Multi-link data processing method and related device

Abstract

The invention provides a multi-link data processing method and a related device. In the method, a first device sends first indication information on a second link, the first indication information being used for indicating that link recovery is performed by using a beam configuration parameter before the first link is disconnected, and beamforming training does not need to be performed again, thereby avoiding wasting time. Therefore, the method can assist the disconnected first link in rapid link recovery, and is beneficial to improving the data transmission efficiency. The present application is applied to a wireless local area network system that supports an IEEE 802.11 ax next generation Wi-Fi protocol (e.g., 802.11 be, Wi-Fi 7, or EHT), or an IEEE 802.11 be next generation Wi-Fi protocol (e.g., Wi-Fi 8, UHR), or Wi-Fi AI, or millimeter wave (mmWave), or ultra wide band (UWB), or sensing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a multi-link data processing method and related devices. Background Art

[0002] In order to meet the high throughput and low latency transmission requirements of emerging services such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (XR), millimeter wave links (also called high-frequency links) can be added to the current multi-link device (MLD) communication model. When the multi-links included in the MLD communication model include at least one millimeter wave link, the MLD device can transmit data through the millimeter wave link. When the MLD device transmits data through the millimeter wave link, if the millimeter wave link is blocked (for example, there is a physical obstruction between the access point multi-link device (AP MLD) and the non-access point multi-link device (non-AP MLD)), how to use the low-frequency link in the MLD to efficiently assist the recovery of the millimeter wave link becomes a problem to be solved. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present application provides a multi-link data processing method and related devices, which can assist in rapid link recovery of a disconnected millimeter wave link.

[0004] In a first aspect, the present application provides a multi-link data processing method, which is performed by a first device. The first device is a transmitting end. For example, in downlink data transmission, the first device is an access point multi-link device, or a component of an access point multi-link device (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or a logic module that can implement all or part of the functions of an access point multi-link device, for sending downlink data; or in uplink data transmission, the first device is a non-access point multi-link device, or a component of a non-access point multi-link device (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or a logic module that can implement all or part of the functions of a non-access point multi-link device, for sending uplink data. The first device sends a first indication message on the second link, and the first indication message is used to indicate link recovery using the beam configuration parameters before the first link is disconnected. The first device performs link recovery on the first link.

[0005] In this method, when the first link (such as a millimeter wave link) is blocked and disconnected, the first device can instruct the data transmitter and receiver to try to restore the link on the first link through the first indication information, instead of directly re-performing beamforming training on the first link. For example, after the millimeter wave link is blocked and disconnected, the obstruction may end in a very short time. If the position of the receiving end has not moved, the transmitter and receiver can directly use the beamforming configuration before the link is disconnected to restore the link without re-performing beamforming training, thereby avoiding wasting time. Therefore, this method can assist the disconnected first link to perform rapid link recovery, which is beneficial to improving data transmission efficiency.

[0006] In a possible implementation, the first device configures a maximum retransmission time, where the maximum retransmission time represents a maximum duration of link recovery on the first link, wherein the maximum retransmission time is predefined by a protocol or determined by negotiation between an access point and a non-access point.

[0007] In this method, the first device can configure the maximum retransmission time, thereby limiting the time within which the sending end and the receiving end can attempt to restore the link, rather than attempting to restore the link within an unlimited time, to avoid wasting time.

[0008] In one possible implementation, if the first link is successfully recovered within the longest retransmission time, the first device sends data on the first link; or, if the first link fails to recover after exceeding the longest retransmission time, the first device re-performs beamforming training for the first link.

[0009] In this method, if the link recovery attempt is successful within the longest retransmission time, the first device can directly switch from the second link (such as a link below 10 gigahertz (GHz) or a link below 7 GHz) to the first link (such as a millimeter wave link) for data transmission, avoiding wasting time and helping to improve data transmission efficiency; if it fails, the first device can directly perform beamforming training.

[0010] In a possible implementation, the first device configures a maximum number of retransmissions, which represents a maximum number of attempts to perform link recovery on the first link, wherein the maximum number of retransmissions is predefined by a protocol or determined by negotiation between an access point and a non-access point.

[0011] In this method, the first device can configure the maximum number of retransmissions, thereby limiting the number of times the transmitter and receiver can attempt to recover the link, rather than attempting to recover the link an unlimited number of times, to avoid wasting time.

[0012] In one possible implementation, if the first link is successfully recovered within a maximum number of retransmissions, the first device sends data on the first link; or, if the first link fails to be recovered after exceeding the maximum number of retransmissions, the first device re-performs beamforming training for the first link.

[0013] In this method, if the link recovery attempt is successful within the maximum number of retransmissions, the first device can directly switch from the second link (such as a link below 10 GHz or a link below 7 GHz) to the first link (such as a millimeter wave link) for data transmission, avoiding wasting time and helping to improve data transmission efficiency; if it fails, the first device can directly perform beamforming training.

[0014] In a possible implementation, when link recovery is performed on the first link using the beam configuration parameters before the first link is disconnected, the first device uses a short data frame or a control frame or a management frame to perform link recovery.

[0015] In this method, the first device can use the beam configuration parameters before the first link is disconnected to send a short data frame or a control frame or a management frame on the first link to try to restore the link information, thereby assisting the disconnected millimeter wave link to quickly recover the link.

[0016] In a possible implementation, when the first modulation and coding scheme is used to perform link recovery on the first link, the first device uses the data frame of the first modulation and coding scheme to perform link recovery. The modulation order of the first modulation and coding scheme is smaller than the modulation order of the second modulation and coding scheme, and / or the code rate of the first modulation and coding scheme is smaller than the code rate of the second modulation and coding scheme; the second modulation and coding scheme is the modulation and coding scheme used before the first link is disconnected.

[0017] In this method, the first device can use a lower modulation and coding scheme (such as a modulation and coding scheme with a lower modulation order and / or a lower code rate) to send data frames on the first link to try to restore link information, thereby assisting the disconnected millimeter wave link to quickly recover the link.

[0018] In a possible implementation manner, the first indication information is carried in a data frame, or the first indication information is a management frame or a control frame.

[0019] In this method, the first indication information can be transmitted in the form of a management frame, or in the form of a control frame, or in the form of a data frame piggybacked transmission, and the implementation method is more flexible.

[0020] In a possible implementation, the first device configures a first service period for the first link and the second link respectively, the start time of the first service period is a first time, and the first time is a designated time when the transmitter and the receiver of the first link are synchronized after the first link is disconnected. The operating frequency of the second link is lower than the operating frequency of the first link. Alternatively, the first device configures the first service period for the first link.

[0021] In this method, the first device can set a first service period (such as a target wake-up time service period TWT SP) on both the millimeter wave link and the link below 10 GHz or the link below 7 GHz, or the first device can set the first service period only on the millimeter wave link, so that both the transmitting end and the receiving end of the first link can attempt to perform first link recovery within the first service period.

[0022] In a possible implementation, when the second link is not configured with the first service period, the first device sends second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate to the receiving end that the sending end has data that needs to be sent on a link below 10 GHz or a link below 7 GHz.

[0023] In this method, if the second link is not configured with the first service period, the sending end needs to notify the receiving end that there is data to be sent on the second link, so that the second link can be quickly awakened to transmit the data originally on the first link, which is conducive to ensuring the continuity of data transmission.

[0024] In a possible implementation, the first indication information is included in the first field, or the first indication information is included in a combination of the first field and the second field. When the first indication information is included in the first field, the first field is used to indicate that beamforming training is to be re-performed on the first link, or to indicate that link recovery is to be performed and beamforming training is to be re-performed after link recovery fails; when the first indication information is included in a combination of the first field and the second field, the combination of the first field and the second field is used to indicate that beamforming training is to be performed on the first link, or to indicate that link recovery is to be performed without beamforming training, or to indicate that link recovery is to be performed and beamforming training is to be re-performed after link recovery fails.

[0025] In the method, two different field indication modes are defined, so that the receiving end and the transmitting end can be efficiently indicated to use the second link to assist the first link in link recovery.

[0026] In a possible implementation, the second link includes a link below 10 GHz or a link below 7 GHz; and the first link is a millimeter wave link.

[0027] In a second aspect, the present application provides a multi-link data processing method, which is performed by a first device. The first device sends a first indication message on the second link, and the first indication message is used to indicate that a first modulation and coding scheme is used for link recovery within a maximum retransmission time or a maximum number of retransmissions. The modulation order of the first modulation and coding scheme is smaller than the modulation order of the second modulation and coding scheme, and / or the code rate of the first modulation and coding scheme is smaller than the code rate of the second modulation and coding scheme; the second modulation and coding scheme is the modulation and coding scheme used before the first link is disconnected. The first device performs link recovery on the first link.

[0028] In this method, when the first link is blocked and disconnected, the first device can instruct the data transmitter and receiver to try to perform link recovery on the first link through the first indication information, instead of directly re-performing beamforming training on the first link. For example, after the millimeter wave link is blocked and disconnected, the obstruction may end in a very short time. If the position of the receiving end has not moved, the receiving end can use a lower modulation and coding scheme to recover the link, instead of directly re-performing beamforming training to avoid wasting time. Therefore, this method can assist the disconnected first link to perform rapid link recovery, which is beneficial to improving data transmission efficiency.

[0029] It can be understood that other possible implementations in the second aspect can refer to the specific descriptions of other possible implementations in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0030] In a third aspect, the present application provides a multi-link data processing method, which is executed by a second device. The second device is a receiving end. For example, in downlink data transmission, the second device is a non-access point multi-link device, or a component of a non-access point multi-link device (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or a logic module that can implement all or part of the functions of a non-access point multi-link device, for receiving downlink data; or in uplink data transmission, the second device is an access point multi-link device, or a component of an access point multi-link device (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or a logic module that can implement all or part of the functions of an access point multi-link device, for receiving uplink data. The second device receives a first indication information on the second link, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the beam configuration parameters before the first link is disconnected are used to perform link recovery. The second device performs link recovery on the first link.

[0031] In this method, when the first link is blocked and disconnected, the second device can receive the first indication information, so that it can try to use a lower modulation and coding scheme to perform link recovery on the first link within a preset time period or a preset maximum number of times, instead of directly re-performing beamforming training on the first link to avoid wasting time. This method can assist the disconnected first link to perform rapid link recovery, which is conducive to improving data transmission efficiency.

[0032] In a possible implementation, the second device configures a maximum retransmission time, which indicates a maximum duration of link recovery on the first link, wherein the maximum retransmission time is predefined by a protocol or determined by negotiation between an access point and a non-access point.

[0033] In this method, the second device can configure the maximum retransmission time, thereby limiting the time within which the sending end and the receiving end can attempt to restore the link, rather than attempting to restore the link within an unlimited time, to avoid wasting time.

[0034] In one possible implementation, if the first link is successfully recovered within the longest retransmission time, the second device receives data on the first link; or, if the first link fails to recover after exceeding the longest retransmission time, the second device re-performs beamforming training for the first link.

[0035] In this method, if the link recovery attempt is successful within the longest retransmission time, the second device can directly switch from the second link to the first link for data transmission, avoiding wasting time and helping to improve data transmission efficiency; if it fails, the second device can directly perform beamforming training.

[0036] In a possible implementation, the second device configures a maximum number of retransmissions, which represents a maximum number of attempts to perform link recovery on the first link, wherein the maximum number of retransmissions is predefined by a protocol or determined by negotiation between an access point and a non-access point.

[0037] In this method, the second device can configure the maximum number of retransmissions, thereby limiting the number of times the transmitter and receiver can attempt to recover the link, rather than attempting to recover the link an unlimited number of times, to avoid wasting time.

[0038] In one possible implementation, if the first link is successfully recovered within a maximum number of retransmissions, the second device receives data on the first link; or, if the first link fails to be recovered after exceeding the maximum number of retransmissions, the second device re-performs beamforming training for the first link.

[0039] In this method, if the link recovery attempt is successful within the maximum number of retransmissions, the second device can directly switch from the second link to the first link for data transmission, avoiding wasting time and helping to improve data transmission efficiency; if it fails, the second device can directly perform beamforming training.

[0040] In a possible implementation, when link recovery is performed on the first link using beam configuration parameters before the first link is disconnected, the second device uses short data frames or control frames or management frames to perform link recovery.

[0041] In this method, the second device can use the beam configuration parameters before the first link is disconnected to receive short data frames or control frames or management frames on the first link to try to restore link information, thereby assisting the disconnected millimeter wave link to quickly recover the link.

[0042] In a possible implementation, when the first modulation and coding scheme is used to perform link recovery on the first link, the second device uses the data frame of the first modulation and coding scheme to perform link recovery. The modulation order of the first modulation and coding scheme is smaller than the modulation order of the second modulation and coding scheme, and / or the code rate of the first modulation and coding scheme is smaller than the code rate of the second modulation and coding scheme; the second modulation and coding scheme is the modulation and coding scheme used before the first link is disconnected.

[0043] In this method, the second device can use a lower modulation and coding scheme (such as a modulation and coding scheme with a lower modulation order and / or a lower code rate) to receive data frames on the first link to attempt to restore link information, thereby assisting the disconnected millimeter wave link to quickly recover the link.

[0044] In a possible implementation manner, the first indication information is carried in a data frame, or the first indication information is a management frame or a control frame.

[0045] In this method, the first indication information can be transmitted in the form of a management frame, or in the form of a control frame, or in the form of a data frame piggybacked transmission, and the implementation method is more flexible.

[0046] In a possible implementation, the second device configures a first service period for the first link and the second link respectively, the start time of the first service period is a first time, and the first time is a specified time when the transmitter and the receiver of the first link are synchronized after the first link is disconnected. The operating frequency of the second link is lower than the operating frequency of the first link. Alternatively, the second device configures the first service period for the first link.

[0047] In this method, the second device can set a first service period (such as a target wake-up time service period TWT SP) on both the millimeter wave link and the link below 10 GHz or the link below 7 GHz, or the second device can set the first service period only on the millimeter wave link, so that both the transmitting end and the receiving end of the first link can attempt to recover the first link within the first service period.

[0048] In a possible implementation, when the second link is not configured with the first service period, the second device receives second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate to the receiving end that the sending end has data that needs to be sent on a link below 10 GHz or a link below 7 GHz.

[0049] In this method, if the second link is not configured with the first service period, the sending end needs to notify the receiving end that there is data to be sent on the second link, so that the second link can be quickly awakened to transmit the data originally on the first link, which is conducive to ensuring the continuity of data transmission.

[0050] In a possible implementation, the first indication information is included in the first field, or the first indication information is included in a combination of the first field and the second field. When the first indication information is included in the first field, the first field is used to indicate that beamforming training is to be re-performed on the first link, or to indicate that link recovery is to be performed and beamforming training is to be re-performed after link recovery fails; when the first indication information is included in a combination of the first field and the second field, the combination of the first field and the second field is used to indicate that beamforming training is to be re-performed on the first link, or to indicate that link recovery is to be performed without beamforming training, or to indicate that link recovery is to be performed and beamforming training is to be re-performed after link recovery fails.

[0051] In the method, two different field indication modes are defined, so that the receiving end and the transmitting end can be efficiently indicated to use the second link to assist the first link in link recovery.

[0052] In a possible implementation, the second link includes a link below 10 GHz or a link below 7 GHz; and the first link is a millimeter wave link.

[0053] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a multi-link data processing method, which is performed by a second device. The first device receives first indication information on the second link, and the first indication information is used to indicate that a first modulation and coding scheme is used for link recovery within a maximum retransmission time or a maximum number of retransmissions; wherein the modulation order of the first modulation and coding scheme is less than the modulation order of the second modulation and coding scheme, and / or the code rate of the first modulation and coding scheme is less than the code rate of the second modulation and coding scheme; the second modulation and coding scheme is the modulation and coding scheme used before the first link is disconnected. The second device performs link recovery on the first link.

[0054] In this method, when the first link is blocked and disconnected, the second device can receive the first indication information, so that it can try to use a lower modulation and coding scheme to perform link recovery on the first link within a preset time period or a preset maximum number of times, instead of directly re-performing beamforming training on the first link to avoid wasting time. This method can assist the disconnected first link to perform rapid link recovery, which is conducive to improving data transmission efficiency.

[0055] It can be understood that other possible implementations in the fourth aspect can refer to the specific descriptions of other possible implementations in the third aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0056] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be an access point multi-link device or a non-access point multi-link device, or a device of an access point multi-link device or a non-access point multi-link device, or a device that can be used in combination with an access point multi-link device or a non-access point multi-link device. In a possible implementation, the communication device may include a functional module, which may be a hardware circuit, or software, or a combination of a hardware circuit and software. It is understandable that the communication device in the fifth aspect can be used to implement the multi-link data processing method described in the first and second aspects above.

[0057] In a possible implementation, the communication device includes a communication unit and a processing unit. The communication unit is used to send first indication information on the second link, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the beam configuration parameters before the first link is disconnected are used to perform link recovery. The processing unit is used to perform link recovery on the first link.

[0058] In a possible implementation, the communication unit is used to send first indication information on the second link, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the first modulation and coding scheme is used to perform link recovery within the longest retransmission time or the maximum number of retransmissions. The modulation order of the first modulation and coding scheme is smaller than the modulation order of the second modulation and coding scheme, and / or the code rate of the first modulation and coding scheme is smaller than the code rate of the second modulation and coding scheme; the second modulation and coding scheme is the modulation and coding scheme used before the first link is disconnected. The processing unit is used to perform link recovery on the first link.

[0059] In a possible implementation, the processing unit is configured to configure a maximum retransmission time, where the maximum retransmission time represents a maximum duration of link recovery on the first link, wherein the maximum retransmission time is predefined by a protocol or determined by negotiation between an access point and a non-access point.

[0060] In one possible implementation, if the first link is successfully recovered within the longest retransmission time, the communication unit is used to send data on the first link; or, if the first link fails to recover after exceeding the longest retransmission time, the processing unit is used to re-perform beamforming training for the first link.

[0061] In a possible implementation, the processing unit is configured to configure a maximum number of retransmissions, where the maximum number of retransmissions represents a maximum number of attempts to perform link recovery on the first link, wherein the maximum number of retransmissions is predefined by a protocol or determined by negotiation between an access point and a non-access point.

[0062] In one possible implementation, if the first link is successfully recovered within a maximum number of retransmissions, the communication unit is used to send data on the first link; or, if the first link fails to recover after exceeding the maximum number of retransmissions, the first device re-performs beamforming training for the first link.

[0063] In a possible implementation, when link recovery is performed on the first link using beam configuration parameters before the first link is disconnected, the processing unit is configured to perform link recovery using short data frames, control frames, or management frames.

[0064] In a possible implementation, when the first modulation and coding scheme is used to perform link recovery on the first link, the processing unit is used to perform link recovery using a data frame of the first modulation and coding scheme. The modulation order of the first modulation and coding scheme is smaller than the modulation order of the second modulation and coding scheme, and / or the code rate of the first modulation and coding scheme is smaller than the code rate of the second modulation and coding scheme; the second modulation and coding scheme is the modulation and coding scheme used before the first link is disconnected.

[0065] In a possible implementation manner, the first indication information is carried in a data frame, or the first indication information is a management frame or a control frame.

[0066] In a possible implementation, the processing unit is used to configure a first service period for the first link and the second link respectively, the start time of the first service period is a first time, and the first time is a specified time when the transmitting end and the receiving end of the first link are synchronized after the first link is disconnected. The operating frequency of the second link is lower than the operating frequency of the first link. Alternatively, the processing unit is used to configure the first service period for the first link.

[0067] In a possible implementation, when the second link is not configured with the first service period, the communication unit is used to send second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate to the receiving end that the sending end has data that needs to be sent on a link below 10 GHz or a link below 7 GHz.

[0068] In a possible implementation, the first indication information is included in the first field, or the first indication information is included in a combination of the first field and the second field. When the first indication information is included in the first field, the first field is used to indicate that beamforming training is to be re-performed on the first link, or to indicate that link recovery is to be performed and beamforming training is to be re-performed after link recovery fails; when the first indication information is included in a combination of the first field and the second field, the combination of the first field and the second field is used to indicate that beamforming training is to be re-performed on the first link, or to indicate that link recovery is to be performed without beamforming training, or to indicate that link recovery is to be performed and beamforming training is to be re-performed after link recovery fails.

[0069] In a possible implementation, the second link includes a link below 10 GHz or a link below 7 GHz; and the first link is a millimeter wave link.

[0070] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be an access point multi-link device or a non-access point multi-link device, or a device of an access point multi-link device or a non-access point multi-link device, or a device that can be used in combination with an access point multi-link device or a non-access point multi-link device. In a possible implementation, the communication device may include a functional module, which may be a hardware circuit, or software, or a combination of a hardware circuit and software. It is understandable that the communication device in the sixth aspect can be used to implement the multi-link data processing method described in the third and fourth aspects above.

[0071] In a possible implementation, the communication device includes a communication unit and a processing unit. The communication unit is used to receive first indication information on the second link, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the beam configuration parameters before the first link is disconnected are used to perform link recovery. The processing unit is used to perform link recovery on the first link.

[0072] In a possible implementation, the communication unit is used to receive first indication information on the second link, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first modulation and coding scheme is used to perform link recovery within the longest retransmission time or the maximum number of retransmissions; wherein the modulation order of the first modulation and coding scheme is less than the modulation order of the second modulation and coding scheme, and / or the code rate of the first modulation and coding scheme is less than the code rate of the second modulation and coding scheme; the second modulation and coding scheme is the modulation and coding scheme used before the first link is disconnected. The processing unit is used to perform link recovery on the first link.

[0073] In a possible implementation, the processing unit is configured to configure a maximum retransmission time, where the maximum retransmission time represents a maximum duration of link recovery on the first link, wherein the maximum retransmission time is predefined by a protocol or determined by negotiation between an access point and a non-access point.

[0074] In one possible implementation, if the first link is successfully recovered within the longest retransmission time, the communication unit is used to receive data on the first link; or, if the first link fails to recover after exceeding the longest retransmission time, the processing unit is used to re-perform beamforming training for the first link.

[0075] In a possible implementation, the processing unit is configured to configure a maximum number of retransmissions, where the maximum number of retransmissions represents a maximum number of attempts to perform link recovery on the first link, wherein the maximum number of retransmissions is predefined by a protocol or determined by negotiation between an access point and a non-access point.

[0076] In one possible implementation, if the first link is successfully recovered within a maximum number of retransmissions, the communication unit is used to receive data on the first link; or, if the first link fails to recover after exceeding the maximum number of retransmissions, the processing unit is used to re-perform beamforming training for the first link.

[0077] In a possible implementation, when link recovery is performed on the first link using beam configuration parameters before the first link is disconnected, the processing unit is configured to perform link recovery using short data frames, control frames, or management frames.

[0078] In a possible implementation, when the first modulation and coding scheme is used to perform link recovery on the first link, the processing unit is used to perform link recovery using a data frame of the first modulation and coding scheme. The modulation order of the first modulation and coding scheme is smaller than the modulation order of the second modulation and coding scheme, and / or the code rate of the first modulation and coding scheme is smaller than the code rate of the second modulation and coding scheme; the second modulation and coding scheme is the modulation and coding scheme used before the first link is disconnected.

[0079] In a possible implementation manner, the first indication information is carried in a data frame, or the first indication information is a management frame or a control frame.

[0080] In a possible implementation, the processing unit is used to configure a first service period for the first link and the second link respectively, the start time of the first service period is a first time, and the first time is a specified time when the transmitting end and the receiving end of the first link are synchronized after the first link is disconnected. The operating frequency of the second link is lower than the operating frequency of the first link. Alternatively, the processing unit is used to configure the first service period for the first link.

[0081] In a possible implementation, when the second link is not configured with the first service period, the communication unit is used to receive second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate to the receiving end that the sending end has data that needs to be sent on a link below 10 GHz or a link below 7 GHz.

[0082] In a possible implementation, the first indication information is included in the first field, or the first indication information is included in a combination of the first field and the second field. When the first indication information is included in the first field, the first field is used to indicate that beamforming training is to be re-performed on the first link, or to indicate that link recovery is to be performed and beamforming training is to be re-performed after link recovery fails; when the first indication information is included in a combination of the first field and the second field, the combination of the first field and the second field is used to indicate that beamforming training is to be re-performed on the first link, or to indicate that link recovery is to be performed without beamforming training, or to indicate that link recovery is to be performed and beamforming training is to be re-performed after link recovery fails.

[0083] In a possible implementation, the second link includes a link below 10 GHz or a link below 7 GHz; and the first link is a millimeter wave link.

[0084] For the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect, as an example, the processing unit may be a processor, and the communication unit may be a transceiver unit, a transceiver, or a communication interface. It is understandable that when the communication device is a communication device (such as an access point multi-link device), the communication unit may be a transceiver in the communication device, such as implemented by an antenna, a feeder, and a codec in the communication device, or, if the communication device is a chip set in the device, the processing unit may be a processing circuit, a logic circuit, etc. of the chip, and the communication unit may be an input / output interface of the chip, such as an input / output circuit, a pin, etc.

[0085] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides an access point multi-link device, comprising: a processor, configured to execute instructions; optionally, the access point multi-link device further comprises a memory, the memory being configured to store the instructions, and when the instructions are executed by the processor, the communication device implements the method in any possible implementation of the first to fourth aspects and the first to fourth aspects. Optionally, the processor is coupled to the memory.

[0086] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a non-access point multi-link device, comprising: a processor, configured to execute instructions; optionally, the non-access point multi-link device further comprises a memory, the memory being configured to store the instructions, and when the instructions are executed by the processor, the communication device implements the method in any possible implementation of the first to fourth aspects and the first to fourth aspects. Optionally, the processor and the memory are coupled.

[0087] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a communication system, which includes multiple devices or equipment in the above-mentioned fifth to eighth aspects, so that the devices or equipment execute the methods in the first to fourth aspects, and any possible implementation of the first to fourth aspects.

[0088] In a tenth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method of any possible implementation of aspects 1 to 4, and aspects 1 to 4.

[0089] In an eleventh aspect, the present application provides a chip system, which includes a processor and an interface, and optionally, may also include a memory, for implementing the method in any possible implementation of the first to fourth aspects and the first to fourth aspects. The chip system may be composed of a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0090] In a twelfth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product, comprising instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to execute the method in any possible implementation of the first to fourth aspects, and the first to fourth aspects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0091] Figure 1A A schematic diagram of a communication system provided for this application;

[0092] Figure 1B A schematic diagram of a specific implementation of the communication system provided in this application;

[0093] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a multi-link device including low-frequency and millimeter-wave links provided for the present application;

[0094] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a low-frequency link assisting a millimeter wave link for data transmission and link recovery;

[0095] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of another low-frequency link assisting a millimeter wave link in data transmission and link recovery;

[0096] Figure 5 A flowchart of a multi-link data processing method provided in this application;

[0097] Figure 6 A flowchart of another multi-link data processing method provided by this application;

[0098] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of link recovery using beam configuration parameters before disconnection of the first link under the constraint of the maximum number of retransmissions provided by the present application;

[0099] Figure 8A schematic diagram of another method of link recovery using the beam configuration parameters before the first link is disconnected under the constraint of the maximum number of retransmissions provided by the present application;

[0100] Fig. 9 A schematic diagram of link recovery using beam configuration parameters before disconnection of the first link under the constraint of the longest retransmission time provided in the present application;

[0101] Fig.10 A schematic diagram of another method of link recovery using the beam configuration parameters before the first link is disconnected under the constraint of the maximum number of retransmissions provided by the present application;

[0102] Fig.11 A schematic diagram of link recovery using a first modulation and coding scheme under the constraint of a maximum number of retransmissions provided in the present application;

[0103] Fig.12 A schematic diagram of link recovery using a first modulation and coding scheme under the constraint of a maximum retransmission time provided by the present application;

[0104] Fig.13 A schematic diagram of the device provided for this application;

[0105] Figure 14-16 A schematic diagram of a multi-link device provided in this application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0106] In the embodiments of the present application, " / " can indicate that the objects associated before and after are in an "or" relationship, for example, A / B can indicate A or B; "and / or" can be used to describe that there are three relationships between the associated objects, for example, A and / or B can indicate: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In order to facilitate the description of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, in the embodiments of the present application, the words "first" and "second" can be used to distinguish between technical features with the same or similar functions. The words "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity and execution order, and the words "first" and "second" do not necessarily limit the difference. In the embodiments of the present application, the words "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations or explanations, and any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" should not be interpreted as being more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or design. The use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present related concepts in a specific way for easy understanding.

[0107] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0108] This application is based on Figure 1A The communication system shown provides a multi-link data processing method, which can assist in quickly restoring a disconnected millimeter wave link, thereby improving transmission efficiency. Figure 1A The communication system 100 shown includes at least two multi-link devices (MLDs); one is an access point (AP) multi-link device 101 (abbreviated as AP MLD), and the other is a non-access point (non-AP) multi-link device 102 (abbreviated as non-APMLD, also known as a station multi-link device (STAMLD)) as an example.

[0109] The access point multi-link device 101 includes one or more APs (for example, including AP1 to AP n). The non-access point multi-link device 102 includes one or more non-AP STAs (for example, including STA1 to STA n). The non-access point multi-link device 102 can establish a multi-link (referred to as multi-link establishment or multi-link association) with the access point multi-link device 101 and then communicate. During the multi-link establishment (or multi-link association) process, a STA in the non-access point multi-link device 102 can send an association request frame to an AP in the access point multi-link device 101. The association request frame carries a multi-link element (MLE, or multi-link information unit) to carry information of the non-access point multi-link device 102 and / or information of other STAs in the non-access point multi-link device 102. Similarly, the association response frame that the AP in the access point multi-link device 101 replies to the corresponding (associated) STA can also carry MLE to carry information of the access point multi-link device 101 and / or information of other APs in the access point multi-link device 101. For example, STA1 can establish a link with AP1 (also called STA1 is associated with AP1, and link 1 communication can be used), AP2 can establish a link with STA2 (also called STA2 is associated with AP2, and link 2 communication can be used), and so on. Figure 1A After link1 to link n as shown, the non-access point multi-link device 102 can communicate with the access point multi-link device 101 through link1 to link n.

[0110] 1. Relevant concepts of this application.

[0111] 1. Communication system:

[0112] In the present application, the communication system may be a wireless local area network (WLAN) or a cellular network, or other wireless communication systems that support multiple links to communicate in parallel. The embodiments of the present application are mainly described by taking the network that deploys IEEE 802.11 as an example, and the various aspects involved in the present application can be extended to other networks that adopt various standards or protocols, for example, BLUETOOTH (Bluetooth), high performance wireless LAN (HIPERLAN) (a wireless standard similar to the IEEE 802.11 standard, mainly used in Europe) and wide area network (WAN), personal area network (PAN) or other networks known or developed later. The network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application. Therefore, regardless of the coverage range and wireless access protocol used, the various aspects provided in the present application can be applied to any suitable wireless network. It is known to those skilled in the art that with the evolution of the communication network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0113] 2. Multi-link devices:

[0114] The WLAN standards currently under discussion include 802.11be and 802.11bn. 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7) is called extremely high throughput (EHT), and 802.11bn (Wi-Fi 8) is called ultra-high reliability (UHR). 802.11be introduces a multi-link (ML) mechanism, and multi-link means the ability to work in multiple frequency bands or multiple channels. For example, the multi-link mechanism can establish new spectrum management, coordination and transmission mechanisms at 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz, mainly including enhanced multi-link aggregation MAC architecture, multi-link channel access and multi-link transmission and other related technologies. Among them, this application refers to the links on 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz as links below 10GHz or links below 7GHz, which can also be called low-frequency links. The present application is applied to a wireless LAN system supporting IEEE 802.11ax next-generation Wi-Fi protocol (such as 802.11be, Wi-Fi 7 or EHT), or IEEE 802.11be next-generation Wi-Fi protocol (such as Wi-Fi 8, UHR), or Wi-Fi AI, or millimeter wave (mmWave), or ultra wideband (UWB), or sensing.

[0115] The multi-link mechanism can be implemented through multi-link devices. For example, multi-link devices can communicate simultaneously on the 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz frequency bands, or communicate simultaneously on different channels of the same frequency band, thereby increasing the communication rate between devices and realizing efficient use of spectrum resources. Multi-link devices can implement wireless communications in accordance with the 802.11 series of protocols, for example, in accordance with EHT sites, or in accordance with sites based on 802.11be or compatible with 802.11be, to achieve communication with other devices. Among them, other devices may be multi-link devices or not.

[0116] A multi-link device usually includes multiple STAs or multiple APs. Each STA or AP operates on a specific frequency band or channel. A multi-link device can be an access point device (AP MLD) or a station device (non-APMLD or non-AP STA MLD). If it is an access point device (e.g. Figure 1A The access point multi-link device 101 shown in FIG. 1 includes one or more APs. If the device is a station device (eg, Figure 1AThe non-AP multi-link device 102 shown in the figure contains one or more non-AP STAs. The station device can establish a multi-link (referred to as multi-link establishment or multi-link association) with the access point device and then communicate.

[0117] In this application, a multi-link device (such as Figure 1A The AP MLD, non-AP MLD) in the description is a device with wireless communication function. The device can be a complete device, or a chip or processing system installed in the complete device. Devices installed with these chips or processing systems can implement the methods and functions of the present application under the control of these chips or processing systems. For example, a multi-link device can be a multi-link device with a single antenna (or a single RF module), or a multi-link device with multiple antennas (or multiple RF modules). The embodiment of the present application does not limit the number of antennas included in the multi-link device.

[0118] In the present application, non-AP MLD has wireless transceiver functions, can support 802.11 series protocols, and communicate with AP MLD or other non-AP MLD or single-link devices. For example, non-AP MLD can be any user communication device that allows users to communicate with AP and then communicate with WLAN, such as but not limited to tablet computers, desktops, laptops, notebook computers, ultra-mobile personal computers (ultra-mobile personal computers, UMPC), handheld computers, netbooks, personal digital assistants (personal digital assistants, PDA), mobile phones and other user devices that can be connected to the Internet, or IoT nodes in the Internet of Things, or vehicle-mounted communication devices in the Internet of Vehicles, etc. Optionally, non-AP MLD can also be chips and processing systems in the above-mentioned terminals.

[0119] In the present application, AP MLD is a device that provides services for non-AP MLD and can support 802.11 series protocols. For example, AP MLD can be a communication entity such as a communication server, a router, a switch, a bridge, or the like, or AP MLD can include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, etc. Of course, AP MLD can also be a chip and processing system in these various forms of equipment, so as to realize the method and function of the embodiment of the present application.

[0120] For example, Figure 1B A specific implementation of the communication system provided in this application. Assume that the AP MLD includes base station 1 and base station 2, and the non-AP MLD includes terminal 1 and terminal 2. Among them, base station 1 is associated with terminal 1 and communicates through link 1; base station 2 is associated with terminal 2 and communicates through link 2.

[0121] In addition, multi-link devices can support high-speed and low-latency transmission. With the continuous evolution of wireless LAN application scenarios, multi-link devices can also be applied to more scenarios, such as sensor nodes in smart cities (for example, smart water meters, smart electricity meters, smart air detection nodes), smart devices in smart homes (such as smart cameras, projectors, display screens, TVs, speakers, refrigerators, washing machines, etc.), nodes in the Internet of Things, entertainment terminals (such as wearable devices such as AR and VR), smart devices in smart offices (such as printers, projectors, etc.), Internet of Vehicles devices in the Internet of Vehicles, and some infrastructure in daily life scenarios (such as vending machines, self-service navigation desks in supermarkets, self-service cash registers, self-service ordering machines, etc.). In the embodiments of the present application, there is no special restriction on the specific forms of AP MLD and non-AP MLD, which are only exemplary descriptions. Among them, the 802.11 protocol can be a protocol that supports 802.11be or is compatible with 802.11be.

[0122] 3. MLD communication model using low-frequency links and millimeter-wave links:

[0123] It is currently proposed to add millimeter wave links (also called high frequency links) to current MLDs. For example, Figure 2 It is an MLD communication model that includes low-frequency and millimeter wave links. The communication model consists of two parts: AP MLD and non-AP MLD. APMLD contains up to 4 AP sites, and non-AP MLD can contain 4 non-AP sites, which work on 2.4GHz link, 5GHz link, 6GHz link and millimeter wave link respectively. The MLD communication model can also include any 2 of the above 4 links. When at least one of the included multiple links is a millimeter wave link, the MLD device can transmit data through millimeter waves.

[0124] In a possible implementation, when the millimeter wave link is blocked, the MLD can use the low-frequency link to assist the millimeter wave link in data transmission and link recovery. The specific implementation methods may include but are not limited to the following methods:

[0125] (1) Method 1: When the millimeter wave link is blocked, the low-frequency link is awakened for data transmission, and new beamforming training (BFT) is scheduled through the low-frequency link.

[0126] For example, Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a low-frequency link assisting a millimeter-wave link for data transmission and link recovery. Figure 3Taking the downlink transmission from AP MLD to non-AP MLD as an example, assuming that the millimeter wave link has completed BFT, the AP MLD starts downlink data transmission through the millimeter wave link. Optionally, before data transmission, the MLD device can set a target wake time service period (TWT SP) on the millimeter wave link, such as Figure 3 TWT SP1 in the figure; and TWT SP is also set as a backup link on a low-frequency link (including 2.4GHz link, 5GHz link, 6GHz link, which can be collectively referred to as links below 10GHz or links below 7GHz) so that after the millimeter wave link is blocked, the data can be switched to the low-frequency link for transmission as soon as possible.

[0127] In order to save power, when the millimeter wave link is transmitting data (the millimeter wave link of the non-AP MLD is in an active state), the low-frequency link of the non-AP MLD is in a sleep state. After TWT SP1 ends, if the data transmission is not completed, the MLD device continues to set TWT SP2 on the millimeter wave link and the low-frequency link respectively, and continues to transmit data on the millimeter wave link until the high-frequency link is blocked. For example, a method for determining whether the millimeter wave link is blocked may be: after the transmitting end of the millimeter wave link sends data, the transmitting end does not receive confirmation information; the receiving end of the millimeter wave link does not receive data information within a period of time (such as a preset timeout threshold). Then the receiving end and the transmitting end of the millimeter wave link can determine that the millimeter wave link is blocked. When the millimeter wave link is blocked, in order to save power, the millimeter wave link of the non-AP MLD enters a sleep state, and at the same time, the low-frequency link of the non-AP MLD changes from a sleep state to an active state. The low-frequency link sends multi user-request to send (MU-RTS) downlink and clear to send (CTS) uplink to protect data transmission from hidden nodes. After a period of data transmission, the low-frequency link sends information about scheduling new beamforming training (schedule new BFT) downlink. After TWT SP2 ends, the millimeter wave link performs new beamforming training according to the schedule new BFT information in the low-frequency link.

[0128] In this method 1, when the millimeter wave frequency link is blocked, the MLD device can instruct the millimeter wave link to re-perform beamforming training through the low-frequency link, thereby realizing link recovery. However, when the millimeter wave link is blocked, if the position of the non-APMLD does not move (for example, the blockage ends in a very short time), the MLD device can directly use the BF configuration before the link is blocked to restore the link. At this time, if the beamforming training is directly re-performed, it will waste time and reduce transmission efficiency.

[0129] Method 2: When the millimeter wave link is blocked, the low-frequency link is awakened for data transmission, and a recommend lower MCS (modulation and code scheme) information is sent through the low-frequency link.

[0130] For example, Figure 4 This is another schematic diagram of using a low-frequency link to assist a millimeter-wave link for data transmission and link recovery. Figure 3 Similar, you can refer to Figure 3 The corresponding description is not repeated here. Figure 3 The difference is that when the millimeter wave link is blocked, the low-frequency link of the non-AP MLD sends the recommend lower MCS information to the APMLD in the uplink, which can instruct the AP MLD to use a lower MCS to send data on the millimeter wave link, such as Figure 4 shown.

[0131] In the second method, when the millimeter wave link is blocked, the MLD device can instruct the millimeter wave link to use a lower MCS for transmission through the low-frequency link, thereby realizing link recovery. However, it is possible that even if a lower MCS is used, the millimeter wave link still cannot recover data transmission, reducing transmission efficiency.

[0132] 2. The multi-link data processing method provided by this application:

[0133] 1. The first indication information is used to indicate that the beam configuration parameters before the first link is disconnected are used to perform link recovery.

[0134] Figure 5 A flowchart of a multi-link data processing method provided in this application is provided. The multi-link data processing method can be applied to Figure 1A , Figure 1B and Figure 2In the communication system shown. For example, the multi-link data processing method can be implemented by the interaction between the first device and the second device. Among them, the first device can be a transmitting end or a device capable of implementing data sending and processing functions, and the second device can be a receiving end or a device capable of implementing data receiving and processing functions. For example, in downlink data transmission, the first device is an access point multi-link device, and the second device is a non-access point multi-link device; or, in uplink data transmission, the first device is a non-access point multi-link device, and the second device is an access point multi-link device. The multi-link data processing method includes the following steps:

[0135] S101, a first device sends first indication information on a second link, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the beam configuration parameters before the first link is disconnected are used to perform link recovery; correspondingly, a second device receives the first indication information on the second link.

[0136] The second link is a low-frequency link, that is, the second link is a link below 10 GHz or a link below 7 GHz. For example, the second link may be a link at 2.4 GHz, or a link at 5 GHz, or a link at 6 GHz. The first link is a millimeter wave (mmWave) link, for example, the first link may be a link above 10 GHz. It is understood that the operating frequency of the second link is lower than the operating frequency of the first link.

[0137] Specifically, when the first indication information is used to indicate the use of the beam configuration parameters before the first link is disconnected for link recovery, it means that the first indication information is used to instruct the MLD device to use the BF parameters before the millimeter wave link is disconnected to attempt link recovery on the millimeter wave link instead of directly re-performing BFT after the millimeter wave link is disconnected. Link recovery (recovery) may also be referred to as link reconstruction (reconstruction) or link reconnection (reconnection). For example, in downlink data transmission, the first device may send the first indication information via a low-frequency link, thereby instructing the second device to use the beam configuration parameters before the first link is disconnected for link recovery, rather than instructing the second device to schedule a new BFT.

[0138] In a possible implementation, the first indication information is carried in a data frame, or the first indication information is a management frame or a control frame. For example, the first indication information may be transmitted in the form of a management frame, or in the form of a control frame, or in the form of a data frame piggybacked transmission. Among them, the management frame or control frame may be a management frame or control frame newly designed in the present application that is different from the existing management frame or control frame. The data frame may be a multiplexed existing data frame and carried in an existing data frame. Optionally, the management frame or control frame may also reuse an existing management frame or control frame and carry the first indication information by means of a newly added field.

[0139] S102a: The first device performs link recovery on the first link.

[0140] S102b: The second device performs link recovery on the first link.

[0141] The first device and the second device can both perform link recovery on the first link according to the first indication information. For example, the first device performs link recovery on the first link using the beam configuration parameters before the first link is disconnected; the second device performs link recovery on the first link using the beam configuration parameters before the first link is disconnected.

[0142] In one possible implementation, if the link recovery is successful using the beam configuration parameters before the first link is disconnected, the first device and the second device can directly switch to the millimeter wave link for data transmission, which can save time and improve transmission efficiency compared to scheduling a new BFT for data transmission.

[0143] In a possible implementation, the first device may also configure a constraint condition so that the first device or the second device uses the beam configuration parameters before the first link is disconnected to perform link recovery under the constraint condition. The configuration constraint condition may include but is not limited to configuring the maximum retransmission time, configuring the maximum number of retransmissions, etc. The maximum retransmission time represents the maximum value of the duration of link recovery on the first link, and the maximum retransmission time is predefined by the protocol or determined by negotiation between the first device and the second device (such as an access point and a non-access point). For example, within the maximum retransmission time, the first device and the second device may use the beam configuration parameters before the first link is disconnected to perform link recovery on the first link; if the first link is successfully recovered within the maximum retransmission time, the first device and the second device may switch from the second link to the first link for data transmission. For another example, within the maximum number of retransmissions, the first device and the second device may use the beam configuration parameters before the first link is disconnected to perform link recovery on the first link; if the first link is successfully recovered within the maximum number of retransmissions, the first device and the second device may switch from the second link to the first link for data transmission.

[0144] Optionally, S102a and S102b are similar operations executed on different devices, and there is no specific order in which they are executed. For example, S102a may be executed first and then S102b, or S102b may be executed first and then S102a, or S102a and S102b may be executed simultaneously, which is not limited in this embodiment.

[0145] In this embodiment, when the millimeter wave link is blocked and disconnected, the first device can instruct the data sender and receiver to use the beam configuration parameters before the first link is disconnected through the first indication information to attempt to recover the link on the first link, instead of directly re-performing beamforming training on the first link; if the link recovery is successful, there is no need to re-perform beamforming training, which avoids wasting time and is conducive to improving data transmission efficiency.

[0146] 2. The first indication information is used to indicate that the first modulation and coding scheme is used for link recovery within the longest retransmission time or the maximum number of retransmissions.

[0147] Figure 6 A flowchart of another multi-link data processing method provided by the present application is shown in FIG. The multi-link data processing method can be applied to Figure 1A , Figure 1B and Figure 2 In the communication system shown. For example, the multi-link data processing method can be implemented by the interaction between the first device and the second device. The multi-link data processing method includes the following steps:

[0148] S201, a first device sends first indication information on a second link, where the first indication information is used to indicate that a first modulation and coding scheme is used for link recovery within a maximum retransmission time or a maximum number of retransmissions; correspondingly, a second device receives the first indication information.

[0149] Among them, the modulation order of the first modulation and coding scheme is smaller than the modulation order of the second modulation and coding scheme, and / or the code rate of the first modulation and coding scheme is smaller than the code rate of the second modulation and coding scheme. The second modulation and coding scheme is the modulation and coding scheme adopted before the first link is disconnected. That is, within the longest retransmission time or the maximum number of retransmissions, the first device and the second device can try to adopt a lower modulation and coding scheme for link recovery. For example, assuming that the first modulation and coding scheme includes a modulation order of 4 (such as using 16 orthogonal amplitude modulation (quadrature amplitude modulation, QAM)) and a code rate of 340; then the second modulation and coding scheme can be designed to include a modulation order of 2 (such as using quadrature phase shift keying (quadrature phase shift keying, QPSK)) and a code rate of 120. Within the longest retransmission time or the maximum number of retransmissions, the first device and the second device can use QPSK modulation and a coding method with a code rate of 120 to recover the link on the first link.

[0150] Specifically, when the first indication information is used to indicate that the first modulation and coding scheme is used for link recovery within the longest retransmission time or the maximum number of retransmissions, it means that the first indication information is used to indicate that the MLD device needs to use a lower modulation and coding scheme on the millimeter wave link within a limited time or number of times to try to recover the link after the millimeter wave link is disconnected. Even if the first link cannot be recovered by using a lower modulation and coding scheme, this embodiment limits the longest retransmission time and the maximum number of retransmissions, so that the first device and the second device can make a limited number of attempts, and if they cannot be recovered, they can also perform other operations as soon as possible (such as re-performing beamforming training), which is conducive to improving transmission efficiency.

[0151] Optionally, the specific description of the first link, the second link, and the first indication information being carried in the data frame in S201, or the first indication information being a management frame or a control frame, etc. can refer to the corresponding description in S101, which will not be repeated here.

[0152] S202a: The first device performs link recovery on the first link.

[0153] S202b: The second device performs link recovery on the first link.

[0154] The specific implementation of S202a and S202b may refer to the corresponding descriptions in S102a and S102b, which will not be repeated here.

[0155] In this embodiment, when the millimeter wave link is blocked and disconnected, the first device can instruct the data sender and receiver to use a lower modulation and coding scheme to attempt to recover the link on the first link within a preset time or a preset maximum number of times through the first indication information, instead of directly re-performing beamforming training on the first link; if the link recovery is successful, there is no need to re-perform beamforming training, thereby avoiding wasting time; if the lower modulation and coding scheme cannot restore the link, since the maximum retransmission time or the maximum number of retransmissions is set, the first device can re-perform beamforming training on the first link as soon as possible after the attempt fails, which is beneficial to improving data transmission efficiency.

[0156] III. Specific implementation methods of the multi-link data processing method provided by the present application when the first indication information is different:

[0157] 1. Example 1: Under the constraint of the maximum number of retransmissions, the beam configuration parameters before the first link is disconnected are used to recover the link.

[0158] For example, Figure 7 A schematic diagram of link recovery using the beam configuration parameters before the first link is disconnected under the constraint of the maximum number of retransmissions provided by the present application. Figure 7 The following description is made by taking the downlink transmission from AP MLD to non-AP MLD as an example. Assume that the millimeter wave link has completed BFT, and the target wake-up time service period has been configured on both the first link and the second link. For example, both the first link and the second link have been configured with the first service period (e.g. Figure 7 The start time of the first service period is the first time, which is the designated time when the transmitting end and the receiving end of the first link are synchronized after the first link is disconnected (that is, the first device and the second device both know the first time, and can try to recover the link from the first time), such as Figure 7 The first service period is a TWT SP newly set in the present application, in which the first device and the second device can attempt to perform link recovery on the first link. Optionally, similar to Figure 3 , Figure 7 TWT SP1 has been configured for both the first link and the second link so that when the millimeter wave link is blocked, the data can be switched to the low-frequency link for transmission as soon as possible.

[0159] In order to save power, when the first link transmits data (the millimeter wave link of the non-AP MLD is in an active state), the low-frequency link of the non-AP MLD is in a sleep state. After TWT SP1 ends, if the data transmission is not completed, TWT SP2 is configured on the first link and the second link respectively, and data is transmitted on the first link until the first link is blocked. For example, a method for determining whether the first link is blocked may be: after the AP MLD sends data through the first link, the AP MLD does not receive confirmation information (no ACK); the non-AP MLD does not receive data within a period of time (such as a preset timeout threshold). Then the AP MLD and the non-AP MLD can determine that the first link is blocked. After the AP MLD and the non-AP MLD identify that the first link is blocked, in order to save power, the first link of the non-AP MLD enters a sleep state, and at the same time, the second link of the non-AP MLD changes from a sleep state to an active state.

[0160] After the second link is converted to an active state, a multi user-request to send (MU-RTS) is sent downlink and clear to send (CTS) is fed back uplink to protect data transmission from being affected by hidden nodes. After a period of data transmission, the second link sends a first indication message downlink to indicate that the link should be recovered using the beam configuration parameters before the first link was disconnected. The maximum number of retransmissions is also configured on the first link, and the maximum number of retransmissions indicates the maximum number of attempts to recover the link on the first link; the maximum number of retransmissions is predefined by the protocol or determined by negotiation between the access point and the non-access point, that is, the maximum number of retransmissions can be negotiated by the AP MLD and the non-AP MLD, or specified in the protocol. For example, Figure 7 The maximum number of retransmissions shown is 3, that is, the maximum number of attempts to recover the link on the first link is 3. After TWT SP2 ends, according to the first indication information sent in the second link, AP MLD and non-AP MLD attempt to recover the link on the first link. For example, starting from the first moment, AP MLD and non-APMLD use the BF parameter configuration before the first link is blocked, and attempt to recover the link on the mmWave link, such as Figure 7 As shown in the gray squares in the figure; each gray square indicates sending a reconnection attempt (that is, sending a short data frame, control frame, or management frame). According to the configured maximum number of retransmissions, Figure 7A maximum of three gray blocks can be sent to attempt link recovery. Each gray block can be a short data frame, a control frame, or a management frame. That is, AP MLD and non-AP MLD use short data frames, control frames, or management frames to perform link recovery on the first link.

[0161] If the first link is successfully restored within the maximum number of retransmissions, the data is directly switched to the first link for data transmission. Figure 7 In the downlink transmission scenario shown, the AP MLD can switch to the first link to send downlink data, and the non-AP MLD can switch to the first link to receive uplink data. If the first link fails to recover after exceeding the maximum number of retransmissions, beamforming training is performed again for the first link. During the attempt to recover the first link, the second link can continue to transmit data to ensure the integrity of the data transmission. The first indication information can be transmitted in the form of a management frame, in the form of a control frame, or in the form of piggybacking on a data frame. The first indication information can be sent by an AP MLD or by a non-AP MLD.

[0162] In a possible implementation, the second link is not configured with a TWT SP, and only the first link is configured with a TWT SP. Figure 8 Another schematic diagram provided for the present application is to recover the link by using the beam configuration parameters before the first link is disconnected under the constraint of the maximum number of retransmissions. Figure 8 The following description still uses the example of downlink transmission from AP MLD to non-AP MLD. Figure 7 , the first link and the second link are not configured with TWT SP (such as Figure 8 There is no TWT SP1 / TWTSP2 / TWT SP3 on the second link. When the first link is transmitting data, the second link can be in a sleep state. When the first link is blocked, the first device can send a second indication message, which is used to indicate to the receiving end that the sending end has data that needs to be sent on a link below 10 GHz or a link below 7 GHz. For example, Figure 8 The second indication information in the second link is used to indicate to the non-AP MLD that the AP MLD has data that needs to be sent on the second link. Then the second link switches from the sleep state to the wake-up state, and the receiving end of the second link (such as Figure 8The contention channel may include one or more low-frequency links, that is, multiple low-frequency links may wake up and compete for the channel, and multiple low-frequency links may send power save polling (PS-Poll) frames respectively. The contention channel may be multiple low-frequency links under different non-AP MLDs; for each non-AP MLD, there may be one or more low-frequency links to participate in the competition. When the transmitting end receives the PS-Poll from a second link, the transmitting end may send MU-RTS in the downlink of the second link, the receiving end replies with CTS, and then data may be transmitted on the second link. For example, Figure 8 After receiving the second indication information, the non-AP MLD participates in the channel competition. If the competition is successful, it sends PS-Poll to the AP MLD through the second link. The AP MLD sends MU-RTS downlink, and the non-AP MLD feedbacks CTS uplink. The non-AP MLD and AP MLD switch to the second link for data transmission. For subsequent steps (such as the AP MLD sending the first indication information downlink, using the beam configuration parameters before the first link is disconnected on the first link to try to recover the link, etc.), please refer to Figure 7 The corresponding description in will not be repeated here.

[0163] In this example 1, the maximum number of retransmissions is further configured, thereby limiting the number of times the sender and the receiver can attempt to recover the link, rather than attempting to recover the link indefinitely, thereby avoiding wasting time and improving transmission efficiency.

[0164] 2. Example 2: Under the constraint of the longest retransmission time, the beam configuration parameters before the first link is disconnected are used to recover the link.

[0165] For example, Fig. 9 A schematic diagram of link recovery using the beam configuration parameters before the first link is disconnected under the constraint of the longest retransmission time provided by the present application. Fig. 9 Take the downlink transmission from AP MLD to non-AP MLD as an example. Assume that the millimeter wave link has completed BFT, and the target wake-up time service period has been configured on the first link and the second link, for example, TWT SP1 / TWT SP2 / TWT SP3 has been configured on the first link and the second link. Fig. 9 shown.

[0166] The difference from the previous example 1 is that the first indication information sent downlink on the second link no longer constrains the maximum number of retransmissions, but constrains the maximum retransmission time. For example, the first link is also configured with a maximum retransmission time, which indicates the maximum duration of link recovery on the first link; the maximum retransmission time is predefined by the protocol or determined by negotiation between the access point and the non-access point, that is, the maximum retransmission time can be negotiated by the AP MLD and the non-AP MLD, or specified in the protocol. For example, Fig. 9 The maximum retransmission time shown is the duration of the gray arrow in the figure. After TWTSP2 ends, according to the first indication information sent in the second link, the AP MLD and the non-AP MLD attempt to perform link recovery on the first link. For example, starting from the first moment, the AP MLD and the non-AP MLD use the BF parameter configuration before the first link is blocked, and attempt to perform link recovery on the mmWave link, such as Fig. 9 As shown by the gray arrow in FIG. 1 , the AP MLD and the non-AP MLD can attempt to perform link recovery within the maximum retransmission time. The AP MLD and the non-AP MLD use short data frames, control frames, or management frames to perform link recovery on the first link.

[0167] If the first link is successfully restored within the longest retransmission time, the data is directly switched to the first link for data transmission. Fig. 9 In the downlink transmission scenario shown, the AP MLD can switch to the first link to send downlink data, and the non-AP MLD can switch to the first link to receive uplink data. If the first link fails to recover after the maximum retransmission time, beamforming training is performed again for the first link. During the attempt to recover the first link, the second link can continue to transmit data to ensure the integrity of the data transmission. The first indication information can be transmitted in the form of a management frame, in the form of a control frame, or in the form of piggybacking on a data frame. The first indication information can be sent by an AP MLD or by a non-AP MLD.

[0168] In a possible implementation, the second link is not configured with a TWT SP, and only the first link is configured with a TWT SP. Fig.10 Another schematic diagram provided for the present application is to recover the link by using the beam configuration parameters before the first link is disconnected under the constraint of the maximum number of retransmissions. Fig.10 The following description still uses the example of downlink transmission from AP MLD to non-AP MLD. Fig. 9 , the first link and the second link are not configured with TWT SP (such as Fig.10There is no TWT SP1 / TWTSP2 / TWT SP3 on the second link. When the first link is transmitting data, the second link can be in a sleep state. When the first link is blocked, the first device can send a second indication message, which is used to indicate to the receiving end that the sending end has data that needs to be sent on a link below 10 GHz or a link below 7 GHz. For example, Fig.10 The second indication information in the second link is used to indicate to the non-AP MLD that the AP MLD has data that needs to be sent on the second link. Then the second link switches from the sleep state to the wake-up state, and the receiving end of the second link (such as Fig.10 The specific implementation of the competition and subsequent steps (such as AP MLD sending the first indication information downlink, using the beam configuration parameters before the first link is disconnected on the first link to try to recover the link, etc.) can be referred to Figure 7 and Figure 8 The corresponding description in will not be repeated here.

[0169] In this example 2, the maximum retransmission time is further configured, so that the sender and the receiver can attempt to restore the link within a certain period of time, rather than attempting to restore the link indefinitely, thereby avoiding wasting time and improving transmission efficiency.

[0170] 3. Example 3: Using the first modulation and coding scheme to perform link recovery under the constraint of the maximum number of retransmissions.

[0171] For example, Fig.11 A schematic diagram of link recovery using a first modulation and coding scheme under the constraint of a maximum number of retransmissions provided in the present application.

[0172] in, Fig.11 Take the downlink transmission from AP MLD to non-AP MLD as an example. Assume that the millimeter wave link has completed BFT, and the target wake-up time service period has been configured on the first link and the second link, for example, TWT SP1 / TWT SP2 / TWT SP3 has been configured on the first link and the second link. Fig.11 shown.

[0173] The difference from the previous example 1 is that the first indication information is used to indicate that the first modulation and coding scheme is used for link recovery within the maximum number of retransmissions, rather than using the beam configuration parameters before the first link is disconnected to recover the link within the maximum number of retransmissions. Among them, the description of the first modulation and coding scheme can refer to the corresponding description of the previous embodiment, and will not be repeated here. For example, when the first link is disconnected, the non-AP MLD can send the first indication information through the second link uplink to indicate that the first modulation and coding scheme is used for link recovery on the first link within the maximum number of retransmissions. Starting from the first moment, the AP MLD and the non-AP MLD can send information on the first link to attempt to reconnect within the maximum number of retransmissions, thereby recovering the link.

[0174] The differences from Example 1 above also include: Fig.11 Each gray block in the figure may be a data frame of the first modulation and coding scheme, that is, the AP MLD and the non-AP MLD use the data frame of the first modulation and coding scheme to perform link recovery on the first link.

[0175] If the first link is successfully restored within the maximum number of retransmissions, the data is directly switched to the first link for data transmission. Fig.11 For the specific implementation methods of other processes in , please refer to the corresponding description in Example 1, which will not be repeated here.

[0176] In one possible implementation, the second link is not configured with TWT SP, and only the first link is configured with TWT SP. When the first link is transmitting data, the second link can be in a sleep state. When the first link is blocked, the first device can send a second indication message, which is used to indicate to the receiving end that the sending end has data that needs to be sent on a link below 10 GHz or a link below 7 GHz. This implementation method can refer to Fig.11 And combined Figure 8 The description of the process thereof, for example, includes the steps that the AP MLD can send the second indication information in the second link downlink, the non-AP MLD participates in the channel competition after receiving the second indication information, and tells the AP MLD through PS-Poll, etc., which will not be repeated here.

[0177] In this example three, the maximum number of retransmissions is further configured, so that the transmitter and receiver can attempt to recover the link within a certain number of times, rather than attempting to recover the link indefinitely. Even if the link cannot be recovered by using a lower modulation and coding scheme, since the maximum number of retransmissions is set, this method can re-perform BFT on the first link as soon as possible, which is beneficial to improving transmission efficiency.

[0178] 4. Example 4: Using the first modulation and coding scheme to perform link recovery under the constraint of the longest retransmission time.

[0179] For example, Fig.12 A schematic diagram of link recovery using a first modulation and coding scheme under the constraint of a maximum retransmission time is provided in the present application.

[0180] in, Fig.12 Take the downlink transmission from AP MLD to non-AP MLD as an example. Assume that the millimeter wave link has completed BFT, and the target wake-up time service period has been configured on the first link and the second link, for example, TWT SP1 / TWT SP2 / TWT SP3 has been configured on the first link and the second link. Fig.12 shown.

[0181] The difference from the previous example 2 is that the first indication information is used to indicate that the first modulation and coding scheme is used for link recovery within the longest retransmission time, rather than using the beam configuration parameters before the first link is disconnected to recover the link within the longest retransmission time. Among them, the description of the first modulation and coding scheme can refer to the corresponding description of the previous embodiment, and will not be repeated here. For example, when the first link is disconnected, the non-AP MLD can send the first indication information through the second link uplink, which is used to indicate that the first modulation and coding scheme is used for link recovery on the first link within the longest retransmission time. Starting from the first moment, AP MLD and non-AP MLD can send information on the first link to attempt to reconnect within the longest retransmission time, so as to recover the link.

[0182] The differences from Example 2 above also include: Fig.12 In the longest retransmission time, data frames using the first modulation and coding scheme are used to attempt link recovery. That is, the AP MLD and the non-AP MLD use data frames using the first modulation and coding scheme to perform link recovery on the first link.

[0183] If the first link is successfully restored within the maximum number of retransmissions, the data is directly switched to the first link for data transmission. Fig.12 For the specific implementation methods of other processes in , please refer to the corresponding description in Example 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0184] In one possible implementation, the second link is not configured with TWT SP, and only the first link is configured with TWT SP. When the first link is transmitting data, the second link can be in a sleep state. When the first link is blocked, the first device can send a second indication message, which is used to indicate to the receiving end that the sending end has data that needs to be sent on a link below 10 GHz or a link below 7 GHz. This implementation method can refer to Fig.12 And combined Fig.10 The description of the process thereof, for example, includes the steps that the AP MLD can send the second indication information in the second link downlink, the non-AP MLD participates in the channel competition after receiving the second indication information, and tells the AP MLD through PS-Poll, etc., which will not be repeated here.

[0185] In this example 4, the maximum retransmission time is further configured, so that the transmitter and receiver can attempt to recover the link within a certain period of time, rather than attempting to recover the link indefinitely. Even if the link cannot be recovered by using a lower modulation and coding scheme, since the maximum retransmission time is set, this method can re-perform BFT on the first link as soon as possible, which is beneficial to improving transmission efficiency.

[0186] In summary, Examples 1 to 4 are all described using the downlink transmission process as an example, but the multi-link data processing method provided in the present application is also applicable to uplink transmission, and can be adaptively modified to obtain the corresponding process.

[0187] 4. Field design of the first indication information in the multi-link data processing method provided by this application:

[0188] 1. Example 1: The first indication information is included in one field.

[0189] The first indication information may be included in the first field, and the first field is used to indicate that beamforming training is to be re-performed on the first link or to indicate that link recovery is to be performed and beamforming training is to be re-performed after link recovery fails. That is, the first field may indicate that no link recovery attempt is to be made and BFT is to be re-performed directly (such as Figure 3 The scheme shown in the figure) can also indicate link recovery and re-beamforming training after link recovery fails (such as the scheme provided in the present application), and it can be implemented by different values ​​of the first field. This implementation method can reuse existing fields for indication, or design new fields for indication, which is not limited in the present application.

[0190] In a possible implementation, when the first indication information is used to indicate link recovery using the beam configuration parameters before the first link is disconnected, the first indication information is included in a first field as shown in Table 1.

[0191] Table 1: Values ​​and meanings of a first field

[0192]

[0193] In a possible implementation, when the first indication information is used to indicate that the first modulation and coding scheme is used for link recovery within a maximum retransmission time or a maximum number of retransmissions, the first indication information is included in another first field as shown in Table 2.

[0194] Table 2: Another value of the first field and its meaning

[0195]

[0196] 2. Example 2: The first indication information is included in two fields.

[0197] The first indication information may be included in a combination of a first field and a second field, and the combination of the first field and the second field is used to indicate that beamforming training is performed on the first link, or to indicate that link recovery is performed without beamforming training, or to indicate that link recovery is performed and beamforming training is performed again after link recovery fails. That is, the combination of the first field and the second field may indicate that no link recovery attempt is made and BFT is directly performed again (such as Figure 3 The scheme shown in the figure) can also indicate link recovery and then re-beamforming training after link recovery fails (such as the scheme provided in the present application), and can also indicate that only link recovery attempts are made, and beamforming training is not performed regardless of success or failure of the attempt, and is implemented by different values ​​of the combination of the first field and the second field. This implementation method can reuse existing fields for indication, or design new fields for indication, which is not limited in the present application.

[0198] In one possible implementation, when the first indication information is used to indicate link recovery using the beam configuration parameters before the first link is disconnected, the first indication information is included in a combination of a first field and a second field as shown in Table 3.

[0199] Table 3: Values ​​and meanings of a combination of the first field and the second field

[0200]

[0201]

[0202] In one possible implementation, when the first indication information is used to indicate that the first modulation and coding scheme is used for link recovery within the longest retransmission time or the maximum number of retransmissions, the first indication information is included in another combination of the first field and the second field as shown in Table 4.

[0203] Table 4: Values ​​and meanings of another combination of the first field and the second field

[0204]

[0205] Optionally, if the maximum number of retransmissions or the longest retransmission time is predefined by the protocol, no additional field needs to be set. If it is determined by negotiation between AP MLD and non-AP MLD, an additional field needs to be set. For example, when an additional field needs to be set to indicate the maximum number of retransmissions or the longest retransmission time, a new column of fields (e.g., the third field) can be added to the above Tables 1 to 4 to indicate the maximum number of retransmissions or the longest retransmission time, such as Table 1 can be updated to Table 5.

[0206] Table 5: Values ​​and meanings of the first extended field

[0207]

[0208] In the above two examples, two different field indication modes are defined, so as to efficiently indicate the receiving end and the transmitting end to use the second link to assist the first link in link recovery.

[0209] In order to realize the functions in the method provided by the present application, the device or equipment provided by the present application may include a hardware structure and / or a software module, and the above functions are realized in the form of a hardware structure, a software module, or a hardware structure plus a software module. Whether a certain function in the above functions is executed in the form of a hardware structure, a software module, or a hardware structure plus a software module depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. The division of modules in the present application is schematic, which is only a logical function division, and there may be other division methods in actual implementation. In addition, each functional module in each embodiment of the present application can be integrated in a processor, or it can be physically present separately, or two or more modules can be integrated in one module. The above integrated module can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional modules.

[0210] Fig.13 The present application provides a device 1300. The device may include an execution Figures 5 to 12 The module corresponding to the method / operation / step / action described in the corresponding method embodiment may be a hardware circuit, software, or a combination of hardware circuit and software.

[0211] In one embodiment, the device includes a communication unit 1301 and a processing unit 1302, which are used to implement the method performed by the first device in the aforementioned embodiment. For example, in downlink data transmission, the first device is an access point multi-link device, or in uplink data transmission, a non-access point multi-link device. Among them, the communication unit 1301 is used to send first indication information on the second link, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the beam configuration parameters before the first link is disconnected are used to perform link recovery. The processing unit 1302 is used to perform link recovery on the first link.

[0212] The specific execution process of the communication unit 1301 and the processing unit 1302 in this example refers to the detailed description of the steps executed by the first device in the aforementioned invention content and the specific implementation method, which will not be repeated here. The method implemented by the device is to instruct the sender and receiver of the data to attempt to perform link recovery on the first link through the first indication information when the millimeter wave link is blocked and disconnected, rather than directly re-performing beamforming training on the first link to avoid wasting time. Therefore, this method can assist the disconnected first link to perform rapid link recovery, which is beneficial to improving data transmission efficiency.

[0213] In one implementation, the communication unit 1301 is used to send a first indication information, which is used to indicate that the first modulation and coding scheme is used for link recovery within the longest retransmission time or the maximum number of retransmissions. The modulation order of the first modulation and coding scheme is less than the modulation order of the second modulation and coding scheme, and / or the code rate of the first modulation and coding scheme is less than the code rate of the second modulation and coding scheme; the second modulation and coding scheme is the modulation and coding scheme used before the first link is disconnected. The processing unit 1302 is used to perform link recovery on the first link.

[0214] The specific execution process of the communication unit 1301 and the processing unit 1302 in this example refers to the detailed description of the steps executed by the first device in the aforementioned invention content and the specific implementation method, which will not be repeated here. The method implemented by the device is to instruct the sender and receiver of the data to attempt to perform link recovery on the first link through the first indication information when the millimeter wave link is blocked and disconnected, rather than directly re-performing beamforming training on the first link to avoid wasting time. Therefore, this method can assist the disconnected first link to perform rapid link recovery, which is beneficial to improving data transmission efficiency.

[0215] In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a communication unit 1301 and a processing unit 1302. The communication unit 1301 is used to receive first indication information on the second link, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the beam configuration parameters before the first link is disconnected are used to perform link recovery. The processing unit 1302 is used to perform link recovery on the first link.

[0216] The specific execution process of the communication unit 1301 and the processing unit 1302 in this example refers to the detailed description of the steps executed by the second device in the aforementioned invention content and the specific implementation method, which will not be repeated here. The method implemented by the device is that when the millimeter wave link is blocked and disconnected, by receiving the first indication information, the receiving end can attempt to perform link recovery on the first link, instead of directly re-performing beamforming training on the first link, to avoid wasting time. Therefore, this method can assist the disconnected first link to perform rapid link recovery, which is beneficial to improving data transmission efficiency.

[0217] In one embodiment, the device includes a communication unit 1301 and a processing unit 1302. The communication unit 1301 is used to receive first indication information on the second link, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the first modulation and coding scheme is used to perform link recovery within the longest retransmission time or the maximum number of retransmissions; wherein the modulation order of the first modulation and coding scheme is less than the modulation order of the second modulation and coding scheme, and / or the code rate of the first modulation and coding scheme is less than the code rate of the second modulation and coding scheme; the second modulation and coding scheme is the modulation and coding scheme used before the first link is disconnected. The processing unit 1302 is used to perform link recovery on the first link.

[0218] The specific execution process of the communication unit 1301 and the processing unit 1302 in this example refers to the detailed description of the steps executed by the second device in the aforementioned invention content and the specific implementation method, which will not be repeated here. The method implemented by the device is that when the millimeter wave link is blocked and disconnected, by receiving the first indication information, the receiving end can attempt to perform link recovery on the first link, instead of directly re-performing beamforming training on the first link, to avoid wasting time. Therefore, this method can assist the disconnected first link to perform rapid link recovery, which is beneficial to improving data transmission efficiency.

[0219] The following includes Fig.13 The multi-link device described in the present application includes an access point multi-link device (AP MLD) and a non-access point multi-link device (non-AP MLD). The AP MLD includes one or more APs, and the non-AP MLD includes one or more STAs.

[0220] In one possible implementation, Fig.13 The processing unit and the communication unit shown are functional units in the AP in the AP MLD. For example, Fig.14 The first multi-link device 1400 provided in this application is used to implement the multi-link data processing method in the above method embodiment. The multi-link device 1400 can also be a chip system. The multi-link device 1400 includes one or more access points 1401 ( Fig.14 In the example of including two APs, each AP includes a communication interface 1401a and a processor 1401b. The communication interface 1401a may be, for example, a transceiver, an interface, a bus, a circuit, or a device capable of implementing a transceiver function. The communication interface 1401a is used to communicate with other devices through a transmission medium, so that the multi-link device 1400 can communicate with other devices. The processor 1401b and the communication interface 1401a are used to implement Figures 5 to 12 The method in the corresponding embodiment. It can be understood that Fig.14The first multi-link device shown can also be a non-AP MLD. Fig.13 The processing unit and the communication unit shown are functional units in the STA in the non-AP MLD. The specific implementation is similar to the description of the APMLD and will not be repeated here.

[0221] In another possible implementation, Fig.13 The processing unit shown is a functional unit in the AP MLD. When there are multiple APs, the multiple APs share the processing unit. The communication unit is a functional unit in the AP in the AP MLD. For example, Fig.15 The second multi-link device 1500 provided in this application is used to implement the multi-link data processing method in the above method embodiment. The multi-link device 1500 can also be a chip system. The multi-link device 1500 includes one or more access points 1501 ( Fig.15 The multi-link device 1500 includes a processor 1502, and one or more access points 1501 share the processor 1502. The processor 1502 and the communication interface 1501a are used to implement Figures 5 to 12 The method in the corresponding embodiment. It can be understood that Fig.15 The second multi-link device shown can also be a non-APMLD. Fig.13 The processing unit shown is a functional unit in the non-AP MLD, and the communication unit is a functional unit in the STA in the non-AP MLD. The specific implementation is similar to the description of the AP MLD, and will not be repeated here.

[0222] In another possible implementation, Fig.13 The processing unit shown is a functional unit in the AP in the AP MLD. The communication unit is a functional unit in the AP MLD. When there are multiple APs, the multiple APs share the communication unit. For example, Fig.16 The third multi-link device 1600 provided in this application is used to implement the multi-link data processing method in the above method embodiment. The multi-link device 1600 can also be a chip system. The multi-link device 1600 includes one or more access points 1601 ( Fig.16 The multi-link device 1600 includes a communication interface 1602, and one or more access points 1601 share the communication interface 1602. The processor 1601a and the communication interface 1602 are used to implement Figures 5 to 12 The method in the corresponding embodiment. It can be understood that Fig.16 The third multi-link device shown can also be a non-APMLD. Fig.13The communication unit shown is a functional unit in the non-AP MLD, and the processing unit is a functional unit in the STA in the non-AP MLD. The specific implementation is similar to the description of the AP MLD, and will not be repeated here.

[0223] Exemplarily, a communication interface and a processor (eg Fig.14 The processor 1401b and the communication interface 1401a in, or Fig.15 The processor 1502 and the communication interface 1501a in, or Fig.16 The processor 1601a and the communication interface 1602 in the embodiment are used to implement the multi-link data processing method in the aforementioned invention content and specific implementation manner. The communication interface is used to send first indication information on the second link, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the beam configuration parameters before the first link is disconnected are used to perform link recovery. The processor is used to perform link recovery on the first link.

[0224] The specific execution process of the communication interface and the processor in this example refers to the detailed description of the method executed by the first device in the aforementioned embodiment, which will not be repeated here. In this example, the steps executed by the communication interface and the processor instruct the sender and the receiver of the data to attempt to perform link recovery on the disconnected millimeter wave link through the first indication information, rather than directly re-performing beamforming training on the millimeter wave link to avoid wasting time. Therefore, this method can assist the disconnected millimeter wave link to perform rapid link recovery, which is beneficial to improving data transmission efficiency.

[0225] Exemplarily, a communication interface and a processor (eg Fig.14 The processor 1401b and the communication interface 1401a in, or Fig.15 The processor 1502 and the communication interface 1501a in, or Fig.16 The processor 1601a and the communication interface 1602 in the embodiment are used to implement the multi-link data processing method in the aforementioned invention content and specific implementation methods. The communication interface is used to send a first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that a first modulation and coding scheme is used for link recovery within a maximum retransmission time or a maximum number of retransmissions. The modulation order of the first modulation and coding scheme is less than the modulation order of the second modulation and coding scheme, and / or the code rate of the first modulation and coding scheme is less than the code rate of the second modulation and coding scheme; the second modulation and coding scheme is the modulation and coding scheme used before the first link is disconnected. The processor is used to perform link recovery on the first link.

[0226] The specific execution process of the communication interface and the processor in this example refers to the detailed description of the method executed by the first device in the aforementioned embodiment, which will not be repeated here. In this example, the steps executed by the communication interface and the processor instruct the sender and the receiver of the data to attempt to perform link recovery on the disconnected millimeter wave link through the first indication information, rather than directly re-performing beamforming training on the millimeter wave link to avoid wasting time. Therefore, this method can assist the disconnected millimeter wave link to perform rapid link recovery, which is beneficial to improving data transmission efficiency.

[0227] Exemplarily, a communication interface and a processor (eg Fig.14 The processor 1401b and the communication interface 1401a in, or Fig.15 The processor 1502 and the communication interface 1501a in, or Fig.16 The processor 1601a and the communication interface 1602 in the embodiment are used to implement the multi-link data processing method in the aforementioned invention content and specific implementation. The communication interface is used to receive first indication information on the second link, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the beam configuration parameters before the first link is disconnected are used to perform link recovery. The processing unit 1302 is used to perform link recovery on the first link.

[0228] The specific execution process of the communication interface and the processor in this example refers to the detailed description of the method executed by the second device in the aforementioned embodiment, which will not be repeated here. In this example, the steps executed by the communication interface and the processor receive the first indication information, and the receiving end can try to perform link recovery on the first link instead of directly re-performing beamforming training on the first link to avoid wasting time. Therefore, this method can assist the disconnected first link to perform rapid link recovery, which is beneficial to improving data transmission efficiency.

[0229] Exemplarily, a communication interface and a processor (eg Fig.14 The processor 1401b and the communication interface 1401a in, or Fig.15 The processor 1502 and the communication interface 1501a in, or Fig.16 The processor 1601a and the communication interface 1602 in the embodiment are used to implement the multi-link data processing method in the aforementioned invention content and specific implementation methods. The communication interface is used to receive first indication information on the second link, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the first modulation and coding scheme is used for link recovery within the longest retransmission time or the maximum number of retransmissions; wherein the modulation order of the first modulation and coding scheme is less than the modulation order of the second modulation and coding scheme, and / or the code rate of the first modulation and coding scheme is less than the code rate of the second modulation and coding scheme; the second modulation and coding scheme is the modulation and coding scheme used before the first link is disconnected. The processing unit 1302 is used to perform link recovery on the first link.

[0230] The specific execution process of the communication interface and the processor in this example refers to the detailed description of the method executed by the second device in the aforementioned embodiment, which will not be repeated here. In this example, the steps executed by the communication interface and the processor receive the first indication information, and the receiving end can try to perform link recovery on the first link instead of directly re-performing beamforming training on the first link to avoid wasting time. Therefore, this method can assist the disconnected first link to perform rapid link recovery, which is beneficial to improving data transmission efficiency.

[0231] Optionally, the multi-link device may further include at least one memory (eg Fig.14 1402 in memory, or Fig.15 Memory 1503 in, or Fig.16 The memory 1603 in the memory is used to store program instructions and / or data. In one embodiment, the memory and the processor are coupled. The coupling in this application is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units or modules, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms, for information exchange between devices, units or modules. The processor may operate in conjunction with the memory. The processor may execute program instructions stored in the memory. The at least one memory and the processor are integrated together.

[0232] The present application does not limit the specific connection medium between the above communication interface, processor and memory. For example, the memory, processor and communication interface are connected via a bus. Figures 14 to 16 Indicated by bold lines (such as Fig.14 1403 of them, Fig.15 1504 and Fig.16 1604), the connection between other components is only for schematic illustration and is not intended to be limiting. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of representation, Figures 14 to 16 Only one thick line is used in the diagram, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0233] In this 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 this application. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the method disclosed in this 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.

[0234] In 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 is any other medium that can be used to carry or store the desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory in the present application may also be a circuit or any other device that can implement a storage function, for storing program instructions and / or data.

[0235] The present application provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores a program or instruction. When the program or instruction is executed on a computer, the computer executes Figures 5 to 12 The multi-link data processing method in the corresponding embodiment.

[0236] The present application provides a computer program product. The computer program product includes instructions. When the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer executes the following Figures 5 to 12 The multi-link data processing method in the corresponding embodiment.

[0237] The present application provides a chip or a chip system, which includes at least one processor and an interface, wherein the interface and the at least one processor are interconnected through a line, and the at least one processor is used to run a computer program or instruction to execute the following steps: Figures 5 to 12 The multi-link data processing method in the corresponding embodiment.

[0238] The interface in the chip may be an input / output interface, a pin or a circuit, etc.

[0239] The chip system may be a system on chip (SOC) or a baseband chip, etc., wherein the baseband chip may include a processor, a channel encoder, a digital signal processor, a modem, an interface module, etc.

[0240] In one implementation, the chip or chip system described above in the present application further includes at least one memory, in which instructions are stored. The memory may be a storage unit inside the chip, such as a register, a cache, etc., or a storage unit of the chip (e.g., a read-only memory, a random access memory, etc.).

[0241] The technical solution provided in this application can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the process or function described in this application is generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a terminal device or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from a website site, computer, server or data center to another website site, computer, server or data center by wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (digital subscriber line, DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) mode. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more available media integrated. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a digital video disc (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium, etc.

[0242] In the present application, under the premise of no logical contradiction, the various embodiments may reference each other, for example, the methods and / or terms between method embodiments may reference each other, for example, the functions and / or terms between device embodiments may reference each other, for example, the functions and / or terms between device embodiments and method embodiments may reference each other.

[0243] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the present application without departing from the scope of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations 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. A multi-link data processing method, characterized in that: include: Sending first indication information on the second link, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the beam configuration parameters before the first link is disconnected are used to perform link recovery; Link recovery is performed on the first link.

2. A multi-link data processing method, characterized in that: include: Sending first indication information on the second link, where the first indication information is used to indicate that a first modulation and coding scheme is used for link recovery within a maximum retransmission time or a maximum number of retransmissions; wherein a modulation order of the first modulation and coding scheme is smaller than a modulation order of the second modulation and coding scheme, and / or a code rate of the first modulation and coding scheme is smaller than a code rate of the second modulation and coding scheme; and the second modulation and coding scheme is a modulation and coding scheme used before the first link is disconnected; Link recovery is performed on the first link.

3. A multi-link data processing method, characterized in that: include: Receiving first indication information on the second link, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the beam configuration parameters before the first link is disconnected are used to perform link recovery; Link recovery is performed on the first link.

4. A multi-link data processing method, characterized in that: include: receiving first indication information on the second link, the first indication information being used to indicate that a first modulation and coding scheme is used for link recovery within a maximum retransmission time or a maximum number of retransmissions; wherein a modulation order of the first modulation and coding scheme is smaller than a modulation order of the second modulation and coding scheme, and / or a code rate of the first modulation and coding scheme is smaller than a code rate of the second modulation and coding scheme; and the second modulation and coding scheme is a modulation and coding scheme used before the first link is disconnected; Link recovery is performed on the first link.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The method further comprises: A maximum retransmission time is configured, where the maximum retransmission time represents a maximum value of a duration for link recovery on the first link; the maximum retransmission time is predefined by a protocol or determined by negotiation between an access point and a non-access point.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The method further comprises: If the first link is successfully recovered within the longest retransmission time, transmitting data on the first link; Alternatively, if the first link fails to recover within the longest retransmission time, beamforming training is performed again for the first link.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The method further comprises: A maximum number of retransmissions is configured, where the maximum number of retransmissions represents a maximum value of attempts to perform link recovery on the first link; the maximum number of retransmissions is predefined by a protocol or determined by negotiation between an access point and a non-access point.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The method further comprises: If the first link is successfully recovered after exceeding the maximum number of retransmissions, transmitting data on the first link; Alternatively, if the first link fails to recover after exceeding the maximum number of retransmissions, beamforming training is performed again for the first link.

9. The method according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that: The performing link recovery on the first link includes: Link recovery is performed on the first link using short data frames, control frames or management frames.

10. The method according to claim 2 or 4, characterized in that: The performing link recovery on the first link includes: The data frame using the first modulation and coding scheme performs link recovery on the first link.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: The first indication information is carried in a data frame, or the first indication information is a management frame or a control frame.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The method further comprises: configuring a first service period for the first link and the second link respectively, wherein the start time of the first service period is a first time, and the first time is a designated time when the transmitting end and the receiving end of the first link are synchronized after the first link is disconnected; and the operating frequency of the second link is lower than the operating frequency of the first link; Alternatively, a first service period is configured for the first link.

13. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The method further comprises: When the second link is not configured with the first service period, second indication information is sent, where the second indication information is used to indicate to the receiving end that the sending end has data that needs to be sent on a link below 10 GHz or a link below 7 GHz.

14. The method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: The method further comprises: When the second link is not configured with the first service period, second indication information is received, where the second indication information is used to indicate to the receiving end that the sending end has data that needs to be sent on a link below 10 GHz or a link below 7 GHz.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The first indication information is included in the first field, or the first indication information is included in a combination of the first field and the second field; When the first indication information is included in the first field, the first field is used to indicate that beamforming training is to be re-performed on the first link or to indicate that link recovery is to be performed and beamforming training is to be re-performed after link recovery fails; When the first indication information is included in a combination of a first field and a second field, the combination of the first field and the second field is used to indicate re-performing beamforming training on the first link, or to indicate link recovery without beamforming training, or to indicate link recovery and then re-performing beamforming training after link recovery fails.

16. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that The second link includes a link below 10 gigahertz (GHz) or a link below 7 GHz; the first link is a millimeter wave link.

17. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises a unit or a module for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

18. A multi-link device, comprising: A processor and a memory, wherein the memory is used to store instructions, and when the instructions are executed by the processor, the communication device executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

19. A communication system, characterized in that: The method comprises a first device and / or a second device, wherein the first device is used to execute the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 and 2 and 5 to 16, and the second device is used to execute the method as claimed in any one of claims 3 and 4 and 5 to 16.

20. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium stores instructions, and when the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer is caused to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

21. A chip system, characterized in that: The chip system comprises a processor and an interface, wherein the processor is configured to execute a computer program so that the chip system implements the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16.

22. A computer program product, characterized in that The method comprises instructions which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

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