the timing synchronization function (TSF).

[0129] The Expected Duration field is used to indicate the continuous validity period of the service identifier and the service identifier to link mapping element, in units of TU.

[0130] The Link Mapping of TID#n field is used to indicate which links TID#n is mapped to. When no TID is mapped to a link, the link is said to be disabled.

[0131] Through the above service identifier to link mapping elements, the AP can disable a certain link. Since traditional STAs do not support link disabling, the AP can broadcast a BTM request frame to allow traditional STAs to perform BSS transfer before disabling the link. However, multi-link station devices on the link will also receive the BTM request frame broadcast by the AP and perform BSS transfer. However, the multi-link station device has multiple links, so in the scenario of link removal, the multi-link station device does not need to perform BSS transfer, and the BSS on the disabled link will be suspended.

[0132] In view of this, an embodiment of the present application provides an information transmission method. In the method, the AP may broadcast a BTM request frame, which may include first information, and the first information may be used to instruct the multi-link site device not to perform BSS transfer. In this way, the multi-link site device may ignore the BTM request frame, or perform a link disabling operation or a link removal operation. In this way, when the AP wants to remove the link or disable the link, the multi-link site may not perform BSS transfer according to the first information.

[0133] See also Fig. 9 , which is an exemplary flowchart of an information transmission method provided in an embodiment of the present application, may include the following operations.

[0134] S901: AP sends a BTM request frame.

[0135] For example, the AP may broadcast a BTM request frame, and STAs on the link, such as traditional STAs and multi-link station devices, may receive the BTM request frame.

[0136] In a possible implementation, the BTM request frame may include first information, and the first information may indicate that the multi-link site device does not perform BSS transfer. For example, the first information may indicate that link removal is about to occur or may indicate that link disabling is about to occur. It is understandable that the BTM request frame broadcast by the AP when the link is removed may indicate that the link removal is about to occur, and the BTM request frame broadcast by the AP when the link is disabling may indicate that the link disabling is about to occur.

[0137] It can be understood that the content indicated by the first information is only shown as an example, and its purpose is to enable the multi-link station device to determine not to perform BSS transfer based on the first information.

[0138] S902: The multi-link site device ignores the BTM request frame, performs a link disabling operation, or performs a link removal operation.

[0139] For example, if the first information indicates that link removal is about to occur, the multi-link site device may perform a link removal operation. For another example, if the first information indicates that link disabling is about to occur, the multi-link site device may ignore the BTM request frame or perform a link disabling operation.

[0140] Below, through scenario 1 and scenario 2 Fig. 9 The illustrated embodiment is described in detail.

[0141] Case 1: Link disabled.

[0142] In scenario 1, the AP wants to disable a certain link, but since the traditional STA does not support link disabling, before the link is disabled, the AP can broadcast a BTM request frame to allow the traditional STA on the link to perform BSS transfer. Since there may be multi-link site devices on the link, in order to avoid the multi-link site devices from erroneously performing BSS transfer, the BTM request frame broadcast by the AP can carry the first information.

[0143] The first information may be used by the multi-link site device to determine that the BSS transfer is not to be performed. For example, the first information may indicate that the BSS transfer is not to be performed, or the first information may indicate that link deactivation is about to occur. In one possible scenario, the first information may be a newly added field in the BTM request frame, such as in Figure 5 A field is added at any position in the BTM request frame shown to carry the first information. In another possible scenario, the first information can reuse an existing field in the BTM request frame, such as a request mode field. In another possible scenario, the first information can reuse a reserved field in the BTM request frame to carry the first information through the reserved field.

[0144] Taking the first information as 1-bit information as an example, when the value of the first information is 0, it can indicate that the first information is empty, or it can indicate that the BTM request frame is not broadcast for link disabling, that is, link disabling will not occur. When the value of the first information is 1, it can indicate that no BSS transfer is performed, or it can indicate that the BTM request frame is broadcast for link disabling, that is, link disabling is about to occur. Conversely, when the value of the first information is 1, it can indicate that the first information is empty, or it can indicate that the BTM request frame is not broadcast for link disabling, that is, link disabling will not occur. When the value of the first information is 0, it can indicate that no BSS transfer is performed, or it can indicate that the BTM request frame is broadcast for link disabling, that is, link disabling is about to occur.

[0145] When the multi-link station device receives the above BTM request frame, it can ignore the BTM request frame, or perform a link disabling operation in response to the BTM request frame. The operations performed by the multi-link station device are explained and described below through Case 1 and Case 2.

[0146] Case 1: The multi-link site device ignores the BTM request frame.

[0147] In case 1, the multi-link station device may determine that link disabling is about to occur based on the first information, or may determine not to perform BSS transfer based on the first information. Since the BTM request frame is used to indicate BSS transfer, the multi-link station device may ignore the BTM request frame.

[0148] Optionally, the BTM request frame may also indicate that link disabling is about to occur, or the BTM request frame may also indicate that the BSS is about to terminate. For example, the BSS termination included in the BTM request frame is set to 1 to indicate that the BSS is terminated, the disassociation imminent is set to 1 to indicate that the disassociation is about to occur, and the link removal imminent is set to 0 to indicate that the link removal will not occur.

[0149] In a possible implementation, the multi-link site device may receive a beacon frame. For example, after ignoring the BTM request frame, the multi-link site device receives a beacon frame. The beacon frame may carry information such as Figure 8The service identifier to link mapping element shown. As mentioned earlier, the service identifier to link mapping element can carry the correspondence between the service identifier and the link identifier, so that the multi-link site device can map the service to the corresponding link and perform the corresponding service, such as transmitting service data, through the mapped link. In the service identifier to link mapping element, if there is a link that does not have any service identifier mapped to the link, the link is disabled. The multi-link site device can perform a link disabling operation through the service identifier to link mapping element.

[0150] Based on the above situation 1, the multi-link station device can determine not to perform BSS transfer based on the first information, thereby preventing the multi-link station device from erroneously performing BSS transfer when a link is disabled.

[0151] Case 2: The multi-link site device performs a link disabling operation.

[0152] In case 2, the multi-link station device may determine that link disabling is about to occur based on the first information, or may determine not to perform BSS transfer based on the first information. Since the BTM request frame is broadcast for link disabling, the multi-link station device may perform a link disabling operation.

[0153] In a possible implementation, the multi-link station device may receive a beacon frame. The beacon frame may carry: Figure 8 The service identifier to link mapping element is shown. The multi-link site device can perform the link disabling operation based on the method described in Case 1.

[0154] In another possible implementation, the BTM request frame may include a BSS termination time. The multi-link site device may terminate the BSS corresponding to the BTM request frame within the time range indicated by the BSS termination time. For example, the BTM request frame may include a BSS termination duration subelement (BSS Termination Duration subelement). This subelement may include a BSS termination timing synchronization function (BSS Termination TSF). The BSS termination timing synchronization function may indicate the termination time of terminating the BSS corresponding to the BTM request frame. The multi-link site device may terminate the BSS corresponding to the BTM request frame at the time indicated by the BSS termination timing synchronization function.

[0155] It can be understood that the BSS corresponding to the BTM request frame can be understood as the BSS to which the operation indicated by broadcasting the BTM request frame is directed.

[0156] Optionally, the BTM request frame may also include a BTM termination duration. The BTM termination duration may indicate the termination duration of the BSS corresponding to the BTM request frame. For example, the BTM request frame may include a BSS termination duration subelement. The subelement may include a duration field, and the duration field may indicate the termination duration of the BSS corresponding to the BTM request frame.

[0157] In a possible example, the mapping switch time field contained in the service identifier to link mapping element (TID-to-link Mapping element) indicates one or more bits of the BSS termination timing synchronization function (BSS Termination TSF) starting from the lowest bit, for example, bit 0 to bit 23 of the BSS termination timing synchronization function (BSS Termination TSF).

[0158] Optionally, the BSS termination duration may be the same duration as the expected duration field contained in the TID-to-linkMapping element, and the unit of the duration indicated by the expected duration will be changed from TU to minutes, and the length will be changed to 2 bytes. That is, the duration indicated by the duration field contained in the BSS Termination Duration subelement is the same as the duration indicated by the expected duration field, and the unit is the same. Optionally, if the TID-to-linkMapping element does not contain the expected duration field, the duration field contained in the BSS Termination Duration subelement may be set to 0.

[0159] Based on situation 2, the multi-link site device can obtain the information required for link disabling based on the BTM request frame, thereby performing the link disabling operation without receiving the beacon frame and parsing the service identifier carried in the beacon frame to the link mapping element, meeting the information self-contained requirement.

[0160] However, since an AP can broadcast a Disassociation frame to disassociate all traditional STAs. However, since a multi-link station device has multiple links, it does not need to be disassociated when disabling a certain link. However, the AP broadcasting a Disassociation frame will cause the multi-link station device to be wrongly disassociated. Therefore, a sequential operation is defined in the related art, that is, first establish the mapping relationship between the service identifier and the link (that is, set the Mapping SwitchTime field to T0), then send a Disassociation frame (that is, set the disassociation timer field to T1, and T0 <= T1), and finally terminate the corresponding BSS (that is, set the BSS termination timing synchronization function field to T2, and T1 < T2). This sequential operation method avoids the multi-link station device receiving a Disassociation frame. However, this method of sequential operation is not flexible enough. To close and terminate a certain AP, it takes a relatively long time to wait, and forcibly separates the AP removal timer and the BSS termination into two independent operations.

[0161] However, in the above-mentioned case 2, setting the BSS termination time and the link switching time field to the same time may cause the multi-link station device to be wrongly disassociated. In view of this, in the above-mentioned case 2, it can be stipulated that the multi-link station device needs to ignore the broadcast Disassociation frames received on the link where it is located, such as the disabled link. For example, the multi-link station device can ignore the Disassociation frames broadcast on the link where it is located within the TBTT time range indicated by the disassociation timer indicated in the BTM request frame. In this way, the multi-link station device can be prevented from being wrongly disassociated.

[0162] Based on the above Scenario 1, a technical solution for the multi-link station device not to perform BSS transfer in the link disabling scenario is introduced. Next, through Scenario 2, a technical solution for the multi-link station device not to perform BSS transfer in the link removal scenario is introduced.

[0163] Scenario 2: Link removal scenario.

[0164] In Scenario 2, the AP wants to remove a certain link. However, since traditional STAs do not support link removal, before the link is removed, the corresponding AP can broadcast a BTM request frame to let the traditional STAs on that link perform BSS transfer. Since there may be multi-link station devices on that link, in order to avoid the multi-link station devices wrongly performing BSS transfer, the first information can be carried in the BTM request frame broadcast by the AP.

[0165] Among them, the first information can indicate that link removal is about to occur. For example, the first information can be Figure 8The Link Removal imminent field in the BTM request frame is shown.

[0166] Optionally, the BTM request frame can also indicate that the BSS is about to be terminated. For example, the BSS termination included in the BTM request frame is set to 1 to indicate that the BSS is terminated, the disassociation imminent is set to 1 to indicate that disassociation is about to occur, and the link removal imminent is set to 1 to indicate that the link removal is about to occur. When the multi-link site device receives the above BTM request frame, it performs a link removal operation. The following introduces the way in which the multi-link site device performs a link removal operation through method one and method two.

[0167] Method 1: The multi-link station device can receive a beacon frame. The beacon frame can carry Figure 3 The multi-link reconfiguration element shown. The multi-link reconfiguration element may include an AP removal timer subfield. The AP removal timer subfield indicates the time when the AP is removed. At the time indicated by the AP removal timer subfield, the AP is removed, thereby removing the link.

[0168] Method 2: The BSS termination time may be included in the BTM request frame. The multi-link site device may terminate the BSS corresponding to the BTM request frame at the time indicated by the BSS termination time. For example, the BTM request frame may include a BSS termination duration subelement (BSS Termination Duration subelement). This subelement may include a BSS termination timing synchronization function (BSS Termination TSF). The BSS termination timing synchronization function may indicate the termination time of the BSS corresponding to the BTM request frame. The multi-link site device may terminate the BSS corresponding to the BTM request frame at the time indicated by the BSS termination timing synchronization function.

[0169] In a possible example, the AP removal timer (AP RemovalTimer) included in the multilink reconfiguration element is in microseconds and is set to a portion of the BSS Termination TSF starting from the least significant bit, for example, to bits 0 to 23 of the BSS Termination TSF.

[0170] Based on Method 2, the multi-link station device can obtain the information required for link removal based on the BTM request frame, so as to perform the link removal operation, without the need to receive the beacon frame and parse the multi-link reconfiguration element carried in the beacon frame, meeting the self - contained requirement of information.

[0171] However, since the AP can broadcast Disassociation frames to disassociate all traditional STAs. However, due to link removal, the multi - link station device does not need to be disassociated. The Disassociation frames broadcast by the AP will cause the multi - link station device to be wrongly disassociated. Therefore, in the related art, a sequential operation is defined, that is, first remove the AP (that is, set the AP removal timer field to T0), then send Disassociation frames (that is, set the disassociation timer field to T1, and T0 <= T1), and finally terminate the corresponding BSS (that is, set the BSS termination timing synchronization function field to T2, and T1 < T2). This sequential operation method ensures that the multi - link station device does not receive Disassociation frames.

[0172] However, this sequential operation method is not flexible enough. To close and terminate a certain AP, it takes a relatively long time, forcibly separating the AP removal timer and BSS termination into two independent operations. Based on Method 2, although the time indicated by the BSS termination timing synchronization function is the same as the time indicated by the AP removal timer, it may cause the multi - link station device to be wrongly disassociated due to receiving the broadcast Disassociation frames. In view of this, in Method 2, it can be stipulated that the multi - link station device can ignore the broadcast Disassociation frames received on the link where it is located, such as on the disabled link. For example, the multi - link station device can ignore the broadcast Disassociation frames on the link where it is located within the TBTT time range indicated by the disassociation timer indicated in the BTM request frame. In this way, the multi - link station device can be prevented from being wrongly disassociated.

[0173] Based on the above Scenario 2, a technical solution for the multi - link station device not to perform BSS transfer in the link removal scenario is introduced. In the link removal scenario, the multi - link station device can not perform BSS transfer based on the first information, and can obtain all the information required for link removal through the BTM request frame, meeting the information self - contained requirement.

[0174] The embodiment of the present application also provides another information transmission method. In this method, the first information in the link de-enabling scenario and the first information in the link removal scenario can be jointly encoded. For ease of description, the first information in the link removal scenario, that is, the Link Remove Imminent field, is referred to as the second information.

[0175] In a possible implementation, the first information and the second information may be jointly encoded and named as a new field, such as an operation type field. It is understandable that the operation type field is only used as an example of the naming of the jointly encoded field, and those skilled in the art may design the naming of the jointly encoded field in combination with relevant technologies.

[0176] Refer to Table 2 for information about the operation type field when it takes different values.

[0177] Table 2: Example of an operation type field

[0178] Operation Type Implications for EHT Multilink Site Equipment 00 BSS Transfer 10 Link Removal 01 Link disabling 11 Reserved

[0179] As shown in Table 2, after the first information and the second information are jointly encoded, multiple meanings such as BSS transfer, link removal, and link disabling can be used to allow the multi-link site device to perform corresponding operations. In addition, after the first information and the second information are jointly encoded, there are reserved fields for use in the subsequent evolution process, avoiding the frequent addition of new fields in the BTM request frame during the evolution process.

[0180] It is understandable that the number of bits of the above operation type is 2 bits as an example, and those skilled in the art can design the number of bits of the operation type field in combination with relevant technologies, such as 3 bits, 4 bits, etc. When the number of bits of the operation type is 2 bits, there is one reserved field, and when the number of bits of the operation type is 3 bits, there are 5 reserved fields. The more bits of the operation type, the more reserved fields there are.

[0181] It should be noted that the operation type field shown in Table 2 can be Fig. 9 The embodiments shown are implemented in combination. For example, when the operation type field indicates link removal, the multi-link site device can perform the link removal operation in the link removal method in scenario 2. For another example, when the operation type field indicates link disabling, the multi-link site device can ignore the BTM request frame or perform the link disabling operation as described in scenario 1, which will not be repeated below.

[0182] The following describes the communication device used to implement the above method in the embodiment of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the above contents can be used in subsequent embodiments, and repeated contents will not be repeated.

[0183] Fig.10 A schematic block diagram of a communication device 1000 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1000 can correspondingly implement the functions or steps implemented by the multi-link site device or AP in the above-mentioned various method embodiments. The communication device may include a processing unit 1010 and a transceiver unit 1020. Optionally, a storage unit may also be included, which can be used to store instructions (codes or programs) and / or data. The processing unit 1010 and the transceiver unit 1020 can be coupled to the storage unit. For example, the processing unit 1010 can read the instructions (codes or programs) and / or data in the storage unit to implement the corresponding method. The above-mentioned units can be set independently or partially or fully integrated.

[0184] Optionally, the transceiver unit 1020 may include a sending unit and a receiving unit, wherein the sending unit may be used to perform all sending operations performed by the communication device 1000, and the receiving unit may be used to perform all receiving operations performed by the communication device 1000.

[0185] In some possible implementations, the communication device 1000 can implement the behaviors and functions of the multi-link site device and the like in the above method embodiments. For example, the communication device 1000 can be a multi-link site device, or a component (such as a chip or circuit) used in a multi-link site device. The transceiver unit 1020 can be used to perform Fig. 9 In the embodiment shown, all receiving or sending operations are performed by the multi-link station equipment. Fig. 9 S901 in the embodiment shown, and / or other processes for supporting the technology described herein; wherein the processing unit 1010 is used to execute the following Fig. 9 In the embodiment shown, all operations except the sending and receiving operations are performed by the multi-link station equipment. Fig. 9 S902 in the illustrated embodiment, and / or other processes for supporting the techniques described herein.

[0186] For example, the transceiver unit 1020 is used to receive a BTM request frame, the BTM request frame includes first information, and the first information is used to indicate that BSS transfer is not performed. The processing unit 1010 is used to respond to the BTM request frame and ignore the BTM request frame or link disabling operation.

[0187] For another example, the transceiver unit 1020 is configured to receive a BTM request frame, the BTM request frame includes second information, and the second information is used to indicate link removal. The processing unit 1010 is configured to terminate the BSS corresponding to the BTM request frame at the time indicated by the BSS termination time included in the BTM request frame.

[0188] For another example, the transceiver unit 1020 is used to receive a BTM request frame, and the BTM request frame includes third information. The third information indicates BSS transfer, and the processing unit 1010 is used to perform BSS transfer. Alternatively, the third information indicates link removal, and the processing unit 1010 is used to perform a link removal operation. Alternatively, the third information indicates link disabling, and the processing unit 1010 is used to perform a link disabling operation. Alternatively, the third information indicates link disabling, and the processing unit 1010 is used to ignore the BTM request frame.

[0189] In some possible implementations, the communication device 1000 can implement the behaviors and functions of the AP in the above method embodiments. For example, the communication device 1000 can be an AP, or a component (such as a chip or circuit) used in an AP. The transceiver unit 1020 can be used to perform Fig. 9 In the embodiment shown, all receiving or sending operations are performed by the AP. Fig. 9 S901 in the embodiment shown, and / or other processes for supporting the technology described herein; wherein the processing unit 1010 is used to execute the following Fig. 9 In the illustrated embodiment, all operations except the sending and receiving operations are performed by the AP.

[0190] For example, the processing unit 1010 is used to generate a BTM request frame. The transceiver unit 1020 is used to send the BTM request frame, the BTM request frame includes first information, and the first information is used to indicate that the BSS transfer is not performed. The first information is used for the multi-link site device to perform a link disabling operation.

[0191] For another example, the processing unit 1010 is used to generate a BTM request frame. The transceiver unit 1020 is used to send the BTM request frame, and the BTM request frame includes third information. The third information indicates BSS transfer. Alternatively, the third information indicates link removal. Alternatively, the third information indicates link disabling.

[0192] For the operations performed by the processing unit 1010 and the transceiver unit 1020, reference may be made to the related description of the aforementioned method embodiment.

[0193] It should be understood that the processing unit 1010 in the embodiment of the present application can be implemented by a processor or a processor-related circuit component, and the transceiver unit 1020 can be implemented by a transceiver or a transceiver-related circuit component or a communication interface.

[0194] Based on the same concept, Fig.11As shown, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device 1100. The communication device 1100 includes a processor 1110. Optionally, the communication device 1100 may also include a memory 1120, which is used to store instructions executed by the processor 1110 or to store input data required by the processor 1110 to run the instructions or to store data generated after the processor 1110 runs the instructions. The processor 1110 can implement the method shown in the above method embodiment through the instructions stored in the memory 1120.

[0195] Based on the same concept, Fig.12 As shown, the embodiment of the present application provides a communication device 1200, which can be a chip or a chip system. Optionally, in the embodiment of the present application, the chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0196] The communication device 1200 may include at least one processor 1210, and the processor 1210 is coupled to a memory. Optionally, the memory may be located inside the device or outside the device. For example, the communication device 1200 may also include at least one memory 1220. The memory 1220 stores necessary computer programs, configuration information, computer programs or instructions and / or data for implementing any of the above embodiments; the processor 1210 may execute the computer program stored in the memory 1220 to complete the method in any of the above embodiments.

[0197] The coupling in the embodiment of the present application is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units or modules, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms, and is used for information exchange between devices, units or modules. The processor 1210 may operate in conjunction with the memory 1220. The specific connection medium between the above-mentioned transceiver 1230, the processor 1210 and the memory 1220 is not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0198] The communication device 1200 may further include a transceiver 1230, and the communication device 1200 may exchange information with other devices through the transceiver 1230. The transceiver 1230 may be a circuit, a bus, a transceiver, or any other device that can be used for information exchange, or may be referred to as a signal transceiver unit. Fig.12 As shown, the transceiver 1230 includes a transmitter 1231, a receiver 1232 and an antenna 1233. In addition, when the communication device 1200 is a chip-type device or circuit, the transceiver in the communication device 1200 may also be an input-output circuit and / or a communication interface, which may input data (or receive data) and output data (or send data), and the processor may be an integrated processor or a microprocessor or an integrated circuit, and the processor may determine output data according to input data.

[0199] In a possible implementation, the communication device 1200 can be applied to a multi-link site device. Specifically, the communication device 1200 can be a multi-link site device, or a device that can support the multi-link site device to implement the functions of the multi-link site device in any of the above-mentioned embodiments. The memory 1220 stores the necessary computer programs, computer programs or instructions and / or data to implement the functions of the communication device in any of the above-mentioned embodiments. The processor 1210 can execute the computer program stored in the memory 1220 to complete the method executed by the multi-link site device in any of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0200] In a possible implementation, the communication device 1200 may be applied to an AP. Specifically, the communication device 1200 may be an AP, or may be a device that can support the AP to implement the functions of the AP in any of the above-mentioned embodiments. The memory 1220 stores the necessary computer programs, computer programs or instructions and / or data for implementing the functions of the AP in any of the above-mentioned embodiments. The processor 1210 may execute the computer program stored in the memory 1220 to complete the method executed by the AP in any of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0201] Since the communication device 1200 provided in this embodiment can be applied to a multi-link station device to implement the method executed by the multi-link station device, or can be applied to an AP to implement the method executed by the AP, the technical effects that can be obtained can refer to the above method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0202] In the embodiments of the present application, the processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component, and may implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of the present application may be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware processor, or may be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor.

[0203] In an embodiment of the present application, the memory may be a non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), etc., or a volatile memory (volatile memory), such as a random-access memory (RAM). The memory may also be any other medium that can be used to carry or store the desired program code in the form of an instruction or data structure and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory in an embodiment of the present application may also be a circuit or any other device that can implement a storage function, for storing a computer program, a computer program or an instruction and / or data.

[0204] Based on the above embodiments, see Fig.13 The embodiment of the present application also provides another communication device 1300, including: an input-output interface 1310 and a logic circuit 1320; the input-output interface 1310 is used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the logic circuit 1320; the logic circuit 1320 is used to run code instructions to execute the method executed by the multi-link site device or AP in any of the above embodiments.

[0205] Optionally, the input / output interface 1310 may be an interface on a chip, and the logic circuit 1320 may be one or more processors. Optionally, the one or more processors may be located inside the device or outside the device.

[0206] The following describes in detail the operations performed by the communication apparatus when applied to a multi-link station device or an AP.

[0207] In an optional implementation manner, the communication device 1300 may be applied to a multi-link site device to execute the method executed by the multi-link site device, for example, Fig. 9 The method executed by the multi-link site equipment in the illustrated embodiment.

[0208] For example, the input / output interface 1310 is used to receive a BTM request frame, the BTM request frame includes first information, and the first information is used to indicate that BSS transfer is not to be performed. The logic circuit 1320 is used to respond to the BTM request frame and ignore the BTM request frame or link disabling operation.

[0209] For another example, the input / output interface 1310 is used to receive a BTM request frame, the BTM request frame includes second information, and the second information is used to indicate link removal. The logic circuit 1320 is used to terminate the BSS corresponding to the BTM request frame at the time indicated by the BSS termination time included in the BTM request frame.

[0210] For another example, the input / output interface 1310 is used to receive a BTM request frame, and the BTM request frame includes third information. The third information indicates BSS transfer, and the logic circuit 1320 is used to perform BSS transfer. Alternatively, the third information indicates link removal, and the logic circuit 1320 is used to perform a link removal operation. Alternatively, the third information indicates link disabling, and the logic circuit 1320 is used to perform a link disabling operation. Alternatively, the third information indicates link disabling, and the logic circuit 1320 is used to ignore the BTM request frame.

[0211] Since the communication device 1300 provided in this embodiment can be applied to a multi-link site device to complete the method performed by the multi-link site device, the technical effects that can be obtained can refer to the above method embodiments and will not be described in detail here.

[0212] In an optional implementation manner, the communication device 1300 can be applied to an AP to execute the method executed by the above-mentioned AP, specifically, for example, the above-mentioned Fig. 9 The method executed by the AP in the illustrated embodiment.

[0213] The logic circuit 1320 is used to generate a BTM request frame. The input / output interface 1310 is used to send a BTM request frame, the BTM request frame includes first information, and the first information is used to indicate that the BSS transfer is not to be performed. The first information is used for the multi-link site device to perform a link disabling operation.

[0214] The logic circuit 1320 is used to generate a BTM request frame. The input / output interface 1310 is used to send the BTM request frame, wherein the BTM request frame includes third information. The third information indicates BSS transfer. Alternatively, the third information indicates link removal. Alternatively, the third information indicates link disabling.

[0215] Since the communication device 1300 provided in this embodiment can be applied to an AP to complete the method executed by the AP, the technical effects that can be obtained can refer to the above method embodiments, which will not be described in detail here.

[0216] Based on the above embodiments, the embodiments of the present application also provide a communication system. The communication system includes at least one communication device applied to a multi-link site device and at least one communication device applied to an AP. The technical effects that can be obtained can refer to the above method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0217] Based on the above embodiments, the embodiments of the present application further provide a system. The communication system includes at least one AP and a multi-link site device.

[0218] Based on the above embodiments, the embodiments of the present application further provide a computer-readable storage medium, which stores a computer program or instruction. When the instruction is executed, the method executed by the multi-link site device in any of the above embodiments is implemented or the method executed by the AP is implemented. The computer-readable storage medium may include: a U disk, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory, a random access memory, a magnetic disk or an optical disk, and other media that can store program codes.

[0219] In order to achieve the above Figure 10 to Figure 13 In order to realize the functions of the communication device, the embodiment of the present application further provides a chip, including a processor, for supporting the communication device to realize the functions involved in the multi-link station device or AP in the above method embodiment. In one possible design, the chip is connected to a memory or the chip includes a memory, and the memory is used to store the necessary computer programs or instructions and data of the communication device.

[0220] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments of the present application may be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, the present application may adopt the form of a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment, or an embodiment in combination with software and hardware. Moreover, the present application may adopt the form of a computer program product implemented in one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) that include computer-usable program code.

[0221] The present application is described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of the methods, devices (systems), and computer program products according to the embodiments of the present application. It should be understood that each process and / or box in the flowchart and / or block diagram, as well as the combination of the processes and / or boxes in the flowchart and / or block diagram, can be implemented by a computer program or instruction. These computer programs or instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor, or other programmable data processing device to generate a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device generate instructions for implementing the processes in the flowchart and / or block diagram. Figure 1 A process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that provides the functions specified in a block or multiple blocks.

[0222] These computer programs or instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to work in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce a manufactured product including an instruction device, which implements the process Figure 1 A process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A function specified in one or more boxes.

[0223] These computer programs or instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device so that a series of operating steps are executed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby providing instructions for executing on the computer or other programmable device to implement the process. Figure 1 A process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The steps for the functions specified in one or more boxes.

[0224] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the embodiments of the present application without departing from the scope of the embodiments of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the embodiments of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application is also intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. An information transmission method, characterized in that: include: Receiving a basic service set transfer management BTM request frame, wherein the BTM request frame includes first information, and the first information is used to indicate that BSS transfer is not to be performed; In response to the BTM request frame, the BSS transfer request corresponding to the BTM request frame is ignored or a link disabling operation is performed.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: After ignoring the BTM request frame, the method further includes: Receive a service identifier to link mapping element; Based on the service identifier to link mapping element, a link disabling operation is performed.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The performing link disabling operation includes: A service identifier-to-link mapping element is received, wherein the service identifier-to-link mapping element includes an association relationship between services and links, wherein the first link is not associated with any service.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The performing link disabling operation includes: At the time indicated by the BSS termination time included in the BTM request frame, the BSS corresponding to the BTM request frame is terminated from sending.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The BTM request frame further includes a termination duration, where the termination duration is used to indicate a duration for terminating the BSS.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that: Also includes: Ignore disassociation frames broadcast on the link.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The ignoring the disassociation frame broadcasted on the link includes: Ignore the disassociation frames broadcast on the link within the time range indicated by the disassociation time indicated by the BTM request frame.

8. An information transmission method, characterized in that: include: Sending a basic service set transfer management BTM request frame, where the BTM request frame includes first information, where the first information is used to indicate that BSS transfer is not to be performed; The first information is used by the multi-link site device to perform a link disabling operation.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that Also includes: A service identifier-to-link mapping element is sent, wherein the service identifier-to-link mapping element includes an association relationship between services and links, wherein the first link is not associated with any service.

10. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The BTM request frame includes a BSS termination time, and the BSS termination time indicates a time when the multi-link site device stops sending the BSS corresponding to the BTM request frame.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The BTM request frame further includes a termination duration, where the termination duration is used to indicate a duration for terminating the BSS.

12. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises a unit for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

13. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises a unit for executing the method according to any one of claims 8 to 11.

14. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium stores computer-executable instructions, which, when called by an electronic device, enable the electronic device to execute the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, or enable the electronic device to execute the method as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 11.

15. A communication system, characterized in that: The invention comprises a device for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and a device for executing the method according to any one of claims 8 to 11.

16. A chip system, characterized in that: The chip system comprises: Communication interface; A processor, used to call and run the instruction through the communication interface, so that the device equipped with the chip system executes the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, or the device equipped with the chip system executes the method as described in any one of claims 8 to 11.

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