Information indication method and device in BTM

Abstract

The invention relates to an information indication method and device in a BTM, and the method comprises the steps: an AP MLD generates and transmits a BTM request frame, the BTM request frame comprises first indication information which is used for indicating a processing mode of a BSSID or an AP MLD which is not listed in a BSS conversion candidate list entry field, and the first indication information is used for indicating the BSSID or the AP MLD which is not listed in a BSS conversion candidate list entry field; and processing the APs which do not appear in the recommended AP combination in the candidate target AP MLD listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field. By adopting the method and the device, the information indication in the BTM can be perfected. The application is applied to a 802.11 ax next generation Wi-Fi protocol, such as 802.11 be, Wi-Fi 7 or EHT, and a WLAN system of 802.11 series protocols such as 802.11 be next generation, Wi-Fi 8, UHR, Wi-Fi AI and the like, and is also applied to a WPAN system supporting UWB, a sensing system and the like.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application. The application number of the original application is 202310638067.7, and the original application date is May 31, 2023. The entire contents of the original application are incorporated into this application by reference. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and in particular to a method and device for indicating information in basic service set (BSS) transition management (BTM). Background Art

[0003] With the development of wireless communication technology, more and more wireless communication devices support multi-link (ML) communication, such as communicating on the 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz frequency bands at the same time, or communicating on different channels of the same frequency band at the same time, thereby improving the communication rate between devices. Such devices are usually called multi-link devices (MLD). Multi-link devices usually contain one or more subordinate stations, each of which works on a frequency band or a channel or a link. If all stations within a MLD are access points (AP), it can be further called AP MLD; if all stations within a MLD are non-access point stations (non-AP STA), it can be further called non-AP MLD.

[0004] Currently, when a station accesses a local area network, it must belong to a basic service set (BSS). In some scenarios, such as roaming scenarios, non-AP STAs need to exit the current BSS and join a new BSS. If the non-AP STA supports the basic service set transition management (BTM) function, this function can be used to help achieve BSS transition. During the BTM process, the AP can send a BSS transition management request (BTM request) frame to the non-AP STA that is about to be disassociated, informing them of the upcoming disassociation, and can add information about the APs around the non-AP STA in the BTM request frame to facilitate the non-AP STA to select a new BSS.

[0005] In the prior art, AP MLD can also provide information about AP MLDs around the non-AP MLD to the non-AP MLD through a BTM request frame, so that the non-AP MLD can select a new AP MLD for association. However, the information indication in the existing BTM is not perfect for BSS conversion between non-AP MLD and APMLD. Summary of the invention

[0006] The embodiments of the present application provide a method and device for information indication in a BTM, which can improve the information indication in the BTM and enable the non-AP MLD to better understand the attitude of the AP MLD and the behavior of the non-AP MLD itself.

[0007] The present application is introduced below from different aspects. It should be understood that the implementation methods and beneficial effects of the following different aspects can be referenced to each other.

[0008] In a first aspect, the present application provides an information indication method in a BTM, the method comprising: an AP MLD generates and sends a BTM request frame, the BTM request frame comprising a BSS conversion candidate list entry field and a request mode field, the request mode field comprising first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate a processing method for a basic service set identifier (BSS identifier, BSSID) or AP MLD that is not listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field, and a processing method for an AP that does not appear in any recommended AP combination among the candidate target AP MLDs listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field.

[0009] In the present application, BSSID can be used to identify a BSS or an AP. The BSS conversion candidate list entry field includes one or more neighbor report elements. A neighbor report element can be used to carry (or describe) the preference of a target BSS candidate or a candidate target AP MLD. Different neighbor report elements can carry preferences for different AP combinations (AP sets) in the same candidate target AP MLD, and different neighbor report elements can also carry preferences for different target BSS candidates or candidate target AP MLDs. Therefore, "the candidate target AP MLD listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field" may refer to the candidate target AP MLD corresponding to the neighbor report element of the BSS conversion candidate list entry field.

[0010] The frame formats of the BTM request frame, the BSS conversion candidate list entry field, and the neighbor report element can be found in the following description and will not be described in detail here.

[0011] The present application carries the first indication information in the request mode field of the BTM request frame, which is used to indicate the processing method of the BSSID or AP MLD that is not listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field, and the processing method of the AP that does not appear in any recommended AP combination among the candidate target AP MLD listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field. It improves the information indication in the BTM, clarifies the processing method of the AP in the MLD, and makes the non-AP MLD more clear about the attitude of the AP MLD and the behavior of the non-APMLD itself.

[0012] In a second aspect, the present application provides an information indication method in BTM, the method comprising: a non-AP MLD receives and parses a BTM request frame, the BTM request frame comprising a BSS conversion candidate list entry field and a request mode field, the request mode field comprising first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate a processing method for a BSSID or AP MLD that is not listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field, and a processing method for an AP that does not appear in any recommended AP combination among the candidate target AP MLDs listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field.

[0013] In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be an AP MLD or a chip or functional module configured in the AP MLD, etc. The communication device includes a processing unit and a transceiver unit. The processing unit is used to generate a BTM request frame; the transceiver unit is used to send or output the BTM request frame. The BTM request frame includes a BSS conversion candidate list entry field and a request mode field, and the request mode field includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate the processing method of the BSSID or AP MLD that is not listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field, and the processing method of the AP that does not appear in any recommended AP combination among the candidate target AP MLD listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field.

[0014] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be a non-AP MLD or a chip or functional module configured in a non-AP MLD, and the communication device includes a transceiver unit and a processing unit. The transceiver unit is used to receive or input a BTM request frame; the processing unit is used to parse the BTM request frame. The BTM request frame includes a BSS conversion candidate list entry field and a request mode field, and the request mode field includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate a processing method for a BSSID or AP MLD that is not listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field, and a processing method for an AP that does not appear in any recommended AP combination among the candidate target AP MLDs listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field.

[0015] In a possible implementation manner of any of the above aspects, the first indication information is a bridged field.

[0016] Optionally, the length of the simplified field is 1 bit.

[0017] Optionally, when the above-mentioned simplified field is a first value, it indicates that the sender of the above-mentioned BTM request frame (i.e., AP MLD) neither recommends nor opposes the receiver of the BTM request frame (i.e., non-AP MLD) to associate with a BSSID or AP MLD that does not appear in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field, and an AP that does not appear in any recommended AP combination among the candidate target AP MLDs that appear in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field. When the above-mentioned simplified field is a second value, it indicates that the sender of the above-mentioned BTM request frame (i.e., AP MLD) excludes or opposes the receiver of the BTM request frame (i.e., non-AP MLD) to associate with a BSSID or AP MLD that does not appear in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field, and an AP that does not appear in any recommended AP combination among the candidate target AP MLDs that appear in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field.

[0018] Exemplarily, the first value is 0, and the second value is 1. Alternatively, the first value is 1, and the second value is 0.

[0019] The present application expands the meaning of the simplified field so that it can simultaneously indicate the processing method of the BSSID or AP MLD that is not listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field, and the processing method of the AP that does not appear in the candidate target AP MLD listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field; the meaning is clear, no additional overhead is added, and the compatibility is good.

[0020] In a possible implementation of any of the above aspects, the BSS conversion candidate preference sub-element of the BSS conversion candidate list entry field includes a preference field. Exemplarily, the meaning of the Preference field can follow the existing meaning, or the meaning of the Preference field can change as the standard evolves, which is not limited by the present application. Alternatively, the Preference field can be used to indicate the degree of recommendation of an AP combination. The AP combination can be an AP combination recommended by a neighbor report element to which the Preference field belongs. In other words, this AP combination is an AP combination recommended by a candidate target AP MLD listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field. Among them, the larger the value of the Preference field, the higher the degree of recommendation it represents.

[0021] The present application may also change the meaning of the Preference field so that the neighbor report element, when recommending a certain AP combination of the AP MLD, can indicate the degree of recommendation of the AP combination.

[0022] In a possible implementation of any of the above aspects, the first indication information is a simplified field and a simplified extension field. The simplified field is used to indicate a processing method for a BSSID or AP MLD that is not listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field. The simplified extension field is used to indicate a processing method for an AP that does not appear in any recommended AP combination in the candidate target AP MLD listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field.

[0023] Optionally, the length of the simplified extension field is 1 bit. For example, a reserved bit in the request mode field can be used as the simplified extension field.

[0024] Optionally, when the simplified extension field is the third value, it indicates that the sender of the BTM request frame (i.e., APMLD) neither recommends nor objects to the receiver of the BTM request frame (i.e., non-AP MLD) associating with an AP that does not appear in any recommended AP combination among the candidate target AP MLDs in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field. When the simplified extension field is the fourth value, it indicates that the sender of the BTM request frame (i.e., AP MLD) excludes or objects to the receiver of the BTM request frame (i.e., non-AP MLD) associating with an AP that does not appear in any recommended AP combination among the candidate target AP MLDs in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field.

[0025] Exemplarily, the third value is 0, and the fourth value is 1. Alternatively, the third value is 1, and the fourth value is 0.

[0026] The present application adds a simplified extension field in the request mode field to indicate the processing method for APs that do not appear in the candidate target AP MLD listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field. The logic is clear and easy to understand for the non-AP MLD; and the added bits appear at the same time as the existing simplified fields, and the logic is neat.

[0027] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides an information indication method in BTM, the method comprising: AP MLD generates and sends a BTM request frame, the BTM request frame comprises a BSS conversion candidate list entry field and a request mode field, the request mode field comprises a simplified field, the simplified field is used to indicate a processing method for a BSSID or AP MLD that is not listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field, and a processing method for an AP combination that is not recommended in the candidate target AP MLD listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field.

[0028] Among them, "AP combination" can include one or more APs. That is to say, a single AP can also be used as an AP combination, and all APs belonging to an AP MLD can also be used as an AP combination. The meaning of "AP combination that is not recommended in the candidate target AP MLD listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field" is described in the following embodiment 3 and is not described in detail here.

[0029] The embodiment of the present application expands the meaning of the simplified field to indicate the processing method of the BSSID or AP MLD not listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field, and the processing method of the AP combination not recommended in the candidate target AP MLD listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field. It improves the information indication in the BTM, clarifies the processing method of the AP combination not recommended in the MLD, and makes the attitude of the AP MLD and the behavior of the non-AP MLD more clear to the non-AP MLD; and the meaning is clear, no additional overhead is added, and the compatibility is good.

[0030] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides an information indication method in a BTM, the method comprising: a non-AP MLD receives and parses a BTM request frame, the BTM request frame comprising a BSS conversion candidate list entry field and a request mode field, the request mode field comprising a simplified field, the simplified field being used to indicate a processing method for a BSSID or AP MLD that is not listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field, and a processing method for an AP combination that is not recommended in the candidate target AP MLD listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field.

[0031] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be an AP MLD or a chip or functional module configured in the AP MLD, etc. The communication device includes a processing unit and a transceiver unit. The processing unit is used to generate a BTM request frame; the transceiver unit is used to send or output the BTM request frame. The BTM request frame includes a BSS conversion candidate list entry field and a request mode field, and the request mode field includes a simplified field, which is used to indicate the processing method of the BSSID or AP MLD that is not listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field, and the processing method of the AP combination that is not recommended in the candidate target AP MLD listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field.

[0032] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be a non-AP MLD or a chip or functional module configured in a non-AP MLD, and the communication device includes a transceiver unit and a processing unit. The transceiver unit is used to receive or input a BTM request frame; the processing unit is used to parse the BTM request frame. The BTM request frame includes a BSS conversion candidate list entry field and a request mode field, and the request mode field includes a simplified field, which is used to indicate the processing method of the BSSID or AP MLD that is not listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field, and the processing method of the AP combination that is not recommended in the candidate target AP MLD listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field.

[0033] In combination with any one of the fifth to eighth aspects, in a possible implementation, the length of the simplified field is 1 bit. When the simplified field is a first value, it indicates that the sender of the BTM request frame (i.e., AP MLD) neither recommends nor opposes the receiver of the BTM request frame (i.e., non-AP MLD) to associate with a BSSID or AP MLD that does not appear in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field, and an AP combination that is not recommended in the candidate target AP MLD that appears in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field. When the simplified field is a second value, it indicates that the sender of the BTM request frame (i.e., APMLD) excludes or opposes the receiver of the BTM request frame (i.e., non-AP MLD) to associate with a BSSID or AP MLD that does not appear in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field, and an AP combination that is not recommended in the candidate target AP MLD that appears in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field.

[0034] Exemplarily, the first value is 0, and the second value is 1. Alternatively, the first value is 1, and the second value is 0.

[0035] In combination with any one of the fifth to eighth aspects, in a possible implementation, the BSS conversion candidate preference sub-element of the above-mentioned BSS conversion candidate list entry field includes a Preference field. Exemplarily, the meaning of the Preference field can follow the existing meaning, or the meaning of the Preference field can change as the standard evolves, which is not limited by the present application. Alternatively, the Preference field can be used to indicate the degree of recommendation of an AP combination. The AP combination can be an AP combination recommended by a neighbor report element to which the Preference field belongs. In other words, this AP combination is an AP combination recommended by a candidate target AP MLD listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field. Among them, the larger the value of the Preference field, the higher the degree of recommendation it represents.

[0036] The present application may also change the meaning of the Preference field so that the neighbor report element, when recommending a certain AP combination of the AP MLD, can indicate the degree of recommendation of the AP combination.

[0037] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides an information indication method in a BTM, the method comprising: an AP MLD generates and sends a BTM request frame, the BTM request frame includes a BSS conversion candidate list entry field, the BSS conversion candidate list entry field includes one or more neighbor report elements, wherein one neighbor report element is used to carry information of a candidate target AP MLD. Each neighbor report element includes a second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate a processing method for an AP that does not appear in an AP combination of the candidate target AP MLD carried by the neighbor report element to which the second indication information belongs. Since one neighbor report element corresponds to one candidate target AP MLD, the second indication information can be briefly described as: used to indicate a processing method for an AP that does not appear in a certain AP combination of a certain candidate target AP MLD.

[0038] It is understood that an "AP group" may include one or more APs. That is, a single AP may also be used as an AP group, and all APs belonging to an AP MLD may also be used as an AP group.

[0039] The present application carries the second indication information in the neighbor report element to indicate the processing method of the AP that does not appear in a certain AP combination in the single candidate target AP MLD, so that each recommended AP combination can have its own processing method, which is flexible to use.

[0040] In a tenth aspect, the present application provides an information indication method in a BTM, the method comprising: a non-AP MLD receives and parses a BTM request frame, the BTM request frame includes a BSS conversion candidate list entry field, the BSS conversion candidate list entry field includes one or more neighbor report elements, wherein one neighbor report element is used to carry information of a candidate target AP MLD. Each neighbor report element includes a second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate a processing method for an AP that does not appear in the AP combination of the candidate target AP MLD carried by the neighbor report element to which the second indication information belongs.

[0041] In an eleventh aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be an AP MLD or a chip or functional module configured in the APMLD, etc. The communication device includes a processing unit and a transceiver unit. The processing unit is used to generate a BTM request frame; the transceiver unit is used to send or output the BTM request frame. The BTM request frame includes a BSS conversion candidate list entry field, and the BSS conversion candidate list entry field includes one or more neighbor report elements, wherein one neighbor report element is used to carry information of a candidate target AP MLD. The neighbor report element includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate a processing method for an AP that does not appear in the AP combination of the candidate target AP MLD carried by the neighbor report element to which the second indication information belongs.

[0042] In a twelfth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be a non-AP MLD or a chip or functional module configured in a non-AP MLD, etc., and the communication device includes a transceiver unit and a processing unit. The transceiver unit is used to receive or input a BTM request frame; the processing unit is used to parse the BTM request frame. Among them, the BTM request frame includes a BSS conversion candidate list entry field, and the BSS conversion candidate list entry field includes one or more neighbor report elements, wherein one neighbor report element is used to carry information of a candidate target AP MLD. The neighbor report element includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate a processing method for an AP that does not appear in the AP combination of the candidate target AP MLD carried by the neighbor report element to which the second indication information belongs.

[0043] In combination with any one of the ninth to twelfth aspects, in a possible implementation, when the second indication information is a first value, it indicates that the sender of the BTM request frame (i.e., the AP MLD) neither recommends nor objects to the receiver of the BTM request frame (i.e., the non-AP MLD) associating with an AP that does not appear in the AP combination of the candidate target AP MLD carried by the neighbor report element to which the second indication information belongs. When the second indication information is a second value, it indicates that the sender of the BTM request frame (i.e., the AP MLD) excludes or objects to the receiver of the BTM request frame (i.e., the non-AP MLD) associating with an AP that does not appear in the AP combination of the candidate target AP MLD carried by the neighbor report element to which the second indication information belongs.

[0044] Exemplarily, the first value is 0, and the second value is 1. Alternatively, the first value is 1, and the second value is 0.

[0045] In combination with any aspect from the ninth aspect to the twelfth aspect, in a possible implementation, the second indication information is carried in a BSS transition candidate preference sub-element of a neighbor report element.

[0046] Exemplarily, since the existing BSS conversion candidate preference sub-element is not extensible, the length of the Preference field can be shortened so that the length of the Preference field is less than or equal to 7 bits, but the meaning of the Preference field is not changed (such as the Preference field is used to indicate the degree of recommendation of the candidate target APMLD carried by the neighbor report element to which the Preference field belongs); and the one or more bits saved by shortening the Preference field are used to represent the second indication information. In other words, the Preference field in the BSS conversion candidate preference sub-element is less than or equal to 7 bits, the bit length of the second indication information is greater than or equal to 1 bit, and the sum of the length of the Preference field and the bit length of the second indication information is less than or equal to 1 byte (8 bits). It can be understood that this implementation does not limit the meaning of the Preference field, but only changes the length of the Preference field. The meaning of the Preference field can also change as the standard evolves.

[0047] The present application carries the second indication information in the BSS conversion candidate preference sub-element of the neighbor report element to indicate the processing method of the AP that does not appear in the AP combination of the candidate target AP MLD carried by the neighbor report element. Each AP combination recommended in the candidate target AP MLD can have its own processing method, which is flexible to use. In addition, the second indication information is used simultaneously with the Preference value, that is, the second indication information will not appear when the neighbor report element is not used for recommendation.

[0048] In combination with any aspect of the ninth to twelfth aspects, in a possible implementation, the second indication information is carried in a BSSID information field of a neighbor report element. Exemplarily, a reserved bit in the BSSID information field can be used as the second indication information.

[0049] This application uses a reserved bit in the BSSID information field of the neighbor report element to indicate the processing method for APs that do not appear in the AP combination of the candidate target AP MLD carried by this neighbor report element. Each AP combination recommended in the candidate target AP MLD can have its own processing method, which is flexible to use.

[0050] In a thirteenth aspect, the present application provides an information indication method in a BTM, the method comprising: an AP MLD generates and sends a BTM request frame, the BTM request frame includes a BSS conversion candidate list entry field, the BSS conversion candidate list entry field includes one or more neighbor report elements, wherein one neighbor report element is used to carry information of a candidate target AP MLD. A neighbor report element includes a per-STA profile subelement (Per-STA Profile subelement) of any non-prohibited AP in a candidate target AP MLD. A Per-STA Profile subelement corresponds to a non-prohibited AP in the candidate target AP MLD. Here, "non-prohibited" can include at least two meanings: "recommended" and "neither recommended nor opposed".

[0051] In addition, the present application also assumes that APs not appearing in the neighbor report element are prohibited from association. Here, "APs not appearing in the neighbor report element" may refer to APs other than the AP indicated by the BSSID field and the AP corresponding to the Per-STA Profile subelement in the candidate target AP MLD carried by the neighbor report element.

[0052] This application modifies the meaning of the AP combination carried in the neighbor report element so that it defaults to prohibiting association with APs that do not appear in the neighbor report element, improves the information indication in the BTM, and makes the non-AP MLD more clear about the attitude of the AP MLD and the behavior of the non-AP MLD itself.

[0053] In a fourteenth aspect, the present application provides an information indication method in a BTM, the method comprising: a non-AP MLD receives and parses a BTM request frame, the BTM request frame includes a BSS conversion candidate list entry field, the BSS conversion candidate list entry field includes one or more neighbor report elements, wherein one neighbor report element is used to carry information of a candidate target AP MLD. A neighbor report element includes a Per-STAProfile subelement of any non-prohibited AP in a candidate target AP MLD. A Per-STA Profile subelement corresponds to a non-prohibited AP in the candidate target AP MLD. Here, "non-prohibited" can include at least two meanings: "recommended" and "neither recommended nor opposed".

[0054] In a fifteenth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be an AP MLD or a chip or functional module configured in the APMLD, etc. The communication device includes a processing unit and a transceiver unit. The processing unit is used to generate a BTM request frame; the transceiver unit is used to send or output the BTM request frame. Among them, the BTM request frame includes a BSS conversion candidate list entry field, and the BSS conversion candidate list entry field includes one or more neighbor report elements, wherein one neighbor report element is used to carry information of a candidate target AP MLD. A neighbor report element includes a Per-STA Profile subelement of any non-prohibited AP in a candidate target AP MLD. A Per-STA Profile subelement corresponds to a non-prohibited AP in the candidate target AP MLD. Here, "non-prohibited" can include at least two meanings: "recommended" and "neither recommended nor opposed".

[0055] In the sixteenth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be a non-AP MLD or a chip or functional module configured in a non-AP MLD, and the communication device includes a transceiver unit and a processing unit. The transceiver unit is used to receive or input a BTM request frame; the processing unit is used to parse the BTM request frame. Among them, the BTM request frame includes a BSS conversion candidate list entry field, and the BSS conversion candidate list entry field includes one or more neighbor report elements, wherein one neighbor report element is used to carry information of a candidate target AP MLD. A neighbor report element includes a Per-STA Profile subelement of any non-prohibited AP in a candidate target AP MLD. A Per-STA Profilesubelement corresponds to a non-prohibited AP in the candidate target AP MLD. Here, "non-prohibited" can include at least two meanings: "recommended" and "neither recommended nor opposed".

[0056] In combination with any aspect from the thirteenth to the sixteenth aspect, in a possible implementation method, each Per-STA Profile subelement also includes third indication information, and the third indication information is used to indicate the processing method of the AP corresponding to this per-STA profile subelement.

[0057] Optionally, when the third indication information is a first value, it indicates that the sender of the BTM request frame (i.e., AP MLD) neither recommends nor opposes the receiver of the BTM request frame (i.e., non-AP MLD) to associate with the AP corresponding to the per-STA profile sub-element. When the third indication information is a second value, it indicates that the sender of the BTM request frame (i.e., AP MLD) recommends the receiver of the BTM request frame (i.e., non-AP MLD) to associate with the AP corresponding to the per-STA profile sub-element. Exemplarily, the first value is 0 and the second value is 1. Alternatively, the first value is 1 and the second value is 0.

[0058] This application defaults to prohibiting association for APs that do not appear in the neighbor report element, and the AP corresponding to the Per-STA Profile subelement that appears indicates whether association is recommended through the third indication information. Since the association preference information appears in the Per-STA Profile subelement corresponding to each AP, each AP in each AP combination provided by AP MLD can have its own processing method, which is very flexible to use.

[0059] In combination with any aspect of the thirteenth to sixteenth aspects, in a possible implementation, the third indication information is carried in the STA Control field of the per-STA profile subelement. Exemplarily, a reserved bit in the STA Control field of the Per-STA Profile subelement can be used as the third indication information.

[0060] In a seventeenth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which is an AP MLD, and includes a processor, which is used to execute the method shown in the first aspect, the fifth aspect, the ninth aspect, the thirteenth aspect, or any possible implementation of any one of them. Alternatively, the processor is used to execute a program stored in a memory, and when the program is executed, the method shown in the first aspect, the fifth aspect, the ninth aspect, the thirteenth aspect, or any possible implementation of any one of them is executed.

[0061] In combination with the seventeenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the memory is located outside the above-mentioned communication device.

[0062] In combination with the seventeenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the memory is located within the above-mentioned communication device.

[0063] In the present application, the processor and the memory may also be integrated into one device, that is, the processor and the memory may also be integrated together.

[0064] In combination with the seventeenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the communication device also includes a transceiver, and the transceiver is used to send a BTM request frame.

[0065] In an eighteenth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which is a non-AP MLD, and includes a processor, which is used to execute the method shown in the second aspect, the sixth aspect, the tenth aspect, the fourteenth aspect, or any possible implementation of any one of them. Alternatively, the processor is used to execute a program stored in a memory, and when the program is executed, the method shown in the second aspect, the sixth aspect, the tenth aspect, the fourteenth aspect, or any possible implementation of any one of them is executed.

[0066] In combination with the eighteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the memory is located outside the above-mentioned communication device.

[0067] In combination with the eighteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the memory is located within the above-mentioned communication device.

[0068] In the present application, the processor and the memory may also be integrated into one device, that is, the processor and the memory may also be integrated together.

[0069] In combination with the eighteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the communication device also includes a transceiver, and the transceiver is used to receive a BTM request frame.

[0070] In the nineteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which includes a logic circuit and an interface, and the logic circuit is coupled to the interface; the interface is used to input and / or output information, and the logic circuit is used to execute the method shown in the first aspect, the fifth aspect, the ninth aspect, the thirteenth aspect, or any possible implementation of any one of the aspects.

[0071] In the twentieth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which includes a logic circuit and an interface, and the logic circuit is coupled to the interface; the interface is used to input and / or output information, and the logic circuit is used to execute the method shown in the second aspect, the sixth aspect, the tenth aspect, the fourteenth aspect, or any possible implementation of any one of the aspects.

[0072] In the twenty-first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which is used to store a computer program. When the computer program is run on a computer, the method shown in the first aspect, the fifth aspect, the ninth aspect, the thirteenth aspect, or any possible implementation of any one of them is executed.

[0073] In the twenty-second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which is used to store a computer program. When the computer program is run on a computer, the method shown in the second aspect, the sixth aspect, the tenth aspect, the fourteenth aspect, or any possible implementation of any one of them is executed.

[0074] In the twenty-third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program or a computer code, and when the computer program product runs on a computer, the method shown in the first aspect, the fifth aspect, the ninth aspect, the thirteenth aspect, or any possible implementation of any one of them is executed.

[0075] In the twenty-fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program or a computer code, and when the computer program product runs on a computer, the method shown in the second aspect, the sixth aspect, the tenth aspect, the fourteenth aspect, or any possible implementation of any one of them is executed.

[0076] In the twenty-fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program. When the computer program is run on a computer, the method shown in the first aspect, the fifth aspect, the ninth aspect, the thirteenth aspect, or any possible implementation of any one of them is executed.

[0077] In the twenty-sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program. When the computer program is run on a computer, the method shown in the second aspect, the sixth aspect, the tenth aspect, the fourteenth aspect, or any possible implementation of any one of them is executed.

[0078] In aspect twenty-seven, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which includes an AP MLD and a non-AP MLD, wherein the AP MLD is used to execute the method shown in the first aspect, the fifth aspect, the ninth aspect, the third aspect, or any possible implementation of any aspect therein, and the non-AP MLD is used to execute the method shown in the second aspect, the sixth aspect, the tenth aspect, the fourteenth aspect, or any possible implementation of any aspect therein.

[0079] The technical effects achieved in the above-mentioned aspects can be referred to each other or to the beneficial effects in the method embodiments shown below, and will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0080] Figure 1a It is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a wireless communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0081] Figure 1b is another schematic diagram of the architecture of a wireless communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0082] Figure 2a This is a schematic diagram of a multi-link device communicating with other devices provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0083] Figure 2b is another schematic diagram of the communication between the multi-link device and other devices provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0084] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of an application scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0085] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the frame format of the action field in the BTM request frame provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0086] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the frame format of the neighbor report element provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0087] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the frame format of the basic multi-link sub-element provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0088] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of the frame format of the BSS conversion candidate preference sub-element provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0089] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the frame format of the request mode field provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0090] Fig. 9 This is a first flow chart of the information indication method in the BTM provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0091] Fig.10 This is a second flow chart of the information indication method in the BTM provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0092] Fig.11 It is another frame format diagram of the request mode field provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0093] Fig.12 This is a third flow chart of the information indication method in the BTM provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0094] Fig.13 This is a fourth flow chart of the information indication method in the BTM provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0095] Fig.14 It is a schematic diagram of the frame format of the BSSID information field provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0096] Fig.15 This is another frame format diagram of the BSS conversion candidate preference sub-element provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0097] Fig.16 This is a fifth flow chart of the information indication method in the BTM provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0098] Fig.17 Schematic diagram of the frame format of the STAControl field provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0099] Fig.18 This is a sixth flow chart of the information indication method in the BTM provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0100] Fig.19 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0101] Fig. 20 is another structural schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0102] Fig.21 This is another structural diagram of the communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0103] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0104] In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, " / " means "or", for example, A / B can mean A or B. "And / or" in this article is only a description of the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. In addition, "at least one" means one or more, and "plurality" means two or more. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c; a and b; a and c; b and c; or a, b, and c. Among them, a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0105] In the description of the present application, the words "first", "second", etc. do not limit the quantity and execution order, and the words "first", "second", etc. do not limit them to be different. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include steps or units that are not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units that are inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0106] In this application, the words "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described in this application as "exemplary", "for example" or "for example" should not be interpreted as being more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of the words "exemplary", "for example" or "for example" is intended to present the related concepts in a concrete way.

[0107] Elements used in the singular herein are intended to mean "one or more" rather than "one and only one" unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0108] Continuously improving throughput is a continuous technical goal for the development and evolution of cellular networks and wireless local area networks (WLANs). WLAN protocols are mainly discussed in the 802.11 standard group of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). In previous standards such as 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax, throughput has been continuously improved. The next-generation standard IEEE 802.11be is called extremely high throughput (EHT), and it will significantly improve peak throughput as its most important technical goal. In order to achieve the technical goal of extremely high throughput, the next-generation standard IEEE 802.11be uses multi-link (ML) as one of the key technologies. Its core idea includes that WLAN devices supporting the next-generation IEEE 802.11 standard have the ability to send and receive in multi-band, so that a larger bandwidth can be used for data transmission, thereby significantly improving throughput.

[0109] Multi-bands include but are not limited to: 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi band, 5 GHz Wi-Fi band, and 6 GHz Wi-Fi band. The access and transmission on each band is called a link, and the access and transmission on multiple bands is called multi-link (ML). Multi-link is helpful in reducing latency and improving robustness.

[0110] A multi-link device includes one or more subordinate sites, and the subordinate sites may be logical sites. "The multi-link device includes subordinate sites" is also briefly described as "the multi-link device includes sites" in the embodiment of the present application. Each subordinate site may operate on a frequency band, a channel, or a link. The subordinate site may be an AP or a non-APSTA. Among them, a multi-link device whose subordinate site is an AP may be referred to as an AP multi-link device (AP multi-link device, AP MLD), and a multi-link device whose subordinate site is a non-AP STA may be referred to as a non-AP multi-link device (non-APmulti-link device, non-AP MLD).

[0111] When a multi-link device (such as AP MLD) and another multi-link device (non-AP MLD) transmit data, a link identifier can be used to identify a link or a station on a link. Before communication, the two multi-link devices (such as AP MLD and non-AP MLD) can first negotiate or communicate the corresponding relationship between a link identifier (link identifier, link ID) and a link or a station on a link. Alternatively, AP MLD can indicate the corresponding relationship between a link identifier and a link or a station on a link through a broadcast management frame, such as a beacon frame. Therefore, during the data transmission process, there is no need to transmit a large amount of signaling information to indicate a link or a station on a link, and only the link identifier can be carried, which reduces the signaling overhead and improves the transmission efficiency.

[0112] In a possible implementation, the multi-link device can implement wireless communication by following the 802.11 series of protocols, for example, following the extremely high throughput (EHT), or following the 802.11be-based or compatible support 802.11be, so as to achieve communication with other devices. Of course, other devices may be multi-link devices or may not be multi-link devices.

[0113] The technical solution provided in this application can be applied to WLAN systems, such as Wi-Fi, etc. For example, the method provided in this application can be applied to the IEEE 802.11 series of protocols, such as the 802.11ax next-generation Wi-Fi protocol, such as 802.11be, Wi-Fi 7 or EHT, and the next generation of 802.11be, Wi-Fi 8, ultra-high reliability (UHR), ultra-high reliability and throughput (UHRT) or Wi-Fi AI, etc., which are not listed here one by one. The technical solution provided in this application can also be applied to wireless personal area network (WPAN) systems based on ultra-wide band (UWB), sensing systems, etc. For example, the method provided in this application can be applied to the IEEE 802.15 series of protocols, such as 802.15.4a protocol, 802.15.4z protocol or 802.15.4ab protocol, or a future generation of UWB WPAN protocol, etc., which are no longer listed one by one. The technical solution provided in the present application can also be applied to the following communication systems, for example, the Internet of Things (IoT) system, the Vehicle to X (V2X), the Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT) system, devices in the Vehicle to X, IoT nodes, sensors, etc. in the Internet of Things (IoT), smart cameras in smart homes, smart remote controls, smart water meters and electricity meters, as well as sensors in smart cities, etc., or it can also be applicable to the Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, the fifth-generation (5G) communication system, and new communication systems that will emerge in the future development of communications.

[0114] Although the present application is mainly described using a network deploying IEEE 802.11 as an example, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various aspects of the present application may be extended to other networks that adopt various standards or protocols, such as high performance wireless LAN (HIPERLAN) (a wireless standard similar to the IEEE 802.11 standard, mainly used in Europe) and wide area network (WAN), wireless local area network (WLAN), personal area network (PAN) or other networks now known or developed later.

[0115] See also Figure 1a , Figure 1a Schematic diagram of a wireless communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 1a As shown, the wireless communication system includes at least two AP MLDs (such as Figure 1a AP MLD100 and AP MLD200 in Figure 1a non-AP MLD300 in the .Optional, Figure 1a It can also include traditional sites that only support transmission on a single link (such as Figure 1a The single-link non-AP STA400 in the AP MLD is also called STA400. Among them, the AP MLD is a device that provides services for the non-AP MLD. The non-AP MLD can communicate with the AP MLD using multiple links to achieve the effect of improving throughput. A STA in the non-AP MLD can also communicate with an AP in the AP MLD through a link. Understandably, Figure 1a The non-AP MLD is a mobile phone and the AP MLD is a router as an example, which does not limit the types of AP MLD and non-AP MLD in this application. It can also be understood that Figure 1a The number of AP MLDs and non-AP MLDs is only exemplary. The number of AP MLDs or non-AP MLDs in the wireless communication system may be more or less, and this application does not limit this.

[0116] In the embodiments of the present application, the term "communication" may also be described as "data transmission", "information transmission" or "transmission". The term "transmission" may generally refer to sending and receiving.

[0117] See also Figure 1b , Figure 1b is another schematic diagram of the architecture of the wireless communication system provided in the embodiment of the present application. Figure 1b As shown in the figure, AP MLD includes n stations, namely AP1, AP2, ..., APn; non-AP MLD also includes n stations, namely STA1, STA2, ..., STAn. Here n is a positive integer. The communication between MLDs is multi-link communication. Figure 1bLink 1 to link n in the AP MLD constitute a multi-link. In other words, AP MLD and non-AP MLD can use link 1, link 2, ..., link n to communicate in parallel. Among them, an AP in AP MLD can establish a link with a STA in non-AP MLD. For example, STA1 in non-AP MLD establishes link 1 with AP1 in AP MLD, STA2 in non-AP MLD establishes link 2 with AP2 in AP MLD, STAn in non-AP MLD establishes link n with APn in AP MLD, and so on. Exemplarily, the multi-link device in the embodiment of the present application can be a single-antenna device or a multi-antenna device. For example, it can be a device with more than two antennas. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the number of antennas included in the multi-link device.

[0118] The frequency bands in which the multi-link device operates may include, but are not limited to, sub 1 GHz, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, and high frequency 60 GHz.

[0119] See also Figure 2a , Figure 2a This is a schematic diagram of a multi-link device communicating with other devices provided in an embodiment of the present application. For example, Figure 2a A scenario of communication between AP MLD 101 and non-AP MLD 102 is shown, wherein AP MLD 101 includes subordinate AP 101-1 and AP 101-2, non-AP MLD 102 includes subordinate STA 102-1 and STA 102-2, and APMLD 101 and non-AP MLD 102 communicate using link 1 and link 2 in parallel.

[0120] See also Figure 2b , Figure 2b 2 is another schematic diagram of a multi-link device communicating with other devices provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 2bThe diagram shows a scenario in which AP MLD 101 communicates with non-AP MLD 102, non-AP MLD 103, and STA 104. AP MLD 101 includes subordinate AP101-1 to AP101-3; non-AP MLD 102 includes three subordinate stations, namely STA 102-1, STA 102-2, and STA 102-3; non-AP MLD 103 includes two subordinate stations, namely STA 103-1 and STA 103-2; STA 104 is a single-link device. AP MLD 101 can communicate with non-AP MLD 102 using link 1, link 2, and link 3, communicate with non-AP MLD 103 using link 2 and link 3, and communicate with STA 104 using link 1. In one example, STA 104 operates in the 2.4 GHz band; in non-AP MLD 103, STA 103-1 operates in the 5 GHz band, and STA 103-2 operates in the 6 GHz band; in non-AP MLD 102, STA 102-1 operates in the 2.4 GHz band, STA 102-2 operates in the 5 GHz band, and STA 102-3 operates in the 6 GHz band. AP 101-1 in AP MLD 101 operating in the 2.4 GHz band can transmit uplink or downlink data with STA 104 and STA 102-1 in non-AP MLD 102 through link 1. AP 101-2 in AP MLD 101 working in the 5 GHz band can transmit uplink or downlink data with STA 103-1 in non-AP MLD 103 working in the 5 GHz band through link 2, and can also transmit uplink or downlink data with STA 102-2 in non-AP MLD 102 working in the 5 GHz band through link 2. AP 101-3 in AP MLD 101 working in the 6 GHz band can transmit uplink or downlink data with STA 102-3 in non-AP MLD 102 working in the 6 GHz band through link 3, and can also transmit uplink or downlink data with STA 103-2 in non-AP MLD through link 3.

[0121] Above Figure 2a Only two frequency bands are supported by AP MLD. Figure 2bOnly an example is taken for illustration that AP MLD 101 supports three frequency bands (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz), each frequency band corresponds to a link, and AP MLD 101 can work on one or more links among link 1, link 2, or link 3. In actual applications, AP MLD and non-AP MLD can also support more or fewer frequency bands, that is, AP MLD and non-AP MLD can work on more links or fewer links, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. Figure 2a and Figure 2b It is just a simple schematic diagram and does not constitute any limitation on the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application. It is understandable that the description of the 802.11 physical layer (PHY) and medium access control (MAC) layer in the multi-link device can refer to relevant standards or protocols, etc., and the embodiments of the present application will not be shown one by one.

[0122] Exemplarily, the multi-link device (here, it can be either non-AP MLD or AP MLD) can be a device with wireless communication function, which can be a complete device, or a chip or processing system installed in the complete device, etc. The device installed with these chips or processing systems can implement the method and function of the embodiment of the present application under the control of these chips or processing systems. For example, the non-AP MLD in the embodiment of the present application has a wireless transceiver function, can support the 802.11 series protocol, and can communicate with AP MLD, single-link device or other non-AP MLD. For example, non-AP MLD is any user communication device that allows the user to communicate with AP and then communicate with WLAN. For example, non-AP MLD can be a tablet computer, desktop, laptop, notebook computer, ultra-mobile personal computer (ultra-mobile personal computer, UMPC), handheld computer, netbook, personal digital assistant (personal digital assistant, PDA), mobile phone and other user devices that can be connected to the Internet, or an Internet of Things node in the Internet of Things, or a vehicle-mounted communication device in the Internet of Vehicles, etc.; non-AP MLD can also be a chip and processing system in the above-mentioned terminals. AP MLD can be 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. Among them, the 802.11 protocol can be a protocol that supports 802.11be or is compatible with 802.11be.

[0123] It is understandable that 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.). The specific forms of non-AP MLD and AP MLD are not limited in the embodiments of this application, and are only exemplary.

[0124] The following is a brief description of the application scenarios involved in the embodiments of the present application.

[0125] The Basic Service Set (BSS) is the basic module of the IEEE 802.11 local area network, which is composed of multiple STAs. Different types of BSSs have different topological structures for their member STAs. For example, in the Infrastructure BSS, there will be a special STA that plays the role of accessing the distributed system (DS). This STA is called the access point station (AP STA), usually referred to as AP; other STAs are called non-AP STAs. All non-AP STAs are associated with this AP to access the DS, and non-AP STAs are not connected to each other. In the Independent BSS, all STAs have the same role and can be connected to each other. The local area network uses hierarchical management, that is, when two STAs interact, the data transmitted by STA1 is transmitted from BSS1 to BSS2 via DS and finally reaches STA 2. Therefore, when a STA accesses a local area network, it must belong to a certain BSS.

[0126] For Infrastructure BSS, in some scenarios, non-AP STA needs to disconnect from the currently associated AP and re-associate with a new AP, that is, non-AP STA needs to exit the current BSS and join a new BSS. Therefore, the basic service set transition management (BSS transition management, BTM) function is proposed, which is applicable to Infrastructure BSS. If the non-AP STA supports the BTM function, this function can be used to help achieve BSS conversion. Exemplarily, the AP can send a BSS transition management request (BSS transition management request, BTMrequest) frame to the non-AP STA that is to be disassociated, informing them of the upcoming disassociation, and can add information about the APs around the non-AP STA in the BTM request frame to facilitate the non-AP STA to select a new BSS.

[0127] The current technical solution has clarified the BSS conversion process between non-AP STAs that are not affiliated with any MLD and APs. It is understandable that for multi-link devices (MLD), there are also scenarios where non-AP MLDs need to disassociate from the currently associated AP MLD and reassociate with a new AP MLD. For example, see Figure 3 , Figure 3This is a schematic diagram of an application scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application. Figure 3 As shown in the figure, there are 4 APMLDs near non-AP MLD, namely APMLD1, AP MLD2, AP MLD3, and AP MLD4. Assume that the current non-AP MLD is associated with AP MLD 1, but the non-AP MLD is about to be disassociated from AP MLD 1, so the non-AP MLD needs to choose one of the remaining 3 AP MLDs (AP MLD2, AP MLD3, and AP MLD4) to re-associate with. When the non-AP MLD makes a choice, the currently associated AP MLD1 can make a recommendation.

[0128] This application mainly focuses on BSS conversion between non-AP MLD and AP MLD.

[0129] In a possible implementation, the AP MLD can provide the non-AP MLD with information about the AP MLDs around the non-AP MLD through a BTM request frame, and give the recommended levels of these AP MLDs. Figure 4 , Figure 4 : is a schematic diagram of the frame format of the action field in the BTM request frame provided by the embodiment of the present application. Among them, the action field of the BTM request frame can be used to carry the management information of the BTM request frame. Figure 4 As shown, the Action field of the BTM request frame may include but is not limited to: a BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field and a Request Mode field. The following focuses on several fields.

[0130] The BSS transition candidate list entry field may include one or more neighbor report elements (Neighbor Report element), where the neighbor report element may be used to describe (or carry) the preference level of the target BSS candidates (target BSS candidates) or the candidate target AP MLD. Generally, one neighbor report element may correspond to one target BSS candidate or candidate target AP MLD. Different neighbor report elements may correspond to the same candidate target AP MLD or to different candidate target AP MLDs.

[0131] See also Figure 5 , Figure 5 : is a schematic diagram of the frame format of the neighbor report element provided in the embodiment of the present application. Figure 5As shown, the neighbor report element may include but is not limited to: a basic service set identifier (BSS identifier, BSSID) field and an optional subelements field. Among them, the BSSID field is the MAC address of any AP recommended in the candidate target AP MLD. The optional subelements field can be used to carry the information of the candidate target AP MLD and the degree of recommendation. When the neighbor report element in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field is used for recommendation, the Optional Subelements field can contain the following content:

[0132] (1) Basic Multi-Link subelement corresponding to the candidate target AP MLD. Figure 6 , Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the frame format of the basic multi-link sub-element provided in the embodiment of the present application. Figure 6 The Presence Bitmap field in the Basic Multi-Link subelement shown is all 0, and there is no Link Info field. This neighbor report element means "recommend this candidate target AP MLD but do not specify which APs are recommended." Figure 6 The Link Info field of the Basic Multi-Link subelement shown has one or more Per-STA Profile subelement (each STA profile subelement), and each Per-STA Profile subelement corresponds to a subordinate AP recommended in this candidate target AP MLD. Then this neighbor report element indicates "a certain AP combination that recommends this candidate target AP MLD."

[0133] (2) The BSS Transition Candidate Preference Subelement corresponding to the candidate AP MLD is used to indicate the degree of recommendation for this candidate AP MLD. For details, please refer to the standard description and will not be repeated here. Figure 7 , Figure 7 : is a schematic diagram of the frame format of the BSS conversion candidate preference sub-element provided in the embodiment of the present application. Figure 7As shown, the BSS conversion candidate preference sub-element may include but is not limited to: a preference field. The length of the preference field is 1 byte (equal to 8 bits). When the value of the preference field is 0, it means "exclude this candidate target AP MLD", that is, tell the non-AP MLD not to associate with the mentioned candidate target AP MLD. When the value of the preference field is 1 to 255, it indicates the recommendation level of this candidate target AP MLD. The value from small to large indicates the recommendation level from low to high. The value 255 is "most recommended" and the value 1 is "least recommended".

[0134] In short, the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field carries one or more Neighbor Report elements, each of which corresponds to a different candidate target AP MLD or a different AP combination of the same candidate target AP MLD, and gives the recommended value / recommendation level of the candidate target AP MLD. In addition, the recommended values ​​of different AP combinations of the same candidate target AP MLD may be different, which is not discussed in this application.

[0135] See also Figure 8 , Figure 8 : is a schematic diagram of the frame format of the request mode field provided in the embodiment of the present application. Figure 8 As shown, the Request Mode field includes but is not limited to: an Abridged field. The Abridged field can be used to indicate to the recipient of the BTM request frame the intended treatment of BSSIDs or AP MLDs not listed in the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field. (the Abridged (bit 1) field indicates to the recipient of the frame the intended treatment of all BSSIDs or AP MLDs not listed in the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field.). In the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field of the present application, the BSSID can be used to identify a single-link site or a traditional site, such as an AP.

[0136] For example, when the value of the Abridged field is 1, it means "exclude (associate) BSSIDs or AP MLDs that do not appear", that is, it tells the non-AP MLD not to associate with BSSIDs or AP MLDs that do not appear in the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field. When the value of the Abridged field is 0, it means that it is neither recommended nor opposed for the non-AP MLD to associate with BSSIDs or AP MLDs that do not appear in the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field (the APMLD sets the Abridged bit in the Request Mode field to 0 when the AP MLD has no recommendation for or against any BSSID or AP MLD not present in the BSSTransition Candidate List Entries field.).

[0137] In summary, the AP MLD currently associated with the non-AP MLD can inform the non-AP MLD of the processing method of the AP MLDs around it (i.e., whether to prohibit / oppose association) through the BSS Transition CandidateList Entries field. The predetermined processing method of the BSSID or AP MLD not listed in the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field is indicated by the Abridged field, and the recommendation degree of the candidate target AP MLD listed in the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field is indicated by the Preference field. However, there is no indication of the processing method of the APs that are not in the recommended AP combination among the candidate target AP MLDs listed in the BSS TransitionCandidate List Entries field.

[0138] For example, suppose an AP MLD contains four APs, namely AP1 to AP4; suppose the BSSID field in the Neighbor Report element corresponding to this APMLD is the MAC address of AP2 in this AP MLD, and the Link Info field has a Per-STA Profile subelement, and this Per-STA Profile subelement corresponds to AP4 in this APMLD. At this time, this Neighbor Report element indicates "recommended AP combination (i.e., AP2 and AP4) for this AP MLD". Then, the processing method for AP1 and AP3 in this AP MLD is still unclear.

[0139] In view of this, an embodiment of the present application provides an information indication method and device in BTM, which can improve the information indication, clarify the predetermined processing method for APs that are not recommended in the candidate target AP MLD listed in the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field, and enable the non-AP MLD to more clearly understand the attitude of the currently associated AP MLD and its own behavior.

[0140] The technical solution provided by this application will be described in detail below with reference to more drawings.

[0141] In order to facilitate the clear description of the technical solution of the present application, the present application is described through multiple embodiments, see below for details. In the present application, unless otherwise specified, the same or similar parts between the various embodiments or implementations can refer to each other. In the various embodiments in the present application, and the various implementation methods / implementation methods / implementation methods in the various embodiments, if there is no special description and logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between the different embodiments and the various implementation methods / implementation methods / implementation methods in the various embodiments are consistent and can be referenced to each other, and the technical features in the various embodiments and the various implementation methods / implementation methods / implementation methods in the various embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments, implementation methods, implementation methods, or implementation methods according to their inherent logical relationships. The implementation methods of the present application described below do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of the present application. It can be understood that the order of the following embodiments does not represent the degree of importance.

[0142] Embodiment 1

[0143] Embodiment 1 of the present application mainly introduces a method for improving information indication by modifying the meaning of the Abridged field in the Request Mode field.

[0144] See also Fig. 9 , Fig. 9This is a schematic diagram of the first flow chart of the information indication method in the BTM provided in the embodiment of the present application. Fig. 9 As shown, the information indication method in the BTM includes but is not limited to the following steps:

[0145] S101, AP MLD generates a BTM request frame, which includes a BSS conversion candidate list entry field and a request mode field. The request mode field includes a simplified field, and the simplified field is used to indicate the processing method of the BSSID or AP MLD that is not listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field, and the processing method of the AP that does not appear in any recommended AP combination among the candidate target AP MLD listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field.

[0146] S102: The AP MLD sends the BTM request frame, and correspondingly, the non-AP MLD receives the BTM request frame.

[0147] S103, the non-AP MLD parses the BTM request frame. Exemplarily, the non-AP MLD can obtain the processing method of the BSSID or AP MLD not listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field, and the processing method of the AP that does not appear in any recommended AP combination among the candidate target AP MLD listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field by parsing the simplified fields in the BTM request frame.

[0148] In a possible implementation, the format of the Action field of the BTM request frame may be as described above. Figure 4 As shown, no further details are given here. The Action field of the BTM request frame may include, but is not limited to: a BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field and a Request Mode field. Among them, the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field includes one or more neighbor report elements, which can be used to describe (or carry) the preference level of the target BSS candidate or the candidate target AP MLD. Different neighbor report elements can correspond to different AP combinations of the same candidate target AP MLD. Of course, different neighbor report elements can also correspond to different target BSS candidates or candidate target AP MLDs. The frame format of each neighbor report element can be as mentioned above. Figure 5 As shown, no further description is given here.

[0149] The frame format of the Request Mode field can be as described above Figure 8As shown, details are not repeated here. The Request Mode field includes a simplified field (Abridged field). The Abridged field can be used to indicate the processing method of (all) BSSIDs or (all) AP MLDs that are not listed in the BSSTransition Candidate List Entries field, as well as the processing method of APs that do not appear in any recommended AP combination among (all) candidate target AP MLDs listed in the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field. Alternatively, the Abridged field can be used to indicate the processing method of (all) BSSIDs or (all) AP MLDs that are not listed in the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field, as well as the processing method of APs that do not appear in the AP combination of candidate target AP MLDs listed in the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field.

[0150] In this application, "(all) BSSIDs" can mean both BSSID and all BSSIDs. Similarly, "(all) AP MLDs" can mean AP MLD and all AP MLDs. The same expressions below mean the same meanings and will not be repeated.

[0151] In a possible implementation, the length of the Abridged field is 1 bit. When the Abridged field is a first value, it indicates that the sender of the BTM request frame neither recommends nor objects to the receiver of the BTM request frame being associated with a BSSID or AP MLD that does not appear in the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field, and an AP that does not appear in any recommended AP combination among the candidate target AP MLDs that appear in the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field. When the Abridged field is a second value, it indicates that the sender of the BTM request frame objects to or excludes the receiver of the BTM request frame being associated with a BSSID or AP MLD that does not appear in the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field, and an AP that does not appear in any recommended AP combination among the candidate target AP MLDs that appear in the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field. The first value may be 0, and the second value may be 1. Of course, the first value may also be 1, and the second value may be 0, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0152] It can be understood that if the presence bitmap field in the Basic Multi-Link subelement of a Neighbor Report element is all 0 and there is no Link Info field, it means that all affiliated APs of the candidate target AP MLD corresponding to this NeighborReport element are recommended.

[0153] It can also be understood that “(all) AP MLDs not listed in the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field” do not include the AP MLD that sends the BTM request frame. Figure 3Take the application scenario shown as an example. Assume that the current non-AP MLD is associated with AP MLD 1, and AP MLD 1 finds that the non-AP MLD needs to make a BSS transition, or the non-AP MLD finds that it needs to make a BSS transition. AP MLD1 sends a BTM request frame to the non-AP MLD, carrying the information and recommendation level of AP MLD2, AP MLD3, and AP MLD4. Then, "(all) AP MLDs not listed in the BSSTransition Candidate List Entries field" refers to other AP MLDs in the network except AP MLD1, APMLD2, AP MLD3, and AP MLD4. Assume that AP MLD2 has 3 APs, namely AP2-1, AP2-2, and AP2-3; AP MLD 3 has 2 APs, namely AP3-1 and AP3-2; AP MLD 4 has 2 APs, namely AP4-1 and AP4-2. In addition, assuming that the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field includes a total of 4 neighbor report elements, neighbor report element 1 recommends the combination of AP2-1 and AP2-2 of AP MLD2, neighbor report element 2 recommends the combination of AP2-2 and AP2-3 of AP MLD2, neighbor report element 3 recommends AP MLD 3 (that is, all subordinate APs of AP MLD3 are recommended), and neighbor report element 4 recommends AP4-2 of AP MLD 4 (the BSSID field is the MAC address of AP4-2, and the Presence Bitmap field is not all 0 but there is no Link Info field). Then "APs that do not appear in any recommended AP combination among (all) candidate target AP MLDs listed in the BSS Transition Candidate ListEntries field" may include AP4-1. Optionally, for the recommended AP combination {AP2-1, AP2-2}, the processing method for AP2-3 can be default, such as defaulting to oppose association with AP2-3. For the recommended AP combination {AP2-2, AP2-3}, the processing method of AP2-1 can also be defaulted, such as defaulting to oppose association with AP2-1. That is, for each recommended AP combination, the processing method of APs that do not appear in the recommended AP combination but appear in other AP combinations in the same APMLD can be the default rule.

[0154] In another possible implementation, when the Abridged field is a first value, it indicates that the sender of the BTM request frame neither recommends nor objects to the receiver of the BTM request frame being associated with a BSSID or AP MLD that does not appear in the BSS TransitionCandidate List Entries field, and an AP that does not appear in the AP combination of the candidate target AP MLD that appears in the BSS TransitionCandidate List Entries field. When the Abridgedfield is a second value, it indicates that the sender of the BTM request frame objects to or excludes the receiver of the BTM request frame from being associated with a BSSID or AP MLD that does not appear in the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field, and an AP that does not appear in the AP combination of the candidate target AP MLD that appears in the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field. The first value may be 0, and the second value may be 1. Of course, the first value may also be 1, and the second value may be 0, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0155] For example, the above Figure 3Take the application scenario shown as an example. Assume that the current non-AP MLD is associated with AP MLD 1, and AP MLD 1 finds that the non-AP MLD needs to make a BSS transition, or the non-AP MLD finds that it needs to make a BSS transition. AP MLD1 sends a BTM request frame to the non-AP MLD, carrying the information of AP MLD2 and the degree of recommendation. Assume that AP MLD2 has 3 APs, namely AP2-1, AP2-2, and AP2-3. Assume that the BSS Transition Candidate ListEntries field includes 2 neighbor report elements, neighbor report element 1 recommends the combination of AP2-1 and AP2-2 of AP MLD2, and neighbor report element 2 recommends the combination of AP2-2 and AP2-3 of AP MLD2. For the recommended AP combination {AP2-1, AP2-2}, AP2-3 is not in this combination; then when the value of the Abridged field is 1, it means excluding the association with the BSSID or AP MLD that does not appear in the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field, and if the non-AP MLD selects the AP combination {AP2-1, AP2-2}, then excluding the association with AP2-3. When the value of the Abridged field is 0, it means neither recommending nor opposing the association with the BSSID or APMLD that does not appear in the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field, and if the non-AP MLD selects the AP combination {AP2-1, AP2-2}, then neither recommending nor opposing the association with AP2-3. For the recommended AP combination {AP2-2,AP2-3}, AP2-1 is not in this combination; then when the value of the Abridged field is 1, it means excluding the association with the BSSID or AP MLD that does not appear in the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field, and if the non-AP MLD selects the AP combination {AP2-2,AP2-3}, then excluding the association with AP2-1. When the value of the Abridgedfield is 0, it means neither recommending nor opposing the association with the BSSID or AP MLD that does not appear in the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field, and if the non-AP MLD selects the AP combination {AP2-2,AP2-3}, then neither recommending nor opposing the association with AP2-1.

[0156] In a possible implementation, the BSS Transition Candidate Preference subelement of the above-mentioned BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field includes a Preference field. Exemplarily, the meaning of the Preference field may follow the existing meaning, or the meaning of the Preference field may change as the standard evolves, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. Alternatively, the Preference field may be used to indicate the degree of recommendation of an AP combination. The AP combination may be an AP combination recommended by a neighbor report element to which the Preference field belongs. In other words, this AP combination is an AP combination recommended by a candidate target APMLD listed in the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field.

[0157] The embodiments of the present application extend the meaning of the Abridged field to indicate both the processing method of the BSSID or AP MLD that is not listed in the BSSTransition Candidate List Entries field, and the processing method of the AP that does not appear in the candidate target AP MLD listed in the BSSTransition Candidate List Entries field. The information indication is improved, the processing method of the AP in the MLD is clarified, and the non-AP MLD can be more clear about the attitude of the currently associated APMLD and its own behavior. In addition, the embodiments of the present application are clear in meaning, do not increase overhead, and have good compatibility.

[0158] Furthermore, the embodiment of the present application also changes the meaning of the Preference field so that the neighbor report element can indicate the degree of recommendation of a certain AP combination when recommending the AP MLD.

[0159] Embodiment 2

[0160] Embodiment 2 of the present application mainly introduces a method for improving information indication by utilizing reserved bits in the Request Mode field.

[0161] See also Fig.10 , Fig.10 1 is a second flow chart of the information indication method in the BTM provided in the embodiment of the present application. Fig.10 As shown, the information indication method in the BTM includes but is not limited to the following steps:

[0162] S201, AP MLD generates a BTM request frame, which includes a BSS conversion candidate list entry field and a request mode field. The request mode field includes a simplified extension field, and the simplified extension field is used to indicate a processing method for an AP that does not appear in any recommended AP combination among the candidate target AP MLD listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field.

[0163] S202: The AP MLD sends the BTM request frame, and correspondingly, the non-AP MLD receives the BTM request frame.

[0164] S203, the non-AP MLD parses the BTM request frame. Exemplarily, the non-AP MLD can obtain the processing method of the AP that does not appear in any recommended AP combination among the candidate target AP MLD listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field by parsing the simplified extension field in the BTM request frame. In addition, the non-AP MLD can obtain the predetermined processing method of the BSSID or AP MLD that is not listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field by parsing the simplified field in the BTM request frame.

[0165] In a possible implementation, the format of the Action field of the BTM request frame may be as described above. Figure 4 As shown, no further details are given here. The Action field of the BTM request frame may include, but is not limited to: a BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field and a Request Mode field. Among them, the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field includes one or more neighbor report elements, which can be used to describe (or carry) the preference level of the target BSS candidate or the candidate target AP MLD. Different neighbor report elements can correspond to different AP combinations of the same candidate target AP MLD. Of course, different neighbor report elements can also correspond to different target BSS candidates or candidate target AP MLDs. The frame format of each neighbor report element can be as mentioned above. Figure 5 As shown, no further description is given here.

[0166] The Request Mode field may include an Abridged field and an Abridged Extension field. The Abridged field may be used to indicate to the recipient of the BTM request frame the intended treatment of all BSSIDs or AP MLDs not listed in the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field. The Abridged (bit 1) field indicates to the recipient of the frame the intended treatment of all BSSIDs or AP MLDs not listed in the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field. The Abridged Extension field may be used to indicate to the recipient of the BTM request frame the intended treatment of APs that do not appear in any recommended AP combination among (all) candidate target AP MLDs listed in the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field. Alternatively, the Abridged Extension field may be used to indicate to the recipient of the BTM request frame the intended treatment of APs that do not appear in the AP combination of candidate target AP MLDs listed in the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field.

[0167] Among them, the specific meanings of "(all) APMLDs not listed in the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field", "APs that do not appear in any recommended AP combination among (all) candidate target AP MLDs listed in the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field", and "handling method for APs that do not appear in the AP combination of candidate target AP MLDs listed in the BSS Transition Candidate ListEntries field" can be found in the description of the aforementioned embodiment 1 and will not be repeated here.

[0168] It can be understood that the "Abridged Extension field" in the embodiment of the present application may also have other names, such as "Extension Abridged field", or the first field, etc., and the embodiment of the present application does not limit this.

[0169] For example, see Fig.11 , Fig.11 FIG. 1 is another frame format diagram of the request mode field provided in the embodiment of the present application. Fig.11 As shown, a reserved bit in the Request Mode field can be used as a simplified extension field. When the Abridged Extension field is the third value, it indicates that the sender of the BTM request frame neither recommends nor objects to the receiver of the BTM request frame associating with an AP that does not appear in any recommended AP combination in the candidate target AP MLD that appears in the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field. When the Abridged Extensionfield is the fourth value, it indicates that the sender of the BTM request frame objects to or excludes the receiver of the BTM request frame from associating with an AP that does not appear in any recommended AP combination in the candidate target AP MLD that appears in the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field. Alternatively, when the Abridged Extension field is the third value, it indicates that the sender of the BTM request frame neither recommends nor objects to the receiver of the BTM request frame associating with an AP that does not appear in a certain AP combination of a candidate target AP MLD that appears in the BSSTransition Candidate List Entries field. When the Abridged Extension field is the fourth value, it indicates that the sender of the BTM request frame objects to or excludes the receiver of the BTM request frame from associating with an AP that does not appear in a candidate target AP MLD in the BSS TransitionCandidate List Entries field when selecting an AP combination.

[0170] Among them, the third value can be 0 or 1; correspondingly, the fourth value can be 1 or 0; this embodiment of the present application does not limit this.

[0171] It is understandable that the above Fig.11The value and meaning of the Abridged field in the Request Mode field shown can remain unchanged. When the Abridged field is the first value (such as 0), it means that the sender of the above BTM request frame neither recommends nor objects to the association of the receiver of the BTM request frame with the BSSID or AP MLD that does not appear in the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field. When the Abridged field is the second value (such as 1), it means that the sender of the BTMrequest frame objects to or excludes the association of the receiver of the BTM request frame with the BSSID or AP MLD that does not appear in the BSSTransition Candidate List Entries field.

[0172] It is also understandable that the above Fig.11 The length of the simplified extension field can be 1 bit or more bits, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0173] The embodiment of the present application utilizes the reserved bits in the Request Mode field to indicate the processing method of the AP that does not appear in the candidate target AP MLD listed in the BSS TransitionCandidate List Entries field, thereby improving the information indication and making the non-AP MLD more aware of the attitude of the currently associated AP MLD and its own behavior. In addition, the embodiment of the present application does not change the meaning of the Abridged field, but uses additional bits to supplement the explanation, which is logically clear and easy for the non-AP MLD to understand; and the added bits appear at the same time as the existing Abridged field, and the logic is neat.

[0174] Embodiment 3

[0175] Embodiment 3 of the present application mainly introduces the meaning of modifying the Abridged field so that it can indicate the processing method of the AP combination that is not recommended in the AP MLD appearing in the BSS transition candidate list entry field.

[0176] See also Fig.12 , Fig.12 1 is a third flow chart of the information indication method in the BTM provided in the embodiment of the present application. Fig.12 As shown, the information indication method in the BTM includes but is not limited to the following steps:

[0177] S301, AP MLD generates a BTM request frame, which includes a BSS conversion candidate list entry field and a request mode field. The request mode field includes a simplified field, and the simplified field is used to indicate the processing method of the BSSID or AP MLD not listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field, and the processing method of the AP combination that is not recommended in the candidate target AP MLD listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field.

[0178] S302: The AP MLD sends the BTM request frame, and correspondingly, the non-AP MLD receives the BTM request frame.

[0179] S303, non-AP MLD parses the BTM request frame. Exemplarily, non-AP MLD can obtain the processing method of BSSID or AP MLD not listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field and the processing method of AP combination not recommended in the candidate target AP MLD listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field by parsing the simplified fields in the BTM request frame.

[0180] In a possible implementation, the format of the Action field of the BTM request frame may be as described above. Figure 4 As shown, no further details are given here. The Action field of the BTM request frame may include, but is not limited to: a BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field and a Request Mode field. Among them, the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field includes one or more neighbor report elements, which can be used to describe (or carry) the preference level of the target BSS candidate or the candidate target AP MLD. Different neighbor report elements can correspond to different AP combinations of the same candidate target AP MLD. Of course, different neighbor report elements can also correspond to different target BSS candidates or candidate target AP MLDs. The frame format of each neighbor report element can be as mentioned above. Figure 5 As shown, no further description is given here.

[0181] The frame format of the Request Mode field can be as described above Figure 8The Request Mode field includes a simplified field (Abridged field). The Abridged field can be used to indicate the processing method of (all) BSSIDs or (all) AP MLDs that are not listed in the BSSTransition Candidate List Entries field, and the processing method of AP combinations that are not recommended in (all) candidate target AP MLDs listed in the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field.

[0182] It can be understood that the specific meaning of “(all) AP MLDs not listed in the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field” can be found in the description of the aforementioned embodiment 1, which will not be repeated here.

[0183] The meaning of "AP combination that is not recommended in (all) candidate target APMLDs listed in the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field" can be explained by an example. Among them, "AP combination" can include one or more APs. That is, a single AP can also be used as an AP combination, and all APs belonging to an AP MLD can also be used as an AP combination. Figure 3Taking the application scenario shown as an example, assume that the current non-AP MLD is associated with AP MLD 1, and APMLD 1 finds that the non-AP MLD needs to make a BSS transition, or the non-AP MLD finds that it needs to make a BSS transition. APMLD1 sends a BTM request frame to the non-AP MLD, carrying the information and recommendation level of AP MLD2, AP MLD3, and AP MLD4. Assume that AP MLD2 has 3 APs, namely AP2-1, AP2-2, and AP2-3; AP MLD 3 has 2 APs, namely AP3-1 and AP3-2; and AP MLD 4 has 2 APs, namely AP4-1 and AP4-2. In addition, assume that the BSS Transition CandidateList Entries field includes a total of 3 neighbor report elements, neighbor report element 1 recommends the combination of AP2-1 and AP2-2 of AP MLD2, neighbor report element 2 recommends AP MLD 3 (that is, all subordinate APs of AP MLD3 are recommended), and neighbor report element 3 recommends AP4-2 of AP MLD 4. Then "the AP combination that is not recommended in (all) candidate target AP MLDs listed in the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field" includes: {AP2-1, AP2-3}, {AP2-2, AP2-3}, {AP2-1, AP2-2, AP2-3}, {AP2-1}, {AP2-2}, {AP2-3}, {AP3-1}, {AP3-2}, {AP4-1}, {AP4-1, AP4-2}. Of course, the "AP combination" may also include two or more APs, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0184] In a possible implementation, the length of the Abridged field is 1 bit. When the Abridged field is a first value, it indicates that the sender of the BTM request frame neither recommends nor objects to the receiver of the BTM request frame being associated with a BSSID or AP MLD that does not appear in the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field, and an AP combination that is not recommended in the candidate target AP MLD that appears in the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field. When the Abridged field is a second value, it indicates that the sender of the BTM request frame objects to or excludes the receiver of the BTMrequest frame being associated with a BSSID or AP MLD that does not appear in the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field, and an AP combination that is not recommended in the candidate target AP MLD that appears in the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field.

[0185] The first value may be 0, and the second value may be 1. Of course, the first value may be 1, and the second value may be 0, which is not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0186] In one possible implementation, the BSS Transition Candidate Preference subelement of the above-mentioned BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field includes a Preference field. Exemplarily, the meaning of the Preference field may follow the existing meaning, or the meaning of the Preference field may change as the standard evolves; this is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. Alternatively, the Preference field may be used to indicate the degree of recommendation of an AP combination. The AP combination may be an AP combination recommended by a neighbor report element to which the Preference field belongs. In other words, this AP combination is an AP combination recommended by a target AP MLD listed in the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field.

[0187] The embodiment of the present application extends the meaning of the Abridged field to indicate the processing method of the BSSID or AP MLD that is not listed in the BSSTransition Candidate List Entries field, and the processing method of the AP combination that is not recommended in the candidate target AP MLD listed in the BSSTransition Candidate List Entries field. The information indication is improved so that the non-AP MLD can more clearly understand the attitude of the currently associated AP MLD and its own behavior. In addition, the embodiment of the present application has clear meaning, no additional overhead, and good compatibility.

[0188] Furthermore, the embodiment of the present application also changes the meaning of the Preference field so that the neighbor report element can indicate the degree of recommendation of a certain AP combination when recommending the AP MLD.

[0189] Embodiment 4

[0190] Embodiment 4 of the present application mainly introduces a method for improving information indication by using bits in a neighbor report element.

[0191] See also Fig.13 , Fig.13 4 is a schematic diagram of a fourth flow chart of the information indication method in the BTM provided in the embodiment of the present application. Fig.13 As shown, the information indication method in the BTM includes but is not limited to the following steps:

[0192] S401, AP MLD generates a BTM request frame, which includes one or more neighbor report elements, one of which is used to carry information about a candidate target AP MLD. The neighbor report element includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate a processing method for an AP that does not appear in the AP combination of the candidate target AP MLD carried by the neighbor report element to which the second indication information belongs.

[0193] S402: The AP MLD sends the BTM request frame, and correspondingly, the non-AP MLD receives the BTM request frame.

[0194] S403, the non-AP MLD parses the BTM request frame. Exemplarily, the non-AP MLD can parse the second indication information in the BTM request frame to obtain a processing method for APs that are not included in the AP combination of the candidate target AP MLD carried by the neighbor report element to which the second indication information belongs.

[0195] In a possible implementation, the format of the Action field of the BTM request frame may be as described above. Figure 4 As shown, no further details are given here. The Action field of the BTM request frame may include, but is not limited to: a BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field. Among them, the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field includes one or more neighbor report elements, and a neighbor report element can be used to describe (or carry) the preference level of a target BSS candidate or a candidate target AP MLD. Different neighbor report elements can be used to describe (or carry) the preference level of the same candidate target AP MLD. Of course, different neighbor report elements can also be used to describe (or carry) the preference levels of different target BSS candidates or candidate target AP MLDs. The frame format of each neighbor report element can be as mentioned above. Figure 5 As shown, no further description is given here.

[0196] In one possible implementation, each neighbor report element includes a second indication information, and the second indication information can be used to indicate a processing method for an AP that does not appear in the AP combination of the candidate target AP MLD carried by the neighbor report element to which the second indication information belongs. Since one neighbor report element corresponds to one candidate target AP MLD, the second indication information can be briefly described as: used to indicate a processing method for an AP that does not appear in a certain AP combination of a certain candidate target AP MLD. It can be understood that an "AP combination" can include one or more APs. In other words, a single AP can also be used as an AP combination, and all APs belonging to an AP MLD can also be used as an AP combination.

[0197] For example, the above Figure 3Taking the application scenario shown as an example, assume that the current non-AP MLD is associated with AP MLD 1, and AP MLD 1 finds that the non-AP MLD needs to make a BSS transition, or the non-AP MLD finds that it needs to make a BSS transition. AP MLD1 sends a BTM request frame to the non-AP MLD, carrying the information and recommendation level of AP MLD2. Assume that AP MLD2 has three APs, namely AP2-1, AP2-2, and AP2-3, and the BSS Transition Candidate ListEntries field includes a neighbor report element. The BSSID field of this neighbor report element is the MAC address of AP2-1 in AP MLD 2, and the Link Info field has a Per-STAProfile subelement. This Per-STA Profilesubelement corresponds to AP2-2 in AP MLD 2. Then, this neighbor report element indicates that the combination of AP2-1 and AP2-2 is recommended for AP MLD2. At this time, the second indication information in the neighbor report element is used to indicate a processing method for AP2-3 that does not appear in the combination of AP2-1 and AP2-2 of AP MLD2 carried by the neighbor report element.

[0198] In a possible implementation, when the second indication information is the first value, it indicates that the sender of the BTM request frame neither recommends nor objects to associating the receiver of the BTM request frame with an AP that does not appear in the AP combination of the candidate target AP MLD carried by the neighbor report element to which the second indication information belongs. When the second indication information is the second value, it indicates that the sender of the BTM request frame objects to or excludes associating the receiver of the BTM request frame with an AP that does not appear in the AP combination of the candidate target AP MLD carried by the neighbor report element to which the second indication information belongs. The first value may be 1 or 0; correspondingly, the second value may be 0 or 1; this is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0199] In a possible implementation, the second indication information may be carried in the BSSID information field of the neighbor report element. Exemplarily, the second indication information may be represented by a reserved bit in the BSSID information field. Alternatively, the Extremely High Throughput bit in the BSSID information field may be reused to indicate the processing method for APs that do not appear in the AP combination of the candidate target AP MLD carried by the neighbor report element. Fig.14 , Fig.14: is a schematic diagram of the frame format of the BSSID information field provided in the embodiment of the present application. Fig.14 As shown, a reserved bit in the BSSID information field can be used as the second indication information. Wherein, when the value of the second indication information is 1, it indicates that the sender of the BTM request frame opposes or excludes the receiver of the BTM request frame from associating with an AP that does not appear in the AP combination of the candidate target AP MLD carried by the neighbor report element to which the second indication information belongs. When the value of the second indication information is 0, it indicates that the sender of the BTM request frame neither recommends nor opposes the receiver of the BTM request frame from associating with an AP that does not appear in the AP combination of the candidate target AP MLD carried by the neighbor report element to which the second indication information belongs.

[0200] Understandably, Fig.14 This is only an example. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the bit length of the second indication information, nor does it limit the correspondence between the value and meaning of the second indication information.

[0201] The embodiment of the present application uses a reserved bit in the BSSID information field of the Neighbor Report element to indicate the processing method for APs that do not appear in the AP combination of the candidate target AP MLD carried by this neighbor report element. Each AP combination recommended in the candidate target AP MLD can have its own processing method, which is flexible to use.

[0202] In another possible implementation, the above-mentioned second indication information can be carried in the BSS conversion candidate preference sub-element of the neighbor report element. Exemplarily, since the existing BSS conversion candidate preference sub-element is not extensible, the length of the Preference field can be shortened so that the length of the Preference field is less than or equal to 7 bits, but the meaning of the Preference field is not changed; and the one or more bits saved by shortening the Preference field are used to characterize the second indication information. In other words, the Preference field in the BSS conversion candidate preference sub-element is less than or equal to 7 bits, the bit length of the second indication information is greater than or equal to 1 bit, and the sum of the length of the Preference field and the bit length of the second indication information is less than or equal to 1 byte (8 bits). It can be understood that the embodiment of the present application does not limit the meaning of the Preference field, but only changes the length of the Preference field. The meaning of the Preference field can change as the standard evolves.

[0203] See also Fig.15 , Fig.15is another frame format diagram of the BSS conversion candidate preference sub-element provided in the embodiment of the present application. Fig.15 As shown, the length of the Preference field can be shortened from 1 byte (8 bits in total) to 7 bits, and the saved 1 bit can be used as the second indication information. For example, the least significant bit (LSB) in this 1 byte (B0 to B7), that is, B0, can be used as the second indication information. When the value of the second indication information (such as B0) is 0, it means that the sender of the BTM request frame opposes or excludes the receiver of the BTM request frame from associating with an AP that does not appear in the AP combination of the candidate target AP MLD carried by the neighbor report element to which the second indication information belongs. When the value of the second indication information (such as B0) is 1, it means that the sender of the BTM request frame neither recommends nor opposes the receiver of the BTMrequest frame to associate with an AP that does not appear in the AP combination of the candidate target AP MLD carried by the neighbor report element to which the second indication information belongs. This can better be compatible with traditional sites (i.e., single-link sites).

[0204] Understandably, Fig.15 This is only an example. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the bit length of the second indication information, nor does it limit the correspondence between the value and meaning of the second indication information.

[0205] In the embodiment of the present application, the second indication information is carried in the BSS conversion candidate preference sub-element of the Neighbor Report element to indicate the processing method of the AP that does not appear in the AP combination of the candidate target AP MLD carried by the neighbor report element. Each AP combination recommended in the candidate target AP MLD can have its own processing method, which is flexible to use. In addition, the second indication information is used simultaneously with the Preference value, that is, the second indication information will not appear when the Neighbor Report element is not used for recommendation.

[0206] In a possible implementation, the BSS switch candidate preference sub-element of the neighbor report element includes a Preference field. The meaning of the Preference field can refer to the relevant description in the above-mentioned embodiment 1, which will not be repeated here.

[0207] In the embodiment of the present application, the neighbor report element carries the second indication information to indicate the processing method of the AP that does not appear in a certain AP combination in the single candidate target AP MLD, so that each recommended AP combination can have its own processing method, which is flexible to use.

[0208] Embodiment 5

[0209] Embodiment 5 of the present application mainly introduces a method for improving information indication by redefining the recommended AP combination in the Link Info field.

[0210] See also Fig.16 , Fig.16 1 is a fifth flow chart of the information indication method in the BTM provided in the embodiment of the present application. Fig.16 As shown, the information indication method in the BTM includes but is not limited to the following steps:

[0211] S501, AP MLD generates a BTM request frame, the BTM request frame includes one or more neighbor report elements, one neighbor report element is used to carry information of a candidate target AP MLD, the neighbor report element includes a per-STA profile sub-element of any non-prohibited AP in the candidate target AP MLD. Optionally, the per-STA profile sub-element also includes third indication information, and the third indication information can be used to indicate the processing method of the AP corresponding to the per-STA profile sub-element.

[0212] S502: The AP MLD sends the BTM request frame, and correspondingly, the non-AP MLD receives the BTM request frame.

[0213] S503, non-AP MLD parses the BTM request frame. Exemplarily, non-AP MLD can obtain information about non-prohibited APs in the candidate target AP MLD by parsing the neighbor report element in the BTM request frame. Further, non-AP MLD can obtain the processing method of the AP corresponding to the per-STA profile sub-element by parsing the per-STA profile sub-element in the neighbor report element.

[0214] In a possible implementation, the format of the Action field of the BTM request frame may be as described above. Figure 4As shown, no further details are given here. The Action field of the BTM request frame may include, but is not limited to: a BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field. Among them, the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field includes one or more neighbor report elements, and a neighbor report element can be used to describe (or carry) the preference level of a target BSS candidate or a candidate target AP MLD. Different neighbor report elements can be used to describe (or carry) the preference level of the same candidate target AP MLD. Of course, different neighbor report elements can also be used to describe (or carry) the preference levels of different target BSS candidates or candidate target AP MLDs. The frame format of each neighbor report element can be as mentioned above. Figure 5 As shown, no further description is given here.

[0215] A neighbor report element may include a Basic Multi-Link subelement corresponding to a candidate target AP MLD. The frame format of the Basic Multi-Link subelement may be as described above. Figure 6 As shown, no further details are given here. It can be understood that if the AP MLD wants to recommend a certain AP combination of a candidate target AP MLD to the non-AP MLD, it is necessary to add the Neighbor Report element of any AP in the AP combination in the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field (that is, the BSSID field of the Neighbor Report element is the MAC address of any AP in the AP combination), and add the Basic Multi-Link subelement to this Neighbor Report element, and the Per-STA Profile subelement of other APs in the AP combination will be added to the Link Info field of this BasicMulti-Link subelement. In short, the Link Info field carries the Per-STA Profile subelement of other APs in the recommended AP combination except the AP indicated by the BSSID field.

[0216] In an embodiment of the present application, if the AP MLD wants to recommend a certain AP combination of a candidate target AP MLD to the non-AP MLD, the BSSID field of the Neighbor Report element is still the MAC address of any AP in the AP combination. However, the Link Info field of the Basic Multi-Link subelement includes the Per-STA Profile subelement of any non-prohibited (associated) AP in this candidate target AP MLD. Optionally, each Per-STAProfile subelement also includes third indication information. The third indication information can be used to indicate the processing method of the AP corresponding to the Per-STA Profile subelement. Among them, a Per-STA Profile subelement corresponds to a non-prohibited AP in the candidate target AP MLD. Here, "not prohibited" can include at least two meanings of "recommended" and "neither recommended nor opposed". The embodiment of the present application also assumes that APs that do not appear in the Neighbor Report element are prohibited from association. Here, "AP not appearing in the NeighborReport element" may refer to APs in the candidate target APMLD carried by the Neighbor Report element except the AP indicated by the BSSID field and the AP corresponding to the Per-STAProfile subelement.

[0217] In one possible implementation, when the third indication information in a Per-STAProfile subelement is a first value, it indicates that the sender of the BTM request frame neither recommends nor objects to the receiver of the BTM request frame associating with the AP corresponding to the Per-STA Profile subelement. When the third indication information in a Per-STAProfile subelement is a second value, it indicates that the sender of the BTM request frame recommends the receiver of the BTM request frame to associate with the AP corresponding to the Per-STA Profile subelement. The first value may be 0 or 1; correspondingly, the second value may be 1 or 0; this is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0218] In a possible implementation, the third indication information may be carried in the STA control field of the Per-STA Profile subelement. For example, a reserved bit in the STA Control field of the Per-STA Profile subelement may be used to represent the third indication information. Fig.17 , Fig.17 This is a schematic diagram of the frame format of the STAControl field provided in an embodiment of the present application. Fig.17 For ease of description, the third indication information is referred to as a recommended field. It is understandable that in actual applications, the third indication information may have other field names, which are not limited in the present embodiment. Fig.17 As shown, the STAControl field includes but is not limited to: a recommended field (Recommended field). For example, the length of the Recommended field is 1 bit. When the value of the Recommended field is 1, it indicates that the AP MLD recommends that the non-AP MLD associate with the AP corresponding to the Per-STAProfile subelement to which the Recommended field belongs. When the value of the Recommended field is 0, it indicates that the AP MLD neither recommends nor opposes the non-AP MLD to associate with the AP corresponding to the Per-STAProfile subelement to which the Recommended field belongs. It can be understood that whether the value of the Recommended field is 1 to indicate recommendation or 0 to indicate recommendation is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. Fig.17 This is only an example, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit the length of the Recommended field.

[0219] In the embodiment of the present application, the AP that does not appear in the Neighbor Report element is prohibited from association by default, and the AP corresponding to the Per-STA Profile subelement that appears indicates whether to recommend association through the third indication information. Since the association preference information appears in the Per-STA Profile subelement corresponding to each AP, each AP in each AP combination provided by AP MLD can have its own processing method, which is very flexible to use.

[0220] Embodiment 6

[0221] Embodiment 6 of the present application mainly introduces a default processing method for an AP that does not appear in the candidate target AP MLD listed in the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field.

[0222] See also Fig.18 , Fig.18 6 is a flow chart of the information indication method in the BTM provided in the embodiment of the present application. Fig.18 As shown, the information indication method in the BTM includes but is not limited to the following steps:

[0223] S601: AP MLD generates a BTM request frame.

[0224] S602: The AP MLD sends the BTM request frame, and correspondingly, the non-AP MLD receives the BTM request frame.

[0225] S603: The non-AP MLD parses the BTM request frame.

[0226] In a possible implementation, the format of the Action field of the BTM request frame may be as described above. Figure 4 The Action field of the BTM request frame may include, but is not limited to, a BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field and a Request Mode field. The frame format of the Request Mode field may be as described above. Figure 8 As shown, it is not described here. The Request Mode field includes a simplified field (Abridged field). The Abridged field can be used to indicate the processing method of (all) BSSIDs or (all) AP MLDs that are not listed in the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field. The processing method of the APs that do not appear in any recommended AP combination among the (all) candidate target AP MLDs listed in the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field can use the default rule.

[0227] In a possible implementation, the default rule may include any of the following: exclude / oppose association with APs that are not recommended in the candidate target AP MLD that appears in the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field, neither recommend nor oppose association with APs that are not recommended in the candidate target AP MLD that appears in the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field, and non-AP MLD must treat APs that are not recommended in the AP MLD that appears in the BSS Transition CandidateList Entries field as having a specific preference value, such as a value of 1. Here, "non-recommended AP" may refer to "APs that do not appear in any recommended AP combination" or "APs that do not appear in the recommended AP combination."

[0228] The embodiment of the present application can improve the information indication by designing the default processing method for APs that do not appear in the candidate target AP MLD listed in the BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field, so that the non-AP MLD can more clearly understand the attitude of the currently associated AP MLD and its own behavior. In addition, the embodiment of the present application does not change the various fields in the BTM request frame and does not increase the overhead.

[0229] The above content elaborates on the method provided by the present application. In order to facilitate the implementation of the above scheme of the embodiment of the present application, the embodiment of the present application also provides corresponding devices or equipment.

[0230] The present application divides the functional modules of AP MLD and non-AP MLD according to the above method embodiment. For example, each functional module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The above integrated modules can be implemented in the form of hardware or software functional modules. It should be noted that the division of modules in the present application is schematic and is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation. Figures 19 to 21 The AP MLD and non-APMLD of the embodiments of the present application are described in detail.

[0231] See also Fig.19 , Fig.19 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application, such as Fig.19As shown, the communication device includes a transceiver unit 10 and a processing unit 20. The transceiver unit 10 can implement corresponding communication functions, and the processing unit 20 is used for data processing. For example, the transceiver unit 10 can also be called a communication interface or a communication unit.

[0232] In some embodiments of the present application, the communication device may be the AP MLD shown above. Fig.19 The communication device shown can be used to execute the steps or functions performed by the AP MLD in the above method embodiment. Exemplarily, the communication device can be an AP MLD or a chip or functional module configured in the AP MLD, etc., which is not limited in the present embodiment. The transceiver unit 10 is used to execute the operations related to the transceiver of the AP MLD in the above method embodiment, and the processing unit 20 is used to execute the operations related to the processing of the AP MLD in the above method embodiment.

[0233] Exemplarily, the processing unit 20 is used to generate a BTM request frame, which includes a BSS conversion candidate list entry field and a first indication information, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate a processing method for a BSSID or AP MLD that is not listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field, and a processing method for an AP that does not appear in any recommended AP combination among the candidate target AP MLDs listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field; the transceiver unit 10 is used to send or output the BTM request frame.

[0234] It is understandable that the transceiver unit 10 can send the BTM request frame to other communication devices, or the transceiver unit 10 outputs the BTM request frame from the processing unit 20 to other components or other functional modules in the AP MLD. The relevant description of the transceiver unit outputting other information is similar and will not be described in detail below.

[0235] It is understandable that the specific description of the BTM request frame, the BSS conversion candidate list entry field, and the first indication information, etc. can refer to the method embodiment 1 or 2 shown above, and will not be described in detail here.

[0236] It is understandable that the specific description of the transceiver unit and the processing unit shown in the embodiment of the present application is only an example. For the specific functions or execution steps of the transceiver unit and the processing unit, reference can be made to the above-mentioned method embodiment 1 or 2 (such as Fig. 9 or Fig.10 ), which will not be described in detail here.

[0237] Exemplarily, the processing unit 20 is used to generate a BTM request frame, which includes a BSS conversion candidate list entry field and a request mode field, the request mode field includes a simplified field, and the simplified field is used to indicate the processing method of the BSSID or AP MLD not listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field, and the processing method of the AP combination that is not recommended in the candidate target AP MLD listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field; the transceiver unit 10 is used to send or output the BTM request frame.

[0238] It is understandable that the specific description of the BTM request frame, the BSS conversion candidate list entry field, the request mode field, and the simplified field, etc. can refer to the method embodiment 3 shown above, and will not be described in detail here.

[0239] It is understandable that the specific description of the transceiver unit and the processing unit shown in the embodiment of the present application is only an example. For the specific functions or execution steps of the transceiver unit and the processing unit, reference can be made to the above-mentioned method embodiment 3 (such as Fig.12 ), which will not be described in detail here.

[0240] Exemplarily, the processing unit 20 is used to generate a BTM request frame, which includes one or more neighbor report elements, one neighbor report element is used to carry information of a candidate target AP MLD, and the neighbor report element includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate a processing method for an AP that does not appear in the AP combination of the candidate target AP MLD carried by the neighbor report element to which the second indication information belongs; the transceiver unit 10 is used to send or output the BTM request frame.

[0241] It is understandable that the specific description of the BTM request frame, the neighbor report element, and the second indication information, etc. can be referred to the method embodiment 4 shown above, and will not be described in detail here.

[0242] It is understandable that the specific description of the transceiver unit and the processing unit shown in the embodiment of the present application is only an example. For the specific functions or execution steps of the transceiver unit and the processing unit, reference can be made to the above-mentioned method embodiment 4 (such as Fig.13 ), which will not be described in detail here.

[0243] Exemplarily, the processing unit 20 is used to generate a BTM request frame, which includes one or more neighbor report elements, one of which is used to carry information about a candidate target AP MLD, and the neighbor report element includes a per-STA profile sub-element of any non-prohibited AP in the candidate target AP MLD; the transceiver unit 10 is used to send or output the BTM request frame.

[0244] It is understandable that the specific description of the BTM request frame, the neighbor report element, and the per-STA configuration file sub-element, etc. can be referred to the method embodiment 5 shown above, and will not be described in detail here.

[0245] It is understandable that the specific description of the transceiver unit and the processing unit shown in the embodiment of the present application is only an example. For the specific functions or execution steps of the transceiver unit and the processing unit, reference can be made to the above-mentioned method embodiment 5 (such as Fig.16 ), which will not be described in detail here.

[0246] Reuse Fig.19 In some other embodiments of the present application, the communication device may be the non-APMLD shown above. Fig.19 The communication device shown can be used to execute the steps or functions performed by the non-AP MLD in the above method embodiment. Exemplarily, the communication device can be a non-AP MLD or a chip or functional module configured in the non-AP MLD, etc., which is not limited in the present embodiment. The transceiver unit 10 is used to execute the operations related to the transceiver of the non-AP MLD in the above method embodiment, and the processing unit 20 is used to execute the operations related to the processing of the non-AP MLD in the above method embodiment.

[0247] Exemplarily, the transceiver unit 10 is used to receive or input a BTM request frame, which includes a BSS conversion candidate list entry field and first indication information, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate a processing method for a BSSID or AP MLD that is not listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field, and a processing method for an AP that does not appear in any recommended AP combination among the candidate target APMLDs listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field; the processing unit 20 is used to parse the BTM request frame.

[0248] It is understandable that the transceiver unit 10 may receive the BTM request frame from other communication devices, or the transceiver unit 10 may input the BTM request frame from other components or other functional modules in the AP MLD, etc. The description of the transceiver unit inputting other information is similar and will not be described in detail below.

[0249] It is understandable that the specific description of the BTM request frame, the BSS conversion candidate list entry field, and the first indication information, etc. can refer to the method embodiment 1 or 2 shown above, and will not be described in detail here.

[0250] It is understandable that the specific description of the transceiver unit and the processing unit shown in the embodiment of the present application is only an example. For the specific functions or execution steps of the transceiver unit and the processing unit, reference can be made to the above-mentioned method embodiment 1 or 2 (such as Fig. 9 or Fig.10), which will not be described in detail here.

[0251] Exemplarily, the transceiver unit 10 is used to receive or input a BTM request frame, which includes a BSS conversion candidate list entry field and a request mode field, the request mode field including a simplified field, the simplified field is used to indicate the processing method of the BSSID or AP MLD not listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field, and the processing method of the AP combination that is not recommended in the candidate target AP MLD listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field; the processing unit 20 is used to parse the BTM request frame.

[0252] It is understandable that the specific description of the BTM request frame, the BSS conversion candidate list entry field, the request mode field, and the simplified field, etc. can refer to the method embodiment 3 shown above, and will not be described in detail here.

[0253] It is understandable that the specific description of the transceiver unit and the processing unit shown in the embodiment of the present application is only an example. For the specific functions or execution steps of the transceiver unit and the processing unit, reference can be made to the above-mentioned method embodiment 3 (such as Fig.12 ), which will not be described in detail here.

[0254] Exemplarily, the transceiver unit 10 is used to receive or input a BTM request frame, which includes one or more neighbor report elements, one neighbor report element is used to carry information of a candidate target AP MLD, and the neighbor report element includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate a processing method for an AP that does not appear in the AP combination of the candidate target AP MLD carried by the neighbor report element to which the second indication information belongs; the processing unit 20 is used to parse the BTM request frame.

[0255] It is understandable that the specific description of the BTM request frame, the neighbor report element, and the second indication information, etc. can be referred to the method embodiment 4 shown above, and will not be described in detail here.

[0256] It is understandable that the specific description of the transceiver unit and the processing unit shown in the embodiment of the present application is only an example. For the specific functions or execution steps of the transceiver unit and the processing unit, reference can be made to the above-mentioned method embodiment 4 (such as Fig.13 ), which will not be described in detail here.

[0257] Exemplarily, the transceiver unit 10 is used to receive or input a BTM request frame, which includes one or more neighbor report elements, one of which is used to carry information about a candidate target AP MLD, and the neighbor report element includes a per-STA profile sub-element of any non-prohibited AP in the candidate target AP MLD; the processing unit 20 is used to parse the BTM request frame.

[0258] It is understandable that the specific description of the BTM request frame, the neighbor report element, and the per-STA configuration file sub-element, etc. can be referred to the method embodiment 5 shown above, and will not be described in detail here.

[0259] It is understandable that the specific description of the transceiver unit and the processing unit shown in the embodiment of the present application is only an example. For the specific functions or execution steps of the transceiver unit and the processing unit, reference can be made to the above-mentioned method embodiment 5 (such as Fig.16 ), which will not be described in detail here.

[0260] The above describes the non-AP MLD and AP MLD of the embodiment of the present application. The following describes the possible product forms of non-AP MLD and AP MLD. It should be understood that any product having the above Fig.19 Any product having the non-AP MLD function, or any product having the above Fig.19 Any form of product with the functions of the AP MLD described above falls within the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application. It should also be understood that the following description is only an example and does not limit the product forms of the non-AP MLD and AP MLD of the embodiments of the present application to this.

[0261] In one possible implementation, Fig.19 In the communication device shown, the processing unit 20 may be one or more processors, the transceiver unit 10 may be a transceiver, or the transceiver unit 10 may also be a sending unit and a receiving unit, the sending unit may be a transmitter, the receiving unit may be a receiver, and the sending unit and the receiving unit are integrated into one device, such as a transceiver. In the embodiment of the present application, the processor and the transceiver may be coupled, etc., and the embodiment of the present application does not limit the connection mode of the processor and the transceiver. In the process of executing the above method, the process of sending information (such as sending a BTM request frame, etc.) in the above method can be understood as the process of outputting the above information by the processor. When outputting the above information, the processor outputs the above information to the transceiver so that it is transmitted by the transceiver. After the above information is output by the processor, it may also need to be processed in other ways before it reaches the transceiver. Similarly, the process of receiving information (such as receiving a BTM request frame, etc.) in the above method can be understood as the process of the processor receiving the input information. When the processor receives the input information, the transceiver receives the above information and inputs it into the processor. Furthermore, after the transceiver receives the above information, the above information may need to be processed in other ways before being input into the processor.

[0262] See also Fig. 20 , Fig. 202 is another schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device may be an AP MLD or a non-AP MLD, or a chip thereof. Fig. 20 Only the main components of the communication device are shown. In addition to the processor 1001 and the transceiver 1002, the communication device may further include a memory 1003 and an input and output device (not shown in the figure).

[0263] The processor 1001 is mainly used to process the communication protocol and communication data, and to control the entire communication device, execute the software program, and process the data of the software program. The memory 1003 is mainly used to store the software program and data. The transceiver 1002 may include a control circuit and an antenna. The control circuit is mainly used to convert the baseband signal and the radio frequency signal and process the radio frequency signal. The antenna is mainly used to send and receive radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. The input and output devices, such as a touch screen, a display screen, a keyboard, etc., are mainly used to receive data input by the user and output data to the user.

[0264] When the communication device is turned on, the processor 1001 can read the software program in the memory 1003, interpret and execute the instructions of the software program, and process the data of the software program. When data needs to be sent wirelessly, the processor 1001 performs baseband processing on the data to be sent, and outputs the baseband signal to the radio frequency circuit. The radio frequency circuit performs radio frequency processing on the baseband signal and then sends the radio frequency signal outward in the form of electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the communication device, the radio frequency circuit receives the radio frequency signal through the antenna, converts the radio frequency signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor 1001. The processor 1001 converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0265] In another implementation, the RF circuit and antenna may be arranged independently of the processor performing baseband processing. For example, in a distributed scenario, the RF circuit and antenna may be arranged remotely from the communication device.

[0266] The processor 1001 , the transceiver 1002 , and the memory 1003 may be connected via a communication bus.

[0267] Exemplarily, the communication device may be used to perform the function of the AP MLD in the aforementioned embodiment 1: the processor 1001 may be used to execute Fig. 9 Step S101 in, and / or other processes for performing the technology described herein; the transceiver 1002 may be used to perform Fig. 9 Step S102 in, and / or other processes for the technology described herein.

[0268] Exemplarily, the communication device may be used to perform the function of the non-AP MLD in the aforementioned embodiment 1: the processor 1001 may be used to execute Fig. 9 The transceiver 1002 may be used to receive a BTM request frame, and / or other processes for the technology described herein.

[0269] Exemplarily, the communication device may be used to perform the function of the AP MLD in the aforementioned embodiment 2: the processor 1001 may be used to execute Fig.10 Step S201 in, and / or other processes for performing the technology described herein; the transceiver 1002 may be used to perform Fig.10 Step S202 in, and / or other processes for the technology described herein.

[0270] Exemplarily, the communication device may be used to perform the function of the non-AP MLD in the aforementioned embodiment 2: the processor 1001 may be used to execute Fig.10 The transceiver 1002 may be used to receive a BTM request frame, and / or other processes for the technology described herein.

[0271] Exemplarily, the communication device may be used to perform the function of the AP MLD in the aforementioned embodiment 3: the processor 1001 may be used to execute Fig.12 Step S301 in, and / or other processes for performing the techniques described herein; the transceiver 1002 may be used to perform Fig.12 Step S302 in, and / or other processes for the technology described herein.

[0272] Exemplarily, the communication device may be used to perform the function of the non-AP MLD in the aforementioned embodiment 3: the processor 1001 may be used to execute Fig.12 The transceiver 1002 may be used to receive a BTM request frame, and / or other processes for performing the technology described herein.

[0273] Exemplarily, the communication device may be used to perform the function of the AP MLD in the fourth embodiment: the processor 1001 may be used to execute Fig.13 Step S401 in, and / or other processes for performing the techniques described herein; the transceiver 1002 may be used to perform Fig.13 Step S402 in, and / or other processes for the technology described herein.

[0274] Exemplarily, the communication device may be used to perform the function of the non-AP MLD in the aforementioned embodiment 3: the processor 1001 may be used to execute Fig.13 The transceiver 1002 may be used to receive a BTM request frame, and / or other processes for the technology described herein.

[0275] Exemplarily, the communication device may be used to perform the function of the AP MLD in the fifth embodiment: the processor 1001 may be used to execute Fig.16 Step S501 in, and / or other processes for performing the techniques described herein; the transceiver 1002 may be used to perform Fig.16 Step S502 in, and / or other processes for the technology described herein.

[0276] Exemplarily, the communication device may be used to perform the function of the non-AP MLD in the fifth embodiment: the processor 1001 may be used to execute Fig.16 The transceiver 1002 may be used to receive a BTM request frame, and / or other processes for the technology described herein.

[0277] Exemplarily, the communication device may be used to perform the function of the AP MLD in the sixth embodiment: the processor 1001 may be used to execute Fig.18 Step S601 in, and / or other processes for performing the technology described herein; the transceiver 1002 may be used to perform Fig.18 Step S602 in, and / or other processes for the technology described herein.

[0278] Exemplarily, the communication device may be used to perform the function of the non-AP MLD in the aforementioned embodiment 3: the processor 1001 may be used to execute Fig.18 The transceiver 1002 may be used to receive a BTM request frame, and / or other processes for the technology described herein.

[0279] In one implementation, the processor 1001 may store instructions, which may be computer programs. The computer programs run on the processor 1001, and may enable the communication device to perform the method described in the above method embodiment. The computer program may be fixed in the processor 1001, in which case the processor 1001 may be implemented by hardware.

[0280] In one implementation, the communication device may include a circuit that can implement the functions of sending or receiving or communicating in the aforementioned method embodiment. The processor and transceiver described in the present application can be implemented in an integrated circuit (IC), an analog IC, a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), a mixed signal IC, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a printed circuit board (PCB), an electronic device, etc. The processor and transceiver can also be manufactured using various IC process technologies, such as complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), N-type metal oxide semiconductor (nMetal-oxide-semiconductor, NMOS), P-type metal oxide semiconductor (positive channel metal oxide semiconductor, PMOS), bipolar junction transistor (bipolar junction transistor, BJT), bipolar CMOS (BiCMOS), silicon germanium (SiGe), gallium arsenide (GaAs), etc.

[0281] It is understandable that the communication device shown in the embodiment of the present application may also have Fig. 20 The embodiments of the present application do not limit the number of components and the like. The methods executed by the processor and transceiver shown above are only examples, and the specific steps executed by the processor and transceiver can refer to the introduction of the above method embodiments.

[0282] In another possible implementation, Fig.19 In the communication device shown, the processing unit 20 may be one or more logic circuits, and the transceiver unit 10 may be an input / output interface, or a communication interface, or an interface circuit, or an interface, etc. Alternatively, the transceiver unit 10 may be a sending unit and a receiving unit, the sending unit may be an output interface, the receiving unit may be an input interface, and the sending unit and the receiving unit may be integrated into one unit, such as an input / output interface. Fig.21 , Fig.21 is another structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. Fig.21 As shown, Fig.21The communication device shown includes a logic circuit 901 and an interface 902. That is, the processing unit 20 can be implemented by the logic circuit 901, and the transceiver unit 10 can be implemented by the interface 902. The logic circuit 901 can be a chip, a processing circuit, an integrated circuit or a system on chip (SoC) chip, etc., and the interface 902 can be a communication interface, an input / output interface, a pin, etc. For example, Fig.21 The above communication device is taken as an example of a chip, and the chip includes a logic circuit 901 and an interface 902 .

[0283] In the embodiment of the present application, the logic circuit and the interface may also be coupled to each other. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific connection method between the logic circuit and the interface.

[0284] In some embodiments of the present application, the communication device may be used to execute the method, steps, or functions performed by the APMLD in any of the above method embodiments.

[0285] Exemplarily, the logic circuit 901 is used to generate a BTM request frame; the interface 902 is used to output the BTM request frame.

[0286] In some other embodiments of the present application, the communication device may be used to execute the method, steps, functions, etc. executed by the non-AP MLD in any of the above method embodiments.

[0287] Exemplarily, the interface 902 is used to input a BTM request frame; the logic circuit 901 is used to parse the BTM request frame.

[0288] It can be understood that the specific description of the BTM request frame, etc. can refer to the method embodiment shown above, and will not be described in detail here.

[0289] It can be understood that the communication device shown in the embodiment of the present application can implement the method provided in the embodiment of the present application in the form of hardware, or can implement the method provided in the embodiment of the present application in the form of software, etc., and the embodiment of the present application is not limited to this.

[0290] for Fig.21 The specific implementation methods of the various embodiments shown can also refer to the above embodiments, which will not be described in detail here.

[0291] An embodiment of the present application further provides a wireless communication system, which includes a non-AP MLD and an AP MLD. The non-AP MLD and the AP MLD can be used to execute the method in any of the aforementioned embodiments.

[0292] In addition, the present application also provides a computer program, which is used to implement the operations and / or processing performed by the non-AP MLD in the method provided by the present application.

[0293] The present application also provides a computer program, which is used to implement the operations and / or processing performed by the APMLD in the method provided by the present application.

[0294] The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which computer codes are stored. When the computer codes are executed on a computer, the computer executes the operations and / or processes performed by the non-APMLD in the method provided by the present application.

[0295] The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which computer codes are stored. When the computer codes are executed on a computer, the computer executes the operations and / or processes performed by the AP MLD in the method provided by the present application.

[0296] The present application also provides a computer program product, which includes a computer code or a computer program. When the computer code or the computer program runs on a computer, the operations and / or processing performed by the non-AP MLD device in the method provided by the present application are executed.

[0297] The present application also provides a computer program product, which includes a computer code or a computer program. When the computer code or the computer program runs on a computer, the operations and / or processes performed by the APMLD in the method provided by the present application are executed.

[0298] In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be an indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices or units, or it can be an electrical, mechanical or other form of connection.

[0299] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components displayed as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed on multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the technical effects of the solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application.

[0300] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit. The above-mentioned integrated unit may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional units.

[0301] If the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application is essentially or partly contributed to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, and the computer software product is stored in a readable storage medium, including a number of instructions for a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned readable storage medium includes: U disk, mobile hard disk, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), disk or optical disk and other media that can store program code.

[0302] The above is only a specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art who is familiar with the present technical field can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, which should be included in the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for indicating information in basic service set switching management, characterized in that: include: The non-access point multi-link device non-AP MLD receives a basic service set transition management BTM request frame, wherein the BTM request frame includes a basic service set BSS transition candidate list entry field and a request mode field, wherein the request mode field includes a simplified field, and the simplified field is used to indicate a processing method for an AP combination that is not recommended in the candidate target AP MLD listed in the BSS transition candidate list entry field; The non-AP MLD parses the BTM request frame.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The simplified field is used to indicate a processing method for an AP combination that is not recommended in the candidate target AP MLD listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field, including: When the simplified field is a first value, it indicates that the AP MLD neither recommends nor objects to associating with an AP combination that is not recommended in the candidate target AP MLD that appears in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field; When the simplified field is a second value, it indicates that the AP MLD excludes associations with AP combinations that are not recommended in the candidate target AP MLDs that appear in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The simplified field is also used to indicate a processing method for a basic service set identifier BSSID or AP MLD that is not listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The simplified field is also used to indicate a processing method for a basic service set identifier BSSID or AP MLD that is not listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field, including: When the simplified field is a first value, it indicates that the AP MLD neither recommends nor objects to associating with a BSSID or AP MLD that does not appear in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field; When the simplified field is a second value, it indicates that the AP MLD exclusion is associated with a BSSID or AP MLD that does not appear in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The BSS conversion candidate preference sub-element of the BSS conversion candidate list entry field includes a preference Preference field, and the Preference field is used to indicate the recommendation degree of the AP combination of the candidate target AP MLD listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field.

6. A non-AP MLD, characterized in that: include: A transceiver unit, configured to receive a basic service set transition management BTM request frame, wherein the BTM request frame includes a basic service set BSS transition candidate list entry field and a request mode field, wherein the request mode field includes a simplified field, and the simplified field is used to indicate a processing method for an AP combination that is not recommended in the candidate target AP MLD listed in the BSS transition candidate list entry field; A processing unit is used to parse the BTM request frame.

7. The non-AP MLD according to claim 6, characterized in that: The simplified field is used to indicate a processing method for an AP combination that is not recommended in the candidate target AP MLD listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field, including: When the simplified field is a first value, it indicates that the AP MLD neither recommends nor objects to associating with an AP combination that is not recommended in the candidate target AP MLD that appears in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field; When the simplified field is a second value, it indicates that the AP MLD excludes associations with AP combinations that are not recommended in the candidate target AP MLDs that appear in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field.

8. The non-AP MLD according to claim 6, characterized in that: The simplified field is also used to indicate a processing method for a basic service set identifier BSSID or AP MLD that is not listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field.

9. The non-AP MLD according to claim 8, characterized in that: The simplified field is also used to indicate a processing method for a basic service set identifier BSSID or AP MLD that is not listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field, including: When the simplified field is a first value, it indicates that the AP MLD neither recommends nor objects to associating with a BSSID or AP MLD that does not appear in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field; When the simplified field is a second value, it indicates that the AP MLD exclusion is associated with a BSSID or AP MLD that does not appear in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field.

10. The non-access point multi-link device non-AP MLD according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that: The BSS conversion candidate preference sub-element of the BSS conversion candidate list entry field includes a preference Preference field, and the Preference field is used to indicate the recommendation degree of the AP combination of the candidate target AP MLD listed in the BSS conversion candidate list entry field.

11. A communication device, characterized in that: It comprises a logic circuit and an interface, the logic circuit and the interface are coupled; the interface is used to input and / or output code instructions, and the logic circuit is used to execute the code instructions so that the method described in any one of claims 1 to 5 is executed.

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