Communication method and communication device

Abstract

According to the communication method and the communication device, in a power line carrier communication system, the whole frequency band is dynamically divided into a plurality of sub-frequency bands, channel quality estimation is carried out on each sub-frequency band through a measurement frame to obtain the actual channel condition of each sub-frequency band, and the sub-frequency band with the good quality is selected to send data according to the actual channel condition of each sub-frequency band. The frequency band selection is flexible, and the data transmission efficiency is improved. Moreover, the carrier shielding table can be determined according to the actual channel condition of each subcarrier, the carrier shielding table can accurately reflect the fading or interference condition of the channel, and the shielding condition of the subcarriers in the carrier shielding table is relatively accurate. A carrier shielding table is used in the process of sending and receiving data, some subcarriers with poor channel quality are not needed to send and receive data, power is concentrated on effective subcarriers (namely unshielded subcarriers) to send and receive data, and the communication performance is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of power line carrier communication, and more specifically, to a communication method and a communication device. Background Art

[0002] Power line carrier communication (PLC) is a technology that uses power lines as a transmission medium and transmits analog or digital signals at high speed through carrier waves. Since power lines are not specifically used as a communication medium, the characteristics of the power line environment have created some characteristics of PLC communication. The characteristics of the power line environment mainly include: complex and variable power line noise, continuously changing load and impedance, environmental time-variance, etc. The channel transmission characteristics of PLC communication include: time-varying channel quality, large attenuation, and complex various interference noises.

[0003] However, currently, PLC communication technology only supports three main frequency band selections. The selected frequency bands cannot reflect the actual channel fading or channel quality conditions, and the frequency band selection is not flexible enough, resulting in a reduction in the efficiency of PLC data transmission and a degradation of PLC communication performance. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method and a communication device. In a PLC communication system, it is possible to select a sub-band with better quality to send data according to the actual channel conditions of each sub-band, avoid frequency bands with larger interference or fading, have flexible frequency band selection, improve the efficiency of PLC data transmission, and thus ensure PLC communication performance.

[0005] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided. The execution subject of this method can be a sending-end device, or a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports the sending-end device to implement this method, or a logical node, a logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the sending-end device. The method includes: sending a measurement frame to a PCO, an STA, or a CCO, where the measurement frame is used to measure the channel quality corresponding to each of a plurality of sub-bands included in a first frequency band, and each sub-band includes at least one sub-carrier; receiving the channel quality corresponding to each of the plurality of sub-bands from the PCO, the STA, or the CCO; and sending a data frame to the PCO, the STA, or the CCO on at least one of the plurality of sub-bands, where the channel quality corresponding to at least one sub-band is greater than or equal to a threshold.

[0006] The communication method provided by the first aspect, in a PLC communication system, uses measurement frames to perform channel quality estimation on each sub-band respectively to obtain the actual channel conditions of each sub-band, and selects a sub-band with better quality to send data according to the actual channel conditions of each sub-band, which can avoid interfering or fading bands with large attenuation. The sub-band selection is flexible, improving the efficiency of PLC data transmission, and thus ensuring the PLC communication performance.

[0007] Exemplarily, the measurement frame can also be referred to as a probe frame.

[0008] Exemplarily, the sending device can be a CCO, a PCO or an STA. The sending device and the receiving device are devices of different types.

[0009] Exemplarily, the frequency range of the first band can be 0.7 MHz to 12 MHz.

[0010] Exemplarily, each sub-band includes one or more sub-carriers. That is to say, each sub-band corresponds to a sub-carrier group, and a sub-carrier group includes one or more sub-carriers. In other words, the first band can be divided or sliced into multiple sub-carrier groups, and a sub-carrier group includes one or more sub-carriers.

[0011] In a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the method further includes: determining a first carrier mask table according to the channel quality corresponding to each sub-carrier included in the first band, where the first carrier mask table is used to indicate: the unmasked sub-carriers and the masked sub-carriers among the sub-carriers included in the first band; sending a data frame to the PCO, the STA or the CCO on at least one sub-band among multiple sub-bands, including: sending the data frame to the PCO, the STA or the CCO on the unmasked sub-carriers included in at least one sub-band according to the first carrier mask table. In this implementation manner, the first carrier mask table is determined according to the actual channel conditions of each sub-carrier, and the first carrier mask table can accurately reflect the channel fading or interference conditions, and the masking conditions of the sub-carriers in the first carrier mask table are relatively accurate. Using the first carrier mask table, the interfered sub-carriers are masked, and data is not sent on some sub-carriers with poor channel quality (masked sub-carriers), and the power is concentrated on the effective sub-carriers (unmasked sub-carriers) to send data, improving the transmission power and communication performance.

[0012] Exemplarily, for each channel quality measurement of a sub-carrier, a carrier mask table can be generated. That is to say, each time a measurement frame is sent, a carrier mask table can be generated. In this case, multiple carrier mask tables can be generated, each carrier mask table corresponds to a different identifier, and different carrier mask tables correspond to the channel quality corresponding to each sub-carrier included in the first band in different time periods.

[0013] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the method further includes: the CCO broadcasts a plurality of carrier masking tables, where different carrier masking tables correspond to the channel quality of each subcarrier included in the first frequency band during different time periods, different carrier masking tables correspond to different identifiers, and the plurality of carrier masking tables includes a first carrier masking table. In this implementation, other nodes can store these carrier masking tables locally, ensuring that these nodes can quickly obtain the carrier masking tables and guaranteeing the normal transmission of data.

[0014] Optionally, if the STA or the PCO determines a carrier masking table according to the channel quality parameters of each subcarrier, the STA or the PCO can send the determined plurality of carrier masking tables to the CCO, and the CCO notifies other nodes (such as other STAs and PCOs).

[0015] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided. The execution subject of this method can be a receiving-end device, or a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports the receiving-end device to implement this method, or a logical node, a logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the receiving-end device. The method includes: receiving a measurement frame from the PCO, the STA, or the CCO; determining the channel quality corresponding to each of a plurality of sub-bands included in the first frequency band according to the measurement frame, where each sub-band includes at least one subcarrier; sending the channel quality corresponding to each of the plurality of sub-bands to the PCO, the STA, or the CCO; and receiving a data frame from the PCO, the STA, or the CCO on at least one of the plurality of sub-bands, where the channel quality corresponding to at least one of the plurality of sub-bands is greater than or equal to a threshold.

[0016] For the communication method provided in the second aspect, in a PLC communication system, by selecting sub-bands with better quality to receive data according to the actual channel conditions of each sub-band, it is possible to avoid frequency bands with large interference or fading. The frequency band selection is flexible, improving the efficiency of PLC data transmission, and thus ensuring the PLC communication performance.

[0017] Exemplarily, the sending-end device can be a CCO, a PCO, or an STA. The sending-end device and the receiving-end device are devices of different types.

[0018] In a possible implementation of the second aspect, receiving a data frame from the PCO, the STA, or the CCO on at least one of the plurality of sub-bands includes:

[0019] Receive data frames from the PCO, the STA, or the CCO on unshielded subcarriers included in at least one sub-band according to a first carrier shielding table, where the first carrier shielding table is determined according to the channel quality corresponding to each subcarrier included in a first frequency band, and the first carrier shielding table is used to indicate: unshielded subcarriers and shielded subcarriers among the subcarriers included in the first frequency band. In this implementation, the first carrier shielding table can accurately reflect the fading or interference conditions of the channel, and the shielding conditions of the subcarriers in the first carrier shielding table are relatively accurate. Using the first carrier shielding table, mask the interfered subcarriers, do not receive data on some subcarriers with poor channel quality (shielded subcarriers), and concentrate the power on the effective subcarriers (unshielded subcarriers) to receive data, improving the received power and communication performance.

[0020] In a possible implementation of the second aspect, the method further includes: receiving a plurality of carrier shielding tables from the CCO, where different carrier shielding tables correspond to the channel quality corresponding to each subcarrier included in the first frequency band in different time periods, different carrier shielding tables correspond to different identifiers, and the plurality of carrier shielding tables include the first carrier shielding table. In this implementation, other nodes can store these carrier shielding tables locally, ensuring that these nodes can quickly obtain the carrier shielding tables and guaranteeing the normal transmission of data.

[0021] In a possible implementation of the first aspect or the second aspect, the data frame includes a preamble field and a frame control field, and the frame control field is used to indicate whether to use a carrier shielding table and the identifier of the used carrier shielding table. In this implementation, it is ensured that the sending-end device and the receiving-end device use the same carrier shielding table, ensuring the accuracy of data reception.

[0022] For example, indication information can be added to the frame control field in the data frame, the frame control field in the data frame can be multiplexed for indication, indication information can be added to other fields in the data frame, other fields in the data frame can be multiplexed for indication, an additional field can be added to the data frame for indication information, or an additional signaling can be used to indicate whether to use a carrier shielding table and the identifier of the used carrier shielding table.

[0023] In a possible implementation of the first aspect or the second aspect, the measurement frame includes: a preamble field, a frame control field, a training field, and a payload field. The training field is used to carry measurement signals, and the payload field is used to carry sequences. The frequency band corresponding to the training field and the payload field is the same, and the frequency bands corresponding to the training field and the payload field are both the first frequency band. In this implementation, the frequency bands corresponding to the training field and the payload field in the measurement frame are both the first frequency band, that is, the full frequency band (for example, 0.7 MHz to 12 MHz). In this way, it can be ensured that the measurement frame can measure the channel quality corresponding to multiple sub-bands in the first frequency band, improving the measurement efficiency. At the same time, from the start of the training field to the end of the payload field, the corresponding frequency band can be extended to 0.7 MHz to 12 MHz, expanding the signal bandwidth and increasing the data throughput that the measurement frame can carry.

[0024] In a possible implementation of the first aspect or the second aspect, the frequency bands corresponding to the preamble field and the frame control field in the measurement frame are the same, and the frequency bands corresponding to the preamble field and the frame control field in the measurement frame are different from the frequency bands corresponding to the training field and the payload field in the measurement frame. In this implementation, the frequency bands corresponding to the preamble field and the frame control field in the measurement frame are the same as the frequency bands corresponding to the preamble field and the frame control field in the data frame transmitted between nodes currently (i.e., in the existing network), ensuring the backward compatibility of the measurement frame, so that nodes in the existing network (such as STAs) can also receive (or can correctly understand) the measurement frame, improving the communication efficiency.

[0025] For example, in the measurement frame, the frequency bands corresponding to the preamble field and the frame control field can be 0.7 MHz to 3 MHz, 2.5 MHz to 5.7 MHz, or 2.5 MHz to 12 MHz.

[0026] In a possible implementation of the first aspect or the second aspect, the data frame includes a preamble field and a frame control field. The frequency bands corresponding to the preamble field and the frame control field in the data frame are the same, and the frequency bands corresponding to the preamble field and the frame control field in the measurement frame are the same. The frequency bands corresponding to the preamble field and the frame control field included in the measurement frame are the same as the preamble field and the frame control field included in the data frame. In this implementation, the frequency bands used for the preamble and the frame control field in the measurement frame and the data frame remain unchanged, which can ensure the unity of the measurement frame and the data frame. Nodes that can receive the measurement frame (such as STAs) can also receive the data frame, ensuring the efficiency of data frame transmission. It can also enable nodes in the existing network (such as STAs) to receive (or can correctly understand) the data frame, improving the communication efficiency.

[0027] Exemplarily, in a measurement frame, the frequency bands corresponding to the preamble field and the frame control field may be 0.7 MHz to 3 MHz, 2.5 MHz to 5.7 MHz, or 2.5 MHz to 12 MHz. In a data frame, the frequency bands corresponding to the preamble field and the frame control field may also be 0.7 MHz to 3 MHz, 2.5 MHz to 5.7 MHz, or 2.5 MHz to 12 MHz.

[0028] In a third aspect, a communication device is provided. The device includes modules (such as a processing module and an interface module) for performing each step in the above first aspect or any possible implementation manner of the first aspect. The device may be a transmitting-end device, or a chip, a chip system, or a processor in the transmitting-end device, etc. It may also be a logical node, a logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the transmitting-end device.

[0029] Exemplarily, the transmitting-end device may be a CCO, a PCO, or an STA.

[0030] In a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided. The device includes at least one processor and a memory. The at least one processor is configured to execute: the method in the above first aspect or any possible implementation manner of the first aspect. The device may be a transmitting-end device, or a chip, a chip system, or a processor in the transmitting-end device, etc. It may also be a logical node, a logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the transmitting-end device.

[0031] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided. The device includes at least one processor and an interface circuit. The at least one processor is configured to execute: the method in the above first aspect or any possible implementation manner of the first aspect. The device may be a transmitting-end device, or a chip, a chip system, or a processor in the transmitting-end device, etc. It may also be a logical node, a logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the transmitting-end device.

[0032] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided. The device includes modules (such as a processing module and an interface module) for performing each step in the above second aspect or any possible implementation manner of the second aspect. The device may be a receiving-end device, or a chip, a chip system, or a processor in the receiving-end device.

[0033] Exemplarily, the receiving-end device may be a CCO, a PCO, or an STA.

[0034] In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided. The device includes at least one processor and a memory. The at least one processor is configured to execute: the method in the second aspect above or any possible implementation manner of the second aspect. The device may be a receiving-end device, or a chip, a chip system, or a processor in the receiving-end device, etc.

[0035] In an eighth aspect, a communication device is provided. The device includes at least one processor and an interface circuit. The at least one processor is configured to execute: the method in the second aspect above or any possible implementation manner of the second aspect. The device may be a receiving-end device, or a chip, a chip system, or a processor in the receiving-end device, etc.

[0036] In a ninth aspect, a transmitting-end device is provided. The transmitting-end device includes the communication device provided in the third aspect above, or the transmitting-end device includes the communication device provided in the fourth aspect above, or the transmitting-end device includes the communication device provided in the fifth aspect above.

[0037] In a tenth aspect, a receiving-end device is provided. The receiving-end device includes the communication device provided in the sixth aspect above, or the receiving-end device includes the communication device provided in the seventh aspect above, or the receiving-end device includes the communication device provided in the eighth aspect above.

[0038] In an eleventh aspect, a computer program product is provided. The computer program product includes a computer program which, when executed by a processor, is configured to execute the method in the first aspect above or any possible implementation manner of the first aspect, or the method in the second aspect above or any possible implementation manner of the second aspect.

[0039] In a twelfth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. A computer program is stored in the computer-readable storage medium, and when the computer program is executed, it is configured to execute the method in the first aspect above or any possible implementation manner of the first aspect, or the method in the second aspect above or any possible implementation manner of the second aspect.

[0040] In a thirteenth aspect, a chip is provided. The chip includes: a processor configured to call and run a computer program from a memory, so that a communication device installed with the chip executes: the method in the first aspect above or any possible implementation manner of the first aspect, or the method in the second aspect above or any possible implementation manner of the second aspect. Description of the Drawings

[0041] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the networking structure of an example PLC communication system.

[0042] Figure 2It is a schematic diagram defining three main frequency bands in PLC communication.

[0043] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of a carrier shielding table.

[0044] Figure 4 It is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by this application.

[0045] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of a measurement frame structure provided by this application.

[0046] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of multiple sub - carrier groups included in a first frequency band provided by this application.

[0047] Figure 7 It is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided by this application.

[0048] Figure 8 It is a schematic block diagram of another communication device provided by this application. Detailed implementation manners

[0049] Next, the technical solutions in this application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0050] In the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified, " / " means "or". For example, A / B can mean A or B. Herein, "and / or" is merely a description of the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. In addition, in the description of the embodiments of this application, "a plurality of" means two or more than two.

[0051] Hereinafter, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such features. In the description of this embodiment, unless otherwise specified, the meaning of "a plurality of" is two or more than two.

[0052] In the embodiments of the present application, the receiving end device and the sending end device include a hardware layer, an operating system layer running on the hardware layer, and an application layer running on the operating system layer. The hardware layer includes hardware such as a central processing unit (CPU), a memory management unit (MMU), and a memory (also referred to as main memory). The operating system can be any one or more computer operating systems that implement service processing through processes. For example, the Linux operating system, the Unix operating system, the Android operating system, the iOS operating system, or the Windows operating system, etc. The application layer includes applications such as a browser, an address book, a word processing software, and an instant messaging software. Moreover, the embodiments of the present application do not particularly limit the specific structure of the execution subject of the method provided in the embodiments of the present application. As long as it can communicate according to the method provided in the embodiments of the present application by running a program that records the code of the method provided in the embodiments of the present application. For example, the execution subject of the method provided in the embodiments of the present application can be a central coordinator (CCO), a proxy coordinator (PCO), or a station (STA) in a power line carrier communication system, etc., or a functional module in the CCO, PCO, or STA that can call and execute the program.

[0053] In addition, various aspects or features of the present application can be implemented as a method, an apparatus, or an article of manufacture using standard programming and / or engineering techniques. The term "article of manufacture" as used in the present application covers a computer program accessible from any computer-readable device, carrier, or medium. For example, the computer-readable medium can include, but is not limited to: magnetic storage devices (such as hard disks, floppy disks, or magnetic tapes, etc.), optical discs (such as compact discs (CDs), digital versatile discs (DVDs), etc.), smart cards, and flash memory devices (such as erasable programmable read-only memories (EPROMs), cards, sticks, or key drives, etc.). Additionally, the various storage media described herein can represent one or more devices and / or other machine-readable media for storing information. The term "machine-readable medium" can include, but is not limited to, wireless channels and various other media capable of storing, containing, and / or carrying instructions and / or data.

[0054] Power line communication (PLC) is a technology that uses power lines as a transmission medium to transmit analog or digital signals at high speed through carrier waves. Its greatest feature is that there is no need to re-erect network facilities. As long as there are wires, data can be transmitted. PLC technology is widely used in fields such as smart grids, smart homes, and industrial automation. PLC technology mainly includes links such as modulation, signal transmission, and signal processing. Among them, modulation is to convert digital signals into analog signals, signal transmission is to transmit analog signals through power lines, and signal processing includes demodulation, which is to convert the transmitted analog signals back into digital signals.

[0055] Power line carrier communication technology basically adopts orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation technology, which can improve the reliability of data transmission in harsh environments with multipath and electromagnetic interference. Power lines are not specifically used as a communication medium, so the characteristics of the power line environment create some characteristics of PLC communication. The characteristics of the power line environment mainly include: complex and variable power line noise, constantly changing load and impedance, and environmental time-variation. The channel transmission characteristics of PLC communication include: the channel quality is time-varying, the attenuation is large, and various interference noises are complex.

[0056] Exemplarily, Figure 1 The following is a schematic diagram of the networking structure of a PLC communication system. As Figure 1 shown, the PLC communication system network is a tree-shaped network centered on the CCO, with the PCO as a relay agent, connecting all STAs in a multi-level association. Among them, the CCO is the main node in the communication network, responsible for functions such as networking control and network maintenance management, and conducts point-to-point communication with the STA (Station). The corresponding device entity is the concentrator local communication unit. The PCO relays and forwards data between the CCO and the STA, or between the STA and the STA. The CCO is a slave node in the PLC communication network, and the corresponding device entity is the communication unit, such as including: power meter carrier module, type I collector carrier module, or type II collector, etc. Optionally, the CCO can also be called the concentrator, and the PCO can also be called the repeater.

[0057] Exemplarily, as Figure 1 shown, the data transmitted between different nodes in power line carrier communication can include: relevant data of electricity meters, water meters, and gas used by users, home automation, small office, home office communication (such as Internet, games, audio, video) data, etc.

[0058] At present, OFDM modulation is basically adopted in power line carrier communication. Due to the continuous changes of power line noise, load and impedance in the power line environment, the power line transmission channel has characteristics such as time-variation, frequency selectivity and strong interference. Through actual measurement, it is found that there is strong interference in some frequency bands in the power line channel environment, and the channel shows deep fading, while in some frequency bands, the interference is low and the channel fading is small. For example, in the frequency band of 0.7 MHz to 3 MHz, the attenuation is small, and in the frequency band above 3 MHz, the attenuation is large.

[0059] To ensure the stability of communication, as Figure 2 shown, currently three main frequency bands are defined in PLC communication, namely 0.7 MHz to 3 MHz (0.7 MHz~3 MHz), 2.5 MHz to 5.7 MHz (2.5 MHz~5.7 MHz), and 2.5 MHz to 12 MHz (2.5 MHz~12 MHz). When networking, by working in a certain frequency band for a period of time and then manually switching to another frequency band to work for a period of time, the communication success rate is compared to determine which frequency band to use. After determining to use a certain frequency band (for example, the frequency band with a higher communication success rate), the determined frequency band is fixedly used for communication within a period of time.

[0060] However, due to the continuous changes of power line noise, load and impedance in the power line environment, the power line transmission channel has time-variation. Currently, the three commonly used frequency bands cannot reflect the fading or interference situation of the actual (such as a specific period of time) channel. It is possible that the channel quality of a certain frequency band currently in use (one of the above three frequency bands) is poor, while there are some frequency bands with better channel quality, but the frequency bands with better channel quality are different from all of the above three frequency bands, so they cannot be used, that is, the available subcarriers or frequency bands cannot be dynamically allocated according to the actual channel fading or channel quality situation. Moreover, the span of the three fixed frequency bands is large and not flexible enough.

[0061] In summary, due to the fact that the current PLC communication technology only supports the selection of three main frequency bands and cannot select the frequency band with better channel environment according to the actual channel fading or channel quality situation, the frequency band selection is not flexible enough, resulting in the reduction of the PLC data transmission efficiency and the reduction of the PLC communication performance.

[0062] In addition, during the PLC communication process, when the sending device (such as CCO) sends data to the receiving device (such as STA), a carrier mask table (also called Mask table) can be used to mask some subcarriers, and data is sent on the unmasked subcarriers, so as to concentrate the power on the effective subcarriers (that is, the unmasked subcarriers) for sending, and improve the transmission power.

[0063] Generally, the carrier mask table includes the masking conditions of each subcarrier included in the full frequency band (the full frequency band is, for example, from 0.7 MHz to 12 MHz). If a certain subcarrier is masked, this subcarrier is not used to send data, and data is only sent on the unmasked subcarriers.

[0064] For example, assume that the carrier mask table includes the masking conditions of 512 subcarriers in the full frequency band. Optionally, the implementation method of the carrier mask table can be a sequence with a length of 512 bits (bit), for example Figure 3 As shown, each bit represents the masking condition of a subcarrier. For example, if the value of a bit is 0, it means that the subcarrier corresponding to this bit is in the masked state, and if the value of the bit is 1, it means that the subcarrier corresponding to this bit is in the unmasked state. As Figure 3 shown, the subcarriers numbered 80, the subcarrier numbered 125, and the subcarriers numbered 150 to 175 are all in the masked state, and the other subcarriers are all unmasked. After the sending device selects a frequency band from the above three frequency bands, according to the masking conditions of the subcarriers in the selected frequency band, data is sent on the unmasked subcarriers in the selected frequency band. The sending device will also receive data on the unmasked subcarriers according to the carrier mask table.

[0065] However, currently, the carrier mask table is determined by regulations that certain frequency bands are unavailable, and the subcarriers corresponding to these unavailable frequency bands are all in the masked state, and the subcarriers corresponding to the remaining frequency bands are all in the unmasked state. Several carrier mask tables are recommended in the protocol, and these carrier mask tables are only related to the specified (or selected) frequency bands. For example, if the selected frequency band is from 0.7 MHz to 3 MHz, then in the carrier mask table, the values of the bits corresponding to the subcarriers numbered 32 to 120 (i.e., the subcarriers corresponding to 0.7 MHz to 3 MHz) are all 1 and are all in the unmasked state, and the values of the bits corresponding to the other subcarriers are all 0 and are all in the masked state. And, after determining to use a certain carrier mask table during network formation, it will not be updated anymore, that is, this carrier mask table is fixedly used.

[0066] It can be seen that the subcarrier masking situation in the current carrier masking table is not determined based on the actual channel fading or channel quality. The masking situation of a certain subcarrier may not reflect the fading or interference of the channel on that subcarrier. For example, a certain subcarrier in the carrier masking table is in a masked state, but in fact, the fading of the channel on that subcarrier is relatively small, and it is a subcarrier that can be used. A certain subcarrier in the carrier masking table is in an unmasked state, but in fact, the fading of the channel on that subcarrier is relatively large, and it should actually be in a masked state. It can be seen that the current carrier masking table cannot reflect the fading or interference of the actual channel, and the masking situation of the subcarriers in the carrier masking table is inaccurate, resulting in waste of the transmission power of the transmitting device and the receiving power of the receiving device, and reducing the PLC communication performance.

[0067] In view of this, the present application provides a communication method and a communication device, which are applied to a PLC communication system. The entire frequency band is dynamically divided into multiple sub-bands, and each sub-band includes or corresponds to at least one subcarrier, or rather, each sub-band corresponds to a subcarrier group. The channel quality of each sub-band is estimated separately using a measurement frame to obtain the actual channel situation of each sub-band. Data is transmitted by selecting sub-bands with better quality according to the actual channel situation of each sub-band, which can avoid frequency bands with large interference or fading. The frequency band selection is flexible, improving the efficiency of PLC data transmission, and thus ensuring the PLC communication performance.

[0068] It should be understood that the method provided by the present application can be applied in a PLC communication system. For example, it can be applied to Figure 1 the PLC communication system shown.

[0069] It should also be understood that Figure 1 the communication scenario (communication system) shown is only exemplary and should not impose any limitations on the communication scenarios applicable to the embodiments of the present application. For example, Figure 1 the communication system shown may also include more or fewer network nodes, such as PCO, STA, etc. It can be understood that the method provided by the present application can be applied to any PLC communication scenario.

[0070] The following describes the communication method provided by the present application with specific examples.

[0071] For ease of explanation, in the following examples, the transmitting device is taken as an example of CCO, and the receiving device is taken as an example of STA for explanation.

[0072] However, it should be understood that in other implementations of this application, the sending device may also be a CCO, and the receiving device may be a PCO; or, the sending device may also be a PCO, and the receiving device may be a STA; or, the sending device may also be a PCO, and the receiving device may be a CCO; or, the sending device may also be a STA, and the receiving device may be a PCO; or, the sending device may also be a STA, and the receiving device may be a CCO. That is to say, as long as the sending device and the receiving device are devices of different types, the embodiments of this application do not limit this here.

[0073] It should also be understood that hereinafter, the CCO and the STA are taken as examples of the execution subjects of the execution method to illustrate the method. By way of example and not limitation, the CCO or STA in this application may also be a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports the CCO or STA to implement this method, or may also be a logical node, a logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the CCO or STA.

[0074] The following combines Figure 4 to detail the method provided by this application. Figure 4 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of this application. The method 400 may be applied to Figure 1 the scenario or communication architecture shown, and of course, it may also be applied to other PLC communication scenarios or communication architectures. The embodiments of this application do not limit this here.

[0075] As Figure 4 shown, Figure 4 the method 400 shown in may include S410 to S440. The following combines Figure 4 to detail each step in the method 400.

[0076] S410, the CCO sends a measurement frame to the STA. The measurement frame is used to measure the channel quality corresponding to each of the multiple sub-bands included in the first band. Each sub-band includes at least one sub-carrier.

[0077] Correspondingly, the STA receives the measurement frame.

[0078] In the embodiments of this application, in the PLC communication system, due to the continuous change of power line noise, load, and impedance in the power line environment, the power line transmission channel has time-varying characteristics. In other words, the channel quality of the power line transmission channel between the CCO and the STA has time-varying characteristics, and the channel quality varies greatly in different time periods. Therefore, before the CCO sends data to the STA, the CCO may send a measurement frame to the STA. The measurement frame is used to measure the channel quality of the power line transmission between the CCO and the STA.

[0079] Exemplarily, the data sent by the CCO to the STA may include: relevant data of the electricity meter, water meter, and gas used by the user, or data that the user needs to transmit to another user (such as audio, video, files, etc.).

[0080] Optionally, in method 400, the frequency band used for PLC communication between the CCO and the STA may be the first frequency band. Exemplarily, the first frequency band may be a full frequency band. For example, the frequency range of the first frequency band may be 0.7 MHz to 12 MHz. Of course, in other implementation manners of the present application, the frequency range of the first frequency band may also be larger or smaller, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this here.

[0081] In the embodiments of the present application, the first frequency band may be divided or sliced into multiple sub-frequency bands. Optionally, the frequency ranges of different sub-frequency bands may not overlap. For example, 0.7 MHz to 12 MHz may be divided into 10 or 20 sub-frequency bands. Of course, in other implementation manners of the present application, the first frequency band may also be divided or sliced into more sub-frequency bands. The embodiments of the present application do not limit this here.

[0082] Each sub-frequency band includes one or more subcarriers. That is to say, each sub-frequency band corresponds to a subcarrier group, and a subcarrier group includes one or more subcarriers. In other words, the first frequency band may be divided or sliced into multiple subcarrier groups, and a subcarrier group includes one or more subcarriers.

[0083] In S410, the measurement frame is used to measure the channel quality corresponding to each sub-frequency band (i.e., each subcarrier group). By dividing the full frequency band into sub-frequency band granularity and measuring the channel quality of the sub-frequency band granularity (i.e., subcarrier group granularity), the granularity of the channel quality is made more refined, improving the accuracy and precision of the channel quality.

[0084] Optionally, the measurement frame may also be referred to as a probe frame. Of course, in other implementation manners of the present application, the measurement frame may also be referred to by other names, such as a training frame, etc., as long as the frame can be used to measure the channel quality corresponding to each sub-frequency band (i.e., each subcarrier group).

[0085] In some possible implementation manners, the CCO may also notify the STA of the frequency range corresponding to each sub-frequency band (each subcarrier group), etc. In this way, the STA can know the frequency range corresponding to each sub-frequency band or the number of subcarriers included in each subcarrier group, etc., so that the STA can determine the channel quality corresponding to each sub-frequency band according to the measurement frame.

[0086] S420, the STA determines the channel quality corresponding to the multiple sub-frequency bands included in the first frequency band according to the measurement frame.

[0087] As a possible implementation, Figure 5 Shown is a schematic diagram of a measurement frame structure, such as Figure 5 As shown, the measurement frame includes: a preamble field, a frame control (FC) field, a training field, and a payload field. Among them, the training field is used to carry measurement signals. For example, the measurement signals may include training symbols or reference signals, etc. The payload (PL) field is used to carry sequences. For example, the sequence carried by the PL field may be a pseudo-random sequence, such as a PN sequence, etc. Of course, the PL field may also carry other sequences.

[0088] Optionally, as Figure 5 Shown, the training field may carry multiple training symbols or multiple reference signals, such as Figure 5 Training symbol 1, training symbol 2,... training symbol m in Figure 5 The PL in 1 、PL 2 ,..PL N .

[0089] In the embodiments of the present application, the preamble field and the frame control field in the measurement frame correspond to (or use) the same frequency band. For example, the frequency bands corresponding to the preamble field and the frame control field are both 0.7 MHz to 3 MHz, 2.5 MHz to 5.7 MHz, or 2.5 MHz to 12 MHz. It can be understood that the frequency bands corresponding to the preamble field and the frame control field in the measurement frame may also be other frequency bands, as long as the frequency bands corresponding to the preamble field and the frame control field in the measurement frame are the same as the frequency bands corresponding to the preamble field and the frame control field in the data frame transmitted between nodes in the current (i.e., the existing network). For example, assuming that the existing network is the PLC 1.0 version, the frequency bands corresponding to the preamble field and the frame control field in the measurement frame are the same as or consistent with the frequency bands corresponding to the preamble field and the frame control field in the data frame in the PLC 1.0 version. Through such a solution, the backward compatibility of the measurement frame is ensured, so that nodes (such as STAs) in the existing network can also receive (or can correctly understand) the measurement frame, improving communication efficiency.

[0090] In the embodiments of the present application, the training field and the payload field in the measurement frame correspond to the same frequency band, and the frequency bands corresponding to the training field and the payload field are both the first frequency band, that is, the full frequency band (for example, 0.7 MHz to 12 MHz). In this way, it can be ensured that the measurement frame can measure the channel quality corresponding to multiple sub-bands in the first frequency band, improving the measurement efficiency. At the same time, from the start of the training field to the end of the payload field, the corresponding frequency band can be extended to 0.7 MHz to 12 MHz, expanding the signal bandwidth and increasing the data throughput that the measurement frame can carry.

[0091] For example, in a measurement frame, the frequency bands corresponding to the preamble field and the frame control field may be 0.7 MHz to 3 MHz, 2.5 MHz to 5.7 MHz, or 2.5 MHz to 12 MHz. The frequency bands corresponding to the training field and the payload field in the measurement frame may be 0.7 MHz to 12 MHz. In other words, the frequency bands corresponding to the preamble field and the frame control field in the measurement frame are different from the frequency bands corresponding to the training field and the payload field in the measurement frame.

[0092] Optionally, the channel quality may include: parameter reference signal receiving power (RSRP), reference signal receiving quality (RSRQ), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR), block error rate (BLER), channel quality indicator (CQI), etc. In the embodiments of the present application, there is no limitation on the parameter type for characterizing the channel quality.

[0093] For example, assuming the channel quality is SNR, after the STA receives the measurement frame, channel estimation and equalization are performed using the training field. The payload field of the measurement frame carries a PN sequence, and the payload field is divided into PL 1 to PL N These N parts (or can also be referred to as N sub-fields, N PL symbols), and each part (or each sub-field) corresponds to the first frequency band (full frequency band). When the STA receives the first PL (PL 1 ), the noise power value is obtained by subtracting the value after equalization of each subcarrier in the first frequency band from the transmitted PN sequence (known). The signal power is a fixed value when performing equalization. Dividing the signal power by the noise power gives the SNR of each subcarrier. The process for subsequent PL parts is the same. The SNR values of the same subcarriers in each PL part are accumulated. When the last PL (PL N ) is received, the accumulated value is divided by the total number N of PLs, and the SNR values of each subcarrier in the first frequency band can be obtained.

[0094] Furthermore, the STA can accumulate and divide by the total number of subcarriers included in each sub-band according to the starting subcarrier number and the ending subcarrier number of each sub-band (or each subcarrier group), and thus obtain the SNR value of each sub-band.

[0095] In this way, the STA can obtain the channel quality corresponding to each sub-band, and can also obtain the channel quality corresponding to each sub-carrier.

[0096] S430, the STA sends the channel quality corresponding to each sub-band to the CCO.

[0097] Of course, in S430, the STA can also send the channel quality (i.e., channel quality parameter) corresponding to each sub-carrier in the first band to the CCO.

[0098] Correspondingly, the CCO receives the channel quality corresponding to each sub-band. Optionally, the CCO can also receive the channel quality corresponding to each sub-carrier in the first band.

[0099] S440, the CCO sends a data frame to the STA on at least one of the multiple sub-bands according to the channel quality corresponding to each sub-band, and the channel quality corresponding to at least one of the at least one sub-bands is greater than or equal to a threshold.

[0100] Correspondingly, the STA receives a data frame on at least one of the multiple sub-bands.

[0101] Optionally, a threshold can be set in advance, and the CCO can send a data frame to the STA on at least one sub-band where the channel quality is greater than or equal to the threshold.

[0102] As a possible implementation manner, after determining at least one sub-band to be used, the CCO can also notify the STA of the information of at least one sub-band (for example, including: the frequencies, identifiers, etc. corresponding to at least one sub-band) through signaling, so that the STA can correctly receive the data sent by the CCO on at least one sub-band.

[0103] For example, as Figure 6 shown, assume that the first band is divided into 7 sub-bands, that is, 7 sub-carrier groups, which are sub-carrier group 1 to sub-carrier group 7 respectively. Among them, the channel quality of sub-carrier group 2 to sub-carrier group 5 does not meet the conditions, for example, is less than the threshold, then the CCO can send a data frame to the STA on sub-carrier group 1, sub-carrier group 6, and sub-carrier group 7.

[0104] The communication method provided by this application divides the entire frequency band into multiple sub-bands dynamically in the PLC communication system, estimates the channel quality of each sub-band respectively by using a measurement frame to obtain the actual channel conditions of each sub-band, and the CCO selects a sub-band with better quality to send data according to the actual channel conditions of each sub-band, which can avoid bands with large interference or fading, has flexible frequency band selection, improves the efficiency of PLC data transmission, and thus ensures the PLC communication performance.

[0105] It should be understood that in S440, the data frame also includes a preamble field and a frame control field, and the frequency bands corresponding to the preamble field and the frame control field in the data frame are the same. The frequency bands corresponding to the preamble field and the frame control field included in the measurement frame are the same as those of the preamble field and the frame control field included in the data frame. In other words, in the measurement frame and the data frame, the frequency bands used for the preamble and the FC field remain unchanged, which can ensure the unity of the measurement frame and the data frame. Nodes that can receive the measurement frame (such as STAs) can also receive the data frame, ensuring the efficiency of data frame transmission. It can enable nodes (such as STAs) in the existing network to also receive (or correctly understand) the data frame, improving communication efficiency.

[0106] For example, assume that the frequency bands corresponding to the preamble field and the FC field in the measurement frame are both 0.7 MHz to 3 MHz. Then, in S440, the frequency bands used for the preamble and the FC field in the data frame are also both 0.7 MHz to 3 MHz. Assume that the frequency bands corresponding to the training field and the payload field in the measurement frame are both 2.5 MHz to 5.7 MHz. Then, in S440, the frequency bands used for the preamble and the FC field in the data frame are also both 2.5 MHz to 5.7 MHz. Assume that the frequency bands corresponding to the training field and the payload field in the measurement frame are both 2.5 MHz to 12 MHz. Then, in S440, the frequency bands used for the preamble and the FC field in the data frame are also both 2.5 MHz to 12 MHz.

[0107] It should also be understood that the above method 400 can be executed multiple times. For example, it can be executed once every period of time (such as every half day, every day, etc.). When the method 400 is executed each time, the number of sub - frequency bands or sub - carrier groups into which the first frequency band is divided can be different. For example, when the measurement frame is sent for the first time, the first frequency band is divided into 10 sub - frequency bands or 10 sub - carrier groups. When the measurement frame is sent for the second time, the first frequency band can be divided into 20 sub - frequency bands or 20 sub - carrier groups. That is to say, in the embodiments of the present application, the entire frequency band is dynamically sliced into multiple sub - frequency bands or multiple sub - carrier groups, and channel quality estimation is performed separately. The channel quality can accurately reflect the actual channel fading or channel quality situation, so as to select a frequency band with better channel quality for communication, avoid large fading and interference, and effectively improve communication performance.

[0108] Optionally, in some possible implementation manners, in method 400, after the CCO receives the channel quality parameters of each subcarrier in the first frequency band, the CCO may further determine a first carrier mask table corresponding to the first frequency band according to the channel quality parameters of each subcarrier. It should be understood that the first carrier mask table is determined according to the channel quality parameters of each subcarrier in a single measurement. That is to say, the first carrier mask table is determined according to the actual channel conditions of each subcarrier. The first carrier mask table can accurately reflect the channel fading or interference conditions, and the masking conditions of the subcarriers in the first carrier mask table are relatively accurate. Therefore, in S440, when the CCO sends data frames to the STA on at least one of multiple sub-bands according to the channel quality corresponding to each sub-band, the CCO may also use the first carrier mask table to send data frames to the STA on at least one of multiple sub-bands.

[0109] For example, assume that the first frequency band is divided into 7 sub-bands, that is, 7 subcarrier groups. The CCO may send data frames to the STA on subcarrier group 1, subcarrier group 6, and subcarrier group 7. After the CCO determines the first carrier mask table, since the first carrier mask corresponds to the entire frequency band (the first frequency band), the CCO first determines the subcarrier numbers corresponding to or included in subcarrier group 1 (sub-band 1), subcarrier group 6 (sub-band 6), and subcarrier group 7 (sub-band 7) respectively. For example, assume that the first frequency band includes a total of 512 subcarriers. The subcarrier numbers (or subcarrier identifiers) corresponding to subcarrier group 1 (sub-band 1) are from 1 to 40, the subcarrier numbers corresponding to subcarrier group 6 (sub-band 6) are from 412 to 470, and the subcarrier numbers corresponding to subcarrier group 7 (sub-band 7) are from 471 to 512. Since the implementation manner of the first carrier mask table may be a sequence with a length of 512 bits (bit), and each bit represents the masking condition of a subcarrier, the CCO only needs to determine the values of the 1st to 40th bits, the values of the 412th to 470th bits, and the values of the 471st to 512th bits to determine which subcarriers need to be used. For example, assume that the value of a certain bit is 1, indicating that the corresponding subcarrier is in an unmasked state (i.e., not masked), then data can be sent on this subcarrier. If the value of a certain bit is 0, indicating that the corresponding subcarrier is in a masked state, then data cannot be sent on this subcarrier. In this way, by using the first carrier mask table, the interfered subcarriers are masked, data is not sent on some subcarriers with poor channel quality (masked subcarriers), and the power is concentrated on the effective subcarriers (unmasked subcarriers) to send data, thereby improving the transmission power and communication performance.

[0110] Optionally, for the data frame sent by the CCO, the preamble field and the frame control field in the data frame do not use the first carrier mask table, and only the payload field in the data frame uses the first carrier mask table. Exemplarily, the frequency band corresponding to the payload field in the data frame may be the first frequency band, that is, the full frequency band (for example, 0.7 MHz to 12 MHz). Of course, the frequency band corresponding to the payload field in the data frame may also be other frequency bands. For example, one or several frequency bands with better quality may be determined according to the channel quality corresponding to each sub-band. In the embodiments of the present application, the frequency band used for the payload field in the data frame is not limited.

[0111] Correspondingly, for the receiving device STA, the first carrier mask table is also required to receive data. For example, the STA only needs to receive data on the unmasked subcarriers and does not receive data on the masked subcarriers, so as to avoid the interference of subcarriers with low channel quality, reduce the number of diversity copies, and improve the receiving efficiency and performance.

[0112] It can be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, since the method 400 can be executed multiple times, therefore, for each measurement of the channel quality of the subcarriers, the CCO can generate a carrier mask table. That is to say, every time the method 400 is executed and every time a measurement frame is sent, the CCO can generate a carrier mask table. In this case, the CCO can generate multiple carrier mask tables, each carrier mask table corresponding to a different identifier, and different carrier mask tables corresponding to the channel quality corresponding to each subcarrier included in the first frequency band in different time periods.

[0113] Optionally, as a possible implementation manner, the CCO can broadcast these carrier mask tables to all nodes (including the PCO and the STA) in a broadcast manner, so that these nodes such as the PCO and the STA can store these carrier mask tables locally. Ensure that these nodes can quickly obtain the carrier mask table and ensure the normal transmission of data.

[0114] Optionally, as a possible implementation manner, when the CCO sends data to the STA, indication information may be added to the frame control field in the data frame, and the indication information is used to indicate: whether to use the carrier mask table and the identifier of the used carrier mask table.

[0115] For example, in combination with the example in method 400, in S440, the frame control field in the data frame includes indication information for indicating to use a carrier mask table and the identifier of the first carrier mask table. In this way, after receiving the data frame, the STA can determine which carrier mask table to use, ensuring that the sending device and the receiving device use the same carrier mask table and guaranteeing the accuracy of data reception. Of course, the frame control field in the data frame can also be reused, that is, the frame control field in the data frame can be used to indicate to use a carrier mask table and the identifier of the first carrier mask table, so that indication information does not need to be added to the frame control field in the data frame.

[0116] Of course, in other implementation manners of this application, the CCO can notify the STA whether to use a carrier mask table and the identifier of the used carrier mask table in other ways. For example, adding indication information to other fields of the data frame, reusing other fields of the data frame for indication, adding additional fields to the data frame for indication, or using additional signaling for indication, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit this here.

[0117] It should also be understood that if the STA or the PCO determines the carrier mask table according to the channel quality parameters of each subcarrier, the STA or the PCO can send the determined multiple carrier mask tables to the CCO, and the CCO notifies other nodes (such as other STAs and PCOs).

[0118] The communication method provided by this application divides the entire frequency band into multiple dynamic sub-bands in the PLC communication system, uses measurement frames to estimate the channel quality of each sub-band separately to obtain the actual channel conditions of each sub-band, and selects a sub-band with better quality to send data according to the actual channel conditions of each sub-band. The frequency band selection is flexible, improving the efficiency of PLC data transmission. Moreover, the carrier mask table can be determined according to the actual channel conditions of each subcarrier. The carrier mask table can accurately reflect the channel fading or interference conditions, and the masking conditions of the subcarriers in the carrier mask table are relatively accurate. When sending and receiving data, the carrier mask table is used, and some subcarriers with poor channel quality are not used to send and receive data. The power is concentrated on the effective subcarriers (i.e., the unmasked subcarriers) to send and receive data, improving the communication performance.

[0119] It should be understood that the above is only to help those skilled in the art better understand the embodiments of this application, rather than to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. Those skilled in the art can obviously make various equivalent modifications or changes according to the above examples given. For example, some steps in the above method embodiments may not be necessary, or some steps may be newly added, etc. Or any combination of any two or any multiple of the above embodiments. The solutions after such modifications, changes or combinations also fall within the scope of the embodiments of this application.

[0120] It should also be understood that the methods, situations, categories, and the division of embodiments in the embodiments of the present application are only for convenience of description and should not constitute special limitations. The features in various methods, categories, situations, and embodiments can be combined without contradiction.

[0121] It should also be understood that the various numerical numbers involved in the embodiments of the present application are only for the convenience of distinction in description and do not limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application. The size of the serial numbers of the above processes does not mean the sequence of execution. The execution sequence of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation to the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0122] It should also be understood that the above description of the embodiments of the present application focuses on emphasizing the differences between the various embodiments. The same or similar parts not mentioned can be referred to each other. For the sake of brevity, they will not be elaborated here.

[0123] The above combination Figures 1 to 6 has made a detailed description of the communication method of the embodiments of the present application. Next, in combination with Figure 7 and Figure 8 a detailed description of the communication device of the embodiments of the present application will be made.

[0124] In this embodiment, the function modules of the sending device and the receiving device (such as CCO, PCO or STA) can be divided according to the above method. For example, corresponding to each function, they can be divided into each function module, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The above integrated module can be implemented in the form of hardware. It should be noted that the division of modules in this embodiment is illustrative, only a logical function division, and there can be other division methods in actual implementation.

[0125] It should be noted that the relevant content of each step involved in the above method embodiment can be cited to the function description of the corresponding function module, and will not be elaborated here.

[0126] The communication device provided by the embodiments of the present application is used to execute any one of the communication methods provided by the above method embodiments, so the same effect as the above implementation method can be achieved. In the case of adopting an integrated unit, the sending device or the receiving device may include a processing module, and optionally a storage module and a communication module. Among them, the processing module can be used to control and manage the actions of the sending device or the receiving device. For example, it can be used to support the sending device or the receiving device to execute the steps performed by the processing unit. The storage module can be used to support the storage of program codes and data, etc. The communication module can be used to support the communication between the sending device or the receiving device and other devices.

[0127] Among them, the processing module can be a processor or a controller. It can implement or execute various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the disclosure of 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 digital signal processing (DSP) and a microprocessor, and so on. The storage module can be a memory. The communication module can specifically be a device that interacts with other devices, such as a radio frequency circuit, a Bluetooth chip, a Wi-Fi chip, etc.

[0128] Exemplarily, Figure 7 FIG. 5 shows a schematic block diagram of a communication device 700 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0129] In some embodiments: The communication device 700 can correspond to the sending-end device described in the above method 400, or can be a chip or component applied to the sending-end device. Moreover, each module or unit in the communication device 700 is respectively used to execute each action or processing procedure performed by the sending-end device (such as CCC) in the above method 400.

[0130] For example, the sending-end device can be CCO, PCO, or STA.

[0131] As Figure 7 shown, the communication device 700 includes a processing module 710 and an interface module 720. The interface module 720 is used to perform specific signal transceiver under the drive of the processing module 710. Optionally, in the embodiments of the present application, the processing module can also be referred to as a processing unit, and the interface module can also be referred to as an interface unit.

[0132] The interface module 720 is used to: send a measurement frame to PCO, STA, or CCO, where the measurement frame is used to measure the channel quality corresponding to each of a plurality of sub-bands included in the first band, and each sub-band includes at least one sub-carrier.

[0133] The interface module 720 is further used to: receive the channel quality corresponding to each of a plurality of sub-bands from PCO, STA, or CCO;

[0134] The interface module 720 is further used to: send a data frame to the PCO, the STA, or the CCO on at least one of the plurality of sub-bands, and the channel quality corresponding to each of the at least one sub-bands is greater than or equal to a threshold.

[0135] The communication device provided by the embodiment of the present application, in the PLC communication system, uses a measurement frame to estimate the channel quality of each sub-band respectively to obtain the actual channel conditions of each sub-band, and selects a sub-band with better quality to send data according to the actual channel conditions of each sub-band, which can avoid interfering or fading bands with large attenuation. The band selection is flexible, improving the efficiency of PLC data transmission, thereby ensuring the PLC communication performance.

[0136] In some possible implementation manners, the processing module 710 is configured to: determine a first carrier mask table according to the channel quality corresponding to each sub-carrier included in the first band, where the first carrier mask table is used to indicate: the unmasked sub-carriers and the masked sub-carriers among the sub-carriers included in the first band; the interface module 720 is further configured to: send a data frame to the PCO, the STA, or the CCO on the unmasked sub-carriers included in at least one sub-band according to the first carrier mask table.

[0137] In some possible implementation manners, the data frame includes a preamble field and a frame control field, and the frame control field is used to indicate whether to use a carrier mask table and the identifier of the used carrier mask table.

[0138] In some possible implementation manners, the measurement frame includes: a preamble field, a frame control field, a training field, and a payload field, where the training field is used to carry a measurement signal, the payload field is used to carry a sequence, the frequency bands corresponding to the training field and the payload field are the same, and the frequency bands corresponding to the training field and the payload field are both the first band.

[0139] In some possible implementation manners, the frequency bands corresponding to the preamble field and the frame control field in the measurement frame are the same, the frequency bands corresponding to the preamble field and the frame control field in the measurement frame, and the frequency bands corresponding to the training field and the payload field in the measurement frame are different.

[0140] In some possible implementation manners, the data frame includes a preamble field and a frame control field, the frequency bands corresponding to the preamble field and the frame control field in the data frame are the same, the frequency bands corresponding to the preamble field and the frame control field in the measurement frame are the same, and the frequency bands corresponding to the preamble field and the frame control field included in the measurement frame are the same as those corresponding to the preamble field and the frame control field included in the data frame.

[0141] In some possible implementation manners, when the communication device is a CCO, or the CCO includes the communication device, the interface module 720 is further configured to: broadcast a plurality of carrier mask tables, where different carrier mask tables correspond to the channel quality corresponding to each sub-carrier included in the first band in different time periods, different carrier mask tables correspond to different identifiers, and the plurality of carrier mask tables includes the first carrier mask table.

[0142] In some other embodiments: The communication device 700 may correspond to the receiving-end device described in the above method 400, or may be a chip or component applied to the receiving-end device. Moreover, each module or unit in the communication device 700 is respectively used to perform each action or processing procedure executed by the receiving-end device (such as an STA) in the above method 400.

[0143] For example, the receiving-end device may be a CCO, a PCO, or an STA.

[0144] The interface module 720 is used to: receive measurement frames from a PCO, an STA, or a CCO;

[0145] The processing module 710 is used to: determine the channel quality corresponding to each of the multiple sub-bands included in the first band according to the measurement frames, where each sub-band includes at least one sub-carrier;

[0146] The interface module 720 is further used to: send the channel quality corresponding to each of the multiple sub-bands to the PCO, the STA, or the CCO;

[0147] The interface module 720 is further used to: receive data frames from the PCO, the STA, or the CCO on at least one of the multiple sub-bands, and the channel quality corresponding to each of the at least one sub-bands is greater than or equal to a threshold.

[0148] The communication device provided in the embodiments of the present application, in a PLC communication system, uses measurement frames to respectively estimate the channel quality of each sub-band to obtain the actual channel conditions of each sub-band and feeds them back to the sending-end device, and receives data on sub-bands with better quality, which can avoid interference or bands with larger fading, has flexible band selection, improves the efficiency of PLC data transmission, and thus ensures the PLC communication performance.

[0149] In some possible implementation manners, the interface module 720 is further used to: receive data frames from the PCO, the STA, or the CCO on the unshielded sub-carriers included in at least one sub-band according to a first carrier shielding table, where the first carrier shielding table is determined according to the channel quality corresponding to each sub-carrier included in the first band, and the first carrier shielding table is used to indicate: the unshielded sub-carriers and the shielded sub-carriers among the sub-carriers included in the first band.

[0150] In some possible implementation manners, the data frame includes a preamble field and a frame control field, and the frame control field is used to indicate whether to use a carrier shielding table and the identifier of the used carrier shielding table; the processing module 710 is further used to: determine the first carrier shielding table according to the frame control field in the data frame.

[0151] In some possible implementations, the measurement frame includes: a preamble field, a frame control field, a training field, and a payload field. The training field is used to carry measurement signals, and the payload field is used to carry sequences. The frequency band corresponding to the training field and the payload field is the same, and the frequency bands corresponding to the training field and the payload field are both the first frequency band.

[0152] In some possible implementations, the frequency bands corresponding to the preamble field and the frame control field in the measurement frame are the same, and the frequency bands corresponding to the preamble field and the frame control field in the measurement frame are different from the frequency bands corresponding to the training field and the payload field in the measurement frame.

[0153] In some possible implementations, the data frame includes a preamble field and a frame control field. The frequency bands corresponding to the preamble field and the frame control field in the data frame are the same, and the frequency bands corresponding to the preamble field and the frame control field in the measurement frame are the same. The frequency bands corresponding to the preamble field and the frame control field included in the measurement frame are the same as those corresponding to the preamble field and the frame control field included in the data frame.

[0154] In some possible implementations, the interface module 720 is further configured to: receive multiple carrier masking tables from the CCO. Different carrier masking tables correspond to the channel qualities respectively corresponding to each subcarrier included in the first frequency band within different time periods. Different carrier masking tables correspond to different identifiers, and the multiple carrier masking tables include a first carrier masking table.

[0155] Furthermore, the communication device 700 may further include a storage module (storage unit). The interface module 720 may be a transceiver, an input / output interface, or an interface circuit. The storage unit is used to store instructions executed by the interface module 720 and the processing module 710. The interface module 720, the processing module 710, and the storage unit are mutually coupled. The storage unit stores instructions, the processing module 710 is configured to execute the instructions stored by the storage unit, and the interface module 720 is configured to perform specific signal transceiver operations under the drive of the processing module 710.

[0156] It should be understood that the interface module 720 may be a transceiver, an input / output interface, or an interface circuit. The storage unit may be a memory. The processing module 710 may be implemented by a processor. As Figure 8 shown, the communication device 800 may include a processor 810, a memory 820, and a transceiver 830.

[0157] Figure 7 The communication device 700 shown or Figure 8 The communication device 800 shown is capable of implementing the steps performed by the transmitting-end device or the receiving-end device in the foregoing method 400 embodiment. Similar descriptions can refer to the descriptions in the foregoing corresponding methods. To avoid repetition, they will not be elaborated here.

[0158] It should also be understood that Figure 7 the communication device 700 shown or Figure 8 the communication device 800 shown can be a transmitting device or a receiving device, or the transmitting device or the receiving device can include: Figure 7 the communication device 700 shown or Figure 8 the communication device 800 shown.

[0159] For example, the transmitting device can be a CCO, a PCO, or an STA, and the receiving device can also be a CCO, a PCO, or an STA.

[0160] It should also be understood that the transmitting device or the receiving device in the present application can also be a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports the transmitting device or the receiving device to implement the method, and can also be a logical node, a logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the transmitting device or the receiving device.

[0161] It should also be understood that the division of units (modules) in the above device is only a division of logical functions. In actual implementation, they can be fully or partially integrated into a physical entity, or physically separated. And the units in the device can all be implemented in the form of software called by a processing element; they can also all be implemented in the form of hardware; or some units can be implemented in the form of software called by a processing element, and some units can be implemented in the form of hardware. For example, each unit can be a separately established processing element, or can be integrated in a certain chip of the device. In addition, it can also be stored in the memory in the form of a program and called and executed by a certain processing element of the device to perform the function of the unit. Here, the processing element can also be called a processor, which can be an integrated circuit with signal processing capabilities. In the implementation process, each step of the above method or each of the above units can be implemented through the integrated logic circuit of the hardware in the processor element or in the form of software called by the processing element.

[0162] In one example, the unit (module) in any of the above devices may be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above methods. For example: one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or one or more DSPs, or one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms. Again, when the unit in the device can be implemented in the form of a processing element scheduler, the processing element may be a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or other processor that can call a program. Again, these units may be integrated together and implemented in the form of a system-on-a-chip (SOC).

[0163] It should be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the processor may be a central processing unit (CPU), and the processor may also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may also be any conventional processor, etc.

[0164] It should also be understood that the memory in the embodiments of the present application may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an EPROM, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be a random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchlink dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus random access memory (DR RAM).

[0165] The embodiments of the present application further provide a communication system, which includes the above-mentioned transmitting-end device and receiving-end device.

[0166] The above embodiments can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware, or any other combination. When implemented using software, the above embodiments 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 or computer programs. When the computer instructions or computer programs are loaded or executed on a computer, the processes or functions according to the embodiments of the present application are generated in whole or in part. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable devices. The computer instructions may 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 may be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center by wire (such as infrared, wireless, microwave, power line, etc.).

[0167] The embodiments of the present application also provide a computer-readable medium for storing computer program code, and the computer program includes instructions for executing any one of the communication methods provided in the embodiments of the present application. The readable medium may be the memory in the above example, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0168] The present application also provides a computer program product, and the computer program product includes instructions. When the instructions are executed, the sending-end device is caused to execute the operations corresponding to the sending-end device in the above method, or the receiving-end device is caused to execute the operations corresponding to the receiving-end device in the above method.

[0169] The embodiments of the present application also provide a chip, and the chip includes: a processing unit and a communication unit. The processing unit may be, for example, a processor, and the communication unit may be, for example, an input / output interface, a pin, or an interface circuit, etc. The processing unit can execute computer instructions to cause the chip in the communication device to execute any one of the communication methods provided in the embodiments of the present application.

[0170] Optionally, any one of the communication devices provided in the embodiments of the present application above may include this chip.

[0171] Optionally, the computer instructions are stored in a storage unit.

[0172] Optionally, the storage unit is a storage unit inside the chip, such as a register, a cache, etc. The storage unit may also be a storage unit outside the chip in the communication device, such as a ROM or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and instructions, a RAM, etc. Among them, the processor mentioned anywhere above may be a CPU, a microprocessor, an ASIC, or an integrated circuit for controlling the execution of the programs of the methods for transmitting the above RRC signaling. The processing unit and the storage unit may be decoupled and disposed on different physical devices, and are connected by wired or wireless means to implement the respective functions of the processing unit and the storage unit to support the chip to implement various functions in the above embodiments. Or, the processing unit and the memory may also be coupled on the same device.

[0173] In the present application, names may be given to various objects such as various messages / information / devices / systems / devices / actions / operations / processes, etc. It can be understood that these specific names do not constitute limitations on the relevant objects, and the given names may change with factors such as the scenario, context, or usage habits. The understanding of the technical meaning of the technical terms in the present application should be mainly determined from the functions and technical effects reflected / executed in the technical solution.

[0174] 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 foregoing method embodiments and will not be elaborated herein.

[0175] In several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For example, the division of the unit is only a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the displayed or discussed coupling or direct coupling or communication connection between each other can be through some interfaces. The indirect coupling or communication connection of the device or unit can be in electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0176] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated. The components displayed as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they can be located in one place or distributed to multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

[0177] In addition, in each embodiment of the present application, the functional units can be integrated in a processing unit, or each unit can exist physically alone, or two or more units can be integrated in one unit.

[0178] The above is only the specific implementation manner of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present application and should be covered by the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, the method includes: sending a measurement frame to a proxy coordinator PCO, a station STA or a central coordinator CCO, the measurement frame being used to measure the channel quality corresponding to multiple sub-bands included in a first frequency band, and each sub-band including at least one sub-carrier; receiving the channel quality corresponding to the multiple sub-bands from the PCO, the STA or the CCO; sending a data frame to the PCO, the STA or the CCO on at least one of the multiple sub-bands, where the channel quality corresponding to the at least one sub-band is greater than or equal to a threshold.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, the method further includes: determining a first carrier mask table according to the channel quality corresponding to each sub-carrier included in the first frequency band, the first carrier mask table being used to indicate: the unmasked sub-carriers and the masked sub-carriers among the sub-carriers included in the first frequency band; the sending a data frame to the PCO, the STA or the CCO on at least one of the multiple sub-bands includes: sending a data frame to the PCO, the STA or the CCO on the unmasked sub-carriers included in the at least one sub-band according to the first carrier mask table.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, the data frame includes a preamble field and a frame control field, and the frame control field is used to indicate whether to use a carrier mask table and the identifier of the used carrier mask table.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, the measurement frame includes: a preamble field, a frame control field, a training field and a payload field, the training field is used to carry a measurement signal, the payload field is used to carry a sequence, the frequency band corresponding to the training field and the payload field is the same, and the frequency band corresponding to the training field and the payload field is both the first frequency band.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, the frequency band corresponding to the preamble field and the frame control field in the measurement frame is the same, and the frequency band corresponding to the preamble field and the frame control field in the measurement frame is different from the frequency band corresponding to the training field and the payload field in the measurement frame.

6. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that: the data frame includes a preamble field and a frame control field, the frequency band corresponding to the preamble field and the frame control field in the data frame is the same, the frequency band corresponding to the preamble field and the frame control field in the measurement frame is the same, and the frequency band corresponding to the preamble field and the frame control field included in the measurement frame is the same as the frequency band corresponding to the preamble field and the frame control field included in the data frame.

7. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that, the method further includes: The CCO broadcasts multiple carrier masking tables, where different carrier masking tables correspond to the channel quality of each sub - carrier included in the first frequency band during different time periods, different carrier masking tables correspond to different identifiers, and the multiple carrier masking tables include the first carrier masking table.

8. A communication method, characterized in that, the method includes: receiving a measurement frame from a proxy coordinator (PCO), a station (STA), or a central coordinator (CCO); determining, according to the measurement frame, the channel quality corresponding to each of multiple sub - frequency bands included in the first frequency band, where each sub - frequency band includes at least one sub - carrier; sending the channel quality corresponding to each of the multiple sub - frequency bands to the PCO, the STA, or the CCO; receiving a data frame from the PCO, the STA, or the CCO on at least one of the multiple sub - frequency bands, where the channel quality corresponding to each of the at least one sub - frequency band is greater than or equal to a threshold.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, the receiving a data frame from the PCO, the STA, or the CCO on at least one of the multiple sub - frequency bands includes: receiving, according to a first carrier masking table, a data frame from the PCO, the STA, or the CCO on the unmasked sub - carriers included in the at least one sub - frequency band, where the first carrier masking table is determined according to the channel quality corresponding to each sub - carrier included in the first frequency band, and the first carrier masking table is used to indicate the unmasked sub - carriers and the masked sub - carriers among the sub - carriers included in the first frequency band.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, the data frame includes a preamble field and a frame control field, and the frame control field is used to indicate whether to use a carrier masking table and the identifier of the used carrier masking table; the method further includes: determining the first carrier masking table according to the frame control field in the data frame.

11. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that, the measurement frame includes: a preamble field, a frame control field, a training field, and a payload field, the training field is used to carry a measurement signal, the payload field is used to carry a sequence, the frequency band corresponding to the training field and the payload field is the same, and the frequency band corresponding to both the training field and the payload field is the first frequency band.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, the frequency band corresponding to the preamble field and the frame control field in the measurement frame is the same, and the frequency band corresponding to the preamble field and the frame control field in the measurement frame is different from the frequency band corresponding to the training field and the payload field in the measurement frame.

13. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that, The data frame includes a preamble field and a frame control field. The frequency bands corresponding to the preamble field and the frame control field in the data frame are the same. The frequency bands corresponding to the preamble field and the frame control field in the measurement frame are the same. The frequency bands corresponding to the preamble field and the frame control field included in the measurement frame are the same as those corresponding to the preamble field and the frame control field included in the data frame.

14. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein, the method further includes: receiving a plurality of carrier mask tables from the CCO. Different carrier mask tables correspond to the channel quality of each subcarrier included in the first frequency band during different time periods. Different carrier mask tables correspond to different identifiers. The plurality of carrier mask tables include the first carrier mask table.

15. A communication device, wherein, it includes: a unit for performing each step of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, or a unit for performing each step of the method according to any one of claims 8 to 14.

16. A communication device, wherein, it includes at least one processor and an interface circuit. The at least one processor is configured to execute: the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, or the method according to any one of claims 8 to 14.

17. A communication device, wherein, it includes: a processor, the processor is coupled to a memory. The memory is used to store programs or instructions. When the programs or instructions are executed by the processor, the device is caused to execute: the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, or the method according to any one of claims 8 to 14.

18. A computer-readable storage medium, wherein, a computer program is stored in the computer-readable storage medium. The computer program includes program instructions. When the program instructions are executed by a processor, the processor is caused to execute: the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, or the method according to any one of claims 8 to 14.

19. A chip, wherein, it includes: a processor, configured to call and run a computer program from a memory, so that a communication device installed with the chip executes: the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, or the method according to any one of claims 8 to 14.

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