Communication method and device

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention discloses a communication method and device, and the method comprises the steps: generating a wireless frame, the wireless frame comprises a control field and a filling field, the filling field is located behind the control field, the control field is used for indicating a first bandwidth, the first bandwidth is the bandwidth of the wireless frame, and the filling field is located behind the control field; the minimum duration of the filling field is determined according to the first bandwidth; and sending the wireless frame to station equipment. In the embodiment of the invention, different minimum lengths of the filling field are set according to different first bandwidths, so that the site equipment can complete bandwidth switching within the minimum lengths of the filling field, thereby ensuring successful bandwidth switching. Moreover, unnecessary switching time delay generated in the dynamic capability configuration or dynamic energy-saving process due to unified time delay setting can be avoided, and the communication efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular, to a communication method and apparatus. Background Art

[0002] The functional requirements for different scenarios of wireless fidelity (WiFi) change dynamically over time. If a consistent ability configuration that can always meet the functional requirements is maintained, unnecessary power consumption will be generated. To reduce the device power consumption, it is desirable to dynamically adjust the ability configuration according to the change of the functional requirements. When switching between different ability configuration states or different energy-saving modes, setting a unified time delay may generate unnecessary switching delays, making the dynamic ability configuration adjustment not timely enough. When considering the setting of the switching delay, it is necessary that the switching delay can ensure the completion of the ability configuration switching, and it is also desirable that the switching delay is as small as possible to achieve low-latency dynamic ability adjustment. For example, the IEEE 802.11be standard reduces the number of spatial streams (NSS) and modulation and coding scheme (MCS) in the low-power listening mode of enhanced multi-link single radio (eMLSR), uses a lower ability configuration to reduce power consumption, and then adjusts and improves the NSS and MCS when switching to the data transmission mode. The existing standard does not introduce bandwidth adjustment when switching between the low-power listening mode and the data transmission mode. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Embodiments of this application provide a communication method and apparatus, which can not only ensure the success of bandwidth switching, but also reduce the time delay and improve the communication efficiency.

[0004] In a first aspect, an embodiment of this application provides a communication method, which is applied to an access point device, or a chip or circuit configured in the access point device, and includes:

[0005] Generate a wireless frame, where the wireless frame includes a control field and a padding field, the padding field is located after the control field, the control field is used to indicate a first bandwidth, the first bandwidth is the bandwidth of the wireless frame, and the minimum duration of the padding field is determined according to the first bandwidth; and send the wireless frame to a station device.

[0006] Considering the lock-in delay of the phase-locked loop when adjusting the bandwidth, different minimum durations of the padding field are set for different first bandwidths, so that the station device can complete the bandwidth switching within the minimum duration of the padding field, thereby ensuring the success of the bandwidth switching. Moreover, it is possible to avoid unnecessary switching delays generated during the dynamic capability configuration or dynamic power saving process due to setting a unified time delay, and improve the communication efficiency.

[0007] In a possible design, when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, the minimum duration of the padding field is the first duration, or when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth, the minimum duration of the padding field is the second duration. That is, the access point device determines the first bandwidth to be switched according to the competing channel conditions, determines the actual duration of the padding field based on the first bandwidth to be switched, and adds the padding field at the end of the initial control frame according to the actual duration of the padding field. If the first bandwidth to be switched is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, the actual duration of the padding field can be set to be greater than or equal to the first duration. If the first bandwidth to be switched is greater than the second bandwidth, the actual duration of the padding field can be set to be greater than or equal to the second duration. Thus, not only can the success of the bandwidth switching be ensured, but also the delay can be reduced and the communication efficiency can be improved.

[0008] In a possible design, when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, the minimum duration of the padding field is 0, or when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth, the minimum duration of the padding field is the third duration. That is, the access point device determines the first bandwidth to be switched according to the competing channel conditions, determines the actual duration of the padding field based on the first bandwidth to be switched, and adds the padding field at the end of the initial control frame according to the actual duration of the padding field. If the bandwidth of the wireless frame is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, the actual duration of the padding field can be set to be greater than or equal to 0. If the bandwidth of the wireless frame is greater than the second bandwidth, the actual duration of the padding field can be set to be greater than or equal to the third duration. Thus, not only can the success of the bandwidth switching be ensured, but also the delay can be reduced and the communication efficiency can be improved.

[0009] In a possible design, the minimum duration of the padding field corresponds to one or more of the first bandwidths. That is, the access point device determines the first bandwidth to be switched according to the competing channel conditions, determines the actual duration of the padding field based on the first bandwidth to be switched, and adds the padding field at the end of the initial control frame according to the actual duration of the padding field. For example, if the first bandwidth to be switched is 20 MHz, the actual duration of the padding field added by the AP at the end of the initial control frame is D1, where the actual duration D1 is greater than or equal to the minimum duration d1. If the first bandwidth to be switched is 40 MHz, the actual duration of the padding field added by the AP at the end of the initial control frame is D2, where the actual duration D2 is greater than or equal to the minimum duration d2. If the first bandwidth to be switched is 80 MHz, the actual duration of the padding field added by the AP at the end of the initial control frame is D3, where the actual duration D3 is greater than or equal to the minimum duration d3. If the first bandwidth to be switched is 160 MHz, the actual duration of the padding field added by the AP at the end of the initial control frame is D4, where the actual duration D4 is greater than or equal to the minimum duration d4. Alternatively, one minimum duration can correspond to multiple first bandwidths, appropriately reducing the number of possible minimum durations. For example, if the first bandwidth to be switched is 80 MHz or 160 MHz, the actual duration of the padding field added by the AP at the end of the initial control frame is D5, where the actual duration D5 is greater than or equal to the minimum duration d5. This can not only ensure the success of bandwidth switching, but also reduce latency and improve communication efficiency.

[0010] In a possible design, the minimum duration of the padding field is determined according to at least two of the first bandwidth, the number of spatial streams NSS adopted by the station device, and the modulation and coding strategy MCS. That is, the access point device determines at least two of the first bandwidth to be switched, the NSS that needs to be adjusted and set reported by the station device, and the MCS according to the competing channel conditions, determines the actual duration of the padding field, and adds the padding field at the end of the initial control frame according to the actual duration of the padding field. For example, if the first bandwidth to be switched is 20 MHz, the NSS reported by the STA is N1, and the MCS is mode 1, the actual duration of the padding field added by the AP at the end of the initial control frame is D1, where the actual duration D1 is greater than or equal to the minimum duration d1. If the first bandwidth to be switched is 40 MHz, the NSS reported by the STA is N2, and the MCS is mode 2, the actual duration of the padding field added by the AP at the end of the initial control frame is D2, where the actual duration D2 is greater than or equal to the minimum duration d2. By adjusting multiple parameters (such as bandwidth, NSS, and MCS) in parallel and classifying and setting the minimum duration of the padding field in a refined manner, the latency can be reduced as much as possible, and the communication efficiency can be improved.

[0011] In a possible design, the access point device receives the capability information sent by the station device, where the capability information is used to indicate the minimum duration of the padding field. The access point device can set different minimum durations of the padding field for different first bandwidths according to the capability information reported by the station device. This can not only ensure successful bandwidth switching, but also reduce latency and improve communication efficiency.

[0012] In a possible design, the capability information includes at least one of the following: the mapping relationship between the size relationship between the first bandwidth and the second bandwidth and the minimum duration of the padding field; the mapping relationship between the first bandwidth and the minimum duration of the padding field; the mapping relationship between at least two of the first bandwidth, the number of spatial streams (NSS) and the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) adopted by the station device and the minimum duration of the padding field. The access point device can refer to the mapping relationship and set different minimum durations of the padding field for different parameter values. This can not only ensure successful switching of each parameter, but also reduce latency and improve communication efficiency.

[0013] In a possible design, the capability information includes a first duration and a second duration. The first duration is the minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, and the second duration is the minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth; or

[0014] The capability information includes a third duration, where the third duration is the minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth; or

[0015] The capability information includes multiple minimum durations of the padding field, and one minimum duration corresponds to one or more first bandwidths; or

[0016] The capability information includes multiple minimum durations of the padding field, and one minimum duration corresponds to at least two of the first bandwidth, the number of spatial streams (NSS) and the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) adopted by the station device.

[0017] Based on the minimum durations of the padding field in different situations, the access point device sets different minimum durations of the padding field for different parameter values. This can not only ensure successful switching of each parameter, but also reduce latency and improve communication efficiency.

[0018] In a possible design, the second bandwidth is the initial bandwidth used by the station device.

[0019] In a possible design, the first bandwidth is the bandwidth determined according to the channel competition situation.

[0020] In a possible design, the wireless frame further includes a frame check field, where the frame check field is located after the padding field, or the frame check field is located before the padding field and after the control field.

[0021] In a possible design, the wireless frame is an initial frame or an initial control frame.

[0022] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to a station device, or a chip or circuit configured in the station device, and includes:

[0023] Receiving a wireless frame sent by an access point device, where the wireless frame includes a control field and a padding field, the padding field is located after the control field, the control field is used to indicate a first bandwidth, the first bandwidth is the bandwidth of the wireless frame, and the minimum duration of the padding field is determined according to the first bandwidth; based on the wireless frame, switching to the first bandwidth.

[0024] Considering the lock-in delay of the phase-locked loop when adjusting the bandwidth, different minimum durations of the padding field are set for different first bandwidths, so that the station device can complete the bandwidth switching within the minimum duration of the padding field, thereby ensuring the success of the bandwidth switching. Moreover, it is possible to avoid unnecessary switching delays generated during the dynamic capability configuration or dynamic power saving process due to setting a unified time delay, and improve the communication efficiency.

[0025] In a possible design, when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to a second bandwidth, the minimum duration of the padding field is a first duration, or when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth, the minimum duration of the padding field is a second duration. That is, the access point device determines the first bandwidth to be switched according to the competition channel situation, determines the actual duration of the padding field based on the first bandwidth to be switched, and adds a padding field at the end of the initial control frame according to the actual duration of the padding field. If the first bandwidth to be switched is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, the actual duration of the padding field can be set to be greater than or equal to the first duration. If the first bandwidth to be switched is greater than the second bandwidth, the actual duration of the padding field can be set to be greater than or equal to the second duration. Thus, not only can the success of the bandwidth switching be ensured, but also the delay can be reduced and the communication efficiency can be improved.

[0026] In a possible design, when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, the minimum duration of the padding field is 0, or when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth, the minimum duration of the padding field is the third duration. That is, the access point device determines the first bandwidth to be switched according to the competing channel situation, determines the actual duration of the padding field based on the first bandwidth to be switched, and adds the padding field at the end of the initial control frame according to the actual duration of the padding field. If the bandwidth of the wireless frame is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, the actual duration of the padding field can be set to be greater than or equal to 0. If the bandwidth of the wireless frame is greater than the second bandwidth, the actual duration of the padding field can be set to be greater than or equal to the third duration. Thus, not only can the bandwidth switching be ensured to succeed, but also the delay can be reduced and the communication efficiency can be improved.

[0027] In a possible design, the minimum duration of the padding field corresponds to one or more of the first bandwidths. That is, the access point device determines the first bandwidth to be switched according to the competing channel situation, determines the actual duration of the padding field based on the first bandwidth to be switched, and adds the padding field at the end of the initial control frame according to the actual duration of the padding field. For example, if the first bandwidth to be switched is 20 MHz, the actual duration of the padding field added by the AP at the end of the initial control frame is D1, where the actual duration D1 is greater than or equal to the minimum duration d1. If the first bandwidth to be switched is 40 MHz, the actual duration of the padding field added by the AP at the end of the initial control frame is D2, where the actual duration D2 is greater than or equal to the minimum duration d2. If the first bandwidth to be switched is 80 MHz, the actual duration of the padding field added by the AP at the end of the initial control frame is D3, where the actual duration D3 is greater than or equal to the minimum duration d3. If the first bandwidth to be switched is 160 MHz, the actual duration of the padding field added by the AP at the end of the initial control frame is D4, where the actual duration D4 is greater than or equal to the minimum duration d4. Alternatively, one minimum duration corresponds to multiple first bandwidths, and the number of possible minimum durations can be appropriately reduced. For example, if the first bandwidth to be switched is 80 MHz or 160 MHz, the actual duration of the padding field added by the AP at the end of the initial control frame is D5, where the actual duration D5 is greater than or equal to the minimum duration d5. Thus, not only can the bandwidth switching be ensured to succeed, but also the delay can be reduced and the communication efficiency can be improved.

[0028] In a possible design, the minimum duration of the padding field is determined according to at least two of the first bandwidth, the number of spatial streams NSS adopted by the station device, and the modulation and coding strategy MCS. That is, the access point device determines at least two of the first bandwidth to be switched according to the competition channel situation, the NSS and MCS that need to be adjusted and set reported by the station device, determines the actual duration of the padding field, and adds the padding field at the end of the initial control frame according to the actual duration of the padding field. For example, if the first bandwidth to be switched is 20 MHz, the NSS reported by the STA is N1 and the MCS is mode 1, the actual duration of the padding field added by the AP at the end of the initial control frame is D1, where the actual duration D1 is greater than or equal to the minimum duration d1. If the first bandwidth to be switched is 40 MHz, the NSS reported by the STA is N2 and the MCS is mode 2, the actual duration of the padding field added by the AP at the end of the initial control frame is D2, where the actual duration D2 is greater than or equal to the minimum duration d2. By adjusting multiple parameters (such as bandwidth, NSS, and MCS) in parallel and classifying and setting the minimum duration of the padding field in a refined manner, the delay can be reduced as much as possible, and the communication efficiency can be improved.

[0029] In a possible design, capability information is sent to the access point device, and the capability information is used to indicate the minimum duration of the padding field. So that the access point device can set different minimum durations of the padding field for different first bandwidths according to the capability information reported by the station device. Thus, not only can the bandwidth switching be ensured to succeed, but also the delay can be reduced and the communication efficiency can be improved.

[0030] In a possible design, the capability information includes at least one of the following information: the mapping relationship between the size relationship between the first bandwidth and the second bandwidth and the minimum duration of the padding field; the mapping relationship between the first bandwidth and the minimum duration of the padding field; the mapping relationship between at least two of the first bandwidth, the NSS adopted by the station device, and the MCS and the minimum duration of the padding field. So that the access point device can refer to the mapping relationship and set different minimum durations of the padding field for different parameter values. Thus, not only can the switching of each parameter be ensured to succeed, but also the delay can be reduced and the communication efficiency can be improved.

[0031] In a possible design, the capability information includes a first duration and a second duration. The first duration is the minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, and the second duration is the minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth; or

[0032] The capability information includes a third duration, where the third duration is the minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth; or

[0033] The capability information includes multiple minimum durations of the padding field, and one minimum duration corresponds to one or more first bandwidths; or

[0034] The capability information includes multiple minimum durations of the padding field, and one minimum duration corresponds to at least two of the first bandwidth, the NSS and MCS adopted by the station device.

[0035] By reporting the minimum durations of the padding field in different situations, the access point device can set different minimum durations of the padding field for different parameter values. Thus, not only can the successful switching of each parameter be ensured, but also the delay can be reduced and the communication efficiency can be improved.

[0036] In a possible design, the second bandwidth is the initial bandwidth used by the station device.

[0037] In a possible design, the first bandwidth is the bandwidth determined according to the channel competition situation.

[0038] In a possible design, within the minimum duration of the padding field, switch to the first bandwidth. By completing the bandwidth switching within the minimum duration of the padding field, the success of the bandwidth switching can be ensured and the delay can be reduced.

[0039] In a possible design, the wireless frame further includes a frame check field, where the frame check field is located after the padding field, or, the frame check field is located before the padding field and after the control field.

[0040] In a possible design, the wireless frame is an initial frame or an initial control frame.

[0041] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, and the device includes:

[0042] A processing module, configured to generate a wireless frame, where the wireless frame includes a control field and a padding field, the padding field is located after the control field, the control field is used to indicate a first bandwidth, the first bandwidth is the bandwidth of the wireless frame, and the minimum duration of the padding field is determined according to the first bandwidth;

[0043] A sending module, configured to send the wireless frame to a station device.

[0044] In a possible design, when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, the minimum duration of the padding field is the first duration, or when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth, the minimum duration of the padding field is the second duration.

[0045] In a possible design, when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, the minimum duration of the padding field is 0, or when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth, the minimum duration of the padding field is the third duration.

[0046] In a possible design, the minimum duration of the padding field corresponds to one or more of the first bandwidths.

[0047] In a possible design, the minimum duration of the padding field is determined according to at least two of the first bandwidth, the number of spatial streams NSS adopted by the station device, and the modulation and coding strategy MCS.

[0048] In a possible design, the device further includes:

[0049] a receiving module, configured to receive the capability information sent by the station device, where the capability information is used to indicate the minimum duration of the padding field.

[0050] In a possible design, the capability information includes at least one of the following information: the mapping relationship between the magnitude relationship between the first bandwidth and the second bandwidth and the minimum duration of the padding field; the mapping relationship between the first bandwidth and the minimum duration of the padding field; the mapping relationship between at least two of the first bandwidth, the NSS adopted by the station device, and the MCS and the minimum duration of the padding field.

[0051] In a possible design, the capability information includes the first duration and the second duration, where the first duration is the minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, and the second duration is the minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth; or

[0052] the capability information includes the third duration, where the third duration is the minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth; or

[0053] the capability information includes multiple minimum durations of the padding field, and one minimum duration corresponds to one or more first bandwidths; or

[0054] the capability information includes multiple minimum durations of the padding field, and one minimum duration corresponds to at least two of the first bandwidth, the NSS adopted by the station device, and the MCS.

[0055] In a possible design, the second bandwidth is the initial bandwidth used by the station device.

[0056] In a possible design, the first bandwidth is the bandwidth determined according to the channel competition situation.

[0057] In a possible design, the wireless frame further includes a frame check field, which is located after the padding field, or, the frame check field is located before the padding field and after the control field.

[0058] In a possible design, the wireless frame is an initial frame or an initial control frame.

[0059] The operations performed by the communication device and the beneficial effects can be referred to the method and beneficial effects described in the first aspect above, and the repeated parts will not be elaborated.

[0060] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which includes:

[0061] A receiving module, configured to receive a wireless frame sent by an access point device, where the wireless frame includes a control field and a padding field, the padding field is located after the control field, the control field is used to indicate a first bandwidth, the first bandwidth is the bandwidth of the wireless frame, and the minimum duration of the padding field is determined according to the first bandwidth;

[0062] A processing module, configured to switch to the first bandwidth based on the wireless frame.

[0063] In a possible design, when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, the minimum duration of the padding field is a first duration, or, when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth, the minimum duration of the padding field is a second duration.

[0064] In a possible design, when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, the minimum duration of the padding field is 0, or, when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth, the minimum duration of the padding field is a third duration.

[0065] In a possible design, the minimum duration of the padding field corresponds to one or more of the first bandwidths.

[0066] In a possible design, the minimum duration of the padding field is determined according to at least two of the first bandwidth, the number of spatial streams NSS adopted by the station device, and the modulation and coding strategy MCS.

[0067] In a possible design, the device further includes:

[0068] A sending module, configured to send capability information to an access point device, where the capability information is used to indicate a minimum duration of the padding field.

[0069] In a possible design, the capability information includes at least one of the following information: a mapping relationship between a magnitude relationship between the first bandwidth and the second bandwidth and the minimum duration of the padding field; a mapping relationship between the first bandwidth and the minimum duration of the padding field; a mapping relationship between at least two of the first bandwidth, the NSS and MCS adopted by the station device and the minimum duration of the padding field.

[0070] In a possible design, the capability information includes a first duration and a second duration, where the first duration is the minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, and the second duration is the minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth; or

[0071] The capability information includes a third duration, where the third duration is the minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth; or

[0072] The capability information includes multiple minimum durations of the padding field, and one minimum duration corresponds to one or more first bandwidths; or

[0073] The capability information includes multiple minimum durations of the padding field, and one minimum duration corresponds to at least two of the first bandwidth, the NSS and MCS adopted by the station device.

[0074] In a possible design, the second bandwidth is an initial bandwidth used by the station device.

[0075] In a possible design, the first bandwidth is a bandwidth determined according to channel competition.

[0076] In a possible design, the processing module is further configured to switch to the first bandwidth within the minimum duration of the padding field.

[0077] In a possible design, the wireless frame further includes a frame check field, where the frame check field is located after the padding field, or, the frame check field is located before the padding field and after the control field.

[0078] In a possible design, the wireless frame is an initial frame or an initial control frame.

[0079] For the operations and beneficial effects performed by this communication device, reference may be made to the method and beneficial effects described in the second aspect above, and repeated parts will not be elaborated.

[0080] Fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, the communication device includes a processor and a memory, the memory is used to store a computer program; the processor is used to execute the computer program stored in the memory, so that the communication device executes the method described in any one of the first aspect.

[0081] Sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, the communication device includes a processor and a memory, the memory is used to store a computer program; the processor is used to execute the computer program stored in the memory, so that the communication device executes the method described in any one of the second aspect.

[0082] Seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be an access point device, or a device in the access point device, or a device that can be used in conjunction with the access point device. Among them, the communication device may also be a chip system. The communication device can execute the method described in the first aspect. The functions of the communication device can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. The module can be software and / or hardware. The operations and beneficial effects executed by the communication device can refer to the method and beneficial effects described in the first aspect above, and the repeated parts will not be elaborated.

[0083] Eighth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be a station device, or a device in the station device, or a device that can be used in conjunction with the station device. Among them, the communication device may also be a chip system. The communication device can execute the method described in the second aspect. The functions of the communication device can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. The module can be software and / or hardware. The operations and beneficial effects executed by the communication device can refer to the method and beneficial effects described in the second aspect above, and the repeated parts will not be elaborated.

[0084] Ninth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, the computer-readable storage medium is used to store a computer program, and when the computer program is executed, the method described in any one of the first aspect and the second aspect is realized.

[0085] Tenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product including a computer program, and when the computer program is executed, the method described in any one of the first aspect and the second aspect is realized.

[0086] In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which includes at least one station device and at least one access point device. The access point device is configured to perform the steps in the first aspect above, and the station device is configured to perform the steps in the second aspect above.

[0087] In a twelfth aspect, a chip is provided. The chip includes a processor and a communication interface. The communication interface is used to communicate with external or internal devices, and the processor is used to implement the methods in the above aspects.

[0088] In a possible design, the chip may further include a memory, in which computer programs or instructions are stored. The processor is configured to execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory, or other programs or instructions. When the computer programs or instructions are executed, the processor is used to implement the methods in the above aspects.

[0089] In a possible design, the chip may be integrated on the station device or the access point device. Description of the Drawings

[0090] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0091] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of bandwidth switching;

[0092] Figure 3 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0093] Figure 4A is a schematic diagram of bandwidth switching;

[0094] Figure 4B is a schematic diagram of another bandwidth switching;

[0095] Figure 5A is a schematic diagram of bandwidth switching;

[0096] Figure 5B is a schematic diagram of another bandwidth switching;

[0097] Figure 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0098] Figure 7 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0099] Figure 8 is a schematic structural diagram of an access point device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0100] Figure 9It is a schematic structural diagram of a site device provided by an embodiment of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0101] As Figure 1 shown, Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application. The communication system can be a wireless local area network, and the wireless local area network includes at least one access point (AP) and at least one station (STA). The AP is a network element that provides services for the stations and can be called an access point station (AP Station), for example, an access point that supports the 802.11 series of protocols. The station STA can be a station that supports the 802.11 series of protocols and can be called a non-access point station (non-AP STA). For example, an extremely high throughput (EHT) station, or a station that supports IEEE 802.11be, or a station that supports IEEE 802.11bn (WiFi 8).

[0102] In this communication system, one AP can be associated with multiple STAs, and one AP can perform data transmission with multiple STAs. For example, Figure 1 the AP in

[0103] can perform uplink data or downlink data transmission with 3 or more STAs. This communication system can be applicable to communication between APs, and can also be applied to communication between an AP and an STA, and communication between STAs.

[0103] Currently, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 next-generation WiFi protocol devices can support improving peak throughput and reducing the latency of service transmission by means such as multiple stream numbers, multiple frequency bands (for example, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz frequency bands), and cooperation through multiple channels on the same frequency band. That is to say, Figure 1In the communication system shown, the STA can transmit uplink or downlink data in a multi-band or multi-channel manner, that is, the STA can transmit uplink or downlink data through multiple links. The STA that transmits uplink or downlink data through multiple links can be called a multi-link STA. Among them, an IEEE 802.11 standard station that supports multiple links simultaneously can be called a multi-link device (MLD), and the internal entity responsible for any one link in the MLD is called an STA. An IEEE 802.11 standard station that only supports one link or an IEEE 802.11 standard station that only operates on one link is called a single link device (SLD). Since it only supports one link, it can also be called a single link (SL) STA. Among them, if the MLD is an AP, it can be further called a multi-link (ML) AP. If the MLD is a non-AP STA, it can be further called an ML non-AP STA.

[0104] For example, Figure 1 In the communication system shown, the STA can be a multi-link STA, and the AP can also be a multi-link AP, that is, an AP that can receive uplink or send downlink data through multiple links. Among them, the multi-link STA can include one or more STAs, and the one or more STAs operate on multiple links; the multi-link AP includes one or more APs, and the one or more APs operate on multiple links.

[0105] For the above communication system, during the communication process between the AP and the STA, when considering the handover delay setting, it is necessary that the handover delay can ensure the completion of the capability configuration handover, and it is also desired that the handover delay is as small as possible to achieve low-latency dynamic capability adjustment. For example, the IEEE 802.11be standard reduces the number of spatial streams (NSS) and modulation and coding scheme (MCS) in the low-power listening mode of enhanced multi-link single radio (eMLSR), uses a lower capability configuration to reduce power consumption, and then adjusts and improves NSS and MCS when switching to the data transmission mode.

[0106] The IEEE 802.11be (WiFi 7) standard does not introduce bandwidth adjustment when switching between the low-power listening mode and the data transmission mode, does not design a dedicated delay for bandwidth adjustment, and cannot allow the clock switching to complete. Therefore, it does not support bandwidth adjustment. To introduce bandwidth adjustment, it is necessary to address the delay required for STA bandwidth adjustment. The latest solution is to add a padding field at the end of the initial control frame (ICF) sent by the AP. As Figure 2 shown, Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of bandwidth switching. The duration of the Padding field is used to cover the time for STA bandwidth switching. The STA completes the bandwidth switching within the duration of the Padding field. Then, the STA performs a clear channel assessment (CCA) during the short interframe space (SIFS), and sends an ICF response to the AP when the channel is idle. After receiving the ICF response, the AP can send data to the STA. Among them, the initial control frame can be a multi user-request to send (MU-RTS) frame, and the ICF response can be a clear to send (CTS) frame.

[0107] However, this technical solution has the following problems: First, the switching delay is not adjusted according to the actual bandwidth to be switched. Since a long switching delay is not required when the bandwidth remains unchanged, setting a unified delay will generate unnecessary switching delays during the dynamic capability configuration or dynamic energy-saving process. Second, the bandwidth depends on channel competition and is uncertain. Therefore, it is possible that the actual bandwidth obtained through competition is the same as the initial bandwidth, while this situation does not occur in the adjustment of the two parameters of NSS and MCS. How to set different switching delays in combination with the actual situation is an urgent problem to be solved.

[0108] To solve the above technical problems, the embodiments of the present application provide the following solutions.

[0109] As Figure 3 shown, Figure 3 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. The method mainly includes the following steps:

[0110] S301, the access point device generates a wireless frame, the wireless frame includes a control field and a padding field, the padding field is located after the control field, the control field is used to indicate a first bandwidth, the first bandwidth is the bandwidth of the wireless frame, and the minimum duration of the padding field is determined according to the first bandwidth.

[0111] Specifically, the access point device can add a padding field at the end of the control field, and use the actual duration of the padding field to cover the time required for the phase-locked loop to generate a clock and wait for the clock to stabilize, so that the station device can complete bandwidth switching within the actual duration of the padding field. Among them, the padding field can be invalid data, and the actual duration of the padding field is greater than or equal to the minimum duration of the padding field. In the optimal case, the actual duration of the padding field can be set to the minimum duration of the padding field to reduce latency.

[0112] Optionally, the wireless frame can also include a frame check field, which is located after the padding field, or the frame check field is located before the padding field and after the control field. The frame check field is used to check the control field, and the frame check field can be a frame check sequence (FCS).

[0113] Among them, the wireless frame can be an initial frame or an initial control frame.

[0114] Optionally, the access point device can receive the capability information sent by the station device, and the capability information is used to indicate the minimum duration of the padding field. The access point device can determine the minimum duration of the padding field according to the capability information reported by the station device and generate a wireless frame. Optionally, when the station device establishes an association with the access point device, or enables the dynamic power saving mode, or needs to be updated during the dynamic power saving mode, the station device reports the capability information to the access point device. Optionally, the station device can report the capability information through an association request frame or a reassociation request frame, or a dynamic power saving mode enable frame, or a dynamic power saving mode notification frame, or other frames. The reported content can be included in the basic dynamic power saving element in the (re)association request frame, or the dynamic power saving parameter field in the dynamic power saving mode enable frame, or the dynamic power saving parameter update field in the dynamic power saving mode notification frame, or other fields in these frames or other frames.

[0115] Specifically, the capability information may include a first duration and a second duration. The first duration is the minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, and the second duration is the minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth. Alternatively, the capability information may include a third duration, which is the minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth. Alternatively, the capability information may include multiple minimum durations of the padding field, with one minimum duration corresponding to one or more first bandwidths. Alternatively, the capability information includes multiple minimum durations of the padding field, with one minimum duration corresponding to at least two of the first bandwidth, the NSS and MCS adopted by the station device. Herein, the second bandwidth may be a specific value or the initial bandwidth used by the station device.

[0116] Wherein, the capability information includes at least one of the following information:

[0117] The first mapping relationship, which is the mapping relationship between the magnitude relationship between the first bandwidth and the second bandwidth and the minimum duration of the padding field. For example, when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, the minimum duration of the padding field is d1; when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth, the minimum duration of the padding field is d2, where d1 is less than d2. Alternatively, when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, the minimum duration of the padding field is 0; when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth, the minimum duration of the padding field is d3. In this way, when the AP sends the ICF, it refers to this mapping relationship to select the corresponding minimum duration and add a padding field at the end of the control field.

[0118] The second mapping relationship, which is the mapping relationship between the first bandwidth and the minimum duration of the padding field. For example, when the first bandwidth is 20 MHz, the minimum duration of the padding field is the first duration d1; when the first bandwidth is 40 MHz, the minimum duration of the padding field is the second duration d2; when the first bandwidth is 80 MHz, the minimum duration of the padding field is the third duration d3; when the first bandwidth is 160 MHz, the minimum duration of the padding field is the fourth duration d4. Of course, multiple first bandwidths may also correspond to one minimum duration. For example, when the first bandwidth is 80 MHz or 160 MHz, the minimum duration of the padding field is both the fifth duration d5. In this way, when the AP sends the ICF, it refers to this mapping relationship to select the corresponding minimum duration and add a padding field at the end of the control field.

[0119] The third mapping relationship is the mapping relationship between at least two of the first bandwidth, the NSS and MCS adopted by the site device, and the minimum duration of the padding field. Specifically, different values of the same parameter combination (the first bandwidth, NSS, and MCS) correspond to different minimum durations of the padding field. For example, when the first bandwidth is 20 MHz, the NSS is N1, and the MCS is mode 1, the minimum duration of the padding field is the first duration d1; when the first bandwidth is 40 MHz, the NSS is N2, and the MCS is mode 2, the minimum duration of the padding field is the second duration d2; when the first bandwidth is 80 MHz, the NSS is N3, and the MCS is mode 3, the minimum duration of the padding field is the third duration d3; when the first bandwidth is 160 MHz, the NSS is N4, and the MCS is mode 4, the minimum duration of the padding field is the fourth duration d4. Or, different values of the same parameter combination (the first bandwidth, NSS, and MCS) correspond to the same minimum duration of the padding field. For example, in the case where the first bandwidth is 80 MHz, the NSS is N5, and the MCS is mode 5, and in the case where the first bandwidth is 160 MHz, the NSS is N6, and the MCS is mode 6, the minimum duration of the padding field is both the fifth duration d5. In this way, when the AP sends the ICF, it selects the corresponding minimum duration according to this mapping relationship and adds a padding field at the end of the control field.

[0120] It should be noted that the cases of adjusting any two or more of the multiple parameters are within the scope of protection of this application. For example, the minimum duration of the padding field is set according to the combination of the two parameters of the first bandwidth and MCS, or the minimum duration of the padding field is set according to the combination of the two parameters of the first bandwidth and NSS, or the minimum duration of the padding field is set according to the combination of the two parameters of NSS and MCS.

[0121] Among them, the control field in the wireless frame is used to indicate the first bandwidth, and the first bandwidth is the bandwidth of the wireless frame, that is, the first bandwidth is the bandwidth used by the access point device to send the wireless frame. Further, the first bandwidth is the bandwidth to be switched determined by the access point device according to the competition channel situation. The access point device can determine the minimum duration of the padding field according to the first bandwidth based on the above mapping relationship. Specifically, the methods for determining the minimum duration of the padding field can include the following several ways:

[0122] In one implementation, when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, the minimum duration of the padding field is the first duration; or when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth, the minimum duration of the padding field is the second duration. Herein, the first duration is less than the second duration. That is to say, the access point device can determine the first bandwidth to be switched according to the competition channel condition, look up the above first mapping relationship based on the first bandwidth to be switched, determine the actual duration of the padding field, and add the padding field at the end of the initial control frame according to the actual duration of the padding field. If the first bandwidth to be switched is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, the actual duration of the padding field can be set to be greater than or equal to the first duration; if the first bandwidth to be switched is greater than the second bandwidth, the actual duration of the padding field can be set to be greater than or equal to the second duration.

[0123] As Figure 4A shown, Figure 4A it is a schematic diagram of bandwidth switching. When the STA is in the low-power listening mode, the initial bandwidth of 20 MHz is adopted. If the first bandwidth to be switched is 20 MHz, then the first bandwidth is equal to the initial bandwidth, and the actual duration of the padding field added by the access point device at the end of the initial control frame is D1, wherein the actual duration D1 is greater than or equal to the first duration d1. After the STA receives the control field from the AP, since the first bandwidth is equal to the initial bandwidth, there is no need to switch the bandwidth.

[0124] Another example is Figure 4B shown, Figure 4B it is another schematic diagram of bandwidth switching. When the STA is in the low-power listening mode, the initial bandwidth of 20 MHz is adopted. If the first bandwidth to be switched is 40 MHz or 80 MHz, then the first bandwidth is greater than the initial bandwidth, and the actual duration of the padding field added by the AP at the end of the initial control frame is D2, wherein the actual duration D2 is greater than or equal to the second duration d2. After the STA receives the control field from the AP, the STA starts to perform bandwidth switching within the actual duration D2 of the padding field according to the first bandwidth indicated by the control field. After the STA completes the bandwidth switching, it performs CCA and sends an ICF response.

[0125] In another implementation, when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, the minimum duration of the padding field is 0, or when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth, the minimum duration of the padding field is the third duration. That is, the access point device determines the first bandwidth to be switched according to the competing channel conditions, looks up the above first mapping relationship based on the first bandwidth to be switched, determines the actual duration of the padding field, and adds the padding field at the end of the initial control frame according to the actual duration of the padding field. If the bandwidth of the wireless frame is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, the actual duration of the padding field can be set to be greater than or equal to 0. If the bandwidth of the wireless frame is greater than the second bandwidth, the actual duration of the padding field can be set to be greater than or equal to the third duration.

[0126] As Figure 5A shown, Figure 5A FIG. is a schematic diagram of bandwidth switching. When the STA is in the low-power listening mode, the initial bandwidth of 20 MHz is adopted. If the first bandwidth to be switched is 20 MHz, then the first bandwidth is equal to the initial bandwidth, and the actual duration of the padding field added by the AP at the end of the initial control frame is 0. After the STA receives the control field from the AP, since the first bandwidth is equal to the initial bandwidth, there is no need to switch the bandwidth.

[0127] Another example is Figure 5B shown, Figure 5B FIG. is another schematic diagram of bandwidth switching. When the STA is in the low-power listening mode, the initial bandwidth of 20 MHz is adopted. If the first bandwidth to be switched is 40 MHz or 80 MHz, then the first bandwidth is greater than the initial bandwidth, and the actual duration of the padding field added by the AP at the end of the initial control frame is D3, where the actual duration D3 is greater than or equal to the third duration d3. After the STA receives the control field from the AP, the STA starts to perform bandwidth switching within the actual duration D3 of the padding field according to the first bandwidth indicated by the control field. After the STA completes the bandwidth switching, it performs CCA and sends an ICF response.

[0128] In another implementation, the minimum duration of the padding field corresponds to one or more of the first bandwidths. That is, the access point device determines the first bandwidth to be switched according to the competing channel conditions, looks up the above-mentioned second mapping relationship based on the first bandwidth to be switched, determines the actual duration of the padding field, and adds the padding field at the end of the initial control frame according to the actual duration of the padding field. For example, if the first bandwidth to be switched is 20 MHz, the actual duration of the padding field added by the AP at the end of the initial control frame is D1, where the actual duration D1 is greater than or equal to the first duration d1. If the first bandwidth to be switched is 40 MHz, the actual duration of the padding field added by the AP at the end of the initial control frame is D2, where the actual duration D2 is greater than or equal to the second duration d2. If the first bandwidth to be switched is 80 MHz, the actual duration of the padding field added by the AP at the end of the initial control frame is D3, where the actual duration D3 is greater than or equal to the third duration d3. If the first bandwidth to be switched is 160 MHz, the actual duration of the padding field added by the AP at the end of the initial control frame is D4, where the actual duration D4 is greater than or equal to the fourth duration d4. Or, if the first bandwidth to be switched is 80 MHz or 160 MHz, the actual duration of the padding field added by the AP at the end of the initial control frame is D5, where the actual duration D5 is greater than or equal to the minimum duration d5.

[0129] In another implementation, the minimum duration of the padding field is determined according to at least two of the first bandwidth, the NSS and MCS adopted by the station device. The station device can report the NSS and / or MCS that need to be adjusted through an operating mode notification frame or a similar frame in the existing standard (802.11be). That is, the access point device can determine at least two of the first bandwidth to be switched, the NSS and MCS reported by the station device according to the competing channel conditions, look up the above-mentioned third mapping relationship, determine the actual duration of the padding field, and add the padding field at the end of the initial control frame according to the actual duration of the padding field. For example, if the first bandwidth to be switched is 20 MHz, the NSS reported by the STA is N1, and the MCS is mode 1, the actual duration of the padding field added by the AP at the end of the initial control frame is D1, where the actual duration D1 is greater than or equal to the first duration d1. If the first bandwidth to be switched is 40 MHz, the NSS reported by the STA is N2, and the MCS is mode 2, the actual duration of the padding field added by the AP at the end of the initial control frame is D2, where the actual duration D2 is greater than or equal to the second duration d2. Other cases are similar and will not be exemplified here one by one.

[0130] It should be noted that the above mapping relationship is only exemplary. The minimum duration of the corresponding padding field set according to different rules is within the scope of protection of this application. By adjusting multiple parameters (such as bandwidth, NSS, and MCS) in parallel and classifying and setting the minimum duration of the padding field in a refined manner, the effect of minimizing latency can be achieved as much as possible.

[0131] S302, the access point device sends the wireless frame to the station device.

[0132] S303, the station device switches to the first bandwidth based on the wireless frame.

[0133] Specifically, after receiving the control field from the access point device, the station device starts to perform bandwidth switching and switches to the first bandwidth within the minimum duration of the padding field according to the first bandwidth indicated by the control field.

[0134] In the embodiments of the present application, considering the lock-in delay of the phase-locked loop when adjusting the bandwidth, different minimum durations of the padding field are set for different first bandwidths, so that the station device can complete the bandwidth switching within the minimum duration of the padding field, thereby ensuring the success of the bandwidth switching. Moreover, it is possible to avoid unnecessary switching delays generated during the dynamic capability configuration or dynamic power saving process due to setting a unified latency, and improve the communication efficiency.

[0135] It can be understood that in the above method embodiments, the methods and operations implemented by the station device can also be implemented by components (such as chips or circuits) available for the station device, and the methods and operations implemented by the access point device can also be implemented by components (such as chips or circuits) available for the access point device.

[0136] The embodiments of the present application can divide the station device or the access point device into functional modules according to the above method examples. For example, each functional module can be divided corresponding to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The above integrated modules can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional modules. It should be noted that the division of modules in the embodiments of the present application is illustrative, only a logical function division, and there may be other division methods in actual implementation. The following takes the example of dividing each functional module corresponding to each function for illustration.

[0137] The above has Figure 3 described in detail the method provided by the embodiments of the present application. Next, Figures 6 to 7 the communication device provided by the embodiments of the present application will be described in detail. It should be understood that the description of the device embodiments corresponds to the description of the method embodiments. Therefore, the content not described in detail can be referred to the above method embodiments. For the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0138] Please refer to Figure 6 , Figure 6 which is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application. The communication device may include a receiving module 601, a processing module 602, and a transmitting module 603.

[0139] The communication device can implement the steps or processes executed by the access point device corresponding to the above method embodiment. For example, it can be an access point device, or a chip or circuit configured in the access point device. The receiving module 601 and the transmitting module 603 are used to perform the transceiver-related operations on the access point device side in the above method embodiment, and the processing module 602 is used to perform the processing-related operations on the access point device in the above method embodiment.

[0140] The processing module 602 is used to generate a wireless frame, the wireless frame includes a control field and a padding field, the padding field is located after the control field, the control field is used to indicate a first bandwidth, the first bandwidth is the bandwidth of the wireless frame, and the minimum duration of the padding field is determined according to the first bandwidth;

[0141] The transmitting module 603 is used to send the wireless frame to the station device.

[0142] Optionally, when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, the minimum duration of the padding field is the first duration, or when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth, the minimum duration of the padding field is the second duration.

[0143] Optionally, when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, the minimum duration of the padding field is 0, or when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth, the minimum duration of the padding field is the third duration.

[0144] Optionally, the minimum duration of the padding field corresponds to one or more of the first bandwidths.

[0145] Optionally, the minimum duration of the padding field is determined according to at least two of the first bandwidth, the number of spatial streams NSS adopted by the station device, and the modulation and coding strategy MCS.

[0146] Optionally, the receiving module 601 is used to receive the capability information sent by the station device, and the capability information is used to indicate the minimum duration of the padding field.

[0147] Optionally, the capability information includes at least one of the following information: the mapping relationship between the magnitude relationship between the first bandwidth and the second bandwidth and the minimum duration of the padding field; the mapping relationship between the first bandwidth and the minimum duration of the padding field; the mapping relationship between at least two of the first bandwidth, the NSS and MCS adopted by the station device and the minimum duration of the padding field.

[0148] Optionally, the capability information includes a first duration and a second duration, where the first duration is the minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, and the second duration is the minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth; or

[0149] The capability information includes a third duration, where the third duration is the minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth; or

[0150] The capability information includes multiple minimum durations of the padding field, and one minimum duration corresponds to one or more first bandwidths; or

[0151] The capability information includes multiple minimum durations of the padding field, and one minimum duration corresponds to at least two of the first bandwidth, the NSS and MCS adopted by the station device.

[0152] Optionally, the second bandwidth is the initial bandwidth used by the station device.

[0153] Optionally, the first bandwidth is a bandwidth determined according to the channel competition situation.

[0154] Optionally, the wireless frame further includes a frame check field, where the frame check field is located after the padding field, or the frame check field is located before the padding field and after the control field.

[0155] Optionally, the wireless frame is an initial frame or an initial control frame.

[0156] It should be noted that the implementation of each module can also correspond to the corresponding description of the method embodiment shown in Figure 3 Execute the methods and functions performed by the access point device in the above embodiments.

[0157] Please refer to Figure 7 , Figure 7 which is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application. The communication device may include a receiving module 701, a processing module 702, and a transmitting module 703.

[0158] The communication device can implement the steps or processes corresponding to those executed by the station device in the above method embodiments. For example, it can be a station device, or a chip or circuit configured in the station device. The receiving module 701 and the transmitting module 703 are used to perform the transceiver-related operations on the station device side in the above method embodiments, and the processing module 702 is used to perform the processing-related operations on the station device in the above method embodiments.

[0159] The receiving module 701 is configured to receive a wireless frame sent by an access point device. The wireless frame includes a control field and a padding field. The padding field is located after the control field. The control field is used to indicate a first bandwidth, and the first bandwidth is the bandwidth of the wireless frame. The minimum duration of the padding field is determined according to the first bandwidth.

[0160] The processing module 702 is configured to switch to the first bandwidth based on the wireless frame.

[0161] Optionally, when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to a second bandwidth, the minimum duration of the padding field is a first duration, or when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth, the minimum duration of the padding field is a second duration.

[0162] Optionally, when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to a second bandwidth, the minimum duration of the padding field is 0, or when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth, the minimum duration of the padding field is a third duration.

[0163] Optionally, the minimum duration of the padding field corresponds to one or more of the first bandwidths.

[0164] Optionally, the minimum duration of the padding field is determined according to at least two of the first bandwidth, the number of spatial streams NSS adopted by the station device, and the modulation and coding strategy MCS.

[0165] Optionally, the device further includes:

[0166] The transmitting module 703 is configured to send capability information to the access point device, and the capability information is used to indicate the minimum duration of the padding field.

[0167] Optionally, the capability information includes at least one of the following information: the mapping relationship between the size relationship between the first bandwidth and the second bandwidth and the minimum duration of the padding field; the mapping relationship between the first bandwidth and the minimum duration of the padding field; the mapping relationship between at least two of the first bandwidth, the NSS adopted by the station device, and the MCS and the minimum duration of the padding field.

[0168] Optionally, the capability information includes a first duration and a second duration. The first duration is the minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, and the second duration is the minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth; or

[0169] The capability information includes a third duration, which is the minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth; or

[0170] The capability information includes multiple minimum durations of the padding field, and one minimum duration corresponds to one or more first bandwidths; or

[0171] The capability information includes multiple minimum durations of the padding field, and one minimum duration corresponds to at least two of the first bandwidth, the NSS and MCS adopted by the station device.

[0172] Optionally, the second bandwidth is the initial bandwidth used by the station device.

[0173] Optionally, the first bandwidth is determined according to the channel competition situation.

[0174] Optionally, the processing module 702 is further configured to switch to the first bandwidth within the minimum duration of the padding field.

[0175] Optionally, the wireless frame further includes a frame check field, which is located after the padding field, or the frame check field is located before the padding field and after the control field.

[0176] Optionally, the wireless frame is an initial frame or an initial control frame.

[0177] It should be noted that the implementation of each module can also correspond to the corresponding description in the method embodiment shown in Figure 3 to execute the methods and functions performed by the station device in the above embodiments.

[0178] Figure 8 is a schematic structural diagram of an access point device provided by an embodiment of the present application. This access point device can be applied to a system as shown in Figure 1 to execute the functions of the access point device in the above method embodiment, or implement the steps or processes executed by the access point device in the above method embodiment.

[0179] Such as Figure 8As shown in the figure, the access point device includes a processor 801 and a transceiver 802. Optionally, the access point device further includes a memory 803. Among them, the processor 801, the transceiver 802, and the memory 803 can communicate with each other through an internal connection path to transmit control and / or data signals. The memory 803 is used to store a computer program, and the processor 801 is used to call and run the computer program from the memory 803 to control the transceiver 802 to send and receive signals. Optionally, the access point device may further include an antenna for transmitting the uplink data or uplink control signaling output by the transceiver 802 through a wireless signal.

[0180] The above-mentioned processor 801 and the memory 803 can be integrated into a processing device. The processor 801 is used to execute the program code stored in the memory 803 to implement the above functions. Specifically, in implementation, the memory 803 can also be integrated in the processor 801 or independent of the processor 801. The processor 801 can correspond to Figure 6 the processing module in.

[0181] The above-mentioned transceiver 802 can correspond to Figure 6 the receiving module and the sending module in, and can also be referred to as a transceiver unit or a transceiver module. The transceiver 802 can include a receiver (or called a receiver, receiving circuit) and a transmitter (or called a transmitter, transmitting circuit). Among them, the receiver is used to receive signals, and the transmitter is used to transmit signals.

[0182] It should be understood that Figure 8 the access point device shown in the figure can implement Figure 3 each process related to the access point device in the method embodiment shown. The operations and / or functions of each module in the access point device are respectively for implementing the corresponding processes in the above method embodiment. Specifically, reference can be made to the description in the above method embodiment. To avoid repetition, the detailed description is appropriately omitted here.

[0183] The above-mentioned processor 801 can be used to execute the actions implemented inside the access point device described in the previous method embodiment, and the transceiver 802 can be used to execute the actions of the access point device sending to or receiving from the station device described in the previous method embodiment. Specifically, please refer to the description in the previous method embodiment, and details are not repeated here.

[0184] Among them, the processor 801 may be a central processing unit, a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field-programmable gate array, or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. It can implement or execute various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the disclosure of this application. The processor 801 may also be a combination that implements computing functions, such as a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, and so on. The communication bus 804 may be a peripheral component interconnect standard PCI bus or an extended industry standard architecture EISA bus, etc. The bus may be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of representation, Figure 8 only a thick line is shown in the figure, but it does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus. The communication bus 804 is used to implement the connection and communication between these components. Among them, in the embodiment of this application, the transceiver 802 is used to communicate signaling or data with other node devices. The memory 803 may include volatile memory, such as non-volatile dynamic random access memory (NVRAM), phase change random access memory (PRAM), magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM), etc., and may also include non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk storage device, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory devices, such as NOR flash memory or NAND flash memory, semiconductor devices, such as solid state disk (SSD), etc. Optionally, the memory 803 may also be at least one storage device located far from the aforementioned processor 801. Optionally, a set of computer program codes or configuration information may also be stored in the memory 803. Optionally, the processor 801 may also execute the programs stored in the memory 803. The processor may cooperate with the memory and the transceiver to execute any method and function of the access point device in the above-mentioned embodiment of this application.

[0185] Figure 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a station device provided by an embodiment of this application. This station device can be applied to, for example, Figure 1 the system shown in the figure, execute the functions of the station device in the above method embodiment, or implement the steps or processes executed by the station device in the above method embodiment.

[0186] Such as Figure 9As shown, the site device includes a processor 901 and a transceiver 902. Optionally, the site device further includes a memory 903. Among them, the processor 901, the transceiver 902, and the memory 903 can communicate with each other through an internal connection path to transmit control and / or data signals. The memory 903 is used to store computer programs, and the processor 901 is used to call and run the computer programs from the memory 903 to control the transceiver 902 to transmit and receive signals. Optionally, the site device may further include an antenna for transmitting the uplink data or uplink control signaling output by the transceiver 902 through a wireless signal.

[0187] The above-mentioned processor 901 and the memory 903 can be integrated into a processing device. The processor 901 is used to execute the program code stored in the memory 903 to implement the above functions. Specifically, in implementation, the memory 903 can also be integrated in the processor 901 or independent of the processor 901. The processor 901 can correspond to Figure 7 the processing module in.

[0188] The above-mentioned transceiver 902 can correspond to Figure 7 the receiving module and the transmitting module in, and can also be referred to as a transceiver unit or a transceiver module. The transceiver 902 can include a receiver (or a receiver, a receiving circuit) and a transmitter (or a transmitter, a transmitting circuit). Among them, the receiver is used to receive signals, and the transmitter is used to transmit signals.

[0189] It should be understood that Figure 9 the site device shown can implement Figure 3 each process related to the site device in the method embodiment shown. The operations and / or functions of each module in the site device are respectively for implementing the corresponding processes in the above method embodiment. Specifically, reference can be made to the description in the above method embodiment. To avoid repetition, the detailed description is appropriately omitted here.

[0190] The above-mentioned processor 901 can be used to execute the actions implemented inside the site device described in the previous method embodiment, and the transceiver 902 can be used to execute the actions of the site device sending to or receiving from the access point device described in the previous method embodiment. For specific details, please refer to the description in the previous method embodiment, which will not be elaborated here.

[0191] Among them, the processor 901 can be various types of processors mentioned above. The communication bus 904 can be a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus or an Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus, etc. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For the sake of convenience of representation, Figure 9It is represented by only one thick line, but it does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus. The communication bus 904 is used to implement the connection and communication between these components. Among them, the transceiver 902 of the device in the embodiment of the present application is used to communicate signaling or data with other devices. The memory 903 can be various types of memories mentioned above. Optionally, the memory 903 can also be at least one storage device located far from the aforementioned processor 901. A set of computer program codes or configuration information is stored in the memory 903, and the processor 901 executes the programs in the memory 903. The processor can cooperate with the memory and the transceiver to execute any method and function of the site device in the above-mentioned embodiment of the application.

[0192] The embodiment of the present application also provides a chip system, which includes a processor for supporting a site device or an access point device to implement the functions involved in any of the above embodiments, such as generating or processing wireless frames involved in the above methods.

[0193] In a possible design, the chip system may further include a memory for necessary computer programs and data of the site device or the access point device. The chip system can be composed of chips or can include chips and other discrete devices. Among them, the input and output of the chip system respectively correspond to the receiving and sending operations of the site device or the access point device in the method embodiment.

[0194] According to the method provided by the embodiment of the present application, the present application also provides a computer program product, which includes: a computer program, when the computer program runs on a computer, it causes the computer to execute Figure 3 the method of any one of the embodiments shown.

[0195] According to the method provided by the embodiment of the present application, the present application also provides a computer-readable medium, which stores a computer program, when the computer program runs on a computer, it causes the computer to execute Figure 3 the method of any one of the embodiments shown.

[0196] According to the method provided by the embodiment of the present application, the present application also provides a communication system, which includes one or more of the aforementioned site devices and one or more access point devices.

[0197] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable devices. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center by wire (such as coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (such as infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.). The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or a data center that includes one or more integrated available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (such as a high-definition digital video disc (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (such as a solid state disc (SSD)), etc.

[0198] As described above, the foregoing are only specific embodiments of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed by the present application can easily think of changes or substitutions, which should all be covered by the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Generating a wireless frame, where the wireless frame includes a control field and a padding field, the padding field is located after the control field, the control field is used to indicate a first bandwidth, the first bandwidth is the bandwidth of the wireless frame, and the minimum duration of the padding field is determined according to the first bandwidth; Sending the wireless frame to a station device.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein When the first bandwidth is less than or equal to a second bandwidth, the minimum duration of the padding field is a first duration, or when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth, the minimum duration of the padding field is a second duration.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein When the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, the minimum duration of the padding field is 0, or when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth, the minimum duration of the padding field is a third duration.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The minimum duration of the padding field corresponds to one or more of the first bandwidths.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The minimum duration of the padding field is determined according to at least two of the first bandwidth, the number of spatial streams NSS adopted by the station device, and the modulation and coding strategy MCS.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receiving capability information sent by the station device, where the capability information is used to indicate the minimum duration of the padding field.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The capability information includes at least one of the following information: the mapping relationship between the size relationship between the first bandwidth and the second bandwidth and the minimum duration of the padding field; the mapping relationship between the first bandwidth and the minimum duration of the padding field; the mapping relationship between at least two of the first bandwidth, the NSS adopted by the station device, and the MCS and the minimum duration of the padding field.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that The capability information includes a first duration and a second duration, the first duration is the minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, and the second duration is the minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth; or The capability information includes a third duration, the third duration is the minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth; or The capability information includes multiple minimum durations of the padding field, and one minimum duration corresponds to one or more first bandwidths; or The capability information includes multiple minimum durations of the padding field, and one minimum duration corresponds to at least two of the first bandwidth, the NSS adopted by the station device, and the MCS.

9. The method according to claim 2, 3, 7 or 8, characterized in that, The second bandwidth is the initial bandwidth used by the station device.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, The first bandwidth is the bandwidth determined according to the channel competition situation.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that, The wireless frame further includes a frame check field, the frame check field is located after the padding field, or the frame check field is located before the padding field and after the control field.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1-11, characterized in that, The wireless frame is an initial frame or an initial control frame.

13. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receive a wireless frame sent by an access point device, where the wireless frame includes a control field and a padding field, the padding field is located after the control field, the control field is used to indicate a first bandwidth, the first bandwidth is the bandwidth of the wireless frame, and the minimum duration of the padding field is determined according to the first bandwidth; Based on the wireless frame, switch to the first bandwidth.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein When the first bandwidth is less than or equal to a second bandwidth, the minimum duration of the padding field is a first duration, or when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth, the minimum duration of the padding field is a second duration.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein When the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, the minimum duration of the padding field is 0, or when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth, the minimum duration of the padding field is a third duration.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein The minimum duration of the padding field corresponds to one or more of the first bandwidths.

17. The method according to claim 13, wherein The minimum duration of the padding field is determined according to at least two of the first bandwidth, the number of spatial streams NSS adopted by the station device, and the modulation and coding strategy MCS.

18. The method according to any one of claims 13-17, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send capability information to the access point device, where the capability information is used to indicate the minimum duration of the padding field.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein, The capability information includes at least one of the following information: the mapping relationship between the size relationship between the first bandwidth and the second bandwidth and the minimum duration of the padding field; the mapping relationship between the first bandwidth and the minimum duration of the padding field; the mapping relationship between at least two of the first bandwidth, the NSS adopted by the station device, and the MCS and the minimum duration of the padding field.

20. The method according to claim 18 or 19, wherein The capability information includes a first duration and a second duration, the first duration is the minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, and the second duration is the minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth; or The capability information includes a third duration, the third duration is the minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth; or The capability information includes multiple minimum durations of the padding field, and one minimum duration corresponds to one or more first bandwidths; or The capability information includes multiple minimum durations of the padding field, and one minimum duration corresponds to at least two of the first bandwidth, the NSS adopted by the station device, and the MCS.

21. The method according to claim 14, 15, 19 or 20, characterized in that The second bandwidth is the initial bandwidth used by the station device.

22. The method according to any one of claims 13-21, characterized in that, The first bandwidth is the bandwidth determined according to the channel competition situation.

23. The method according to any one of claims 13-22, characterized in that, The switching to the first bandwidth based on the wireless frame includes: Switch to the first bandwidth within the minimum duration of the padding field.

24. The method according to any one of claims 13-23, characterized in that, The wireless frame further includes a frame check field, the frame check field is located after the padding field, or the frame check field is located before the padding field and after the control field.

25. The method according to any one of claims 13-24, characterized in that, The wireless frame is an initial frame or an initial control frame.

26. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a memory and a processor. The memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor runs the computer program to cause the communication device to execute the method according to any one of claims 1-12.

27. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a memory and a processor. The memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor runs the computer program to cause the communication device to execute the method according to any one of claims 13-25.

28. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium includes a computer program. When the computer program is run by a processor, the method according to any one of claims 1-25 is implemented.

29. A chip, characterized in that, The chip includes a processor and a communication interface. The communication interface is used to communicate with external or internal devices, and the processor is used to implement the method according to any one of claims 1-25.

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