Communication method and device applying HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) technology

Abstract

The invention discloses a communication method and device applying an HPLC technology. The method includes a first device generating and transmitting a data frame. Wherein the data frame comprises a frame control, and one or more physical blocks (PBs). The one or more PBs comprise one or more MAC frames, and the one or more MAC frames are cascaded in a first aggregation mode. Through the method, the data frame can comprise not only one MAC frame, but also a plurality of MAC frames. Therefore, when a plurality of MAC frames need to be transmitted, one data frame can be used for transmission, so that the data transmission efficiency can be improved, and the throughput capacity of a communication system using the HPLC technology is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular, to a communication method and apparatus applying high speed power line communication (HPLC) technology. Background Art

[0002] HPLC technology is a technology that converts digital signals into analog signals for communication using power lines. HPLC technology can be applied to at least one of the following scenarios: power consumption information collection, photovoltaic new energy, or smart home.

[0003] With the increase in the scale of new energy vehicle charging piles and the rapid development of power system services, there are currently higher requirements for the throughput capacity of communication systems using HPLC technology. How to improve the throughput capacity of communication systems using HPLC technology requires further research. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method and apparatus to improve the throughput capacity of a communication system using HPLC technology.

[0005] In a first aspect, an embodiment of this application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a first device. The first device can be applied in a communication system using HPLC technology. For example, the first device can be a central coordinator (CCO), a proxy coordinator (PCO), or a station (STA), or can also be a module applied in a CCO, PCO, or STA, such as a circuit, a chip, a chip system, or a processor, or can also be a logical node, a logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of a CCO, PCO, or STA. Among them, the method can include: The first device can generate and send a data frame. Among them, the data frame can include: frame control, and one or more physical blocks (PBs), and the one or more PBs include one or more media access control (MAC) frames, and the one or more MAC frames can be cascaded through a first aggregation method.

[0006] Through this method, a data frame can include either one MAC frame or multiple MAC frames. In this way, when multiple MAC frames need to be transmitted, they can be transmitted through one data frame, thereby improving the data transmission efficiency and the throughput capacity of the communication system using the HPLC technology. When the size of a MAC frame is smaller than the payload part of the PB in the data frame, the part of the payload part of the PB in the data frame other than the MAC frame can include part or all of another MAC frame, rather than padding bits, thereby improving the utilization rate of the PB.

[0007] In addition, when the multiple MAC frames correspond to a data frame of type SOF, since one data frame includes multiple MAC frames, the first device can transmit multiple MAC frames through one data frame, thereby avoiding or reducing line congestion, and further avoiding or reducing the transmission failure of the data frame of type SOF due to timeout, improving the success rate of services, and avoiding or reducing the response delay of the peer electronic device.

[0008] Moreover, in this method, the first device can be any electronic device in the communication system applying the HPLC technology. In this way, the STA, PCO, and CCO can all cascade one or more MAC frames through the first aggregation method, thereby ensuring the efficient transmission of data of each node in the network.

[0009] In mode a1, the one or more MAC frames can be cascaded through one or more cascade headers; that is to say, the first aggregation method includes: cascading one or more MAC frames through one or more cascade headers.

[0010] Optionally, the first MAC frame can be any MAC frame among the one or more MAC frames. The first cascade header among the one or more cascade headers can be used to indicate at least one of the following: the length of the first MAC frame, the destination address, the data type, or the position of the next cascade header of the first cascade header among the one or more cascade headers. Among them, the first cascade header is located in front of the first MAC frame, and / or the first cascade header is adjacent to the first MAC frame.

[0011] Through this mode a1, the cascade header can be used to indicate the information of the MAC frame, thereby improving the efficiency of the receiving device of the data frame in parsing the one or more MAC frames.

[0012] In mode a2, the one or more MAC frames can include a first MAC frame and a second MAC frame. Among them, the first MAC frame is adjacent to the second MAC frame, or there is at least one of the following between the first MAC frame and the second MAC frame: a PB header, a check sequence, or padding bits. In this way, the first MAC frame and the second MAC frame do not need to be cascaded through a cascade header, thereby avoiding the overhead of introducing a cascade header, improving the PB utilization rate, and improving the data transmission efficiency.

[0013] In some possible ways, the one or more PBs are multiple PBs, and a first part of a third MAC frame among the one or more MAC frames is included in a payload part of a first PB among the multiple PBs, and a second part of the third MAC frame is included in a payload part of a second PB among the multiple PBs. In this way, the third MAC frame can be transmitted across PBs, thereby improving the utilization rate of PBs and the data transmission efficiency.

[0014] In some other possible ways, the one or more PBs are multiple PBs, and each MAC frame among the one or more MAC frames is included in a payload part of one PB among the multiple PBs. In this way, a receiving device of a data frame can parse the MAC frame included in each PB after receiving each PB, without waiting to receive all PBs in the data frame and then parsing the data frame. That is to say, the parsing of this PB will not be affected by the error codes of other PBs, thereby improving the parsing speed and reducing the processing delay of the MAC frame.

[0015] In some further possible ways, the one or more MAC frames are included in a payload part of a third PB among the one or more PBs, thereby improving the throughput capacity of a communication system using the HPLC technology, improving the data transmission efficiency, and improving the utilization rate of PBs.

[0016] In a possible design, a frame control and / or a PB header of at least one PB among the one or more PBs can be used to indicate a concatenation type, and the concatenation type can include at least one of the following:

[0017] Concatenation type one: One or more MAC frames are concatenated through one or more concatenation headers; the one or more MAC frames are included in a payload part of a third PB among the one or more PBs, or the one or more PBs are multiple PBs, and a first part of a third MAC frame among the one or more MAC frames is included in a payload part of a first PB among the multiple PBs, and a second part of the third MAC frame is included in a payload part of a second PB among the multiple PBs;

[0018] Concatenation type two: One or more MAC frames are concatenated through one or more concatenation headers; the one or more MAC frames are included in a payload part of a third PB among the one or more PBs, or the one or more PBs are multiple PBs, and each MAC frame among the one or more MAC frames is included in a payload part of one PB among the multiple PBs;

[0019] Cascade type three: One or more MAC frames include a first MAC frame and a second MAC frame, where the first MAC frame is adjacent to the second MAC frame, or at least one of the following is included between the first MAC frame and the second MAC frame: PB header, PB check sequence, or padding bit; One or more MAC frames are included in the payload part of a third PB in one or more PBs, or one or more PBs are multiple PBs, and the first part of a third MAC frame in one or more MAC frames is included in the payload part of the first PB in the multiple PBs, and the second part of the third MAC frame is included in the payload part of the second PB in the multiple PBs; or

[0020] Cascade type four: One or more MAC frames include a first MAC frame and a second MAC frame, where the first MAC frame is adjacent to the second MAC frame, or at least one of the following is included between the first MAC frame and the second MAC frame: PB header, PB check sequence, or padding bit; One or more MAC frames are included in the payload part of a third PB in one or more PBs, or one or more PBs are multiple PBs, and each MAC frame in one or more MAC frames is included in the payload part of one PB in the multiple PBs.

[0021] Through this design, the receiving device of the data frame can quickly and accurately determine the cascade type.

[0022] In a possible design, the frame control of the data frame and / or the PB header of at least one PB in one or more PBs can be used to indicate whether the data frame includes multiple MAC frames. In this way, the receiving device of the data frame can quickly determine whether the data frame includes multiple MAC frames.

[0023] In a possible design, the one or more MAC frames include at least one of the following: a MAC frame of the network layer, or a MAC frame of the service layer. In this way, without changing the MAC frame structure and the data of the MAC service data unit (MSDU), the MAC frames of the service layer and the network layer can be included in the same data frame, thereby ensuring the integrity and authenticity of the data when transmitting multi-level data.

[0024] In a possible design, the data frame can be a MAC protocol data unit (MPDU) frame.

[0025] Second aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, which can be applied to a second device. The second device can be applied to a communication system of HPLC technology. For example, the second device can be a CCO, a PCO, or an STA, or can be a module applied to a CCO, a PCO, or an STA, such as a circuit, a chip, a chip system, or a processor, or can also be a logical node, a logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of a CCO, a PCO, or an STA. Among them, the method can include: the second device can receive and process a data frame. Among them, the data frame includes: frame control, and one or more PBs, and the one or more PBs include one or more MAC frames, and the one or more MAC frames are cascaded through a first aggregation method.

[0026] In mode a1, the one or more MAC frames are cascaded through one or more cascade headers; that is to say, the first aggregation method includes: cascading one or more MAC frames through one or more cascade headers.

[0027] Optionally, the first MAC frame can be any one of the one or more MAC frames, and the first cascade header in the one or more cascade headers can be used to indicate at least one of the following: the length of the first MAC frame, the destination address, the data type, or the position of the next cascade header of the first cascade header in the one or more cascade headers. Among them, the first cascade header is located in front of the first MAC frame, and / or, the first cascade header is adjacent to the first MAC frame.

[0028] In mode a2, the one or more MAC frames can include a first MAC frame and a second MAC frame. Among them, the first MAC frame is adjacent to the second MAC frame, or, at least one of the following is included between the first MAC frame and the second MAC frame: a PB header, a check sequence, or a padding bit.

[0029] In some possible ways, the one or more PBs are multiple PBs, and, the first part of the third MAC frame in the one or more MAC frames is included in the payload part of the first PB in the multiple PBs, and the second part of the third MAC frame is included in the payload part of the second PB in the multiple PBs.

[0030] In some other possible ways, the one or more PBs are multiple PBs, and, each MAC frame in the one or more MAC frames is included in the payload part of one PB in the multiple PBs.

[0031] In some other possible ways, the one or more MAC frames are included in the payload part of the third PB in the one or more PBs.

[0032] In a possible design, the frame control and / or the PB header of at least one PB among one or more PBs can be used to indicate the cascade type, and the cascade type includes at least one of the following:

[0033] Cascade type one: One or more MAC frames are cascaded through one or more cascade headers; one or more MAC frames are included in the payload part of the third PB among one or more PBs, or, if one or more PBs are multiple PBs, the first part of the third MAC frame among one or more MAC frames is included in the payload part of the first PB among the multiple PBs, and the second part of the third MAC frame is included in the payload part of the second PB among the multiple PBs;

[0034] Cascade type two: One or more MAC frames are cascaded through one or more cascade headers; one or more MAC frames are included in the payload part of the third PB among one or more PBs, or, if one or more PBs are multiple PBs, each MAC frame among one or more MAC frames is included in the payload part of one PB among the multiple PBs;

[0035] Cascade type three: One or more MAC frames include a first MAC frame and a second MAC frame, where the first MAC frame is adjacent to the second MAC frame, or, between the first MAC frame and the second MAC frame, there is at least one of the following: PB header, PB check sequence, or padding bit; one or more MAC frames are included in the payload part of the third PB among one or more PBs, or, if one or more PBs are multiple PBs, the first part of the third MAC frame among one or more MAC frames is included in the payload part of the first PB among the multiple PBs, and the second part of the third MAC frame is included in the payload part of the second PB among the multiple PBs; or

[0036] Cascade type four: One or more MAC frames include a first MAC frame and a second MAC frame, where the first MAC frame is adjacent to the second MAC frame, or, between the first MAC frame and the second MAC frame, there is at least one of the following: PB header, PB check sequence, or padding bit; one or more MAC frames are included in the payload part of the third PB among one or more PBs, or, if one or more PBs are multiple PBs, each MAC frame among one or more MAC frames is included in the payload part of one PB among the multiple PBs.

[0037] In a possible design, the frame control of the data frame and / or the PB header of at least one PB among one or more PBs can be used to indicate whether the data frame includes multiple MAC frames.

[0038] In a possible design, the one or more MAC frames include at least one of the following: a MAC frame of the network layer, or a MAC frame of the service layer.

[0039] In a possible design, the data frame is an MPDU frame.

[0040] In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be the first device in the first aspect, and the communication device is capable of implementing the functions of the first aspect above. For example, the communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the operations involved in the first aspect above. These modules, units, or means may be implemented by software, or by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software.

[0041] In a possible design, the communication device includes a processing unit and an interface unit. Among them, the interface unit may be used to transmit and receive signals to achieve communication between the communication device and other devices; the processing unit may be used to perform some internal operations of the communication device. The functions performed by the processing unit and the interface unit may correspond to the operations involved in the first aspect above.

[0042] In a possible design, the communication device includes a processor, and the processor may be used to be coupled to a memory. The memory may store necessary computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions involved in the first aspect above. The processor may execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory, and when the computer programs or instructions are executed, the communication device implements the methods in any possible design in the first aspect above.

[0043] In a possible design, the communication device includes a processor and a memory. The memory may store necessary computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions involved in the first aspect above. The processor may execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory, and when the computer programs or instructions are executed, the communication device implements the methods in any possible design in the first aspect above.

[0044] In a possible design, the communication device includes a processor and an interface circuit. Among them, the processor is used to communicate with other devices through the interface circuit and execute the methods in any possible design in the first aspect above.

[0045] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be the second device in the second aspect, and is capable of implementing the functions of the second aspect above. For example, the communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the operations involved in the second aspect above. These modules, units, or means may be implemented by software, or by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software.

[0046] In a possible design, the communication device includes a processing unit and an interface unit. Among them, the interface unit can be used to transmit and receive signals to enable communication between the communication device and other devices; the processing unit can be used to perform some internal operations of the communication device. The functions performed by the processing unit and the interface unit can correspond to the operations involved in the second aspect described above.

[0047] In a possible design, the communication device includes a processor that can be used to couple with a memory. The memory can store the necessary computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions involved in the second aspect described above. The processor can execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory, and when the computer programs or instructions are executed, the communication device implements the method in any possible design in the second aspect described above.

[0048] In a possible design, the communication device includes a processor and a memory. The memory can store the necessary computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions involved in the second aspect described above. The processor can execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory, and when the computer programs or instructions are executed, the communication device implements the method in any possible design in the second aspect described above.

[0049] In a possible design, the communication device includes a processor and an interface circuit. Among them, the processor is used to communicate with other devices through the interface circuit and execute the method in any possible design in the second aspect described above.

[0050] It can be understood that in the third aspect or the fourth aspect described above, the processor can be implemented by hardware or by software. When implemented by hardware, the processor can be a logic circuit, an integrated circuit, etc.; when implemented by software, the processor can be a general-purpose processor that implements by reading the software code stored in the memory. In addition, the above-mentioned processor can be one or more, and the memory can be one or more. The memory can be integrated with the processor, or the memory and the processor can be separately arranged. In the specific implementation process, the memory can be integrated with the processor on the same chip, or can be separately arranged on different chips. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the type of the memory and the setting manner of the memory and the processor.

[0051] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication system, which can include the communication device described in the third aspect and the communication device described in the fourth aspect. For example, the communication system includes a first device and a second device; among them, the first device is used to execute the communication method provided in the first aspect described above, and the second device is used to execute the communication method provided in the third aspect described above.

[0052] Sixth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which a computer program or instruction is stored. When the computer program or instruction is executed, the method in any one of the possible designs in the first aspect to the second aspect is implemented.

[0053] Seventh aspect, the present application provides a computer program product, which includes computer program code. When the computer program code is run, the method in any one of the possible designs in the first aspect to the second aspect is implemented.

[0054] Eighth aspect, the present application provides a chip, which is used to read a computer program stored in a memory to execute the method in any one of the possible designs in the first aspect to the second aspect.

[0055] The technical effects that can be achieved by any one of the second aspect to the eighth aspect can be described with reference to the technical effects that can be achieved by any one of the possible designs in the first aspect. Repeated parts will not be elaborated. Description of the Drawings

[0056] Figure 1 It is an architecture diagram of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0057] Figure 2A It is a schematic diagram of a MAC frame provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0058] Figure 2B It is a schematic diagram of an MPDU frame provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0059] Figure 3 It is a flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0060] Figure 4A It is a schematic diagram of selecting one or more MAC frames provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0061] Figures 4B to 4K It is a schematic diagram of several MAC frame cascades provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0062] Figure 5 It is a structural diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0063] Figure 6 It is a structural diagram of another communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application. Detailed Embodiments

[0064] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, for example, communication systems applying HPLC technology.

[0065] The present application will present various aspects, embodiments or features around a system that may include multiple devices, components, modules, etc. It should be understood and appreciated that each system may include additional devices, components, modules, etc., and / or may not include all the devices, components, modules, etc. discussed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In addition, combinations of these solutions can also be used.

[0066] To facilitate the understanding of the embodiments of the present application, Figure 1 a schematic diagram of a possible and non-limiting communication system is shown. As Figure 1 shown, the roles of the electronic devices communicating in this communication system may include at least one of the following: one or more CCOs, one or more PCOs, and one or more STAs. The electronic devices communicating in this communication system may be, for example, at least one of the following: concentrator, collector, circuit breaker, branch switch, photovoltaic communication unit, electricity meter communication unit, charging pile communication unit, or household appliance communication unit, etc. The CCO may also be referred to as the central node and can be used for network management, such as managing the online status of PCOs and STAs. The PCO may also be referred to as the proxy station, which is used to connect STAs that are far from the CCO to the network, manage the device status of the STAs under the PCO, and report the device status of the STAs under the PCO to the CCO.

[0067] In the embodiments of the present application, data from devices such as concentrators, fusion terminals, and intelligent gateways can be sent across the network through the CCO in a communication system applying HPLC technology. The PCO can forward the received data. For example, the PCO can forward data from the CCO to other PCOs or the STAs under this PCO. Also, for example, the PCO can forward data from other PCOs or the STAs under this PCO to the CCO.

[0068] Figure 1 The networking model of the shown communication system is a tree-type networking model. This networking model has the following characteristics: large network scale (up to 2000 electronic devices can be included); deep TOPO hierarchy (up to 15 layers of topological structures can be included); when the communication system includes multiple layers of topological structures, the upload and download of service instructions can be forwarded point-to-point after being aggregated by the PCO; the regulation delay and success rate for multiple electronic devices in the communication system are restricted by the topological hierarchy and network scale.

[0069] The communication system described in the embodiments of this application is to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of this application. Those of ordinary skill in the art will know that with the evolution of the network architecture and the emergence of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of this application are equally applicable to similar technical problems.

[0070] First, the relevant terms involved in the embodiments of this application will be explained. It should be noted that these explanations are for the purpose of making the embodiments of this application easier to understand, and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope of protection required by this application.

[0071] (1) MAC frame:

[0072] In a communication system applying the HPLC technology, the MAC frame is the basic transmission unit for data transfer between the MAC layers of different electronic devices. The data needs to be processed by the MAC layer of the electronic device to obtain the MAC frame. After the physical layer (PHY layer) of the electronic device maps the MAC frame into a data frame, the data frame is transmitted.

[0073] As Figure 2A shown, the MAC frame may include a MAC frame header, an MSDU, and an integrity check. Among them, the MAC frame header may occupy 16 or 28 bytes and may include data information used to characterize this MAC frame or the MAC layer. The MSDU may include application layer service data or MAC layer management messages and may occupy a maximum of 2044 bytes. The integrity check may occupy 4 bytes and can be used to verify the reliability of the data in the MAC frame and prevent data loss, tampering, etc.

[0074] (2) Data frame:

[0075] The data frame may be a frame used to transfer data between different electronic devices. Optionally, the data frame may be a frame used to transfer data between different electronic devices in a communication system applying the HPLC technology. For example, the data frame may be a frame used to transfer data between a CCO and a PCO. Also for example, the data frame may be a frame used to transfer data between different PCOs. Still for example, the data frame may be a frame used to transfer data between a PCO and a STA.

[0076] Exemplarily, the data frame is an MPDU frame. Here, taking the MPDU frame as an example, the structure of the data frame will be described. As Figure 2BAs shown, the MPDU frame includes a frame control (FC) and a payload. The payload can be a PB, which is used to carry a MAC frame or a fragment of a MAC frame (i.e., a part of a MAC frame). The PB includes a PB head (PBH), a payload part (which can also be called the PB body), and a PB check sequence (which can also be called the PB checksum). Among them, the payload part of the PB can be used to carry a MAC frame or a fragment of a MAC frame. In other words, the payload part of the PB can include a MAC frame or a fragment of a MAC frame.

[0077] (3) In this application, the concatenation header can be used to concatenate (or connect) MAC frames. It should be understood that the concatenation header can also have other names as long as the same function is achieved. For example, the concatenation header can also be referred to as at least one of the following: concatenation structure, connection header, connection structure, splicing header, splicing structure, aggregation header, or aggregation structure.

[0078] (4) In the following context of this application, "sending information to a certain device (such as the second device)" can be understood as the destination of the information being that device, which can include sending the information to the device directly or indirectly. "Receiving information from a certain device (such as the first device)" or "receiving information sent from a certain device (such as the first device)" can be understood as the source of the information being that device, which can include receiving the information from the device directly or indirectly. Necessary processing may be performed on the information between the source and destination of the information transmission, such as format change, etc., but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in this application can be understood similarly and will not be elaborated here.

[0079] Currently, the MPDU frame can include one or more PBs, and the payload part of the one or more PBs can only include one MAC frame. That is to say, each MPDU frame can only include one MAC frame. When multiple MAC frames need to be transmitted, the multiple MAC frames need to be sent frame by frame through multiple MPDU frames, resulting in low data transmission efficiency. When the size of the MAC frame is smaller than the size of the payload part of the PB in the MPDU frame, the part of the payload part of the PB in the MPDU frame other than the MAC frame is padding (PAD) bits, resulting in low utilization rate of the PB.

[0080] In addition, in a communication system applying HPLC technology, if the type of the MPDU frame to be sent by an electronic device is SOF, the electronic device needs to send the MPDU frame in a competitive manner. Specifically, the electronic device needs to compete for time slots to send the MPDU frame. In a communication system applying HPLC technology, a large number of MPDU frames of type SOF need to be transmitted between electronic devices. For example, in at least one of the following scenarios, a large number of MPDU frames of type SOF need to be transmitted between electronic devices: the CCO performs multi-point control, the STA or PCO replies with an acknowledgment frame, the PCO forwards the acknowledgment frame, etc. In this way, the data transmission efficiency is low, and the utilization rate of the PB is also low. Moreover, an electronic device may need to send multiple MPDU frames of type SOF to multiple electronic devices simultaneously, which may cause line congestion, and further may cause the MPDU frames of type SOF to fail to be sent due to timeout, affecting the success of the service, and / or causing problems such as response delay of the peer electronic device.

[0081] How to improve the throughput capacity of a communication system using HPLC technology needs further research.

[0082] In view of this, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. Figure 3 It is a schematic flowchart corresponding to the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application. Figure 3 In the figure, the first device and the second device are used as the execution entities of the interaction schematic to illustrate the method, but the present application does not limit the execution entities of the interaction schematic. The first device and the second device can be applied to a communication system using HPLC technology. For example, the first device can be a CCO, a PCO or an STA, or a module applied to a CCO, a PCO or an STA, such as a circuit, a chip, a chip system or a processor, or a logical node, a logical module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of a CCO, a PCO or an STA; the second device can also be a CCO, a PCO or an STA, or a module applied to a CCO, a PCO or an STA, such as a circuit, a chip, a chip system or a processor, or a logical node, a logical module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of a CCO, a PCO or an STA. As Figure 3 shown, the method includes:

[0083] S301: The first device generates a data frame.

[0084] Wherein, the data frame may include: frame control, and one or more PBs. The one or more PBs include one or more MAC frames, and the one or more MAC frames may be cascaded by a first aggregation method. The aggregation method of the one or more MAC frames will be described in the following methods a1 and a2, and will not be elaborated here for the time being.

[0085] For the specific content of the data frame, please refer to the description of the data frame in the glossary section. Duplications will not be elaborated here. Optionally, the data frame may be an MPDU frame. For the specific content of the MPDU frame, please refer to the description of the MPDU frame in the glossary section. Duplications will not be elaborated here either.

[0086] Optionally, the one or more MAC frames include at least one of the following: the MAC frame of the network layer or the MAC frame of the service layer. The MSDU type (MSDU TYPE) in the MAC frame header can be used to indicate whether the MAC frame where the MAC frame header is located is the MAC frame of the network layer or the MAC frame of the service layer. In this way, without changing the MAC frame structure and MSDU data, the MAC frames of the service layer and the network layer can be included in the same data frame, thereby ensuring the integrity and authenticity of the data when transmitting multi-level data.

[0087] In some possible ways, the one or more MAC frames can be selected by the first device from the MAC frames to be sent. Among them, the MAC frames to be sent can be generated by the first device; or, the MAC frames to be sent can be obtained by the first device from other devices; or, a part of the MAC frames to be sent is generated by the first device, and another part of the MAC frames to be sent is obtained by the first device from other devices. Exemplarily, the first device can select the one or more MAC frames from the MAC frames to be sent according to the size and number of the maximum PBs that the first device can send. Among them, the sum of the sizes of the one or more MAC frames can be less than or equal to the size of the payload part in all the PBs that the first device can send. For example, if the size of the maximum PB that the first device can send is 264 bytes, the size of the payload part of this PB is 260 bytes, and the number of PBs that the first device can send is 2, then the size of the payload part of the maximum data frame that the first device can send is 520 bytes. If the MAC frames to be sent include MAC frames 1 to 3, the size of MAC frame 1 is 200 bytes, the size of MAC frame 2 is 200 bytes, and the size of MAC frame 3 is 400 bytes, then the first device can select MAC frame 1 and MAC frame 2 from the MAC frames to be sent and generate a data frame including MAC frame 1 and MAC frame 2.

[0088] Optionally, the one or more MAC frames can be sent to the same electronic device; in other words, the target receiving devices of the one or more MAC frames can be the same. For example, as Figure 4AAs shown, the MAC frames to be sent include MAC frames 1 to 7. Among them, the target receiving devices of MAC frame 1, MAC frame 4, and MAC frame 5 are station 1, the target receiving device of MAC frame 2 is station 2, and the target receiving devices of MAC frame 3, MAC frame 6, and MAC frame 7 are station 3. The first device can concatenate MAC frame 1, MAC frame 4, and MAC frame 5 to generate data frame 1 including MAC frame 1, MAC frame 4, and MAC frame 5, and send data frame 1 to station 1 in S302. The first device can concatenate MAC frame 3, MAC frame 6, and MAC frame 7 to generate data frame 2 including MAC frame 3, MAC frame 6, and MAC frame 7, and send data frame 2 to station 3 in S302.

[0089] S302: The first device sends a data frame; correspondingly, the second device receives the data frame.

[0090] For example, the first device sends a data frame to the second device; correspondingly, the second device receives the data frame from the first device. This application places no restrictions on the specific content of the data frame sent by the first device and the data frame received by the second device.

[0091] S303: The second device processes the data frame.

[0092] Optionally, the second device can parse the data frame to obtain the MSDU in one or more MAC frames.

[0093] As described above, the data frame may include: frame control, and one or more PBs. In some implementations, the frame control and / or the PB header of at least one PB among the one or more PBs can be used to indicate whether the data frame includes multiple MAC frames; in other words, the frame control and / or the PB header of at least one PB among the one or more PBs can be used to indicate whether the data frame is an aggregated frame, or rather, the frame control and / or the PB header of at least one PB among the one or more PBs can be used to indicate whether multiple MAC frames are aggregated into one data frame. In this way, after receiving the data frame, the second device can quickly determine whether the data frame includes multiple MAC frames according to the frame control and / or the PB header of at least one PB among the one or more PBs. Among them, the frame control and / or the PB header of at least one PB among the one or more PBs can indicate whether the data frame includes multiple MAC frames through traditional fields or through newly added fields. For example, at least one of the following fields in the following text can be a traditional field or a newly added field: the first field, the second field, or the third field.

[0094] For example, if the value of the first field in the frame control is the first value (e.g., 0), the data frame includes multiple MAC frames; if the value of the first field in the frame control is the second value (e.g., 1), the data frame includes one MAC frame.

[0095] For another example, the one or more PBs include N PBs, where N is a positive integer. The fourth PB is the i-th PB among the N PBs, and i is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to N. For example, i is 1 or N. If the value of the second field in the PB header of the fourth PB is the third value (e.g., 0), the data frame includes multiple MAC frames; if the value of the second field in the PB header of the fourth PB is the fourth value (e.g., 1), the data frame includes one MAC frame.

[0096] For yet another example, the one or more PBs include N PBs, where N is a positive integer. The fifth PB is the j-th PB among the N PBs, and j takes on integer values from 1 to N. If the value of the third field in the PB header of the fifth PB is the fifth value (e.g., 0), the fifth PB includes multiple MAC frames. In this case, the data frame also includes multiple MAC frames. If the value of the third field in the PB header of the fifth PB is the sixth value (e.g., 1), the fifth PB includes one MAC frame. In this case, if the data frame includes multiple PBs and the MAC frames included in different PBs are different, the data frame includes multiple MAC frames; if the data frame includes one PB, the data frame includes one MAC frame.

[0097] As described above, one or more MAC frames in the data frame may be cascaded by the first aggregation method. Exemplarily, the first aggregation method may be method a1 or method a2.

[0098] Method a1: One or more MAC frames are cascaded by one or more cascade headers; that is, the first aggregation method includes: cascading one or more MAC frames by one or more cascade headers. For example, as Figure 4B shown, the one or more MAC frames include MAC frame 1, MAC frame 4, and MAC frame 5. MAC frame 1, MAC frame 4, and MAC frame 5 are cascaded by cascade headers 1 to 3.

[0099] Optionally, the first MAC frame is any one of the one or more MAC frames, and the first cascade header among the one or more cascade headers can be used to indicate at least one of the following 1 to 4:

[0100] 1. Length of the first MAC frame: The first concatenation header can explicitly indicate the length of the first MAC frame. For example, if the field in the first concatenation header for indicating the length of the first MAC frame includes 200, with the unit being bytes, it means the length of the first MAC frame is 200 bytes; or, the first concatenation header can implicitly indicate the length of the first MAC frame. For example, the first concatenation header includes information having a corresponding relationship with the length of the first MAC frame. In this way, after receiving the data frame, the second device can determine the length of the first MAC frame according to the first concatenation header, without determining the length of the first MAC frame by parsing the MAC frame header of the first MAC frame, so as to quickly obtain the first MAC frame.

[0101] 2. Destination address of the first MAC frame: The destination address is, for example, the destination MAC address or the terminal equipment identity (TEI). The first concatenation header can explicitly indicate the destination address of the first MAC frame. For example, if the field in the first concatenation header for indicating the destination address of the first MAC frame includes MAC address 1, it means the destination address of the first MAC frame is MAC address 1; or, the first concatenation header can implicitly indicate the destination address of the first MAC frame. For example, the first concatenation header includes information having a corresponding relationship with the destination address of the first MAC frame. In this way, after receiving the data frame, the second device can determine the destination address of the first MAC frame according to the first concatenation header, without determining the destination address of the first MAC frame by parsing the MAC frame header of the first MAC frame, so as to quickly forward the first MAC frame and reduce the transmission delay of the first MAC frame.

[0102] 3. Data type of the first MAC frame: The data type is, for example, broadcast data or unicast data. Optionally, the data type can also include a link identifier (LID). The first concatenation header can explicitly indicate the data type of the first MAC frame. For example, if the value of the field in the first concatenation header for indicating the destination address of the first MAC frame is value 1 (for example, 0), it means the data type of the first MAC frame is broadcast data, and if the value of the field in the first concatenation header for indicating the destination address of the first MAC frame is value 2 (for example, 1), it means the data type of the first MAC frame is unicast data; or, the first concatenation header can implicitly indicate the data type of the first MAC frame. For example, the first concatenation header includes information having a corresponding relationship with the data type of the first MAC frame. In this way, after receiving the data frame, the second device can determine the data type of the first MAC frame according to the first concatenation header, without determining the data type of the first MAC frame by parsing the MAC frame header of the first MAC frame.

[0103] 4. Position of the next cascading header in the one or more cascading headers: The first cascading header can display the position of the next cascading header. For example, if the value of the field in the first cascading header used to indicate the position of the next cascading header is 15 and the unit is bytes, it means the position of the next cascading header is the 15th byte; or, the first cascading header can implicitly indicate the position of the next cascading header. For example, the first cascading header includes information having a corresponding relationship with the position of the next cascading header. The information having a corresponding relationship with the position of the next cascading header is, for example, the length of the first MAC frame. The length of the first MAC frame can be used to determine the end position of the first MAC frame, and the position of the next cascading header is the end position of the first MAC frame. In this way, after receiving the data frame, the second device can determine the position of the next cascading header according to the first cascading header, so as to quickly obtain the information of the MAC frame indicated by the next cascading header.

[0104] Among them, the first cascading header can meet at least one of the following conditions 1 to 2:

[0105] Condition 1: The first cascading header is located before the first MAC frame. For example, as Figure 4B shown, cascading header 1 is located before MAC frame 1. If the first MAC frame is MAC frame 1, the first cascading header can be cascading header 1.

[0106] Condition 2: The first cascading header is adjacent to the first MAC frame. For example, as Figure 4B shown, cascading header 1 is adjacent to MAC frame 1. If the first MAC frame is MAC frame 1, the first cascading header can be cascading header 1.

[0107] By means a1, one or more MAC frames are cascaded through one or more cascading headers. In this way, the cascading header can be used to indicate the information of the MAC frame, thereby improving the efficiency of the second device in parsing the one or more MAC frames.

[0108] Mode a2: The one or more MAC frames include a first MAC frame and a second MAC frame. Among them, the connection relationship between the first MAC frame and the second MAC frame can be: the first MAC frame is adjacent to the second MAC frame, or there is at least one of the following between the first MAC frame and the second MAC frame: PB header, PB check sequence or padding bit. That is to say, the first aggregation mode includes: the first MAC frame is adjacent to the second MAC frame, or there is at least one of the following between the first MAC frame and the second MAC frame: PB header, PB check sequence or padding bit. For example, as Figure 4C shown, the first MAC frame and the second MAC frame are MAC frame 1 and MAC frame 4 respectively, and the first MAC frame and the second MAC frame are adjacent. Also for example, as Figure 4DAs shown, the first MAC frame and the second MAC frame are MAC frame 1 and MAC frame 4 respectively. Between the first MAC frame and the second MAC frame, there are: padding bits, PB check sequence, and PB header. Again, for example, as Figure 4E shown, the first MAC frame and the second MAC frame are MAC frame 1 and MAC frame 4 respectively. Between the first MAC frame and the second MAC frame, there are: PB check sequence and PB header.

[0109] The above is described by taking the first MAC frame and the second MAC frame as examples. It should be understood that for the connection relationship between the (k - 1)-th MAC frame and the k-th MAC frame in one or more MAC frames, reference can be made to the connection relationship between the first MAC frame and the second MAC frame. Wherein, k is an integer taking values from 1 to M, M is the number of MAC frames in one or more MAC frames, and M is a positive integer.

[0110] It should also be understood that the connection relationships between different MAC frames in one or more MAC frames can be the same, different, or partially the same. For example, the one or more MAC frames include MAC frame 1, MAC frame 4, and MAC frame 5. MAC frame 1 and MAC frame 4 are adjacent, and MAC frame 4 and MAC frame 5 are adjacent. Again, for example, the one or more MAC frames include MAC frame 1, MAC frame 4, and MAC frame 5. Between MAC frame 1 and MAC frame 4, there are: padding bits, PB check sequence, and PB header, and MAC frame 4 and MAC frame 5 are adjacent. Again, for example, the one or more MAC frames include MAC frame 1, MAC frame 4, MAC frame 5, and MAC frame 9. MAC frame 1 and MAC frame 4 are adjacent, MAC frame 4 and MAC frame 5 are adjacent, and between MAC frame 5 and MAC frame 9, there are: padding bits, PB check sequence, and PB header.

[0111] Through method a2, in one or more MAC frames, the first MAC frame and the second MAC frame are adjacent, or between the first MAC frame and the second MAC frame, there is at least one of the following: PB header, PB check sequence, or padding bits. In this way, the first MAC frame and the second MAC frame do not need to be cascaded through a cascade header, thereby avoiding the overhead of the cascade header, improving the PB utilization rate, and improving the data transmission efficiency.

[0112] As described above, one or more PBs in the data frame include one or more MAC frames, and there are various ways of including them, for example, method b1, method b2, or method b3.

[0113] Mode b1: The one or more PBs are multiple PBs; that is, the data frame includes multiple PBs. The first part of the third MAC frame in one or more MAC frames may be included in the payload part of the first PB among the multiple PBs, and the second part of the third MAC frame is included in the payload part of the second PB among the multiple PBs. That is, the third MAC frame can be transmitted across PBs. It should be understood that the third MAC frame may only include the first part and the second part, or may also include other parts while including the first part and the second part. This application does not make any limitations in this regard. Optionally, the first PB and the second PB may be adjacent.

[0114] For example, as Figure 4F shown, the one or more PBs include PB1 and PB2. The one or more MAC frames include MAC frame 1, MAC frame 4, and MAC frame 5. MAC frame 1, MAC frame 4, and MAC frame 5 are cascaded by mode a1. The size of the payload part of PB1 is greater than the size of MAC frame 1 and less than the sum of the size of MAC frame 1, the size of the cascade header, and the size of MAC frame 4. MAC frame 1 can be included in payload part 1 in PB1, the first part of MAC frame 4 can be included in payload part 2-1 in PB1, the second part of MAC frame 4 can be included in payload part 2-2 in PB2, and MAC frame 5 can be included in payload part 3 in PB2. In this case, MAC frame 4 is the third MAC frame. Optionally, if there is a remaining part 1 in the payload part of PB2 when PB1 and PB2 include MAC frame 1, MAC frame 4, MAC frame 5, and the cascade header, then the remaining part 1 may include padding bits.

[0115] Also for example, as Figure 4G shown, the one or more PBs include PB1 and PB2. The one or more MAC frames include MAC frame 1, MAC frame 4, and MAC frame 5. MAC frame 1, MAC frame 4, and MAC frame 5 are cascaded by mode a2. The size of the payload part of PB1 is greater than the size of MAC frame 1 and less than the sum of the size of MAC frame 1 and the size of MAC frame 4. MAC frame 1 can be included in payload part 1 in PB1, the first part of MAC frame 4 can be included in payload part 2-1 in PB1, the second part of MAC frame 4 can be included in payload part 2-2 in PB2, and MAC frame 5 can be included in payload part 3 in PB2. In this case, MAC frame 4 is the third MAC frame. Optionally, if there is a remaining part 2 in the payload part of PB2 when PB1 and PB2 include MAC frame 1, MAC frame 4, and MAC frame 5, then the remaining part 2 may include padding bits.

[0116] In this way b1, the third MAC frame can be transmitted across PBs, thereby improving the utilization rate of PBs and enhancing the data transmission efficiency. Additionally, in this way, the second device needs to receive all the PBs in the data frame before it can parse the data frame. Therefore, this way is applicable to scenarios with good channel transmission capabilities (for example, the signal quality is greater than (or greater than or equal to) the first signal quality threshold). The first signal quality threshold can be preset, such as stipulated by the protocol; it can also be determined by the first device; or it can be determined by other devices (such as the second device) and then notified to the first device.

[0117] Way b2: The one or more PBs are multiple PBs; that is to say, the data frame includes multiple PBs. Each of the one or more MAC frames is included in the payload part of one of the multiple PBs. That is to say, each of the one or more MAC frames cannot be transmitted across PBs; or rather, each of the one or more MAC frames is only included in the payload part of one of the multiple PBs.

[0118] For example, as Figure 4H shown, the one or more PBs include PB1 and PB2. The one or more MAC frames include MAC Frame 1, MAC Frame 4, and MAC Frame 5. MAC Frame 1, MAC Frame 4, and MAC Frame 5 are cascaded through way a1. The size of the payload part of PB1 is greater than or equal to the size of MAC Frame 1 and less than the sum of the size of MAC Frame 1, the size of the cascade header, and the size of MAC Frame 4. MAC Frame 1 can be included in payload part 1 in PB1, MAC Frame 4 can be included in payload part 2 in PB2, and MAC Frame 5 can be included in payload part 3 in PB2. Optionally, if there is a remaining part 3 in the payload part of PB1 when PB1 includes MAC Frame 1 and the cascade header, then the remaining part 3 can include padding bits. If there is a remaining part 4 in the payload part of PB2 when PB2 includes MAC Frame 4, MAC Frame 5, and the cascade header, then the remaining part 4 can include padding bits.

[0119] Also for example, as Figure 4IAs shown, the one or more PBs include PB1 and PB2. The one or more MAC frames include MAC frame 1, MAC frame 4, and MAC frame 5. MAC frame 1, MAC frame 4, and MAC frame 5 are cascaded by means a2. The size of the payload part of PB1 is greater than or equal to the size of MAC frame 1 and less than the sum of the sizes of MAC frame 1 and MAC frame 4. MAC frame 1 can be included in payload part 1 in PB1, MAC frame 4 can be included in payload part 2 in PB2, and MAC frame 5 can be included in payload part 3 in PB2. Optionally, if there is a remaining part 5 in the payload part of PB1 when PB1 includes MAC frame 1, then the remaining part 5 can include padding bits. If there is a remaining part 6 in the payload part of PB2 when PB2 includes MAC frame 4 and MAC frame 5, then the remaining part 6 can include padding bits.

[0120] Through this means b2, each MAC frame in the one or more MAC frames is included in the payload part of one PB among the multiple PBs. In this way, after receiving each PB, the second device can parse the MAC frame included in the PB without waiting to receive all the PBs in the data frame and then parsing the data frame. That is to say, the parsing of this PB will not be affected by the error codes of other PBs, thereby improving the parsing speed and reducing the processing delay of the MAC frame. This means can be applied to at least one of the following scenarios: the channel transmission capacity is average (for example, the signal quality is less than (or less than or equal to) the second signal quality threshold), or the transmission delay requirement is high (for example, the transmission delay is less than (or less than or equal to) the transmission delay threshold). Among them, the second signal quality threshold and / or the transmission delay threshold can be pre-set, such as stipulated by the protocol; can also be determined by the first device; or can be determined by other devices (such as the second device) and then notified to the first device.

[0121] Means b3: The one or more MAC frames are included in the payload part of the third PB among the one or more PBs.

[0122] For example, as Figure 4J As shown, the one or more PBs include PB1. The one or more MAC frames include MAC frame 1 and MAC frame 4. MAC frame 1 and MAC frame 4 are cascaded by means a1. The size of the payload part of PB1 is greater than or equal to the sum of the sizes of MAC frame 1, the cascade header, and MAC frame 4. Both MAC frame 1 and MAC frame 4 can be included in the payload part of PB1. Optionally, if there is a remaining part 7 in the payload part of PB1 when PB1 includes MAC frame 1, MAC frame 4, and the cascade header, then the remaining part 7 can include padding bits.

[0123] Also for example, as Figure 4KAs shown, the one or more PBs include PB1. The one or more MAC frames include MAC frame 1 and MAC frame 4. MAC frame 1 and MAC frame 4 are concatenated by way a2. The size of the payload part of PB1 is greater than the sum of the sizes of MAC frame 1 and MAC frame 4. Both MAC frame 1 and MAC frame 4 can be included in the payload part of PB1. Optionally, if PB1 includes MAC frame 1 and MAC frame 4 and there is a remaining part 8 in the payload part of PB1, then the remaining part 8 can include padding bits.

[0124] Optionally, in way b3, the data frame can include one PB or multiple PBs.

[0125] Through this way b3, the one or more MAC frames are included in the payload part of the third PB, thereby improving the throughput capacity of the communication system using HPLC technology, improving the data transmission efficiency, and improving the utilization rate of PBs.

[0126] As mentioned above, the data frame can include: frame control, and one or more PBs. In some possible ways, the frame control and / or the PB header of at least one PB among the one or more PBs can also be used to indicate the concatenation type. Among them, the concatenation type includes at least one of concatenation type one to concatenation type four. In this way, after receiving the data frame, the second device can quickly determine the concatenation type, and thus perform operations corresponding to the concatenation type on the data frame.

[0127] Concatenation type one: The one or more MAC frames are concatenated through one or more concatenation headers. For specific content, refer to way a1, which will not be elaborated here. The one or more PBs are multiple PBs. The first part of the third MAC frame among the one or more MAC frames is included in the payload part of the first PB among the multiple PBs, and the second part of the third MAC frame is included in the payload part of the second PB among the multiple PBs. For specific content, refer to way b1, which will not be elaborated here; or, the one or more MAC frames are included in the payload part of the third PB among the one or more PBs. For specific content, refer to way b3, which will not be elaborated here.

[0128] Concatenation type two: The one or more MAC frames are concatenated through one or more concatenation headers. For specific content, refer to way a1, which will not be elaborated here. The one or more PBs are multiple PBs. Each MAC frame among the one or more MAC frames is included in the payload part of one PB among the multiple PBs. For specific content, refer to way b2, which will not be elaborated here; or, the one or more MAC frames are included in the payload part of the third PB among the one or more PBs. For specific content, refer to way b3, which will not be elaborated here.

[0129] Cascade type three: One or more MAC frames include a first MAC frame and a second MAC frame, where the first MAC frame is adjacent to the second MAC frame, or at least one of the following is included between the first MAC frame and the second MAC frame: PB header, PB check sequence, or padding bits. For specific content, refer to method a2 and will not be elaborated here. One or more PBs are multiple PBs. The first part of the third MAC frame in one or more MAC frames is included in the payload part of the first PB among the multiple PBs, and the second part of the third MAC frame is included in the payload part of the second PB among the multiple PBs. For specific content, refer to method b1 and will not be elaborated here; or, the one or more MAC frames are included in the payload part of the third PB among the one or more PBs. For specific content, refer to method b3 and will not be elaborated here.

[0130] Cascade type four: One or more MAC frames include a first MAC frame and a second MAC frame, where the first MAC frame is adjacent to the second MAC frame, or at least one of the following is included between the first MAC frame and the second MAC frame: PB header, PB check sequence, or padding bits. For specific content, refer to method a2 and will not be elaborated here. One or more PBs are multiple PBs. Each MAC frame in one or more MAC frames is included in the payload part of one PB among the multiple PBs. For specific content, refer to method b2 and will not be elaborated here; or, the one or more MAC frames are included in the payload part of the third PB among the one or more PBs. For specific content, refer to method b3 and will not be elaborated here.

[0131] The frame control and / or the PB header of at least one PB among one or more PBs can indicate the cascade type through traditional fields or through newly added fields. For example, at least one of the following fields in the following text can be a traditional field or a newly added field: the fourth field, the fifth field, or the sixth field. The following examples illustrate the ways in which the frame control and / or the PB header of at least one PB among one or more PBs indicate the cascade type.

[0132] For example, if the value of the fourth field in the frame control is the seventh value (e.g., 00), then the cascade type of the data frame is cascade type one; if the value of the fourth field in the frame control is the eighth value (e.g., 01), then the cascade type of the data frame is cascade type two; if the value of the fourth field in the frame control is the ninth value (e.g., 10), then the cascade type of the data frame is cascade type three; if the value of the fourth field in the frame control is the tenth value (e.g., 11), then the cascade type of the data frame is cascade type four.

[0133] For another example, the one or more PBs include N PBs, where N is a positive integer. The fourth PB is the i-th PB among the N PBs, and i is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to N. For example, i is 1 or N. If the value of the fifth field in the PB header of the fourth PB is the eleventh value (e.g., 00), then the concatenation type of the data frame is concatenation type one; if the value of the fifth field in the PB header of the fourth PB is the twelfth value (e.g., 01), then the concatenation type of the data frame is concatenation type two; if the value of the fifth field in the PB header of the fourth PB is the thirteenth value (e.g., 10), then the concatenation type of the data frame is concatenation type three; if the value of the fifth field in the PB header of the fourth PB is the fourteenth value (e.g., 11), then the concatenation type of the data frame is concatenation type four.

[0134] For yet another example, the one or more PBs include N PBs, where N is a positive integer. The fifth PB is the j-th PB among the N PBs, and j is a positive integer taking values from 1 to N. If the value of the sixth field in the PB header of the fifth PB is the fifteenth value (e.g., 00), then the concatenation type of the MAC frame in the fifth PB is concatenation type one; if the value of the sixth field in the PB header of the fifth PB is the sixteenth value (e.g., 01), then the concatenation type of the MAC frame in the fifth PB is concatenation type two; if the value of the sixth field in the PB header of the fifth PB is the seventeenth value (e.g., 10), then the concatenation type of the MAC frame in the fifth PB is concatenation type three; if the value of the sixth field in the PB header of the fifth PB is the eighteenth value (e.g., 11), then the concatenation type of the MAC frame in the fifth PB is concatenation type four.

[0135] Through Figure 3 The method shown, a data frame can include either one MAC frame or multiple MAC frames. In this way, when multiple MAC frames need to be transmitted, they can be transmitted through one data frame, thereby improving the data transmission efficiency and the throughput capacity of the communication system using the HPLC technology. When the size of one MAC frame is smaller than the size of the payload part of the PB in the data frame, the part of the payload part of the PB in the data frame other than the MAC frame can include part or all of another MAC frame, rather than padding bits, thereby improving the utilization rate of the PB.

[0136] In addition, when the multiple MAC frames correspond to a data frame of type SOF, since one data frame includes multiple MAC frames, the first device can transmit multiple MAC frames through one data frame, thereby avoiding or reducing line congestion, and further avoiding or reducing the failure of the data frame of type SOF to be sent due to timeout, improving the success rate of the service, and avoiding or reducing the response delay of the peer electronic device.

[0137] Moreover, in Figure 3In the method shown, the first device can be any electronic device in a communication system applied to HPLC technology. In this way, the STA, PCO, and CCO can all cascade one or more MAC frames through the first aggregation method, thereby ensuring the efficient transmission of data of each node in the network.

[0138] To more clearly illustrate the effect of this application, the test results are introduced below taking cascade type one as an example. The test results were obtained by testing in an environment constructed under laboratory conditions and identical to the actual communication. As shown in Table 1, in scenario 1, compared with using the traditional scheme to transmit data frames, when using the scheme of cascade type one to transmit data frames, the data transmission rate can be increased by 141.2%. In scenario 2, compared with using the traditional scheme to transmit data frames, when using the scheme of cascade type one to transmit data frames, the data transmission rate can be increased by 136.5%.

[0139] Table 1

[0140]

[0141] Among them, the traditional scheme includes: only one MAC frame is included in one data frame. In scenarios 1 and 2, the test environment is a 1-to-1 test environment, that is, an environment constructed under laboratory conditions and identical to the actual communication; the power line carrier communication (PLC) frequency bands used for communication are both 0.7 to 3 megahertz (MHz); the communication direction of the test is: from STA to CCO. In addition, in scenario 1, the transmission control protocol (TCP) packet injection parameters are configured as: -P: 1, -i: 1, -p: 5001, -w: 16.0k (i.e., 16 * 1024), -l: 450.0 bytes (B), -f: k, -t: 120; in scenario 2, the TCP packet injection parameters are configured as: -P: 1, -i: 1, -p: 5001, -w: 16.0k, -l: 350.0B, -f: k, -t: 120. Among them, -P is the number of threads; -i is the time interval for sending reports, in seconds; -p is the port for packet injection; -w is the size of the TCP window, and the unit can be bytes; -l is the length of the read-write buffer; -f is the output format of the bandwidth number. When -f is k, the output format of the bandwidth number is Kbits / sec; -t is the test time (or test duration), in seconds.

[0142] Based on the same technical concept as the above method embodiments, the embodiments of the present application provide corresponding communication devices, which can be used to execute the functions of the relevant steps in the above method embodiments. This function can be implemented by hardware, by software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. The communication device can be in a communication system applying HPLC technology. For example, the communication device can be a CCO, a PCO, or an STA, or can also be a module applied in a CCO, a PCO, or an STA, such as a circuit, a chip, a chip system, or a processor. It can also be a logical node, a logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of a CCO, a PCO, or an STA.

[0143] In a possible implementation, the structure of the communication device provided in the embodiments of the present application is as Figure 5 shown, including a processing unit 502 and an interface unit 501. The functions of each unit in the communication device 500 will be introduced below.

[0144] The interface unit 501 is used to input and / or output information. The input information can be replaced with received information, and the output information can be replaced with transmitted information. When outputting information, the interface unit 501 can output information to other devices outside the communication device 500, or can also output information to other units in the communication device 500. In some ways, the interface unit 501 can be implemented through at least one of a physical interface, a communication module, a communication interface, and an input / output interface. In other ways, the interface unit 501 can be implemented through an interface circuit, such as a mobile communication module. Among them, the mobile communication module can include one or more of at least one antenna, at least one filter, a switch, a power amplifier, a low noise amplifier (LNA), etc.

[0145] The processing unit 502 can be used to support the communication device 500 to execute the processing actions in the above method embodiments. The processing unit 502 can be implemented by one or more processors. For example, the processor can be a central processing unit (CPU), and can 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, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0146] In one embodiment, the communication device 500 is applied to Figure 3 the first device in the embodiment of the present application shown in the figure. The specific functions of the processing unit 502 in this embodiment will be introduced below.

[0147] The processing unit 502 is configured to: generate a data frame, where the data frame includes: frame control, and one or more physical blocks PB, and one or more PBs include one or more MAC frames, and one or more MAC frames are concatenated by a first aggregation method; send the data frame through the interface unit 501.

[0148] In another embodiment, the communication device 500 is applied to Figure 3 the second device in the embodiment of the present application shown in the figure. The specific functions of the processing unit 502 in this embodiment will be introduced below.

[0149] The processing unit 502 is configured to: receive a data frame through the interface unit 501, where the data frame includes: frame control, and one or more physical blocks PB, and one or more PBs include one or more media access control MAC frames, and one or more MAC frames are concatenated by a first aggregation method; process the data frame.

[0150] For a more detailed description of the above processing unit 502 and interface unit 501, reference can be made directly to Figure 3 the relevant description in the method embodiment shown in the figure, which will not be elaborated here.

[0151] It should be noted that the division of modules in the above embodiments of the present application is illustrative, and is only a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. In addition, in each embodiment of the present application, each functional unit may be integrated in a processing unit, or may exist separately physically, or two or more units may be integrated in one unit. The above integrated unit may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional unit.

[0152] When the above integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or all or part of this technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for causing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) or a processor to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: various media such as USB flash drives, mobile hard disks, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical discs that can store program codes.

[0153] In a possible implementation, the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application is referred to Figure 6 as shown. The communication device 600 includes: a processor 602. Optionally, the communication device 600 further includes: an interface circuit 601 and a memory 603. Among them, the interface circuit 601, the processor 602, and the memory 603 are coupled to each other.

[0154] Optionally, the interface circuit 601, the processor 602, and the memory 603 are coupled to each other through a bus 604. The bus 604 can be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, etc. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For the sake of convenience of representation, Figure 6 only a thick line is used to represent it in the figure, but it does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0155] The interface circuit 601 is used for inputting and / or outputting information. The input information can be replaced by receiving information, and the output information can be replaced by sending information. When outputting information, the interface circuit 601 can output information to other devices outside the communication device 600, or can also output information to other units in the communication device 600. Exemplarily, the interface circuit 601 can be implemented through at least one of a physical interface, a communication module, a communication interface, an input / output interface, and a mobile communication module. Among them, the mobile communication module can include one or more of at least one antenna, at least one filter, a switch, a power amplifier, an LNA, etc.

[0156] The processor 602 can be used to support the communication device 600 in performing the processing actions in the above method embodiments. When the communication device 600 is used to implement the above method embodiments, the processor 602 can also be used to implement the functions of the above processing unit 502. The processor 602 can be a CPU, or other general-purpose processors, DSPs, ASICs, FPGAs, or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0157] In one implementation, the communication device 600 is applied to Figure 3 the first device in the embodiments of the present application shown in the figure. The specific functions of the processor 602 in this implementation are introduced below.

[0158] The processor 602 is configured to: generate a data frame, where the data frame includes: frame control, and one or more physical blocks PB, and one or more PBs include one or more MAC frames, and one or more MAC frames are concatenated by a first aggregation method; send the data frame through the interface circuit 601.

[0159] In another implementation, the communication device 600 is applied to Figure 3 the second device in the embodiments of the present application shown in the figure. The specific functions of the processor 602 in this implementation are introduced below.

[0160] The processor 602 is configured to: receive a data frame through the interface circuit 601, where the data frame includes: frame control, and one or more physical blocks PB, and one or more PBs include one or more media access control MAC frames, and one or more MAC frames are concatenated by a first aggregation method; process the data frame.

[0161] The specific functions of the processor 602 can refer to the descriptions in the above embodiments of the present application and the communication methods provided in the examples, as well as Figure 5 the specific function descriptions of the communication device 500 in the embodiments of the present application shown in the figure, which will not be elaborated here.

[0162] The memory 603 is used to store program instructions and / or data, etc. Specifically, the program instructions may include program codes, and the program codes include computer operation instructions. The memory 603 may include RAM, and may also include non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk memory. The processor 602 executes the program instructions stored in the memory 603 and uses the data stored in the memory 603 to implement the above functions, thereby implementing the communication method provided in the above embodiments of the present application. The memory 603 can be integrated with the processor 602 or be a memory outside the communication device.

[0163] It can be understood that the memory 603 in the present application Figure 6 can be a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, or can include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory can be ROM, programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory can be 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). It should be noted that the memories of the systems and methods described herein are intended to include but are not limited to these and any other suitable types of memories.

[0164] Based on the above embodiments, the embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program product including computer-executable instructions. When the computer program product is run, the methods provided by the above embodiments are executed.

[0165] Based on the above embodiments, the embodiments of the present application further provide a computer-readable storage medium. A computer program is stored in the computer-readable storage medium. When the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer executes the methods provided by the above embodiments.

[0166] Among them, the storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example but not limitation: the computer-readable medium can include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM, or other optical disc storage, magnetic disk storage medium, or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store the desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer.

[0167] Based on the above embodiments, the embodiments of the present application further provide a chip. The chip is used to read the computer program stored in the memory and implement the methods provided by the above embodiments.

[0168] Based on the above embodiments, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip system, which includes a processor for supporting a computer device to implement the functions involved in each device in the above embodiments. In a possible design, the chip system further includes a memory for storing necessary programs and data of the computer device. The chip system can be composed of chips or can include chips and other discrete devices.

[0169] In various embodiments of the present application, if there is no special description and logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced to each other, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their internal logical relationships.

[0170] The present application is described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatuses (systems), and computer program products according to the present application. It should be understood that each flow and / or block in the flowchart and / or block diagram, as well as the combination of flows and / or blocks in the flowchart and / or block diagram, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to the processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor, or other programmable data processing devices to generate a machine, such that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing devices generate a device for implementing the functions specified in Figure 1 one process or multiple processes and / or blocks Figure 1 one block or multiple blocks.

[0171] These computer program instructions can also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to work in a specific manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory generate a manufactured article including an instruction device that implements the functions specified in Figure 1 one process or multiple processes and / or blocks Figure 1 one block or multiple blocks.

[0172] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device, such that a series of operation steps are executed on the computer or other programmable device to generate a computer-implemented process, so that the instructions executed on the computer or other programmable device provide steps for implementing the functions specified in Figure 1 one process or multiple processes and / or blocks Figure 1 one block or multiple blocks.

[0173] In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "a plurality" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between associated objects and indicates that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the written description of this application, the character " / " generally indicates an "or" relationship between the associated objects before and after.

[0174] It can be understood that the various numerical numbers involved in the embodiments of this application are only for convenience of description and are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The magnitudes of the serial numbers of the above processes do not mean the order of execution, and the order of execution of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic.

[0175] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to this application without departing from the scope of this application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of this application fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalent technologies, this application is also intended to include these changes and modifications.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, comprising: generating a data frame, the data frame including: frame control, and one or more physical blocks PB, the one or more PBs including one or more media access control MAC frames, the one or more MAC frames being concatenated by a first aggregation method; transmitting the data frame.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, the one or more MAC frames are concatenated by one or more concatenation headers.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, the first MAC frame is any one of the one or more MAC frames, and the first concatenation header of the one or more concatenation headers is used to indicate at least one of the following: the length of the first MAC frame, the destination address, the data type, or the position of the next concatenation header of the first concatenation header among the one or more concatenation headers; wherein, the first concatenation header is located before the first MAC frame, and / or, the first concatenation header is adjacent to the first MAC frame.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, the one or more MAC frames include a first MAC frame and a second MAC frame, wherein, the first MAC frame is adjacent to the second MAC frame, or, at least one of the following is included between the first MAC frame and the second MAC frame: a PB header, a check sequence, or padding bits.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, the one or more PBs are multiple PBs, a first part of a third MAC frame among the one or more MAC frames is included in a payload part of a first PB among the multiple PBs, and a second part of the third MAC frame is included in a payload part of a second PB among the multiple PBs.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, the one or more PBs are multiple PBs, and each MAC frame among the one or more MAC frames is included in a payload part of one PB among the multiple PBs.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, the one or more MAC frames are included in a payload part of a third PB among the one or more PBs.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, the frame control and / or a PB header of at least one PB among the one or more PBs is used to indicate a concatenation type, the concatenation type including at least one of the following: Concatenation Type One: the one or more MAC frames are concatenated by one or more concatenation headers; the one or more MAC frames are included in a payload part of a third PB among the one or more PBs, or, the one or more PBs are multiple PBs, a first part of a third MAC frame among the one or more MAC frames is included in a payload part of a first PB among the multiple PBs, and a second part of the third MAC frame is included in a payload part of a second PB among the multiple PBs; Cascade type two: the one or more MAC frames are cascaded through one or more cascade headers; the one or more MAC frames are included in the payload part of the third PB among the one or more PBs, or, the one or more PBs are multiple PBs, and each of the one or more MAC frames is included in the payload part of one PB among the multiple PBs; Cascade type three: the one or more MAC frames include a first MAC frame and a second MAC frame, wherein the first MAC frame is adjacent to the second MAC frame, or, at least one of the following is included between the first MAC frame and the second MAC frame: a PB header, a PB check sequence or a padding bit; the one or more MAC frames are included in the payload part of the third PB among the one or more PBs, or, the one or more PBs are multiple PBs, the first part of the third MAC frame among the one or more MAC frames is included in the payload part of the first PB among the multiple PBs, and the second part of the third MAC frame is included in the payload part of the second PB among the multiple PBs; or Cascade type four: the one or more MAC frames include a first MAC frame and a second MAC frame, wherein the first MAC frame is adjacent to the second MAC frame, or, at least one of the following is included between the first MAC frame and the second MAC frame: a PB header, a PB check sequence or a padding bit; the one or more MAC frames are included in the payload part of the third PB among the one or more PBs, or, the one or more PBs are multiple PBs, and each of the one or more MAC frames is included in the payload part of one PB among the multiple PBs.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the frame control of the data frame and / or the PB header of at least one PB among the one or more PBs is used to indicate whether the data frame includes the multiple MAC frames.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the one or more MAC frames include at least one of the following: a MAC frame of the network layer, or a MAC frame of the service layer.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the data frame is a MAC layer protocol data unit MPDU frame.

12. A communication method, characterized in that comprises: receiving a data frame, the data frame including: frame control, and one or more physical blocks PB, the one or more PBs including one or more medium access control MAC frames, and the one or more MAC frames are cascaded through a first aggregation method; processing the data frame.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the one or more MAC frames are cascaded through one or more cascade headers.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The first MAC frame is any one of the one or more MAC frames, and the first concatenated header among the one or more concatenated headers is used to indicate at least one of the following: the length of the first MAC frame, the destination address, the data type, or the position of the next concatenated header of the first concatenated header among the one or more concatenated headers; wherein, the first concatenated header is located before the first MAC frame, and / or, the first concatenated header is adjacent to the first MAC frame.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein, the one or more MAC frames include a first MAC frame and a second MAC frame, wherein, the first MAC frame is adjacent to the second MAC frame, or, at least one of the following is included between the first MAC frame and the second MAC frame: a PB header, a check sequence, or padding bits.

16. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein, the one or more PBs are multiple PBs, a first part of a third MAC frame among the one or more MAC frames is included in the payload part of a first PB among the multiple PBs, and a second part of the third MAC frame is included in the payload part of a second PB among the multiple PBs.

17. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein, the one or more PBs are multiple PBs, and each MAC frame among the one or more MAC frames is included in the payload part of one PB among the multiple PBs.

18. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein, the one or more MAC frames are included in the payload part of a third PB among the one or more PBs.

19. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 18, wherein, the frame control and / or the PB header of at least one PB among the one or more PBs is used to indicate a concatenation type, and the concatenation type includes at least one of the following: Concatenation type one: the one or more MAC frames are concatenated through one or more concatenated headers; the one or more MAC frames are included in the payload part of a third PB among the one or more PBs, or, the one or more PBs are multiple PBs, a first part of a third MAC frame among the one or more MAC frames is included in the payload part of a first PB among the multiple PBs, and a second part of the third MAC frame is included in the payload part of a second PB among the multiple PBs; Concatenation type two: the one or more MAC frames are concatenated through one or more concatenated headers; the one or more MAC frames are included in the payload part of a third PB among the one or more PBs, or, the one or more PBs are multiple PBs, and each MAC frame among the one or more MAC frames is included in the payload part of one PB among the multiple PBs; Cascade type three: The one or more MAC frames include a first MAC frame and a second MAC frame, wherein the first MAC frame is adjacent to the second MAC frame, or at least one of the following is included between the first MAC frame and the second MAC frame: a PB header, a PB check sequence, or padding bits; the one or more MAC frames are included in the payload portion of a third PB among the one or more PBs, or the one or more PBs are multiple PBs, and a first portion of a third MAC frame among the one or more MAC frames is included in the payload portion of a first PB among the multiple PBs, and a second portion of the third MAC frame is included in the payload portion of a second PB among the multiple PBs; or Cascade type four: The one or more MAC frames include a first MAC frame and a second MAC frame, wherein the first MAC frame is adjacent to the second MAC frame, or at least one of the following is included between the first MAC frame and the second MAC frame: a PB header, a PB check sequence, or padding bits; the one or more MAC frames are included in the payload portion of a third PB among the one or more PBs, or the one or more PBs are multiple PBs, and each MAC frame among the one or more MAC frames is included in the payload portion of one PB among the multiple PBs.

20. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 19, characterized in that the frame control of the data frame and / or the PB header of at least one PB among the one or more PBs is used to indicate whether the data frame includes the multiple MAC frames.

21. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 20, characterized in that the one or more MAC frames include at least one of the following: a MAC frame of the network layer, or a MAC frame of the service layer.

22. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 21, characterized in that the data frame is a MAC layer protocol data unit (MPDU) frame.

23. A communication device, characterized in that it includes a unit for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 - 11, or includes a unit for executing the method according to any one of claims 12 - 22.

24. A communication device, characterized in that it includes a processor, and the processor executes instructions to cause the device to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 - 11, or to cause the device to execute the method according to any one of claims 12 - 22.

25. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that a computer program or instructions are stored in the computer-readable storage medium, and when the computer program or instructions are executed, the method according to any one of claims 1 - 22 is implemented.

26. A computer program product, characterized in that the computer program product includes: computer program code, and when the computer program code is run, the method according to any one of claims 1 - 22 is implemented.

Images