Communication method and communication device

Abstract

The invention provides a communication method and a communication device. The centralized control function of control equipment is simplified. For example, one non-access-point multi-link device is limited to only perform data service transmission with one multi-link device set at the same moment, so that the control on the data service transmission of the non-access-point multi-link device can be executed by each multi-link device set, and centralized control of the control device is not needed. Therefore, the centralized control function of the control equipment can be simplified to be that the control equipment is responsible for relatively coarse granularity control (such as user information synchronization and key information synchronization among different multi-link equipment sets) among the multi-link equipment sets, and the centralized control function is simplified.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] The distributed multi-link (MultiLink) solution refers to a wired connection between multiple devices through a backhaul link (such as optical fiber, Ethernet (giga) etc.), and multiple devices form a broad multi-link device (multi-link device, MLD) logical entity, whose sub-links are distributed on one or more devices. The MLD logical entity can improve the roaming experience of terminal devices after networking. The distributed MultiLink solution can use a centralized master control to manage all links. However, when the scale of the distributed MLD network is large, the master control solution is too complex, which is not conducive to implementation, and cannot support the further expansion of the scale of the distributed MLD network. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present application provides a communication method and a communication device, wherein the communication method can simplify the centralized control function of a control device in a distributed MLD network.

[0004] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is executed by a control device, or by a component of the control device (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or by a logic module that can realize all or part of the functions of the control device. The control device receives first user information from a first multi-link device MLD, and the first user information includes one or more of the address information of a non-access point multi-link device non-AP MLD that transmits data services with the first MLD, the number of links of the non-AP MLD, the link capacity of the non-AP MLD, the number of links of the first MLD, and the link capacity of the first MLD. The control device sends the first user information to a second MLD, the second MLD and the first MLD belong to different MLD sets, the non-AP MLD transmits data services with only one MLD set at the same time, and the first user information is used by the second MLD to determine the second user information for data service transmission with the non-AP MLD.

[0005] In this method, the centralized control function of the control device is simplified. For example, the present application specifies that a non-AP MLD transmits data services only with one MLD set at the same time (such as a non-AP MLD transmits data services only with the first MLD at the same time), then the control of the non-AP MLD data service transmission can be performed by each MLD set without the need for centralized control of the control device. Therefore, the centralized control function of the control device can be simplified to the control device being responsible for coarse-grained control between each MLD set (such as controlling user information synchronization between different MLDs, which is conducive to simplifying the operation of the non-AP MLD when roaming between different MLDs, etc.).

[0006] In one possible implementation, the control device receives the physical addresses of the links of all MLD sets. The control device determines the multicast key of each link based on the physical addresses of the links of all MLD sets. The control device determines the unicast key of the non-AP MLD based on the address information of the non-AP MLD.

[0007] In this method, the control device can determine the multicast key of each link based on the physical address of the link of all MLD sets; when there is a non-AP MLD accessing the MLD, the control device can also determine the unicast key of the non-AP MLD, which is conducive to the control device to achieve key synchronization between different MLD sets.

[0008] In a possible implementation, the control device receives a first request message from the first MLD, the first request message being used to request first key information of the first MLD set, and sends the multicast key of each link of the first MLD set and the unicast key of the non-AP MLD to the first MLD.

[0009] In this method, during the association phase of the non-AP MLD, the control device may send key information to the MLD associated with the non-AP MLD.

[0010] In a possible implementation, the control device receives a second request message from the first MLD, the second request message being used to request to obtain second key information of the second MLD set. The control device sends the multicast key of each link of the second MLD set to the first MLD.

[0011] In this method, during the association phase of the non-AP MLD, the control device can achieve key synchronization between different MLD sets.

[0012] In a possible implementation manner, the control device sends first indication information to the first MLD set, where the first indication information is used to instruct the first MLD to switch the data service of the non-AP MLD to the second MLD for transmission.

[0013] In this method, during the roaming phase of the non-AP MLD, the control device can control the switching of data services between MLD sets.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the control device receives the physical link capabilities of multiple MLDs in the entire MLD set. The control device determines that the maximum value of the physical link capabilities of the multiple MLDs is the maximum physical link capability. The control device sends second indication information to the multiple MLDs, where the second indication information is used to indicate the maximum physical link capability, and the multiple MLDs include a first MLD and a second MLD.

[0015] In this method, the control device may also determine the maximum physical link capacity of all MLD sets, and indicate the maximum physical link capacity to each MLD set, which is helpful for each MLD set to determine whether to create a virtual link.

[0016] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is executed by a multi-link device, or by a component of a multi-link device (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), and can also be executed by a logic module that can realize all or part of the functions of the multi-link device. The multi-link device is referred to as MLD for short. Taking the first MLD as an example for description, the first MLD determines the first user information, and the first user information includes one or more of the address information of the non-AP MLD that transmits data services with the first MLD, the number of links of the non-AP MLD, the link capacity of the non-AP MLD, the number of links of the first MLD, and the link capacity of the first MLD. The first MLD sends the first user information to the control device, and the first user information is used by the second MLD to determine the second user information for data service transmission with the non-AP MLD; the second MLD and the first MLD belong to different MLD sets, and the non-AP MLD only transmits data services with one MLD set at the same time.

[0017] In this method, the first MLD may send the first user information to the control device, which is beneficial for the control device to collect user information of all MLD sets, thereby facilitating the control device to share user information between different MLD sets.

[0018] In a possible implementation, the first MLD sends the physical addresses of the links of the first MLD set to the control device, the first MLD belongs to the first MLD set, and the physical addresses of the links of the first MLD set are used to determine the multicast keys of the links of the first MLD set.

[0019] In this method, the first MLD can send the physical address of the link of the first MLD set to the control device, which is conducive to the control device generating a multicast key for the first MLD set. The multicast key can be synchronized between different MLD sets by the control device.

[0020] In one possible implementation, the first MLD sends a first request message to the control device, where the first request message is used to request to obtain first key information of the first MLD. The first MLD receives the multicast key of each link of the first MLD and the unicast key of the non-AP MLD. The first MLD sends the multicast key of each link of the first MLD and the unicast key of the non-AP MLD to the non-AP MLD.

[0021] In this method, in the association phase of the non-AP MLD, the first MLD may request the control device to obtain the multicast key of each link and the unicast key of the associated non-AP MLD.

[0022] In a possible implementation, the first MLD sends a second request message to the control device, the second request message being used to request to obtain second key information of the second MLD. The first MLD receives the multicast keys of each link of the second MLD. The first MLD sends the multicast keys of each link of the second MLD to the non-AP MLD.

[0023] In this method, during the roaming phase of the non-AP, the first MLD can request the control device to obtain the multicast keys of each link of other MLDs, which is beneficial for the non-AP MLD to roam to other MLDs.

[0024] In a possible implementation, the first MLD receives first indication information from the control device, where the first indication information is used to instruct the first MLD to switch data services of the non-AP MLD to the second MLD for transmission. The first MLD sends the first indication information to the non-AP MLD.

[0025] In the method, during the roaming phase of the non-AP MLD, the first MLD may switch the data service of the non-AP MLD to the second MLD for transmission based on the first indication information of the control device.

[0026] In one possible implementation, the first MLD sends the physical link capability of the first MLD to the control device. The first MLD receives second indication information from the control device, where the second indication information is used to indicate a maximum physical link capability, where the maximum physical link capability is the maximum value of the physical link capabilities of the multiple MLDs managed by the control device. If the link capability of the first MLD is less than the maximum physical link capability, the first MLD creates a virtual link.

[0027] In this method, the first MLD can receive the maximum physical link capability indicated by the control device, and determine whether to create a virtual link based on its own physical link capability, which is beneficial for the non-AP MLD to quickly access different MLDs during the roaming phase.

[0028] In a possible implementation, the first MLD sends first link capability information to the second MLD and the non-AP MLD, where the first link capability information includes a first identifier indicating that the link of the first MLD is a physical link or a virtual link, and / or link capabilities of each link.

[0029] In this method, the first MLD may send the first link capability information to other MLDs and non-AP MLDs, thereby sharing the link capability information of the first MLD among different MLD sets.

[0030] In a possible implementation, the first MLD broadcasts first link attributes of the first MLD set, where the first link attributes include one or more of link identifiers, link capabilities, and physical addresses of all links in the first MLD set, and the first MLD belongs to the first MLD set.

[0031] In this method, the first MLD only broadcasts the link attributes of all links in the MLD set to which it belongs, rather than broadcasting the link attributes of all links in all MLD sets, which is beneficial to reducing signaling overhead.

[0032] In a possible implementation manner, the user information or link attribute or link capability information is carried in one or more of the following frame bodies: a beacon frame, a probe response frame, and an assoc response frame.

[0033] In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is executed by a non-access point device, or by a component of a non-access point device (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), and can also be executed by a logic module that can implement all or part of the functions of the non-access point device. Among them, the non-access point device is also called a non-access point multi-link device, or a site multi-link device, or simply non-AP MLD. Taking the non-AP MLD as an example for description, the non-AP MLD sends a third request message to the first MLD, and the third request message is used to request to initiate association to the first MLD. The non-APMLD receives first user information from the first MLD, where the first user information includes one or more of the address information of the non-AP MLD, the number of links of the non-AP MLD, the link capability of the non-AP MLD, the number of links of the first MLD, and the link capability of the first MLD; the first user information is used to control the second MLD managed by the device to determine second user information for transmitting data services with the non-AP MLD, the second MLD and the first MLD belong to different MLD sets, and the non-AP MLD only transmits data services with one MLD set at the same time.

[0034] In this method, the non-AP MLD can only initiate association to the MLD in one MLD set at the same time, and only transmit data services with one MLD set, which is conducive to simplifying the centralized control function of the control device.

[0035] In a possible implementation manner, the non-AP MLD receives the multicast keys of each link of the first MLD and the unicast key of the non-AP MLD.

[0036] In this method, during the association phase of the non-AP MLD, the non-AP MLD can obtain the multicast keys of each link of the associated MLD and its own unicast key, which is beneficial to the encrypted transmission of data services.

[0037] In a possible implementation manner, the non-AP MLD receives the multicast keys of each link of the second MLD from the first MLD.

[0038] In this method, during the roaming phase of the non-AP MLD, the non-AP MLD can also obtain the multicast keys of each link of other MLDs through the associated MLD, which is beneficial for the non-AP MLD to roam to other MLDs.

[0039] In a possible implementation manner, the non-AP MLD receives first indication information from the first MLD, where the first indication information is used to instruct the first MLD to switch the data service of the non-AP MLD to the second MLD for transmission.

[0040] In the method, during the roaming phase of the non-AP MLD, the control device instructs the first MLD to switch the data service of the non-AP MLD to the second MLD for transmission.

[0041] In a possible implementation, the non-AP MLD receives first link capability information from the first MLD, where the first link capability information includes a first identifier indicating that the links in the first MLD set are physical links or virtual links, and / or link capabilities of each link.

[0042] In this method, during the association phase of the non-AP MLD, the non-AP MLD may obtain the link capability information of the MLD set, thereby determining a link (physical link or virtual link) corresponding to the MLD set.

[0043] In one possible implementation, the non-AP MLD receives second link capability information from the second MLD, the second link capability information including a second identifier indicating that the links of the second MLD set are physical links or virtual links, and / or the link capability of each link. If the first identifier indicates that the first MLD set includes virtual links, and the second identifier indicates that the second MLD set does not include virtual links, the non-AP MLD switches the data service transmitted using the physical links of the first MLD set to all links of the second MLD set for transmission.

[0044] In a possible implementation, if the first identifier indicates that the first MLD set does not include a virtual link, and the second identifier indicates that the second MLD set includes a virtual link, the non-AP MLD switches data services transmitted using all links of the first MLD set to physical links of the second MLD set for transmission.

[0045] In the above method, during the roaming phase of the non-AP MLD, the non-AP MLD may also receive the second link capability information of the second MLD set, and determine a data service switching transmission scheme based on the first link capability information and the second link capability information.

[0046] In one possible implementation, the non-AP MLD sends a fourth request message to the first MLD, where the fourth request message is used to request roaming to the second MLD. The non-AP MLD receives a fourth response message from the first MLD. The non-AP MLD performs an operation of roaming to the second MLD. The non-AP MLD exchanges unicast encrypted management frames with the second MLD to obtain multicast keys for each link of the second MLD.

[0047] In this method, during the roaming phase of the non-AP MLD, the non-AP MLD receives a roaming response message from the first MLD that does not carry the multicast key of the target MLD set. Then, after the roaming is completed, the non-AP MLD can exchange management frames with the target MLD to obtain the multicast keys of each link of the target MLD.

[0048] In a possible implementation, the non-AP MLD obtains link attributes of one or more MLDs, wherein the link attributes of an MLD include one or more of link identifiers, link capabilities, and physical addresses of all links in the MLD.

[0049] In this method, the MLD only broadcasts the link attributes of all links in the MLD set to which it belongs, rather than broadcasting the link attributes of all links in all MLD sets, which can reduce the information carried by the frame body such as the beacon frame.

[0050] In a possible implementation manner, the non-AP MLD obtains signal qualities of one or more MLDs, and determines to initiate association with the MLD with the highest link quality.

[0051] In this method, before the non-AP MLD associates with the network, the non-AP MLD can scan different MLD sets and select the MLD with the highest link quality to initiate the association with the network.

[0052] In a possible implementation, the non-AP MLD updates the link quality of one or more MLDs. The non-AP MLD determines to roam to a second MLD based on the updated link quality of the one or more MLDs. The updated link quality of the second MLD is higher than the link quality of the first MLD.

[0053] In this method, the non-AP MLD can update the link quality of each MLD during the movement process, and determine whether to roam based on the updated link quality.

[0054] In a possible implementation manner, the user information or link attribute or link capability information is carried in one or more of the following frame bodies: a beacon frame, a probe response frame, and an assoc response frame.

[0055] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication device. The communication device may be a control device, or a device of a control device, or a device that can be used in conjunction with a control device. In a possible implementation, the communication device may include a functional module, and the functional module may be a hardware circuit, or software, or a combination of a hardware circuit and software.

[0056] In a possible implementation, the communication device includes a communication unit and a processing unit. The communication unit is used to receive first user information from a first multi-link device MLD, wherein the first user information includes one or more of the address information of a non-access point multi-link device non-AP MLD that transmits data services with the first MLD, the number of links of the non-AP MLD, the link capacity of the non-APMLD, the number of links of the first MLD, and the link capacity of the first MLD. The communication unit is also used to send the first user information to a second MLD, wherein the second MLD belongs to a different MLD set from the first MLD, and the non-AP MLD transmits data services with only one MLD set at the same time, and the first user information is used by the second MLD to determine second user information for data service transmission with the non-AP MLD.

[0057] In one possible implementation, the communication unit is used to receive the physical addresses of the links of all MLD sets. The processing unit is used to determine the multicast key of each link based on the physical addresses of the links of all MLD sets. The processing unit is also used to determine the unicast key of the non-AP MLD based on the address information of the non-AP MLD.

[0058] In one possible implementation, the communication unit is used to receive a first request message from the first MLD, the first request message being used to request first key information of the first MLD set. The communication unit is also used to send the multicast key of each link of the first MLD set and the unicast key of the non-AP MLD to the first MLD.

[0059] In a possible implementation, the communication unit is used to receive a second request message from the first MLD, the second request message being used to request obtaining second key information of the second MLD set. The communication unit is also used to send multicast keys of each link of the second MLD set to the first MLD.

[0060] In a possible implementation, the communication unit is used to send first indication information to the first MLD set, where the first indication information is used to instruct the first MLD to switch the data service of the non-AP MLD to the second MLD for transmission.

[0061] In one possible implementation, the communication unit is used to receive the physical link capabilities of multiple MLDs in the entire MLD set. The processing unit is used to determine that the maximum value of the physical link capabilities of the multiple MLDs is the maximum physical link capability. The communication unit is also used to send second indication information to the multiple MLDs, where the second indication information is used to indicate the maximum physical link capability, and the multiple MLDs include a first MLD and a second MLD.

[0062] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication device. The communication device may be a multi-link device, or a device of a multi-link device, or a device that can be used in conjunction with a multi-link device. In a possible implementation, the communication device may include a functional module, and the functional module may be a hardware circuit, or software, or a combination of a hardware circuit and software.

[0063] In a possible implementation, the communication device includes a communication unit and a processing unit. The processing unit is used to determine first user information, and the first user information includes one or more of the address information of the non-AP MLD that transmits data services with the first MLD, the number of links of the non-AP MLD, the link capacity of the non-AP MLD, the number of links of the first MLD, and the link capacity of the first MLD. The communication unit is used to send the first user information to the control device, and the first user information is used by the second MLD to determine the second user information for data service transmission with the non-AP MLD; the second MLD and the first MLD belong to different MLD sets, and the non-AP MLD only transmits data services with one MLD set at the same time.

[0064] In a possible implementation, the communication unit is used to send physical addresses of links of a first MLD set to the control device, the first MLD belongs to the first MLD set, and the physical addresses of links of the first MLD set are used to determine multicast keys of each link of the first MLD set.

[0065] In one possible implementation, the communication unit is used to send a first request message to the control device, where the first request message is used to request to obtain first key information of the first MLD. The communication unit is also used to receive multicast keys of each link of the first MLD and unicast keys of the non-AP MLD. The communication unit is also used to send multicast keys of each link of the first MLD and unicast keys of the non-AP MLD to the non-AP MLD.

[0066] In one possible implementation, the communication unit is used to send a second request message to the control device, the second request message being used to request to obtain second key information of the second MLD. The communication unit is also used to receive multicast keys of each link of the second MLD. The first MLD sends the multicast keys of each link of the second MLD to the non-AP MLD.

[0067] In a possible implementation, the communication unit is used to receive first indication information from a control device, the first indication information being used to instruct the first MLD to switch the data service of the non-AP MLD to the second MLD for transmission. The communication unit is also used to send the first indication information to the non-AP MLD.

[0068] In one possible implementation, the communication unit is used to send the physical link capability of the first MLD to the control device. The communication unit is also used to receive second indication information from the control device, where the second indication information is used to indicate a maximum physical link capability, where the maximum physical link capability is the maximum value of the physical link capabilities of the multiple MLDs managed by the control device. If the link capability of the first MLD is less than the maximum physical link capability, the processing unit is used to create a virtual link.

[0069] In a possible implementation, the communication unit is used to send first link capability information to the second MLD and the non-AP MLD, where the first link capability information includes a first identifier indicating that the link of the first MLD is a physical link or a virtual link, and / or link capabilities of each link.

[0070] In a possible implementation, the communication unit is used to broadcast a first link attribute of a first MLD set, where the first link attribute includes one or more of link identifiers, link capabilities, and physical addresses of all links in the first MLD set, and the first MLD belongs to the first MLD set.

[0071] In a possible implementation manner, the user information or link attribute or link capability information is carried in one or more of the following frame bodies: a beacon frame, a probe response frame, and an assoc response frame.

[0072] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication device. The communication device may be a non-access point device, or a device of a non-access point device, or a device that can be used in combination with a non-access point device. In a possible implementation, the communication device may include a functional module, and the functional module may be a hardware circuit, or software, or a combination of a hardware circuit and software.

[0073] In a possible implementation, the communication device includes a communication unit and a processing unit. The communication unit is used to send a third request message to the first MLD, and the third request message is used to request to initiate association to the first MLD. The communication unit is also used to receive first user information from the first MLD, and the first user information includes one or more of the address information of the non-AP MLD, the number of links of the non-AP MLD, the link capacity of the non-AP MLD, the number of links of the first MLD, and the link capacity of the first MLD; the first user information is used to control the second MLD managed by the device to determine the second user information for data service transmission with the non-AP MLD, the second MLD and the first MLD belong to different MLD sets, and the non-AP MLD only transmits data services with one MLD set at the same time.

[0074] In a possible implementation manner, the communication unit is configured to receive a multicast key of each link of the first MLD and a unicast key of the non-AP MLD.

[0075] In a possible implementation manner, the communication unit is configured to receive multicast keys of each link of a second MLD from the first MLD.

[0076] In a possible implementation, the communication unit is used to receive first indication information from the first MLD, where the first indication information is used to instruct the first MLD to switch the data service of the non-AP MLD to the second MLD for transmission.

[0077] In a possible implementation, the communication unit is used to receive first link capability information of the first MLD, where the first link capability information includes a first identifier indicating that the link of the first MLD is a physical link or a virtual link, and / or link capabilities of each link.

[0078] In one possible implementation, the communication unit is used to receive second link capability information of the second MLD, where the second link capability information includes a second identifier indicating that the link of the second MLD is a physical link or a virtual link, and / or the link capability of each link. If the first identifier indicates that the first MLD includes a virtual link, and the second identifier indicates that the second MLD does not include a virtual link, the processing unit is used to switch the data service transmitted using the physical link of the first MLD to all links of the second MLD for transmission.

[0079] In a possible implementation, if the first identifier indicates that the first MLD does not include a virtual link, and the second identifier indicates that the second MLD includes a virtual link, the processing unit is configured to switch data services transmitted using all links of the first MLD to physical links of the second MLD for transmission.

[0080] In one possible implementation, the communication unit is used to send a fourth request message to the first MLD, where the fourth request message is used to request roaming to the second MLD. The communication unit is also used to receive a fourth response message from the first MLD. The processing unit is used to perform an operation of roaming to the second MLD. The communication unit is also used to interact with the second MLD with unicast encrypted management frames to obtain multicast keys for each link of the second MLD.

[0081] In a possible implementation, the communication unit is used to obtain link attributes of one or more MLDs, wherein the link attributes of an MLD include one or more of link identifiers, link capabilities, and physical addresses of all links in the MLD.

[0082] In a possible implementation manner, the processing unit is configured to obtain signal qualities of one or more MLDs, and determine to initiate association and network access to an MLD with the highest link quality.

[0083] In a possible implementation, the processing unit is used to update the link quality of one or more MLDs. The processing unit is also used to determine roaming to a second MLD based on the updated link quality of the one or more MLDs. The updated link quality of the second MLD is higher than the link quality of the first MLD.

[0084] In a possible implementation manner, the user information or link attribute or link capability information is carried in one or more of the following frame bodies: a beacon frame, a probe response frame, and an assoc response frame.

[0085] For the fourth to sixth aspects, as an example, the processing unit may be a processor, and the communication unit may be a transceiver unit, a transceiver, or a communication interface. It is understandable that when the communication device is a communication device (such as a control device or a multi-link device or a non-access point device), the communication unit may be a transceiver in the communication device (for example, the transceiver includes a transmitter and a receiver), such as implemented by an antenna, a feeder, and a codec in the communication device, or, if the communication device is a chip set in the device, the processing unit may be a processing circuit, a logic circuit, etc. of the chip, and the communication unit may be an input / output interface of the chip, such as an input / output circuit, a pin, etc.

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

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

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

[0089] In a tenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product, comprising instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to execute the method of any possible implementation of the first to third aspects, and the first to third aspects.

[0090] In the eleventh aspect, the present application provides a chip, which includes a processor (or a logic circuit). Optionally, the chip may also include a communication interface (or interface) for implementing the method in any possible implementation of the first to third aspects and the first to third aspects. In a possible implementation, if the chip is the smallest processing unit in the whole machine, the chip may be a processor, or may include a processor and a memory, or may include a processor, a memory and a transceiver, for implementing the method in any possible implementation of the first to third aspects and the first to third aspects.

[0091] In a twelfth aspect, the present application provides a chip system. The chip system includes a processor and an interface. Optionally, it may also include a memory for implementing the method in any possible implementation of the first to third aspects and the first to third aspects. The chip system may be composed of a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete devices. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0092] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a communication system provided for this application;

[0093] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a multi-link device set provided by the present application;

[0094] Figure 3 A flowchart of the first communication method provided in this application;

[0095] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a second communication method provided by the present application;

[0096] Figure 5A schematic diagram of a multi-link device set broadcasting link attributes and interacting with a non-access point multi-link device provided in the present application;

[0097] Figure 6 A flowchart of a third communication method provided in this application;

[0098] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of switching between physical links and virtual links between a multi-link device set provided by the present application;

[0099] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a communication device provided by the present application;

[0100] Fig. 9 A schematic diagram of another communication device provided in the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0101] In the embodiments of the present application, " / " can indicate that the objects associated before and after are in an "or" relationship, for example, A / B can indicate A or B; "and / or" can be used to describe that there are three relationships between the associated objects, for example, A and / or B can indicate: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In order to facilitate the description of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, in the embodiments of the present application, the words "first" and "second" can be used to distinguish between technical features with the same or similar functions. The words "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity and execution order, and the words "first" and "second" do not necessarily limit the difference. In the embodiments of the present application, the words "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations or explanations, and any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" should not be interpreted as being more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or design. The use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present related concepts in a specific way for easy understanding.

[0102] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0103] In order to solve the problem that the master control solution is too complex to be implemented when the scale of the distributed MLD network is large, the present application provides a communication method, which can simplify the centralized control function of the control device in the distributed MLD network.

[0104] Among them, the communication method provided by this application can be applied to Figure 1 In the communication system 100 shown in FIG. 1 , for example, the communication system 100 includes a control device 101, a first multi-link device (MLD) set 102, and a second MLD set 103. Optionally, Figure 1 This is just an example, and the communication system 100 may also include other multiple MLD sets, which is not limited in the present application. Optionally, the communication system 100 may also be called a distributed MLD network.

[0105] The control device 101 is also called a centralized master control device, which is used for centralized master control management of devices and links in a distributed MLD network. For example, the control device can manage Figure 1 The first MLD set and the second MLD set shown may specifically manage access point multi-link devices (AP MLDs), non-access point multi-link devices (non-AP MLDs) and links between AP MLDs and non-AP MLDs in the first MLDs and the second MLDs.

[0106] Among them, this application assumes that multiple AP MLDs and non-AP MLDs can form a broad MLD logical entity, which is called an MLD set in this application. The links in the MLD set are distributed on one or more devices. After the MLD set is networked, it can improve the roaming experience of non-access point multi-link devices and help solve the roaming packet loss and disconnection problems. For example, Figure 2A schematic diagram of a multi-link device set provided in the present application, the multi-link device set 200 includes at least two MLDs; one is an access point multi-link device 201 (AP MLD for short), and the other is a non-access point multi-link device 202 (non-APMLD for short, also known as a station multi-link device (STA MLD)). The access point multi-link device 201 includes one or more APs (for example, including access point 1 (AP1) to access point n (AP n)). The non-access point multi-link device 202 includes one or more non-AP STAs (for example, including station 1 (STA1) to station n (STA n)). The non-access point multi-link device 202 can communicate with the access point multi-link device 201 after establishing a multi-link (referred to as multi-link establishment or multi-link association). During the multi-link establishment (or multi-link association) process, a STA in the non-access point multi-link device 202 can send an association request frame to an AP in the access point multi-link device 201. The association request frame carries a multi-link element (MLE, or multi-link information unit) to carry information of the non-access point multi-link device 202 and / or information of other STAs in the non-access point multi-link device 202. Similarly, the association response frame replied by the AP in the access point multi-link device 201 to the corresponding (associated) STA can also carry MLE to carry information of the access point multi-link device 201 and / or information of other APs in the access point multi-link device 201. For example, STA1 can establish a link with AP1 (also referred to as STA1 associating with AP1, and link 1 communication can be adopted), AP2 can establish a link with STA2 (also referred to as STA2 as associating with AP2, and link 2 communication can be adopted), and so on. Establishing a multi-link connection Figure 2 After link1 to link n as shown, the non-access point multi-link device 202 can communicate with the access point multi-link device 201 through link1 to link n.

[0107] 1. Relevant concepts of this application.

[0108] 1. Communication system:

[0109] In the present application, the communication system may be a wireless local area network (WLAN) or a cellular network, or other wireless communication systems that support multiple links to communicate in parallel. The embodiments of the present application are mainly described by taking the network deploying IEEE 802.11 as an example, and the various aspects involved in the present application can be extended to other networks using various standards or protocols, for example, BLUETOOTH (Bluetooth), high performance wireless LAN (HIPERLAN) (a wireless standard similar to the IEEE 802.11 standard, mainly used in Europe) and wide area network (WAN), personal area network (PAN) or other networks known now or developed later. Therefore, regardless of the coverage and wireless access protocol used, the various aspects provided in the present application can be applied to any suitable wireless network.

[0110] 2. Multi-link devices:

[0111] A multi-link device refers to a device that can operate in multiple frequency bands or multiple channels. For example, a multi-link device can communicate simultaneously in the 2.4 MHz (GHz), 5 GHz, and 6 GHz frequency bands, or communicate simultaneously in different channels of the same frequency band to increase the communication rate between devices. A multi-link device can implement wireless communications in accordance with the 802.11 series of protocols, for example, in accordance with extremely high throughput (EHT) sites, or in accordance with sites based on 802.11be or compatible with 802.11be, to achieve communication with other devices. Among them, other devices may be multi-link devices or may not be multi-link devices. Optionally, with the evolution of protocol standards, multi-link devices can also communicate in higher frequency bands (such as higher than the 6 GHz frequency band), which is not limited in this application.

[0112] A multi-link device usually includes multiple STAs or multiple APs. Each STA or AP operates on a specific frequency band or channel. A multi-link device can be an access point device (AP MLD) or a station device (non-APMLD or non-AP STA MLD). If it is an access point device (e.g. Figure 2 The access point multi-link device 201 shown in FIG. 201 includes one or more APs. If the device is a station device (eg, Figure 2 The non-AP multi-link device 202 shown in the figure contains one or more non-AP STAs. The station device can establish a multi-link (referred to as multi-link establishment or multi-link association) with the access point device and then communicate.

[0113] In this application, a multi-link device (such as Figure 2 The AP MLD, non-AP MLD) in the description is a device with wireless communication function. The device can be a complete device, or a chip or processing system installed in the complete device. Devices installed with these chips or processing systems can implement the methods and functions of the present application under the control of these chips or processing systems. For example, a multi-link device can be a multi-link device with a single antenna (or a single RF module), or a multi-link device with multiple antennas (or multiple RF modules). The embodiment of the present application does not limit the number of antennas included in the multi-link device.

[0114] In the present application, non-AP MLD has wireless transceiver functions, can support 802.11 series protocols, and communicate with AP MLD or other non-AP MLD or single-link devices. For example, non-AP MLD can be any user communication device that allows users to communicate with AP and then communicate with WLAN, such as but not limited to tablet computers, desktops, laptops, notebook computers, ultra-mobile personal computers (ultra-mobile personal computers, UMPC), handheld computers, netbooks, personal digital assistants (personal digital assistants, PDA), mobile phones and other user devices that can be connected to the Internet, or IoT nodes in the Internet of Things, or vehicle-mounted communication devices in the Internet of Vehicles, etc. Optionally, non-AP MLD can also be chips and processing systems in the above-mentioned terminals.

[0115] In the present application, AP MLD is a device that provides services for non-AP MLD and can support 802.11 series protocols. For example, AP MLD can be a communication entity such as a communication server, a router, a switch, a bridge, or the like, or AP MLD can include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, etc. Of course, AP MLD can also be a chip and processing system in these various forms of equipment, so as to realize the method and function of the embodiment of the present application.

[0116] Multi-link devices can support high-speed and low-latency transmission. With the continuous evolution of wireless LAN application scenarios, multi-link devices can also be applied to more scenarios, such as sensor nodes in smart cities (for example, smart water meters, smart electricity meters, smart air detection nodes), smart devices in smart homes (such as smart cameras, projectors, display screens, TVs, speakers, refrigerators, washing machines, etc.), nodes in the Internet of Things, entertainment terminals (such as wearable devices such as AR and VR), smart devices in smart offices (such as printers, projectors, etc.), Internet of Vehicles devices in the Internet of Vehicles, and some infrastructure in daily life scenarios (such as vending machines, self-service navigation desks in supermarkets, self-service cash registers, self-service ordering machines, etc.). In the embodiments of the present application, there is no special restriction on the specific forms of AP MLD and non-AP MLD, which are only exemplary descriptions. Among them, the 802.11 protocol can be a protocol that supports 802.11be or is compatible with 802.11be.

[0117] 3. Multi-link device collection:

[0118] In this application, it is assumed that one or more MLDs can form an MLD set, each MLD set can be distributed on the same device, and multiple MLD sets can form a distributed MLD network. For example, Figure 1 The communication system shown may also be referred to as a distributed MLD network. The distributed MLD network includes multiple MLD sets (e.g., a first MLD set and a second MLD set), each of which includes one or more MLDs (e.g., the first MLD set includes at least two MLDs, each of which may include one or more links, and the one or more links may work simultaneously). Different MLD sets are distributed on different devices, and the MLDs in different MLD sets are different (and the links are also different).

[0119] It should be noted that:

[0120] "Sending" and "receiving" in the embodiments of the present application indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "sending information to a terminal" can be understood as the destination of the information being the terminal, which can include direct sending through the air interface, and also includes indirect sending through the air interface by other units or modules. "Receiving information from a network device" can be understood as the source of the information being the network device, which can include directly receiving from the network device through the air interface, and also includes indirectly receiving from the network device through the air interface from other units or modules. "Sending" can also be understood as the "output" of the chip interface, and "receiving" can also be understood as the "input" of the chip interface.

[0121] In other words, sending and receiving can be performed between devices, for example, between a network device and a terminal device, or can be performed within a device, for example, sending or receiving between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within the device through a bus, wiring, or interface.

[0122] It is understandable that information may be processed between the source and destination of information transmission, such as coding, modulation, etc., but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in this application can be understood similarly and will not be repeated.

[0123] In the embodiments of the present application, "indication" may include direct indication and indirect indication, and may also include explicit indication and implicit indication. The information indicated by a certain information (such as the indication information described below) is called information to be indicated. In the specific implementation process, there are many ways to indicate the information to be indicated, such as but not limited to, directly indicating the information to be indicated, such as the information to be indicated itself or the index of the information to be indicated. The information to be indicated may also be indirectly indicated by indicating other information, wherein there is an association between the other information and the information to be indicated; it may also be possible to indicate only a part of the information to be indicated, while the other part of the information to be indicated is known or agreed in advance, for example, the indication of specific information can be realized by means of the arrangement order of each information agreed in advance (such as predefined by the protocol), thereby reducing the indication overhead to a certain extent. The present application does not limit the specific method of indication. It is understandable that, for the sender of the indication information, the indication information can be used to indicate the information to be indicated, and for the receiver of the indication information, the indication information can be used to determine the information to be indicated.

[0124] 2. The first type of technical problem solved by this application and the first communication method used to solve the first type of technical problem.

[0125] 1. The following Figure 1 Take the example to illustrate the first type of problem solved by this application. Figure 1 When the control device needs to manage all links in the entire distributed MLD network (such as all links including the first MLD set and the second MLD set), the centralized control function is too complex and difficult to implement, and is not conducive to further expansion of the network scale.

[0126] 2. In order to solve the above-mentioned first type of technical problems, this section provides a first communication method, which can simplify the centralized control function of the control device. For example, the control device does not need to control the data service transmission within the MLD set, but only needs to be responsible for the coarse-grained control between each MLD set (such as controlling the synchronization of user information between different MLDs, which is conducive to simplifying the operation of non-AP MLD when roaming between different MLDs, etc.). Among them, the first communication method can be applied to but not limited to the above Figure 1 or Figure 2 In the communication system or device shown.

[0127] For example, Figure 3 A flow chart of a first communication method provided in the present application. The method can be implemented by interaction between a control device, a first multi-link device and a second multi-link device, and includes the following steps:

[0128] S101, a first multi-link device sends first user information to a control device; correspondingly, the control device receives the first user information from the first multi-link device.

[0129] The first user information includes one or more of the address information of the non-AP MLD that transmits data services with the first MLD, the number of links of the non-AP MLD, the link capacity of the non-AP MLD, the number of links of the first MLD, and the link capacity of the first MLD.

[0130] For example, the non-AP MLD that performs data service transmission with the first MLD refers to the non-AP MLD associated with the first MLD, such as Figure 1 As shown in the non-access point multi-link device in. Assume that in the initial state, the non-AP MLD has not yet connected to the distributed MLD network. The present application stipulates that the non-AP MLD only transmits data services with one MLD set at the same time. Then, in the initial state, the non-AP MLD can scan and perceive the link information of multiple MLD sets in the entire distributed MLD network (such as the number of links, link capabilities, and other information of each MLD set), and record and maintain the link information of multiple MLD sets. In addition, the non-AP MLD can autonomously select an MLD set (such as the one with the highest signal quality (such as the highest signal strength)) based on the scan results (such as the signal quality of the received signal). Figure 1The non-AP MLD initiates association to enter the network with the first MLD set in the first MLD set. After the non-AP MLD is associated to enter the network, the non-AP MLD transmits data services only with the associated MLD set at the same time (e.g., the non-AP MLD transmits data services only with the first MLD in the first MLD set at the same time). Optionally, the non-AP MLD can continue to maintain the link information of multiple MLD sets during the movement. Optionally, the non-AP MLD can continue to scan during the movement, and determine whether to roam from one MLD set to another MLD set based on the scanning results (e.g., received signal strength).

[0131] Optionally, before S101, the operation of non-AP MLD initiating association to the first MLD set to join the network is also included. For example, based on the scanning result, the non-AP MLD determines that the signal quality of the first MLD in the first MLD set is the highest, and then sends an association request message to the first MLD; correspondingly, the first MLD receives the association request message. The first MLD can send an association response message to the non-AP MLD to agree to the association of the non-AP MLD to join the network. The non-AP MLD joins the first MLD set and only transmits data services with the first MLD set at the same time. The specific data service transmission in the present application is no longer controlled by the control device, but by the MLD set, which is conducive to simplifying the centralized control function of the control device.

[0132] The address information of the non-AP MLD includes but is not limited to the physical address of the non-AP MLD (such as the media access control (MAC) address), the physical addresses of the links of the non-AP MLD, etc. The link capability of the non-AP MLD is the link frequency band supported by the non-AP MLD; for example, the link frequency band supported by the non-AP MLD may include but is not limited to the 2.4 GHz frequency band (abbreviated as 2.4G), the 5 GHz high frequency band (abbreviated as 5G_H), and the 5 GHz low frequency band (abbreviated as 5G_L). The number of links of the non-AP MLD is the total number of links supported by the non-AP MLD; for example, if the link frequency bands supported by the non-AP MLD include 2.4G, 5G_H and 5G_L, the number of links of the non-AP MLD is 3.

[0133] The link capacity of the first MLD is similar to the definition of the link capacity of the non-AP MLD, which is the link frequency band supported by the first MLD; for example, the link frequency band supported by the first MLD may include but is not limited to 2.4G, 5G_H and 5G_L. The link quantity of the first MLD is similar to the definition of the link quantity of the non-AP MLD, which is the total number of links supported by the first MLD; for example, if the link frequency band supported by the first MLD includes 2.4G, 5G_H and 5G_L, the link quantity of the first MLD is 3.

[0134] Optionally, in the initial state, it is assumed that the non-AP MLD has not yet initiated association to the first MLD set, and it is assumed that the link capability and the number of links of the non-AP MLD are different from the link capability and the number of links of the first MLD. For example, it is assumed that the link frequency bands supported by the non-AP MLD include 2.4G, 5G_H and 5G_L, and the number of links is 3; it is assumed that the link frequency bands supported by the first MLD include 2.4G and 5G_L, and the number of links is 2. When the non-AP MLD initiates association to the first MLD set and associates with the first MLD, the link capability and the number of links in the first user information generated by the first MLD include the intersection of the link capability of the first MLD and the link capability of the non-AP MLD, and the intersection of the link number of the first MLD and the link number of the non-AP MLD. For example, the number of links of the non-AP MLD in the first user information is 2, the link capability of the non-AP MLD supports link frequency bands including 2.4G and 5G_L, the number of links of the first MLD is 2, and the link capability of the first MLD supports link frequency bands including 2.4G and 5G_L.

[0135] S102: The control device sends first user information to a second multi-link device. The second multi-link device and the first multi-link device belong to different multi-link device sets. The non-access point multi-link device transmits data services with only one multi-link device set at the same time.

[0136] Among them, the control device can control the synchronization of user information between different MLD sets, which is conducive to simplifying the operation of non-APMLD when roaming between different MLD sets. For example, the control device sends the first user information to the second MLD, realizing the synchronization of user information between different MLD sets. For the second MLD, the first user information is used by the second MLD to determine the second user information for data service transmission with the non-AP MLD. For example, although the non-AP MLD only transmits data services with the first MLD at the current moment, during the movement of the non-AP MLD, the link information of multiple MLD sets will continue to be maintained; and whether to roam from one MLD set to another MLD set will be determined according to the scanning results of the multiple MLD sets. If the non-AP MLD needs to roam to the second MLD set, since the second MLD set has obtained the first user information (for example, the address information of the non-AP MLD, the number of links of the non-AP MLD, and the link capacity of the non-AP MLD), the above information does not need to be synchronized again during the non-AP MLD roaming phase, which is conducive to reducing processing overhead.

[0137] Optionally, the control device can also control the synchronization of user aggregation information between different MLD sets. User aggregation information refers to information generated by aggregating multiple data frames of the same user after user association. For example, after the non-AP MLD associates with the first MLD, it can establish a multi-link connection with the first MLD, and the multi-link can transmit multiple data frames. The first MLD can aggregate multiple data frames to generate first user aggregation information, and send the first user aggregation information to the control device. Optionally, the first user aggregation information can also be sent by the control device to the second MLD.

[0138] In this embodiment, a non-AP MLD is limited to transmit data services with only one MLD set at the same time, so the control of the non-AP MLD data service transmission can be performed by each MLD set without the need for centralized control by the control device. Therefore, the centralized control function of the control device can be simplified to the control device being responsible for user information synchronization and user aggregation information synchronization between each MLD set, which is conducive to simplifying the operation of the non-AP MLD when roaming between different MLDs.

[0139] 3. In one example, the control device may also control the synchronization of key information between different MLD sets.

[0140] For example, the first communication method further includes the following steps:

[0141] (1) The control device receives the physical addresses of the links of all MLD sets.

[0142] For example, the control device may receive the physical addresses of all links of the first MLD set and the physical addresses of all links of the second MLD set.

[0143] (2) The control device determines the multicast key of each link based on the physical addresses of the links in all MLD sets.

[0144] For example, the control device may adopt a method in an existing protocol for determining a multicast key of a link based on a MAC address of the link, which is not limited in this application.

[0145] (3) The control device determines the unicast key of the non-AP MLD based on the address information of the non-AP MLD.

[0146] For example, the control device may adopt a method in an existing protocol to determine the unicast key of the non-AP MLD based on the address information of the non-AP MLD, which is not limited in the present application.

[0147] Therefore, based on the above steps (1)-(3), the control device can generate multicast keys for multiple MLD sets and unicast keys for non-AP MLDs. The control device can control key information synchronization between different MLD sets.

[0148] In a possible implementation, during the association phase of the non-AP MLD, the first MLD associated with the non-AP MLD may request the control device to obtain the multicast keys of each link of the first MLD and the unicast keys of the non-AP MLD. For example, the first communication method further includes the following steps: the first MLD sends a first request message to the control device, the first request message being used to request to obtain the first key information of the first MLD; correspondingly, the control device receives the first request message. The control device sends the multicast keys of each link of the first MLD and the unicast keys of the non-AP MLD to the first MLD.

[0149] In another possible implementation, during the association phase of the non-AP MLD, the control device can request the first MLD associated with the non-AP MLD to obtain the key information of other MLD sets in the distributed MLD network from the control device, thereby achieving key information synchronization. For example, the first communication method also includes the following steps: the first MLD sends a second request message to the control device, and the second request message is used to request the second key information of the second MLD; correspondingly, the control device receives the second request message. The control device sends the multicast key of each link of the second MLD set to the first MLD. Optionally, the first MLD can also request the control device to obtain the key information of all MLD sets in the distributed MLD network to achieve key information synchronization.

[0150] Optionally, the non-AP MLD may also obtain the key information of the MLD set. For example, the non-AP MLD sends a fourth request message to the first MLD, where the fourth request message is used to request roaming to the second MLD. The non-AP MLD receives a fourth response message from the first MLD. The non-AP MLD performs the operation of roaming to the second MLD. The non-AP MLD exchanges unicast encrypted management frames with the second MLD to obtain the multicast keys of each link of the second MLD.

[0151] In this example, the control device may also control the synchronization of key information between different MLD sets, so that the key information does not need to be synchronized again during the non-AP MLD roaming phase, which is beneficial to reducing processing overhead.

[0152] 4. In one example, the control device may also control data service switching between different MLD sets.

[0153] For example, the first communication method further includes the following steps: the control device sends a first indication message to the first MLD, and the first indication message is used to instruct the first MLD to switch the data service of the non-AP MLD to the second MLD for transmission. The control device can be responsible for controlling the switching of data services between MLD sets during the non-AP MLD roaming phase, also known as controlling the message migration between MLD sets.

[0154] In this example, the control device can also control the switching of data services between different MLD sets, thereby realizing centralized control and simplifying the process of switching data services.

[0155] 3. The second type of technical problem solved by this application and the second communication method used to solve the second type of technical problem.

[0156] 1. The following Figure 1 Take the example to illustrate the second type of problem solved by this application. Figure 1 Each link in each MLD set currently needs to broadcast the information of all links in the entire distributed MLD network. For example, link N1 in the first MLD set needs to broadcast the link information of all links in the entire network (including all links in the first MLD set and all links in the second MLD set), and the link information can be collected by the control device and sent to each MLD set. When the network scale is large, the frame body carrying link information in each link, such as beacon frames, probe response frames, and association response frames, has the problem of being unable to carry the information of all links.

[0157] 2. In order to solve the second type of technical problem mentioned above, this subsection provides a second communication method. In this method, each link in each MLD set is limited, and only the information of all links in the MLD set to which the link belongs is broadcast, instead of broadcasting the information of all links in the entire distributed MLD network, which is beneficial to reducing the information carried by the frame body in each link.

[0158] For example, Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a second communication method provided by the present application. The method can be implemented by interaction between a first multi-link device, a second multi-link device and a non-access point multi-link device, including the following steps:

[0159] S201a, the first multi-link device broadcasts the first link attribute of the first multi-link device set, the first link attribute includes one or more of the link identifiers, link capabilities, and physical addresses of all links in the first multi-link device set, and the first multi-link device belongs to the first multi-link device set. Correspondingly, the non-access point multi-link device receives the first link attribute.

[0160] S201b, the second multi-link device broadcasts the second link attribute of the second multi-link device set, the second link attribute includes one or more of the link identifier, link capability, and physical address of all links in the second multi-link device set, and the second multi-link device belongs to the second multi-link device set. Correspondingly, the non-access point multi-link device receives the second link attribute.

[0161] The first link attribute or the second link attribute is carried in one or more of the following frame bodies: beacon frame, probe response frame, assoc response frame. Since the amount of information that can be carried by the above frame bodies is limited, the present application limits each link in each MLD set to only broadcast the link attributes of all links in the MLD set to which it belongs, rather than broadcasting the link attributes of all links in the entire distributed MLD network, thereby reducing the amount of information and solving the problem that the frame bodies of beacon, probe response, assoc response and other frames cannot carry information. For example, Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a multi-link device set broadcasting link attributes and interacting with a non-access point multi-link device provided in the present application. Among them, the first MLD only broadcasts the link attributes of all links in the first MLD set, and the second MLD only broadcasts the link attributes of all links in the second MLD set. When scanning, the non-AP MLD can perceive the information of each MLD set in the entire distributed MLD network; the non-AP MLD can record and maintain the link attributes of all links, such as Figure 5 The scanning method of the non-AP MLD may refer to the scanning method described in the protocol, and is not limited in this application.

[0162] The link identifier of a link is a unique identifier of each link, which is used to distinguish different links. For example, the link identifier can be called a link identity (link ID). The definition of the link capability and physical address of the link can refer to the corresponding description in the second section, which will not be repeated here.

[0163] Optionally, the execution order of S201a and S201b is not limited in this application. For example, S201a may be executed first and then S201b, or S201b may be executed first and then S201a, or S201a and S201b may be executed simultaneously.

[0164] S202: The non-access point multi-link device determines to initiate association and network access to a multi-link device set with the highest link quality according to a first link quality of a first MLD set and a second link quality of a second MLD set.

[0165] For example, the non-AP MLD can autonomously select an MLD set with the highest signal quality to initiate association and network entry based on the scan result. Specifically, the non-AP MLD initiates association and network entry to the MLD set by sending a third request message to the first MLD, where the third request message is used to request to initiate association and network entry to the first MLD.

[0166] Optionally, the signal quality of all links in the MLD set can be evaluated by indicators such as the signal strength of the link, reference signal receiving power (RSRP), etc., which is not limited in this application. For example, the non-AP MLD compares the first signal strength value in the first link quality and the second signal strength value in the second link quality. If the first signal strength value is greater than the second signal strength value, the non-AP MLD initiates association to the first MLD set. The first signal strength value may include the signal strengths of multiple links in the first MLD, or it may be the maximum signal strength of multiple links in the first MLD.

[0167] Optionally, during the non-AP MLD mobility process, the non-AP MLD may continue to maintain the link qualities of multiple MLD sets, and determine whether to roam from one MLD set to another MLDsubset based on the link qualities of the multiple MLD sets.

[0168] Optionally, during the non-AP MLD movement process, the non-AP MLD may update the link quality of one or more MLDs. The non-AP MLD determines to roam to a second MLD based on the updated link quality of the one or more MLDs. The updated link quality of the second MLD is higher than the link quality of the first MLD.

[0169] Optionally, the second communication method can be executed alone or in combination with the first communication method. For example, the first MLD and the second MLD can broadcast their respective link attributes respectively. In the non-AP MLD roaming phase, the non-AP MLD selects which MLD to roam to based on the qualities of multiple links in multiple MLD sets, and the control device can control the corresponding MLD to switch data services.

[0170] In this embodiment, the links in each MLD set only broadcast the link attributes of all links in the MLD set to which it belongs, rather than broadcasting the link attributes of all links in all MLD sets, which is beneficial to reducing signaling overhead.

[0171] 4. The third category of technical problems solved by this application and the third communication method used to solve the third category of technical problems.

[0172] 1. The third type of problem solved by the present application is described below. There may be a scenario of unequal links between MLD sets. For example, assume that the link frequency bands supported by the first MLD set include 2.4G, 5G_H and 5G_L, and the number of links is 3; the link frequency bands supported by the second MLD set include 2.4G and 5G_L, and the number of links is 2; the link frequency bands supported by the non-AP MLD include 2.4G, 5G_H and 5G_L, and the number of links is 3. Assuming that the non-AP MLD transmits data services with the first MLD set at the first moment, the non-AP MLD determines that it can roam to the second MLD set during the movement. However, if the second MLD set does not have a certain link capability (such as not supporting the 5G_H band), the non-AP MLD needs to perform link reassociation operations during the roaming phase, which has a high implementation complexity.

[0173] 2. In order to solve the third type of technical problem mentioned above, this section provides a third communication method, which introduces the concept of virtual link for the scenario of unequal links. If a certain link capability does not exist in a certain MLD set, the MLD set can create a corresponding virtual link, so that all link capabilities in each MLD set are the same, so that the non-AP MLD can obtain the maximum physical link capability of the MLD set during the association phase. And during the non-AP MLD roaming phase, it is only necessary to deal with the switching problem between the virtual link and the physical link, and there is no need to perform link reassociation operations, which reduces the implementation complexity. Among them, the third communication method can be applied to but is not limited to the above Figure 1 or Figure 2 In the communication system or device shown.

[0174] For example, Figure 6 A flow chart of a third communication method provided by the present application. The method can be implemented by interaction between a first multi-link device, a second multi-link device and a non-access point multi-link device, including the following steps:

[0175] S301a, the first multi-link device sends first link capability information to the non-access point multi-link device; correspondingly, the non-access point multi-link device receives the first link capability information.

[0176] S301b, the second multi-link device sends second link capability information to the non-access point multi-link device; correspondingly, the non-access point multi-link device receives the second link capability information.

[0177] The first link capability information includes a first identifier indicating that the links of the first MLD set are physical links or virtual links, and / or the link capability of each link. For example, assuming that the link frequency bands supported by the first MLD include 2.4G, 5G_H and 5G_L, and the number of links is 3; then the first identifier indicates that all the links of the first MLD set are physical links.

[0178] The second link capability information includes a second identifier indicating that the link of the second MLD set is a physical link or a virtual link, and / or the link capability of each link. For example, assuming that the link frequency bands supported by the second MLD set include 2.4G and 5G_L, and the number of links is 2; at this time, the second MLD set does not support the 5G_H frequency band, then the second MLD set can create a virtual link. The virtual link does not transmit data services.

[0179] Optionally, before S301a or S301b, the control device may collect the physical link capabilities of multiple MLD sets, determine the maximum physical link capability, and then send second indication information to the multiple MLD sets, where the second indication information is used to indicate the maximum physical link capability. Therefore, if the second MLD set does not support the 5G_H band and the second MLD set knows the maximum physical link capability, the second MLD set may create a virtual link.

[0180] Optionally, before S301a or S301b, it is assumed that the non-AP MLD has been associated with the first MLD set and is performing data service transmission.

[0181] Optionally, the first identifier or the second identifier or the second indication information is carried in one or more of the following frame bodies: a beacon frame, a probe response frame, and an assoc response frame. For example, the first identifier or the second identifier can be indicated by one or more of the beacon frame, the probe response frame, and the assoc response frame.

[0182] Optionally, the execution order of S301a and S301b is not limited in this application. For example, S301a may be executed first and then S301b, or S301b may be executed first and then S301a, or S301a and S301b may be executed simultaneously.

[0183] S302: If the first identifier indicates that the first multi-link device set includes a virtual link, and the second identifier indicates that the second multi-link device set does not include a virtual link, the non-access point multi-link device switches the data service transmitted by the physical link of the first multi-link device set to all links of the second multi-link device set for transmission.

[0184] S303: If the first identifier indicates that the first multi-link device set does not include a virtual link, and the second identifier indicates that the second multi-link device set includes a virtual link, the non-access point multi-link device switches the data service transmitted by all links of the first multi-link device set to the physical link of the second multi-link device set for transmission.

[0185] For example, Figure 7A schematic diagram of the switching of physical links and virtual links between a set of multi-link devices provided in the present application. The first MLD set includes physical links N1 and N2, the second MLD set includes physical links M1 to M3, and the non-APMLD includes physical links X1 to X3. The control device can indicate the maximum physical link capacity through the second indication information, and the first MLD can create a virtual link N3. Assuming that the non-AP MLD transmits data services with the first MLD set at the first moment, since the virtual link cannot transmit data services, the data services of the non-AP MLD and the first MLD set are only transmitted on physical links N1 and N2 (i.e., X1 and X2). When the non-AP MLD moves and determines that it can roam to the second MLD set, the non-AP MLD can switch the physical links X1 to X3 to the physical links M1 to M3 respectively. In addition, the data services of the non-AP MLD and the second MLD set can be transmitted on all physical links.

[0186] Optionally, assuming that the non-AP MLD transmits data services with the second MLD set at the first moment and transmits data with the first MLD set after roaming, the non-AP MLD can switch the physical links X1 to X3 to the physical links N1 and N2, and the virtual link N3 respectively. In addition, the data services between the non-AP MLD and the first MLD set are only transmitted on the physical links N1 and N2. The schematic diagram of this process is similar to Figure 7 similar.

[0187] Optionally, the switching of the virtual link and the physical link can be achieved by extending the traffic ID (TID) to link mapping (tid_to_link_mapping) of the non-AP MLD. Tid_to_link_mapping is used to specify which link the TID service is mapped to for transmission. However, the virtual link in this application cannot be used for service transmission. For example, Figure 7 The data service of the non-AP MLD shown needs to be switched from the first MLD set to the second MLD set for transmission, and the services on the physical links N1 and N2 are mapped from the first MLD set to the physical links M1 to M3 in the second MLD set through tid_to_link_mapping.

[0188] Optionally, the third communication method can be executed alone or in combination with the first communication method or the second communication method. For example, the control device can receive the physical link capabilities of multiple MLDs in the entire MLD set, and determine that the maximum value of the physical link capabilities of the multiple MLDs is the maximum physical link capability. The control device sends a second indication message to the multiple MLDs, and the second indication message is used to indicate the maximum physical link capability, and the multiple MLDs include a first MLD and a second MLD. If the link capability of the first MLD is less than the maximum physical link capability, the first MLD creates a virtual link.

[0189] In this embodiment, the concept of virtual link is introduced for the scenario of unequal links. If a certain link capability does not exist in a certain MLD set, the MLD set can create a corresponding virtual link, so that all link capabilities in each MLD set are the same, so that the non-AP MLD can obtain the maximum physical link capability of the MLD set during the association phase. In addition, during the non-AP MLD roaming phase, only the switching problem between virtual links and physical links needs to be handled, and there is no need to perform link reassociation operations, which reduces the implementation complexity.

[0190] In order to realize the functions in the method provided by the present application, the device or equipment provided by the present application may include a hardware structure and / or a software module, and the above functions are realized in the form of a hardware structure, a software module, or a hardware structure plus a software module. Whether a certain function in the above functions is executed in the form of a hardware structure, a software module, or a hardware structure plus a software module depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. The division of modules in the present application is schematic, which is only a logical function division, and there may be other division methods in actual implementation. In addition, each functional module in each embodiment of the present application can be integrated in a processor, or it can be physically present separately, or two or more modules can be integrated in one module. The above integrated module can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional modules.

[0191] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a communication device provided in the present application. The device may include executing Figures 3 to 7 The module corresponding to the method / operation / step / action described in any of the embodiments shown may be a hardware circuit, software, or a combination of hardware circuit and software.

[0192] The apparatus 800 includes a communication unit 801 and a processing unit 802, which are used to implement the methods executed by the devices in the above embodiments. The communication unit 801 is also called a transceiver unit, which includes a sending unit and a receiving unit. The sending unit is used to send signals, and the receiving unit is used to receive signals.

[0193] In a possible implementation, the device may be a control device, or may be a device of a control device, or may be a device that can be used in combination with a control device. Specifically, the communication unit 801 is used to receive first user information from a first multi-link device MLD, the first user information including one or more of the address information of a non-access point multi-link device non-AP MLD that transmits data services with the first MLD, the number of links of the non-AP MLD, the link capacity of the non-AP MLD, the number of links of the first MLD, and the link capacity of the first MLD. The communication unit 801 is also used to send the first user information to a second MLD, the second MLD and the first MLD belong to different MLD sets, the non-AP MLD transmits data services with only one MLD set at the same time, and the first user information is used by the second MLD to determine second user information for data service transmission with the non-AP MLD.

[0194] Optionally, the processing unit 802 is configured to determine the multicast key of each link based on the physical addresses of the links in all MLD sets.

[0195] The specific execution process of the communication unit 801 and the processing unit 802 in this implementation mode can refer to the description of the steps executed by the control device in the previous method embodiment, as well as the related description, which will not be repeated here. The communication method implemented by the device can simplify the centralized control function of the control device. For example, the centralized control function of the control device can be simplified to the control device being responsible for coarse-grained control between each MLD set (such as controlling the synchronization of user information between different MLDs, which is conducive to simplifying the operation of non-AP MLD when roaming between different MLDs, etc.).

[0196] In a possible implementation, the device is a multi-link device, or may be a device of a multi-link device, or may be a device that can be used in combination with a multi-link device. Specifically, the processing unit 802 is used to determine first user information, and the first user information includes one or more of the address information of a non-AP MLD that transmits data services with the first MLD, the number of links of the non-AP MLD, the link capacity of the non-AP MLD, the number of links of the first MLD, and the link capacity of the first MLD. The communication unit 801 is used to send the first user information to the control device, and the first user information is used by the second MLD to determine the second user information for transmitting data services with the non-AP MLD; the second MLD and the first MLD belong to different MLD sets, and the non-AP MLD only transmits data services with one MLD set at the same time.

[0197] The specific execution process of the communication unit 801 and the processing unit 802 in this implementation mode can refer to the description of the steps executed by the multi-link device in the previous method embodiment, and the related description, which will not be repeated here. The communication method implemented by the device can send the first user information to the control device, which is conducive to the control device collecting the user information of all MLD sets, thereby facilitating the control device to share user information between different MLD sets.

[0198] In a possible implementation, the device is a non-access point device, or may be a device of a non-access point device, or may be a device that can be used in combination with a non-access point device. Specifically, the communication unit 801 is used to send a third request message to the first MLD, and the third request message is used to request to initiate association to the first MLD to access the network. The communication unit 801 is also used to receive first user information from the first MLD, and the first user information includes one or more of the address information of the non-AP MLD, the number of links of the non-AP MLD, the link capacity of the non-AP MLD, the number of links of the first MLD, and the link capacity of the first MLD; the first user information is used to control the second MLD managed by the device to determine the second user information for data service transmission with the non-AP MLD, the second MLD and the first MLD belong to different MLD sets, and the non-AP MLD only transmits data services with one MLD set at the same time.

[0199] Optionally, the processing unit 802 is configured to switch data services transmitted using the physical links of the first MLD to all links of the second MLD for transmission.

[0200] The specific execution process of the communication unit 801 and the processing unit 802 in this implementation mode can refer to the description of the steps executed by the non-access point multi-link device in the previous method embodiment, as well as the related description, which will not be repeated here. The communication method implemented by the device limits the non-AP MLD to only initiate association access to the MLD in one MLD set at the same time, and only transmits data services with one MLD set, which is conducive to simplifying the centralized control function of the control device.

[0201] In a possible implementation, when the communication device is a chip, the chip includes a transceiver unit and a processing unit. The transceiver unit may be an input / output circuit or a communication interface; the processing unit may be a processor or a microprocessor or an integrated circuit or a logic circuit integrated on the chip.

[0202] This application also provides a communication device, see Fig. 9, another structural diagram of the communication device of the embodiment of the present application. The communication device can be used to execute the steps executed by the control device or multi-link device or non-access point multi-link device in the above method embodiment, and reference can be made to the relevant description in the above method embodiment.

[0203] The communication device includes a processor 901. Optionally, the communication device also includes a memory 902 and a transceiver 903.

[0204] In a possible implementation, the processor 901, the memory 902 and the transceiver 903 are respectively connected via a bus, and the memory stores computer instructions.

[0205] Optionally, the processing unit 802 in the aforementioned embodiment may be the processor 901 in this embodiment, so the specific implementation of the processor 901 is not repeated. The communication unit 801 in the aforementioned embodiment may be the transceiver 903 in this embodiment, so the specific implementation of the transceiver 903 is not repeated.

[0206] In this application, the processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component, and may implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in this application. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the method disclosed in this application may be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware processor, or may be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor.

[0207] In the present application, the memory may be a non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), etc., or a volatile memory (volatile memory), such as a random-access memory (RAM). The memory is any other medium that can be used to carry or store the desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory in the present application may also be a circuit or any other device that can implement a storage function, for storing program instructions and / or data.

[0208] The present application provides another communication device, which includes a processor and an interface. Optionally, it also includes a memory, the processor is coupled to the memory, and the processor is used to read and execute computer instructions stored in the memory to implement the following Figures 3 to 7 The communication method in the embodiment shown.

[0209] The embodiment of the present application also provides a communication system, which includes one or more of a control device, a multi-link device, and a non-access point multi-link device to implement the following Figures 3 to 7 The communication method in the embodiment shown.

[0210] The present application provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores a program or instruction. When the program or instruction is executed on a computer, the computer executes Figures 3 to 7 The communication method in the embodiment shown.

[0211] The present application provides a computer program product. The computer program product includes instructions. When the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer executes the following Figures 3 to 7 The communication method in the embodiment shown.

[0212] The present application provides a chip or a chip system, which includes at least one processor and an interface, wherein the interface and the at least one processor are interconnected through a line, and the at least one processor is used to run a computer program or instruction to execute the following steps: Figures 3 to 7 The communication method in the embodiment shown.

[0213] The interface in the chip may be an input / output interface, a pin or a circuit, etc.

[0214] The chip system may be a system on chip (SOC) or a baseband chip, etc., wherein the baseband chip may include a processor, a channel encoder, a digital signal processor, a modem, an interface module, etc.

[0215] In one implementation, the chip or chip system described above in the present application further includes at least one memory, in which instructions are stored. The memory may be a storage unit inside the chip, such as a register, a cache, etc., or a storage unit of the chip (e.g., a read-only memory, a random access memory, etc.).

[0216] The technical solution provided in this application can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the process or function described in this application is generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a terminal or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from a website site, computer, server or data center to another website site, computer, server or data center by wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) mode. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more available media integrated. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a digital video disc (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium, etc.

[0217] In the present application, under the premise of no logical contradiction, the various embodiments may reference each other, for example, the methods and / or terms between method embodiments may reference each other, for example, the functions and / or terms between device embodiments may reference each other, for example, the functions and / or terms between device embodiments and method embodiments may reference each other.

[0218] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the present application without departing from the scope of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application is also intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The control device receives first user information from the first multi-link device MLD, where the first user information includes one or more of address information of a non-access point multi-link device non-AP MLD that performs data service transmission with the first MLD, the number of links of the non-AP MLD, the link capability of the non-AP MLD, the number of links of the first MLD, and the link capability of the first MLD; The control device sends the first user information to a second MLD, the second MLD and the first MLD belong to different MLD sets, the non-AP MLD only transmits data services with one MLD set at the same time, and the first user information is used by the second MLD to determine second user information for data service transmission with the non-AP MLD.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: The control device receives the physical addresses of the links of all MLD sets; The control device determines the multicast key of each link based on the physical addresses of the links of the entire MLD set; The control device determines a unicast key of the non-AP MLD based on the address information of the non-AP MLD.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The method further comprises: The control device receives a first request message from the first MLD, where the first request message is used to request to obtain first key information of the first MLD; The control device sends the multicast key of each link of the first MLD set and the unicast key of the non-AP MLD to the first MLD.

4. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The control device receives a second request message from the first MLD, where the second request message is used to request to obtain second key information of the second MLD set; The control device sends the multicast key of each link of the second MLD set to the first MLD.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The control device sends first indication information to the first MLD set, where the first indication information is used to instruct the first MLD to switch the data service of the non-AP MLD to the second MLD for transmission.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that Before the control device receives the first user information, the method further includes: The control device receives the physical link capabilities of the multiple MLDs in the entire MLD set; The control device determines that the maximum value of the physical link capabilities of the multiple MLDs is the maximum physical link capability; The control device sends second indication information to the multiple MLDs, where the second indication information is used to indicate the maximum physical link capability, and the multiple MLDs include the first MLD and the second MLD.

7. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The first MLD determines first user information, where the first user information includes one or more of address information of a non-AP MLD that performs data service transmission with the first MLD, the number of links of the non-AP MLD, the link capability of the non-AP MLD, the number of links of the first MLD, and the link capability of the first MLD; The first MLD sends the first user information to the control device, and the first user information is used by the second MLD to determine second user information for data service transmission with the non-AP MLD; the second MLD and the first MLD belong to different MLD sets, and the non-AP MLD only transmits data services with one MLD set at the same time.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first MLD sends physical addresses of links of a first MLD set to the control device, the first MLD belongs to the first MLD set, and the physical addresses of links of the first MLD set are used to determine multicast keys of each link of the first MLD set.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first MLD sends a first request message to the control device, where the first request message is used to request to obtain first key information of the first MLD; The first MLD receives the multicast key of each link of the first MLD and the unicast key of the non-AP MLD; The first MLD sends the multicast keys of each link of the first MLD and the unicast key of the non-AP MLD to the non-AP MLD.

10. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first MLD sends a second request message to the control device, where the second request message is used to request to obtain second key information of the second MLD; The first MLD receives the multicast keys of each link of the second MLD; The first MLD sends the multicast keys of each link of the second MLD to the non-AP MLD.

11. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The first MLD receives first indication information from the control device, where the first indication information is used to instruct the first MLD to switch the data service of the non-AP MLD to the second MLD for transmission; The first MLD sends the first indication information to the non-AP MLD.

12. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that Before the first MLD sends the first user information to the control device, the method further includes: The first MLD sends the physical link capability of the first MLD to the control device; The first MLD receives second indication information from the control device, where the second indication information is used to indicate a maximum physical link capacity, where the maximum physical link capacity is a maximum value of physical link capacities of a plurality of MLDs managed by the control device; If the link capacity of the first MLD is less than the maximum physical link capacity, the first MLD creates a virtual link.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first MLD sends first link capability information to the second MLD and the non-AP MLD, where the first link capability information includes a first identifier indicating that the link of the first MLD is a physical link or a virtual link, and / or link capabilities of each link.

14. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The non-AP MLD sends a third request message to the first MLD, where the third request message is used to request to initiate association and network access to the first MLD; The non-AP MLD receives first user information from the first MLD, where the first user information includes one or more of address information of the non-AP MLD, the number of links of the non-AP MLD, the link capability of the non-AP MLD, the number of links of the first MLD, and the link capability of the first MLD; The first user information is used to control the second MLD managed by the device to determine the second user information for data service transmission with the non-AP MLD, the second MLD and the first MLD belong to different MLD sets, and the non-AP MLD only transmits data services with one MLD set at the same time.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The method further comprises: The non-AP MLD receives the multicast keys of the links of the first MLD and the unicast key of the non-AP MLD.

16. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The method further comprises: The non-AP MLD receives the multicast keys of each link of the second MLD from the first MLD.

17. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The method further comprises: The non-AP MLD receives first indication information from the first MLD, where the first indication information is used to instruct the first MLD to switch data service of the non-AP MLD to the second MLD for transmission.

18. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that Before the non-AP MLD receives the first user information from the first MLD, the method further includes: The non-AP MLD receives first link capability information of the first MLD, where the first link capability information includes a first identifier indicating that a link of the first MLD is a physical link or a virtual link, and / or link capabilities of each link.

19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that The method further comprises: The non-AP MLD receives second link capability information of the second MLD, where the second link capability information includes a second identifier indicating that a link of the second MLD is a physical link or a virtual link, and / or link capabilities of each link; If the first identifier indicates that the first MLD includes a virtual link, and the second identifier indicates that the second MLD does not include a virtual link, the non-AP MLD switches data services transmitted using the physical links of the first MLD to all links of the second MLD for transmission.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that The method further comprises: If the first identifier indicates that the first MLD does not include a virtual link, and the second identifier indicates that the second MLD includes a virtual link, the non-AP MLD switches data services transmitted using all links of the first MLD to physical links of the second MLD for transmission.

21. A communication device, characterized in that: including a communication unit; The communication unit is used to receive first user information from a first multi-link device MLD, wherein the first user information includes one or more of address information of a non-AP MLD that performs data service transmission with the first MLD, the number of links of the non-AP MLD, the link capability of the non-AP MLD, the number of links of the first MLD, and the link capability of the first MLD; The communication unit is further used to send the first user information to a second MLD, the second MLD and the first MLD belong to different MLD sets, the non-AP MLD only transmits data services with one MLD set at the same time, and the first user information is used by the second MLD to determine second user information for data service transmission with the non-AP MLD.

22. The device according to claim 21, characterized in that The communication unit is also used to receive the physical addresses of the links of all MLD sets; The communication device further includes a processing unit; the processing unit is configured to: Determining a multicast key for each link based on the physical addresses of the links of all MLD sets; Based on the address information of the non-AP MLD, a unicast key of the non-AP MLD is determined.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that The communication unit is also used for: receiving a first request message from the first MLD, where the first request message is used to request obtaining first key information of the first MLD; The multicast key of each link of the first MLD and the unicast key of the non-AP MLD are sent to the first MLD.

24. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that The communication unit is also used for: receiving a second request message from the first MLD, where the second request message is used to request obtaining second key information of the second MLD; Send the multicast key of each link of the second MLD to the first MLD set.

25. The method according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that The communication unit is also used for: Sending first indication information to the first MLD set, where the first indication information is used to instruct the first MLD to switch the data service of the non-AP MLD to the second MLD for transmission.

26. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that The communication unit is also used to receive the physical link capabilities of multiple MLDs in the entire MLD set; The processing unit is further configured to determine that a maximum value of the physical link capabilities of the plurality of MLDs is a maximum physical link capability; The communication unit is further configured to send second indication information to the multiple MLDs, where the second indication information is used to indicate the maximum physical link capability, and the multiple MLDs include the first MLD and the second MLD.

27. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises a communication unit and a processing unit, wherein the communication unit and the processing unit are used to execute the method according to any one of claims 7 to 13 or 14 to 20.

28. A communication device, characterized in that: include: A processor and a memory, wherein the memory is used to store instructions. When the instructions are executed by the processor, the communication device executes the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, 7 to 13, or 14 to 20.

29. A communication system, characterized in that: A communication device is included, wherein the communication device is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 6 or 7 to 13 or 14 to 20.

30. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium stores instructions, and when the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer is caused to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, 7 to 13, or 14 to 20.

31. A chip system, characterized in that: The chip system includes a processor and an interface, and the processor is used to execute a computer program so that the chip system implements the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 6 or 7 to 13 or 14 to 20.

32. A computer program product, characterized in that The method comprises instructions which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, 7 to 13, or 14 to 20.

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