Unicast service indication method suitable for multiple links and related device

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of wireless communication, in particular to a unicast service indication method suitable for multiple links and a related device, for example, the unicast service indication method and the related device are applied to a wireless local area network supporting the 802.11 be standard. The method comprises: a first AP of a first AP MLD generates and sends unicast service indication information for indicating whether a Non-AP MLD associated with the first AP MLD has a downlink unicast service and whether a Non-AP MLD associated with a second AP MLD has a downlink unicast service, and the second AP MLD is an AP MLD to which a non-transmission AP belongs in a multi-BSSID set where the first AP is located. Therefore, some APs or all APs in a part of AP MLDs can be helped to indicate whether the site multi-link equipment associated with the APs has the downlink unicast service or not so as to assist the site multi-link equipment to correctly receive the downlink unicast service.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application. The application number of the original application is 202010791117.1, and the original application date is August 7, 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 wireless communication technology, and in particular to a unicast service indication method applicable to multiple links and a related device. Background Art

[0003] In order to significantly improve the service transmission rate of wireless local area network (WLAN) systems, 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.

[0004] The next generation WiFi standard IEEE 802.11be is called extremely high throughput (EHT) or Wi-Fi 7, and its most important technical goal is to significantly improve peak throughput. IEEE 802.11be standard WLAN devices support increasing peak throughput and reducing service transmission latency through multiple streams (the maximum number of spatial streams is 16), multiple frequency bands (for example, 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz bands), and cooperation of multiple channels on the same frequency band. The multiple frequency bands or multiple channels can be collectively referred to as multi-link. The next generation IEEE 802.11 standard station device that supports multiple links at the same time is called a multi-link device (MLD).

[0005] However, some special access point multi-link devices (for example, all access points (APs) included in the access point multi-link device are APs whose basic service set identifier (BSSID) is a non-transmitted BSSID) cannot indicate whether the station (STA) multi-link device associated with it has downlink unicast services by sending beacon frames, resulting in the station multi-link device associated with it being unable to correctly receive downlink unicast services. Therefore, for these special access point multi-link devices (AP MLD), how to indicate downlink unicast services has become an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the invention

[0006] The embodiment of the present application provides a unicast service indication method and related apparatus applicable to multi-link, which can help some APs or all APs in a partial AP MLD to indicate whether the site multi-link device associated with it has downlink unicast service, so as to assist the site multi-link device to correctly receive the downlink unicast service.

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

[0008] In a first aspect, the present application provides a unicast service indication method applicable to multiple links, which is applied to a first APMLD, and the first AP is a reporting AP. The unicast service indication method applicable to multiple links includes: the first AP of the first AP MLD generates unicast service indication information, and sends the unicast service indication information on the first link. The unicast service indication information is used to indicate whether the Non-AP MLD associated with the first AP MLD has a downlink unicast service, and whether the Non-AP MLD associated with the second AP MLD has a downlink unicast service, and the second AP MLD is the AP MLD to which the non-transmission AP belongs in the multi-BSSID set where the first AP is located. The first link is the working link of the first AP.

[0009] Optionally, the reporting AP may refer to an AP that sends a management frame, where the management frame carries information of multiple APs in an APMLD set that are co-located with the reporting AP itself, such as a beacon frame, a probe response frame, and the like.

[0010] The unicast service indication information of this solution can not only indicate whether the Non-AP MLD associated with the first AP MLD has a downlink unicast service, but also help the second AP MLD indicate whether the Non-AP MLD associated with the second AP MLD has a downlink unicast service, and the second AP MLD is the AP MLD to which the non-transmission AP in the multi-BSSID set where the first AP is located belongs. This can solve the problem that some APs or all APs in the AP MLD cannot indicate whether the Non-AP MLD associated with them has a downlink unicast service, so that the Non-AP MLD associated with these APs can normally receive the downlink unicast service.

[0011] In addition, since it is possible that all APs in an AP MLD in 802.11be are non-transmitting APs, this solution can solve the problem that the AP MLD that is all non-transmitting APs cannot send unicast service indications, thereby increasing the integrity and diversity of downlink service indications.

[0012] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method also includes: the first AP of the first AP MLD generates and sends association identifier (association identifier) ​​AID allocation information, and the AID allocation information carries an AID allocated to the Non-AP MLD, and the AID is different from the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with the second AP MLD.

[0013] Optionally, the AID allocation information is carried in an association response frame. It is understandable that the AID allocation information can also be carried in other frames.

[0014] Optionally, before the second AP of the first AP MLD sends an association response frame, the method further includes: the first AP of the first AP MLD receives an association request frame, where the association request frame is used to request to establish a multi-link association with the first AP MLD.

[0015] When allocating AIDs, this solution considers that the first AP MLD helps the second AP MLD to indicate whether the Non-AP MLD associated with the second AP MLD has a downlink unicast service, so that the AID allocated by the first AP MLD to the Non-AP MLD associated with it is different from the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with the second AP MLD, thereby avoiding AID ambiguity when indicating downlink unicast services.

[0016] In the second aspect, the present application provides a unicast service indication method applicable to multiple links, which is applied to Non-AP MLD. The unicast service indication method applicable to multiple links includes: the first STA of the Non-AP MLD receives unicast service indication information on the first link where the first STA works, and determines whether the Non-AP MLD has a downlink unicast service based on the received unicast service indication information. The unicast service indication information is used to indicate whether the Non-AP MLD associated with the first AP MLD has a downlink unicast service, and whether the Non-AP MLD associated with the second AP MLD has a downlink unicast service, and the second AP MLD is the AP MLD to which the non-transmission AP belongs in the multi-BSSID set where the first AP is located.

[0017] Optionally, the reporting AP may refer to an AP that sends a management frame, where the management frame carries information of multiple APs in an APMLD set that are co-located with the reporting AP itself, such as a beacon frame, a probe response frame, and the like.

[0018] In combination with the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method also includes: the first STA of the Non-AP MLD receives AID allocation information, and parses the received AID allocation information to obtain the AID allocated to the Non-AP MLD carried in the AID allocation information, and the AID is different from the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with the second AP MLD.

[0019] Optionally, the AID allocation information is carried in an association response frame. It is understandable that the AID allocation information can also be carried in other frames.

[0020] Optionally, before the first STA of the Non-AP MLD receives the association response frame, the method further includes: the first STA of the Non-AP MLD generates and sends an association request frame, where the association request frame is used to request to establish a multi-link association with the first AP MLD.

[0021] In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be a first AP MLD or a chip in the first APMLD, such as a Wi-Fi chip, or may be a first AP in the first AP MLD, comprising: a processing unit, used to generate unicast service indication information, the unicast service indication information being used to indicate whether the Non-AP MLD associated with the first AP MLD has a downlink unicast service, and whether the Non-AP MLD associated with the second AP MLD has a downlink unicast service, the second APMLD being the AP MLD to which the non-transmission AP belongs in the multi-BSSID set where the first AP is located; a transceiver unit, used to send the unicast service indication information on a first link, the first link being a working link of the first AP.

[0022] Optionally, the reporting AP may refer to an AP that sends a management frame, where the management frame carries information of multiple APs in an APMLD set that are co-located with the reporting AP itself, such as a beacon frame, a probe response frame, and the like.

[0023] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the above-mentioned processing unit is also used to generate AID allocation information, which carries an AID allocated to the Non-AP MLD, and the AID is different from the AID of the Non-APMLD associated with the second AP MLD; the above-mentioned transceiver unit is also used to send the AID allocation information.

[0024] Optionally, the AID allocation information is carried in an association response frame. It is understandable that the AID allocation information can also be carried in other frames.

[0025] Optionally, the transceiver unit is further used to receive an association request frame, where the association request frame is used to request to establish a multi-link association with the first AP MLD.

[0026] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be a chip in a Non-AP MLD or Non-APMLD, such as a Wi-Fi chip, or may be a first STA in a Non-AP MLD, comprising: a transceiver unit, used to receive unicast service indication information on a first link on which the first STA works, the unicast service indication information being used to indicate whether the Non-AP MLD associated with the first AP MLD has a downlink unicast service, and whether the Non-AP MLD associated with the second AP MLD has a downlink unicast service, the second AP MLD being the AP MLD to which the non-transmission AP belongs in the multi-BSSID set where the first AP is located; a processing unit, used to determine whether the Non-AP MLD has a downlink unicast service based on the received unicast service indication information.

[0027] Optionally, the reporting AP may refer to an AP that sends a management frame, where the management frame carries information of multiple APs in an APMLD set that are co-located with the reporting AP itself, such as a beacon frame, a probe response frame, and the like.

[0028] In combination with the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the above-mentioned transceiver unit is also used to receive AID allocation information; the above-mentioned processing unit is also used to parse the received AID allocation information to obtain the AID allocated to the Non-AP MLD carried in the AID allocation information, and the AID is different from the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with the second AP MLD.

[0029] Optionally, the AID allocation information is carried in an association response frame. It is understandable that the AID allocation information can also be carried in other frames.

[0030] Optionally, the processing unit is further used to generate an association request frame; the transceiver unit is further used to send an association request frame, where the association request frame is used to request to establish a multi-link association with the first AP MLD.

[0031] In an implementation of any of the above aspects, one bit of the unicast service indication information corresponds to a Non-AP MLD, and one bit of the unicast service indication information is used to indicate whether the corresponding Non-AP MLD has a downlink unicast service. The Non-AP MLD here includes a Non-AP MLD associated with the first AP MLD and a Non-AP MLD associated with the second AP MLD.

[0032] In an implementation of any of the above aspects, one bit of the unicast service indication information corresponds to an association identifier AID, and one bit of the unicast service indication information is used to indicate whether the Non-AP MLD identified by the corresponding AID has a downlink unicast service. The Non-AP MLD here includes a Non-AP MLD associated with the first AP MLD and a Non-AP MLD associated with the second AP MLD.

[0033] Optionally, the unicast service indication information is carried in a partial virtual bit map field of a traffic indication map TIM element.

[0034] This solution indicates, through some bits in the partial virtual bit map field in the TIM element, whether the Non-AP MLD associated with the MLD where the reporting AP is located has a downlink unicast service and whether the Non-AP MLD associated with each second AP MLD has a downlink unicast service. The frame format of the TIM element may not be changed, so that one AP MLD helps another AP MLD to indicate whether the Non-AP MLD associated with the other AP MLD has a downlink unicast service, thereby improving the flexibility of downlink unicast service notification.

[0035] In an implementation manner of any of the above aspects, the association identifiers AIDs corresponding to the bits in the unicast service indication information are different, so as to avoid AID ambiguity when indicating whether the Non-AP MLD has a downlink unicast service.

[0036] In an implementation method of any of the above aspects, the unicast service indication information includes a TIM block corresponding to the first AP MLD and a TIM block corresponding to the second AP MLD, the TIM block corresponding to the first AP MLD is used to indicate whether the Non-AP MLD associated with the first AP MLD has a downlink unicast service, and a TIM block corresponding to the second AP MLD is used to indicate whether the Non-AP MLD associated with the second AP MLD has a downlink unicast service.

[0037] Optionally, the unicast service indication information further includes an index of a second AP MLD, and the index of the second AP MLD corresponds one-to-one to a TIM block corresponding to the second AP MLD.

[0038] Optionally, one bit of the above TIM block corresponds to one Non-AP MLD, and the one bit of the TIM block is used to indicate whether the corresponding Non-AP MLD has a downlink unicast service.

[0039] Optionally, the association identifiers AIDs corresponding to the bits in the above TIM block are different.

[0040] Optionally, the AID space used by the first AP MLD to allocate AIDs to the Non-AP MLD associated with it and the AID space used by the second AP MLD to allocate AIDs to the Non-AP MLD associated with it are independent of each other. The AID space here may also refer to an AID set to be allocated.

[0041] This solution performs TIM indication in blocks for different AP MLDs, which can avoid ambiguity in AIDs of Non-AP MLDs associated with different AP MLDs.

[0042] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a method for allocating an association identifier AID of a multi-link device, which is applied to any AP of an AP MLD. The method for allocating an AID of a multi-link device includes: i Generate and send AID allocation information, which carries the AID allocated for the Non-AP MLD. The AID is different from the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with the target AP MLD. The target AP MLD is associated with the AP i Any AP MLD in the co-located AP MLD set, or the target APMLD is the AP i Any AP MLD in the circle of the co-located AP MLD set. i It is any AP in the AP MLD.

[0043] Optionally, the AID allocation information is carried in an association response frame. It is understandable that the AID allocation information can also be carried in other frames.

[0044] Optional, if the target AP MLD is the same as the AP i Any AP MLD in the AP MLD set of the same location, then the AP MLD and the target AP MLD belong to the AP MLD of the same location. i The MLD set of APs with the same location. i Any AP MLD in the set circle of the AP MLD set with the same location, then this AP MLD and the target APMLD belong to the AP MLD with the same location. i The MLD set of the co-located APs is in the collection circle, which includes the AP i The set of co-located APMLDs and the AP i The MLD set of co-located APs is excluding AP i The MLD set of APs that are co-located with any AP other than the AP.

[0045] Optionally, before the AP of the AP MLD sends the association response frame, the method further includes: i An association request frame is received, where the association request frame is used to request to establish a multi-link association with the AP MLD.

[0046] This solution considers AP i The AID of the associated Non-AP MLD and the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with the target AP MLD should be unique, that is, different from each other, so as to avoid AID ambiguity when indicating whether the Non-AP MLD has a downlink unicast service.

[0047] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides an AID allocation method for a multi-link device, which is applied to any STA of a Non-AP MLD. The AID allocation method for a multi-link device includes: the STA of the Non-AP MLD receives AID allocation information, and parses the AID allocation information to obtain an AID allocated to the Non-AP MLD carried in the AID allocation information, wherein the AID is different from the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with the target AP MLD, and the target AP MLD is associated with the AP MLD. i Any AP MLD in the co-located AP MLD set, or the target AP MLD is the AP i Any APMLD in the circle of the co-located AP MLD set. i Any AP in the AP MLD.

[0048] Optionally, the AID allocation information is carried in an association response frame. It is understandable that the AID allocation information can also be carried in other frames.

[0049] Optional, if the target AP MLD is the same as the AP i Any AP MLD in the AP MLD set of the same location, then the AP MLD and the target AP MLD belong to the AP MLD of the same location. i The MLD set of APs with the same location. i Any AP MLD in the set circle of the AP MLD set with the same location, then this AP MLD and the target APMLD belong to the AP MLD with the same location. i The MLD set of the co-located APs is in the collection circle, which includes the AP i The set of co-located APMLDs and the AP i The MLD set of co-located APs is excluding AP i The MLD set of APs that are co-located with any AP other than the AP.

[0050] Optionally, before the Non-AP MLD STA receives the association response frame, the method further includes: the Non-AP MLD STA generates and sends an association request frame, where the association request frame is used to request to establish a multi-link association with the AP MLD.

[0051] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be an AP MLD or a chip in an AP MLD, such as a Wi-Fi chip, comprising: a processing unit, configured to generate AID allocation information, wherein the AID allocation information carries an AID allocated for a Non-AP MLD, wherein the AID is different from the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with the target AP MLD, and the target AP MLD is associated with the AP MLD. i Any AP MLD in the co-located AP MLD set, or the target AP MLD is the AP i Any AP MLD in the set circle where the co-located AP MLD set is located; a transceiver unit, configured to send the association response frame. i It is any AP in the AP MLD.

[0052] Optionally, the AID allocation information is carried in an association response frame. It is understandable that the AID allocation information can also be carried in other frames.

[0053] Optional, if the target AP MLD is the same as the AP i Any AP MLD in the AP MLD set of the same location, then the AP MLD and the target AP MLD belong to the AP MLD of the same location. i The MLD set of APs with the same location. i Any AP MLD in the set circle of the AP MLD set with the same location, then this AP MLD and the target APMLD belong to the AP MLD with the same location. i The MLD set of the co-located APs is in the collection circle, which includes the AP i The set of co-located APMLDs and the AP i The MLD set of co-located APs is excluding AP i The MLD set of APs that are co-located with any AP other than the AP.

[0054] Optionally, the above-mentioned transceiver unit is also used to receive an association request frame, where the association request frame is used to request to establish a multi-link association with the APMLD.

[0055] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be a chip in a Non-AP MLD or Non-APMLD, such as a Wi-Fi chip, comprising: a transceiver unit, configured to receive AID allocation information from an AP of an AP MLD; a processing unit, configured to parse the received AID allocation information, and obtain an AID allocated to the Non-APMLD carried in the AID allocation information, wherein the AID is different from the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with the target AP MLD, and the target AP MLD is associated with the AP MLD. i Any AP MLD in the co-located AP MLD set, or the target AP MLD is the AP i Any AP MLD in the circle of the co-located AP MLD set. i Any AP in the AP MLD.

[0056] Optionally, the AID allocation information is carried in an association response frame. It is understandable that the AID allocation information can also be carried in other frames.

[0057] Optional, if the target AP MLD is the same as the AP i Any AP MLD in the AP MLD set of the same location, then the AP MLD and the target AP MLD belong to the AP MLD of the same location. i The MLD set of APs with the same location. i Any AP MLD in the set circle of the AP MLD set with the same location, then this AP MLD and the target APMLD belong to the AP MLD with the same location. i The MLD set of the co-located APs is in the collection circle, which includes the AP i The set of co-located APMLDs and the AP i The MLD set of co-located APs is excluding AP i The MLD set of APs that are co-located with any AP other than the AP.

[0058] Optionally, the processing unit is further used to generate an association request frame; the transceiver unit is further used to send the association request frame, where the association request frame is used to request to establish a multi-link association with the AP MLD.

[0059] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, specifically a first AP MLD or a first AP in the first AP MLD, including a processor and a transceiver, wherein the processor is configured to support the first AP MLD to perform the corresponding functions in the method of the first aspect. The transceiver is used to support communication between the first AP MLD and a non-access point multi-link device (also referred to as a site multi-link device), and to send information, frames, data packets or instructions involved in the above method to the site multi-link device. The first AP MLD may also include a memory, which is used to couple with the processor, and stores necessary program instructions and data for the first AP MLD.

[0060] Specifically, the processor is used to generate unicast service indication information, and the unicast service indication information is used to indicate whether the Non-AP MLD associated with the first AP MLD has a downlink unicast service, and whether the Non-AP MLD associated with the second AP MLD has a downlink unicast service, and the second AP MLD is the AP MLD to which the non-transmission AP in the multi-BSSID set where the first AP is located belongs; the transceiver is used to send the unicast service indication information on a first link, and the first link is a working link of the first AP.

[0061] In a tenth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, specifically a non-access point multi-link device (also called a site multi-link device) or a first STA in a Non-AP MLD, including a processor and a transceiver, wherein the processor is configured to support the site multi-link device to perform the corresponding functions in the method of the second aspect above. The transceiver is used to support communication between the site multi-link device and the first AP MLD, and receive information, frames, data packets or instructions involved in the above method from the first AP MLD. The site multi-link device may also include a memory, which is used to couple with the processor, and stores necessary program instructions and data for the site multi-link device.

[0062] Specifically, the transceiver is used to receive unicast service indication information on the first link on which the first STA works, and the unicast service indication information is used to indicate whether the Non-AP MLD associated with the first AP MLD has a downlink unicast service, and whether the Non-AP MLD associated with the second AP MLD has a downlink unicast service, and the second AP MLD is the AP MLD to which the non-transmission AP belongs in the multi-BSSID set where the first AP is located; the processor is used to determine whether the Non-AP MLD has a downlink unicast service based on the received unicast service indication information.

[0063] In an eleventh aspect, the present application provides a communication device, specifically an AP MLD or an AP of an AP MLD. i, including a processor and a transceiver, the processor is configured to support the AP MLD to perform the corresponding functions in the method of the fifth aspect. The transceiver is used to support the communication between the AP MLD and the non-access point multi-link device (also called the site multi-link device), and send the information, frames, data packets or instructions involved in the above method to the site multi-link device. The AP MLD may also include a memory, which is used to be coupled with the processor and stores the necessary program instructions and data of the AP MLD.

[0064] Specifically, the processor is used to generate AID allocation information, the AID allocation information carries an AID allocated for the Non-AP MLD, the AID is different from the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with the target AP MLD, and the target AP MLD is associated with the AP i Any AP MLD in the co-located AP MLD set, or the target AP MLD is the AP i Any AP MLD in the set circle where the co-located AP MLD set is located; the transceiver is used to send the AID allocation information. The above AID allocation information is carried in the association response frame. It is understandable that the above AID allocation information can also be carried in other frames. AP i Any AP in the AP MLD.

[0065] Optionally, the transceiver is further used to receive an association request frame, where the association request frame is used to request to establish a multi-link association with the AP MLD.

[0066] In a twelfth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, specifically a non-access point multi-link device (also referred to as a site multi-link device), including a processor and a transceiver, wherein the processor is configured to support the site multi-link device to perform the corresponding functions in the method of the sixth aspect. The transceiver is used to support communication between the site multi-link device and the AP MLD, and receive information, frames, data packets or instructions involved in the above method from the APMLD. The site multi-link device may also include a memory, which is used to couple with the processor, and stores necessary program instructions and data for the site multi-link device.

[0067] Specifically, the transceiver is used to receive AID allocation information; the processor is used to parse the received AID allocation information to obtain the AID allocated to the Non-AP MLD carried in the AID allocation information, the AID is different from the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with the target AP MLD, and the target AP MLD is associated with the AP i Any APMLD in the co-located AP MLD set, or the target AP MLD is iAny AP MLD in the set circle where the co-located AP MLD set is located. The AID allocation information is carried in the association response frame. It is understandable that the AID allocation information can also be carried in other frames. i Any AP in the AP MLD.

[0068] Optionally, the processor is further used to generate an association request frame; the transceiver is further used to send the association request frame, where the association request frame is used to request to establish a multi-link association with the AP MLD.

[0069] In a thirteenth aspect, the present application provides a chip or a chip system, including an input-output interface and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is used to generate unicast service indication information, the unicast service indication information is used to indicate whether the Non-AP MLD associated with the first AP MLD has a downlink unicast service, and whether the Non-AP MLD associated with the second AP MLD has a downlink unicast service, the second AP MLD is the AP MLD to which the non-transmission AP belongs in the multi-BSSID set where the first AP is located; the input-output interface is used to send the unicast service indication information on a first link, the first link is a working link of the first AP.

[0070] In one possible design, the input-output interface is used to receive unicast service indication information on the first link, and the unicast service indication information is used to indicate whether the Non-AP MLD associated with the first AP MLD has a downlink unicast service, and whether the Non-AP MLD associated with the second AP MLD has a downlink unicast service. The second AP MLD is the AP MLD to which the non-transmission AP belongs in the multi-BSSID set where the first AP is located; the processing circuit is used to determine whether the Non-AP MLD has a downlink unicast service based on the received unicast service indication information.

[0071] In a fourteenth aspect, the present application provides a chip or a chip system, including an input / output interface and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is used to generate AID allocation information, the AID allocation information carries an AID allocated for a Non-AP MLD, the AID is different from the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with a target AP MLD, the target AP MLD is any AP MLD in an AP MLD set co-located with the reporting AP, or the target AP MLD is i Any AP MLD in the set circle where the co-located AP MLD set belongs; the input and output interface is used to send the association response frame.

[0072] In a possible design, the input-output interface is used to receive AID allocation information; the processing circuit is used to parse the received AID allocation information to obtain an AID allocated for the Non-AP MLD carried in the AID allocation information, the AID is different from the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with the target AP MLD, the target AP MLD is any AP MLD in the AP MLD set co-located with the reporting AP, or the target AP MLD is i Any AP MLD in the circle of the co-located AP MLD set.

[0073] In a fifteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores instructions. When the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer executes the unicast service indication method applicable to multiple links described in the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0074] In a sixteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which instructions are stored. When the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer executes the method for allocating an association identifier AID of a multi-link device described in the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect.

[0075] In a seventeenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the unicast service indication method applicable to multiple links as described in the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0076] In an eighteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method for allocating an association identifier AID of a multi-link device as described in the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect.

[0077] By implementing the embodiments of the present application, some APs or all APs in a partial AP MLD can be helped to indicate whether a site multi-link device associated therewith has a downlink unicast service, so as to assist the site multi-link device to correctly receive the downlink unicast service. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0078] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings required for describing the embodiments are briefly introduced below.

[0079] Figure 1 It is a structural diagram of an AP MLD and a Non-AP MLD provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0080] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a frame format of a TIM element provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0081] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of a frame format of multiple BSSID elements provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0082] Figure 4a is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system 100 provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0083] Figure 4b is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system 200 provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0084] Figure 4c is a structural diagram of a communication system 300 provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0085] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the architecture of multiple Multiple BSSID sets provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0086] Figure 6 is a schematic flow chart of a unicast service indication method applicable to multi-links provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0087] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of a partial virtual bitmap field provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0088] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of a partial frame format of a new element provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0089] Fig. 9 is a schematic flow chart of the AID allocation method of Non-AP MLD provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0090] Fig.10a is a schematic diagram of an AP MLD set co-located with an AP provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0091] Fig.10b is another schematic diagram of an AP MLD set co-located with an AP provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0092] Fig.10c is another schematic diagram of an AP MLD set co-located with an AP provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0093] Fig.11 This is a schematic diagram of a frame format of an AID element provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0094] Fig.12 is another schematic flow chart of a unicast service indication method applicable to multi-links provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0095] Fig.13is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 1 provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0096] Fig.14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 2 provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0097] Fig.15 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 3 provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0098] Fig.16 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 4 provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0099] Fig.17 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device 1000 provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0100] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0101] In order to better understand the unicast service indication method and related devices applicable to multi-links disclosed in the embodiments of the present application, the relevant concepts of the embodiments of the present application are first described.

[0102] 1. Multi-link devices

[0103] The wireless communication system to which the embodiments of the present application are applicable may be a wireless local area network (WLAN) or a cellular network, and the unicast service indication method may be implemented by a communication device in the wireless communication system or a chip or processor in the communication device, and the communication device may be a wireless communication device that supports multiple links for transmission in parallel, for example, a multi-link device (MLD) or a multi-band device. Compared with a device that only supports single-link transmission, a multi-link device has higher transmission efficiency and higher throughput.

[0104] A multi-link device includes one or more affiliated stations (affiliated STA), and an affiliated station is a logical station that can work on a link. Among them, the affiliated station can be an access point (AP) or a non-access point station (Non-AP STA). For the convenience of description, the multi-link device whose affiliated station is AP may be referred to as a multi-link AP or a multi-link AP device or an AP multi-link device (AP multi-link device, AP MLD) in this application, and a multi-link device whose affiliated station is a Non-AP STA may be referred to as a multi-link Non-AP or a multi-link Non-AP device or a Non-AP multi-link device (Non-AP multi-link device, Non-AP MLD). For the convenience of description, "a multi-link device includes affiliated stations" is also briefly described as "a multi-link device includes stations" in the embodiments of the present application.

[0105] A multi-link device includes one or more affiliated STAs. In other words, a multi-link device may include multiple logical STAs. Each logical STA works on a link, but multiple logical STAs are allowed to work on the same link.

[0106] A multi-link device may implement wireless communication in accordance with the 802.11 series of protocols, for example, in accordance with an extremely high throughput (EHT) station, or in accordance with a station based on or compatible with 802.11be, to implement communication with other devices, of course, the other devices may or may not be multi-link devices.

[0107] 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. In the embodiment of the present application, the 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; it may also 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.

[0108] 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 Non-AP MLD in the embodiment of the present application has a wireless transceiver function, can support the 802.11 series protocol, and can communicate with the AP MLD or other Non-AP MLD or single-link devices. For example, the STA MLD is any user communication device that allows the user to communicate with the AP and then communicate with the WLAN. For example, the Non-AP MLD can be a tablet computer, desktop, laptop, notebook computer, ultra-mobile personal computer (Ultra-mobile Personal Computer, UMPC), handheld computer, netbook, personal digital assistant (Personal Digital Assistant, PDA), mobile phone and other user devices that can be connected to the Internet, or an Internet of Things node in the Internet of Things, or a vehicle-mounted communication device in the Internet of Vehicles, etc. The Non-AP MLD can also be a chip and processing system in the above-mentioned terminals.

[0109] The AP MLD in the embodiment of the present application is a device that provides services for the Non-AP MLD and can support the 802.11 series of protocols. For example, the AP MLD can be a communication entity such as a communication server, a router, a switch, a bridge, or the AP MLD can include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, etc. Of course, the AP MLD can also be a chip and processing system in these various forms of equipment, so as to realize the method and function of the embodiment of the present application. In addition, multi-link devices can support high-speed and low-latency transmission. With the continuous evolution of wireless LAN application scenarios, multi-link devices can also be applied to more scenarios, such as sensor nodes in smart cities (for example, smart water meters, smart electricity meters, smart air detection nodes), smart devices in smart homes (such as smart cameras, projectors, display screens, televisions, speakers, refrigerators, washing machines, etc.), nodes in the Internet of Things, entertainment terminals (such as wearable devices such as AR and VR), smart devices in smart offices (such as printers, projectors, etc.), Internet of Vehicles devices in the Internet of Vehicles, and some infrastructure in daily life scenarios (such as vending machines, self-service navigation desks in supermarkets, self-service cash registers, self-service ordering machines, etc.). In the embodiments of the present application, there is no special restriction on the specific forms of Non-AP MLD and APMLD, which are only exemplary descriptions. Among them, the 802.11 protocol can be a protocol that supports 802.11be or is compatible with 802.11be.

[0110] 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.

[0111] 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, the multi-link device in the embodiment of the present application 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 1 , Figure 1 It is a structural diagram of an AP MLD and a Non-AP MLD provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 1 The schematic diagram shows a structure in which an AP MLD has multiple antennas and a Non-AP MLD has a single antenna. The 802.11 standard focuses on the physical layer (Physical layer, PHY) and media access control (Media Access Control, MAC) layer parts in the AP MLD and the Non-AP MLD.

[0112] 2. Link identification

[0113] A link identifier represents a station working on a link. That is, if there are more than one station on a link, more than one link identifier represents them. The link mentioned below sometimes also refers to the station working on the link.

[0114] AP MLD and Non-AP MLD can use link identifiers to identify a link or a station on a link during data transmission. Before communication, AP MLD and Non-AP MLD can first negotiate or communicate the corresponding relationship between the link identifier and a link or a station 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 station on the link, and only the link identifier is required, which reduces the signaling overhead and improves the transmission efficiency.

[0115] In one example, a management frame, such as a beacon frame, sent by AP MLD when establishing a basic service set (BSS) carries an element including multiple link identification information fields. The link identification information field may indicate a corresponding relationship between a link identification and a station working on a link corresponding to the link identification. The link identification information field includes not only a link identification, but also one or more of the following information: a media access control (MAC) address, an operation set, and a channel number. Among them, one or more of the MAC address, the operation set, and the channel number may indicate a link. For an AP, the MAC address of an AP is also the BSSID (basic service set identifier) ​​of the AP. In another example, during the multi-link device association process, AP MLD and Non-AP MLD negotiate multiple link identification information fields. Among them, multi-link device association refers to an AP of AP MLD being associated with a STA of Non-AP MLD, and the association may help multiple STAs of Non-AP MLD to be associated with multiple APs of AP MLD respectively, wherein one STA is associated with one AP.

[0116] In subsequent communications, AP MLD or Non-AP MLD will use the link identifier to represent a site in Non-AP MLD. The link identifier can also represent one or more attributes of the site's MAC address, working operation set, and channel number. Among them, the MAC address can be replaced with the association identifier of the AP MLD after association. Optionally, if multiple sites work on a link, the link identifier (a digital ID) represents the meaning of the site identifier working on the link, such as the site's MAC address or the site's association identifier (association identifier, AID), in addition to the link's operation set and channel number.

[0117] 3. Business indication bitmap element

[0118] Both the traffic indication map (TIM) beacon frame and the delivery traffic indication map (DTIM) beacon frame carry the traffic indication map (TIM) element. Figure 2 , Figure 2 : is a schematic diagram of a frame format of a TIM element provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 2 As shown, the frame format of the TIM element field includes:

[0119] Element identifier (ID) field: used to identify Figure 2 The element shown is a TIM element.

[0120] Length field: used to indicate the length of the TIM element. The total length after counting this field is the total length of the DTIM count field, the DTIM period field, the bitmap control field, and part of the virtual bitmap field. The unit is bytes.

[0121] DTIM count field: used to indicate how many TIM beacon frames will appear before the next DTIM beacon frame arrives from the current beacon frame carrying the TIM element. That is, the DTIM count field is a count value, and the count value is variable. When the value of the DTIM count field is 0, it indicates that the current beacon frame is a DTIM beacon frame; when the value of the DTIM technology field is not 0 or non-0, it indicates that the current beacon frame is a TIM beacon frame.

[0122] DTIM period field: used to indicate the period duration of the DTIM beacon frame, i.e., the arrival interval, which is in units of the TIM beacon frame period. For example, if the DTIM period is set to 1, then the DTIM count in each TIM element field is equal to 0, i.e., each beacon frame is a DTIM beacon frame.

[0123] Bitmap control field: Figure 2 As shown, bit 0 in the Bitmap control field is used to indicate whether the access point AP sends a multicast data service after sending a DTIM beacon frame, or, in other words, if bit 0 in the Bitmap control field in the DTIM beacon frame indicates whether the AP caches the multicast service, and the multicast service is not sent out through the multicast AID; bits 1 to 7 in the Bitmap control field are used to indicate an offset of a partial virtual bitmap, and the offset is in bytes (i.e., 8 bits).

[0124] Partial virtual bitmap: Each bit in the partial virtual bitmap field corresponds to an association identifier (AID), which is used to indicate whether the site corresponding to the AID has unicast service. Or each bit in the partial virtual bitmap field corresponds to a multicast AID, which is used to indicate whether a group of sites corresponding to the multicast AID has downlink service. The partial virtual bitmap field is part of the bits of the traffic indication virtual bitmap field, where the traffic indication virtual bitmap field is 251 bytes, which is used to indicate whether the sites corresponding to AID 0 to AID 2007 have downlink service.

[0125] Among them, the element ID field, length field, DTIM count field, DTIM period field and bitmap control field each occupy 1 byte.

[0126] 4. Multiple BSSID set

[0127] The Multiple Basic Service Set Identifiers (Multiple BSSID set, also called Multiple BSSID set) can be understood as a set of some cooperating APs. All cooperating APs use the same operation set, channel number, and antenna interface. In this Multiple BSSID set, there is only one AP with a Transmitted BSSID, and the other APs are all APs with a Non-transmitted BSSID. 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 Transmitted BSSID AP. The BSSID information of the Non-transmitted BSSID AP is derived by the site through the above-mentioned beacon frame or probe response frame, or the Multiple BSSID element in the neighbor report. The BSSID of the non-transmitted BSSID AP is calculated by the BSSID of the AP that transmits the BSSID and the BSSID Index field in the Multiple BSSID-Index element in its non-transmitted BSSID profile. For specific methods, please refer to the Draft 802.11REVmd_D3.0 protocol.

[0128] The multi-BSSID set can also be understood as being composed of multiple APs. Each AP manages a BSS, and different APs may have different SSIDs and permissions, such as security mechanisms or transmission opportunities.

[0129] Among them, in the multiple BSSID set, only the AP with the BSSID of Transmitted BSSID can send beacon frames (beacon) and probe response frames (Probe Response), while the AP with Non-transmitted BSSID does not send beacon frames. Therefore, if the probe request frame (Probe Request) sent by the STA is to an AP with the BSSID of Non-transmitted BSSID in the Multiple BSSID set, the AP with the BSSID of Transmitted BSSID in the Multiple BSSID set will help respond by sending a probe response frame.

[0130] Among the multiple APs in the multi-BSSID set, the BSSID of one AP is configured as a transmitted BSSID, and the AP with the transmitted BSSID can be called a transmitted AP; the BSSIDs of the other APs are configured as non-transmitted BSSIDs, and the AP with the non-transmitted BSSID can be called a non-transmitted AP.

[0131] The beacon frame sent by the transmitting AP may include multiple BSSID elements. The frame format of the multiple BSSID elements is as follows: Figure 3 As shown, Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the frame format of a multi-BSSID element provided in an embodiment of the present application. The multi-BSSID element includes an element ID field, a length field, a maximum BSSID indication field, and an optional sub-element field. Among them, the maximum BSSID indication field is used to indicate the maximum number N of BSSIDs contained in the multi-BSSID set, and the optional sub-element field includes the BSSID information of the AP of the Non-transmittedBSSID.

[0132] The maximum number of APs allowed in a multi-BSSID set is 2 n , n is Figure 3 The value indicated by the MaxBSSIDIndicator field in the multi-BSSID element shown, N = 2 n Therefore, bit 1 to bit 2 of the service indication virtual bit map field can be n -1 is assigned to the APs of the non-transmission BSSIDs in the multi-BSSID set to indicate that the NonTxBSSID (identifier) ​​is 1 to 2 respectively. n-1 whether the AP of the non-transmitting BSSID has multicast service. The value of NonTxBSSID is equal to the value of the BSSID Index field in the Multiple BSSID-Index element in the Non-transmitted BSSID profile in the Multiple BSSID element. The Non-transmitted BSSID profile is in the optional sub-element field.

[0133] Although the embodiments of the present application are mainly described by taking the network deploying IEEE 802.11 as an example, it is easy for those skilled in the art to understand that the various aspects involved in the present application can be extended to other networks adopting various standards or protocols, for example, BLUETOOTH (Bluetooth), high performance wireless LAN (HIPERLAN) (a wireless standard similar to the IEEE802.11 standard, mainly used in Europe) and wide area network (WAN), wireless local area network (WLAN), personal area network (PAN) or other networks known now or developed later. Therefore, regardless of the coverage range and wireless access protocol used, the various aspects provided in the present application can be applied to any suitable wireless network.

[0134] See also Figure 4a , Figure 4a It is a structural diagram of a communication system 100 provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 4a Taking a wireless local area network as an example, a communication system 100 applied in an embodiment of the present application is introduced. The communication system 100 includes: a site 101 and a site 102. Among them, the site 101 can use multiple links to communicate with the site 102, so as to achieve the effect of improving throughput. The site 101 can be a multi-link device, and the site 102 can be a single-link device or a multi-link device. In one scenario, the site 101 is an AP MLD, and the site 102 is a Non-AP MLD or a site (such as a single-link site). In another scenario, the site 101 is a Non-AP MLD, and the site 102 is an AP (such as a single-link AP) or an AP MLD. In another scenario, the site 101 is an AP MLD, and the site 102 is an AP MLD or an AP; in another scenario, the site 101 is a Non-AP MLD, and the site 102 is a Non-AP MLD or a STA (such as a single-link site). Of course, the wireless local area network may also include other devices. Figure 4a The number and types of devices shown are exemplary only.

[0135] See also Figure 4b , Figure 4b 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system 200 provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 4c , Figure 4c It is a structural diagram of a communication system 300 provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 4b , Figure 4c The schematic diagrams of the structures of the communication system 200 and the communication system 300 are shown respectively. The communication system 200 and the communication system 300 are exemplified by a multi-link device in a wireless local area network communicating with other devices through multiple links.

[0136] Specifically, Figure 4b A scenario of communication between an AP MLD and a Non-AP MLD is shown. The AP MLD includes subordinate AP1 and AP2, and the Non-AP MLD includes subordinate STA1 and STA2. The AP MLD and the Non-AP MLD communicate using a link 1 and a link 2 in parallel.

[0137] Figure 4cThe diagram shows a scenario in which AP MLD601 communicates with Non-AP MLD602, Non-AP MLD603, and STA604. AP MLD601 includes subordinate AP601-1 to AP601-3; Non-AP MLD602 includes three subordinate STA602-1, STA602-2, and STA602-3; Non-AP MLD603 includes two subordinate STA603-1 and STA603-2; STA604-1 and STA604 are single-link devices. AP MLD601 can communicate with Non-AP MLD602 using link 1, link 2, and link 3 respectively; communicate with Non-AP MLD603 using link 2 and link 3; and communicate with STA604 using link 1. In one example, STA604 works in the 2.4 GHz band; in Non-AP MLD603, STA603-1 works in the 5 GHz band, and STA603-2 works in the 6 GHz band; in Non-AP MLD602, STA602-1 works in the 2.4 GHz band, STA602-2 works in the 5 GHz band, and STA602-3 works in the 6 GHz band. AP601-1 in AP MLD601 working in the 2.4 GHz band can transmit uplink or downlink data with STA604 and STA602-1 in Non-AP MLD602 through link 1. AP601-2 in AP MLD601 working in the 5 GHz frequency band can transmit uplink or downlink data with STA603-1 in Non-AP MLD 603 working in the 5 GHz frequency band through link 2, and can also transmit uplink or downlink data with STA602-2 in Non-AP MLD602 working in the 5 GHz frequency band through link 2. AP601-3 in AP MLD601 working in the 6 GHz frequency band can transmit uplink or downlink data with STA602-3 in Non-AP MLD602 working in the 6 GHz frequency band through link 3, and can also transmit uplink or downlink data with STA603-2 in Non-AP MLD through link 3.

[0138] Understandable, Figure 4b Only two frequency bands are supported by AP MLD. Figure 4cOnly take the example that AP MLD601 supports three frequency bands (2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz), each frequency band corresponds to a link, and AP MLD601 can work on one or more links of link 1, link 2 or link 3. On the AP side or STA side, the link here can also be understood as a station working on the link. In practical applications, AP MLD and Non-AP MLD can also support more or fewer frequency bands, that is, AP MLD and Non-AP MLD can work on more links or fewer links, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0139] See also Figure 5 , Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the architecture of multiple Multiple BSSID sets provided in the embodiment of the present application. In other words, Figure 5 The AP MLDs shown are a collocated AP MLD set.

[0140] Among them, BSSID-1x, BSSID-1y, BSSID-2x, BSSID-2y, BSSID-2z, BSSID-4x, BSSID-4y, BSSID-4z, BSSID-3 and BSSID-5 are MAC address identifiers, which are used to identify the corresponding APs. It is assumed that the AP whose MAC address identifier ends with x is a Transmitted BSSID AP, the AP whose MAC address identifier ends with y or z is a Non-Transmitted BSSID AP, and the AP whose MAC address identifier ends with numbers alone is a common AP, which refers to an AP that does not belong to a multi-BSSID set. For example, the Transmitted BSSID AP in Multiple BSSID set 1 is AP1x with a MAC address identifier of BSSID_1x, and the Non-Transmitted BSSID AP in Multiple BSSID set 1 is AP1y with a MAC address identifier of BSSID_1y; the Transmitted BSSID AP in Multiple BSSID set 2 is AP2x with a MAC address identifier of BSSID_2x, and the Non-Transmitted BSSID APs in Multiple BSSID set 2 include AP2y with an address identifier of BSSID_2y and AP2z with a MAC address identifier of BSSID_2z.

[0141] The AP MLD set co-located with the reporting AP includes the following APs, where the reporting AP refers to the AP that sends a management frame, and the management frame carries the information of the following multiple APs, such as a beacon frame and a probe response frame. The reporting AP includes the transmission AP and the ordinary AP in the BSSID set. The AP MLD set co-located with the reporting AP includes the following APs:

[0142] (1) All APs that belong to the same AP MLD as the reporting AP, or all APs in the AP MLD where the reporting AP is located.

[0143] (2) All APs in the AP MLD where non-transmitting APs in the same multi-BSSID set as the reporting AP (or transmitting AP) are located; or, all APs in the AP MLD where non-transmitting APs in the multi-BSSID set where the reporting AP (or transmitting AP) is located are located.

[0144] (3) All APs in the AP MLD that meet the following two conditions, where the two conditions are: 1) at least one AP in the AP MLD is in the same multi-BSSID set as an AP in the AP MLD where the reporting AP is located; 2) no AP in the AP MLD works on the same link as the reporting AP.

[0145] Optionally, in one implementation, an AP MLD includes only one AP.

[0146] Optionally, the reporting AP can be a common AP in AP MLD (with Figure 5 For example, AP3 with a MAC address identifier of BSSID_3 and AP5 with a MAC address identifier of BSSID_5 or a transmission AP in a multi-BSSID set can send the unicast service indication information described in this application.

[0147] For example, Figure 5 Taking AP1x in the example as the reporting AP, the AP MLD set co-located with AP1x includes the following APs:

[0148] (1) All APs in the same AP MLD1 as AP1x, namely AP1x, AP2y, and AP3;

[0149] (2) All APs in AP MLD3 where the non-transmitting AP (i.e., AP1y) in the same multi-BSSID set 1 as AP1x are located are: AP1y, AP2z, and AP4y;

[0150] (3) Figure 5The AP MLD that satisfies the above conditions 1) and 2) is AP MLD2, that is, it includes AP2x and AP4x. AP2x in the APMLD2 and AP2y in the AP MLD1 are in the same multi-BSSID set 2, and no AP in the AP MLD2 is in the same link with AP1x.

[0151] Because in a multi-BSSID set, only APs with Transmitted BSSID can send beacon frames and probe response frames, while APs with Non-transmitted BSSID do not send beacon frames. Therefore, if all APs in a certain AP MLD are Non-transmitted APs (with Figure 5 For example, such as AP MLD3), and because the TIM element is carried in the beacon frame, the AP MLD cannot indicate whether the Non-AP MLD associated with this AP MLD has downlink unicast services. Figure 5 In the APMLD1, AP2y working on link 2 is a non-transmission AP, and the Non-AP MLD working on the link 2 cannot obtain the downlink unicast service notification sent to it by its associated AP MLD1.

[0152] Therefore, the embodiment of the present application provides a unicast service indication method applicable to multiple links, which carries the downlink unicast service indication of the AP MLD to which the non-transmission AP belongs in the signaling sent by the reporting AP, and can help the APMLD to which the non-transmission AP belongs to indicate whether the Non-AP MLD associated with it has downlink unicast service. The technical solution provided by the present application will be described in detail below in conjunction with more drawings.

[0153] One AP or multiple APs in the AP MLD need to send buffer unit (BU) indication information to the Non-AP MLD associated with it. One bit in the BU indication information corresponds to the AID of a Non-AP MLD. If a certain bit in the BU indication information is set to "1", it means that the AP MLD has a downlink unicast service for the Non-AP MLD identified by the AID corresponding to the bit; otherwise, if a certain bit in the BU indication information is set to "0", it means that the AP MLD has no downlink unicast service for the Non-AP MLD identified by the AID corresponding to the bit.

[0154] Multi-link association establishment:

[0155] During the multi-link association establishment process, a site in the site MLD and an AP in the AP MLD interact through association request / association response frames to establish a multi-link association, that is, multiple sites in the site MLD establish associations with multiple APs in the AP MLD one by one. In the association response frame sent by the AP in the AP MLD, each site MLD is assigned an AID, that is, multiple sites in the site MLD have the same AID. Both the AP MLD and the site MLD contain a unique MLD MAC address, which is used to index the data source and destination of the MAC upper layer, such as IP. That is to say, the data packets sent by each AP in the AP MLD to the same site MLD are shared.

[0156] Embodiment 1

[0157] See also Figure 6 , Figure 6 It is a schematic flow chart of a unicast service indication method applicable to multiple links provided in an embodiment of the present application. The unicast service indication method applicable to multiple links is described by taking its implementation in a communication system composed of an AP MLD and a Non-AP MLD as an example. Among them, the AP MLD includes one or more APs, and the first AP is any reporting AP in the AP MLD. Optionally, the reporting AP is not a non-transmitting AP in a multi-BSSID set. The Non-AP MLD includes one or more STAs, and the first STA is any STA in the Non-AP MLD. As described above, the AP MLD can establish a multi-link association with the Non-AP MLD, and the first AP and the first STA both work on the first link. As Figure 6 As shown, the unicast service indication method applicable to multiple links includes but is not limited to the following steps:

[0158] S101, the first AP of the first AP MLD generates unicast service indication information, and the unicast service indication information is used to indicate whether the Non-AP MLD associated with the first APMLD has a downlink unicast service, and whether the Non-APMLD associated with the second AP MLD has a downlink unicast service. The second AP MLD is the APMLD to which the non-transmission AP in the multi-BSSID set where the first AP is located belongs.

[0159] The unicast service indication information may be referred to as a unicast service indication field, or a unicast service indication, or a buffer unit (BU) indication, which is not limited in the present embodiment. The unicast service indication information may be carried in a TIM element, for example, Figure 2 In the TIM element field shown, the unicast service indication information is carried in a partial virtual bit map field.

[0160] Specifically, the first AP mentioned above is a reporting AP in a multi-BSSID set, and the first AP belongs to a first AP MLD. Therefore, the first AP of the first AP MLD can generate unicast service indication information, and this unicast service indication information may include two parts of indication information. One part of the indication information is the unicast service indication information of the first AP MLD itself, which is used to indicate whether the Non-AP MLD associated with the first AP MLD has a downlink unicast service; the other part of the indication information is the unicast service indication information of the AP MLD (i.e., the second AP MLD) to which the non-transmission AP in the multi-BSSID set where the first AP is located belongs, which is used to indicate whether the Non-AP MLD associated with the second AP MLD on the first link where the first AP works has a downlink unicast service. In other words, the unicast service indication information carries not only the unicast service indication of the reporting AP (first AP) itself, but also the unicast service indication of the AP MLD to which other non-transmission APs in the multi-BSSID set where the reporting AP itself belongs. It can be understood that the unicast service indication information mentioned in the present application includes two parts of indication information, which does not mean that the two parts of indication information are in different fields. The two parts of indication information can be in the same field.

[0161] Optionally, there are two possibilities for the Non-AP MLD associated with the MLD where the reporting AP is located: 1) all Non-AP MLDs that establish multi-link associations with the MLD where the reporting AP is located, wherein the Non-AP MLD can be associated with some APs in the MLD where the reporting AP is located, or can be associated with all APs; or, 2) the Non-AP MLD associated with the reporting AP of the MLD where the reporting AP is located, wherein the Non-AP MLD can be associated with some APs in the MLD where the reporting AP is located, or can be associated with all APs, but the some APs or all APs must include the reporting AP.

[0162] Optionally, the Non-APMLD associated with the AP MLD to which the non-transmission AP in the multi-BSSID set where the reporting AP is located also has the following two possibilities: 1) it can indicate all Non-AP MLDs that establish multi-link associations with the AP MLD to which the non-transmission AP belongs, wherein the Non-AP MLD can be associated with some APs in the AP MLD to which the non-transmission AP belongs, or can be associated with all APs; or, 2) it can indicate the Non-AP MLD that is associated with the non-transmission AP of the AP MLD to which the non-transmission AP belongs, wherein the Non-AP MLD can be associated with some APs in the AP MLD to which the non-transmission AP belongs, or can be associated with all APs, but the some APs or all APs must include the non-transmission AP.

[0163] For example, the above Figure 5 For example, take AP1x with MAC address identification BSSID_1x as the reporting AP, that is, the first AP is AP1x, then Figure 5 The AP MLD1 in the AP MLD is the first AP MLD, and the link on which AP1x works is link 1. The unicast service indication information generated by AP1x includes not only the unicast service indication of AP1x to the Non-AP MLD associated with its MLD, but also the following two possibilities: 1) it can indicate whether all Non-AP MLDs that establish multi-link association with AP MLD1 have downlink unicast services, wherein the Non-AP MLD can be associated with some APs in AP MLD1 or with all APs; or, 2) it can indicate whether the Non-AP MLD associated with AP1x of AP MLD 1 has downlink unicast services, wherein the Non-AP MLD can be associated with some APs in AP MLD1 or with all APs, but the part of APs or all APs must include AP1x.

[0164] The unicast service indication information generated by AP1x also includes the unicast service indication of the AP MLD3 to which the non-transmission AP (i.e., AP1y) in the multi-BSSID set 1 where AP1x is located belongs to for the Non-AP MLD associated with it. There are also the following two possibilities: 1) it can indicate whether all Non-AP MLDs associated with AP MLD3 have downlink unicast services; or, 2) it can indicate whether the Non-AP MLD associated with AP1y in the same multi-BSSID set as AP1x in APMLD3 has downlink unicast services. For example, Non-AP MLD1 is associated with AP1y on link 1 and AP2z on link 2 of AP MLD3, Non-AP MLD2 is associated with AP1y on link 1, AP2z on link 2, and AP4y on link 4 of APMLD3, and Non-AP MLD3 is associated with AP2z on link 2 and AP4y on link 4 of AP MLD3. Then in the first implementation, the unicast service indication of AP MLD3 to its associated Non-APMLD includes whether Non-AP MLD1, Non-AP MLD2 and Non-AP MLD3 have downlink unicast services. In the second implementation, the unicast service indication of AP MLD3 to its associated Non-AP MLD includes whether Non-APMLD1 and Non-AP MLD2 have downlink unicast services.

[0165] For another example, taking AP2x with a MAC address identifier of BSSID_2x as the reporting AP, that is, the first AP is AP2x, then Figure 5The AP MLD2 in the figure is the first AP MLD, and the link on which AP2x works is link 2. The unicast service indication information generated by AP2x includes not only the unicast service indication of AP2x to the Non-AP MLD associated with its MLD, but also the unicast service indication of AP MLD1 to which AP2y belongs to the Non-AP MLD associated with it, and the unicast service indication of AP MLD3 to which AP2z belongs to the Non-AP MLD associated with it.

[0166] As an optional embodiment, the reporting AP here may not be limited to the AP in the AP MLD, that is, the reporting AP here may be a single-link device. The unicast service indication information generated by the reporting AP, in addition to carrying the unicast service indication of the reporting AP itself to its associated station, is used to indicate whether the STA associated with this reporting AP has downlink unicast service; it can also carry the unicast service indication of the AP MLD to which other non-transmission APs in the multi-BSSID set of this link belong, which is used to indicate whether this APMLD has downlink unicast service to its associated Non-AP MLD.

[0167] S102: A first AP of a first AP MLD sends the unicast service indication information on a first link, where the first link is a working link of the first AP.

[0168] In an embodiment of the present application, the above-mentioned unicast service indication information can be carried in a management frame, such as a beacon frame, a TIM frame, etc.; or, the unicast service indication information can also be carried in other frames such as a data frame or a control frame.

[0169] S103: The first STA of the Non-AP MLD receives the unicast service indication information on its first working link.

[0170] Among them, the above-mentioned first STA can be a site managed by the above-mentioned first AP or a surrounding site. The sites around the first AP include sites managed by the first AP and unassociated sites. The following takes the sites managed by AP as an example to illustrate the unicast service indication method described in the embodiment of the present application. Optionally, the first STA can be any site in the Non-AP MLD, and can know whether the Non-AP MLD to which it belongs has a downlink unicast service. Optionally, the first STA and the first AP both work on the first link.

[0171] S104: The first STA of the Non-AP MLD determines whether the Non-AP MLD has a downlink unicast service according to the unicast service indication information.

[0172] Specifically, the first STA of the Non-AP MLD can parse the received unicast service indication information to determine whether the Non-AP MLD has a downlink unicast service. If the unicast service indication information indicates that the Non-AP MLD has a downlink unicast service to receive, a station in the Non-AP MLD can wake up from a dormant state and become active, and send a PS-Poll (power-saving polling) frame to the AP associated with the station to inform the AP MLD where the AP is located that it is in a wake-up state and can start receiving downlink unicast services. After receiving the PS-Poll frame, the AP can respond with a confirmation frame and then send a downlink unicast service to the STA. Or after receiving the PS-Poll frame, directly send a downlink unicast service to the STA. If the unicast service indication information indicates that the Non-AP MLD has no downlink unicast service, the station of the Non-AP MLD can continue to sleep, or change from an active state to a dormant state.

[0173] It is understandable that in the 802.11 protocol, STA usually has two working modes, one is non-energy-saving mode and the other is energy-saving mode. When STA works in non-energy-saving mode, the STA is in an active state (also called awake state) regardless of whether there is data transmission. When STA works in energy-saving mode, when transmitting data with AP, STA can be in an active state (active state); when there is no data transmission between AP and STA, STA can be in a doze state (doze state) to save power consumption. Whether STA is in energy-saving mode can be determined by sending a frame to AP, and the energy-saving bit in the frame control field (frame control field) in the MAC header of the frame is set to 1 to inform AP that the STA is in energy-saving mode, and the energy-saving bit in the frame control field (frame control field) in the MAC header of the frame is set to 0 to inform AP that the STA is in non-energy-saving mode. Corresponding to Non-AP MLD (or site MLD), each site in the Non-AP MLD sets the energy-saving bit separately.

[0174] It can be seen that in the embodiment of the present application, the unicast service indication information sent by the first AP (i.e., reporting AP) of the AP MLD can not only indicate whether the Non-AP MLD associated with the first AP MLD has a downlink unicast service, but also help the second AP MLD to indicate whether the Non-AP MLD associated with the second AP MLD has a downlink unicast service. The second AP MLD is the AP MLD to which the non-transmission AP in the multi-BSSID set where the first AP belongs. The problem that some or all APs in the AP MLD cannot indicate whether the Non-AP MLD associated with it has a downlink unicast service can be solved (it is worth noting that the non-transmission AP in the multi-BSSID set cannot transmit beacon frames and detection response frames, resulting in the inability to send downlink unicast service indications) can be solved, so that the Non-AP MLD associated with these APs can receive downlink unicast services normally. Since there is a possibility that all APs in an AP MLD are non-transmission APs in 802.11be, the solution provided in the embodiment of the present application can solve the problem that all APs that are non-transmission APs cannot send unicast service indications, thereby increasing the integrity and diversity of downlink service indications.

[0175] As an optional embodiment, in Figure 6 Before step S101, the following steps may also be included: S105, the first AP of the first APMLD generates AID allocation information, the AID allocation information carries the AID allocated for the Non-AP MLD, and the AID is different from the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with the second AP MLD; S106, the first AP of the first AP MLD sends the AID allocation information. Correspondingly, the first STA of the Non-AP MLD receives the AID allocation information. S107, the first STA of the Non-AP MLD parses the received AID allocation information to obtain the AID allocated for the Non-AP MLD carried in the AID allocation information. The AID allocation information may be carried in an association response frame. The AID space (or AID set to be allocated) used by the first AP MLD to allocate AIDs to the Non-AP MLD associated with it and the AID space (or AID set to be allocated) used by the second AP MLD to allocate AIDs to the Non-AP MLD associated with it are the same. Optionally, the AP MLD to which the non-transmission AP in the multi-BSSID set where the first AP is located includes one or more AP MLDs.

[0176] Optionally, before step S105, the method further includes: the first STA of the Non-AP MLD sends an association request frame to the first AP of the first AP MLD, wherein the association request frame is used to request to establish a multi-link association with the first AP MLD. Accordingly, the first AP of the first AP MLD receives the association request frame.

[0177] Optionally, the above steps S105 to S106 may also be executed by the second AP in the first AP MLD, and step S107 may also be executed by the second STA of the Non-AP MLD. Specifically: the second AP of the first AP MLD generates AID allocation information, and the AID allocation information carries the AID allocated for the Non-AP MLD, and the AID is different from the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with the second AP MLD; the second AP of the first AP MLD sends the AID allocation information. Correspondingly, the second STA of the Non-AP MLD receives the AID allocation information. The second STA of the Non-AP MLD parses the received AID allocation information to obtain the AID allocated for the Non-AP MLD carried in the AID allocation information. Among them, the second AP is any AP in the first AP MLD, and the second STA is any STA in the Non-AP MLD.

[0178] It can be seen that when allocating AIDs, making the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with the first AP MLD different from the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with the second AP MLD can avoid AID ambiguity in the unicast service indication of the Non-AP MLD.

[0179] The above content introduces the unicast service indication method applicable to multi-link provided by the embodiment of the present application. Figure 6 The unicast service indication method shown in the figure illustrates the specific implementation of the above unicast service indication information.

[0180] (a) In the first implementation, one bit of the unicast service indication information corresponds to a Non-AP MLD. The value of each bit is used to indicate whether the Non-AP MLD corresponding to the bit has a downlink unicast service; or it can be expressed as: each bit indicates whether the Non-AP MLD corresponding to the bit has a downlink unicast service. The Non-AP MLD here refers to the Non-AP MLD associated with the first AP MLD and the Non-AP MLD associated with the second AP MLD.

[0181] (b) In the second implementation, the unicast service indication information is carried in a partial virtual bitmap field of the TIM element. Figure 7 , Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of a partial virtual bit map field provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 7 Shows Figure 2 Each bit of the partial virtual bit map field in the example is 251 bytes, and each byte includes 8 bits, such as Figure 7 As shown, byte 0 includes bit 0 to bit 7, byte 1 includes bit 8 to bit 15, ..., and so on, byte 250 includes bit 2000 to bit 2007. Among them, each bit of the unicast service indication information corresponds to an AID of a Non-AP MLD, and each bit of the unicast service indication information is used to indicate whether the Non-AP MLD identified by the AID corresponding to the bit has a downlink unicast service. It can be understood that the Non-AP MLD here refers to the Non-AP MLD associated with the first APMLD, and the Non-AP MLD associated with the second AP MLD. Since each bit in the partial virtual bit map field in the TIM element corresponds to an AID, it is also necessary to assign an AID to the Non-AP MLD. Furthermore, because the AID space (or AID set to be allocated) used by the first AP MLD to allocate AIDs to the Non-AP MLD associated with it and the AID space (or AID set to be allocated) used by the second AP MLD to allocate AIDs to the Non-AP MLD associated with it are the same, the association identifier AID corresponding to each bit of the unicast service indication information should be unique, that is, different from each other.

[0182] Accordingly, the above Figure 6 Steps S101 to S104 in the process may be as follows: the first AP of the first AP MLD generates a TIM element, wherein the TIM element includes unicast service indication information, wherein the unicast service information is used to indicate whether the Non-AP MLD associated with the first AP MLD has a downlink unicast service, and whether the Non-AP MLD associated with the second AP MLD has a downlink unicast service, wherein the second AP MLD is the AP MLD to which the non-transmission AP belongs in the multi-BSSID set where the first AP is located; the first AP of the first AP MLD sends the TIM element on a first link, wherein the first link is a working link of the first AP; the first STA of the Non-AP MLD receives the TIM element on its working first link; the first STA of the Non-AP MLD determines whether the Non-AP MLD has a downlink unicast service based on the TIM element.

[0183] The TIM element may be carried in a beacon frame or in other management frames, such as a TIM frame.

[0184] Optionally, the beacon frame carrying the TIM element may also include a special field, wherein for each Non-AP MLD that has a downlink unicast service received (whether there is a downlink unicast service is indicated by the above-mentioned TIM element), there is a corresponding special field. The special field may be a multi-link identification bitmap field or multiple link identification information fields, and the multi-link bitmap field or multiple link information fields are used to indicate one or more links that receive downlink services. One bit of the above-mentioned multi-link identification bitmap field may correspond to a link, and when the value of one or more bits is a first value, such as 1, it indicates that there is a downlink service on one or more links corresponding to the one or more bits; when the value of one or more bits is a second value, such as 0, it indicates that there is no downlink service on one or more links corresponding to the one or more bits. The above-mentioned multiple link identification information fields carry identification information for distinguishing different links. It is understandable that in the TIM element, one bit is still used to indicate whether a Non-AP MLD has a downlink unicast service.

[0185] Optionally, the special field may also be a traffic identifier (TID) bitmap field, which is used to indicate that the received downlink unicast service corresponds to one or more TIDs. Then, based on the TID to Link mapping negotiated between the Non-AP MLD and the AP MLD, the Non-AP MLD knows which link to use to receive the downlink unicast service notification.

[0186] It can be seen that this implementation method indicates whether the Non-AP MLD associated with the MLD where the reporting AP is located and whether the Non-AP MLD associated with the second AP MLD has a downlink unicast service through some bits in the partial virtual bit map field in the beacon frame. The frame format of the TIM element can be kept unchanged, so that one AP MLD helps another APMLD to indicate whether the Non-AP MLD associated with the other AP MLD has a downlink unicast service, thereby improving the flexibility of downlink unicast service notification.

[0187] (c) Because 1 bit of the virtual bitmap field in the TIM element can indicate whether a Non-AP MLD has a downlink unicast service, if the AIDs of some Non-AP MLDs associated with different AP MLDs in the same co-located AP MLD set are the same, after receiving the beacon frame, these Non-AP MLDs cannot determine which STA or Non-AP MLD the downlink unicast service indication and / or link bitmap indication / TID bitmap indication carried in the beacon frame belongs to. For example, Figure 5 For example, if the reporting AP is AP1x, assuming that Non-AP MLD 1 is associated with AP1x and AP2y of AP MLD1 where AP1x is located, and the link on which AP1x works is link 1, then the non-transmission AP on link 1 is AP1y. If Non-AP MLD 2 is associated with AP1y, AP2z, and 4y in AP MLD 3 where AP1y is located, and the AID of Non-AP MLD 1 is the same as the AID of Non-AP MLD 2, then if the downlink unicast service indication about Non-AP MLD in the TIM element sent by reporting AP1x is 1, it can only indicate that at least one of Non-AP MLD 1 and Non-AP MLD 2 has a downlink unicast service, and it is impossible to know which Non-AP MLD has a downlink unicast service.

[0188] Therefore, in the third implementation, the above unicast service indication information is indicated according to the AP MLD. Specifically, the second AP MLD co-located with the reporting AP corresponds to a separate TIM block, such as a partial virtual bitmap field, and these TIM blocks can form a new element. This new element can carry the unicast service indication information. The new element includes at least the TIM block corresponding to the second AP MLD (the TIM block is used to indicate whether the Non-AP MLD associated with the second AP MLD has a downlink unicast service). See Figure 8 , Figure 8 Schematic diagram of a partial frame format of a new element provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 8 As shown, (ID), such as MLD ID, or MLD MAC address, is used together to indicate whether the TIM block is used to indicate which APMLD has a downlink unicast service for its associated Non-AP MLD. Among them, in each TIM block, one bit can still be used to indicate whether a Non-AP MLD has a downlink unicast service. Each bit in the TIM block can correspond to an AID, so an AID needs to be allocated to each Non-AP MLD.

[0189] In another implementation, a separate TIM block corresponding to the second AP MLD may also be a TIM element, and the structure is consistent with the existing TIM element. In this case, the TIM element does not include the identifier of the second AP MLD. The TIM element of the second AP MLD may be located in the nontransmitted Profile corresponding to the non-transmitted BSSID in the Multiple BSSID element in the management frame body, wherein the AP corresponding to the non-transmitted BSSID belongs to the second AP MLD, and the AP corresponding to the non-transmitted BSSID and the reporting AP mentioned in the previous paragraph are in the same multiple BSSID set.

[0190] Here, for the third implementation method mentioned above, the AIDs of all Non-AP MLDs associated with the same AP MLD should be unique, that is, different from each other, so as to avoid AID ambiguity. It is understandable that here, the identifiers of one or more AP MLDs in the new element sent by the reporting AP should be unique, that is, different from each other. Or, here, the identifiers of all AP MLDs in the AP MLD set co-located with the reporting AP should also be unique, that is, different from each other. In other words, the AID space used by the first AP MLD to allocate AIDs to the Non-AP MLD associated with it and the AID space used by the second AP MLD to allocate AIDs to the Non-AP MLD associated with it are independent of each other, that is, the AID allocated by the first AP MLD to a Non-AP MLD associated with it can be the same as the AID allocated by the second AP MLD to the Non-AP MLD associated with it. For example, with Figure 5 For example, if AP1x is a reporting AP and AP MLD1 is the first AP MLD. Assuming that Non-AP MLD1 is associated with AP MLD1, and Non-AP MLD2 is associated with AP MLD3 (one of the second AP MLDs), the AID assigned by AP MLD1 to Non-AP MLD1 may be the same as the AID assigned by AP MLD3 to Non-AP MLD2. It is understandable that the "AID space" mentioned in this application may refer to a set of AIDs to be allocated.

[0191] Optionally, a link bitmap indication or a TID bitmap indication may also be carried in each TIM block. That is, each TIM block may include a special field, which may be a multi-link identification bitmap field or a plurality of link identification information fields, or a TID bitmap field.

[0192] Optionally, the new element may be carried in a beacon frame or in other management frames, such as a TIM frame.

[0193] It can be seen that in the TIM indication, this implementation method can avoid ambiguity in the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with different AP MLDs by distinguishing the services of different AP MLDs and using the ID of the AP MLD as the index of the TIM block.

[0194] In order to indicate whether the Non-AP MLD associated with the first AP (i.e., the reporting AP) has a downlink unicast service, and whether the Non-AP MLD associated with the second AP MLD has a downlink unicast service, it is necessary to allocate an AID to each Non-AP MLD before the first AP of the first AP MLD generates unicast service indication information.

[0195] Embodiment 2

[0196] Embodiment 2 of the present application introduces a method for allocating AIDs of a multi-link device, specifically, a method for allocating AIDs of a Non-AP MLD.

[0197] It is understandable that AID is the identifier (ID) assigned by AP to the associated STA after association, which can be regarded as the ID of the associated STA. AID can be used to identify and distinguish each STA associated with AP, and can be used as an index in some frame structures to point to a specific associated STA. If the AP can support multiple BSSIDs, or the beacon frame or detection response frame can carry multiple BSSID elements, the maximum number of BSSIDs that the AP can support is 2. n , indicating that the range of BSSID is [1, 2 n -1], then the range of AIDs that the AP can assign to STAs is [2 n , 2007]. Where n can be the value of the max BSSID indicator field of the BSSID element. If the AP cannot support multiple BSSIDs, or the beacon frame or probe response frame cannot carry multiple BSSID elements, the AP can allocate an AID range of [1, 2007] to the STA.

[0198] Because there may be multiple types of users or users supporting multiple services in a small area, if different APs are used in this small area, channel interference between different APs is inevitable because each AP will try to find a channel with no interference or less interference. Therefore, IEEE802.11ax proposes to virtualize multiple APs through one AP to target different service types or customer types, so a virtual AP can have one BSSID, that is, an actual AP has multiple BSSIDs. In other words, some APs can support multiple BSSIDs.

[0199] It is also understandable that multiple STAs included in a Non-AP MLD may share a same AID, that is, a Non-AP MLD has only one AID.

[0200] It is understandable that, in practical applications, the second embodiment of the present application can be implemented alone or in combination with the first embodiment, and the present application does not limit this. Specifically, the second embodiment of the present application can be implemented in combination with the second implementation method of the unicast service indication information in the first embodiment.

[0201] It is understandable that the AP MLD set co-located with the above-mentioned reporting AP is the same as any AP (for ease of description, AP i For example, the co-located AP MLD set includes the following APs:

[0202] (1) With AP i All APs that belong to the same AP MLD, or all APs in the AP MLD where APi is located.

[0203] (2) With AP i All APs in the AP MLD of the non-transmitting AP in the same multi-BSSID set; or, i All APs in the AP MLD where the non-transmitting APs in the multi-BSSID set are located.

[0204] (3) All APs in the AP MLD that meet the following two conditions, where the two conditions are: 1) At least one AP in the AP MLD is compatible with AP i An AP in the AP MLD is in the same multi-BSSID set; 2) There is no AP in the AP MLD with AP i Work on the same link.

[0205] See also Fig. 9 , Fig. 9 FIG. 1 is a schematic flow chart of the AID allocation method of Non-AP MLD provided in an embodiment of the present application. Fig. 9As shown, the AID allocation method includes but is not limited to the following steps:

[0206] S201, AP MLD AP i Generate AID allocation information, which carries the AID allocated for the Non-AP MLD. The AID is different from the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with the target AP MLD. The target AP MLD is associated with the AP i Any AP MLD in the collocated AP MLD set, or the target AP MLD is the AP MLD of the i Any AP MLD in the circle of the co-located AP MLD set.

[0207] S202, AP MLD AP i The AID allocation information is sent to the STA of the Non-AP MLD. Correspondingly, the STA of the Non-AP MLD receives the AID allocation information.

[0208] The AP MLD in the embodiment of the present application may be the first AP MLD or the second AP MLD or other AP MLDs in the above-mentioned embodiment 1. i Any AP in the AP MLD.

[0209] Implementation A: The target AP MLD is the same as the AP i Any AP MLD in the co-located AP MLD set.

[0210] Among them, the "with AP" mentioned in the embodiments of the present application i In the AP MLD set of co-located APs, all AP MLDs (APs included in the AP MLD) and AP i The AP MLD and the target AP MLD both belong to the same AP i A collection of co-located AP MLDs.

[0211] Specifically, the AID allocation information may carry an AID allocated to the Non-AP MLD, which is different from the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with the target AP MLD. iAny AP MLD in the collocated AP MLD set. In other words, the AID space / AID set to be allocated used by the AP MLD to allocate AIDs to the Non-AP MLD associated with it is the same as the AID space / AID set to be allocated used by the target AP MLD to allocate AIDs to the Non-AP MLD associated with it. It is understandable that the above AID allocated to the Non-AP MLD is also different from the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with the AP MLD itself.

[0212] Optionally, in the embodiment of the present application, the Non-AP MLD associated with the AP MLD itself can be understood in two ways: 1) All Non-AP MLDs that establish multi-link associations with the AP MLD, where the Non-AP MLD can be associated with some APs in the AP MLD or with all APs. 2) APs associated with the AP MLD i There is an associated Non-AP MLD, where the Non-AP MLD can be associated with some APs in the AP MLD or with all APs, but the part or all APs must include AP i Here, AP i Refers to the AP to which the AID is assigned in the above AP MLD.

[0213] See also Fig.10a , Fig.10a FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an AP MLD set co-located with an AP provided in an embodiment of the present application. Fig.10a As shown, assuming that AP i If it is AP1x, the set of APs co-located with AP1x includes: AP2y, AP1y, AP2x, AP3y and AP4y. Therefore, the set of AP MLDs co-located with AP1x includes: AP MLD1 and AP MLD3. Therefore, the AID allocated for the Non-AP MLD carried in the AID allocation information is different from the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with AP MLD1, and is also different from the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with AP MLD3. In other words, the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with AP MLD1 and the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with AP MLD3 should be unique, that is, different from each other.

[0214] See also Fig.10b , Fig.10b FIG. 1 is another schematic diagram of an AP MLD set co-located with an AP provided in an embodiment of the present application. Fig.10b As shown, assuming that AP iIf it is AP1x, the set of APs co-located with AP1x includes: AP2y, AP3x, AP1y, AP2z, AP4y, AP2x and AP4x. Therefore, the set of AP MLDs co-located with AP1x includes: AP MLD1, AP MLD2 and AP MLD3. Therefore, the AID allocated for the Non-AP MLD carried in the AID allocation information is different from the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with AP MLD1, the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with AP MLD2, and the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with AP MLD3. In other words, the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with AP MLD1, the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with AP MLD2, and the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with AP MLD3 should be unique, that is, different from each other.

[0215] See also Fig.10c , Fig.10c FIG. 1 is another schematic diagram of an AP MLD set co-located with an AP provided in an embodiment of the present application. Fig.10c As shown, assuming that AP i If it is AP3x, then the set of APs co-located with AP3x includes: AP1x, AP2y, AP2x, AP4x, AP1y and AP2z. Therefore, the set of AP MLDs co-located with AP3x includes: AP MLD1, AP MLD2 and AP MLD3. Therefore, the AID allocated for the Non-AP MLD carried in the AID allocation information is different from the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with AP MLD1, the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with AP MLD2, and the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with AP MLD3. In other words, the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with AP MLD1, the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with AP MLD2, and the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with AP MLD3 should be unique, that is, different from each other.

[0216] Again, the aforementioned Figure 5 For example, suppose AP iIf it is AP4x, then the set of APs co-located with AP4x includes: AP2x, AP4y, AP2z, AP1y, AP4z, AP5, AP1x, AP2y and AP3. Therefore, the set of AP MLDs co-located with AP4x includes: AP MLD1, AP MLD2, AP MLD3 and AP MLD4. Therefore, the AID allocated for the Non-AP MLD carried in the AID allocation information is different from the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with AP MLD1, the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with AP MLD2, the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with AP MLD3, and the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with AP MLD4. That is, the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with AP MLD1, the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with AP MLD2, the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with APMLD3, and the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with AP MLD4 should be unique, ie, different from each other.

[0217] Implementation method B: The target AP MLD is the same as the AP i Any APMLD in the circle of the co-located AP MLD set.

[0218] Among them, the "with AP" mentioned in the embodiments of the present application i In the "collection circle" of the co-located AP MLD collection, some AP MLDs are i The other AP MLDs are located in the same location as the AP i APs that are not in the co-located AP MLD set are co-located with other APs. i The MLD set of co-located APs and AP i The MLD set of co-located APs is excluding AP i The AP MLD set of other APs co-located with AP excluding AP 1 constitutes the set circle. Here, AP MLD and target AP MLD both belong to AP 2. i The AP MLD sets of the same location are in the set circle.

[0219] Specifically, with AP i The MLD set of co-located APs belongs to the set circle with AP i Any AP in the co-located AP MLD is composed of all APs in the co-located AP MLD set (wherein any AP can be understood as AP i ). For example, Figure 5 As shown, assuming that AP iIf it is AP1x, the AP MLD set co-located with AP1x includes AP MLD1, AP MLD2, and APMLD3. And because the AP MLD set co-located with AP4x in the AP MLD set co-located with AP1x includes AP MLD2, AP MLD3, and AP MLD4, the set circle in which the AP MLD set co-located with AP1x belongs includes AP MLD1, AP MLD2, AP MLD3, and AP MLD4. Therefore, the AID allocated by AP1x to the Non-AP MLD is different from the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with AP MLD1, the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with AP MLD2, the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with AP MLD3, and the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with AP MLD4.

[0220] like Fig.10a As shown, assuming that AP i If it is AP1x, the AP MLD set co-located with AP1x includes AP MLD1 and APMLD3. And because the AP MLD set co-located with AP3y in the AP MLD set co-located with AP1x includes AP MLD2 and AP MLD3, the set circle of the AP MLD set co-located with AP1x includes AP MLD1, AP MLD2 and APMLD3. Therefore, the AID allocated by AP1x to the Non-AP MLD is different from the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with AP MLD1, the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with AP MLD2, and the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with AP MLD3.

[0221] like Fig.10b As shown, assuming that AP i If it is AP1x, the AP MLD set co-located with AP1x includes AP MLD1, APMLD2 and AP MLD3, and the set circle of the AP MLD set co-located with AP1x also includes AP MLD1, AP MLD2 and APMLD3. Therefore, the AID allocated by AP1x to the Non-AP MLD is different from the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with AP MLD1, the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with AP MLD2, and the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with AP MLD3.

[0222] like Fig.10c As shown, assuming that AP iIf it is AP3x, the AP MLD set co-located with AP3x includes: AP MLD1, APMLD2 and AP MLD3, and the set circle of the AP MLD set co-located with AP1x also includes AP MLD1, AP MLD2 and AP MLD3. Therefore, the AID allocated by AP1x to the Non-AP MLD is different from the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with AP MLD1, the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with APMLD2, and the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with AP MLD3.

[0223] Similar to implementation mode A, in implementation mode B, the AID allocated to the Non-AP MLD is also different from the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with the APMLD itself.

[0224] Optionally, for single-link STA AID allocation, AP i The AID assigned to the single-link STA on this link (or the AID assigned to the AP i The AID of the single-link STA associated with the target AP MLD is different from the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with the target AP MLD. i Any AP MLD in the co-located AP MLD set, or the target AP MLD is the same as the AP i Any AP MLD in the circle of the co-located APMLD set.

[0225] For example, as mentioned above Fig.10a As shown, assuming that AP i It is AP1x, and AP1x is on link 1. Then the AID of the single-link STA on link 1 is different from the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with AP MLD1, and is also different from the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with AP MLD3. In other words, the AID of the single-link STA on link 1, the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with AP MLD1, and the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with APMLD3 should be unique, that is, different from each other. It can also be understood that, in addition to the AID of the single-link STA associated with link 1, the AID of the single-link STA associated with link 2 can be the same as the AID of a Non-AP MLD associated with the target AP MLD.

[0226] Or, as above Fig.10a As shown, assuming that AP iIt is AP1x, and AP1x is on link 1. Then the AID of the single-link STA on link 1, the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with AP MLD1, the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with AP MLD2, and the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with AP MLD3 are all different.

[0227] It is understandable that in a wireless communication system, the identifier of the AP MLD is 0 by default, and multiple APs in the AP MLD share this identifier (ie, identifier 0). However, multiple APs in the AP MLD may also have different identifiers.

[0228] It is also understandable that, since cross-link TIM indication can be performed under the same AP MLD, that is, if AP 1 and AP 2 belong to the same AP MLD, AP 1 can carry AP 2's TIM information in the TIM indication to indicate whether AP 2 has service for the Non-AP MLD associated with it. Therefore, the AIDs of multiple Non-AP MLDs associated with the same AP MLD are different.

[0229] Therefore, if the same identification system is used, such as the interval [1, 2007], the identifications of multiple APs of the AP MLD should be unique, that is, different from each other; the AIDs of multiple Non-AP MLDs associated with the same AP MLD should also be unique, that is, different from each other. In the embodiment of the present application, the "AID allocated to the Non-AP MLD" is a value selected from the remaining space and should also be unique. The remaining space here refers to the remaining set of values ​​in the interval [1, 2007] except for the values ​​that have been used and are not allowed to be reused.

[0230] Optionally, the AID allocation information may be carried in an association response frame or in other frames. Specifically, the AID allocated to the Non-AP MLD in the AID allocation information may be carried in an AID element of the association response frame. Fig.11 , Fig.11 Schematic diagram of a frame format of the AID element provided in the embodiment of the present application. Fig.11 As shown, the AID element includes a 1-byte element identification field, a 1-byte length field, and a 2-byte AID field.

[0231] Optionally, the association response frame may also carry information such as a link identifier of each AP. The association response frame is used to confirm the establishment of a multi-link association with the Non-AP MLD.

[0232] S203, the Non-AP MLD STA parses the received association response frame to obtain the AID carried in the association response frame.

[0233] Optionally, before step S201, the method further includes step S204, in which the STA of the Non-AP MLD generates an association request frame; S205, in which the STA of the Non-AP MLD sends an association request frame to the AP of the AP MLD. i Send an association request frame, which is used to request to establish a multi-link association with the AP MLD. i An association request frame is received, wherein the association request frame may carry a link identifier of each STA of the Non-AP MLD and information of each STA.

[0234] Optional, AP MLD AP i After receiving the association request frame, you can send a confirmation frame to the STA of Non-AP MLD. The confirmation frame is used to confirm the AP of AP MLD. i An association request frame is received.

[0235] When allocating an AID to a Non-AP MLD, the embodiment of the present application considers the solution described in the first embodiment above: an APMLD helps another AP MLD to indicate whether the Non-AP MLD associated with the other AP MLD has a downlink unicast service, so the AID is not the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with the target AP MLD. The target AP MLD is the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with the AP MLD. i Any AP MLD in the co-located APMLD set, or the target AP MLD is the same as the AP i Any APMLD in the co-located AP MLD set circle avoids AID ambiguity when indicating whether the Non-AP MLD has a downlink unicast service.

[0236] Embodiment 3

[0237] Embodiment 3 of the present application solves the problem that some APs in the APMLD cannot indicate whether the Non-AP MLD associated with it has a downlink unicast service by limiting the link on which the Non-AP MLD listens to the downlink unicast service indication. In addition, at this time, the APs in other AP MLDs that work on the same link as the above-mentioned certain APs do not help the above-mentioned certain APs to send downlink unicast service indications. Figure 5For example, if AP1x is a reporting AP, and it is assumed that Non-AP MLD1 is associated with AP2y and AP3 of AP MLD1, if Non-AP MLD1 only listens on link 2 for downlink unicast service indication, then AP2y (non-transmitting AP in the multi-BSSID set) in AP MLD1 cannot send downlink service indication. In addition, the transmitting AP in the same multi-BSSID set on the same link does not help to send the downlink service indication of the MLD where AP2y is located. Therefore, Non-AP MLD1 listening on link 2 cannot receive the downlink service indication, that is, Non-AP MLD1 cannot determine whether it has downlink unicast service.

[0238] Therefore, the third embodiment of the present application provides a unicast service indication method applicable to multi-links, see Fig.12 , Fig.12 FIG. 1 is another schematic flow chart of a unicast service indication method applicable to multiple links provided in an embodiment of the present application. Fig.12 As shown, the method includes:

[0239] S1. AP MLD reporting: The AP generates a management frame, such as a beacon frame, which carries a TIM element. A partial virtual bitmap field of the TIM element is used to indicate whether the Non-AP MLD associated with the AP MLD has a downlink unicast service.

[0240] S2. AP MLD reporting: The AP sends a management frame, such as a beacon frame, on the link on which it works.

[0241] The specific frame format of the TIM element can be found in Figure 2 As shown, the frame format of some virtual bitmap fields can be referred to Figure 7 As shown, no further description is given here.

[0242] S3. The STA of the Non-AP MLD listens to the management frame, such as a beacon frame, on one or more links, where the one or more links include a first link, which is a link on which a transmission AP of a multi-BSSID set in the AP MLD associated with the Non-AP MLD or an AP that does not belong to a multi-BSSID set works.

[0243] S4, the STA of the Non-AP MLD parses the management frame, such as the beacon frame, detected on the link reporting the AP operation, and determines whether the Non-AP MLD has a downlink unicast service.

[0244] Specifically, for step S3, in other words, the STA of Non-AP MLD cannot listen to beacon frames only on the link where the non-transmitting AP of the multi-BSSID set is located. The STA of Non-AP MLD can listen to beacon frames or other management frames on the link where the transmitting AP of the multi-BSSID set or the AP that does not belong to the multi-BSSID set is located. For example, Figure 5 For example, if AP1x is a reporting AP, assume that Non-AP MLD1 is associated with AP1x, AP2y, and AP3 of AP MLD1. If AP1x sends a beacon frame on link 1, Non-AP MLD1 listens for a beacon frame on link 1, or listens for a beacon frame on link 1 and link 2, or link 1 and link 3, or link 3. Non-AP MLD1 cannot listen for a beacon frame on link 2.

[0245] Optionally, the links monitored by the Non-AP MLD cannot only include the links on which the non-transmitting AP works in the associated AP MLD. Figure 5 As shown, the links monitored by the Non-AP MLD may include link 1 and link 2, or link 1 and 3, or link 2 and link 3, or link 1, link 2, and link 3; but not only link 2.

[0246] It can be seen that the embodiment of the present application limits the link on which the Non-AP MLD listens to the downlink unicast service indication, so that the Non-AP MLD listens on the link (for the convenience of description, denoted as the first link) where the transmission AP of the multi-BSSID set or the AP that does not belong to the multi-BSSID set in the AP MLD associated with the Non-AP MLD works. And because the transmission AP in the AP MLD and the AP that does not belong to the multi-BSSID set can send beacon frames (the beacon frames carry downlink unicast service indications), the Non-AP MLD can listen to the beacon frames on the first link, and thus can determine whether the Non-AP MLD itself has downlink unicast services by parsing the beacon frames.

[0247] The above content elaborates on the method provided by the present application. In order to facilitate better implementation of the above scheme of the embodiment of the present application, the embodiment of the present application also provides corresponding devices or equipment.

[0248] The embodiment of the present application can divide the functional modules of the multi-link device 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 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 function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation. Figures 13 to 17 The communication device of the embodiment of the present application is described in detail, wherein the communication device is an access point of an access point multi-link device or a site of a site multi-link device, further, the communication device may be a device in an AP MLD; or, the communication device may be a device in a STA MLD.

[0249] In the case of integrated units, see Fig.13 , Fig.13 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device 1 provided in the embodiment of the present application. Fig.13 As shown, the communication device 1 includes: a processing unit 11 and a transceiver unit 12.

[0250] The communication device 1 may be a first AP MLD or a chip in the first AP MLD, such as a Wi-Fi chip, or may be a first AP in the first AP MLD. The first AP is a reporting AP and belongs to the first AP MLD.

[0251] In one design, the processing unit 11 is used to generate unicast service indication information; the transceiver unit 12 is used to send the unicast service indication information on a first link, and the first link is a working link of the first AP. The unicast service indication information is used to indicate whether the Non-AP MLD associated with the first AP MLD has a downlink unicast service, and whether the Non-AP MLD associated with the second AP MLD has a downlink unicast service, and the second AP MLD is the AP MLD to which the non-transmission AP in the multi-BSSID set where the first AP is located belongs.

[0252] It can be seen that in the communication device 1, the unicast service indication information generated by the processing unit 11 can not only indicate whether the Non-AP MLD associated with the first AP MLD has a downlink unicast service, but also help the second AP MLD to indicate whether the Non-AP MLD associated with the second AP MLD has a downlink unicast service, and the second AP MLD is the AP MLD to which the non-transmission AP in the multi-BSSID set where the first AP is located belongs. The problem that some APs or all APs in the AP MLD cannot indicate whether the Non-AP MLD associated with them has a downlink unicast service can be solved, so that the Non-AP MLD associated with these APs can normally receive downlink unicast services.

[0253] Optionally, the processing unit 11 is further used to generate AID allocation information, the AID allocation information carries an AID allocated for the Non-AP MLD, and the AID is different from the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with the second AP MLD; the transceiver unit 12 is further used to send the AID allocation information. The AID allocation information is carried in an association response frame. It is understandable that the AID allocation information can also be carried in other frames.

[0254] Optionally, the transceiver unit 12 is further used to receive an association request frame, where the association request frame is used to request to establish a multi-link association with the communication device 1 .

[0255] It should be understood that the communication device 1 in this design can execute the aforementioned embodiment 1 accordingly, and the above-mentioned operations or functions of each unit in the communication device 1 are respectively for implementing the corresponding operations of the first AP of the first AP MLD in the aforementioned embodiment 1. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0256] Optionally, the communication device 1 may be an AP MLD or a chip in the AP MLD, such as a Wi-Fi chip, etc., or may be a reporting AP in the AP MLD.

[0257] In another design, the processing unit 11 is used to generate a management frame, such as a beacon frame, which carries a TIM element. Part of the virtual bit map field of the TIM element is used to indicate whether the Non-AP MLD associated with the AP MLD has a downlink unicast service; the transceiver unit 12 is used to send the management frame, such as a beacon frame, on the link on which it works.

[0258] It should be understood that the communication device 1 in this design can execute the aforementioned embodiment three correspondingly, and the above-mentioned operations or functions of each unit in the communication device 1 are respectively for realizing the corresponding operations of the AP MLD reporting AP in the aforementioned embodiment three, which will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0259] See also Fig.14 , Fig.14 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device 2 provided in the embodiment of the present application. Fig.14 As shown, the communication device 2 includes: a transceiver unit 21 and a processing unit 22.

[0260] The communication device 2 may be a Non-AP MLD or a chip in the Non-AP MLD, such as a Wi-Fi chip, etc., or may be a first STA in the Non-AP MLD.

[0261] In one design, the transceiver unit 21 is used to receive unicast service indication information on the first link where the communication device 2 works; the processing unit 22 is used to determine whether the Non-AP MLD where the communication device 2 is located has a downlink unicast service based on the received unicast service indication information. The unicast service indication information is used to indicate whether the Non-AP MLD associated with the first AP MLD has a downlink unicast service, and whether the Non-AP MLD associated with the second AP MLD has a downlink unicast service, and the second AP MLD is the AP MLD to which the non-transmission AP in the multi-BSSID set where the first AP is located belongs.

[0262] It can be seen that in the communication device 2, the processing unit 22 can obtain whether it has a downlink unicast service according to the unicast service indication information, so as to ensure that it can receive the downlink unicast service.

[0263] Optionally, the transceiver unit 21 can also be used to receive AID allocation information; the processing unit 22 can also be used to parse the received AID allocation information to obtain the AID allocated to the Non-AP MLD carried in the AID allocation information, and the AID is different from the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with the target AP MLD, and the target AP MLD is any AP MLD in the AP MLD set co-located with the first AP. The AID allocation information is carried in the association response frame. It is understandable that the AID allocation information can also be carried in other frames.

[0264] Optionally, the processing unit 22 is further used to generate an association request frame; the transceiver unit 21 is further used to send the association request frame to the second AP of the first AP MLD, where the association request frame is used to request to establish a multi-link association with the first AP MLD.

[0265] It should be understood that the communication device 2 in this design can execute the aforementioned embodiment 1 accordingly, and the above operations or functions of each unit in the communication device 2 are respectively for implementing the corresponding operations of the first STA of the Non-AP MLD in the aforementioned embodiment 1. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0266] Optionally, the communication device 2 may be a Non-AP MLD or a chip in the Non-AP MLD, such as a Wi-Fi chip, etc., or may be any STA in the Non-AP MLD.

[0267] In another design, the transceiver unit 21 is used to listen to the management frame, such as a beacon frame, on one or more links, and the one or more links include a first link, which is a link where a transmission AP of a multi-BSSID set in the AP MLD associated with the Non-AP MLD or an AP that does not belong to the multi-BSSID set works; the processing unit 22 is used to parse the management frame, such as a beacon frame, heard on the link where the reporting AP works, to determine whether the Non-AP MLD has a downlink unicast service.

[0268] It should be understood that the communication device 2 in this design can execute the aforementioned embodiment three correspondingly, and the above operations or functions of each unit in the communication device 2 are respectively for implementing the corresponding operations of the STA of the Non-AP MLD in the aforementioned embodiment three, which will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0269] See also Fig.15 , Fig.15 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device 3 provided in the embodiment of the present application. The communication device 3 may be an AP MLD or a chip in the AP MLD, such as a Wi-Fi chip. Optionally, the communication device 3 corresponds to the AP MLD described in the aforementioned embodiment 2, or any AP in the AP MLD. Fig.15 As shown, the communication device 3 includes: a processing unit 31 and a transceiver unit 32.

[0270] The processing unit 31 is used to generate AID allocation information, wherein the AID allocation information carries an AID allocated for the Non-AP MLD, wherein the AID is different from the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with the target AP MLD, and the target AP MLD is associated with the AP MLD. i Any AP MLD in the co-located AP MLD set, or the target AP MLD is the AP i Any AP MLD in the collection circle where the AP MLD collection at the same location belongs; the transceiver unit 32 is used to send the AID allocation information. i Any AP in the AP MLD.

[0271] Optional, if the target AP MLD is the same as the AP i Any AP MLD in the AP MLD set of the same location, then the AP MLD and the target AP MLD belong to the AP MLD of the same location. iA collection of co-located AP MLDs.

[0272] Optionally, the AID allocation information is carried in an association response frame. It is understandable that the AID allocation information can also be carried in other frames.

[0273] Optionally, the transceiver unit 32 is further configured to receive an association request frame, where the association request frame is used to request to establish a multi-link association with the APMLD.

[0274] It can be seen that in the communication device 2, the AID allocated for the Non-AP MLD carried in the AID allocation information generated by the processing unit 31 is different from the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with the target AP MLD. i Any AP MLD in the co-located AP MLD set, or the target AP MLD is the same as the AP i Any AP MLD in the AP MLD set circle of the same location. This can avoid AID ambiguity when indicating whether the Non-AP MLD has downlink unicast services.

[0275] It should be understood that the communication device 3 described in the embodiment of the present application can be executed in accordance with the aforementioned embodiment 2, and the above operations or functions of each unit in the communication device 3 are respectively to implement the AP MLD of the aforementioned embodiment 2. i For the sake of brevity, the corresponding operations are not described here.

[0276] See also Fig.16 , Fig.16 4 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device 4 provided in the embodiment of the present application. The communication device 4 may be a Non-AP MLD or a chip in a Non-AP MLD, such as a Wi-Fi chip. Optionally, the communication device 4 corresponds to the Non-AP MLD described in the aforementioned embodiment 2, or any STA in the Non-AP MLD. Fig.16 As shown, the communication device 4 includes: a transceiver unit 41 and a processing unit 42.

[0277] The transceiver unit 41 is used to receive AID allocation information from the access point of the AP MLD; the processing unit 42 is used to parse the received AID allocation information to obtain the AID allocated to the Non-AP MLD carried in the AID allocation information, the AID is different from the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with the target AP MLD, and the target AP MLD is associated with the AP MLD. i Any AP MLD in the co-located AP MLD set, or the target AP MLD is the AP iAny AP MLD in the circle of the co-located AP MLD set. i It is any AP in the AP MLD.

[0278] Optional, if the target AP MLD is the same as the AP i Any AP MLD in the AP MLD set of the same location, then the AP MLD and the target AP MLD belong to the AP MLD of the same location. i A collection of co-located AP MLDs.

[0279] Optionally, the AID allocation information is carried in an association response frame. It is understandable that the AID allocation information can also be carried in other frames.

[0280] Optionally, the processing unit 42 is further used to generate an association request frame; the transceiver unit 41 is further used to send the association request frame, where the association request frame is used to request to establish a multi-link association with the AP MLD.

[0281] It should be understood that the communication device 4 described in the embodiment of the present application can execute the aforementioned embodiment 2 correspondingly, and the above-mentioned operations or functions of each unit in the communication device 4 are respectively for implementing the corresponding operations of the STA of the Non-AP MLD in the aforementioned embodiment 2. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0282] The above describes the AP MLD and Non-AP MLD of the embodiment of the present application. The following describes the possible product forms of the AP MLD and Non-AP MLD. It should be understood that any product having the above Fig.13 or Fig.15 Any product with the AP MLD function, Fig.14 or Fig.16 Any product with the function of the Non-AP MLD described above falls within the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application. It should also be understood that the following description is only an example and does not limit the product forms of the AP MLD and Non-AP MLD of the embodiments of the present application to this.

[0283] As a possible product form, the AP MLD and Non-AP MLD described in the embodiment of the present application can be implemented by a general bus architecture.

[0284] See also Fig.17 , Fig.17 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 1000 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1000 may be an AP MLD or a Non-AP MLD, or a device thereof. Fig.17As shown, the communication device 1000 includes a processor 1001 and a transceiver 1002 connected to the internal communication of the processor. Among them, the processor 1001 is a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, etc. For example, it can be a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process the communication protocol and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control the communication device (such as a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal, a terminal chip, a DU or a CU, etc.), execute a computer program, and process the data of the computer program. The transceiver 1002 can be called a transceiver unit, a transceiver, or a transceiver circuit, etc., for realizing the transceiver function. The transceiver 1002 may include a receiver and a transmitter, the receiver can be called a receiver or a receiving circuit, etc., for realizing the receiving function; the transmitter can be called a transmitter or a transmitting circuit, etc., for realizing the transmitting function. Optionally, the communication device 1000 may also include an antenna 1003.

[0285] Optionally, the communication device 1000 may include one or more memories 1004, on which instructions may be stored, and the instructions may be computer programs, and the computer programs may be run on the communication device 1000, so that the communication device 1000 performs the method described in the above method embodiment. Optionally, data may also be stored in the memory 1004. The communication device 1000 and the memory 1004 may be provided separately or integrated together.

[0286] The processor 1001 , the transceiver 1002 , and the memory 1004 may be connected via a communication bus.

[0287] In one design, the communication device 1000 may be used to perform the function of the first AP of the first AP MLD in the first embodiment: the processor 1001 may be used to execute Figure 6 Step S101 in and / or other processes for the technology described herein; the transceiver 1002 can be used to perform Figure 6 Step S102 in and / or other processes for the technology described herein.

[0288] In one design, the communication device 1000 may be used to perform the function of the first STA of the Non-AP MLD in the first embodiment: the processor 1001 may be used to execute Figure 6 Step S104 in and / or other processes for the technology described herein; the transceiver 1002 may be used to perform Figure 6 Step S103 in and / or other processes for the technology described herein.

[0289] In one design, the communication device 1000 may be used to perform the AP function of the AP MLD in the second embodiment: the processor 1001 may be used to execute Fig. 9Step S201 in and / or other processes for the technology described herein; the transceiver 1002 may be used to perform Fig. 9 Step S202 in and / or other processes for the technology described herein.

[0290] In one design, the communication device 1000 may be used to perform the functions of the STA of the Non-AP MLD in the second embodiment: the processor 1001 may be used to execute Fig. 9 Steps S203, S204 and / or other processes for the technology described herein; the transceiver 1002 may be used to perform Fig. 9 Step S205 in and / or other processes for the technology described herein.

[0291] In one design, the communication device 1000 may be used to perform the AP MLD reporting function in the third embodiment: the processor 1001 may be used to execute Fig.12 Step S1 in and / or other processes for the technology described herein; the transceiver 1002 can be used to perform Fig.12 Step S2 in and / or other processes for the techniques described herein.

[0292] In one design, the communication device 1000 may be used to perform the functions of the STA of the Non-AP MLD in the above-mentioned embodiment 3: the processor 1001 may be used to execute Fig.12 Step S4 in and / or other processes for the techniques described herein; transceiver 1002 may be used to perform Fig.12 Step S3 in and / or other processes for the techniques described herein.

[0293] In any of the above designs, the processor 1001 may include a transceiver for implementing the receiving and sending functions. For example, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit, or an interface, or an interface circuit. The transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit for implementing the receiving and sending functions may be separate or integrated. The above transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit may be used for reading and writing code / data, or the above transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit may be used for transmitting or delivering signals.

[0294] In any of the above designs, the processor 1001 may store instructions, which may be computer programs. The computer programs run on the processor 1001, and the communication device 1000 may execute the method described in the above method embodiment. The computer program may be fixed in the processor 1001, in which case the processor 1001 may be implemented by hardware.

[0295] In one implementation, the communication device 1000 may include a circuit that can implement the functions of sending or receiving or communicating in the aforementioned method embodiments. The processor and transceiver described in the present application can be implemented in an integrated circuit (IC), an analog IC, a radio frequency integrated circuit RFIC, a mixed signal IC, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a printed circuit board (PCB), an electronic device, etc. The processor and transceiver can also be manufactured using various IC process technologies, such as complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), N-type metal oxide semiconductor (nMetal-oxide-semiconductor, NMOS), P-type metal oxide semiconductor (positive channelmetal oxide semiconductor, PMOS), bipolar junction transistor (bipolar junction transistor, BJT), bipolar CMOS (BiCMOS), silicon germanium (SiGe), gallium arsenide (GaAs), etc.

[0296] The scope of the communication device described in this application is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device may not be limited thereto. Fig.17 The communication device may be an independent device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be:

[0297] (1) Independent integrated circuit IC, or chip, or chip system or subsystem;

[0298] (2) having a set of one or more ICs, and optionally, the IC set may also include a storage component for storing data and computer programs;

[0299] (3) ASIC, such as modem;

[0300] (4) Modules that can be embedded in other devices;

[0301] (5) Receivers, terminals, smart terminals, cellular phones, wireless devices, handheld devices, mobile units, vehicle-mounted devices, network devices, cloud devices, artificial intelligence devices, etc.;

[0302] (6)Others

[0303] As a possible product form, the AP MLD and Non-AP MLD described in the embodiment of the present application can be implemented by a compatible processor.

[0304] The general processor for implementing the AP MLD includes a processing circuit and an input / output interface connected to and communicating with the processing circuit. In one design, the general processor can be used to perform the function of the first AP of the first AP MLD in the first embodiment. Specifically, the processing circuit is used to perform Figure 6 Step S101 in and / or other processes for the technology described herein; the input and output interface is used to perform Figure 6 Step S102 in and / or other processes for the technology described herein.

[0305] In another design, the general processor can be used to perform the AP function of the AP MLD in the second embodiment. Specifically, the processing circuit is used to perform Fig. 9 Step S201 in and / or other processes for the technology described herein; the input and output interface is used to perform Fig. 9 Step S202 in and / or other processes for the technology described herein.

[0306] In another design, the general processor may be used to perform the AP MLD reporting function in the third embodiment. Specifically, the processing circuit is used to perform Fig.12 Step S1 in and / or other processes for the technology described herein; the input and output interface is used to perform Fig.12 Step S2 in and / or other processes for the techniques described herein.

[0307] The general processor for implementing Non-AP MLD includes a processing circuit and an input / output interface connected to and communicating with the processing circuit. In one design, the general processor can be used to perform the function of the first STA of Non-AP MLD in the first embodiment. Specifically, the processing circuit is used to perform Figure 6 Step S104 in and / or other processes for the technology described herein; the input and output interface is used to perform Figure 6 Step S103 in and / or other processes for the technology described herein.

[0308] In another design, the general processor can be used to perform the STA function of the Non-AP MLD in the second embodiment. Specifically, the processing circuit is used to perform Fig. 9 Step S203, step S204 and / or other processes for the technology described herein; the input and output interface is used to perform Fig. 9Step S205 in and / or other processes for the technology described herein.

[0309] In another design, the general processor can be used to perform the STA function of the Non-AP MLD in the above-mentioned embodiment 3. Specifically, the processing circuit is used to perform Fig.12 Step S4 in and / or other processes for the technology described herein; the input and output interface is used to perform Fig.12 Step S3 in and / or other processes for the techniques described herein.

[0310] As a possible product form, the AP MLD and Non-APMLD described in the embodiments of the present application can also be implemented using the following: one or more FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays), PLDs (programmable logic devices), controllers, state machines, gate logic, discrete hardware components, any other suitable circuits, or any combination of circuits that can perform the various functions described throughout this application.

[0311] It should be understood that the communication devices in the above-mentioned various product forms have any functions of AP MLD or Non-APMLD in the above-mentioned method embodiments, which will not be described in detail here.

[0312] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which a computer program code is stored. When the above-mentioned processor executes the computer program code, the electronic device executes the method in any of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0313] The embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product. When the computer program product is run on a computer, the computer executes the method in any of the aforementioned embodiments.

[0314] 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 in any of the aforementioned embodiments.

[0315] An embodiment of the present application further provides a wireless communication system, including an AP MLD and a Non-AP MLD, and the AP MLD and the Non-AP MLD can execute the method in any of the aforementioned embodiments.

[0316] The steps of the method or algorithm described in conjunction with 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, which 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.

[0317] 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.

[0318] 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 method for allocating an association identifier AID of a multi-link device, characterized in that: include: Access Point Multi-Link Device AP MLD Access Point AP i Generate association identifier AID allocation information, the AID allocation information carries an AID allocated for a non-access point multi-link device Non-AP MLD, the AID is different from the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with the target AP MLD, and the target AP MLD is associated with the AP i Any AP MLD in the AP MLD set of the same location, or the target AP MLD is i Any AP MLD in the set circle of the co-located AP MLD set; The AP MLD of the AP i The association response frame is sent.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The AID allocation information is carried in the association response frame.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The AP MLD and the target AP MLD both belong to the AP i The co-located AP MLD set; Alternatively, the AP MLD and the target AP MLD both belong to the AP i The AP MLD set of the same location is in the collection circle where the collection circle includes the AP i The MLD set of the co-located AP and the AP i The MLD set of co-located APs is excluding AP i The MLD set of APs that are co-located with any AP other than the AP.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The AID space used by the AP MLD to allocate AIDs to the Non-AP MLD associated with it is the same as the AID space used by the target AP MLD to allocate AIDs to the Non-AP MLD associated with it.

5. A method for allocating an association identifier AID of a multi-link device, characterized in that: include: The station of the non-access point multi-link device Non-AP MLD receives the association identifier AID allocation information; The station of the Non-AP MLD parses the received AID allocation information to obtain the AID allocated to the Non-AP MLD carried in the AID allocation information, wherein the AID is different from the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with the target AP MLD, and the target AP MLD is associated with the AP MLD. i Any AP MLD in the co-located AP MLD set, or the target APMLD is i Any AP MLD in the circle of the co-located AP MLD set.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The AID allocation information is carried in the association response frame.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: A Non-AP MLD includes multiple stations that share the same AID.

8. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The AID space to which the AID allocated to the Non-AP MLD belongs and the AID space to which the AID allocated to the Non-AP MLD associated with the target AP MLD belongs are the same.

9. A communication device, characterized in that: Applied in AP MLD, including: A processing unit is used to generate an association identifier AID allocation information, wherein the AID allocation information carries an AID allocated for a non-access point multi-link device Non-AP MLD, wherein the AID is different from the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with the target AP MLD, and the target AP MLD is associated with the AP MLD. i Any AP MLD in the AP MLD set of the same location, or the target AP MLD is i Any AP MLD in the set circle of the co-located AP MLD set; The transceiver unit is used to send the association response frame.

10. The communication device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The AID allocation information is carried in the association response frame.

11. The communication device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that: The AP MLD and the target AP MLD both belong to the AP i The co-located AP MLD set; Alternatively, the AP MLD and the target AP MLD both belong to the AP i The AP MLD set of the same location is in the collection circle where the collection circle includes the AP i The MLD set of the co-located AP and the AP i The AP MLD set co-located with any AP other than APi in the co-located AP MLD set.

12. The communication device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that: The AID space used by the AP MLD to allocate AIDs to the Non-AP MLD associated with it is the same as the AID space used by the target AP MLD to allocate AIDs to the Non-AP MLD associated with it.

13. A communication device, characterized in that: Applicable to non-AP MLD devices, including: A transceiver unit, used for receiving association identifier AID allocation information; A processing unit is configured to parse the received AID allocation information to obtain an AID allocated for the Non-AP MLD carried in the AID allocation information, wherein the AID is different from the AID of the Non-AP MLD associated with the target AP MLD, and the target AP MLD is associated with the AP MLD. i Any AP MLD in the AP MLD set of the same location, or the target AP MLD is i Any AP MLD in the circle of the co-located AP MLD set.

14. The communication device according to claim 13, characterized in that: The AID allocation information is carried in the association response frame.

15. The communication device according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that: A Non-AP MLD includes multiple stations that share the same AID.

16. The communication device according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that: The AID space to which the AID allocated to the Non-AP MLD belongs and the AID space to which the AID allocated to the Non-AP MLD associated with the target AP MLD belongs are the same.

17. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium stores instructions, and when the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, or the computer is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 5 to 8.

18. A computer program product comprising instructions, characterized in that When the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer is enabled to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4; the computer is enabled to execute the method according to any one of claims 5 to 8.

19. A chip or a chip system, characterized in that: The method comprises an input / output interface and a processing circuit, wherein the input / output interface is used to receive code instructions and transmit the code instructions to the processing circuit, and the processing circuit is used to run the code instructions to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4; The computer is enabled to execute the method according to any one of claims 5 to 8.

20. An access point multi-link device, characterized in that: The method comprises a first access point and a second access point, wherein the first access point is used to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

21. A non-access point multi-link device, characterized in that: It comprises a plurality of sites, wherein one site is used to implement the method according to any one of claims 5 to 8.

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