A method, system, and related devices for communication in a fiber-to-the-room network

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of communication, in particular to a communication method and system of an FTTR network and related devices, the FTTR network comprising a controller, a first access point and a second access point. The communication method comprises the following steps: the controller receives online information sent by the first access point, wherein the online information is information obtained by the first access point when a station is online through the first access point; and the controller sends the online information to the second access point. The scheme provided in the application can provide a better network access mode for the station and improve the communication experience of the user.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the original application with the application number 202011126518.1 and the original filing date of October 20, 2020, and the entire contents of the original application are incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, in particular to a communication method and system of a fiber to the room (FTTR) network and related devices. BACKGROUND

[0003] Wireless-Fidelity (Wi-Fi) network is a kind of wireless local area network (WLAN) widely used, which is usually applied to indoor places such as home environment. The development and popularization of smart home, distance education, working from home, video live broadcast, virtual reality (VR) and the like have higher requirements for the bandwidth, latency and coverage of the Wi-Fi network in the home environment. Therefore, on the basis of fiber to the home (FTTH), the industry proposes a network scheme of fiber to the room (FTTR).

[0004] Under the FTTR architecture, the Wi-Fi access point and its network side device (for example, gateway) are connected through optical fiber. Thus, data backhaul can be performed through optical link with large bandwidth and low latency, and Wi-Fi air interface resources are not occupied, which greatly improves the effect of multi-access point cooperation and data transmission efficiency.

[0005] Although the FTTR architecture solves the problems of insufficient Wi-Fi coverage and limited backhaul bandwidth, the problem that Wi-Fi seamless roaming and high throughput cannot coexist still exists. SUMMARY

[0006] Embodiments of the present application provide a data transmission method and device, which can provide a terminal device with a better network access mode and data transmission mode.

[0007] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a data transmission method applied to a controller, the controller being configured to control a plurality of access points; the method comprises: receiving, by the controller, performance parameters sent by each access point; wherein the performance parameter is used to indicate the communication performance between the access point sending the performance parameter and a first station; determining, by the controller, a set of access points for providing data transmission services for the first station according to the received performance parameters, the set of access points comprising at least one access point in the plurality of access points; when the set of access points comprises at least two access points, determining, by the controller, a data transmission mode between each access point in the set of access points and the first station according to the performance parameters sent by each access point in the set of access points.

[0008] That is, the access point and the data transmission mode for providing data transmission services for the station can be selected according to the communication performance between the station and the access point, so that the station can be provided with an optimal network access mode and data transmission mode, and the communication experience of the user can be improved.

[0009] In a possible implementation, the performance parameter comprises at least one of a received signal strength indication (RSSI) of a signal sent by the first station and received by the access point and load information of the access point.

[0010] That is, in this implementation, the access point for providing data transmission services for the station can be determined according to the load of the access point and the signal strength between the access point and the station, so that the access point with light load and strong signal can be selected to provide data transmission services for the station.

[0011] In a possible implementation, the performance parameter sent by any access point in the determined set of access points satisfies: the RSSI is greater than a preset strength threshold, and the load information is less than a preset load threshold.

[0012] That is, in this implementation, the access point with the load and the signal strength satisfying the preset requirements is determined to provide data transmission services for the station, so that the network service quality of the station can be guaranteed or improved, and the communication experience of the user can be improved.

[0013] In a possible implementation, the controller is independent of each access point in the plurality of access points, or the controller is integrated into one access point in the plurality of access points.

[0014] That is, in this implementation, the controller can be flexibly set, and the networking can be facilitated.

[0015] In a possible implementation, when the controller is independent of each of the plurality of access points, the controller receives the performance parameters sent by each of the plurality of access points through an optical link or a Wi-Fi channel; or when the controller is integrated in one of the plurality of access points, the controller receives the performance parameters sent by the access points other than the access point in which the controller is located through an optical link or a Wi-Fi channel.

[0016] That is, in this implementation, the backhaul channel of the access point can be flexibly selected or configured, and the networking can be facilitated.

[0017] In a possible implementation, the plurality of access points include a first access point and a second access point, and the first station is online through the first access point; the method further includes: receiving, by the controller, online information of the first station from the first access point; and sending, by the controller, the online information to the second access point.

[0018] That is, in this implementation, the online information of the station can be shared between the access points, and thus the access points can use the online information of the station to establish a connection with the station.

[0019] In a possible implementation, the online information includes association request information and a key.

[0020] That is, in this implementation, the online information shared between the access points includes the association request information and the key, and the access points can use the association request information and the key to establish a connection with the station.

[0021] In a possible implementation, the plurality of access points have the same basic service set identifier (BSSID).

[0022] That is, in this implementation, different access points have the same BSSID, so that the station can be connected to multiple access points at the same time.

[0023] In a possible implementation, the controller determines, according to the performance parameters sent by each of the access points in the set of access points, a data transmission mode between each of the access points in the set of access points and the first station, including: when the performance parameters corresponding to each of the access points in the set of access points do not all meet a preset performance requirement, determining that different access points in the set of access points respectively send the same data to the first station at different time instants.

[0024] That is, in this implementation, when the channel environment in which the station is located is poor, the plurality of access points can send the same data to the station, thereby providing a probability of successful reception of data by the station.

[0025] In a possible implementation, the controller determines the data transmission mode between each access point in the set of access points and the first station according to the performance parameters sent by each access point in the set of access points, and the data transmission mode includes: when the performance parameters corresponding to each access point in the set of access points all meet the preset performance requirement, different access points in the set of access points send different data to the first station at the same time.

[0026] That is, in this implementation, when the channel environment where the station is located is good, the multiple access points connected to the station can send different data to the station at the same time, thereby improving the data throughput of the network.

[0027] In a possible implementation, the controller determines the data transmission mode between each access point in the set of access points and the first station according to the performance parameters sent by each access point in the set of access points, and the data transmission mode includes: when the performance parameter of the third access point in the set of access points meets the preset performance requirement and the performance parameters of the access points other than the third access point in the set of access points do not meet the performance requirement, the third access point is configured as the master access point in the set of access points; and the master access point is configured to send data to the first station alone.

[0028] That is, in this implementation, when the channel environment where the station is located is general, the access point with better communication performance with the station is selected to provide data transmission service for the station, so that the communication service quality of the station and the overall cost of the network can be taken into account.

[0029] In a possible implementation, the master access point is further configured to send an acknowledgement character corresponding to the first data to the first station when the first data sent by the first station is received.

[0030] That is, in this implementation, one access point is configured to return the acknowledgement character to the station, so that the conflict caused by multiple access points returning the acknowledgement character can be avoided.

[0031] In a possible implementation, the set of access points includes a fourth access point and a fifth access point; the controller determines the data transmission mode between each access point in the set of access points and the first station according to the performance parameters sent by each access point in the set of access points, and the data transmission mode includes: the fourth access point is configured to send the sending time of the uplink resource configuration information to the first station as the first time; the fifth access point is configured to send the sending time of the uplink resource configuration information to the first station as the second time; and the second time is later than the first time; and when the first station sends the uplink data in response to the uplink resource configuration information sent by the fourth access point at the second time, the fifth access point no longer sends the uplink resource configuration information to the first station.

[0032] That is, in this implementation, by configuring the sending mechanism of the uplink resource configuration information of the access point, the conflict caused by the multiple access points returning the acknowledgement character is avoided.

[0033] In a second aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a data transmission method, applied to a first access point in a plurality of access points controlled by a controller; the method comprises: the first access point determining a first performance parameter, the first performance parameter being used to represent the communication performance between the first access point and a first station; and when the first performance parameter meets a preset performance requirement, providing a data transmission service for the first station.

[0034] That is, when the communication performance between the access point and the station meets the requirement, the data transmission service is provided for the station, so that the network service quality of the station and the overall overhead of the network can be taken into account.

[0035] In a possible implementation, the method further comprises: the first access point sending online information to the controller, the online information being information obtained by the first access point when the first station is online through the first access point. The controller can send the online information to a second access point in the plurality of access points, so as to share the online information among the plurality of access points.

[0036] That is, in this implementation, the station can be online through a single access point, and the access point can send the online information to the controller, so that the controller can send the online information to other access points, so that the other access points can connect the station without the online process.

[0037] In a possible implementation, the plurality of access points further comprises a second access point; the first station is online through the second access point; the method further comprises: the first access point receiving the online information of the first station from the controller, the online information being received by the controller from the second access point.

[0038] That is, in this implementation, the controller can share the online information obtained by one access point when the station is online to other access points, so that the other access points can connect the station without the online process.

[0039] In a possible implementation, the online information comprises association request information and a key.

[0040] That is, in this implementation, the online information shared among the access points comprises the association request information and the key, and the access points can use the association request information and the key to establish the connection with the station.

[0041] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a data transmission apparatus for controlling a plurality of access points; the apparatus comprises: a communication unit configured to receive performance parameters sent by each of the access points; wherein the performance parameters are used to indicate a communication performance between the access point sending the performance parameters and a first station; a first determination unit configured to determine, according to the received performance parameters, a set of access points for providing data transmission services for the first station, the set of access points comprising at least one of the plurality of access points; and a second determination unit configured to, when the set of access points comprises at least two access points, determine, according to the performance parameters sent by each of the access points in the set of access points, a data transmission mode between each of the access points in the set of access points and the first station.

[0042] In a possible implementation, the performance parameters comprise at least one of a received signal strength indication (RSSI) of a signal sent by the first station and received by the access point and load information of the access point.

[0043] In a possible implementation, the performance parameters sent by any of the access points in the determined set of access points satisfy: the RSSI is greater than a preset strength threshold, and the load information is less than a preset load threshold.

[0044] In a possible implementation, the apparatus is independent of each of the plurality of access points, or the apparatus is integrated into one of the plurality of access points.

[0045] In a possible implementation, when the apparatus is independent of each of the plurality of access points, the communication unit receives the performance parameters sent by each of the access points through an optical link or a Wi-Fi channel; or when the apparatus is integrated into one of the plurality of access points, the communication unit receives the performance parameters sent by the access points other than the access point where the apparatus is located through an optical link or a Wi-Fi channel.

[0046] In a possible implementation, the plurality of access points comprises a first access point and a second access point, and the first station is online through the first access point; the communication unit is further configured to: receive online information of the first station from the first access point; and send the online information to the second access point.

[0047] In a possible implementation, the online information comprises association request information and a key.

[0048] In a possible implementation, the plurality of access points have the same basic service set identifier (BSSID).

[0049] In a possible implementation, the second determining unit is further configured to: when the performance parameters corresponding to each of the access points in the set of access points all do not meet the preset performance requirement, determine that different access points in the set of access points respectively send the same data to the first station at different time instants.

[0050] In a possible implementation, the second determining unit is further configured to: when the performance parameters corresponding to each of the access points in the set of access points all meet the preset performance requirement, determine that different access points in the set of access points respectively send different data to the first station at the same time instant.

[0051] In a possible implementation, the second determining unit is further configured to: when the performance parameter of the third access point in the set of access points meets the preset performance requirement, and the performance parameters of the access points other than the third access point in the set of access points do not meet the performance requirement, configure the third access point as a master access point in the set of access points; and the master access point is configured to send data to the first station alone.

[0052] In a possible implementation, the master access point is further configured to: when receiving the first data sent by the first station, send an acknowledgement character corresponding to the first data to the first station.

[0053] In a possible implementation, the set of access points includes a fourth access point and a fifth access point; and the second determining unit is further configured to: configure the fourth access point to send the uplink resource configuration information to the first station at a first time instant; configure the fifth access point to send the uplink resource configuration information to the first station at a second time instant; and the second time instant is later than the first time instant; and when the first station sends uplink data in response to the uplink resource configuration information sent by the fourth access point at the second time instant, the fifth access point no longer sends the uplink resource configuration information to the first station.

[0054] It can be understood that the data transmission apparatus provided in the third aspect is configured to execute the corresponding method provided in the first aspect, and therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved by the data transmission apparatus can refer to the beneficial effects of the corresponding method provided in the first aspect, which will not be described herein again.

[0055] In the fourth aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a data transmission apparatus, which includes: a determining unit configured to determine a first performance parameter, the first performance parameter being used to represent a communication performance between the apparatus and a first station; and a providing unit configured to provide a data transmission service for the first station when the first performance parameter meets a preset performance requirement.

[0056] In a possible implementation, the apparatus further includes a communication unit configured to send, to the controller, online information obtained by the apparatus when the apparatus is online at the first station. The controller can send the online information to a second access point controlled by the controller, so as to share the online information among the access points controlled by the controller.

[0057] In a possible implementation, the first station is online at the second access point; and the apparatus further includes a communication unit configured to receive, from the controller, online information of the first station, the online information being received by the controller from the second access point.

[0058] In a possible implementation, the online information includes association request information and a key.

[0059] It can be understood that the data transmission apparatus provided in the fourth aspect is used to execute the corresponding method provided in the second aspect, and therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved by the data transmission apparatus can refer to the beneficial effects of the corresponding method provided in the second aspect, which will not be described herein again.

[0060] In the fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a controller, including a processor, a memory, and a transceiver; the memory is configured to store computer instructions; when the controller is running, the processor executes the computer instructions, so that the controller executes the method provided in the first aspect.

[0061] In the sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an access point, including a processor, a memory, and a transceiver; the memory is configured to store computer instructions; when the access point is running, the processor executes the computer instructions, so that the access point executes the method provided in the second aspect.

[0062] In the seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer storage medium, the computer storage medium including computer instructions, when the computer instructions are running on an electronic device, the electronic device executes the method provided in the first aspect.

[0063] In the eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer storage medium, the computer storage medium including computer instructions, when the computer instructions are running on an electronic device, the electronic device executes the method provided in the second aspect.

[0064] In the ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, the computer program product including program codes, when the program codes are executed by a processor in an electronic device, the method provided in the first aspect is implemented.

[0065] In the tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, the computer program product including program codes, when the program codes are executed by a processor in an electronic device, the method provided in the second aspect is implemented.

[0066] In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip system, comprising: a processor configured to execute instructions to cause a controller, to which the chip system is installed, to perform the method provided in the first aspect.

[0067] In a twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip system, comprising: a processor configured to execute instructions to cause an access point, to which the chip system is installed, to perform the method provided in the second aspect.

[0068] In a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an integrated circuit, comprising: a memory configured to store instructions; and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to execute the instructions to implement the method provided in the first aspect.

[0069] In a fourteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an integrated circuit, comprising: a memory configured to store instructions; and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to execute the instructions to implement the method provided in the second aspect.

[0070] The data transmission method and device provided in the embodiments of the present application can select one or more service access points for a station according to a channel environment in which the station is located, and select a data transmission mode between the station and the multiple service access points, thereby ensuring an optimal or better network access and data transmission mode for the station and improving user communication experience. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0071] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a fiber to the home network architecture;

[0072] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a fiber to the room network architecture;

[0073] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a Wi-Fi network architecture;

[0074] Figure 4 is a network logical architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0075] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a virtual cell provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0076] Figure 6 is a flowchart of a data transmission method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0077] Figure 7 is a flowchart of a data transmission method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0078] Figure 8 is a flowchart of a data transmission method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0079] Figure 9 is a data transmission method flow chart provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0080] Figure 10 is a data transmission method flow chart provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0081] Figure 11 is a data transmission method flow chart provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0082] Figure 12 is a data transmission device structure schematic diagram provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0083] Figure 13 is a data transmission device structure schematic diagram provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0084] Figure 14 is a schematic block diagram of a controller provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0085] Figure 15 is a schematic block diagram of an access point provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0086] Figure 16 is a schematic block diagram of a chip system provided by an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0087] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the present specification, not all the embodiments.

[0088] In the description of the present specification, "one embodiment" or "some embodiments" means that the specific features, structures or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment are included in one or more embodiments of the present specification. Therefore, the statements "in one embodiment", "in some embodiments", "in other some embodiments", "in further some embodiments" and the like appearing in different places in the present specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but mean "one or more but not all embodiments", unless otherwise specifically emphasized.

[0089] In the description of the present specification, unless otherwise specified, " / " means or, for example, A / B can mean A or B; "and / or" in the present specification only describes the association relationship of the associated objects, which means that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B can mean that there are three cases of A alone, A and B together, and B alone. In addition, in the description of the embodiments of the present specification, "multiple" means two or more than two.

[0090] In the description of the present specification, the terms "first", "second" are only for descriptive purpose, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined with "first", "second" can explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. The terms "include", "contain", "have" and their variants mean "include but not limited to", unless otherwise specifically emphasized.

[0091] Passive optical network (PON) is a technology that can provide fiber communication services for home users. Generally, PON includes an optical line terminal (OLT) acting as an endpoint of a network service provider and a plurality of optical network terminals (ONTs) or optical network units (ONUs) located at the user end. The OLT can be connected to a front-end (convergence layer) switch through a network cable, and the OLT and the ONT (or ONU) can be connected through an optical fiber. The OLT can be used for conversion between electrical signals and optical signals, and for control and management of the ONT or ONU. The ONT or ONU can provide Wi-Fi network coverage.

[0092] Figure 1 A network architecture of fiber to the home (FTTH) is shown, which is a conventional application architecture of PON. As shown in Figure 1 In the FTTH network architecture, the OLT can be connected to a passive splitter in the optical distribution network (ODN) at the user end using an optical fiber. The passive splitter is connected to different ONTs or ONUs through different optical fibers.

[0093] Under the FTTH architecture, different ONTs or ONUs can provide Wi-Fi network coverage for different homes. On the basis of the FTTH architecture, a fiber to the room (FTTR) architecture is proposed. Under the FTTR architecture, a single room in a home can be provided with one or more ONTs, so that the one or more ONTs can provide network services for the single room to improve the bandwidth, latency and coverage of the Wi-Fi network. The ONT under the FTTR architecture can also be referred to as an edge ONT.

[0094] Figure 2A FTTH network architecture is shown. In which, an OLT can be connected to multiple ONTs in the same home through an optical fiber and via an optical splitter. As shown, the multiple ONTs can be deployed in different rooms in the home. For example, ONT1 is deployed in room 1, ONT2 is deployed in room 2, ONT3 is deployed in room 3, and so on. A controller can be deployed to control the multiple ONTs. The controller can also be referred to as a mini OLT. Figure 2

[0095] As an example, the controller can be independent of the multiple ONTs. Specifically, the controller can be deployed independently or integrated into a device other than the multiple ONTs. For example, as shown, the controller can be integrated into a PON gateway. In this example, the controller can be connected to each of the multiple ONTs through an optical fiber. Figure 2

[0096] As an example, the controller can be integrated into one of the multiple ONTs, for example, integrated into ONT1. In this example, the ONT in which the controller is located can be connected to the other ONTs through an optical fiber.

[0097] The above-mentioned ONTs, ONUs, and edge ONTs can be devices carrying Wi-Fi chips and can provide Wi-Fi network coverage for stations (STA). That is, the above-mentioned ONTs, ONUs, and edge ONTs can act as access points (AP) for terminal devices to access the network. Therefore, in the embodiments of the present application, the above-mentioned ONTs, ONUs, and edge ONTs can be collectively referred to as access points.

[0098] Figure 3 A Wi-Fi network architecture is shown. The network architecture can include a controller and multiple access points controlled by the controller, which can include access point 1, access point 2, access point 3, and so on. Each access point can provide Wi-Fi network coverage. As an example, the controller can be integrated into one of the multiple access points, for example, integrated into access point 1. In this example, the access point in which the controller is located can be connected to the other access points through a Wi-Fi channel. As an example, the controller can be independent of the multiple access points and connected to the access points in the multiple access points through a Wi-Fi channel.

[0099] In one scheme, different access points have different basic service set identifiers (BSSID), and a station can only be connected to one access point at a time. Thus, if a station is connected to an access point, the station cannot be connected to another access point at the same time. Figure 2 or Figure 3 ​​The network architecture shown adopts the scheme, and whenever access to an access point is required, a complete station online process (including association, key negotiation, etc.) is required between the station and the access point. Thus, when the station roams between different access points, the roaming switching time is long, causing service flow interruption and poor user experience. Moreover, different terminal devices differ greatly, and some terminal devices can not support the Wi-Fi roaming protocol, thus also causing non-roaming.

[0100] In another scheme, the same basic service set identifier can be configured for all access points in the network. The access points can broadcast a beacon frame carrying the basic service set identifier. After receiving the beacon frame, the station can perceive that the basic service set identifier of the access points in the network is unique. When the station needs to access a new access point, the original access point of the station will send the key and other connection required information of the station to the new access point in advance, so that the station can seamlessly roam (the roaming switching time is millimeter level, and basically no packet loss) to the new access point. Although this scheme can achieve seamless roaming, the data transmission efficiency is low. The basic service set identifiers of all access points in the network are the same, so that the uplink data sent by the station can be received by multiple access points in the network, and the multiple access points will reply an acknowledge character (ACK) or a block ack (BA) when receiving the uplink data, thereby causing ACK or BA conflict at the station side. In addition, the wireless bandwidth of this scheme is low, and it is difficult to meet the demand of large bandwidth of a home network.

[0101] In yet another scheme, an access point can configure multiple virtual access points (VAPs), and different access points have different basic service set identifiers. That is, an access point can have multiple basic service set identifiers, and one of the basic service set identifiers is assigned to a station. When the station moves to the coverage area of a new access point, the new access point can assign the same basic service set identifier to the station, so that the basic service set identifier perceived by the station is unique, to achieve seamless roaming. In this scheme, the access point needs to assign different basic service set identifiers to different stations, which is easy to cause basic service set identifier and basic service set identifier mask conflict. Moreover, the access point needs to broadcast a beacon frame carrying different basic service set identifiers, causing large beacon frame overhead. In addition, for an access point, the number of configurable virtual access points is limited, so that the number of stations connected by the access point is also limited.

[0102] Embodiments of the present application provide a data transmission method, which can be applied to Figure 2 or Figure 3The network architecture shown. The controller can select one or more access points to provide data transmission services for the station according to the communication performance between the access points and the station; and when multiple access points provide data transmission services for the station, the data transmission mode between the multiple access points and the station can be selected. Thus, according to the channel environment between the access points and the station, the access points accessed by the station and the data transmission mode between the access points and the station can be flexibly selected, the optimal wireless network access and data transmission mode for the station is ensured, and the user communication experience is improved.

[0103] The access point can be a communication device supporting one or more of 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, and 802.11a. For example, the access point can be an ONT or an ONU as shown in Figure 1 or Figure 2 The access point shown in the ONT or ONU can also be the access point shown in Figure 3

[0104] The station can be a terminal device such as a mobile phone, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, a smart wearable device, and a smart home appliance.

[0105] Next, in different embodiments, the data transmission method provided by the embodiments of the present application is exemplarily introduced.

[0106] Figure 4 A network logical architecture provided by the embodiments of the present application is shown. The logical architecture can be applied in the network architecture shown in Figure 2 or Figure 3 In the logical architecture, the controller A1 can control multiple access points such as the access point B1, the access point B2, and the access point B3. The controller A1 can be integrated in the access point B1. The controller A1 can be connected to the access points other than the access point B1 such as the access point B2 and the access point B3 through optical fibers.

[0107] The multiple access points such as the access point B1, the access point B2, and the access point B3 can have the same basic service set identifier C1. The same basic service set identifier can be configured manually or automatically configured by the controller A1.

[0108] The controller A1 can control the access point B1, the access point B2, and the access point B3 to select the same Wi-Fi channel (for example, channel 36) as the front channel, so as to subsequently provide data transmission services for the same station.

[0109] ​The station in the coverage of the access point can be online through the access point, for example, the station D1 can be online through the access point B1. The station online refers to that a Wi-Fi link is established between the station and the access point, and data interaction is performed through the Wi-Fi link, so that the station can access to the Internet and the like through the access point. Generally, for the Wi-Fi network, the process of the station online includes the following steps,

[0110] S1, the station sends probe request information to the access point;

[0111] S2, the access point returns probe response information to the station;

[0112] S3, the station sends authentication request information to the access point;

[0113] S4, the access point returns authentication response information to the station;

[0114] S5, the station sends association request information to the access point; the association request information can also be referred to as an association request frame, which is necessary information for the access point to establish a connection with the station, and includes the capability information (for example, the communication protocol supported by the station) of the station, so that the access point communicates with the station in a communication manner conforming to the capability of the station.

[0115] S6, the access point returns association response information to the station;

[0116] Then, the key negotiation can be performed between the access point and the station, and the key for communication between the two parties is generated.

[0117] The specific process of the station online can refer to the introduction of the existing Wi-Fi related protocol, and will not be described here.

[0118] As described above, the access point B1, the access point B2, the access point B3 and the like have the same basic service set identifier, and the association request information sent in the station online process can be received by multiple access points, so that multiple access points can send the association response information to the station, thereby causing the conflict and affecting the station online.

[0119] In some embodiments, to avoid the above situation, each access point receiving the association request information sends its received association request information and a performance parameter representing the communication performance between the access point and the station D1 to the controller A1. The controller A1 can determine the access point for responding to the association request information according to the performance parameter sent by the access point. Specifically as follows.

[0120] In an illustrative example, the performance parameter sent by the access point to the controller A1 can include the load information of the access point itself. It can be understood that the load information can represent the busy degree of the Wi-Fi channel of the access point B1. The higher the load, the busier the Wi-Fi channel, and the lower the communication performance; the lower the load, the more idle the Wi-Fi channel, and the higher the communication performance. For example, the load information can be the number of stations connected to the access point. For example, the load information can include the number of stations connected to the access point and the station type. Different station types correspond to different load weights. The correspondence between the station type and the load weight can be preset. For example, the load weight corresponding to the station type of mobile phone is 1; the load weight corresponding to the station type of VR device is 2; the load weight corresponding to the station type of smart refrigerator is 0.2. Thus, the controller A1 can determine the load of the access point according to the load information of the access point. For example, when the load information is the number of stations, the more the number of stations, the greater the load of the access point. For example, when the load information includes the number of stations and the station type, the number of stations of the same type can be multiplied by the load weight corresponding to the type to obtain the weighted load. Then, the weighted loads of each station type are added to obtain the sum, which can be used to represent the load of the access point.

[0121] In this illustrative example, the controller A1 can select the access point for responding to the association request information according to the load of the access point. For example, the controller A1 can receive the association request information sent by the access point B1 and the load information of the access point B1, and receive the association request information sent by the access point B2 and the load information of the access point B2. Then, it is determined whether the association request information sent by the access point B1 and the association request information sent by the access point B2 are from the same station; and the load of the access point B1 is determined according to the load information sent by the access point B1; the load of the access point B2 is determined according to the load information sent by the access point B2. Wherein, if the association request information sent by the access point B1 and the association request information sent by the access point B2 are from the same station (for example, the association request information sent to the controller A1 by the two is the association request information sent by the station D1 received by the two respectively), and the load of the access point B1 is less than the load of the access point B2, the controller A1 can determine the access point B1 as the access point for responding to the association request information.

[0122] In one illustrative example, the performance parameter sent by the access point to the controller Al can include a received signal strength indication (RSSI) of the Wi-Fi signal sent by the station Dl and received by the access point. Specifically, the access point can measure the Wi-Fi signal sent by the station Dl and received by the access point to obtain the RSSI. It can be appreciated that the RSSI can reflect the communication performance of the channel or link, and the higher the RSSI, the higher the communication performance.

[0123] In this illustrative example, the controller Al can select the access point for responding to the association request information according to the RSSI of the Wi-Fi signal sent by the station Dl and received by the access point. For example, the controller Al can receive the association request information sent by the access point Bl and the RSSI of the Wi-Fi signal sent by the station Dl and received by the access point Bl, and receive the association request information sent by the access point B2 and the RSSI of the Wi-Fi signal sent by the station Dl and received by the access point Bl. Then, it is determined whether the association request information sent by the access point Bl and the association request information sent by the access point B2 originate from the same station, and whether the RSSI of the Wi-Fi signal sent by the station Dl and received by the access point Bl is greater than the RSSI of the Wi-Fi signal sent by the station Dl and received by the access point B2. If the association request information sent by the access point Bl and the association request information sent by the access point B2 originate from the same station, and the RSSI of the Wi-Fi signal sent by the station Dl and received by the access point Bl is greater than the RSSI of the Wi-Fi signal sent by the station Dl and received by the access point B2, the controller Al can determine that the access point Bl is the access point for responding to the association request information.

[0124] In one illustrative example, the performance parameter sent by the access point to the controller Al can include the load information of the access point itself and the RSSI of the Wi-Fi signal sent by the station Dl and received by the access point. The controller Al can determine the access point for responding to the association request information by comprehensively considering the load information of the access point itself and the RSSI of the Wi-Fi signal sent by the station Dl and received by the access point. In one example, at least one access point that receives the Wi-Fi signal sent by the station Dl and has an RSSI greater than a preset intensity threshold can be determined, and then the access point with the smallest load among the at least one access point is determined as the access point for responding to the association request information. In one example, one or more access points that have a load less than a preset load threshold can be determined, and then the access point with the greatest RSSI of the Wi-Fi signal sent by the station Dl among the one or more access points is determined as the access point for responding to the association request information. It can be set that by the foregoing scheme, the controller Al can determine that the access point Bl is the access point for responding to the association request information.

[0125] Thus, by the above scheme, the access point (access point B1) for responding to the association request information can be determined. The access point (access point B1) for responding to the association request information sends the association response information to the station D1, while other access points do not send the association response information to the station D1, realizing the single-point online of the station D1, and avoiding the online conflict caused by the same BSSID of multiple access points. After the station D1 is online through the access point B1, the access point B1 can send the online information of the station D1 to the controller A1. The controller A1 can send the online information to each access point controlled thereby, so that each access point shares the online information. The online information refers to the information required for establishing a Wi-Fi link, and is generated by the station and the access point in cooperation during the online process of the station. In the online process of the station, the access point can obtain the online information. Exemplarily, the online information includes the association request information and the secret key. The association request information is specifically the association request information sent by the station to the access point in the online process; and the secret key is the secret key negotiated by the station and the access point in the online process.

[0126] Thus, the multiple access points controlled by the controller A1 can obtain the online information of the station D1, so that the Wi-Fi link connecting the station D1 can be established under certain conditions. Exemplarily, each access point can obtain a performance parameter representing the communication performance between the access point and the station D1, and determine whether the performance parameter meets the preset performance requirement E1. When the performance parameter meets the preset performance requirement E1, the access point can establish the Wi-Fi link connecting the station D1, so as to provide data transmission service for the station D1.

[0127] Each access point can send the performance parameter representing the communication performance between the access point and the station D1 to the controller A1. When the controller A1 determines that the performance parameter meets the preset performance requirement E1, the access point sending the performance parameter can provide data transmission service for the station D1. Thus, the controller A1 can determine one or more access points for providing data transmission service for the station D1 from the multiple access points controlled thereby. The one or more access points can constitute an access point set for providing data transmission service for the station D1 in cooperation under the control of the controller A1. Among the access point set, the access points jointly provide Wi-Fi network coverage for the station D1. For convenience of description, the Wi-Fi network coverage provided by the access points in the access point set for the station D1 can be referred to as a virtual cell. Exemplarily, as shown in Figure 5 Thus, by the above scheme, the access point (access point B1) for responding to the association request information can be determined. The access point (access point B1) for responding to the association request information sends the association response information to the station D1, while other access points do not send the association response information to the station D1, realizing the single-point online of the station D1, and avoiding the online conflict caused by the same BSSID of multiple access points. After the station D1 is online through the access point B1, the access point B1 can send the online information of the station D1 to the controller A1. The controller A1 can send the online information to each access point controlled thereby, so that each access point shares the online information. The online information refers to the information required for establishing a Wi-Fi link, and is generated by the station and the access point in cooperation during the online process of the station. In the online process of the station, the access point can obtain the online information. Exemplarily, the online information includes the association request information and the secret key. The association request information is specifically the association request information sent by the station to the access point in the online process; and the secret key is the secret key negotiated by the station and the access point in the online process. Thus, by the above scheme, the access point (access point B1) for responding to the association request information can be determined. The access point (access point B1) for responding to the association request information sends the association response information to the station D1, while other access points do not send the association response information to the station D1, realizing the single-point online of the station D1, and avoiding the online conflict caused by the same BSSID of multiple access points. After the station D1 is online through the access point B1, the access point B1 can send the online information of the station D1 to the controller A1. The controller A1 can send the online information to each access point controlled thereby, so that each access point shares the online information. The online information refers to the information required for establishing a Wi-Fi link, and is generated by the station and the access point in cooperation during the online process of the station. In the online process of the station, the access point can obtain the online information. Exemplarily, the online information includes the association request information and the secret key. The association request information is specifically the association request information sent by the station to the access point in the online process; and the secret key is the secret key negotiated by the station and the access point in the online process.

[0128] Next, taking access point B1 and station D1 as an example, the performance parameter in the embodiments of the present application is introduced.

[0129] As described above, the performance parameter sent by access point B1 to controller A1 can be used to represent the communication performance between access point B1 and station D1. That is, the performance parameter can include an index used to represent the Wi-Fi link communication performance.

[0130] In some embodiments, the performance parameter can include the RSSI of the Wi-Fi signal sent by station D1 and received by access point B1. Correspondingly, the performance requirement E1 includes a preset strength threshold G1. The performance parameter satisfying the performance requirement E1 includes that the RSSI is greater than the strength threshold G1.

[0131] In some embodiments, the performance parameter sent by access point B1 to the controller can include the load information of access point B1. As described above, the load information can be the number of stations connected to access point B1, or the number of stations connected to access point B1 and the station type. For details, reference can be made to the above description, which will not be repeated here. Correspondingly, the performance requirement E1 includes a preset load threshold H1. The performance parameter satisfying the performance requirement E1 includes that the load information (or the load determined by the load information) is less than the load threshold H1.

[0132] In some embodiments, the performance parameter can include both the RSSI and the load information. The performance requirement E1 includes both the strength threshold G1 and the load threshold H1. The performance parameter satisfying the performance requirement E1 includes both that the RSSI is greater than the strength threshold G1 and that the load information (or the load determined by the load information) is less than the load threshold H1.

[0133] In some embodiments, the performance parameter sent by access point B1 to the controller can include the service type of the service performed by station D1. It can be understood that different service types have different requirements for the communication performance of the channel. It can be understood that for high-demand services such as VR services and voice services, the communication performance requirement for the channel is higher. When the performance parameter includes the service type of the service performed by station D1 as a high-demand service, controller A1 can continue to perform the data transmission method provided by the embodiments of the present application, that is, to determine the set of access points used to jointly provide data transmission services for station D1. It can be understood that low-demand services such as background (BK) services and best effort (BE) services have lower communication requirements. When the performance parameter includes the service type of the service performed by station D1 as a low-demand service, controller A1 can stop performing the data transmission method provided by the embodiments of the present application, and directly instruct one access point (such as access point B1) to provide data transmission services for station D1.

[0134] In some embodiments, each access point can periodically (e.g., every 1 second or other preset time interval) send its recently acquired performance parameter to the controller A1, or each access point can send its currently acquired performance parameter to the controller A1 in real time. The controller A1 can update the set of access points for providing data transmission service for the station according to the performance parameters recently received from each access point, so that the station can access the network in an optimal or better way at different times.

[0135] In this way, the controller A1 can determine the set of access points for providing data transmission service for the station D1.

[0136] The controller A1 can also determine the data transmission mode between each access point in the set of access points and the station D1 according to the performance parameters sent by each access point. Next, an example is introduced.

[0137] Referring to Figure 6 , the controller A1 can perform step 601 to determine the set of access points P1 for providing data transmission for the station D1. For details, reference can be made to the foregoing description, which will not be repeated here.

[0138] When the set of access points P1 is determined or after that, the controller A1 can perform step 602 to determine whether the number of access points in the set of access points P1 is greater than 1.

[0139] If the number of access points in the set of access points P1 is not greater than 1, the controller A1 can perform step 603 to instruct the access points in the set of access points P1 to perform single access point transmission. The single access point transmission can refer to the prior art, which will not be repeated here.

[0140] In some embodiments, if the number of access points in the set of access points P1 is greater than 1, the controller A1 can perform step 604 to determine whether the performance parameters sent by each access point in the set of access points P1 do not simultaneously satisfy the preset performance requirement E2. That is, it is determined that the performance parameter sent by each access point does not satisfy the performance requirement E2. The performance requirement E2 has a higher requirement than the performance requirement E1. Or, the performance requirement E2 has a more stringent requirement than the performance requirement E1.

[0141] For example, as described above, the performance parameter sent by each access point can include RSSI. Accordingly, the performance requirement E2 can include a preset intensity threshold G2, where the intensity threshold G2 is higher than the intensity threshold G1. It can be specifically that the RSSI of each access point is less than the intensity threshold G2, that is, the performance parameters sent by each access point in the set of access points P1 do not simultaneously satisfy the preset performance requirement E2.

[0142] Exemplarily, as mentioned above, the performance parameter sent by each access point can comprise load information. Accordingly, the performance requirement E2 can comprise a preset load threshold H2, where the load threshold H2 is less than the load threshold H1. The performance parameter sent by each access point in the access point set PI simultaneously failing to meet the preset performance requirement E2 can specifically mean that the load information (or the load determined by the load information) of each access point is greater than the load threshold H2.

[0143] Exemplarily, as mentioned above, the performance parameter sent by each access point can comprise RSSI and load information. Accordingly, the performance requirement E2 can comprise a preset intensity threshold G2 and a preset load threshold H2, where the intensity threshold G2 is higher than the intensity threshold G1, and the load threshold H2 is less than the load threshold H1. The performance parameter sent by each access point in the access point set PI simultaneously failing to meet the preset performance requirement E2 can specifically mean that the RSSI of each access point is less than the intensity threshold G2, and / or the load information (or the load determined by the load information) of each access point is greater than the load threshold H2.

[0144] In the case that the performance parameter sent by each access point in the access point set PI simultaneously fails to meet the performance requirement E2, i.e., the performance parameter of each access point in the access point set PI does not meet the performance requirement E2, the controller Al can perform step 605 to determine that different access points in the access point set PI respectively send the same data to the station D1 at different time instants.

[0145] Exemplarily, the controller Al or other network side device (e.g., a gateway) can send downlink data Q1 destined for the station D1 to each access point in the access point set PI. The controller Al configures each access point to send the downlink data Q1 to the station D1 at a sending time instant, where the sending time instants of different access points are different.

[0146] Exemplarily, the controller Al can send the downlink data Q1 destined for the station D1 to different access points in the access point set PI at different time instants. Each access point can send the downlink data Q1 to the station D1 upon receiving the downlink data Q1. In this way, different access points send the same data to the station D1 at different time instants, so as to guarantee the accuracy of the station D1 receiving downlink data when the network environment of the station D1 is poor.

[0147] In some embodiments, in the case that the number of access points in the access point set PI is greater than 1, the controller Al can perform step 606 to determine whether the performance parameter sent by each access point in the access point set PI simultaneously meets the performance requirement E2. Exemplarily, the performance requirement E2 can be determined according to the performance requirement E1 and the performance parameter sent by each access point in the access point set PI. Figure 6As shown, step 606 can be performed after step 604. Specifically, in the case that the performance parameters sent by the access points in the access point set P1 do not simultaneously satisfy the preset performance requirement E2, the controller A1 can perform step 606. For example, as described above, the performance parameter sent by each access point can include RSSI. Accordingly, the performance requirement E2 can include a preset intensity threshold G2, where the intensity threshold G2 is higher than the intensity threshold G1. The performance parameters sent by the access points in the access point set P1 simultaneously satisfy the preset performance requirement E2, specifically, can mean that the RSSI of each access point is not less than the intensity threshold G2.

[0148] For example, as described above, the performance parameter sent by each access point can include load information. Accordingly, the performance requirement E2 can include a preset load threshold H2, where the load threshold H2 is less than the load threshold H1. The performance parameters sent by the access points in the access point set P1 do not simultaneously satisfy the preset performance requirement E2, specifically, can mean that the load information (or the load determined by the load information) of each access point is not greater than the load threshold H2.

[0149] For example, as described above, the performance parameter sent by each access point can include RSSI and load information. Accordingly, the performance requirement E2 can include a preset intensity threshold G2 and a preset load threshold H2, where the intensity threshold G2 is higher than the intensity threshold G1, and the load threshold H2 is less than the load threshold H1. The performance parameters sent by the access points in the access point set P1 do not simultaneously satisfy the preset performance requirement E2, specifically, can mean that the RSSI of each access point is not less than the intensity threshold G2, and the load information (or the load determined by the load information) of each access point is not greater than the load threshold H2.

[0150] In the case that the performance parameters sent by the access points in the access point set P1 simultaneously satisfy the performance requirement E2, the controller A1 can perform step 607 to determine that different access points in the access point set P1 respectively send different data to the station D1 at the same time.

[0151] For example, the access points in the access point set P1 can send downlink data to the station D1 in a distributed multiple-in multiple-out (MIMO) manner. Specifically, the controller A1 can instruct the access points in the access point set P1 to perform time slot synchronization. The time slot synchronization can be understood as clock synchronization. After the time slot synchronization, the access points in the access point set P1 can use the same clock. The controller A1 can also instruct the access points in the access point set P1 to perform channel sounding respectively. Taking the access point B1 as an example, the access point B1 can send a channel sounding signal (e.g., a null data packet (NDP)) to the station D1. The station D1 can respond to the channel sounding signal and send a channel sounding result (e.g., a feedback NDP) to the access point B1. The access point B1 can report the channel sounding result to the controller A1. The access points in the access point set P1 can report their respective channel sounding results to the controller A1. The controller A1 can determine a precoding matrix for performing distributed MIMO according to the channel sounding results reported by the access points. The precoding matrix can include a precoding vector corresponding to each access point. The controller A1 can distribute the precoding vectors to the corresponding access points respectively. Then, each access point can use the respective precoding vector to send different downlink data to the station, achieving multi-channel concurrency.

[0152] The above only exemplarily introduces the scheme of distributed MIMO, and detailed schemes can be referred to the introduction of the 802.11be protocol, which will not be described herein.

[0153] In some embodiments, when the results of the steps 604 and 606 are both negative, that is, when the performance parameters E2 sent by some of the access points in the access point set P1 do not meet the performance requirement E2, the controller A1 can perform step 608 to determine a master access point from the access point set P1, and the master access point is used to provide data transmission services for the station D1 alone. Specifically, the controller A1 can determine the access point whose sent performance parameter meets the performance requirement E2 as the master access point, and control the master access point to provide data transmission services for the station D1, while other access points no longer provide data transmission services for the station D1. For example, when there are multiple access points whose sent performance parameters meet the performance requirement E2, one of them can be determined as the master access point, for example, the access point with the smallest load or the largest RSSI can be determined as the master access point.

[0154] In one illustrative example of these embodiments, the data transmission service in step 608 may specifically refer to the downlink data transmission service. That is, controller A1 controls the primary access point to send the downlink data received from the network side to site D1, while other access points no longer send downlink data to site D1.

[0155] In another illustrative example of these embodiments, the data transmission service in step 608 may include an uplink data transmission service and a downlink data transmission service. That is, controller A1 instructs the primary access point to provide uplink and downlink data transmission services to site D1. Other access points no longer receive or process uplink data sent by site D1, nor send downlink data to site D1.

[0156] The above scheme allows different access points to send the same data to site D1 when the network environment of site D1 is poor (the performance parameters sent by all access points in access point set P1 do not simultaneously meet performance requirement E2), thereby increasing the probability of site D1 receiving downlink data. Furthermore, when the network environment of site D1 is good (the performance parameters sent by all access points in access point set P1 simultaneously meet performance requirement E2), different access points can send different data to site D1 simultaneously, improving data throughput. Additionally, when the network environment of site D1 is average (the performance parameters sent by some access points in access point set P1 meet performance requirement E2, while others do not), the access point with better communication performance with site D1 can be instructed to provide data transmission services to the site. This provides site D1 with the optimal network access and data transmission mode, enhancing the user communication experience.

[0157] Next, the data transmission method provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in a specific example.

[0158] Figure 7 This application illustrates a data transmission method provided by an embodiment of the present application, which can be applied to scenarios where the station is located in a poor channel environment.

[0159] like Figure 7 As shown, site D1 and access point B1 can execute the online process or workflow of site D1, enabling site D1 to go online through access point B1. The specific online process can be found in the description of steps S1-S6 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0160] After site D1 goes online through access point B1, access point B1 can execute step 702 to send the online information obtained during the site's online process to controller A1. Details of the online information can be found in the above description and will not be repeated here.

[0161] The controller A1 can send the online information to the access point B2 through step 703a, and to the access point B3 through step 703b.

[0162] In some embodiments, the access point B1 can obtain a performance parameter R1 representing the performance between the access point B1 and the station D1, and perform step 704a to determine that the performance parameter R1 satisfies the performance requirement E1, and then add the station D1 to the associated list of the access point B1. The performance parameter and the performance requirement E1 can refer to the above description. The stations in the associated list are the stations connected to the access point B1, in other words, the Wi-Fi link is established between the stations in the associated list and the access point B1.

[0163] In some embodiments, the access point B2 can obtain a performance parameter R2 representing the performance between the access point B2 and the station D1, and perform step 704b to determine that the performance parameter R2 satisfies the performance requirement E1, and then add the station D1 to the associated list of the access point B2. In step 704b, the access point B2 can establish the Wi-Fi link between the access point B2 and the station D1 using the online information received from the controller A1 after determining that the performance parameter E2 satisfies the performance requirement E1.

[0164] In some embodiments, the access point B3 can obtain a performance parameter R3 representing the performance between the access point B3 and the station D1, and perform step 704c to determine that the performance parameter R3 does not satisfy the performance requirement E1, and then add the station D1 to the unassociated list of the access point B2. The stations in the unassociated list are the stations not connected to the access point B1.

[0165] The access point B1 can perform step 705a to send the performance parameter R1 to the controller A1. The access point B2 can perform step 705b to send the performance parameter R2 to the controller A1. The access point B3 can perform step 705c to send the performance parameter R3 to the controller A1. Then, the controller A1 can determine the access point set P1 for providing the data transmission service for the station D1 according to the performance parameter R1, the performance parameter R2 and the performance parameter R3. Specifically, the controller A1 can perform step 706 to determine that the performance parameter R1 and the performance parameter R2 satisfy the performance requirement E1, and the performance parameter R3 does not satisfy the performance requirement E1; and further determine that the access point B1 and the access point B2 cooperate to provide the data transmission service for the station D1. That is, in the case that the performance parameter R1 and the performance parameter R2 satisfy the performance requirement E1, and the performance parameter R3 does not satisfy the performance requirement E1, the access point B1 and the access point B2 form the access point set P1 for providing the data transmission service for the station D1, and the access point B3 is not used to form the access point set P1.

[0166] Continuing to refer to Figure 7, the controller A1 can perform step 707, determine 707 that neither the performance parameter R1 nor the performance parameter R2 satisfies the performance requirement E2, and further determine that the access point B1 and the access point B2 send the same data to the station D1 at different time instants. The data transmission mode in which different access points send the same data to the station at different time instants can be referred to as a data backup transmission mode. The fact that neither the performance parameter R1 nor the performance parameter R2 satisfies the performance requirement E2 indicates that the channel environment in which the station D1 is located is poor. In order to avoid a large number of data packet losses or retransmissions, the controller A1 selects the data backup transmission mode.

[0167] In some embodiments, after or when determining that the access point B1 and the access point B2 send the same data to the station D1 at different time instants, the controller A1 can perform step 708a and step 708b. Specifically, in step 708a, configuration information Y1 is sent to the access point B1. The configuration information Y1 can include a transmission time instant T1 of the downlink data. The configuration information Y1 can be used to instruct the access point B1 to send the downlink data Q1 to the station D1 at the transmission time instant T1. The access point B1 can respond to the configuration information Y1 and perform step 709 at the time instant T1 to send the downlink data Q1 to the station D1. The downlink data Q1 is received by the access point B1 from a network side device (for example, a gateway or the controller A1). In step 708b, configuration information Y2 is sent to the access point B2. The configuration information Y2 includes a transmission time instant T2 of the downlink data. The configuration information Y2 can be used to instruct the access point B2 to send the downlink data Q1 to the station D1 at the transmission time instant T2. The downlink data Q1 is received by the access point B2 from a network side device (for example, a gateway or the controller A1). Thus, in the case of at least one successful transmission of the downlink data Q1, the station D1 can successfully receive the downlink data Q1.

[0168] Steps 707-710 describe a downlink data transmission scheme. The data transmission method provided by the embodiments of the present application can also include an uplink data transmission scheme. Specifically as follows.

[0169] In some embodiments, continuing to refer to Figure 7 After step 706, the controller A1 can perform step 711a to send configuration information Y3 to the access point B1, and the configuration information Y3 includes a transmission time instant T3 of the uplink resource configuration information. The controller A1 can also perform step 711b to send configuration information Y4 to the access point B1, and the configuration information Y4 includes a transmission time instant T4 of the uplink resource configuration information. The time instant T4 is later than the time instant T3.

[0170] The configuration information Y3 can be used to instruct the access point B1 to send the uplink resource configuration information Z1 to the station D1 at the time T3. The access point B1 can respond to the configuration information Y3 and perform the step 712 to send the uplink resource configuration information Z1 to the station D1. It can be understood that the uplink resource configuration information is used to instruct the station to send uplink data using the frequency domain and time domain resources. For example, the configuration information Y3 can also be used to instruct the access point B1 to allocate the time delay resource for the uplink transmission of the station D1 to be the time T4. That is, the uplink resource configuration information Z1 can be used to instruct the station D1 to send the uplink transmission resource at the time T4. If the station D1 successfully receives the uplink resource configuration information Z1, it can perform the step 713 to send the uplink data to the access point B1 at the time T4.

[0171] The configuration information Y4 can be used to instruct the access point B2 to send the uplink resource configuration information to the station D1 at the time T4. The configuration information Y4 can be used to instruct the access point B2 to no longer send the uplink resource configuration information to the station D1 when the station sends the uplink data at the time T4. Back to Figure 4 , the access point B2 and the access point B1 communicate with the station D1 on the same channel (for example, the channel 36). When the access point B2 sends the uplink resource configuration information to the station D1 at the time T4, it is detected that the air interface or Wi-Fi channel of the station D1 is occupied, which means that the station D1 is sending the uplink data. Therefore, the access point B2 no longer sends the uplink resource configuration information to the station D1. For example, the access point B2 no longer sends the uplink resource configuration information to the station D1 specifically means that it no longer sends the uplink resource configuration information to the station D1 before receiving the next configuration information sent by the controller A1 to instruct the sending of the uplink resource configuration information.

[0172] In addition, it can be understood that the uplink data sent in the step 713 is transmitted using the uplink transmission resource configured by the access point B1. The uplink data is received and processed by the access point B1, and an acknowledgement character (ACK or BA) is replied to the uplink data. The access point B2 no longer processes the uplink data and does not reply an acknowledgement character (ACK or BA) to the uplink data, thereby avoiding the conflict caused by the multiple access points sending the acknowledgement characters.

[0173] In some embodiments, the uplink resource configuration information described above can be specifically a trigger frame (trigger) under the 802.11ax protocol. The uplink data sent in the step 713 can be specifically carried in a trigger-based physical-layer protocol data unit (TB PPDU).

[0174] It should be noted that, Figure 7Although steps 701-713 are shown in sequence, the order in which these steps are performed is not limited. In some embodiments, they can be performed in the following order: Figure 7 Steps 701-713 are executed in the order shown. In some embodiments, steps 701-713 may be executed in a different order. For example, steps 708a, 798b, 711a, and 711b may be executed in parallel. Another example is that step 712 may be executed before step 709; and so on, which will not be listed here.

[0175] In the data transmission method provided in the embodiments of this application, when the channel environment where the station is located is poor, multiple access points can send the same data to it, thereby increasing the probability that the station will successfully receive the data.

[0176] Figure 8 This application illustrates a data transmission method provided by an embodiment of the present application, which can be applied to scenarios where the station is located in a relatively good channel environment.

[0177] Figure 8 Steps 801-806 shown can be referred to the above text. Figure 7 The details of steps 701-706 will not be repeated here.

[0178] See Figure 8 After step 806, controller A1 can execute step 807 to determine that both performance parameters R1 and R2 meet performance requirement E2, thereby determining that access points B1 and B2 can send different data to station D1 at the same time. For example, this data transmission mode, where different access points can send different data to the station at the same time, can be called distributed MIMO mode. The fact that both performance parameters R1 and R2 meet performance requirement E2 indicates that the channel environment of station D1 is good, and it is suitable for or can adopt distributed MIMO transmission to achieve multi-path concurrency and improve network data throughput.

[0179] In some embodiments, when or after determining that access point B1 and access point B2 can send different data to station D1 at the same time, controller A1 can perform step 808a, sending a time slot synchronization message and a channel sounding notification to access point B1; and perform step 808b, sending a time slot synchronization message and a channel sounding notification to access point B2.

[0180] The time slot synchronization message is used to instruct access points to perform time slot synchronization, or clock synchronization. For example, the time slot synchronization messages sent in step 808a and step 808b include the same calibration clock, allowing access points B1 and B2 to perform time slot synchronization, or clock synchronization, based on this calibration clock. This achieves time slot synchronization between access points B1 and B2.

[0181] The channel sounding notification is used to instruct the access points to send channel sounding signals to the stations. For example, the channel sounding signal can be an NDP. In response to the channel sounding notification, the access point B1 can perform step 809a to send a channel sounding signal U1 to the station D1. Upon receiving or after receiving the channel sounding signal U1, the station D1 can detect a relevant index (e.g., a level, a signal strength, etc.) of the channel sounding signal U1, and determine a channel sounding result W1 according to the detection result. The channel sounding result W1 can be a feedback NDP. The station D1 can perform step 810a to send the channel sounding result W1 to the access point B1. Then, the access point B1 can perform step 811a to send the channel sounding result W1 to the controller A1. Similarly, the access point B2 can perform step 809b to send a channel sounding signal U2 to the station D1 in response to the channel sounding notification. The station D2 can perform step 810b to send a channel sounding result W2 to the access point B2 according to the sounding signal U2. The access point B2 can perform step 811b to report the channel sounding result W2 to the controller A1.

[0182] Upon obtaining the channel sounding result W1 and the channel sounding result W2, or after obtaining the channel sounding result W1 and the channel sounding result W2, the controller A1 can determine a precoding matrix according to the channel sounding result W1 and the channel sounding result W2. For details, reference can be made to the 802.11be protocol, which will not be described herein again. The determined precoding matrix can include a precoding vector V1 corresponding to the access point B1 and a precoding vector V2 corresponding to the access point B2. Then, the controller A1 can perform step 812a to send the precoding vector V1 to the access point B1, and perform step 812b to send the precoding vector V2 to the access point B2.

[0183] The access point B1 can perform step 813a to send downlink data Q2 to the station B1 according to the precoding vector V1. The access point B2 can perform step 813b to send downlink data Q3 to the station B1 according to the precoding vector V2. The step 813a and the step 813b can be performed simultaneously.

[0184] In addition, the above describes the downlink data sending scheme in the case that the channel environment where the station is located is good. The uplink data sending can adopt the scheme described in the embodiments shown in FIG. 7, for details, reference can be made to the description of steps 711a-713 in the above, which will not be described herein again. Figure 7 Figure 7 The above describes the downlink data sending scheme in the case that the channel environment where the station is located is good. The uplink data sending can adopt the scheme described in the embodiments shown in FIG. 7, for details, reference can be made to the description of steps 711a-713 in the above, which will not be described herein again.

[0185] Therefore, when the channel environment where the station is located is good, multiple access points connected to the station can simultaneously send different data to the station, which improves the data throughput of the network.

[0186] Therefore, when the channel environment where the station is located is good, multiple access points connected to the station can simultaneously send different data to the station, which improves the data throughput of the network.Figure 9 This application illustrates a data transmission method provided by an embodiment of the present application, which can be applied to scenarios where the channel environment of the site is generally normal.

[0187] Figure 9 Steps 901-906 shown can be referred to the above text. Figure 7 The details of steps 701-706 will not be repeated here.

[0188] See Figure 9 After step 906, controller A1 can execute step 907 to determine whether performance parameter R1 meets performance requirement E2 and whether performance parameter R2 does not meet performance requirement E2. Then, it determines that access point E1 is the primary access point used to provide data transmission services solely for site D1. For example, this data transmission mode, where one of multiple access points simultaneously connected to a site acts as the primary access point to provide data transmission services solely for that site, can be called the access point primary / backup switching mode. If performance parameter R1 meets performance requirement E2, but performance parameter R2 does not, it indicates that the channel environment of site D1 is generally poor. Using an access point with better communication performance with that site to provide data transmission services solely for the site can improve communication service quality and reduce overall network overhead.

[0189] In some embodiments, see Figure 9 Controller A1, acting as a network-side device at the access point, executes step 908a, sending downlink data destined for site D1 to the primary access point, i.e., access point B1. Then, access point B1 executes step 909, sending downlink data to site D1. Controller A1, however, does not send downlink data destined for site D1 to access point B1.

[0190] In some embodiments, controller A1 can act as a management device for the access point, executing step 908b by sending configuration information Y5 to access point B2. Configuration information Y5 is used to disable access point B2 from responding to data sent by station D1. In other words, based on configuration information Y5, when access point B2 receives uplink data sent by station D1 in step 910, it no longer returns an acknowledgment character (e.g., ACK or BA) to station D1. Meanwhile, when access point B1 receives uplink data sent by station D1 in step 910, it returns an acknowledgment character (e.g., ACK or BA) to station D1. This avoids conflicts caused by multiple access points returning acknowledgment characters.

[0191] In some embodiments, controller A1 may not execute step 908b, but instead adopt... Figure 7 The uplink transmission scheme in the illustrated embodiment is designed to avoid conflicts caused by multiple access points returning acknowledgment characters.

[0192] The data transmission method provided by the embodiments of the present application can select an access point with better communication performance with the station to provide data transmission service for the station when the channel environment where the station is located is general, so that the communication service quality of the station and the overall cost of the network can be considered.

[0193] In summary, the embodiments of the present application provide a data transmission method, which can be executed by a controller for controlling a plurality of access points, such as the controller A1 described above. Referring to Figure 10 , the method can include the following steps.

[0194] In step 1001, the controller receives performance parameters sent by each of the access points, wherein the performance parameters are used to indicate the communication performance between the access point sending the performance parameters and the first station. In one example, step 1001 can be implemented with reference to the description of steps 705a-705c in the method for selecting an access point to provide data transmission service for a first station according to performance parameters sent by each of a plurality of access points, and details are not described herein again. Figure 7

[0195] In step 1003, the controller determines a set of access points for providing data transmission service for the first station according to the received performance parameters, and the set of access points includes at least one of the plurality of access points. In one example, step 1003 can be implemented with reference to the description of step 706 in the method for selecting an access point to provide data transmission service for a first station according to performance parameters sent by each of a plurality of access points. Figure 7

[0196] In step 1005, when the set of access points includes at least two access points, the controller determines the data transmission mode between each of the access points in the set of access points and the first station according to the performance parameters sent by each of the access points in the set of access points. In one example, step 1005 can be implemented with reference to the description of step 707 in the method for selecting an access point to provide data transmission service for a first station according to performance parameters sent by each of a plurality of access points. Figure 7 Figure 8 Figure 9

[0197] In some embodiments, the performance parameters include at least one of a received signal strength indication (RSSI) of a signal sent by the first station and received by the access point and load information of the access point. For example, the performance parameter sent by any access point in the determined set of access points satisfies that the RSSI is greater than a preset strength threshold and the load information is less than a preset load threshold.

[0198] In some embodiments, the controller is independent of each of the plurality of access points, or the controller is integrated into one of the plurality of access points.

[0199] ​​​​​In some embodiments, when the controller is independent of each of the plurality of access points, the controller receives the performance parameters transmitted by each of the plurality of access points through an optical link or a Wi-Fi channel; or when the controller is integrated in one of the plurality of access points, the controller receives the performance parameters transmitted by the access points other than the access point in which the controller is located through an optical link or a Wi-Fi channel.

[0200] In some embodiments, the plurality of access points comprises a first access point and a second access point, and the first station is online through the first access point; the method further comprises: the controller receiving online information of the first station from the first access point; and the controller transmitting the online information to the second access point. For details, reference can be made to the above description of steps 701-703b of method 700. Figure 7

[0201] For example, the online information comprises association request information and a key.

[0202] For example, the plurality of access points have the same basic service set identifier (BSSID).

[0203] In some embodiments, the controller determines the data transmission mode between each of the access points in the set of access points and the first station according to the performance parameters transmitted by each of the access points in the set of access points, comprising: when the performance parameters corresponding to each of the access points in the set of access points do not meet the preset performance requirement, determining that different access points in the set of access points respectively transmit the same data to the first station at different time instants. For details, reference can be made to the above description of steps 707-710 of method 700. Figure 7

[0204] In some embodiments, the controller determines the data transmission mode between each of the access points in the set of access points and the first station according to the performance parameters transmitted by each of the access points in the set of access points, comprising: when the performance parameters corresponding to each of the access points in the set of access points meet the preset performance requirement, determining that different access points in the set of access points respectively transmit different data to the first station at the same time instant. For details, reference can be made to the above description of steps 807-813b of method 800. Figure 8

[0205] ​​​In some embodiments, the controller determines the data transmission mode between each of the access points in the set of access points and the first station according to the performance parameters sent by each of the access points in the set of access points, including: when the performance parameter of a third access point in the set of access points meets a preset performance requirement, and the performance parameters of the access points other than the third access point in the set of access points do not meet the performance requirement, configuring the third access point as a master access point in the set of access points; the master access point is configured to send data to the first station alone. For details, refer to the description of steps 907-909 in the method 700 above. Figure 9

[0206] For example, the master access point is further configured to send an acknowledgement character corresponding to the first data sent by the first station to the first station when the first data is received. For details, refer to the description of steps 908b-911 in the method 700 above. Figure 9

[0207] In some embodiments, the set of access points includes a fourth access point and a fifth access point; the controller determines the data transmission mode between each of the access points in the set of access points and the first station according to the performance parameters sent by each of the access points in the set of access points, including: configuring the fourth access point to send uplink resource configuration information to the first station at a first time; configuring the fifth access point to send uplink resource configuration information to the first station at a second time; wherein the second time is later than the first time; when the first station sends uplink data in response to the uplink resource configuration information sent by the fourth access point at the second time, the fifth access point no longer sends uplink resource configuration information to the first station. For details, refer to the description of steps 711a-713 in the method 700 above. Figure 7

[0208] The data transmission method provided by the embodiments of the present application can select one or more service access points for a station and select a data transmission mode between the multiple service access points and the station according to the channel environment in which the station is located, thereby ensuring the optimal network access and data transmission mode for the station and improving the user communication experience.

[0209] The embodiments of the present application provide a data transmission method, which can be applied to a first access point in a plurality of access points controlled by a controller, for example, the access point B1 described above. Referring to Figure 11 , the method includes the following steps.

[0210] ​​​In step 1101, the first access point determines a first performance parameter, which is used to represent the communication performance between the first access point and the first station. In one example, step 1101 can be implemented by referring to the description of steps 704a-704c in the method for determining the performance parameter of the access point. Figure 7 In step 704a-704c, the first access point determines a first performance parameter, which is used to represent the communication performance between the first access point and the first station.

[0211] In step 1103, when the first performance parameter meets the preset performance requirement, the first station is provided with the data transmission service. In one example, step 1103 can be implemented by referring to the description of steps 704a-706 in the method for determining the performance parameter of the access point. Figure 7 In step 704a-706, the first access point determines a first performance parameter, which is used to represent the communication performance between the first access point and the first station.

[0212] In some embodiments, the method further includes: the first access point sends online information to the controller, wherein the online information is the information obtained by the first access point when the first station is online through the first access point. For details, refer to the description of steps 702-703b in the method for obtaining the online information of the station. Figure 7 In step 702-703b, the first access point sends online information to the controller, wherein the online information is the information obtained by the first access point when the first station is online through the first access point.

[0213] In some embodiments, the plurality of access points further includes a second access point; the first station is online through the second access point; and the method further includes: the first access point receives the online information of the first station from the controller, wherein the online information is received by the controller from the second access point. For details, refer to the description of step 703a in the method for obtaining the online information of the station. Figure 7 In step 703a, the first access point receives the online information of the first station from the controller, wherein the online information is received by the controller from the second access point.

[0214] In some embodiments, the online information includes association request information and a key.

[0215] In the data transmission method provided by the embodiments of the present application, the access point can select whether to provide network service for the access point according to the channel environment between the access point and the station, so as to balance the network service quality of the station and the overall overhead of the network.

[0216] With reference to Figure 12 The embodiments of the present application provide a data transmission device 1200, which comprises:

[0217] A communication unit 1210 is configured to receive the performance parameters sent by each of the access points; wherein the performance parameter is used to represent the communication performance between the access point sending the performance parameter and the first station.

[0218] A first determination unit 1220 is configured to determine, according to the received performance parameters of each of the access points, a set of access points for providing data transmission service for the first station, wherein the set of access points includes at least one of the plurality of access points.

[0219] The second determining unit 1230 is configured to determine a data transmission mode between each of the access points in the set of access points and the first station according to the performance parameters sent by each of the access points in the set of access points when the set of access points includes at least two access points.

[0220] The functions of the functional units in the apparatus 1200 can refer to the descriptions of the method embodiments shown in FIG. 13. Figure 10 The functions of the functional units in the apparatus 1200 can refer to the descriptions of the method embodiments shown in FIG. 13.

[0221] The data transmission apparatus provided by the embodiments of the present application can select one or more service access points for a station and select data transmission modes between the station and the service access points according to the channel environment of the station, thereby ensuring the optimal network access and data transmission mode for the station and improving the user communication experience.

[0222] Referring to FIG. 13, Figure 13 The data transmission apparatus 1300 provided by the embodiments of the present application includes:

[0223] The determining unit 1310 is configured to determine a first performance parameter, wherein the first performance parameter is used to indicate the communication performance between the apparatus and a first station.

[0224] The providing unit 1320 is configured to provide data transmission service for the first station when the first performance parameter meets a preset performance requirement.

[0225] The functions of the functional units in the apparatus 1300 can refer to the descriptions of the method embodiments shown in FIG. 13. Figure 11 The functions of the functional units in the apparatus 1300 can refer to the descriptions of the method embodiments shown in FIG. 13.

[0226] The data transmission apparatus provided by the embodiments of the present application can select whether to provide network service for the access point according to the channel environment between the apparatus and the station, thereby balancing the network service quality of the station and the overall overhead of the network.

[0227] The apparatus provided by the embodiments of the present application is mainly described from the perspective of method flow. It can be understood that each electronic device includes hardware structure and / or software module corresponding to each function to realize the above functions. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in combination with the embodiments disclosed in the present application can be realized in the form of hardware or combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a certain function is realized in the form of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional technicians can use different methods to realize the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the present application.

[0228] Referring to FIG. 13,Figure 14 The embodiments of the present application provide a controller 1400, which can perform the operations of the controller A1 in the method embodiments shown in the above Figure 4 or Figure 6 or Figure 7 or Figure 8 or Figure 9 or Figure 10 The controller 1400 can perform the operations of the controller A1 in the method embodiments shown in the above Figure 4 or Figure 6 or Figure 7 or Figure 8 or Figure 9 or Figure 10 The controller 1400 can perform the operations of the controller A1 in the method embodiments shown in the above

[0229] Referring to Figure 15 The embodiments of the present application provide an access point 1500, which can perform the operations of the access point in the method embodiments shown in the above Figure 4 or Figure 6 or Figure 7 or Figure 8 or Figure 9 or Figure 11 The access point 1500 can perform the operations of the access point in the method embodiments shown in the above Figure 4 or Figure 6 or Figure 7 or Figure 8 or Figure 9 or Figure 11 The access point 1500 can perform the operations of the access point in the method embodiments shown in the above

[0230] Referring to Figure 16 The embodiments of the present application provide a chip system, which can be applied to the controller A1 described above. As shown in the above Figure 16 The chip system comprises a processor 1610 and an interface circuit 1620. The processor 1610 and the interface circuit 1620 are connected, and used for performing the operations of the controller A1 in the method embodiments shown in the above Figure 4 orFigure 6 or Figure 7 or Figure 8 or Figure 9 or Figure 10 the operations performed by the controller A1 in each of the method embodiments shown.

[0231] In some embodiments, the chip system further includes a memory 1630. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor 1610. When the instructions are executed by the processor 1610, the chip system can perform the above-described Figure 4 or Figure 6 or Figure 7 or Figure 8 or Figure 9 or Figure 10 the operations performed by the controller A1 in each of the method embodiments shown.

[0232] With reference to Figure 16 , the embodiments of the present application provide a chip system, which can be applied to the access point described above, such as the access point B1 or the access point B2. As shown in Figure 16 , the chip system includes a processor 1610 and an interface circuit 1620. The processor 1610 and the interface circuit 1620 are connected and used to perform the above-described Figure 4 or Figure 6 or Figure 7 or Figure 8 or Figure 9 or Figure 11 the operations performed by the access point in each of the method embodiments shown.

[0233] In some embodiments, the chip system further includes a memory 1630. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor 1610. When the instructions are executed by the processor 1610, the chip system can perform the above-described Figure 4 or Figure 6 or Figure 7 or Figure 8 or Figure 9 or Figure 11 the operations performed by the access point in each of the method embodiments shown.

[0234] It can be understood that the processor in the embodiments of the present application can be a central processing unit (CPU), and can also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) 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.

[0235] The method steps in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or by a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, and the software modules can be stored in a random access memory (RAM), a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable PROM (EPROM), an electrically EPROM (EEPROM), a register, a hard disk, a mobile hard disk, a CD-ROM or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor, so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium can also be an integral part of the processor. The processor and the storage medium can be located in an ASIC.

[0236] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented by software, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are generated. The computer can be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable devices. The computer instructions can be stored in or transmitted by a computer readable storage medium. The computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server or data center to another website, computer, server or data center through a wired (such as coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (such as infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) manner. The computer readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server, data center, etc. integrated with one or more available media. The available media can be a magnetic medium (for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (for example, a DVD), or a semiconductor medium (for example, a solid state disk (SSD)) and the like.

[0237] It can be understood that various numerical numbers involved in the embodiments of the present application are only distinguished for convenience of description, and are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A method of communication for a fiber-to-the-room (FTTR) network, the method comprising: The application is applied to a controller for controlling a plurality of access points, the plurality of access points comprising a first access point and a second access point; the method comprising: The controller receives online information sent by the first access point, the online information being information obtained by the first access point when a station is online through the first access point, the online information comprising association request information and a key; The controller sends the online information to the second access point.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The association request information comprises an association request frame.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, The controller sends the online information to each access point controlled by the controller, so that each access point shares the online information. The key is a key negotiated by the station and the first access point during the online process.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein, The method further comprises:

5. The method of claim 1, wherein, The controller receives performance parameters sent by at least one access point, the performance parameters being used to represent the communication performance between the access point sending the performance parameters and the station. The method further comprises:

6. The method of claim 5, wherein, The controller determines the first access point from the plurality of access points according to the received performance parameters. The performance parameters comprise at least one of a received signal strength indication of a signal received by the access point from the station and load information of the access point.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein, The controller is independent of each of the plurality of access points, or the controller is integrated into one of the plurality of access points.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, 9. The method of claim 5, wherein: The controller receives the performance parameters sent by the at least one access point through an optical link or a Wi-Fi channel. The plurality of access points have the same basic service set identifier.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The method further comprises:

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The controller receives channel sounding results sent by the first access point and the second access point. The method further comprises:

12. The method of claim 11, wherein, The controller determines a precoding matrix for distributed MIMO according to the channel sounding results reported by each access point. The precoding matrix comprises precoding vectors corresponding to each access point.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, The method further comprises: The controller distributes the precoding vectors to corresponding access points respectively. The method further comprises:

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The controller informs the first access point and the second access point to perform clock synchronization. The method further comprises:

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The controller sends configuration information to the first access point or the controller sends configuration information to the second access point. The configuration information is used to prohibit the second access point from responding to data sent by the station.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein, The configuration information comprises a sending time of downlink data.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein, The controller is an optical network device, a mini optical line terminal or a passive optical network gateway in a fiber to the room network.

18. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The controller comprises a processor, a memory and a transceiver; 19. A controller characterized by comprising: The memory is used to store computer instructions; When the controller is running, the processor executes the computer instructions, so that the controller performs the method of any one of claims 1-17. The controller is an optical network device, a mini optical line terminal or a passive optical network gateway in a fiber to the room network.

20. The controller of claim 19, wherein, ​ 21. A fiber-to-the-room (FTTR) network communication system, comprising: A controller as claimed in claim 19 or 20 and a first access point and a second access point controlled by the controller.

22. The FTTR network communication system of claim 21, wherein, The controller and the first access point, the second access point are connected by an optical link or a Wi-Fi channel.

23. A computer program product comprising program code which, when executed by a processor in an electronic device, causes the electronic device to perform the method of any one of claims 1-18.

Images