Communication method and device

Abstract

The invention discloses a communication method and device. Data is transmitted between the first AP and the first STA through a first channel, and the first AP sends the RTS frame or the first CTS frame or the MU-RTS frame to the AC; the AC sends the RTS frame or the first CTS frame or the MU-RTS frame to the second AP, the RTS frame or the first CTS frame or the MU-RTS frame is used for indicating that the first channel is reserved to transmit data, and the first channel and a second channel where the second AP works interfere with each other; and the second AP sends a second CTS frame to at least one node working in the same channel as the second AP, wherein the second CTS frame is used for informing the at least one node that the first channel is reserved to transmit data. By adopting the scheme provided by the invention, when the channels interfere with each other, the RTS / CTS frame of the node working on the other channel can be effectively monitored, and data is not transmitted on the other channel, so that the communication reliability is improved.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application. The application number of the original application is 202110606777.2, and the original application date is May 31, 2021. The entire contents of the original application are incorporated into this application by reference. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and device. Background Art

[0003] like Figure 1 The schematic diagram of hidden nodes shown in the figure shows that circle 1 represents the transmission range of station (STA) 1, and circle 2 represents the transmission range of STA2. Since the transmission ranges of the two STAs do not overlap each other, the two STAs cannot detect each other through physical monitoring. At this time, STA1 and STA2 are hidden nodes to each other. The problem caused by hidden nodes is that STA1 and STA2 may send data to the access point (AP) at the same time, but STA1 and STA2 are unaware of each other and cannot avoid channel conflicts through the carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA / CA) mechanism, resulting in confusion in AP reception and inability to identify any STA data. Severe hidden node problems can cause network throughput to approach 0. Similarly, two APs can also be hidden nodes to each other. The two APs may send data to the same STA at the same time, resulting in confusion in the STA reception and inability to identify any AP data.

[0004] Since the CSMA / CA mechanism cannot resolve the conflicts caused by the hidden nodes mentioned above, it is necessary to use the request to send (RTS) / clear to send (CTS) mechanism to assist in channel resource reservation. However, the RTS / CTS mechanism can only work properly when the channels of the hidden nodes are configured the same, that is, they can hear each other's RTS / CTS frames. In the scenario where there is interference between channels and the nodes cannot hear each other's RTS / CTS, the RTS / CTS mechanism fails and the hidden node problem remains unsolved. Figure 2 In the communication scenario shown, the 2.4 GHz frequency band can be divided into 14 channels, among which the frequency bands of channel 6 and channel 7 overlap with each other (referred to as "overlapping frequency"). Assuming that the bandwidth of AP1 is 40M, the main channel of AP1 is in channel 6, and the secondary channel is in channel 7; the bandwidth of AP2 and AP3 is 40M, the main channel is in channel 7, and the secondary channel is in channel 8, then the main channels of AP1, AP2 and AP3 are different, and the RTS / CTS sent by AP1 cannot be parsed by AP2 or AP3.

[0005] Therefore, the present application needs to solve the problem of how to effectively detect RTS / CTS when there is interference between channels, so as to improve the reliability of communication. Summary of the invention

[0006] The present application provides a communication method and device, so that when there is interference between channels, RTS / CTS can be effectively detected to improve the reliability of communication.

[0007] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, the method comprising: a second AP receives a request to send an RTS frame from an access controller, the RTS frame being used to indicate that data will be transmitted between a first AP and a first STA through a first channel, wherein the first channel and a second channel on which the second AP operates interfere with each other; or the second AP receives a first clear to send CTS frame from the access controller, the first CTS frame being used to indicate that the first STA or the first AP is allowed to transmit data on the first channel; or the second AP receives a MU-RTS frame from the access controller, the MU-RTS frame being used to indicate that data will be transmitted between the first AP and at least one of the first STAs through the first channel; and the second AP sends a second CTS frame to at least one node operating on the same channel as the second AP, the second CTS frame being used to notify the at least one node that the first channel is reserved for data transmission. In this aspect, when there is interference between channels, the first AP working on the first channel sends an RTS frame / first CTS frame / MU-RTS frame to the access controller, so that the access controller forwards the RTS frame / first CTS frame / MU-RTS frame to the second AP working on the second channel, so that the second AP can effectively detect the RTS / CTS frame of the first AP working on the first channel, does not use the second channel to transmit data, and improves the reliability of communication.

[0008] In one possible implementation, the RTS frame includes the duration of time the first channel is occupied, or the first CTS frame includes the duration of time the first channel is occupied, or the MU-RTS frame includes the duration of time the first channel is occupied. In this implementation, by carrying the duration of time the first channel is occupied in the RTS frame / first CTS frame / MU-RTS frame sent to the second AP, the second AP and at least one node working on the same channel with the second AP can accurately know the duration of time the first channel is occupied.

[0009] In another possible implementation, the RTS frame is used to indicate that the first AP requests to send data to the first STA on the first channel, or the RTS frame is used to indicate that the first STA requests to send data to the first AP on the first channel.

[0010] In another possible implementation, the first channel and the second channel on which the second AP works interfere with each other, including: the first channel and the second channel have different main channel numbers, and the first channel and the second channel have overlapping frequency bands. In this implementation, the first channel and the second channel have different main channel numbers, and the first channel and the second channel have overlapping frequency bands, and the nodes on the first channel and the second channel cannot detect each other's RTS / CTS frames.

[0011] In another possible implementation, the RTS frame, the first CTS frame, the MU-TRS frame, and the second CTS frame are transmitted in the form of broadcast. In this implementation, the RTS frame, the first CTS frame, the MU-TRS frame, and the second CTS frame are transmitted in the form of broadcast, and nodes with the same primary channel number can detect the frames sent by the above broadcast.

[0012] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, the method comprising: a first AP sends a request to send an RTS frame to a first STA, the RTS frame being used to indicate that the first AP requests to send data to the first STA on a first channel; or, the first AP receives an RTS frame from the first STA, the RTS frame being used to indicate that the first STA requests to send data to the first AP on the first channel; or, the first AP sends an MU-RTS frame to at least one of the first STAs, the MU-RTS frame being used to indicate that the first AP requests to send data to the at least one first STA on the first channel; and the first AP sends the RTS frame or a first clear to send CTS frame or the MU-RTS frame to an access controller, indicating that the access controller notifies the second AP that the first channel is reserved for data transmission, or indicating that the access controller notifies at least one node working on the same channel as the second AP that the first channel is reserved for data transmission, the first CTS frame being used to indicate that the first STA or the first AP is allowed to transmit data on the first channel, the second AP and the first AP can both communicate with the access controller, and the first channel interferes with the second channel where the second AP works. In this aspect, the first AP on the first channel sends an RTS frame / first CTS frame / MU-RTS frame to the access controller, so that when there is interference between channels, the second AP and other nodes on the second channel can effectively detect the RTS / CTS frames of the nodes working on the first channel, and do not use the second channel to transmit data, thereby improving the reliability of communication.

[0013] In a possible implementation, the first channel and the second channel on which the second AP works interfere with each other, including: the main channel numbers of the first channel and the second channel are different, and the frequency bands of the first channel and the second channel overlap.

[0014] In another possible implementation, after the first AP sends the RTS frame to the first STA, the method further includes: the first AP receives the first CTS frame from the first STA; or after the first AP sends the MU-RTS frame to at least one first STA, the method further includes: the first AP receives at least one first CTS frame from the at least one STA.

[0015] In another possible implementation, after the first AP receives the RTS frame from the first STA, the method further includes: the first AP sending a third CTS frame to the first STA, where the third CTS frame is used to indicate that the first STA is allowed to send the data to the first AP.

[0016] In another possible implementation, the RTS frame, the first CTS frame, and the MU-TRS frame are transmitted in a broadcasting form.

[0017] According to a third aspect, a communication method is provided, the method comprising: an access controller receiving a request to send RTS frame from a first access point AP, the RTS frame being used to indicate that data will be transmitted between the first AP and a first station STA through a first channel; or the access controller receiving a first clear to send CTS frame from the first AP, the first CTS frame being used to indicate that the first STA or the first AP is allowed to transmit data on the first channel; or the access controller receiving a MU-RTS frame from the first AP, the MU-RTS frame being used to indicate that data will be transmitted between the first AP and at least one of the first STAs through the first channel; and the access controller sending the RTS frame or the first CTS frame or the MU-RTS frame to a second AP, indicating that the first channel is reserved for data transmission, the second AP and the first AP can both communicate with the access controller, and the first channel and the second channel on which the second AP works interfere with each other. In this aspect, after receiving the RTS frame / first CTS frame / MU-RTS frame of the first AP operating on the first channel, the access controller forwards the above RTS frame / first CTS frame / MU-RTS frame to the second AP operating on the second channel, so that when there is interference between channels, the second AP and other nodes operating on the second channel can effectively detect the RTS / CTS frames of the nodes operating on the first channel, and do not use the second channel to transmit data, thereby improving the reliability of communication.

[0018] In a possible implementation, the RTS frame includes the duration during which the first channel is occupied, or the first CTS frame includes the duration during which the first channel is occupied, or the MU-RTS frame includes the duration during which the first channel is occupied.

[0019] In another possible implementation, the RTS frame is used to indicate that the first AP requests to send data to the first STA on the first channel, or the RTS frame is used to indicate that the first STA requests to send data to the first AP on the first channel.

[0020] In another possible implementation, the first channel and the second channel on which the second AP works interfere with each other, including: the main channel numbers of the first channel and the second channel are different, and the frequency bands of the first channel and the second channel overlap.

[0021] In another possible implementation, the RTS frame, the first CTS frame, the MU-TRS frame, and the second CTS frame are transmitted in the form of broadcasting.

[0022] In a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided, which can implement the communication method in the first aspect. For example, the communication device can be a chip or a second AP. The method can be implemented by software, hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software.

[0023] In one possible implementation, the communication device may include a receiving unit and a sending unit; wherein: the receiving unit is used to receive a request to send RTS frame from an access controller, the RTS frame is used to indicate that data will be transmitted between a first access point AP and a first station STA through a first channel, wherein the first channel interferes with a second channel on which the device operates; or the receiving unit is used to receive a first clear to send CTS frame from the access controller, the first CTS frame is used to indicate that the first STA or the first AP is allowed to transmit data on the first channel; or the receiving unit is used to receive a MU-RTS frame from the access controller, the MU-RTS frame is used to indicate that data will be transmitted between the first AP and at least one of the first STAs through the first channel; and the sending unit is used to send a second CTS frame to at least one node operating on the same channel as the device, the second CTS frame is used to notify the at least one node that the first channel is reserved for data transmission.

[0024] Further, the RTS frame includes the duration during which the first channel is occupied, or the first CTS frame includes the duration during which the first channel is occupied, or the MU-RTS frame includes the duration during which the first channel is occupied.

[0025] Further, the RTS frame is used to indicate that the first AP requests to send data to the first STA on the first channel, or the RTS frame is used to indicate that the first STA requests to send data to the first AP on the first channel.

[0026] Furthermore, the first channel and the second channel on which the second AP works interfere with each other, including: the main channel numbers of the first channel and the second channel are different, and the frequency bands of the first channel and the second channel overlap.

[0027] Furthermore, the RTS frame, the first CTS frame, the MU-TRS frame, and the second CTS frame are transmitted in the form of broadcasting.

[0028] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided, which can implement the communication method in the first aspect. For example, the communication device can be a chip or a first AP. The method can be implemented by software, hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software.

[0029] In a possible implementation, the communication device may include a sending unit and a receiving unit; the sending unit is used to send a request to send RTS frame to a first station STA, the RTS frame is used to indicate that the device requests to send data to the first STA on a first channel; or, the receiving unit is used to receive an RTS frame from the first STA, the RTS frame is used to indicate that the first STA requests to send data to the device on the first channel; or, the sending unit is used to send a MU-RTS frame to at least one of the first STAs, the MU-RTS frame is used to indicate that the device requests to send data to the at least one first STA on the first channel; and the sending unit is also used to send the RTS frame or a first clear to send CTS frame or the MU-RTS frame to an access controller, instructing the access controller to notify a second AP that the first channel is reserved for data transmission, or instructing the access controller to notify at least one node working on the same channel as the second AP that the first channel is reserved for data transmission, the first CTS frame is used to indicate that the first STA or the first AP is allowed to transmit data on the first channel, the second AP and the device can both communicate with the access controller, and the first channel and the second channel where the second AP works interfere with each other.

[0030] Furthermore, the first channel and the second channel on which the second AP works interfere with each other, including: the main channel numbers of the first channel and the second channel are different, and the frequency bands of the first channel and the second channel overlap.

[0031] Furthermore, the receiving unit is also used to receive the first CTS frame from the first STA; or the transceiver unit is also used to receive at least one of the first CTS frames from the at least one first STA after sending the MU-RTS frame to the at least one first STA.

[0032] Furthermore, the sending unit is further used to send a third CTS frame to the first STA, where the third CTS frame is used to indicate that the first STA is allowed to send the data to the first AP.

[0033] Furthermore, the RTS frame, the first CTS frame, and the MU-TRS frame are transmitted in the form of broadcasting.

[0034] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, which can implement the communication method in the first aspect. For example, the communication device can be a chip or an access controller. The method can be implemented by software, hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software.

[0035] In one possible implementation, the communication device may include a receiving unit and a sending unit; wherein: the receiving unit is used to receive a request to send RTS frame from a first access point AP, the RTS frame is used to indicate that data will be transmitted between the first AP and the first station STA through a first channel; or the receiving unit is used to receive a first clear to send CTS frame from the first AP, the first CTS frame is used to indicate that the first STA or the first AP is allowed to transmit data on the first channel; or the receiving unit is used to receive a MU-RTS frame from the first AP, the MU-RTS frame is used to indicate that data will be transmitted between the first AP and at least one of the first STAs through the first channel; and the sending unit is used to send the RTS frame or the first CTS frame or the MU-RTS frame to a second AP, indicating that the first channel is reserved for data transmission, the second AP and the first AP can both communicate with the access controller, and the first channel and the second channel on which the second AP works interfere with each other.

[0036] Further, the RTS frame includes the duration during which the first channel is occupied, or the first CTS frame includes the duration during which the first channel is occupied, or the MU-RTS frame includes the duration during which the first channel is occupied.

[0037] Further, the RTS frame is used to indicate that the first AP requests to send data to the first STA on the first channel, or the RTS frame is used to indicate that the first STA requests to send data to the first AP on the first channel.

[0038] Furthermore, the first channel and the second channel on which the second AP works interfere with each other, including: the main channel numbers of the first channel and the second channel are different, and the frequency bands of the first channel and the second channel overlap.

[0039] Furthermore, the RTS frame, the first CTS frame, the MU-TRS frame, and the second CTS frame are transmitted in the form of broadcasting.

[0040] In another possible implementation, the communication device in the fourth to sixth aspects above includes a processor coupled to a memory; the processor is configured to support the device to perform the corresponding functions in the above communication method. The memory is used to couple with the processor, which stores the necessary programs (instructions) and / or data of the device. Optionally, the communication device may also include a communication interface to support communication between the device and other network elements. Optionally, the memory may be located inside the communication device or outside the communication device.

[0041] In another possible implementation, the communication device in the fourth to sixth aspects includes a processor and a transceiver, the processor is coupled to the transceiver, and the processor is used to execute a computer program or instruction to control the transceiver to receive and send information; when the processor executes the computer program or instruction, the processor is also used to implement the above method through a logic circuit or execute code instructions. The transceiver may be a transceiver, a transceiver circuit or an input-output interface, which is used to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor or send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device. When the communication device is a chip, the transceiver is a transceiver circuit or an input-output interface.

[0042] When the communication device in the fourth to sixth aspects is a chip, the sending unit may be an output unit, such as an output circuit or a communication interface; the receiving unit may be an input unit, such as an input circuit or a communication interface. When the communication device is a terminal, the sending unit may be a transmitter or a transmitter; the receiving unit may be a receiver or a receiver.

[0043] In the seventh aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising the communication device in the fourth aspect or any one of the implementations of the fourth aspect, the communication device in the fifth aspect or any one of the implementations of the fifth aspect, and the communication device in the sixth aspect or any one of the implementations of the sixth aspect.

[0044] In an eighth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, storing a computer program, and when the computer-readable storage medium is run on a computer, the method described in any one of the first to third aspects and any one of their implementations is executed.

[0045] In a ninth aspect, a computer program product is provided, which, when executed on a computer, enables the method described in any one of the first to third aspects and any one of their implementations to be executed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of hidden nodes;

[0047] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a communication scenario is shown as an example;

[0048] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of channel conflict;

[0049] Figure 4 The schematic diagram of the working process of CSMA / CA is an example;

[0050] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the working process of hidden nodes causing serious channel conflicts;

[0051] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the working process of RTS / CTS;

[0052] Figure 7 Timing diagram for RTS / CTS operation;

[0053] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a communication scenario where RTS / CTS fails;

[0054] Fig. 9 A schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system provided for this application;

[0055] Fig.10 A flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0056] Fig.11 This is a schematic diagram of the format of the RTS frame;

[0057] Fig.12 This is a schematic diagram of the format of the first CTS frame;

[0058] Fig.13 A flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0059] Fig.14 This is a schematic diagram of the format of a MU-RTS frame;

[0060] Fig.15 A schematic diagram of a communication scenario provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0061] Fig.16 A flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0062] Fig.17 A flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0063] Fig.18 A schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0064] Fig.19A schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0065] The embodiments of the present application are described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0066] First, let’s introduce several concepts that may be involved in this application:

[0067] CSMA / CA

[0068] Wireless local area network (WLAN) is a shared network. STAs in the WLAN compete for resources. This feature will inevitably lead to channel conflicts. Figure 3 As shown in the figure, channel conflict means that at least two STAs transmit data on the same channel at the same time. This will cause confusion in the AP reception and make it unable to correctly receive data from any STA. The 802.11 protocol defines the CSMA / CA mechanism to provide an access rule to avoid conflicts.

[0069] CSMA / CA means that when a STA detects that the medium is idle, it will randomly wait for a period of time. If the medium is still idle, it can send data. In order to make communication more reliable, the 802.11 protocol stipulates that an acknowledgment frame (ACK) is used to confirm the completion of data transmission, thereby finally completing a transmission.

[0070] The working process of CSMA / CA mechanism: When a STA wants to transmit data in a wireless network, if it does not detect that the network is transmitting data, it will wait for a while, and then randomly select a time slice to continue detecting. If there is still no activity in the wireless network, the data will be sent out. If the receiving end receives the complete data sent by the sending end, it will send back an ACK. If the ACK is received by the sending end, the data transmission process is completed; if the sending end does not receive the ACK, or the sent data is not received completely, or the ACK fails to send, no matter which phenomenon occurs, the sending end will wait for a while and resend the last content.

[0071] Specifically, Figure 4 The working process diagram of CSMA / CA shown in FIG. 1 includes the following steps:

[0072] ① When STA 1 and STA 2 both want to send data on the contention channel, they first need to wait for the Distributed Inter-frame Spacing (DIFS) time. If the channel remains idle within the DIFS time, the backoff process can be performed. Among them, DIFS = SIFS + (2*slot time). Short interframe space (SIFS) is the minimum frame interval in the 802.11 protocol.

[0073] ② When STA1 and STA2 enter the backoff process, they first need to obtain a random number from the contention window. In the 802.11 protocol, the default initial contention window is 31, that is, the range of the random backoff count value is [0,31]. Figure 4 STA 1 received 8, while STA 2 received 2.

[0074] ③ During the backoff process, the STA monitors the channel once every slot time. If the channel is idle, the value of the corresponding random backoff counter is reduced by 1. Figure 4 In the example, after 3 slot times, the random countdown counter of STA1 decreases from 8 to 5, while that of STA 2 decreases from 2 to 0. Slot time is a time segment, which is composed of electromagnetic wave propagation delay, antenna receiving and transmitting switching time and channel detection time, about 9us. Before STA competes for access to the channel, it needs to go through the corresponding random backoff process, in which the backoff process is composed of many time slots.

[0075] ④ When the STA's random countdown counter counts down to 0, the STA competes for the channel and can send data. Figure 4 As shown, after STA 2 obtains the channel, it sends a data packet (packet) A to AP. After AP receives the data, it will use a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) mechanism to verify the data. If the verification passes, AP will feedback ACK after SIFS.

[0076] ⑤ When STA2 successfully sends the data and waits for SIFS, the AP will send an ACK to STA. When STA 2 successfully receives the ACK, the transmission is completed.

[0077] ⑥ After the transmission is completed, the STA needs to wait for DIFS time again and restart the backoff process. If the STA has just sent data, then at the beginning of the backoff process, it needs to obtain a random number from the contention window for countdown. If the STA has not sent data, then it will continue to countdown from the last countdown result. Figure 4 As shown in the figure, STA1 does not compete for the channel, so in the second backoff process, it directly counts down to 4 based on the last 5. The purpose of this design is to ensure the fairness of network transmission.

[0078] However, as described in the background art, when there are hidden nodes, the CSMA / CA mechanism cannot resolve the conflicts caused by the hidden nodes. Figure 5 As shown in the figure, STA1 and STA2 are hidden nodes from each other and cannot detect each other through the above CSMA / CA mechanism. STA1 cannot detect STA2 and thinks that the medium is idle. When its random countdown counter (count value is 6) counts down to 0, it sends data packet B to the AP. Similarly, STA2 cannot detect STA1 and thinks that the medium is idle. When its random countdown counter (count value is 3) counts down to 0, it also sends data packet A to the same AP. The AP cannot receive the above data packet A or data packet B, and will not send ACK to STA1 and STA2. Therefore, the hidden node causes serious channel conflicts.

[0079] RTS / CTS

[0080] In order to avoid conflicts caused by hidden nodes and improve the reliability of communication, the RTS / CTS mechanism is also proposed. That is, before the sender sends data, it first sends a small RTS frame to the receiver, and waits for the receiver to respond with a CTS frame before starting to send data, so that there will be no conflicts when sending data next. The sender can be a STA, and the receiver can be an AP; the sender can also be an AP, and the receiver can be a STA.

[0081] like Figure 6 The figure shows the working process of RTS / CTS. STA1 and STA2 are hidden nodes to each other, and they can communicate with the same AP. The process includes the following:

[0082] 1. Before sending data to AP, STA2 sends an RTS frame to AP.

[0083] 2. After receiving the RTS frame, the AP broadcasts a CTS frame; after receiving the CTS frame, STA2 determines that the AP allows it to send data to it; after STA1 receives the CTS frame, the duration of the CTS frame is used to calculate the network allocation vector (NAV). NAV is a countdown timer. When the timer value is not 0, STA1 cannot participate in the channel competition. Therefore, when STA1 receives the CTS frame, it knows that the CTS frame is not sent to itself, so it extracts the duration value and sets it to its own NAV counter, and suspends the backoff process.

[0084] 3. STA2 sends data to AP.

[0085] 4. AP receives the data sent by STA2 and sends ACK to STA2.

[0086] like Figure 7 The figure shows the timing diagram of RTS / CTS operation. Specifically, the random backoff counter of STA2 counts down to 0 first, and STA2 sends an RTS frame to the AP first. If there is no conflict at the AP, the AP will wait for SIFS and then send a CTS frame to all STAs in the entire WLAN.

[0087] When STA1 receives CTS, it determines that the CTS is not sent to itself, and then takes out the duration of the CTS frame and sets it on its local NAV. If the NAV does not count down to 0, STA1 will actively suspend its random backoff counter and stop counting.

[0088] When STA 2 receives CTS, it finds that the CTS is the feedback of the RTS it sent before, so STA 2 knows that the channel is idle. After waiting for SIFS, STA 2 starts to send data. When the data transmission is completed, the AP feeds back ACK to STA 2, thus finally completing a transmission.

[0089] However, the RTS / CTS mechanism can only work properly when the channels of the hidden nodes are configured the same, that is, they can hear each other's RTS / CTS frames. In scenarios where there is interference between channels and nodes cannot hear each other's RTS / CTS, the RTS / CTS mechanism fails and the hidden node problem remains unsolved. For example, hidden node A needs to send data, and its bandwidth is 5G-20M, while hidden node B's bandwidth is 5G-160M, and the main 20M of the two nodes are not on the same channel. Then, due to capacity issues, hidden node A can only send RTS / CTS on a 20M channel, and hidden node B cannot parse the signal on a non-main channel for itself, resulting in the inability to parse the RTS / CTS frame.

[0090] like Figure 8 The figure shows a communication scenario in which RTS / CTS fails. STA1 communicates with AP1, and AP2 and AP3 communicate with STA2. The main channels of AP1 and STA1 are different from those of AP2, AP3, and STA2, and the frequency bands of the channels of AP1, STA1, AP2, AP3, and STA2 overlap. Before AP1 sends data to STA1, AP1 sends an RTS frame to STA1. After STA1 receives the RTS frame, if there is no conflict at STA1, it broadcasts a CTS frame. However, since STA1 has different main channels from AP2, AP3, and STA2, AP2 and AP3 cannot receive the CTS frame broadcast by STA1, but AP3 still sends data to STA2. At the same time, after AP1 receives the CTS frame from STA1, it sends data to STA1. However, since the main channels of AP1, STA1 and AP3, STA2 are different, the frequency bands of the channels of AP1, STA1 and AP3, STA2 overlap with each other, and AP1, STA1 and AP3, STA2 interfere with each other. STA1 may not receive the data sent by AP1, and STA2 may not receive the data sent by AP3.

[0091] The present application provides a communication scheme, in which data will be transmitted between a first AP and a first STA through a first channel, and the first AP sends the RTS frame or the first CTS frame or the MU-RTS frame to the AC; the AC sends the RTS frame or the first CTS frame or the MU-RTS frame to the second AP to indicate that the first channel is reserved for data transmission, and there is mutual interference between the first channel and the second channel where the second AP works; the second AP sends a second CTS frame to at least one node working on the same channel as the second AP to notify at least one node that the first channel is reserved for data transmission. By adopting the scheme of the present application, when there is mutual interference between channels, the RTS / CTS frame of the node working on another channel can be effectively detected, and data is not transmitted on the other channel, thereby improving the reliability of communication.

[0092] like Fig. 9As shown, it is a structural diagram of a communication system provided by the present application, and the communication system includes an access controller (AC), a first AP, a first STA, and a second AP, and may also include a second STA, a third AP, and more nodes such as the third STA working on the same channel as the second AP. Among them, the first AP works on channel A (that is, the main channel of the first AP is channel A), and the first STA is connected to the first AP; the second AP and the third AP work on channel B (that is, the main channels of the second AP and the third AP are channel B), the second STA is connected to the second AP, and the third STA is connected to the third AP. The first AP and the second AP are in the same network, that is, the first AP and the second AP can communicate through AC. The third AP cannot communicate with the first AP through AC.

[0093] Among them, the first AP, the second AP, and the third AP can be access points for terminal devices (such as mobile phones) to enter wired (or wireless) networks. They are mainly deployed in homes, buildings, and parks. The typical coverage radius is tens of meters to hundreds of meters. Of course, they can also be deployed outdoors. The access point is equivalent to a bridge connecting the wired network and the wireless network. Its main function is to connect various wireless network clients together and then connect the wireless network to the Ethernet. Specifically, the access point can be a terminal device (such as a mobile phone) or a network device (such as a router) with a WiFi chip. The access point can be a device that supports the 802.11be standard. The access point can also be a device that supports multiple WLAN standards of the 802.11 family, such as 802.11be, 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, and 802.11a. The access point in this application can be a HE AP or an EHT AP, or it can be an access point applicable to a future generation of WiFi standards.

[0094] The first STA, the second STA, and the third STA may be wireless communication chips, wireless sensors, or wireless communication terminals, etc., and may also be referred to as users. For example, the site may be a mobile phone supporting WiFi communication function, a tablet supporting WiFi communication function, a set-top box supporting WiFi communication function, a smart TV supporting WiFi communication function, a smart wearable device supporting WiFi communication function, a vehicle-mounted communication device supporting WiFi communication function, and a computer supporting WiFi communication function, etc. Optionally, the site may support the 802.11be standard. The site may also support multiple WLAN standards of the 802.11 family, such as 802.11be, 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, and 802.11a.

[0095] Fig. 9At the same time, an example of a communication scenario is given, in which channel A and channel B overlap, the main channel numbers are different, and the second AP, the third AP, the second STA, and the third STA are all hidden nodes from the first AP, and the above RTS / CTS mechanism fails.

[0096] against Fig. 9 The communication scenario shown, such as Fig.10 As shown, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which includes the following steps:

[0097] S1001. The first AP sends an RTS frame to the first STA.

[0098] The first AP is about to send data to the first STA, and the first AP first reserves the first channel through the RTS / CTS mechanism. Specifically, the first AP sends an RTS frame to the first STA. The RTS frame is used to indicate that data will be transmitted between the first AP and the first STA through the first channel. Specifically, the RTS frame is used to indicate that the first AP requests to send data to the first STA on the first channel.

[0099] Among them, the format of the RTS frame is as follows Fig.11 As shown, the RTS frame includes a frame control field, a duration field, a receiving address (RA) field, a transmitting address (TA) field, and a frame check sequence (FCS) field, which occupy 2, 2, 6, 6, and 4 bytes respectively. Among them, the frame control field, the duration field, the RA field, and the TA field serve as a media access control (MAC) header. Here, TA is the address of the first AP, and RA is the address of the first STA.

[0100] S1002. The first AP sends an RTS frame to the AC. After receiving the RTS frame, the AC sends the RTS frame to the second AP.

[0101] Since the first AP and the second AP, the third AP, the second STA, and the third STA are mutually hidden nodes, the second AP, the third AP, the second STA, and the third STA cannot receive the RTS frame broadcast by the first AP. However, both the first AP and the second AP can communicate with the AC, so the first AP also sends the above RTS frame to the AC. After receiving the RTS frame, the AC sends the RTS frame to the second AP.

[0102] S1003. After receiving the RTS frame, the first STA sends a first CTS frame to the first AP.

[0103] After receiving the RTS frame, the first STA parses the RA field in the RTS frame and knows that the RTS frame is sent to itself. If the first channel is idle and the first STA allows the first AP to send data to it on the first channel, the first STA sends a first CTS frame to the first AP. The first CTS frame is used to indicate that the first AP is allowed to transmit data on the first channel.

[0104] The format of the first CTS frame is as follows Fig.12 As shown, the first CTS frame includes: a frame control field, a duration field, an RA field, and an FCS field. Among them, the frame control field, the duration field, the RA field, and the FCS field occupy 2, 2, 6, and 4 bytes respectively. The frame control field, the duration field, and the RA field serve as a MAC header. The RA field of the first CTS frame is the address of the first AP.

[0105] As an alternative to step S1002, the first AP may also send the first CTS frame to the AC after receiving the first CTS frame; then, the AC sends the first CTS frame to the second AP.

[0106] S1004. After receiving the RTS frame, the second AP sends a second CTS frame to at least one node (eg, the second STA, the third AP, the third STA) operating on the same channel as the second AP. The second CTS frame is used to notify at least one node that the first channel is reserved for data transmission.

[0107] After the second AP receives the RTS frame sent by the AC, it parses the RTS frame and knows that the RTS frame is not sent to itself. However, according to the content indicated by the RTS, that is, the RTS frame is used to indicate that data will be transmitted between the first AP and the first STA through the first channel, and because the first channel and the second channel where the second AP works interfere with each other, the second AP sends a second CTS frame to at least one node (here the second STA, the third AP, and the third STA) working on the same channel as the second AP. The second CTS frame is used to notify at least one node that the first channel is reserved for data transmission. The format of the second CTS frame is the same as that of the first CTS frame, except that the RA field in the second CTS frame is the address of the second STA, the third AP, and the third STA, respectively. After receiving the second CTS frame, the second STA sets its NAV value according to the duration field in the second CTS frame. When the NAV does not count down to 0, the second STA does not transmit data on the second channel; after receiving the second CTS frame, the third AP sets its NAV value according to the duration field in the second CTS frame. When the NAV does not count down to 0, the third AP does not transmit data on the second channel; after receiving the second CTS frame, the third STA sets its NAV value according to the duration field in the second CTS frame. When the NAV does not count down to 0, the third STA does not transmit data on the second channel. In addition, the second AP may also set its NAV value according to the duration field in the RTS frame. When the NAV does not count down to 0, the second AP does not transmit data on the second channel.

[0108] According to a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application, a first AP sends data to a first STA through a first channel, and the first AP sends an RTS frame to the first STA and sends the RTS frame to the AC; the AC sends the RTS frame to the second AP to indicate that the first channel is reserved for data transmission, and there is mutual interference between the first channel and the second channel where the second AP works; the second AP sends a second CTS frame to at least one node working on the same channel as the second AP to notify at least one node that the first channel is reserved for data transmission. When there is mutual interference between channels, the RTS / CTS frame of the node working on another channel can be effectively intercepted, and data is not transmitted on the other channel, thereby improving the reliability of communication.

[0109] against Fig. 9 The communication scenario shown, such as Fig.13 As shown, the embodiment of the present application provides another communication method, which includes the following steps:

[0110] S1301. The first AP sends a MU-RTS frame to at least one first STA.

[0111] The first AP is about to send data to at least one first STA, and the first AP first reserves the first channel through the RTS / CTS mechanism. Specifically, the first AP sends a multi-user request to send (MU-RTS) frame to at least one first STA. The MU-RTS frame is used to indicate that data will be transmitted between the first AP and at least one first STA through the first channel. Specifically, the MU-RTS frame is used to indicate that the first AP requests to send data to at least one first STA on the first channel.

[0112] and Fig.10 The difference from the illustrated embodiment is that the first AP sends a MU-RTS frame to at least one first STA, that is, the first AP broadcasts the MU-RTS frame, and at least one first STA that has established a communication connection with the first AP can receive the MU-RTS frame. This can improve the efficiency of communication.

[0113] The format of the MU-RTS frame is as follows Fig.14 As shown, unlike the RTS frame, the MU-RTS frame also includes a user information list, which may include an identifier of at least one first STA, and the number of bytes occupied by it is variable. The MU-RTS frame may also include a common information field, and the number of bytes occupied by the common information field may be 8 bytes or more. Some bytes of the MU-RTS frame may be punctured.

[0114] S1302. The first AP sends a MU-RTS frame to the AC. After receiving the MU-RTS frame, the AC sends the MU-RTS frame to the second AP.

[0115] Since the first AP and the second AP, the third AP, the second STA, and the third STA are mutually hidden nodes, the second AP, the third AP, the second STA, and the third STA cannot receive the MU-RTS frame broadcast by the first AP. However, both the first AP and the second AP can communicate with the AC, so the first AP also sends the above MU-RTS frame to the AC. After receiving the MU-RTS frame, the AC sends the MU-RTS frame to the second AP.

[0116] S1303. After receiving the MU-RTS frame, each first STA in the at least one first STA sends a first CTS frame to the first AP. The first CTS frame is used to indicate that the first AP is allowed to transmit data on the first channel.

[0117] After receiving the MU-RTS frame, each first STA in at least one first STA parses the RA field in the MU-RTS frame and knows that the MU-RTS frame is sent to itself. If the first channel is idle and the first STA allows the first AP to send data to it on the first channel, the first STA sends a first CTS frame to the first AP. The first CTS frame is used to indicate that the first AP is allowed to transmit data on the first channel.

[0118] S1304. After receiving the MU-RTS frame, the second AP sends a second CTS frame to at least one node (eg, the second STA, the third AP, the third STA) operating on the same channel as the second AP. The second CTS frame is used to notify at least one node that the first channel is reserved for data transmission.

[0119] After the second AP receives the MU-RTS frame sent by the AC, it parses the MU-RTS frame and knows that the MU-RTS frame is not sent to itself. However, according to the content indicated by the MU-RTS, that is, the MU-RTS frame is used to indicate that data will be transmitted between the first AP and at least one first STA through the first channel, and because the first channel and the second channel on which the second AP works interfere with each other, the second AP sends a second CTS frame to at least one node (here the second STA, the third AP, and the third STA) working on the same channel as the second AP. For the specific operations of the second AP and at least one node working on the same channel as the second AP, please refer to step S1004.

[0120] According to a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application, a first AP sends data to at least one first STA through a first channel, and the first AP sends a MU-RTS frame to at least one first STA and sends the MU-RTS frame to the AC; the AC sends the MU-RTS frame to the second AP to indicate that the first channel is reserved for data transmission, and there is mutual interference between the first channel and the second channel where the second AP works; the second AP sends a second CTS frame to at least one node working on the same channel as the second AP to notify at least one node that the first channel is reserved for data transmission. When there is mutual interference between channels, the RTS / CTS frames of the nodes working on another channel can be effectively detected, thereby improving the reliability of communication.

[0121] like Fig.15 Another communication scenario shown in FIG. Fig. 9 The communication scenarios shown are different in that channel A and channel B overlap, and the main channel numbers are different, and the second AP, the third AP, the second STA, and the third STA are all hidden nodes from the first STA, and the above RTS / CTS mechanism is invalid.

[0122] against Fig.15 The communication scenario shown, such as Fig.16 As shown, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which includes the following steps:

[0123] S1601. The first STA sends an RTS frame to the first AP.

[0124] The first STA is about to send data to the first AP, and the first STA first reserves the first channel through the RTS / CTS mechanism. Specifically, the first STA sends an RTS frame to the first AP. The RTS frame is used to indicate that data will be transmitted between the first AP and the first STA through the first channel. Specifically, the RTS frame is used to indicate that the first STA requests to send data to the first AP on the first channel. The format of the RTS frame is as described above, except that the TA in the RTS frame is the address of the first STA, and the RA is the address of the first AP.

[0125] S1602. After receiving the RTS frame, the first AP sends the RTS frame to the AC. After receiving the RTS frame, the AC sends the RTS frame to the second AP.

[0126] Since the first STA and the second AP, the third AP, the second STA, and the third STA are mutually hidden nodes, the second AP, the third AP, the second STA, and the third STA cannot receive the RTS frame broadcast by the first AP. However, both the first AP and the second AP can communicate with the AC. After receiving the RTS frame, the first AP sends the RTS frame to the AC. After receiving the RTS frame, the AC sends the RTS frame to the second AP.

[0127] S1603. The first AP sends a first CTS frame to the first STA.

[0128] After receiving the RTS frame, the first AP parses the RA field in the RTS frame and knows that the RTS frame is sent to itself. If the first channel is idle and the first AP allows the first STA to send data to it on the first channel, the first AP sends a first CTS frame to the first STA. The first CTS frame is used to indicate that the first STA is allowed to transmit data on the first channel. The format of the first CTS frame is as described above, except that the RA field in the first CTS frame is the address of the first STA.

[0129] S1604. The second AP sends a second CTS frame to at least one node (eg, a second STA, a third AP, a third STA) operating on the same channel as the second AP.

[0130] After receiving the RTS frame sent by the AC, the second AP parses the RTS frame and knows that the RTS frame is not sent to itself. However, according to the content indicated by the RTS, that is, the RTS frame is used to indicate that data will be transmitted between the first AP and the first STA through the first channel, and because the first channel and the second channel where the second AP works interfere with each other, the second AP sends a second CTS frame to at least one node (here, the second STA, the third AP, and the third STA) working on the same channel as the second AP. The specific operations of the second AP and at least one node working on the same channel as the second AP can be referred to step S1004.

[0131] According to a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application, a first STA will send data to a first AP through a first channel, and the first STA sends an RTS frame to the first AP; after receiving the RTS, the first AP forwards the RTS frame to the AC; the AC sends the RTS frame to the second AP to indicate that the first channel is reserved for data transmission, and there is interference between the first channel and the second channel where the second AP works; the second AP sends a second CTS frame to at least one node working on the same channel as the second AP to notify at least one node that the first channel is reserved for data transmission. By adopting the solution of the present application, when there is interference between channels, the RTS / CTS frames of the node working on another channel can be effectively intercepted, thereby improving the reliability of communication.

[0132] against Fig.15 The communication scenario shown, such as Fig.17 As shown, the embodiment of the present application provides another communication method, which includes the following steps:

[0133] S1701. The first STA sends an RTS frame to the first AP.

[0134] For the specific implementation of this step, please refer to step S1601.

[0135] S1702. After receiving the RTS frame, the first AP generates a first CTS frame and sends the first CTS frame to the first STA.

[0136] For the specific implementation of this step, please refer to step S1603.

[0137] S1703. The first AP also sends a first CTS frame to the second AP through the AC.

[0138] and Fig.16The difference between the illustrated embodiments is that, since the first STA and the second AP, the third AP, the second STA, and the third STA are mutually hidden nodes, the second AP, the third AP, the second STA, and the third STA cannot receive the first CTS frame broadcast by the first AP. However, both the first AP and the second AP can communicate with the AC. After receiving the RTS frame, the first AP generates a first CTS frame and sends the first CTS frame to the AC. After receiving the first CTS frame, the AC sends the first CTS frame to the second AP.

[0139] S1704. The second AP sends a second CTS frame to at least one node (eg, a second STA, a third AP, a third STA) operating on the same channel as the second AP.

[0140] For the specific implementation of this step, please refer to step S1604.

[0141] According to a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application, a first STA will send data to a first AP through a first channel, and the first STA sends an RTS frame to the first AP; after receiving the RTS, the first AP generates a first CTS frame and sends the first CTS frame to the AC; the AC sends the first CTS frame to the second AP to indicate that the first channel is reserved for data transmission, and there is interference between the first channel and the second channel where the second AP works; the second AP sends a second CTS frame to at least one node working on the same channel as the second AP to notify at least one node that the first channel is reserved for data transmission. By adopting the solution of the present application, when there is interference between channels, the RTS / CTS frame of the node working on another channel can be effectively intercepted, thereby improving the reliability of communication.

[0142] The above is an introduction to the scheme provided by the embodiment of the present application. It can be understood that the communication device (for example, the second AP, the first AP or the AC) includes a hardware structure and / or software module corresponding to each function in order to implement the above functions. It should be easily appreciated by those skilled in the art that, in combination with the units and algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in the form of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to be beyond the scope of the present application.

[0143] The embodiment of the present application can divide the functional modules of the communication device according to the above method example. For example, each functional module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The above functional modules can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional modules. It should be noted that the division of modules in the embodiment of the present application is schematic and is only a logical functional division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation. The following is an example of dividing each functional module according to the corresponding function:

[0144] A possible structural diagram of a communication device is shown in FIG. Fig.18 As shown, the communication device 1800 includes: a receiving unit 181 and a sending unit 182.

[0145] In one embodiment, the communication device may be the second AP in the above embodiment. The receiving unit 181 is used to support the communication device to execute Fig.10 Step S1002 in the embodiment shown, and the sending unit 182 is used to support the communication device to perform Fig.10 S1004 in the embodiment shown. Alternatively, the receiving unit 181 is used to support the communication device to perform Fig.13 Step S1302 in the embodiment shown, and the sending unit 182 is used to support the communication device to perform Fig.13 S1304 in the illustrated embodiment. Alternatively, the receiving unit 181 is used to support the communication device to execute Fig.16 In step S1602 of the embodiment shown, the sending unit 182 is used to support the communication device to perform Fig.16 S1604 in the embodiment shown. Alternatively, the receiving unit 181 is used to support the communication device to perform Fig.17 Step S1703 in the embodiment shown, and the sending unit 182 is used to support the communication device to perform Fig.17 S1704 in the illustrated embodiment.

[0146] In another embodiment, the communication device may be the first AP in the above embodiment. The sending unit 182 is used to support the communication device to execute Fig.10 In the embodiment shown, steps S1001 and S1002, and the receiving unit 181 are used to support the communication device to perform Fig.10 Step S1003 in the illustrated embodiment. Alternatively, the sending unit 182 is used to support the communication device to perform Fig.13 In the embodiment shown, steps S1301 and S1302, and the receiving unit 181 are used to support the communication device to perform Fig.13 Step S1303 in the illustrated embodiment. Alternatively, the receiving unit 181 is used to support the communication device to perform Fig.16Step S1601 in the embodiment shown, and the sending unit 182 is used to support the communication device to perform Fig.16 Steps S1602 and S1603 in the embodiment shown. Alternatively, the receiving unit 181 is used to support the communication device to perform Fig.17 Step S1701 in the embodiment shown, and the sending unit 182 is used to support the communication device to perform Fig.17 Steps S1702 and S1703 in the illustrated embodiment.

[0147] In another embodiment, the communication device may be the AC in the above embodiment. The receiving unit 181 is used to support the communication device to execute Fig.10 The receiving operation in step S1002 in the embodiment shown, and the sending unit 182 are used to support the communication device to perform Fig.10 The sending operation in step S1002 in the embodiment shown. Alternatively, the receiving unit 181 is used to support the communication device to perform Fig.13 The receiving operation in step S1302 in the embodiment shown, and the sending unit 182 are used to support the communication device to perform Fig.13 The sending operation in step S1302 in the embodiment shown. Alternatively, the receiving unit 181 is used to support the communication device to perform Fig.16 The receiving operation in step S1602 in the embodiment shown, and the sending unit 182 are used to support the communication device to perform Fig.16 The sending operation in step S1602 in the embodiment shown. Alternatively, the receiving unit 181 is used to support the communication device to perform Fig.17 The receiving operation in step S1703 in the embodiment shown, and the sending unit 182 are used to support the communication device to perform Fig.17 The sending operation in step S1703 in the illustrated embodiment.

[0148] All relevant contents of each step involved in the above method embodiment can be referred to the functional description of the corresponding functional module, and will not be repeated here.

[0149] Fig.19 A structural diagram of a possible product form of the communication device described in an embodiment of the present application. Fig.19 For Fig.18 An embodiment of the communication device is shown.

[0150] As a possible product form, the communication device may be an information transmission device / information transmission board. The communication device includes a processor 192 and a transceiver 193. Optionally, the communication device may also include a memory 191. The transceiver 193 is used to execute Fig.18 The method steps performed by the receiving unit 181 and the sending unit 182.

[0151] As another possible product form, the communication device may be a chip. The communication device includes a processing circuit 192 and a communication interface 193. Optionally, the communication device may also include a storage medium 191. The communication interface 193 is used to execute Fig.18 The method steps performed by the receiving unit 181 and the sending unit.

[0152] As another possible product form of the above embodiment, the communication device can also be implemented using the following: one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), programmable logic devices (PLD), controllers, state machines, gate logic, discrete hardware components, any other suitable circuits, or any combination of circuits that can perform the various functions described throughout this application.

[0153] The above-mentioned processor can be a central processing unit, a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a transistor logic device, a hardware component or any combination thereof. It can implement or execute various exemplary logic blocks, modules and circuits described in conjunction with the contents disclosed in this application. The processor can also be a combination that implements computing functions, such as a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, and so on. The bus can be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, and so on. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, and so on. For ease of representation, Fig.19 Only one thick line is used in the diagram, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0154] A person of ordinary skill in the art can understand that all or part of the steps of implementing the above method embodiment can be completed by hardware related to program instructions, and the aforementioned program instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. When the program instructions are executed, the steps of the above method embodiment are executed; and the aforementioned storage medium includes: U disk, mobile hard disk, ROM, RAM, disk or CD-ROM, etc. Various media that can store program codes.

[0155] On the one hand, an embodiment of the present application also provides a readable storage medium, which stores computer execution instructions. When a device (which may be a single-chip microcomputer, chip, controller, etc.) or a processor executes the steps in the communication method provided in the present application.

[0156] On the one hand, an embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product, which includes computer execution instructions, and the computer execution instructions are stored in a computer-readable storage medium; at least one processor of the device can read the computer execution instructions from the computer-readable storage medium, and at least one processor executes the computer execution instructions so that the device executes the steps in the communication method provided in the present application.

[0157] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0158] In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the division of the unit is only a logical function division, and there may be other division methods in actual implementation, for example, multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. The mutual coupling, direct coupling, or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0159] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed on multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

[0160] In the above embodiments, it 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 according to the embodiment of the present application is generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable devices. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted through the computer-readable storage medium. The computer instructions can be transmitted from a website site, computer, server or data center to another website site, computer, server or data center by wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (digital subscriber line, DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) mode. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more available media integrations. The available medium may be a read-only memory (ROM), or a random access memory (RAM), or a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, a tape, a disk, or an optical medium, such as a digital versatile disc (DVD), or a semiconductor medium, such as a solid state disk (SSD), etc.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: The second access point AP receives a first frame, where the first frame is used to indicate that the first channel is reserved for data transmission; The second AP sends a second CTS frame to at least one node working on the same channel as the second AP, where the second CTS frame is used to notify the at least one node that the first channel is reserved for data transmission.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The second AP receives the first frame, including: The second AP receives a request from the access controller to send an RTS frame, where the RTS frame is used to indicate that data will be transmitted between the first AP and the first station STA through a first channel, where the first channel and a second channel where the second AP works interfere with each other; or The second AP receives a first clear to send CTS frame from the access controller, where the first CTS frame is used to indicate that the first STA or the first AP is allowed to transmit data on the first channel; or The second AP receives a MU-RTS frame from the access controller, where the MU-RTS frame is used to indicate that data will be transmitted between the first AP and at least one of the first STAs through the first channel.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The RTS frame includes the duration during which the first channel is occupied, or the first CTS frame includes the duration during which the first channel is occupied, or the MU-RTS frame includes the duration during which the first channel is occupied.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The RTS frame is used to indicate that the first AP requests to send data to the first STA on the first channel, or the RTS frame is used to indicate that the first STA requests to send data to the first AP on the first channel.

5. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The first channel and the second channel on which the second AP works interfere with each other, including: the main channel numbers of the first channel and the second channel are different, and the frequency bands of the first channel and the second channel overlap.

6. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The RTS frame, the first CTS frame, the MU-TRS frame, and the second CTS frame are transmitted in the form of broadcasting.

7. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: The first access point AP sends a first frame to the access controller, where the first frame is used to indicate that a first channel is reserved for data transmission.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first AP sends a request to send an RTS frame to the first station STA, and the RTS frame is used to indicate that the first AP requests to send data to the first STA on the first channel; or, the first AP receives an RTS frame from the first STA, and the RTS frame is used to indicate that the first STA requests to send data to the first AP on the first channel; or, the first AP sends a MU-RTS frame to at least one of the first STAs, and the MU-RTS frame is used to indicate that the first AP requests to send data to the at least one first STA on the first channel.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that The first AP sends a first frame to the access controller, including: The first AP sends the RTS frame or the first Clear to Send CTS frame or the MU-RTS frame to the access controller, instructing the access controller to notify the second AP that the first channel is reserved for data transmission, or instructing the access controller to notify at least one node working on the same channel as the second AP that the first channel is reserved for data transmission, the first CTS frame is used to indicate that the first STA or the first AP is allowed to transmit data on the first channel, the second AP and the first AP can both communicate with the access controller, and the first channel interferes with the second channel where the second AP works.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that: The first channel and the second channel on which the second AP works interfere with each other, including: the main channel numbers of the first channel and the second channel are different, and the frequency bands of the first channel and the second channel overlap.

11. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that: After the first AP sends the RTS frame to the first STA, the method further includes: the first AP receiving the first CTS frame from the first STA; or After the first AP sends the MU-RTS frame to at least one first STA, the method further includes: the first AP receiving at least one first CTS frame from the at least one STA.

12. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that: After the first AP receives the RTS frame from the first STA, the method further includes: The first AP sends a third CTS frame to the first STA, where the third CTS frame is used to indicate that the first STA is allowed to send the data to the first AP.

13. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that: The RTS frame, the first CTS frame, and the MU-TRS frame are transmitted in the form of broadcasting.

14. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: The access controller receives a first frame from a first access point AP, wherein the first frame is used to indicate that a first channel is reserved for data transmission; The access controller sends the first frame to the second AP.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The access controller receives a first frame from a first AP, including: The access controller receives a request to send an RTS frame from a first access point AP, where the RTS frame is used to indicate that data will be transmitted between the first AP and a first station STA through a first channel; or The access controller receives a first clear to send CTS frame from the first AP, where the first CTS frame is used to indicate that the first STA or the first AP is allowed to transmit data on the first channel; or The access controller receives a MU-RTS frame from the first AP, where the MU-RTS frame is used to indicate that data will be transmitted between the first AP and at least one of the first STAs through the first channel.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The access controller sending the first frame to the second AP includes: The access controller sends the RTS frame or the first CTS frame or the MU-RTS frame to the second AP, indicating that the first channel is reserved for data transmission, the second AP and the first AP can both communicate with the access controller, and the first channel and the second channel on which the second AP works interfere with each other.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that The RTS frame includes the duration during which the first channel is occupied, or the first CTS frame includes the duration during which the first channel is occupied, or the MU-RTS frame includes the duration during which the first channel is occupied.

18. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that: The RTS frame is used to indicate that the first AP requests to send data to the first STA on the first channel, or the RTS frame is used to indicate that the first STA requests to send data to the first AP on the first channel.

19. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 18, characterized in that The first channel and the second channel on which the second AP works interfere with each other, including: the main channel numbers of the first channel and the second channel are different, and the frequency bands of the first channel and the second channel overlap.

20. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 19, characterized in that The RTS frame, the first CTS frame, the MU-TRS frame, and the second CTS frame are transmitted in the form of broadcasting.

21. A communication device, characterized in that: The device comprises: a receiving unit and a sending unit; wherein: The receiving unit is used to receive a first frame, where the first frame is used to indicate that the first channel is reserved for data transmission; The sending unit is used to send a second CTS frame to at least one node working on the same channel as the second AP, and the second CTS frame is used to notify the at least one node that the first channel is reserved for data transmission.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that The receiving unit is configured to receive a request to send RTS frame from an access controller, wherein the RTS frame is used to indicate that data will be transmitted between a first access point AP and a first station STA through a first channel, wherein the first channel interferes with a second channel on which the device operates; or The receiving unit is configured to receive a first clear to send CTS frame from the access controller, where the first CTS frame is used to indicate that the first STA or the first AP is allowed to transmit data on the first channel; or The receiving unit is used to receive a MU-RTS frame from the access controller, where the MU-RTS frame is used to indicate that data will be transmitted between the first AP and at least one of the first STAs through the first channel.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein: The sending unit is used to send a second CTS frame to at least one node working on the same channel as the device, and the second CTS frame is used to notify the at least one node that the first channel is reserved for data transmission.

24. The device according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that The first channel and the second channel on which the device operates interfere with each other, including: the main channel numbers of the first channel and the second channel are different, and the frequency bands of the first channel and the second channel overlap.

25. A communication device, characterized in that: The device comprises: a sending unit; wherein, The sending unit is used to send a first frame to the access controller, where the first frame is used to indicate that the first channel is reserved for data transmission.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein: The sending unit is used to send a request to send RTS frame to a first station STA, where the RTS frame is used to indicate that the device requests to send data to the first STA on a first channel; or, The receiving unit is configured to receive an RTS frame from the first STA, where the RTS frame is used to indicate that the first STA requests to send data to the device on the first channel; or, The sending unit is used to send a MU-RTS frame to at least one of the first STAs, where the MU-RTS frame is used to indicate that the device requests to send data to the at least one first STA on the first channel.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein: Also included is a sending unit, wherein: The sending unit is also used to send the RTS frame or the first clear to send CTS frame or the MU-RTS frame to the access controller, instructing the access controller to notify the second AP that the first channel is reserved for data transmission, or to instruct the access controller to notify at least one node working on the same channel as the second AP that the first channel is reserved for data transmission, the first CTS frame is used to indicate that the first STA or the device is allowed to transmit data on the first channel, the second AP and the device can both communicate with the access controller, and the first channel interferes with the second channel where the second AP works.

28. The device according to claim 26 or 27, characterized in that The receiving unit is further configured to receive the first CTS frame from the first STA; or The receiving unit is further used to receive at least one of the first CTS frames from at least one of the first STAs.

29. The device according to any one of claims 26 to 28, characterized in that The sending unit is further used to send a third CTS frame to the first STA, where the third CTS frame is used to indicate that the first STA is allowed to send the data to the device.

30. A communication device, characterized in that: The device comprises: a receiving unit and a sending unit; wherein, The receiving unit is used to receive a first frame from a first access point AP, where the first frame is used to indicate that the first channel is reserved for data transmission; The sending unit is used to send the first frame to the second AP.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein: The receiving unit is configured to receive a request to send (RTS) frame from a first access point (AP), where the RTS frame is used to indicate that data will be transmitted between the first AP and a first station (STA) through a first channel; or The receiving unit is configured to receive a first clear to send CTS frame from the first AP, where the first CTS frame is used to indicate that the first STA or the first AP is allowed to transmit data on the first channel; or The receiving unit is used to receive a MU-RTS frame from the first AP, where the MU-RTS frame is used to indicate that data will be transmitted between the first AP and at least one of the first STAs through the first channel.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein: The sending unit is used to send the RTS frame or the first CTS frame or the MU-RTS frame to the second AP, indicating that the first channel is reserved for data transmission, the second AP and the first AP can both communicate with the device, and the first channel and the second channel on which the second AP works interfere with each other.

33. A communication system, characterized in that: It comprises the communication device according to any one of claims 21-24, the communication device according to any one of claims 25-29, and the communication device according to any one of claims 30-32.

34. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises a memory, a processor and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, wherein when the processor executes the computer program, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is implemented, or the method according to any one of claims 7 to 13 is implemented, or the method according to any one of claims 14 to 20 is implemented.

35. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that: When the program is executed by a processor, it implements the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, or implements the method according to any one of claims 7 to 13, or implements the method according to any one of claims 14 to 20.

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