Request method for detecting MLD, site and access point

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a detection request and response technology between a site and a plurality of AP MLDs. If the station wants to obtain the communication parameters of the non-transmission BSSID AP, a detection request frame can be sent to one non-transmission BSSID AP in the MBSSID set, and the transmission BSSID AP in the MBSSID set can be substituted to reply a detection response frame. Alternatively, if the station wants to detect multiple AP MLDs at a time, the station may send a detection request frame to a transmitting BSSID AP in the MBSSID set to request the AP to reply to communication parameters of a non-transmitting BSSID AP, where the non-transmitting BSSID AP and the transmitting BSSIDAP may belong to different AP MLDs. By implementing the application, the site can obtain the communication parameters of the plurality of APs in the one or more AP MLDs by sending one detection request frame, that is, the communication parameters of the AP MLDs on the plurality of links can be obtained, so that the association between the site and the AP MLDs or the establishment of multi-link transmission between the site and the AP MLDs can be efficiently realized.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application. The application number of the original application is 202010634151.8, and the original application date is July 2, 2020. 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 communication technology, and in particular to a request and response method for detecting an MLD in a wireless local area network, as well as a station and an access point. Background Art

[0003] In order to significantly improve the service transmission rate of the wireless local area network (WLAN) system, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11ax standard further adopts orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) technology based on the existing orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) technology. OFDMA technology supports multiple nodes to send and receive data at the same time, thereby achieving multi-site diversity gain. In 2017, when 802.11ax was finalized, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) opened a new free frequency band of 5925-7125MHz, which is referred to as 6GHz below. Therefore, 802.11ax standard workers expanded the operating range of 802.11ax devices from 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz to 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz in the 802.11ax Project Authorization Requests (PAR).

[0004] IEEE 802.11 next generation WiFi protocol (extremely high throughput, EHT) devices need to be forward compatible, so they will also support the working spectrum of 802.11ax devices, that is, they will support 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz bands. According to the latest free 6GHz band, based on the frequency band for channel division, the supported bandwidth can exceed the maximum bandwidth of 160MHz supported in 5GHz, such as 320MHz. In addition to ultra-large bandwidth, IEEE 802.11ax next generation WiFi-extremely high throughput can also improve peak throughput through more streams, such as increasing the number of streams to 16 streams, and multiple frequency bands (2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz) cooperation. On the same frequency band, peak throughput can also be improved and service transmission latency can be reduced by cooperating with multiple channels. Multi-band or multi-channel is collectively referred to as multi-link below. Although 802.11ax and previous WiFi networks with the same operating frequency band are configured with multiple links, generally speaking, each multi-link establishes a different basic service set (BSS), and at one time only one link can communicate with stations in the BSS to which the link belongs.

[0005] 802.11ax and earlier introduced multiple basic service set identifier (BSSID) technology, the main function of which is to virtualize multiple logical APs on a physical AP, that is, to form multiple virtual networks, each of which is used to manage different sites separately, similar to the AP products in the current WIFI scenario, in which an AP can virtualize a reporting AP (homeAP) and a client AP (guestAP).

[0006] When applying multiple BSSID technology to multi-link devices (MLD), how to achieve detection and association between non-access point station (non-AP STA) MLD and access point station (AP STA) MLD is a technical issue that technicians are currently studying. Summary of the invention

[0007] The embodiments of the present application disclose a request method for detecting a multi-link device in a WLAN, a response method for detecting a multi-link device, and related devices.

[0008] A first aspect of the present application provides a station in a wireless local area network WLAN, including:

[0009] The processor is used to generate the detection request frame, wherein the detection request frame is used to request the first AP to feedback the communication parameters of the AP MLD where the first AP is located; the first AP is a non-transmitted basic service set identifier nontransmittedBSSIDAP, and the communication parameters of the AP MLD are the communication parameters of multiple links supported by it;

[0010] A transceiver is used to send a probe request frame to the first AP.

[0011] A second aspect of the present application provides a method for detecting a request for an access point multi-link device, the method being executed by a station in a wireless local area network WLAN, comprising:

[0012] Generate the probe request frame, the probe request frame is used to request the first AP to feedback the communication parameters of the APMLD where the first AP is located; the first AP is a non-transmitted basic service set identifier nontransmittedBSSIDAP, and the communication parameters of the APMLD are the communication parameters of multiple links supported by it;

[0013] Send a probe request frame to the first AP.

[0014] As in the site provided in the first aspect or the method provided in the second aspect, the detection request frame carries first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate feedback of communication parameters of the AP MLD where the first AP is located.

[0015] As in the site provided by the first aspect or the method provided by the second aspect, the first indication information is carried in any one of the following elements: a multi-link element, a request MLD element, and a known MLD element.

[0016] As in the site provided in the first aspect or the method provided in the second aspect, further comprising:

[0017] A probe response frame is received from a second AP, where the probe response frame carries communication parameters of an APMLD where the first AP is located.

[0018] In one implementation, the communication parameters of the AP MLD where the first AP is located include communication parameters corresponding to all or part of the links corresponding to the AP MLD.

[0019] In one implementation, the detection request frame also carries a field indicating the AP MLD link identifier, and the field indicating the AP MLD link identifier is used to instruct the first AP to feed back communication parameters of a corresponding link in the AP MLD in which the first AP is located.

[0020] In one implementation, the field indicating the AP MLD link identifier is a link configuration element or a link index bitmap.

[0021] As in the site provided in the first aspect or the method provided in the second aspect, the detection response frame carries the communication parameters of the first AP through a multiple BSSID element, and carries the communication parameters of other APs in the APMLD where the first AP is located in the multi-link element of the non-transmitted BSSID profile corresponding to the first AP.

[0022] As in the site provided in the first aspect or the method provided in the second aspect, the non-inherited element of the probe request frame also carries indication information of a part of the information units for indicating the request for AP MLD.

[0023] As in the site provided in the first aspect or the method provided in the second aspect, any one of the multi-link element, the request MLD element, and the known MLD element further carries indication information of a partial information unit indicating requesting AP MLD.

[0024] When a non-AP STA implements the site of the first aspect or the method of the second aspect of the present application and wants to request the communication parameters of a certain APMLD, it can send a probe request frame to a logical AP of the AP MLD. Even if the logical AP is configured as a non-transmitted BSSID, it can respond to the probe request frame through other transmittedBSSID APs belonging to the same MSSID set to reply to the communication parameters of the AP MLD, thereby solving the technical problem in the prior art that it is impossible to obtain the communication parameters of the AP MLD on other links by sending a probe request frame.

[0025] In a third aspect of the present application, a station in a wireless local area network WLAN is provided, including:

[0026] The processor is used to generate the detection request frame, wherein the detection request frame is used to request the second AP to feedback the communication parameters of the AP MLD related to the second AP; the second AP is a transmitted basic service set identification number transmittedBSSID AP, and the communication parameters of the AP MLD are the communication parameters of multiple links supported by it;

[0027] A transceiver is used to send a probe request frame to the second AP.

[0028] A fourth aspect of the present application provides a method for detecting a request for an access point multi-link device, the method being executed by a station in a wireless local area network WLAN, comprising:

[0029] Generate the probe request frame, the probe request frame is used to request the second AP to feedback the communication parameters of the AP MLD related to the second AP; the second AP is a transmitted basic service set identification number transmitted BSSIDAP, and the communication parameters of the APMLD are the communication parameters of multiple links supported by it;

[0030] Send a probe request frame to the second AP.

[0031] As in the site of the third aspect or the method of the fourth aspect of the present application, the detection request frame carries second indication information, and the second indication information is used to instruct the second AP to feed back communication parameters of the AP MLD related to the second AP.

[0032] As in the station of the third aspect or the method of the fourth aspect of the present application, the communication parameter of the AP MLD related to the second AP includes at least one of the following:

[0033] Communication parameters of the AP MLD where the second AP is located;

[0034] The communication parameters of the APMLD of other APs belonging to the same multi-transport basic service set identifier MBSSID set as the second AP;

[0035] Communication parameters of the AP MLDs of other APs co-located with the second AP.

[0036] As in the site of the third aspect or the method of the fourth aspect of the present application, the second indication information is carried in the detection request frame, and the second indication information is used to indicate the MLD identifier or the MLD address, and the MLD identifier or the MLD address is used to indicate that the second AP feeds back the communication parameters of the AP MLD corresponding to the MLD identifier or the MLD address.

[0037] As in the site of the third aspect or the method of the fourth aspect of the present application, the second indication information is carried in the detection request frame, and the second indication information indicates the APMLD related to the requested second AP in a bitmap manner. The AP MLD requested in a bitmap manner may be indicated by a BSSID identification bitmap field.

[0038] As in the site of the third aspect or the method of the fourth aspect of the present application, the second indication information carries any one of the following elements: a multi-link element, a request MLD element, and a known MLD element.

[0039] When implementing the embodiment of the present application, when a non-AP STA wants to request the communication parameters of a certain AP MLD, it can send a probe request frame to the AP configured as a transmitted BSSID AP. The transmitted BSSID AP can reply with the communication parameters of the MLD of other APs belonging to the same MSSID set and / or the communication parameters of the MLD of other APs co-located with the transmittedBSSIDAP, thereby solving the technical problem in the prior art that the communication parameters of other AP MLDs cannot be obtained by sending a probe request frame.

[0040] In a fifth aspect of the present application, a first access point AP in a wireless local area network WLAN is provided, where the first AP is a nontransmitted BSSID AP, including:

[0041] A transceiver, configured to receive a probe request frame from a station, wherein the probe request frame is used to request the first AP to feedback communication parameters of the AP MLD in which it is located; the communication parameters of the AP MLD are communication parameters of multiple links supported by it;

[0042] The transceiver is further used to request a second AP belonging to the same MBSSID set as the first AP to assist it in feeding back a probe response frame to the site, wherein the probe response frame carries the communication parameters of the AP MLD.

[0043] In a sixth aspect of the present application, a response method for detecting an access point multi-link device is provided, the method being applied to a first access point AP in a wireless local area network WLAN, the first AP being a nontransmitted BSSID AP, comprising:

[0044] receiving a probe request frame from a station, wherein the probe request frame is used to request the first AP to feedback communication parameters of the AP MLD in which it is located; the communication parameters of the AP MLD are communication parameters of multiple links supported by it;

[0045] A second AP belonging to the same MBSSID set as the first AP is requested to assist in feeding back a probe response frame to the site, wherein the probe response frame carries the communication parameters of the AP MLD.

[0046] In a seventh aspect of the present application, a second access point AP in a wireless local area network WLAN is provided, where the second AP is a transmitted basic service set identification number transmitted BSSID AP, including:

[0047] A transceiver, configured to receive a probe request frame from a first AP, wherein the probe request frame is used to request the second AP to assist the first AP in feeding back communication parameters of the AP MLD to which it belongs; the first AP is a nontransmitted BSSID AP, which belongs to the same MBSSID set as the second AP, and the communication parameters of the AP MLD are communication parameters of multiple links supported by it;

[0048] The processor is configured to generate a probe response frame, wherein the probe response frame carries the communication parameters of the AP MLD.

[0049] In an eighth aspect of the present application, a response method for detecting an access point multi-link device is provided, the method being applied to a second access point AP in a wireless local area network WLAN, the second AP being a transmission basic service set identification number transmittedBSSIDAP, comprising:

[0050] receiving a probe request frame from a first AP, wherein the probe request frame is used to request the second AP to assist the first AP in feeding back communication parameters of the AP MLD to which it belongs; the first AP is a nontransmitted BSSID AP, which belongs to the same MBSSID set as the second AP, and the communication parameters of the AP MLD are communication parameters of multiple links supported by it;

[0051] A probe response frame is generated, where the probe response frame carries the communication parameters of the AP MLD.

[0052] As in the access point provided in the seventh aspect or the method provided in the eighth aspect of the present application, the probe response frame carries some information units in the communication parameters of the AP MLD related to the second AP.

[0053] By implementing the access point provided in the seventh aspect or the method provided in the eighth aspect, the nontransmitted BSSID AP can feed back the communication parameters of its AP MLD to the non-AP STA through other APs co-located with it or other APs belonging to the same MBSSID set.

[0054] In a ninth aspect of the present application, a second access point AP in a wireless local area network WLAN is provided, where the second AP is a transmitted basic service set identification number transmitted BSSID AP, including:

[0055] A transceiver, configured to receive a probe request frame from a station; the probe request frame is used to request the second AP to feedback communication parameters of an AP MLD related to the second AP; the communication parameters of the AP MLD are communication parameters of multiple links supported by it;

[0056] A processor, configured to generate a probe response frame, wherein the probe response frame carries communication parameters of the AP MLD related to the second AP;

[0057] A transceiver is used to send a probe response frame to the station.

[0058] In a tenth aspect of the present application, a response method for detecting an access point multi-link device is provided, the method being applied to a second access point AP in a wireless local area network WLAN, the second AP being a transmitted basic service set identification number transmittedBSSID AP, comprising:

[0059] receiving a probe request frame from a station; the probe request frame is used to request the second AP to feedback communication parameters of an AP MLD related to the second AP; the communication parameters of the AP MLD are communication parameters of multiple links supported by it;

[0060] generating a probe response frame, wherein the probe response frame carries communication parameters of the AP MLD related to the second AP;

[0061] A probe response frame is sent to the station.

[0062] As in the access point provided in the ninth aspect of the present application, or the method provided in the tenth aspect, the communication parameters of the APMLD related to the second AP include at least one of the following:

[0063] Communication parameters of the AP MLD where the second AP is located;

[0064] Communication parameters of APMLDs of other APs belonging to the same MBSSID set as the second AP;

[0065] Communication parameters of the AP MLDs of other APs co-located with the second AP.

[0066] As for the access point provided in the ninth aspect of the present application, or the method provided in the tenth aspect, the probe request frame carries second indication information, and when the second indication information indicates an MLD identifier or an MLD address, the probe response frame carries communication parameters of the AP MLD corresponding to the MLD identifier or the MLD address of the probe request frame.

[0067] As in the access point provided in the ninth aspect of the present application, or the method provided in the tenth aspect, the probe request frame carries the second indication information, and when the second indication information indicates the requested AP MLD in a bitmap manner, the probe response frame carries the communication parameters with the AP MLD indicated in the bitmap manner. The AP MLD indicated in the bitmap manner may be a BSSID identification bitmap field. Each bit in the BSSID identification bitmap represents a corresponding AP MLD.

[0068] As for the access point provided in the ninth aspect of the present application, or the method provided in the tenth aspect, the detection response frame carries the communication parameters of the AP MLD where the first AP related to the second AP is located; wherein the first AP is a first AP belonging to the same MSSID set as the second AP, and / or a first AP co-located with the second AP.

[0069] As for the access point provided in the ninth aspect of the present application, or the method provided in the tenth aspect, the multiple BSSID element of the detection response frame carries the communication parameters of the first AP, and carries the multi-link element multi-link element in the non-transmitted BSSID configuration Nontransmitted BSSID profile corresponding to the first AP to carry the communication parameters of other APs in the AP MLD where the first AP is located.

[0070] As in the access point provided in the ninth aspect of the present application, or the method provided in the tenth aspect, the probe response frame carries some information units in the communication parameters of the AP MLD related to the second AP.

[0071] The site in the first aspect and the third aspect, the first access point provided in the fifth aspect, and the second access point provided in the seventh aspect and the ninth aspect may be a chip, the processing unit may be a processing circuit of the chip, the transceiver unit may be an input / output interface circuit, the processing circuit may be used to process signaling or data information provided by the input / output, and the input / output interface circuit may be used to input / output data or signaling information for the chip.

[0072] According to an eleventh aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, in which a computer program code is stored. When the computer program runs on a processor, the processor executes the method in any one of the above-mentioned second aspect, fourth aspect, sixth aspect, eighth aspect, and tenth aspect and the corresponding possible implementation methods.

[0073] In the twelfth aspect of the embodiments of the present application, a computer program product is provided, which stores a computer program (instructions) executed by the above-mentioned processor. When the computer program runs on the processor, the processor executes the methods in any one of the above-mentioned second aspect, fourth aspect, sixth aspect, eighth aspect, and tenth aspect and the corresponding possible implementation methods.

[0074] In the thirteenth aspect of the embodiments of the present application, a communication device is provided, which includes a processor and may also include a transceiver and a memory, wherein the transceiver is used to send and receive information, or to communicate with other network elements; the memory is used to store computer programs (instructions); the processor is used to execute the computer program to support the communication device to implement any one of the above-mentioned second aspect, fourth aspect, sixth aspect, eighth aspect, and tenth aspect and the corresponding possible implementation methods.

[0075] In the fourteenth aspect of the embodiments of the present application, a communication device is provided, which may exist in the form of a chip product. The structure of the device includes a processor and may also include a memory, which is used to couple with the processor and store the necessary programs (instructions) and data of the device. The processor is used to execute the computer program stored in the memory to support the communication device to execute the methods in any of the above-mentioned second aspect, fourth aspect, sixth aspect, eighth aspect, and tenth aspect and the corresponding possible implementation methods. Optionally, the memory may be located in the processor as internal storage, and the processor may also be located outside the processor and coupled to the processor as external storage. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0076] The following is an introduction to the drawings used in the embodiments of the present application.

[0077] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0078] Figure 2a A schematic diagram of the structure of a multi-link device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0079] Figure 2b A schematic diagram of the structure of another multi-link device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0080] Figure 2cA schematic diagram of the structure of another multi-link device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0081] Figure 3a A schematic diagram of a multi-link communication provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0082] Figure 3b A schematic diagram of another multi-link communication provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0083] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a MBSSID set composed of multiple multi-link devices in a WLAN provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0084] Figure 5 A flowchart of a multi-link device detection method in a WLAN provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0085] Figure 6 Another flowchart of a multi-link device detection method in a WLAN provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0086] Figure 7a to Figure 7d A schematic diagram of the structure of a multi-link element provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0087] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the structure of a sub-element in a multi-link element provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0088] Figure 9a to Figure 9e A schematic diagram of the structures of several multi-link elements provided in the embodiments of the present application;

[0089] Fig.10 A schematic diagram of the structure of a multi-BSSID element provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0090] Figure 11a to Figure 11b A schematic diagram of the structure of the request MLD element provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0091] Figure 12a to Figure 12c A schematic diagram of the structure of a known MLD element provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0092] Fig.13 A schematic diagram of the structure of the detection element provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0093] Fig.14 A schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0094] Fig.15 A schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0095] The following first introduces the relevant technologies involved in the present application, and then describes the embodiments of the present application in conjunction with the drawings.

[0096] An embodiment of the present application provides a communication method applied to a wireless communication system. The wireless communication system may be a wireless local area network (WLAN) or a cellular network. The method may be implemented by a communication device in the wireless communication system or a chip or processor in the communication device. The communication device may be a wireless communication device that supports parallel transmission of multiple links, for example, a multi-link device or a multi-band device. For example, in a wireless local area network, the communication device supports communication using the IEEE 802.11 series of protocols, including: 802.11be, 802.11ax, or 802.11a / b / g / n / ac.

[0097] 1. Multi-link device MLD, also known as multi-band device.

[0098] The multi-link device MLD includes one or more subordinate sites, and the subordinate sites are logical sites. In the embodiments of the present application, "the multi-link device includes subordinate sites" is also briefly described as "the multi-link device includes sites". The subordinate sites can be access points (Access Point, AP) or non-access point stations (non-APSTA). For the convenience of description, the present application refers to a multi-link device whose subordinate site is AP as a multi-link AP or AP multi-link device or AP multi-link device (AP multi-link device), and a multi-link device whose subordinate site is a non-AP STA as a multi-link STA or a multi-link STA device or a STA multi-link device (STAmulti-link device).

[0099] The multi-link device MLD can implement wireless communication following the 802.11 series protocols, for example, following Extremely High Throughput (EHT), or following 802.11be-based or compatible support for 802.11be, thereby implementing communication with other devices. Of course, the other devices may be multi-link devices or may not be multi-link devices.

[0100] Each logical site can work on a link, and multiple logical sites are also allowed to work on the same link. The link identifier mentioned below represents a site working on a link, that is, if there are more than one logical site on a link, more than one link identifier is required to represent them. The link mentioned below sometimes also represents the site working on the link. When a multi-link device transmits data with another multi-link device, before communication, the multi-link device and the other multi-link device can first negotiate or communicate the correspondence between the link identifier and a link or a site on a link; or the AP multi-link device broadcasts a management frame, such as a beacon frame, to indicate the correspondence between the link identifier and a link or a site on a link. Therefore, in data transmission, there is no need to transmit a large amount of signaling information to indicate the link or the site on the link, and only the link identifier can be carried, which reduces the signaling overhead and improves the transmission efficiency.

[0101] The following is an example in which one of the multi-link devices is an AP multi-link device and the other multi-link device is a STA multi-link device.

[0102] In one example, when the AP multi-link device establishes a BSS, the management frame sent, such as a beacon frame, will carry an element including multiple link identification information fields, and each link identification information field can suggest a corresponding relationship between a link identification and a station working on a link. Each link identification information field includes a link identification, and also includes: one or more of a MAC address, an operation set, and a channel number, wherein one or more of the MAC address, the operation set, and the channel number can indicate a link; in another example, during the multi-link association process, the AP multi-link device and the STA multi-link device negotiate multiple link identification information fields. In subsequent communications, the AP multi-link device or the STA multi-link device will use the link identification to represent a station in the multi-link device, and the link identification can also represent the MAC address of the station, the working operation set, and one or more attributes of the channel number. The MAC address can also be replaced with the association identifier of the AP multi-link device after association. Optionally, if multiple stations work on a link, then the link identification (link ID), in addition to including the operation set and channel number of the link, also includes the station identification working on the link, such as the MAC address of the station or the association identifier (AID association identifier).

[0103] Figure 1Taking a wireless local area network as an example, an application scenario diagram of an embodiment of the present application is introduced. The application scenario includes: a first site 101 and a second site 102, a third site 201 and a fourth site 202; the first site 101 can communicate with the second site 102 using multiple links, and the first site 201 can communicate with the second site 202 using multiple links, thereby achieving the effect of improving throughput. Figure 1 As shown, the first site 101 is a multi-link AP device, the second site 102 is a multi-link STA device, the third site 201 is a multi-link AP device, and the fourth site 202 is a multi-link STA device. Of course, the second site 102 and / or the fourth site 202 can also be a single-link STA device. In addition, in one scenario, the first site 101 is an AP multi-link device, and the second site 102 is a STA multi-link device or site (such as a single-link site); in another scenario, the first site 101 is a STA multi-link device, and the second site 102 is an AP (such as a single-link AP) or an AP multi-link device. In another scenario, the first site 101 is an AP multi-link device, and the second site 102 is an AP multi-link device or AP; in another scenario, the first site 101 is a STA multi-link device, and the second site 102 is a STA multi-link device or STA. Of course, the wireless local area network may also include other devices. Figure 1 The number and types of devices shown are exemplary only.

[0104] Figure 2a , Figure 2b The schematic diagram of the structure of the AP multi-link device and the STA multi-link device participating in the communication is shown. The 802.11 standard focuses on the 802.11 physical layer (PHY) and media access control (MAC) layer in the AP multi-link device and the STA multi-link device (such as mobile phones and laptops).

[0105] like Figure 2a As shown, the multiple APs included in the AP multi-link device are independent of each other in the low MAC layer and the PHY layer, and are also independent of each other in the high MAC layer; the multiple STAs included in the STA multi-link device are independent of each other in the low MAC layer and the PHY layer, and are also independent of each other in the high MAC layer.

[0106] like Figure 2bAs shown, the multiple APs included in the AP multi-link device are independent of each other in the low MAC layer and the PHY layer, and share the high MAC layer. The multiple STAs included in the STA multi-link device are independent of each other in the low MAC layer and the PHY layer, and share the high MAC layer.

[0107] Of course, the STA multi-link device may adopt a structure in which the high MAC layer is independent of each other, while the AP multi-link device may adopt a structure in which the high MAC layer is shared; or the STA multi-link device may adopt a structure in which the high MAC layer is shared, while the AP multi-link device may adopt a structure in which the high MAC layer is independent of each other. Exemplarily, the high MAC layer or the low MAC layer may be implemented by a processor in a chip system of the multi-link device, or may be implemented by different processing modules in a chip system.

[0108] Exemplarily, the multi-link device in the embodiment of the present application may be a single-antenna device or a multi-antenna device. For example, it may 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. Figure 2c An AP multi-link device with multiple antennas and a STA multi-link device with a single antenna are used as examples for illustration. In an embodiment of the present application, a multi-link device may allow services of the same access type to be transmitted on different links, and even allow the same data packet to be transmitted on different links; or it may not allow services of the same access type to be transmitted on different links, but allow services of different access types to be transmitted on different links.

[0109] The frequency bands in which the multi-link device operates may include but are not limited to: sub 1GHz, 2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz and high frequency 60GHz. Figure 3a , Figure 3b Two schematic diagrams are shown of a multi-link device communicating with other devices via multiple links in a wireless local area network.

[0110] Figure 3a A scenario of communication between an AP multi-link device 101 and a STA multi-link device 102 is shown. The AP multi-link device 101 includes subordinate AP101-1 and AP101-2, and the STA multi-link device 102 includes subordinate STA102-1 and STA102-2. The AP multi-link device 101 and the STA multi-link device 102 communicate using link 1 and link 2 in parallel.

[0111] Figure 3bThe diagram shows a scenario in which an AP multi-link device 101 communicates with a STA multi-link device 102, a STA multi-link device 103, and a STA 104. The AP multi-link device 101 includes subordinate APs 101-1 to 101-3, the STA multi-link device 102 includes two subordinate STAs 102-1 and 102-2, the STA multi-link device 103 includes two subordinate STAs 103-1, STA 103-2, and STA 103-3, and STA 104 is a single-link device. The AP multi-link device can communicate with the STA multi-link device 102 using links 1 and 3, communicate with the multi-link 103 using links 2 and 3, and communicate with the STA 104 using link 1. In one example, STA104 operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency band; STA multi-link device 103 includes STA103-1 and STA103-2, STA103-1 operates in the 5 GHz frequency band, and STA103-2 operates in the 6 GHz frequency band; STA multi-link device 102 includes STA102-1 and STA102-2, STA102-1 operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, and STA102-2 operates in the 6 GHz frequency band. AP101-1 in the AP multi-link device operating in the 2.4 GHz frequency band can transmit uplink or downlink data with STA104 and STA102-2 in the STA multi-link device 102 through link 1. AP101-2 in the AP multi-link device operating in the 5 GHz frequency band can transmit uplink or downlink data with STA103-1 in the STA multi-link device 103 operating in the 5 GHz frequency band through link 2. AP101-3 in the AP multi-link device 101 operating in the 6 GHz frequency band can transmit uplink or downlink data with STA102-2 in the STA multi-link device 102 operating in the 6 GHz frequency band through link 3, and can also transmit uplink or downlink data with STA103-2 in the STA multi-link device through link 3.

[0112] It should be noted that Figure 3a It is shown that the AP multi-link device 101 supports only two frequency bands. Figure 3b Only take the example that the AP multi-link device 101 supports three frequency bands (2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz), each frequency band corresponds to a link, and the AP multi-link device 101 can work on one or more links of link 1, link 2 or link 3. On the AP side or the STA side, the link here can also be understood as a station working on the link. In practical applications, the AP multi-link device and the STA multi-link device can also support more or fewer frequency bands, and the value of each frequency band is not limited to 2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz, etc., that is, the AP multi-link device and the STA multi-link device can work on more links or fewer links, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0113] Exemplarily, the multi-link device is a device with a 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 multi-link STA in the embodiment of the present application has a wireless transceiver function, can support the 802.11 series of protocols, and can communicate with the multi-link AP or other multi-link STA or single-link devices. For example, the multi-link STA is any user communication device that allows the user to communicate with the AP and then communicate with the WLAN. For example, the multi-link STA 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. The multi-link STA can also be the chip and processing system in the above-mentioned terminals. The multi-link AP in the embodiment of the present application is a device that provides services for the multi-link STA, which can support the 802.11 series of protocols. For example, the multi-link AP can be a communication entity such as a communication server, a router, a switch, a bridge, or the multi-link AP can include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, etc. Of course, the multi-link AP can also be a chip and processing system in these various forms of devices, so as to realize the method and function of the embodiment of the present application. In addition, the multi-link device can support high-speed and low-latency transmission. With the continuous evolution of wireless local area network application scenarios, the multi-link device can also be applied to more scenarios, such as sensor nodes in smart cities (such as smart water meters, smart 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 Internet of Vehicles, and some infrastructure in daily life scenes (such as vending machines, self-service navigation desks in supermarkets, self-service cash registers, self-service ordering machines, etc.). In the embodiment of the present application, there is no special restriction on the specific form of multi-link STA and multi-link AP, which is only an exemplary description. Among them, the 802.11 series protocols may include: 802.11be, 802.11ax, 802.11a / b / g / n / ac, etc.

[0114] 2. Multiple basic service set identifier (BSSID) mode.

[0115] The Multiple BSSID (MBSSID) set is a set of collaborative or cooperative APs, and all the collaborative APs use the same operation set, channel number, and antenna port. In the multiple BSSID set, there is only one transmittedBSSID (transmitted) AP, and the other APs are nontransmittedBSSID (non-transmitted) APs. The information of the multiple BSSID set (that is, the multiple BSSID element) is carried in the beacon frame or probe response frame or neighbor report sent by the transmittedBSSIDAP. The BSSID information of the nontransmittedBSSID AP is derived by receiving the above-mentioned beacon frame or probe response frame, or the multiple BSSID element in the neighbor report.

[0116] In the multiple BSSID technology, a physical AP can virtualize multiple logical APs to form a multiple BSSID set. Each virtualized AP manages a BSS. Different logical APs generally have different SSIDs and permissions, such as security mechanisms or transmission opportunities. In the multiple BSSID set, there is an AP whose BSSID is configured as a transmitted BSSID, called a transmitted AP, and the BSSIDs of other APs are configured as non-transmitted BSSIDs, called non-transmitted APs. Generally speaking, multiple APs in multiple BSSIDs can also be understood as one AP device virtualizing multiple cooperative AP devices. Only APs with a transmitted BSSID can send management frames, such as beacon frames and probe response frames. The beacon frames sent by APs with a transmitted BSSID include multiple BSSID elements, and other non-transmitted BSSID APs cannot send beacon frames. The AID association identifiers (AID association identifiers) assigned by multiple virtual APs to the sites they manage share the same space, that is, the AIDs assigned to the sites in multiple virtual BSSs cannot overlap.

[0117] For the convenience of description, the AP in the BSS identified by the transmitted BSSID in the Multiple BSS set is referred to as a transmitted AP (transmitted BSSIDAP), and the AP in the BSS identified by the non-transmittedBSSID is referred to as a non-transmitted AP (non-transmitted BSSIDAP).

[0118] In an example, the multipleBSSID element is shown in Table 1, including element ID, length, maximum BSSID indication, and sub-elements, wherein the maximum BSSID indicates that the maximum number of BSSIDs included in the above-mentioned Multiple BSSID set is n, and the optional sub-elements include information of each non-transmission BSSID. The receiving end can calculate the value of each BSSID in the multiple BSSID set based on the reference BSSID, the maximum BSSID indication and the sequence number of the BSSID. Each BSSID includes 48 bits, wherein the value of the high (48-n) bits of each BSSID in the multiple BSSID set is the same as the value of the high 48-n bits of the reference BSSID, and the value of the low n bits of each BSSID in the multiple BSSID set is the sum of the low n values ​​of the reference BSSID and the sequence number x of the BSSID, and then modulo 2n. The reference BSSID (that is, the Transmitted BSSID) is carried in the BSSID field in the MAC header of the frame (such as the beacon frame) containing the Multiple BSSID element. For the specific calculation method, please refer to the 802.11-2016 standard protocol.

[0119] Table 1 MultipleBSSID elements

[0120]

[0121] Among them, the “optional sub-elements” in Table 1 can be as shown in Table 2.

[0122] Table 2 Optional sub-elements

[0123] Sub-element ID name expand 0 NontransmittedBSSIDprofile Not scalable 1-220 reserve 221 Manufacturer Proprietary Manufacturer Definition 222-255 reserve

[0124] In Table 2, the Nontransmitted BSSID profile (configuration) includes one or more elements of an AP or DMG STA with a NontransmittedBSSID. The NontransmittedBSSID profile (configuration) includes but is not limited to the following elements:

[0125] 1. For each Nontransmitted BSSID, the Nontransmitted BSSID capability element needs to be included, as well as multiple other elements in the beacon.

[0126] 2. SSID element and Multiple BSSID-Index element.

[0127] 3. If the MultipleBSSID element is carried in the beacon, the FMSDescriptor (description) element is also included.

[0128] 4. The following elements are not included: The Timestamp and Beacon Interval fields, DSSS Parameter Set, IBSS Parameter Set, Country, Channel Switch Announcement, Extended Channel Switch Announcement, Wide Bandwidth Channel Switch, Transmit Power Envelope, Supported Operating Classes, IBSSDFS, ERP Information, HT Capabilities, HT Operation, VHT Capabilities, VHT Operation, SIG Beacon Compatibility, Short Beacon Interval, S1G Capabilities, and S1GOperation(11ah). These elements are usually the same as the values ​​of the transmittedBSSIDAP elements.

[0129] 5. Optionally include the NonInheriatance element, which is the last element in the Nontransmitted BSSID profile. The non-inheritance element includes a series of element ID numbers that the Nontransmitted BSSID cannot inherit from the transmitted BSSID and the element ID extension number. It is worth noting that the specific content of the element is omitted here, as shown in Table 3, including element ID, length, element ID extension, element ID list, element ID extension list, where the element ID extension number only appears when the element ID value is 255.

[0130] Table 3 Non-inherited elements

[0131]

[0132] 3. Probe Request and Response

[0133] In a single-link scenario, a non-AP STA can initiate active scanning to discover the existence of an AP so that it can subsequently select a suitable AP for association.

[0134] Specifically, the non-AP STA can send a probe request frame, and the AP can reply with a probe response frame after receiving the probe request frame. The probe response frame carries relevant information of the AP, so that the non-AP STA can detect the AP and obtain various communication parameters of the AP.

[0135] The probe request frame can be broadcast, that is, all APs will reply with a probe response frame after receiving it; the probe request frame can also be unicast, that is, it is sent to a specific AP, and only the specific AP will reply with a probe response frame after receiving it.

[0136] In the scenario of supporting a single-link non-AP STA or non-AP STAMLD and AP MLD, the non-AP STA or a logical non-AP STA of the non-AP STAMLD (hereinafter referred to as non-AP STA) can also establish a multi-link transmission channel with the AP MLD through active scanning.

[0137] For devices that support both multi-link and MBSSID, there may be an MBSSID set on each link. APs belonging to the same MBSSID set are divided into nontransmitted BSSID APs and transmitted BSSID APs. APs with transmittedBSSID in different MBSSID sets are not necessarily located in the same AP MLD.

[0138] For example, if Figure 4 As shown:

[0139] AP MLD1 includes 3 logical APs, denoted as AP11, AP21 and AP31, where AP11, AP21 and AP31 work on link 1 (link1), link 2 (link2) and link 3 (link3) respectively. AP MLD2 includes 2 logical APs, denoted as AP12 and AP22, where AP12 and AP22 work on link 1 (link1) and link 2 (link2) respectively. AP MLD3 includes 2 logical APs, denoted as AP23 and AP33, where AP23 and AP33 work on link 2 (link2) and link 3 (link3) respectively.

[0140] Taking AP MLD1 as an example, the MAC addresses of AP11, AP21, and AP31 are BSSID_11, BSSID_21, and BSSID_31 respectively (before 802.11ax, the BSSID of the BSS established by the AP is the MAC address of the AP, which may change later. For the convenience of description, the MAC address of the AP is used as the BSSID of the BSS established by the AP).

[0141] Among them, AP11 is a member of Multiple BSSID set 1, and Multiple BSSID set 1 also includes AP12 whose MAC address is BSSID_12 in APMLD 2;

[0142] AP21 is a member of Multiple BSSID set 2, which also includes AP22 with a MAC address of BSSID_22 in AP MLD2 and AP23 with a MAC address of BSSID_23 in AP MLD3.

[0143] AP31 is a member of Multiple BSSID set 3, which also includes AP33 in APMLD 3 whose MAC address is BSSID_33.

[0144] In one configuration method, AP11 in MSSID set 1 is configured as transmitted BSSID, and AP12 is configured as nontransmitted BSSID; AP21 in MSSID set 2 is configured as transmitted BSSID, and AP22 and AP23 are configured as nontransmitted BSSID; AP33 in MSSID set 3 is configured as transmitted BSSID, and AP31 is configured as nontransmittedBSSID; it can be seen that AP33 configured as transmittedBSSID does not belong to the same AP MLD as AP11 and AP21.

[0145] In the embodiments of the present application, a co-located AP MLD or a co-located AP is also involved; this means that virtual APs belonging to the same physical AP constitute a co-located AP, or virtual AP MLDs constitute a co-located AP MLD.

[0146] For example, although AP11 and AP23 do not belong to the same MBSSID set, they physically belong to the same physical AP, so AP11 and AP23 are co-located, and AP MLD1 where AP11 is located and AP MLD 3 where AP23 is located are co-located. All APs shown in the figure, or AP MLD1, AP MLD2, and AP MLD3 can be called co-located.

[0147] In an embodiment of the present application, a detection and response mechanism between a non-AP STA and one or more AP MLDs is proposed, wherein the logical APs in the multiple AP MLDs may belong to the same MSSID or to different MSSIDs.

[0148] In the first case, if a non-AP STA wants to obtain the communication parameters of the AP MLD where the AP with nontransmitted BSSID is located, it can send a probe request frame to an AP with nontransmitted BSSID in the MBSSID set. At this time, the AP configured as transmittedBSSID in the MBSSID set needs to help reply with a probe response frame.

[0149] In other words, if a non-transmitted BSSID AP in the MBSSID set receives a probe request frame from a non-APSTA or non-AP STAMLD, the communication parameters of the non-transmitted BSSID AP can be replied to the non-AP STA or non-AP STAMLD through the transmitted BSSID AP, wherein the AP of the non-transmittedBSSID and the AP of the transmitted BSSID can belong to different AP MLDs.

[0150] In the second case, if the non-AP STA wants to detect multiple AP MLDs at one time, the non-AP STA or non-AP STAMLD can send a detection request frame to an AP with a transmitted BSSID to request the AP with the transmitted BSSID to reply with the communication parameters of the non-transmitted BSSID AP, wherein the AP with the non-transmitted BSSID and the AP with the transmitted BSSID can belong to different AP MLDs, and when there are multiple APs with the non-transmitted BSSID, the multiple APs with the non-transmitted BSSID can also belong to different AP MLDs.

[0151] In other words, if a transmitted BSSID AP receives a probe request frame from a non-AP STA or non-AP STAMLD, the transmitted BSSID AP can reply to the non-AP STA with the communication parameters of other non-transmitted BSSID APs in the multiple BSSID set or separately through a probe response frame. Alternatively, the transmitted BSSID AP can reply to the non-AP STA with the communication parameters of other non-transmitted BSSID APs in the multiple BSSID set and the communication parameters of the AP MLD of other APs co-located with the transmitted BSSID AP or separately through a probe response frame.

[0152] In the above two situations, the non-AP STA can carry indication information in the probe request frame to indicate the communication parameters of the AP MLD that it hopes to receive; or it can adopt the default mode to request the AP MLD to reply all communication parameters.

[0153] 4. AP MLD Communication Parameters

[0154] In this embodiment, the communication parameters of AP MLD refer to the information used for the subsequent association of non-AP STA or non-AP STAMLD with AP MLD or the information for establishing multi-link communication. The communication parameters of AP MLD in the embodiment of the present application may be the communication parameters corresponding to all links supported by the AP MLD, or may refer to the communication parameters corresponding to some links supported by the AP MLD.

[0155] In this embodiment, the communication parameters of the AP MLD are also called the association parameters of the AP MLD, or the complete information of the AP MLD, which refers to the complete information on multiple links included in the MLD. For each link, the complete information of the link is the information that should be carried only when the detection response frame is sent on the link.

[0156] Specifically, the communication parameters may include capability information units, operation information units and other information units, such as enhanced distributed channel access parameter set (EDCA), high throughput capabilities (HT capabilities), HT operation, very high throughput capabilities (VHT capabilities), VHT operation, high efficiency capabilities (HE capabilities), high efficiency operation (HE operation), extremely high throughput capabilities (EHT capabilities), EHT operation, etc.

[0157] When the frequency band of the link is 6 GHz, the communication parameters may not include high throughput capabilities (HT capabilities), HT operation, very high throughput capabilities (VHT capabilities), and VHT operation.

[0158] Optionally, the communication parameters also include:

[0159] Timestamp and Beacon interval fields, DSSS parameter set, IBSS parameter set, Country, channel switch announcement, extended channels switch announcement, wide bandwidth channel switch, transmit power envelope, supported operating classes, IBSSDFS, ERP information, S1G beacon compatibility, short beacon interval, S1G capabilities, and S1G operation (11ah) elements.

[0160] In an optional embodiment, the communication parameters of the MLD carried in the detection response frame may only carry the communication parameters of the links supported by the non-APMLD, and may not carry the corresponding communication parameters for the links not supported by the non-AP MLD. The links supported and not supported by the non-AP MLD may be negotiated and notified in advance with the AP MLD.

[0161] In the default implementation, the probe response frame needs to carry the communication parameters of all links supported by the AP MLD. Of course, in some implementations, the probe response frame may also carry only the communication parameters of some links supported by the AP MLD.

[0162] In the embodiment of the present application, the communication parameter of a link of the AP MLD may also be referred to as the communication parameter of an AP corresponding to the link.

[0163] The implementation process of the present application will be described in detail below through examples.

[0164] Embodiment 1

[0165] See also Figure 5 , Figure 5This is a detection method based on a multi-link device and MBSSID provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method can be applied between sites, between access points and sites, and between access points and access points. For the convenience of description, the present application embodiment takes the communication between access points and sites as an example for detailed description. There are multiple links between access points and sites.

[0166] First, the scenario of the implementation of this embodiment is introduced. In this scenario, multiple AP MLDs are included, such as a first AP MLD and a second AP MLD, wherein a logical AP of the first AP MLD is a first AP, which is configured as a non-transmittedBSSID, and a logical AP of the second AP MLD is called a second AP, which is configured as a transmitted BSSID; the first AP and the second AP can work on the same link and belong to the same MBSSID set. In this scenario, a non-AP STA (which can be a single-link non-AP STA or a logical non-AP STA in a non-AP STAMLD, which is not limited in this application) obtains the communication parameters of the first AP MLD through the non-transmittedBSSID AP to establish a multi-link channel with the first AP MLD. In addition, multiple APs or multiple AP MLDs in this scenario can be co-located.

[0167] The communication parameters of the AP MLD have been described in detail in the fourth point above and will not be repeated in this embodiment.

[0168] The method includes but is not limited to the following steps:

[0169] Step S101: a non-AP STA sends a probe request frame to a first AP MLD on a first link among multiple links between the non-AP STA and the first AP MLD.

[0170] In an explicit indication manner, the detection request frame carries first indication information, and the first indication information is used to request communication parameters of the first AP MLD.

[0171] In an implicit indication manner, the detection request frame does not carry the first indication information, that is, through the implicit indication manner, the communication parameters of the first AP MLD are requested by default.

[0172] Since the first AP is configured as a non-transmitted BSSID, that is, the first AP is a non-transmittedBSSID AP, it cannot directly reply to the probe request response frame to the non-AP STA. Therefore, the second AP configured as a transmitted BSSID belonging to the same MBSSID set can help the first AP respond to the probe request frame.

[0173] Step S102: The second AP replies to the non-AP STA with a probe response frame carrying the communication parameters of the first AP MLD. Specifically, for the above explicit indication method or implicit indication method, the second AP replies to the non-AP STA with a probe response frame carrying the communication parameters of the first AP MLD.

[0174] When implementing the embodiment of the present application, when a non-AP STA wants to request the communication parameters of a certain AP MLD, it can send a probe request frame to a logical AP of the AP MLD. Even if the logical AP is configured as a non-transmittedBSSID, it can respond to the probe request frame through other transmitted BSSID APs belonging to the same MSSID set to reply to the communication parameters of the AP MLD, thereby solving the technical problem in the prior art that the communication parameters of the AP MLD on other links cannot be obtained by sending a probe request frame.

[0175] by Figure 4 For example, a non-AP STA wants to know the communication parameters of AP MLD 2 in order to establish a multi-link communication connection with AP MLD2. Specifically, it wants to obtain the communication parameters corresponding to link 1 and link 2 of AP MLD 2. The non-AP STA sends a probe request frame to AP12. The probe request frame defaults to requesting AP12 to reply with the communication parameters of APMLD2 where AP12 is located, or carries a first indication information therein, and the first indication information instructs AP12 to reply with the communication parameters of AP MLD2 where AP12 is located.

[0176] Since the BSSID of AP12 is configured as a non-transmitted BSSID, AP12 cannot directly reply to the non-AP STA, so AP12 responds to the probe request frame through AP11 which belongs to the same MSSID set 1 as AP12 (the BSSID of AP11 is configured as a transmitted BSSID).

[0177] In the probe response frame sent by AP11 to the non-AP STA, the communication parameters of multiple links supported by AP MLD2 are carried. The multiple links supported by AP MLD2 here may be all links supported by AP MLD2, such as link 1 and link 2, or may be some links supported by AP MLD2.

[0178] Embodiment 2

[0179] See also Figure 6 , Figure 6 This is a detection method based on a multi-link device and MBSSID provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method can be applied between sites, between access points and sites, and between access points and access points. For the convenience of description, the present application embodiment takes the communication between access points and sites as an example for detailed description. There are multiple links between access points and sites.

[0180] First, the implementation scenario of this embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment, which will not be described in detail here. The difference from the first embodiment is that in this second embodiment, a non-AP STA wants to obtain the communication parameters of one or more AP MLDs through the transmitted BSSID AP, so as to establish multi-link channels with the one or more MLDs respectively.

[0181] The communication parameters of the AP MLD in the second embodiment also refer to the fourth point mentioned above, which will not be described in detail in this embodiment.

[0182] The method includes but is not limited to the following steps:

[0183] Step S201: A non-AP STA sends a probe request frame to a second AP on a first link among multiple links between the non-AP STA and a first AP MLD. The probe request frame is used to request the second AP to carry the communication parameters of the MLD in a probe response frame.

[0184] Since the second AP is configured as a transmitted BSSID, that is, the second AP is a transmitted BSSID AP, it can directly reply a probe request response frame to the non-AP STA.

[0185] In an implicit indication mode, the default function of the probe request frame can be as follows:

[0186] 1) A default function of the probe request frame is to request the communication parameters of the receiving object of the probe request frame, that is, the communication parameters of the second AP MLD where the second AP is located. The second AP defaults that the probe request frame is used to request the communication parameters of the second AP MLD where the second AP is located.

[0187] 2) The second default function of the probe request frame is: the probe request frame is used to request communication parameters of other MLDs except the second AP MLD where the second AP is located.

[0188] 3) The third default function of the probe request frame is: the probe request frame is used to request the communication parameters of the second AP MLD where the second AP is located and other MLDs.

[0189] Which of the above three functions the probe request frame defaults to may be agreed upon by the protocol or between the non-APSTA and the requested AP.

[0190] In another explicit indication method, the probe request frame may also carry second indication information, and the second indication information is used to request the communication parameters on multiple links included in the MLD corresponding to the second indication information, that is, to request the second AP to carry the communication parameters on multiple links included in the MLD in the probe request response frame replied to the non-AP STA. Similar to the above implicit indication method, the second indication information may also request the communication parameters of the AP MLD, including three cases:

[0191] Only request the communication parameters of the AP MLD where the second AP is located;

[0192] Requesting communication parameters of other AP MLDs except the AP MLD where the second AP is located;

[0193] The communication parameters of the AP MLD where the second AP is located and other AP MLDs are requested.

[0194] It should be noted that the "other AP MLD" involved in the above-mentioned implicit and / or explicit indication method refers to the AP MLD where the current AP is not located, or the AP MLD other than the MLD where the current AP is located, for example, the AP MLD where other APs belonging to the same MBSSID as the second AP are located, and / or the AP MLD where other APs co-located with the second AP are located.

[0195] In one implementation, the “other MLDs” may be other AP MLDs except the AP MLD where the second AP is located and other APs belonging to the same MBSSID set as the second AP are located;

[0196] In one implementation, the “other MLD” may be an AP MLD that is co-located with the second AP, except the AP MLD where the second AP is located.

[0197] In one implementation, the “other MLDs” may be the AP MLD where the second AP is located, other AP MLDs where other APs belonging to the same MBSSID set as the second AP are located, and AP MLDs co-located with the second AP.

[0198] The second indication information requests the communication parameters of other AP MLDs, and the second indication information may be set to 1 bit, indicating that the communication parameters of the AP MLD where the second AP is located and other AP MLDs are requested. The second indication information may be represented as a field "all MLD required".

[0199] The "other MLDs" here can be the MLDs of other non-transmitted BSSIDAPs that belong to the same MBSSID set as the second AP, and the AP MLDs of other APs co-located with the second AP;

[0200] The second indication information may be set to 1 bit, indicating a request for communication parameters of other AP MLDs. The second indication information may be represented as a field "other MLD required".

[0201] In another implementation, "other MLDs" may be MLDs where other non-transmitted BSSID APs belonging to the same MBSSID set as the second AP are located; the second indication information may be set to 1 bit, indicating the request for communication parameters of the AP MLD where the non-transmitted BSSID AP is located. The second indication information may be represented as a field "all non-transmitted MLD required".

[0202] In another implementation, "other MLDs" may be one or more specific MLDs. In this case, the second indication information is carried in a probe request frame, and the second indication information indicates one or more MLD identifiers (IDs) or MLD addresses; here, the MLD identifier may be an MLD MAC address, an MLD index or an MLD ID, or a BSSID index.

[0203] It should be noted that MLD MAC Address indicates the MAC SAP address of MLD, which is usually 48 bits, while the length of MLDID is shorter, less than 48 bits, such as 8 bits, 4 bits, etc. BSSID-index indicates the virtual AP in the MBSSID set where the second AP is located.

[0204] In another implementation, the second indication information carried by the non-AP STA in the probe request frame may also be set to different values, indicating a request for different AP MLD communication parameters.

[0205] For example, the second indication information is set to the first value, which indicates that only the communication parameters of the AP MLD where the second AP is located are requested. For example, the second AP is AP21, and the AP MLD where AP21 is located is APMLD1.

[0206] For another example, the second indication information is set to a second value, which is used to represent the communication parameters of the AP MLD where the second AP is located and the AP MLD where the non-transmitted BSSID AP belonging to the same MBSSID set is located; for example, the second AP is AP21, AP21, AP22 and AP23 belong to the same MBSSID set 2, and AP22 and AP23 are configured as nontransmittedBSSID; therefore, the second value represents the communication parameters of the AP MLD1 where AP21 is located, the AP MLD2 where AP 22 is located, and the AP MLD3 where AP23 is located.

[0207] For another example, the second indication information is set to a third value, which is used to indicate the communication parameters of the AP MLD where the second AP is located and the AP MLD where the non-transmitted BSSID AP in the same MBSSID set is located, and / or the communication parameters of the AP MLD where the AP co-located with the second AP is located. Communication parameters, for example, if the second AP is AP21, all AP MLDs are the AP MLDs where AP21 and AP22 and AP23 that belong to the same MBSSID set 2 as AP21 are located, namely, AP MLD1 where AP21 is located, AP MLD2 where AP22 is located, and AP MLD3 where AP23 is located. All AP MLDs also include the AP MLD where an AP that does not belong to the same MBSSID set as AP21 but is co-located with it is located (not shown in the figure).

[0208] The second indication information may also be set to other values ​​to indicate the communication parameter of the requested AP MLD.

[0209] Step S202: The second AP replies to the non-AP STA with a probe response frame carrying communication parameters of the AP MLD.

[0210] In the above implicit indication mode, when the second AP receives the probe request frame, that is, the function of the probe request frame is one of the above three default functions, the second AP replies with a probe response frame according to the protocol agreement or the agreement with the non-AP STA, as follows:

[0211] 1) With respect to the first default function, the second AP may reply to the non-AP STA with a probe response frame to carry the communication parameters of the second AP MLD where the second AP is located.

[0212] 2) For the second default function, the second AP may reply a probe response frame to the non-AP STA by default to carry the communication parameters of the MLD other than the second AP MLD where the second AP is located.

[0213] 3) The second AP may reply a probe response frame to the non-AP STA by default to carry the communication parameters of the second AP MLD where the second AP is located and other MLDs.

[0214] With respect to the above-mentioned explicit indication method, when the second AP receives the probe request frame carrying the second indication information, it replies with a corresponding probe response frame according to the indication of the second indication information.

[0215] Specifically, the second AP receives the second indication information, parses the MLD identifier carried in the second indication information, and replies the MLD communication parameters corresponding to the identifier to the non-AP STA in a probe response frame.

[0216] In one implementation, for the communication parameters of all other AP MLDs requested by the aforementioned second indication information, the second AP replies to the non-AP STA with a probe response frame in the probe response frame, which carries the communication parameters of all other AP MLDs.

[0217] In another implementation, when the second indication information requested is for the communication parameters of the MLD where other non-transmitted BSSIDAPs are located, the second AP replies to the non-AP STA with a probe response frame in the probe response frame, which carries the communication parameters of the MLD where other non-transmitted BSSIDAPs are located.

[0218] In another implementation, when the aforementioned second indication information requests a certain MLD or certain specific MLDs, the second AP replies to the non-AP STA with a probe response frame in the probe response frame, which carries the communication parameters of the MLD corresponding to the MLD identifier indicated by the second indication information.

[0219] In another implementation, the second indication information can also be set to different values, indicating that when requesting communication parameters of different APMLDs, the second AP replies to the non-AP STA with a probe response frame in the probe response frame, which carries the communication parameters of the MLD requested by the second indication information.

[0220] For example, when the second indication information is set to the first value, the second AP feeds back the communication parameters of the APMLD in which it is located through a probe response frame. For example, the second AP is AP21, and AP21 feeds back the communication parameters of the APMLD in which it is located, namely, APMLD1.

[0221] For another example, with respect to the second indication information being set to the second value, the second AP feeds back the communication parameters of its APMLD and the AP MLD where the non-transmitted BSSIDAP in the same MBSSID set as the second AP is located through a detection response frame; for example, the second AP is AP21, and AP21, AP22, and AP23 belong to the same MBSSID set 2, and AP22 and AP23 are configured as nontransmitted BSSID; therefore, AP21 feeds back the communication parameters of its AP MLD1, AP 22, and AP MLD2, and AP23.

[0222] For another example, when the second indication information is set to the third value, the second AP feeds back the communication parameters of all APMLDs through a detection response frame. For example, if the second AP is AP21, all AP MLDs are AP21 and the AP MLDs of AP22 and AP23 which belong to the same MBSSID set 2. That is, AP21 feeds back the communication parameters of AP MLD1, AP MLD2 and AP23.

[0223] When implementing the embodiment of the present application, when a non-AP STA wants to request the communication parameters of a certain AP MLD, it can send a probe request frame to the AP configured as a transmitted BSSID AP. The transmitted BSSID AP can reply with the communication parameters of the MLD of other APs belonging to the same MSSID set and / or the communication parameters of the MLD of other APs co-located with the transmittedBSSIDAP, thereby solving the technical problem in the prior art that the communication parameters of other AP MLDs cannot be obtained by sending a probe request frame.

[0224] Similarly, Figure 4For example, a non-AP STA wants to learn the communication parameters of one or some AP MLDs in order to establish a multi-link communication connection. For example, AP21 in MSSID set 2 is configured as a transmitted BSSID, and AP22 and AP23 are configured as nontransmitted BSSIDs:

[0225] The first case is that the non-AP STA wants to obtain the communication parameters of AP MLD1 where AP21 is located. The non-AP STA sends a probe request frame to AP21. The probe request frame is a default request for the communication parameters of AP MLD1 where AP21 is located, or carries a second indication information, indicating that the request is for the communication parameters of AP MLD1 where AP21 is located. Since the BSSID of AP21 is configured as transmittedBSSID, it can directly reply to the probe response frame and carry the communication parameters of AP MLD1 in the probe response frame. The specific communication parameters of AP MLD1 can be the communication parameters of link 1, link 2, and link 3 supported by AP MLD1, or can be the communication parameters of all or part of the links supported by the non-AP STA.

[0226] The second situation is that the non-AP STA wants to obtain the communication parameters of AP MLDs other than AP MLD1 where AP21 is located, for example, it wants to obtain the communication parameters of AP MLD2 and / or AP MLD 3. The non-AP STA sends a probe request frame to AP21, and the probe request frame is a default request for the communication parameters of MLDs other than AP MLD1 where AP21 is located, or carries the second indication information, indicating the request for the communication parameters of MLDs other than AP MLD1 where AP21 is located. Since the BSSID of AP21 is configured as a transmitted BSSID, it can directly reply to the probe response frame, and carry the communication parameters of MLDs other than AP MLD1 where AP21 is located in the probe response frame, for example, the MLD identifiers indicated by the second indication information are AP MLD2 and AP MLD3, or the second indication information is "all MLD required", then AP21 carries the communication parameters of APMLD2 and AP MLD3 in the probe request response frame. For example, if the second indication information is "all non-transmitted MLD required", AP21 carries the communication parameters of AP MLD2 and AP MLD3 in the probe request response frame; if the MLD identifier indicated by the second indication information is AP MLD2, AP21 carries the communication parameters of AP MLD2 in the probe request response frame.

[0227] The third situation is that the non-AP STA wants to obtain the communication parameters of AP MLD1 where AP21 is located and other AP MLDs, for example, it wants to obtain the communication parameters of all or part of AP MLD1, AP MLD2, and AP MLD 3. The non-AP STA sends a probe request frame to AP21, and the probe request frame is a default request for the communication parameters of AP MLD1 where AP21 is located and other MLDs, or carries the second indication information, indicating the request for the communication parameters of AP MLD1 where AP21 is located and other MLDs. Since the BSSID of AP21 is configured as a transmitted BSSID, it can directly reply to the probe response frame and carry the communication parameters of AP MLD1 where AP21 is located and other MLDs in the probe response frame. Specifically, similar to the above, according to the indication of the second indication information, AP21 can carry the communication parameters of AP MLD1, AP MLD 2 and / or AP MLD3 in the probe response frame.

[0228] The AP21 carries the communication parameters of multiple links supported by one or more AP MLDs in the probe response frame replied to the non-AP STA.

[0229] Embodiment 3

[0230] The embodiments of the present application further introduce several elements in the detection request frame for implementing the AP MLD detection request, which may carry the first indication information in the above-mentioned embodiment 1, or carry the second indication information in the above-mentioned embodiment 2; the present embodiment 3 will also introduce elements in the detection response frame for carrying the communication parameters of the AP MLD.

[0231] The probe request frame of this embodiment includes multiple of the following fields:

[0232] Table 4

[0233] Serial number information 1 HT capabilities 2 VHT capabilities (VHTcapabilities), this field does not exist at 6GHz 3 HE capabilities 4 EHT capabilities 5 Known BSSID 6 HE6GHz band capabilities 7 Short SSIDlist (shortSSID list) 8 RequestedMLDelement 9 Multi-link element 10 Known MLD elements (knownMLDelement) 11 MLD address or MLD identifier (MLDaddressorMLDID) 12 BSSID index bitmap

[0234] In the above embodiments involving explicit indication methods, the first indication information and the second indication information may have various implementation forms, for example, they may be added to the detection request frame as separate elements, such as: a multi-link element, a requested MLD element, or a known MLD element, or they may be added to the detection request frame in the form of an MLD address or an MLD identifier, or a BSSID identification bitmap for indication, which will be described in detail below.

[0235] (I) First, the specific implementation of the signaling structure of the multi-link element is introduced. The multi-link element can be applied to the above-mentioned embodiment 1 and embodiment 2.

[0236] This embodiment provides a flexible signaling structure, which implements the request for the communication parameters of an AP MLD by carrying a multi-link element in the detection request frame sent by the non-AP STA. Alternatively, the request for the communication parameters of multiple AP MLDs is implemented by carrying one or more multi-link elements in the detection request frame sent by the non-AP STA. Specifically, one indication information may be carried in one multi-link element to request the communication parameters of multiple AP MLDs, or multiple indication information may be carried in multiple multi-link elements respectively to request the communication parameters of multiple AP MLDs. In another implementation, the communication parameters of multiple AP MLDs may be requested through one multi-link element (without carrying indication information), or the communication parameters of multiple AP MLDs may be requested through multiple multi-link elements (without carrying indication information).

[0237] Figure 7a A structural diagram of a multi-link element is shown. The multi-link element includes an element identifier, a length, an element identifier extension field, a public control field, an MLD public information field, and one or more optional sub-elements. The public control field includes a virtual MLD field and a special MLD field. Optionally, the public control field also includes an MLD address occurrence field. The MLD public information field includes an MLD address field. Optionally, the public control field also includes an authentication algorithm occurrence field, which is used to indicate whether the authentication algorithm field will appear in the MLD public information field.

[0238] Figure 7b A structural diagram of another multi-link element is shown. The multi-link element includes an element identifier, a length, an element identifier extension field, a common control field, an MLD common information field, and one or more optional sub-elements. The common control field includes an MLD type indication. Optionally, the MLD common control field also includes an MLD address occurrence field. The MLD common information field includes an MLD address field. Optionally, the common control field also includes an authentication algorithm occurrence field, which is used to indicate whether the authentication algorithm field will appear in the MLD common information field.

[0239] Figure 7c Another structural diagram of a multi-link element is shown. The multi-link element includes an element identifier, a length, an element identifier extension field, a public control field, an MLD public information field, and one or more optional sub-elements. The public control field includes an MLD address appearance field. The MLD public information field includes an MLD address field. Optionally, the public control field also includes an authentication algorithm appearance field, which is used to indicate whether the authentication algorithm field will appear in the MLD public information field.

[0240] Figure 7d Another schematic diagram of the structure of a multi-link element is shown. The multi-link element includes an element identifier, a length, an element identifier extension field, a common control field, an MLD common information field, and one or more optional sub-elements. The MLD common information field includes an MLD address field.

[0241] The above four possible multi-link element structures all include one or more optional sub-elements, and an optional sub-element describes the information of an AP in the AP MLD. The optional sub-element can be called a link profile element or a link profile subelement, and a link profile subelement or link profile element carries the communication parameters of an AP. Alternatively, a link profile subelement or link profile element carries the communication parameters of a link.

[0242] In an embodiment of the present application, the linkprofile subelement or linkprofile element carried in the probe request frame is used to indicate the communication parameters of a certain AP or a certain link of a certain AP MLD; the link profile subelement or link profile element carried in the probe response frame is used to carry the communication parameters of a certain AP or a certain link of a certain AP MLD.

[0243] When the multi-link element does not carry linkprofile subelement or linkprofileelement, the default indication is to request or respond to the communication parameters of all APs or all links in the entire AP MLD.

[0244] It should be understood that the above four multi-link element structures are only examples, and the fields or sub-fields therein may be deleted or added, and their names may also adopt other synonymous names. Other structures may also appear during the process of standard formulation or technological development, and this application does not limit them.

[0245] like Figure 8 As shown, the content of each optional sub-element includes the link identifier of the AP. Optionally, each optional sub-element also includes fields related to the AP, such as the SSID field, the timestamp field, the beacon interval field, and elements of the AP. The elements of the AP include the BSS load element, the EHT capability element, and the EHT operation element.

[0246] With respect to the explicit indication method adopted in the first embodiment, when the non-AP STA wants to request the communication parameters of the first AP MLD, it can send a probe request frame to a logical AP of the first AP MLD, and the logical AP is configured as a non-transmitted BSSID. The non-AP STA can carry the first indication information in the probe request frame, and the first indication information is used to request the communication parameters of the first AP MLD. The first indication information can be the "MLD complete info required in probe response" field.

[0247] In one implementation, Figure 9a As shown, the multi-link element includes: element ID, length, element ID extension, control, multi-link device common information (MLD common info), link profile subelement, etc., wherein the multi-link device common information field includes the "MLD complete info required in probe response" field. It should be noted that the field names here are only examples, and other names can be used when the standard is formulated or the product is implemented.

[0248] "MLD complete info required in probe response" can be indicated by one bit, for example, 1 indicates a request and 0 indicates no request.

[0249] In this embodiment, the MLD public information field of the multi-link element is used as an example for description. In other implementations, the field may also be carried in other fields, such as a control field, which will not be described in detail here.

[0250] In addition, in other implementations, the MLD complete info required inprobe response field can also be carried in the above Figure 7a-7d Any of the multi-link elements shown has the same functionality as Figure 9a Similar, no further elaboration is required here.

[0251] In another implementation, Figure 9b As shown, the multi-link element includes: element ID, length, element ID extension, control, multi-link device common information (MLD common info), link profile subelement, etc., wherein the multi-link device common information field includes the "MLD address or MLD identifier" field. It should be noted that the field names here are only examples, and other names can be used when the standard is formulated or the product is implemented.

[0252] Among them, the "MLD address or MLD identifier" is used to indicate the AP MLD requested by the non-AP STA, and the link profile subelement is used to indicate the link of the requested AP MLD. The AP responsible for responding to the detection request frame will reply with the communication parameters of the link corresponding to the linkprofile subelement in the AP MLD corresponding to the "MLD address or MLD identifier".

[0253] For the second embodiment, when the explicit indication method is adopted:

[0254] One situation is: when the non-AP STA only requests the communication parameters of the AP MLD where the second AP is located, the detection request frame carries the second indication information, and the second indication information can be carried in the following manner: Figure 7a-7c Specifically, the MLD address in the multi-link element may be set to the address of the AP MLD where the second AP is located, indicating that the second indication information requests the communication parameters of the AP MLD where the second AP is located.

[0255] In another case, the non-AP STA requests the communication parameters of other MLDs except the second AP MLD where the second AP is located, and the detection request frame may carry the second indication information, specifically the multi-link element.

[0256] The multi-link element can be Fig.9c As shown, the "other MLD required" field included therein is used to indicate whether to request the communication parameters of other MLDs except the second AP MLD where the second AP is located. The second AP that receives the detection request frame defaults to feedback the communication parameters of the AP MLD other than the AP MLD where it is located to the non-AP MLD. In this way, other AP MLDs include the AP MLD where other non-transmittedBSSID APs belonging to the same MBSSID set as the second AP are located and / or the AP MLD where other APs co-located with the second AP are located.

[0257] The "other MLD required" field uses 1 bit to indicate whether a request is made, for example, 1 indicates a request, and 0 indicates no request.

[0258] Alternatively, the multi-link element can be Figure 9d As shown, the "all non-transmittedMLDrequired" field included therein is used to indicate by default that the communication parameters of the AP MLD where other non-transmitted BSSID APs belonging to the same MBBID set as the second AP are located are requested, except for the second AP MLD where the second AP is located. The second AP that receives the detection request frame defaults to feedback to the non-AP MLD the communication parameters of the AP MLD where other non-transmittedBSSID APs are located except for the AP MLD where it is located. The "all non-transmitted MLD required" field uses 1 bit to indicate whether to request, for example, 1 indicates request, and 0 indicates no request.

[0259] Another situation is: the non-AP STA requests the communication parameters of the second AP MLD and other MLDs where the second AP is located. The detection request frame can carry the second indication information, specifically the multi-link element. The multi-link element can be as follows: Fig.9eAs shown, the "all MLD required" field included therein is used to indicate by default that the communication parameters of the second AP MLD where the second AP is located and other AP MLDs are requested. The second AP that receives the detection request frame defaults to feeding back the communication parameters of its AP MLD and other AP MLDs to the non-AP MLD.

[0260] In one approach, the "all MLD required" request includes communication parameters of the AP MLDs of the second AP and other non-transmitted BSSID APs that belong to the same MBSSID set as the second AP.

[0261] In yet another embodiment, the "all MLD required" request includes communication parameters of the AP MLDs of the second AP and other APs co-located with the second AP.

[0262] In another embodiment, the "all MLD required" request includes the AP MLD where the second AP and other non-transmittedBSSIDAPs belonging to the same MBSSID set as the second AP are located, and the APMLD where other APs co-located with the second AP are located.

[0263] Similarly, "all MLD required" can be indicated by one bit, for example, 1 indicates a request and 0 indicates no request.

[0264] When a non-AP STA requests the communication parameters of the second AP MLD and other MLDs where the second AP is located, it can also use Fig.9c The “other MLD required” field shown in the detection request frame is set to the address or identifier of the second AP by setting the MLD address or MLD identifier in the multi-link element of the detection request frame to the address or identifier of the second AP.

[0265] The AP MLD requested is indicated by a specific field. The multi-link element may carry an MLD address or an MLD identifier. The MLD address or the MLD identifier is used to indicate the address of the MLD where the second AP receiving the detection request frame is located.

[0266] Another situation is that the non-AP STA wants to obtain the communication parameters of one or some specific AP MLDs through the detection request frame. In this implementation, the one or some AP MLDs may be the AP MLD where the second AP is located, or one or more of the AP MLDs where other APs belonging to the same MBSSID set as the second AP are located, or one or more of the AP MLDs where other APs co-located with the second AP are located.

[0267] In one implementation, the second indication information is an MLD identifier or an MLD address, and the MLD identifier or the MLD address is used to indicate one or more MLDs. Here, the MLD identifier or the MLD address may specifically be an MLD MACaddress, an MLD index or an MLD ID, or a BSSID index.

[0268] In an exemplary embodiment, the MLD identifier or the MLD address is carried in the probe request frame (in this case, the multi-link element does not need to be carried);

[0269] As another example, the MLD identifier or the MLD address is carried in a multi-link element in the probe request frame.

[0270] In the above two methods, if a non-AP STA wants to obtain the communication parameters of a certain AP MLD through a probe request frame, it can be achieved through a probe request frame or a multi-link element in the probe request frame. Specifically, the MLD address or MLD identifier in the probe request frame or a multi-link element in the probe request frame is set to the address or identifier of the AP MLD it needs to request.

[0271] If a non-AP STA wants to obtain the communication parameters of multiple AP MLDs through a probe request frame, it can be implemented by carrying multiple MLD addresses or identifiers in one probe request frame, or by carrying multiple MLD addresses or identifiers in one multi-link element in one probe request frame, or by carrying multiple MLD addresses or identifiers in multiple multi-link elements in one probe request frame.

[0272] In another implementation, the second indication information is a BSSID identification bitmap, each bit of which corresponds to an AP MLD, and whether the communication parameters of the corresponding AP MLD are requested is indicated by setting the corresponding bit to 0 or 1.

[0273] Exemplarily, the BSSID identification bitmap is carried in the probe request frame (in this case, it is not necessary to carry the multi-link element);

[0274] In another example, the BSSID identification bitmap is carried in a multi-link element in the probe request frame.

[0275] In the above two examples, if a non-AP STA wants to obtain the communication parameters of a certain AP MLD through a probe request frame, it can be achieved through a probe request frame or a multi-link element in the probe request frame. Specifically, the corresponding bit in the BSSID identification bitmap in the probe request frame or a multi-link element in the probe request frame is set to 1 to indicate the AP MLD to be requested.

[0276] (II) The following describes a specific implementation of the signaling structure of the requested MLD element. The requested MLD element can be applied to the aforementioned embodiment 1 and embodiment 2.

[0277] In this embodiment, the probe request frame sent by the non-AP STA carries one or more requestedMLDelements to request the communication parameters of the AP MLD.

[0278] like Fig.11a As shown, the requested MLD element includes fields such as "element ID", "length", "element ID extension", "public information", and "requested MLD configuration". Among them, the "public information" field includes a "request type (requesttype)" subfield.

[0279] In one implementation, "request MLD configuration" is used to indicate the communication parameters of different AP MLDs requested. In this case, the "request type field" may not exist.

[0280] Specifically, "Request MLD Configuration" includes an "MLD address" field, where the "MLD address" is used to indicate the address of the requested AP MLD. The "MLD address" can also be equivalent to an "MLD identifier", where the MLD identifier is used to indicate one or more MLDs. Here, the "MLD address" and "MLD identifier" can be an MLD MAC address, an MLD index or an MLD ID, or a BSSID index.

[0281] In another implementation, the "requesttype field" is used to indicate the communication parameters of different AP MLDs requested; in this case, the "request MLD configuration" field is not required or the number of "request MLD configuration" fields is zero.

[0282] Specifically, the "requesttype" in the requested MLD element can be set to different values ​​to indicate a request for different AP MLD communication parameters. Taking the first indication information of the first embodiment as an example, the requesttype can be set to 1 bit.

[0283] The first type: the value of this bit is 1, indicating that the communication parameters of the AP MLD where the first AP is located are requested; 0 indicates that only the communication parameters of the first AP are requested.

[0284] Taking the second indication information in the second embodiment as an example, requesttype can be set to 1 bit or multiple bits.

[0285] 1) When requesttype is indicated by 1 bit:

[0286] The first type: the value of this bit is 1, indicating that the communication parameters of the AP MLD where the second AP is located are requested; 0 indicates that only the communication parameters of the second AP are requested.

[0287] The second type: the 1 bit value is 1, indicating that the communication parameters of the AP MLD where the second AP is located and other AP MLDs where other APs belonging to the same MBSSID set as the second AP are located are requested; 0 indicates that only the communication parameters of the second AP are requested.

[0288] The third type: The value of this bit is 1, indicating that the communication parameters of the AP MLD where the second AP is located and other AP MLDs are requested, and 0 indicates that only the communication parameters of the second AP are requested. The "other AP MLDs" here include the AP MLDs where other non-transmitted BSSIDAPs that belong to the same MBSSID set as the second AP are located and / or the AP MLDs where other APs co-located with the second AP are located.

[0289] Fourth type: the 1 bit value is 1, indicating a request for the AP MLD where the second AP is located; 0, indicating a request for communication parameters of other AP MLDs where other APs belonging to the same MBSSID set as the second AP are located (excluding the APMLD where the second AP is located).

[0290] Fifth type: The value of this bit is 1, indicating a request for the AP MLD where the second AP is located, and 0, indicating a request for the communication parameters of other AP MLDs. The "other AP MLDs" here include the AP MLDs where other non-transmitted BSSIDAPs that belong to the same MBSSID set as the second AP are located, and the AP MLDs where other APs that share the same site with the second AP are located.

[0291] The sixth type: the 1-bit value is 1, indicating a request for the AP MLD where the second AP is located, and 0, indicating a request for communication parameters of other AP MLDs. The "other AP MLDs" here include the APMLDs where other APs co-located with the second AP are located.

[0292] The above are just examples. The case of 1 bit indication can also be a variation and combination of the above.

[0293] 2) When requesttype is indicated by multiple bits, for example, 3 bits, it can take eight values ​​in total, among which:

[0294] The first value indicates that only the communication parameters of the second AP are requested.

[0295] The second value indicates the communication parameter of the APMLD where the second AP is located.

[0296] The third value indicates the communication parameters of the AP MLD where the second AP is located and other AP MLDs where other APs belonging to the same MBSSID set as the second AP are located.

[0297] The fourth value indicates requesting for communication parameters of other AP MLDs where other APs belonging to the same MBSSID set as the second AP are located, except for the AP MLD where the second AP is located.

[0298] The fifth value indicates a request for communication parameters of the AP MLD where the second AP is located and other AP MLDs. The "other AP MLDs" here include the AP MLDs where other APs co-located with the second AP are located.

[0299] The sixth value indicates requesting communication parameters of other AP MLDs except the AP MLD where the second AP is located. The "other AP MLDs" here include the AP MLDs where other APs co-located with the second AP are located.

[0300] The seventh value indicates the communication parameters of the AP MLD where the second AP is located and other AP MLDs. The "other AP MLDs" here include the AP MLDs where other non-transmitted BSSID APs belonging to the same MBSSID set as the second AP are located and the AP MLDs where other APs co-located with the second AP are located.

[0301] The eighth value indicates requesting communication parameters of other AP MLDs except the AP MLD where the second AP is located. The "other AP MLDs" here include the AP MLDs where other non-transmitted BSSID APs belonging to the same MBSSID set as the second AP are located and the AP MLDs where other APs co-located with the second AP are located.

[0302] Of course, only a part of the first value and the eighth value may be used, or 2 bits may be used to indicate some of the values.

[0303] In this embodiment, the requesttype field is carried in the public information field of the requestedMLD element as an example for explanation. In other implementations, it may also be carried in other fields, such as a control field, which will not be described in detail here.

[0304] Fig.11a This is only an example. During the process of standard formulation or technology evolution, the name of the requestedMLD element or the fields it contains may have other implementation methods, which are not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0305] Fig.11b This is another structural diagram of the request MLD element. Fig.11a The structure of request MLDelement is similar to that of request MLDelement, except that:

[0306] Specifically, "request MLD configuration" includes a "BSSID index bitmap" field, each bit in the bitmap corresponds to an AP MLD, and whether the corresponding AP MLD is requested is indicated by setting the bit to 0 or 1. For example, setting the bit to 0 indicates requesting the AP to feedback the communication parameters of the AP MLD corresponding to the bit. It should be understood that when "request MLD configuration" indicates the communication parameters of different AP MLDs requested, the "requesttype field" may not exist.

[0307] It should be understood that the embodiments of the present application do not exclude combining the "request MLD configuration" and "request type field" in the above two request MLD elements to indicate different AP MLD communication parameters.

[0308] Fig.11a and Fig.11b The request MLD element may also carry a link profile subelement or link profile element field.

[0309] A linkprofile subelement or linkprofile element carries the communication parameters of an AP. Alternatively, a link profile subelement or linkprofile element carries the communication parameters of a link.

[0310] In an embodiment of the present application, the linkprofile subelement or linkprofile element carried in the probe request frame is used to indicate the communication parameters of a certain AP or a certain link of a certain AP MLD; the link profile subelement or link profile element carried in the probe response frame is used to carry the communication parameters of a certain AP or a certain link of a certain AP MLD.

[0311] When the request MLD element does not carry a link profile subelement or link profileelement, the default indication is to request or respond to the communication parameters of all APs or all links in the entire AP MLD.

[0312] Alternatively, when the requestMLD element carries a "link configuration sub-element" to indicate the requested link, a field may be used to indicate whether all links of the AP MLD corresponding to the "MLD address or MLD identifier" are requested or only one link is known, and the field may be 1 bit. For example, the 1 bit is set to 1 to indicate that all links of the corresponding AP MLD are known, and is set to 0 to indicate that a certain link is known. The certain link may be agreed upon by the protocol.

[0313] Fig.11b This is only an example. During the process of standard formulation or technology evolution, the name of the requestedMLD element or the fields it contains may have other implementation methods, which are not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0314] (III) The specific implementation of the signaling structure of the known MLD element is introduced below. The known MLD element can be applied to the above-mentioned embodiment 1 and embodiment 2.

[0315] In this embodiment, the probe request frame sent by the non-AP STA carries one or more known MLDelements to request the communication parameters of the AP MLD.

[0316] A known MLD element has a structure like Fig.12a As shown, the known MLD element includes fields such as "element ID", "length", "element ID extension", "public information", and "known MLD configuration". Among them, the "public information" field may optionally include a "request type" subfield, and the "known MLD configuration" may or may not exist. When it exists, it includes the "MLD address" field.

[0317] The "MLD address" can also be equivalent to the "MLD identifier", which is used to indicate one or more MLDs. Here, the "MLD address" and "MLD identifier" can be the MLD MAC address, the MLD index or the MLD ID, or the BSSID index. Like the request type of the requested MLD element described in (II), the request type of the known MLD element can also use 1-3 bits to indicate the communication parameters of different AP MLDs. Please refer to the description in (II) for details, which will not be repeated here.

[0318] The difference from (2) is that the known MLD profile carries the communication parameters of the AP MLD that the non-AP STA already knows, and the second AP does not need to carry the corresponding communication parameters in the probe response frame. That is, the second AP carries the AP MLD requested in the requesttype in the probe response frame, except for the communication parameters of the known APMLD indicated by the MLD address of the known MLD profile.

[0319] In this embodiment, the request type field is carried in the public information field of the known MLD element as an example for explanation. In other implementations, it can also be carried in other fields, such as a control field, which will not be described in detail here.

[0320] In another implementation, the public information field of the known MLD element may not include the "request type", but instead request the AP responsible for responding to the probe request frame to reply with communication parameters of all AP MLDs except the AP MLD corresponding to the "MLD address" through one or more "known MLD configurations".

[0321] Another known MLD element has a structure like Figure 12b As shown, the known MLD element includes fields such as "element ID", "length", "element ID extension", and "BSSID index bitmap". The "BSSID index bitmap" is used to indicate the communication parameters of the AP MLD known to the non-AP STA that initiated the probe request frame. The AP responsible for sending the probe response frame will reply with the communication parameters of all AP MLDs except the known AP MLD indicated by the "BSSID index bitmap".

[0322] The “all AP MLDs” involved in the above implementation may be the AP MLDs of other APs in the same MBSSID set as the AP that are known or agreed in advance, and / or the APMLDs of other APs co-located with the AP.

[0323] Another known MLD element has a structure like Fig.12c As shown, the known MLD element includes fields such as "element ID", "length", "element ID extension", and "multi-link element". The "multi-link element" carries "MLD public information" and "link configuration sub-element", wherein the "MLD public information" may carry "MLD address or MLD identifier", and the "link configuration sub-element" indicates a known link among multiple links in the AP MLD corresponding to the "MLD address or MLD identifier".

[0324] The AP responsible for responding to the probe request frame will reply in the probe response frame with the communication parameters of other links except the known links indicated by the "link configuration sub-element" in addition to the AP MLD corresponding to the "MLD address or MLD identifier".

[0325] The "link configuration sub-element" may indicate known links by carrying an identifier or index number of a known link, or may carry a link index bitmap to indicate which links are known.

[0326] The "link configuration sub-element" indicates the known link. It can also be a field indicating whether all links or one link of the AP MLD corresponding to the "MLD address or MLD identifier" are known. This field can be 1 bit. For example, if the 1 bit is set to 1, it means that all links of the corresponding AP MLD are known, and if it is set to 0, it means that a certain link is known. The certain link can be agreed upon by the protocol.

[0327] In this embodiment, the "link configuration sub-element" may be directly carried in the known MLD element, or may be carried in the known MLD element through the multi-link element.

[0328] The multi-link element, known MLD element, and request MLD element described in the foregoing embodiments may be combined as appropriate to carry different functions of detecting APMLD and communication parameters of multiple links of APMLD in the detection request frame.

[0329] The following describes how to implement the probe response frame.

[0330] In the first embodiment, no matter whether the non-AP STA sends the probe request frame by an implicit indication method or an explicit indication method, if the logical AP receiving the probe request frame is configured as a non-transmitted BSSID, it replies with a probe response frame through other transmitted BSSID APs belonging to the same MSSID set.

[0331] When the transmitted BSSID AP replies to the non-AP STA with a probe response frame, the multiple BSSID element of the probe response frame carries the information of the non-transmitted BSSID AP. Fig.10As shown, the transmitted BSSID AP carries the non-transmitted BSSID profile corresponding to the non-transmitted BSSID AP in the multiple BSSID element to carry the communication parameters of the non-transmittedBSSID AP, and the multi-link element included in the NontransmittedBSSID profile corresponding to the non-transmitted BSSID AP carries the communication parameters of other APs in the AP MLD where the non-transmitted BSSID AP is located. Specifically, the communication parameters of other APs are carried in the link configuration subelement (linkprofile subelement). There can be multiple linkprofile subelements to correspond to the communication parameters of multiple APs.

[0332] For example, Figure 4 As shown, AP11 carries the communication parameters of multiple links supported by AP MLD2 in the detection response frame replied to the non-AP STA. Specifically, it can be carried in the multiple BSSID element, that is, the nontransmitted BSSID profile corresponding to AP12 is carried in the multiple BSSID element to carry the information of AP12. The multi-link element is carried in the nontransmitted BSSID profile corresponding to AP12 to carry the information of AP22.

[0333] Correspondingly, in the second embodiment, no matter whether the non-AP STA sends the probe request frame by implicit indication or explicit indication, the logical AP receiving the probe request frame is transmittedBSSIDAP, and it can directly reply the probe response frame to the non-AP STA.

[0334] When the transmitted BSSID AP replies to a probe response frame to a non-AP STA, the multiple BSSID element of the probe response frame may carry information of the non-transmitted BSSID AP.

[0335] like Fig.10As shown, the transmitted BSSID AP carries the non-transmitted BSSID mode (nontransmittedBSSID profile) corresponding to the non-transmitted BSSID AP in the multiple BSSID element to carry the communication parameters of the non-transmittedBSSIDAP, and the multi-link element included in the nontransmitted BSSID profile corresponding to the non-transmitted BSSID AP carries the communication parameters of other APs in the AP MLD where the non-transmittedBSSIDAP is located.

[0336] For example, Figure 4 As shown, AP21 is a transmitted BSSID AP. After receiving the probe request frame, it carries the communication parameters of one or more links supported by one or more AP MLDs among AP MLD1, AP MLD2, and AP MLD3 where AP21 is located, or the communication parameters of one or more APs among AP MLD1, AP MLD2, and AP MLD3, in the probe response frame replied to the non-AP STA.

[0337] Specifically, when the probe request frame requests the communication parameters of AP MLD1 where AP21 is located, the communication parameters of AP MLD1 are carried in the probe response frame using a multi-link element. Specifically, the communication parameters of AP11, AP21, and AP31 can be carried respectively through the three link profile subelements in the multi-linkelement.

[0338] When the AP MLD requested by the probe request frame further includes the communication parameters of AP MLD2 and / or AP MLD3, the communication parameters of AP MLD2 and AP MLD3 can be carried in the multiple BSSID element in the probe response frame, that is, the two nontransmitted BSSID profiles corresponding to AP21 are carried in the multiple BSSID element to carry the communication parameters of AP22 and AP23 respectively. The linkprofile subelement of the multi-link element is carried in the nontransmitted BSSID profile corresponding to AP22 to carry the information of AP12. The link profile subelement of the multi-link element is carried in the nontransmitted BSSID profile corresponding to AP23 to carry the communication parameters of AP33.

[0339] In the various implementations of the above embodiments 1, 2, and 3, when the non-AP MLD does not need to obtain the complete communication parameters of the AP in the AP MLD, but only needs to obtain part of the information units of the AP, the non-AP MLD can carry a list of information unit identifiers in the detection request frame to request the AP MLD to reply to the content of the corresponding information unit, such as Fig.13 As shown, the identification list of the information unit is carried by the probing element, for example, it can be carried by the "list of element IDs" field, and each element ID corresponds to a requested information unit. In another implementation, the non-AP STA can also directly carry the non-inheritance element in the probe request to carry part of the requested information unit.

[0340] Correspondingly, if the probe response frame includes communication parameters of multiple APs, the communication parameters of each AP include the content of the information unit corresponding to the element ID carried in the list of element IDs.

[0341] Alternatively, the probe request frame carries a list of identifiers of an information unit for each AP, and different communication parameter information units may be requested for different APs. The probe response frame carries the communication parameter information unit corresponding to each AP.

[0342] The information unit mentioned in this embodiment is part of the communication parameters of the AP mentioned above.

[0343] By implementing this embodiment, a part of the communication parameters of the AP can be flexibly requested, saving the request and feedback overhead.

[0344] The device provided in the embodiments of the present application is described in detail below.

[0345] The embodiment of the present application can divide the functional modules of the access point AP (e.g., the AP in the AP multi-link device) or the site according to the above method example. 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 module can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional modules. It should be noted that the division of modules in the embodiment of the present application is schematic and is only a logical functional division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation.

[0346] In the case of an integrated unit, Fig.14 A possible structural diagram of a communication device 1400 is shown, and the communication device 1400 may be a multi-link device or a chip or processing system in a multi-link device, and the communication device 1400 may perform the operations of the multi-link device in the above method embodiment. The communication device 1400 includes: a processing unit 1401 and a transceiver unit 1402.

[0347] In one example, the communication device 1400 is the above-mentioned access point AP (eg, an AP in an AP multi-link device) or a station.

[0348] In one example, the communication device 1400 is the above-mentioned access point or a chip in the access point.

[0349] The processing unit 1401 may be used to control and manage the actions of the communication device 1400. For example, generating a probe request frame. For another example, controlling the operation of the transceiver unit 1402. Optionally, if the communication device 1400 includes a storage unit, the processing unit 1401 may also execute a program or instruction stored in the storage unit, so that the communication device 1400 implements the method and function involved in any of the above embodiments.

[0350] Exemplarily, the processing unit 1401 may control the transceiver unit to execute, for example Figure 5 Step S101 in, or Figure 6 S201 in the embodiment or other processes for executing the technology described herein. All relevant contents of each step involved in the above method embodiment can be referred to the functional description of the corresponding functional module, which will not be repeated here.

[0351] Exemplarily, the processing unit 1401 may control the transceiver unit to execute, for example Figure 5 Step S102 in, or Figure 6 S202 in the embodiment, or other processes for executing the technology described herein. All relevant contents of each step involved in the above method embodiment can be referred to the functional description of the corresponding functional module, and will not be repeated here.

[0352] Exemplarily, the transceiver unit 1402 can transmit and receive data or signaling transmitted on one link, or transmit and receive data or signaling transmitted on multiple links. Optionally, the transceiver unit 1402 can be a transceiver module, or can include multiple transceiver modules. When the transceiver unit 1402 is a transceiver module, the transceiver module can transmit and receive data on multiple links. For example, if the first multi-link device works on two links, then when the transceiver unit 1402 includes two transceiver modules, one of the transceiver modules works on one link, and the other transceiver module works on the other link. Exemplarily, the transceiver unit 1402 can be used to perform, for example Figure 5 Step S101 in, or, Figure 6 Step S201 in or other processes for the technology described herein. Among them, all relevant contents of each step involved in the above method embodiment can be referred to the functional description of the corresponding functional module, and will not be repeated here.

[0353] Exemplarily, the communication device 1400 may be Fig.15 The communication device shown in FIG. 1 may include a processing unit 1401. Fig.15 The processor 1501 and the transceiver unit 1402 may be Fig.15 The transceiver 1503 in the embodiment. Optionally, the communication device 1400 may further include a memory, the memory being used to store program codes and data corresponding to the communication device 1400 executing any of the multi-link device communication methods provided above. Fig.15 The description of all relevant contents of each component involved can be referred to the functional description of the corresponding components of the communication device 1400, and will not be repeated here.

[0354] Exemplarily, the communication device 1400 may also be a chip or a processor, wherein the processing unit 1402 is a processing circuit in the chip or processor, and the transceiver unit 1402 may be an input / output circuit in the chip or processor. The input / output circuit is an interface for the chip or processor to communicate with other coupled components or exchange data, which can ensure that signaling or data information or program instructions are input into the chip or processor for processing, and the processed data or signaling is output to other coupled components, and the first multi-link device on which the chip or processor is installed is controlled to implement functions.

[0355] In another example, the communication device 1400 is the above-mentioned station or a chip in the station.

[0356] The processing unit 1401 may be used to control and manage the actions of the communication device 1400. For example, generating a probe request frame or a probe response frame. For another example, controlling the operation of the transceiver unit 1402. Optionally, if the communication device 1400 includes a storage unit, the processing unit 1401 may also execute a program or instruction stored in the storage unit so that the communication device 1400 implements the method and function involved in any of the above embodiments.

[0357] Exemplarily, the processing unit 1401 may be used to generate a probe request frame or a probe response frame, wherein all relevant contents of each step involved in the method embodiment may be referred to the functional description of the corresponding functional module and will not be repeated here.

[0358] Exemplarily, the transceiver unit 1402 can transmit and receive data or signaling transmitted on one link, or transmit and receive data or signaling transmitted on multiple links. Optionally, the transceiver unit 1402 can be a transceiver module, or can include multiple transceiver modules. When the transceiver unit 1402 is a transceiver module, the transceiver module can transmit and receive data on multiple links. For example, when the first site works on two links, then when the transceiver unit 1402 includes two transceiver modules, one of the transceiver modules works on one link, and the other transceiver module works on the other link. Among them, all relevant contents of each step involved in the above method embodiment can be referred to the functional description of the corresponding functional module, which will not be repeated here.

[0359] Exemplarily, the communication device 1400 may be Fig.15 The communication device shown in FIG. 1 may include a processing unit 1401. Fig.15 The processor 1501 and the transceiver unit 1402 may be Fig.15 The transceiver 1503 in the embodiment. Optionally, the communication device 1400 may further include a memory, the memory being used to store program codes and data corresponding to the communication device 1400 executing any of the methods provided above. Fig.15 The description of all relevant contents of each component involved can be referred to the functional description of the corresponding components of the communication device 1400, and will not be repeated here.

[0360] Exemplarily, the communication device 1400 may also be a chip or a processor, wherein the processing unit 1402 is a processing circuit in the chip or processor, and the transceiver unit 1402 may be an input / output circuit in the chip or processor. The input / output circuit is an interface for the chip or processor to communicate with other coupled components or exchange data, which can ensure that signaling or data information or program instructions are input into the chip or processor for processing, and the processed data or signaling is output to other coupled components, and the device on which the chip or processor is installed is controlled to implement functions.

[0361] It should be noted that, in the device embodiment part, the structure of the probe request frame and the probe response frame can be referred to the description of the aforementioned embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0362] Fig.15 A communication device 1500 provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown. The device may be an access point AP (e.g., an AP in an AP multi-link device) or a station in the above embodiment, or a chip or processing system in the access point AP (e.g., an AP in an AP multi-link device) or a station, and may implement the method and function of any embodiment of the present application. Due to differences in integration, the communication device may include: Fig.15 One or more of the components shown. Fig.15 The components shown may include at least one processor 1501 , a memory 1502 , a transceiver 1503 , and a communication bus 1504 .

[0363] Combine the following Fig.15 The components of the communication device 1100 are described in detail:

[0364] Processor 1501 is the control center of communication device 1500, which can be a processor or a general term for multiple processing elements. For example, processor 1501 is a central processing unit (CPU), or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the embodiments of the present application, such as: one or more microprocessors (digital signal processors, DSP), or, one or more field programmable gate arrays (Field Programmable Gate Array, FPGA). Among them, processor 1501 can perform various functions of the communication device by running or executing software programs stored in memory 1502, and calling data stored in memory 1502. In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, processor 1501 may include one or more CPUs, such as Fig.15 CPU0 and CPU1 are shown in the figure.

[0365] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the communication device 1500 may include multiple processors, such as Fig.151501 and processor 1505 are shown in FIG. Each of these processors may be a single-core processor (single-CPU) or a multi-core processor (multi-CPU). The processor here may refer to one or more communication devices, circuits, and / or processing cores for processing data (e.g., computer program instructions).

[0366] The memory 1502 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage communication devices that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM) or other types of dynamic storage communication devices that can store information and instructions, or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical disc, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc, Blu-ray disc, etc.), a magnetic disk storage medium or other magnetic storage communication device, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store the desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory 1502 may exist independently and be connected to the processor 1501 via the communication bus 1504. The memory 1502 may also be integrated with the processor 1501. The memory 1502 is used to store the software program for executing the solution of the present application, and the execution is controlled by the processor 1501 .

[0367] The transceiver 1503 is used to communicate with other devices (such as Figure 1 Of course, the transceiver 1503 can also be used to communicate with a communication network, such as Ethernet, a radio access network (RAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), etc. The transceiver 1503 may include a receiving unit to implement a receiving function, and a sending unit to implement a sending function.

[0368] The communication bus 1504 may be an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, or an Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus. The bus may be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of representation, Fig.15 Only one thick line is used in the diagram, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0369] In one example, the communication device 1500 is a complete device, which may include: a processor 1501, a memory 1502, a transceiver 1503, and a communication bus 1504. Optionally, it may also include other components, such as a display.

[0370] Optionally, the communication device 1500 is an access point AP (e.g., an AP in an AP multi-link device), which can be used to implement the methods and functions related to the AP in the aforementioned embodiments. For example, a computer program (instructions) is stored in the memory, and when the processor calls the computer program, the above methods and functions are implemented. For example, the processor is used to generate a probe response frame, and the transceiver is used to receive a probe request frame and send a probe response frame. In one example, the processor is used to control the transceiver to execute step S102. Of course, the generation process of the probe response frame involved in step S102 can also be completed by the processor. In another example, for example, the processor is used to control the transceiver to execute step S202. Of course, the generation process of the probe response frame involved in step S202 can also be completed by the processor.

[0371] In another implementation, the communication device 1500 is a site, which can be used to implement the methods and functions of the sites involved in the aforementioned embodiments. For example, a computer program is stored in the memory, and when the processor calls the computer program, the above methods and functions are implemented, for example, the processor is used to generate signaling or frames (such as a probe request frame), and the transceiver is used to send signaling or frames (such as sending a probe request frame and receiving a probe response frame). In one example, for example, the processor is used to control the transceiver to send the probe request frame in step S101, and then the processor determines the structure of the multi-AP multi-link device and the information of each AP according to the probe response frame, and further determines which APs to associate with. In another example, for example, the processor is used to control the transceiver to send the probe request frame in step S201 and control the transceiver to receive the probe response frame fed back by the AP in S202, and then the processor determines the structure of the multi-AP multi-link device and the information of each AP according to the probe response frame, and further determines which APs to associate with.

[0372] In another example, the communication device 1500 is a chip system or a processing system in the access point AP, so that the device installed with the chip system or the processing system implements the methods and functions related to the AP in the aforementioned embodiments. Then the communication device 1500 may include the following: Fig.15 Some of the components shown, such as the communication device 1500, include a processor, which can be coupled to a memory, call instructions in the memory and execute them, thereby configuring the device on which the chip system or processing system is installed to implement the methods and functions of the aforementioned embodiments. Optionally, the memory can be a component in the chip system or processing system, or a component coupled externally to the chip system or processing system. In one example, the chip system or processing system is installed in the access point AP (e.g., a reporting AP in an AP multi-link device), which can enable the access point AP to execute step S102 or step S202 in the aforementioned embodiments.

[0373] In another example, the communication device 1500 is a chip system or a processing system in the site, so that the device installed with the chip system or the processing system implements the methods and functions related to the site in the aforementioned embodiments. Then the communication device 1500 may include the following: Fig.15 Some of the components shown, such as the communication device 1500, include a processor, which can be coupled to a memory, call instructions in the memory and execute them, thereby configuring the device in which the chip system or processing system is installed to implement the methods and functions of the aforementioned embodiments. Optionally, the memory can be a component in the chip system or processing system, or a component coupled externally to the chip system or processing system. In one example, the chip system or processing system is installed in the site, which can enable the site to execute step S101 or step S201 in the aforementioned embodiment.

[0374] The chip system or processing system can support 802.11 series protocols for communication, such as 802.11be, 802.11ax, 802.11ac, etc. The chip system can be installed in various devices in scenarios supporting WLAN transmission. The devices in the WLAN transmission scenario have been introduced at the beginning of this specification and will not be repeated here.

[0375] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores a computer program code. When the above-mentioned processor executes the computer program code, the electronic device (such as AP, station) where the processor is located executes the method of any embodiment.

[0376] The embodiments of the present application also provide a computer program product. When the computer program product is run on a computer, the computer (such as an AP or a station) executes the method of any embodiment.

[0377] An embodiment of the present application also provides a communication device, which can exist in the form of a chip product. The structure of the device includes a processor and an interface circuit. The processor is used to communicate with other devices through a receiving circuit, so that the device executes the method of executing any of the above embodiments.

[0378] The embodiment of the present application also provides a communication system, which includes the above-mentioned access point AP (for example, the AP in the AP multi-link device) and a station. The access point AP (for example, the reporting AP in the AP multi-link device) and the station can execute the method in any of the above-mentioned embodiments (for example Figure 5 , Figure 6 The method or algorithm described in the disclosure of the present application may be implemented in hardware or by executing software instructions by a processor. The software instructions may be composed of corresponding software modules, and the software modules may be stored in a random access memory (RAM), a flash memory, an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a register, a hard disk, a mobile hard disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to a processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium may also be a component of the processor. The processor and the storage medium may be located in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC may be located in a core network interface device. Of course, the processor and the storage medium may also exist in a core network interface device as discrete components.

[0379] Those skilled in the art should be aware that in one or more of the above examples, the functions described in this application can be implemented using hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, these functions can be stored in a computer-readable medium or transmitted as one or more instructions or codes on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media include computer-readable storage media and communication media, wherein communication media include any media that facilitates the transmission of computer programs from one place to another. Storage media can be any available media that can be accessed by general or special-purpose computers.

[0380] The specific implementation methods described above further illustrate the purpose, technical solutions and beneficial effects of the present application in detail. It should be understood that the above description is only the specific implementation methods of the present application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made on the basis of the technical solutions of the present application should be included in the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A second access point AP in a wireless local area network WLAN, characterized in that: include: A transceiver, used for receiving a probe request frame, wherein the probe request frame is used for requesting a second access point AP to feedback communication parameters of an access point multi-link device AP MLD related to the second AP; the second AP is a transmitted basic service set identification number transmitted BSSID AP, and the communication parameters of the AP MLD are communication parameters of multiple links supported by it. In the probe request frame, a list of identifiers of an information unit is carried for each AP of the AP MLD, respectively, for requesting an information unit corresponding to an identifier in the list of identifiers of the information unit corresponding to the AP in the AP MLD; for each AP, the information unit is partial information of the communication parameters of the AP; The processor is configured to generate a probe response frame, wherein the probe response frame carries the communication parameters of the AP MLD.

2. The second AP according to claim 1, characterized in that: The detection request frame carries second indication information, where the second indication information is used to instruct the second AP to feed back communication parameters of an APMLD related to the second AP.

3. The second AP according to claim 2, characterized in that: The communication parameter of the AP MLD related to the second AP includes at least one of the following: Communication parameters of the AP MLD where the second AP is located; The communication parameters of the AP MLD of other APs belonging to the same multi-transport basic service set identifier MBSSID set as the second AP; Communication parameters of the AP MLDs of other APs co-located with the second AP.

4. The second AP according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The second indication information is carried in the detection request frame, and the second indication information is used to indicate an MLD identifier or an MLD address, and the MLD identifier or the MLD address is used to instruct the second AP to feed back communication parameters of the AP MLD corresponding to the MLD identifier or the MLD address.

5. The second AP according to claim 1, wherein: The transceiver is further configured to send the probe response frame, wherein the probe response frame includes an information unit of communication parameters corresponding to the list of identifiers of the information unit of each AP.

6. The second AP according to claim 1, characterized in that: The list of identifiers of the information units is carried in the multi-link element of the probe request frame.

7. A method for detecting a request for an access point multi-link device, characterized in that: The method is performed by a second access point AP in a wireless local area network WLAN, and includes: Receive a probe request frame, the probe request frame is used to request a second access point AP to feedback communication parameters of an access point multi-link device AP MLD related to the second AP; the second AP is a transmitted basic service set identification number transmittedBSSIDAP, the communication parameters of the AP MLD are communication parameters of multiple links supported by it, in the probe request frame, for each AP of the AP MLD, a list of identifiers of an information unit is carried respectively, for requesting an information unit corresponding to an identifier in the list of identifiers of the information unit corresponding to the AP in the AP MLD; for each AP, the information unit is partial information of the communication parameters of the AP; A probe response frame is generated, where the probe response frame carries the communication parameters of the AP MLD.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The detection request frame carries second indication information, where the second indication information is used to instruct the second AP to feed back communication parameters of the AP MLD related to the second AP.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The communication parameter of the AP MLD related to the second AP includes at least one of the following: Communication parameters of the AP MLD where the second AP is located; The communication parameters of the AP MLD of other APs belonging to the same multi-transport basic service set identifier MBSSID set as the second AP; Communication parameters of the AP MLDs of other APs co-located with the second AP.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that The second indication information is carried in the detection request frame, and the second indication information is used to indicate an MLD identifier or an MLD address, and the MLD identifier or the MLD address is used to instruct the second AP to feed back communication parameters of an AP MLD corresponding to the MLD identifier or the MLD address.

11. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The probe response frame is sent, wherein the probe response frame includes an information unit of communication parameters corresponding to the list of identifiers of the information unit of each AP.

12. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The list of identifiers of the information units is carried in the multi-link element of the probe request frame.

13. An access point multi-link device AP MLD, characterized in that: Includes the second AP as described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

14. A second access point AP in a wireless local area network WLAN, characterized in that: include: A transceiver is used to receive a probe request frame, wherein the probe request frame is used to request a second access point AP to feedback communication parameters of an access point multi-link device AP MLD related to the second AP; the second AP is a transmitted basic service set identification number transmitted BSSID AP, the communication parameters of the AP MLD are communication parameters of multiple links supported by it, and a list of identifiers of an information unit is carried in the probe request frame, which is used to request to obtain some information units of the AP in the AP MLD, and the information unit is part of the communication parameters of the AP; The processor is configured to generate a probe response frame, wherein the probe response frame carries the communication parameters of the AP MLD.

15. The second AP according to claim 14, characterized in that: The detection request frame carries second indication information, where the second indication information is used to instruct the second AP to feed back communication parameters of the AP MLD related to the second AP.

16. The second AP according to claim 15, characterized in that: The communication parameter of the AP MLD related to the second AP includes at least one of the following: Communication parameters of the AP MLD where the second AP is located; The communication parameters of the AP MLD of other APs belonging to the same multi-transport basic service set identifier MBSSID set as the second AP; Communication parameters of the AP MLDs of other APs co-located with the second AP.

17. The second AP according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that: The second indication information is carried in the detection request frame, and the second indication information is used to indicate an MLD identifier or an MLD address, and the MLD identifier or the MLD address is used to instruct the second AP to feed back communication parameters of the AP MLD corresponding to the MLD identifier or the MLD address.

18. The second AP according to claim 14, characterized in that: The transceiver is further used to send the probe response frame, wherein the probe response frame includes communication parameters of multiple APs in the AP MLD, and the communication parameters of each AP in the multiple APs include the content of the information unit corresponding to the list of identifiers of the information unit.

19. The second AP according to claim 14, characterized in that: The list of identifiers of the information units is carried in the multi-link element of the probe request frame.

20. A method for detecting a request for an access point multi-link device, characterized in that: The method is performed by a second access point AP in a wireless local area network WLAN, and includes: Receive a probe request frame, the probe request frame is used to request a second access point AP to feedback communication parameters of an access point multi-link device AP MLD related to the second AP; the second AP is a transmitted basic service set identification number transmittedBSSIDAP, the communication parameters of the AP MLD are communication parameters of multiple links supported by it, and a list of identifiers of an information unit is carried in the probe request frame, which is used to request to obtain some information units of the AP in the AP MLD, and the information unit is part of the communication parameters of the AP; A probe response frame is generated, where the probe response frame carries the communication parameters of the AP MLD.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein: The detection request frame carries second indication information, where the second indication information is used to instruct the second AP to feed back communication parameters of the AP MLD related to the second AP.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that The communication parameter of the AP MLD related to the second AP includes at least one of the following: Communication parameters of the AP MLD where the second AP is located; The communication parameters of the AP MLD of other APs belonging to the same multi-transport basic service set identifier MBSSID set as the second AP; Communication parameters of the AP MLDs of other APs co-located with the second AP.

23. The method according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that The second indication information is carried in the detection request frame, and the second indication information is used to indicate an MLD identifier or an MLD address, and the MLD identifier or the MLD address is used to instruct the second AP to feed back communication parameters of the AP MLD corresponding to the MLD identifier or the MLD address.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein: The probe response frame is sent, wherein the probe response frame includes communication parameters of multiple APs in the AP MLD, and the communication parameters of each AP in the multiple APs include content of an information unit corresponding to the list of identifiers of the information unit.

25. The method of claim 20, wherein: The list of identifiers of the information units is carried in the multi-link element of the probe request frame.

26. An access point multi-link device AP MLD, characterized in that: Includes the second AP as described in any one of claims 14 to 19.

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