Communication method and device, chip and storage medium

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a communication method and device, a chip and a storage medium. The method comprises the following steps: receiving first indication information, wherein the first indication information is used for indicating protected first target wake-up time TWT; and protecting the service period SP of the first TWT. The first indication information is also used for indicating the protection mode of the SP of the protected first TWT so as to protect the service period SP of the first TWT according to the protection mode. According to the method provided by the invention, the interference of the target equipment on the data transmission in the SP of the first TWT is reduced, and the stability of the data transmission is improved.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In the field of Wi-Fi technology, Target Wake Time (TWT) is introduced as a technical standard that can improve network efficiency and device battery life. TWT allows negotiation between a Wi-Fi Access Point (AP) and a Wi-Fi device to set the wake-up and sleep times, thereby effectively managing the power consumption of the device. To better support the implementation and application of the TWT technology, the TWT Service Period (SP) is introduced as an important concept. The TWT SP refers to the service period during which a Wi-Fi device operates in the TWT mode within a specific time period.

[0003] However, in the scenario of dense deployment of Wi-Fi devices, how to protect the SP for different-purpose TWTs is an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Embodiments of this application provide a communication method, apparatus, chip, and storage medium to solve the problem of how to protect the SP for different-purpose TWTs.

[0005] In a first aspect, this application provides a communication method, which is applied to a target device and includes:

[0006] Receiving first indication information for indicating a first target wake-up time TWT to be protected;

[0007] Protecting the service period SP of the first TWT.

[0008] Optionally, the first indication information includes: first information for indicating an identifier of the first TWT.

[0009] Optionally, the first information includes: the identifier of the first TWT and the identifier of a first device, where the first device is the device that sends the first indication information.

[0010] Optionally, the first indication information further includes second information for indicating a protection method for the SP of the first TWT.

[0011] Optionally, the protecting the SP of the first TWT includes:

[0012] If the service data to be transmitted cannot be completely sent before the start of the SP of the first TWT, stop transmitting the service data before the start of the SP of the first TWT, and pause channel access after the start of the SP of the first TWT until the end of the SP of the first TWT;

[0013] Or,

[0014] If the service data to be transmitted cannot be completely sent before the start of the SP of the first TWT, stop transmitting the service data before the start of the SP of the first TWT, and transmit the service data through a restricted channel access method within a first preset duration after the start of the SP of the first TWT;

[0015] Or,

[0016] The service data to be transmitted will perform channel access through a restricted channel access method within a first preset duration after the start of the SP of the first TWT, and complete the transmission of the service data.

[0017] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0018] Receiving second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate the first preset duration, and / or, the second preset duration.

[0019] Optionally, the first indication information further includes third information, and the third information is used to indicate the target type of the service data that complies with the protection method of the SP of the first TWT.

[0020] Optionally, protecting the SP of the first TWT includes:

[0021] Determining whether the service data to be transmitted is of the target type;

[0022] If so, protect the SP of the first TWT.

[0023] Optionally, if the target device is a non-AP STA, protecting the SP of the first TWT includes:

[0024] Determining whether it is a member STA of the first TWT;

[0025] If it is not a member STA of the first TWT, protect the SP of the first TWT.

[0026] Optionally, the first indication information is independent of the announcement signaling of the first TWT.

[0027] Optionally, the first indication information is included in the announcement signaling of the first TWT.

[0028] Optionally, the first information is carried in a TWT announcement signaling frame.

[0029] Optionally, the first information is located in a TWT element in the TWT announcement signaling frame.

[0030] Optionally, the first information is located in a broadcast TWT parameter subfield of a TWT parameter information field of the TWT element, and the broadcast TWT parameter subfield is used to indicate parameters of the first TWT.

[0031] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which is applied to a target device, and the device includes:

[0032] a receiving module, configured to receive first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate a protected first target wake-up time TWT;

[0033] a control module, configured to protect a service period SP of the first TWT.

[0034] In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which includes: a processor, a transceiver, and a memory; the processor is communicatively connected to the transceiver and the memory respectively;

[0035] the memory stores computer-executable instructions;

[0036] the transceiver communicates with an external device;

[0037] the processor executes the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory to implement the method described in any item of the first aspect.

[0038] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a chip, on which a computer program is stored, and when the computer program is executed by the chip, the method described in any aspect of the first aspect is implemented.

[0039] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, on which a computer program is stored, and the computer program is executed by a processor to implement the method described in any item of the first aspect.

[0040] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product, including a computer program, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, the method described in any item of the first aspect is implemented.

[0041] The communication method, apparatus, chip and storage medium provided by the embodiments of the present application. The target device determines the service period SP of the first TWT to be protected according to the indication of the first indication information by receiving the first indication information, and protects the SP of the first TWT when reaching the SP, thereby reducing the interference caused to the data transmission within the SP of the first TWT and improving the stability of data transmission. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] The drawings herein are incorporated into the specification and form a part of the specification, showing embodiments consistent with the present application, and are used together with the specification to explain the principles of the present application.

[0043] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of an application scenario provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0044] Figure 2 It is a schematic flow chart of a communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0045] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of a scenario of a communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0046] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of a scenario of another communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0047] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of a scenario of yet another communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0048] Figure 6 It is a schematic flow chart of another communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0049] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of a scenario of still another communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0050] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of the frame structure of a TWT element provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0051] Figure 9 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication apparatus provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0052] Figure 10 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication apparatus provided by the embodiments of the present application.

[0053] Through the above-mentioned drawings, the specific embodiments of the present application have been shown, and there will be more detailed descriptions hereinafter. These drawings and the written description are not intended to limit the scope of the concept of the present application in any way, but to explain the concept of the present application to those skilled in the art by referring to specific embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0054] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the described embodiments are some, but not all, of the embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments in this application without creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of this application.

[0055] In the embodiments of this application, terms such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish identical or similar items with basically the same functions and effects, and do not limit their sequence. Those skilled in the art can understand that terms such as "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity and execution order, and the terms "first" and "second" do not necessarily mean different.

[0056] It should be noted that in the embodiments of this application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to represent examples, illustrations, or explanations. Any embodiment or design solution described as "exemplary" or "for example" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or having more advantages than other embodiments or design solutions. Rather, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present relevant concepts in a specific manner.

[0057] For ease of understanding, the terms related to this application are introduced first:

[0058] Access Categories (AC): In a Wi-Fi network, different types of data streams are assigned to different access categories. Different resources can be allocated to different categories according to the requirements and priorities of the application.

[0059] Basic Service Set (BSS): A basic unit in a wireless local area network, consisting of one or more associated client devices and an access point.

[0060] Broadcast Target Wake Time (B-TWT): A Wi-Fi technology, a specific time or a set of times broadcast by an access point (AP) to multiple non-access point stations (non-AP STAs). At this time point, the non-AP STAs should be woken up to perform frame exchange with the AP.

[0061] Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance (CSMA / CA): A protocol in Wi-Fi networks used to detect whether there are other devices transmitting data on the channel before sending data to avoid collisions.

[0062] Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA): A protocol in Wi-Fi networks that achieves better Quality of Service (QoS) by assigning different priorities and resources to different data streams.

[0063] Media Access Control (MAC): In computer networks, a protocol that controls multiple devices' access to a shared medium.

[0064] Multiple Access Points Coordination (MAPC): Refers to the coordination among multiple wireless access points to provide better coverage and wireless performance.

[0065] Overlapped Basic Service Set (OBSS): In Wi-Fi networks, when the service areas of two or more access points overlap, an overlapped basic service set is formed.

[0066] Restricted Target Wake Time (R-TWT): A Wi-Fi technology used to periodically wake up a sleeping device to receive messages for a specific purpose.

[0067] Service Period (SP): In Wi-Fi networks, it defines the time intervals during which different types of data streams are sent.

[0068] A Station (STA) refers to a mobile device or computer connected to an Access Point, acting as a wireless client.

[0069] Target Beacon Transmit Time (TBTT): In Wi-Fi networks, it specifies the time when an access point expects to send a beacon frame.

[0070] Traffic Identifier (TID): In a Wi-Fi network, an identifier used to identify different types of data streams.

[0071] Timing Synchronization Function (TSF): A Wi-Fi technology used to maintain time synchronization between different devices.

[0072] Target Wake Time (TWT): A Wi-Fi technology used to periodically wake up a sleeping device to receive messages for a specific purpose.

[0073] Transmission Opportunity (TXOP): In a Wi-Fi network, a period of time specified for a device to continuously transmit data.

[0074] An embodiment of this application provides a communication method applied to a wireless communication system. The wireless communication system can be a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) or a cellular network, and this method can be implemented by a communication device or a chip or a processor in the communication device in the wireless communication system. The communication device is a wireless communication device that supports the use of the B-TWT SP mechanism. For example, it can be a wireless communication device that supports communication using the IEEE 802.11 series of protocols. The IEEE 802.11 series of protocols include: 802.11bn, 802.11be, 802.11ax, or 802.11a / b / g / n / ac.

[0075] In this wireless communication system, it includes one or more affiliated stations, and the affiliated stations are logical stations. Among them, the affiliated stations can be APs or non-AP STAs.

[0076] The AP connects the STA or non-AP STA to the wired network by providing a wireless connection. The AP can be, for example, a communication entity such as a communication server, a router, a switch, a bridge, etc., or can include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, etc. Of course, the AP can also be a chip and a processing system in these various forms of devices, so as to implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application.

[0077] The STA has a wireless transceiver function, can support the 802.11 series of protocols, and can communicate with an AP or other STAs. The STA can include an AP STA and a non-AP STA. For the convenience of description, in the subsequent description of this application, the STA is taken as an example of a non-AP STA. A non-AP STA is any user communication device that allows a user to communicate with an AP and thus communicate with a WLAN. For example, the non-AP STA can be a tablet computer, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, an ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), a handheld computer, a netbook, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile phone, or other networkable user devices, or an Internet of Things node in the Internet of Things, or a vehicle-mounted communication device in a vehicle-to-Internet network. The non-AP STA can also be a chip and a processing system in the above-mentioned terminals.

[0078] In the embodiments of this application, there are no special restrictions on the specific forms of the AP and the STA. This is only an exemplary illustration here.

[0079] For the convenience of understanding, the following combines Figure 1 to illustrate the application scenarios applicable to the embodiments of this application.

[0080] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario provided for the embodiments of this application. As Figure 1 shown, taking a wireless local area network as an example, this scenario includes at least two APs and at least two STAs. Figure 1 In this example, at least two APs include AP1 and AP2, and at least two STAs include STA1 and STA2 for introduction.

[0081] Currently, in a wireless local area network, the EDCA mechanism is widely used to provide channel access for service data with different priorities. In a wireless local area network system using EDCA, the AP can announce the EDCA parameter set it uses to provide different access parameters for different ACs with different QoS requirements. The AC can include: best-effort access category service (AC BestEffort, AC_BE), background access category service (AC Background, AC_BK), video access category service (AC Video, AC_VI), and voice access category service (Voice, AC_VO). The access parameters can include: the maximum and minimum values of the contention window, transmission opportunity limit, retransmission count limit, etc. By setting different parameter values, service data with different QoS requirements can have different probabilities of accessing the channel for data transmission, thereby reducing the delay of delay-sensitive services and improving the user experience.

[0082] In addition, STAs that perform data transmission with an AP can be scheduled through the B-TWT SP mechanism. The AP can indicate the service period SP of B-TWT in the Beacon frame using a TWT element, including the start time, duration, period, etc. of the SP. The STAs associated with this AP can request to join the B-TWT SP indicated by this AP through a management frame to communicate with this AP within this SP. For example, STA1 is an STA associated with AP1. STA1 can request to join the first B-TWT SP indicated by AP1 through a management frame. AP1 can agree or reject the join request of STA1. If AP1 agrees to the join request of STA1, then STA1 and AP1 can perform data transmission within the negotiated first B-TWT SP, thereby reducing EDCA contention and also enabling the STA to save more power.

[0083] When the data transmission between the STA and the AP is periodic low-latency traffic, currently, the R-TWT method in B-TWT can be used to schedule and manage the data transmission behaviors between multiple STAs and this AP through the SP of R-TWT.

[0084] Before using the R-TWT SP, the STA that wants to use this R-TWT SP needs to sign a contract with the AP corresponding to this R-TWT SP so that this STA can use this R-TWT SP. Among them, the STA that has successfully signed the contract is called a member STA of this R-TWT SP. The member STA can transmit data of the agreed TID within the corresponding R-TWT SP time.

[0085] In this case, at the start time or before the start time of each R-TWT SP, STAs that support the R-TWT function but are not members of this R-TWT SP abort data transmission. During the R-TWT SP, this AP can preempt the wireless medium to perform downlink data transmission to this member STA or schedule this member STA to perform uplink data transmission. Exemplarily, STA1 is a member of the first R-TWT SP configured by AP1, and STA2 is not a member of the first R-TWT SP. At the start time or before the start time of the first R-TWT SP, STA2 terminates data transmission with AP1 to leave the transmission channel so that STA1 and AP1 can perform data transmission within the first R-TWT SP.

[0086] There are two ways for other STAs that are not members of the R-TWT SP to avoid transmitting data within the R-TWT SP time:

[0087] 1. The EHT STA that supports the R-TWT SP function actively avoids the R-TWT SP based on the relevant information of the R-TWT SP, that is, during the R-TWT SP, the EHT STA actively stops the data transmission with the AP.

[0088] 2. For STAs that do not support the R-TWT SP function, such as STAs lower than the EHT version, the AP needs to set the overlapping Quiet interval of the R-TWT SP through a Quiet Element, so that during this Quiet interval, the STAs that reject the R-TWT SP function are prohibited from using the data transmission channel with the AP.

[0089] However, in a dense deployment scenario, the service areas of two or more access points may overlap, forming an overlapping basic service set OBSS. That is, when the AP or STA performs data transmission on the B-TWT SP, it will be interfered by the data transmission behaviors of other APs and / or other STAs. If the AP or STA uses the above existing method to avoid all B-TWT SPs of the OBSS in order to protect the data transmission on the B-TWT SP from interference, it will have a greater impact on its own service delivery. Therefore, how to protect against the B-TWT SP in a dense deployment scenario is an urgent problem to be solved.

[0090] In view of this, the present application provides a communication method, where the AP sets different protection methods for different TWTs and sends the protection method to non-AP STAs within the basic service set BSS associated with the AP, other APs, and STAs within the overlapping basic service set OBSS associated with other APs, so that the APs and / or STAs that receive the protection method avoid according to the protection method on the TWT, thereby enabling data transmission between the AP and the STA while reducing the impact on its own service delivery.

[0091] The technical solution of the present application and how the technical solution of the present application solves the above technical problems will be described in detail below with specific embodiments. These specific embodiments can be implemented independently or in combination with each other, and the same or similar concepts or processes may not be repeated in some embodiments.

[0092] Figure 2 It is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. This method is applied to a target device, and the target device can be the aforementioned AP or non-AP STA. As Figure 2 shown, the method may include:

[0093] S201. Receive the first indication information.

[0094] Among them, the first indication information is used to indicate the first target wake-up time TWT to be protected. The first TWT is the B-TWT configured for the first device with OBSS for the target device. The first indication information can be sent by the first device to the target device through broadcasting, multicasting, unicasting, etc. For example, it can be sent to the target device by means of signaling, and the signaling includes the first indication information.

[0095] When the first indication information is sent to the target device by means of signaling, the first indication information can be carried in the announcement signaling when the first device sends the announcement signaling of the first TWT, or can be other signaling independent of the announcement signaling. For example, it can be carried in other existing signaling, or can be a new signaling added for the first indication information, etc. Among them, the announcement signaling can be carried in a beacon frame, a probe response frame, an association response frame, a TWT Setup frame, etc. When the signaling where the first indication information is located is other signaling independent of the announcement signaling or a new signaling, the first indication information can be sent by the first device simultaneously when sending the announcement signaling, or can be sent after sending the announcement signaling and before the start time of the service period SP of the first TWT.

[0096] During the service period SP of the first TWT, the target device needs to perform a protection operation to avoid the SP of the first TWT and prevent the data transmission of the first device with the STA on the first TWT from being interfered by the data transmission operation of the target device.

[0097] In a possible implementation, the first indication information includes the information of the first TWT, such as the start time, duration, period, etc. of the first TWT, and the SP that the target device needs to protect is indicated through the information of the first TWT.

[0098] In another possible implementation, the first indication information includes the identifier of the first TWT. The identifier can be, for example, the name, number, etc. of the first TWT. In the target device, a TWT list including the first TWT can be preset in advance. The list includes information such as the start time, duration, period, etc. corresponding to each TWT. The target device determines the first TWT and the SP that the first TWT needs to protect from the list according to the identifier of the first TWT. Optionally, the TWT list can also be obtained from other devices before the target device receives the first indication information. For example, it can be pre-sent by the first device to the target device, or can be obtained by the target device through active listening, etc.

[0099] Optionally, the first indication information may further include information indicating the protection method of the SP of the first TWT, which is used to indicate which protection method the target device uses to protect the SP of the first TWT.

[0100] Optionally, if the first indication information belongs to the announcement signaling of the first TWT, when the target device is an AP, the announcement signaling is sent by the OBSS AP of the AP (i.e., the first device is the OBSS AP of the AP); when the target device is a non-AP STA, the announcement signaling is sent by the AP associated with the non-AP STA or the OBSS AP of the AP associated with the non-AP STA (i.e., the first device is the AP associated with the non-AP STA or the OBSS AP of the AP associated with the non-AP STA). The target device may extract information such as the start time, duration, and period of the first TWT, and / or the identifier of the first TWT, and / or the protection method of the SP of the first TWT from the first indication information. The target device may also extract synchronization time information from the announcement signaling and calculate information such as the start time, duration, and period of the next SP of the first TWT based on the local time of the target device.

[0101] S202. Protect the service period SP of the first TWT.

[0102] A possible implementation is that the target device stops channel access and data transmission during the duration of the SP of the first TWT. For example, the target device stops the ongoing service data transmission and channel access at or before the start time of the SP of the first TWT. Or, the target device schedules the service data that needs to be transmitted during the duration of the SP of the first TWT to be transmitted after the end of the SP of the first TWT.

[0103] Another possible implementation is that the target device performs channel access in a restricted manner during the duration of the SP of the first TWT. For example, channel access can be performed using EDCA parameters with a lower priority, or a network allocation vector (NAV) or other similar mechanisms can be set to restrict channel access during the duration of the SP.

[0104] In the method provided by the embodiments of the present application, the target device receives the first indication information, determines the service period SP of the first TWT to be protected according to the indication of the first indication information, and protects the SP of the first TWT when the SP is reached, thereby reducing the interference to the data transmission within the SP of the first TWT and improving the stability of data transmission.

[0105] Next, taking the first information and the second information in the first indication information as examples, how to protect the SP of the first TWT will be introduced. Among them, the first information is used to indicate the identifier of the first TWT, and the second information is used to indicate the protection method of the SP of the first TWT.

[0106] First, the first information will be introduced:

[0107] The first information includes the identifier of the first TWT and the identifier of the first device. The identifier of the first TWT is, for example, the identifier of the first TWT included in the first information (such as B-TWT ID). The identifier of the first device can be directly carried in the first information (such as the BSSID of the MAC frame sent by the first device that sends the first indication information in the first information), or can be obtained by extracting from the frame carrying the first information, etc.

[0108] Based on the first information, the target device determines the first TWT corresponding to the identifier of the first TWT indicated by the first information from the TWT list preset in the target device or the TWT list received in advance, and obtains information such as the start time, duration, and period of the first TWT, so as to determine the SP that needs to be protected in the first TWT.

[0109] Next, the second information will be introduced:

[0110] The second information may include detailed information about the protection method of the SP of the first TWT, that is, it includes the specific method of how to protect the SP of the first TWT, or may include the identifier of the protection method of the SP of the first TWT. The target device can determine the protection method of the SP of the first TWT through the identifier of the protection method of the SP of the first TWT and a variety of preset protection methods.

[0111] Among them, the protection method of the SP of the first TWT can be predefined by the communication protocol, or can be set by the first device according to one or more of factors such as the function of the first TWT, the functional purpose of the first TWT, the number of member STAs in the first TWT, and the type of service data transmitted by the first TWT. For example, the protection method can be determined according to the duration and cycle period of the SP of the first TWT; or according to the number of member STAs joining the first TWT; or according to the type and priority of the service data transmitted by the first TWT, etc.

[0112] The protection method for the SP of the first TWT may include suspending the channel access of the target device during the duration of the SP of the first TWT, transmitting service data through a restricted channel access method during the duration of the SP of the first TWT, or normally performing channel access and service data transmission during the duration of the SP of the first TWT.

[0113] Optionally, a protection duration may be set for the SP of the first TWT, the protection duration being greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to the duration of the SP of the first TWT. Taking the start time of the SP of the first TWT as the initial time of the protection duration, within the protection duration, the target device needs to suspend the channel access of the target device or transmit service data through a restricted channel access method. After exceeding the protection duration, even if still within the duration of the SP of the first TWT, the target device may perform channel access and data transmission through competition.

[0114] Wherein, the protection duration may be a fixed duration preset in the target device, or a protection duration calculated by the target device according to the SP of the first TWT, or the protection duration may also be sent to the target device in advance by other devices, and the other devices may be, for example, the first device.

[0115] Exemplarily, taking the case where the protection duration is sent to the target device in advance by other devices as an example, the communication method further includes: the target device receives second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate the protection duration of the SP of the first TWT. For different protection methods of the SP of the first TWT, the protection duration may be the same or different.

[0116] Next, the protection method for the SP of the first TWT will be introduced:

[0117] Method 1: The target device does not perform channel access and service data transmission between the start and end of the SP of the first TWT.

[0118] Optionally, if the target device needs to access the channel and / or start transmitting service data during the SP of the first TWT, the channel access time and / or the service data transmission time are adjusted to after the end of the SP of the first TWT.

[0119] Exemplarily, Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a scenario of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 3 shown, this scenario includes AP1, AP2, as well as STA1 for data transmission with AP1 and STA2 for data transmission with AP2.

[0120] Among them, the AP2 and the AP1 are OBSS APs to each other. The AP1 sets the TWT SP1, and the STA1 is a member STA of the TWT SP1. The AP2 receives the first indication information from the AP1 before the start of the TWT SP1 and determines that the AP2 needs to protect the TWT SP1.

[0121] Before the start of the TWT SP1, the AP2 can obtain information such as the start time, duration, and period of the TWT SP1 by listening to the beacon frame broadcast by the AP1 to determine the start time and end time of the TWT SP1. Since there is traffic data from the STA2 arriving at the AP2 before the start of the TWT SP1, if the AP2 does not protect the TWT SP1, the AP2 needs to access the channel to perform frame interaction with the STA2.

[0122] However, since the AP2 determines that it needs to protect the TWT SP1 according to the first indication information and calculates that the frame interaction with the STA2 cannot end before the start of the TWT SP1, after the traffic data arrives at the AP2, it stops accessing the channel to avoid the TWT SP1.

[0123] During the TWT SP1, the AP1 and the STA1 perform frame interaction. After the TWT SP1 ends, the AP2 resumes attempting to access the channel. After the AP2 accesses the channel, it performs the frame interaction process of the traffic data with the STA2.

[0124] Among them, taking the frame interaction process between the AP2 and the STA2 as an example, this process includes data arrival, competition for channel access through a backoff counter, and after accessing the channel, the AP2 determines data transmission with the STA2 through a Multi-User Request to Send (MU-RTS) frame. After the STA2 confirms and feeds back the MU-RTS frame through a Clear to Send (CTS) frame, data (DATA) frames are transmitted between the STA2 and the AP2. After the data frame transmission ends, the STA2 confirms successful receipt of the data through an ACK / BA frame.

[0125] Optionally, if the target device needs to transmit traffic data before the start of the SP of the first TWT and determines that this transmission cannot be completed before the start of the SP of the first TWT, then part of the traffic data is transmitted before the start of the SP of the first TWT, and then the transmission of the traffic data to be transmitted is stopped, and channel access is paused until the end of the SP of the first TWT after the start of the SP of the first TWT. After the end of the SP of the first TWT, attempt to access the channel again and transmit the remaining part of the traffic data.

[0126] Optionally, if the target device needs to transmit service data before the start of the SP of the first TWT and it is determined that this transmission cannot be completed before the start of the SP of the first TWT, then the transmission of the service data to be transmitted is stopped before the start of the SP of the first TWT, and channel access is suspended until the protection duration ends after the start of the SP of the first TWT. After the protection duration ends, the device attempts to access the channel again and transmits the service data.

[0127] Exemplarily, Figure 4 FIG. is a schematic diagram of a scenario of another communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 4 shown, this scenario includes AP1, AP2, STA1 for data transmission with AP1, and STA2 for data transmission with AP2.

[0128] Among them, AP2 and AP1 are OBSS APs to each other. AP1 sets TWT SP1, and STA1 is a member STA of this TWT SP1. AP2 receives the first indication information from AP1 before the start of TWT SP1 and determines that AP2 needs to protect the protection duration period in TWT SP1.

[0129] Before the start of TWT SP1, AP2 can obtain information such as the start time, duration, and period of TWT SP1 by listening to the beacon frame broadcast by AP1 to determine the start time and end time of TWT SP1. Since there is service data from STA2 arriving at AP2 before the start of TWT SP1, if AP2 does not protect TWT SP1, then AP2 needs to access the channel to perform frame interaction with STA2.

[0130] However, since AP2 determines according to the first indication information that it needs to protect the protection duration period of TWT SP1 and after calculation by AP2, it is determined that the frame interaction with STA2 cannot end before the start of TWT SP1. Therefore, after this service data arrives at AP2, after the start of TWT SP1, the competition for accessing the channel is stopped to avoid a part of the protection duration of TWT SP1.

[0131] After the protection duration of TWT SP1 ends, AP2 resumes attempting to access the channel. After AP2 accesses the channel, the remaining service data is transmitted through frame interaction with STA2.

[0132] Method 2: The target device transmits service data through a restricted channel access method after the start of the SP of the first TWT.

[0133] Optionally, if the service data to be transmitted by the target device cannot be completed before the start of the SP of the first TWT, the transmission of the service data is stopped before the start of the SP of the first TWT, and the service data is transmitted through a restricted channel access method after the start of the SP of the first TWT. If the channel is detected to be idle during the SP period, transmission can be carried out through contention.

[0134] Exemplarily, Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a scenario of another communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 5 shown, this scenario includes AP1, AP2, STA1 for data transmission with AP1, and STA2 for data transmission with AP2.

[0135] Among them, the AP2 and the AP1 are OBSS APs for each other, the AP1 sets the TWT SP1, and the STA1 is a member STA of the TWT SP1. The AP2 receives the first indication information from the AP1 before the start of the TWT SP1 and determines that the AP2 needs to protect the TWT SP1.

[0136] Before the start of the TWT SP1, the AP2 can obtain information such as the start time, duration, and period of the TWT SP1 by listening to the beacon frame broadcast by the AP1 to determine the start time and end time of the TWT SP1. Since there is service data from the STA2 arriving at the AP2 before the start of the TWT SP1, if the AP2 does not protect the TWT SP1, the AP2 needs to access the channel to perform frame interaction with the STA2.

[0137] However, since the AP2 determines that it needs to protect the TWT SP1 according to the first indication information and calculates that the frame interaction with the STA2 cannot end before the start of the TWT SP1, after the service data arrives at the AP2, a part of the service data is transmitted before the start of the TWT SP1. After the start of the TWT SP1, the contention for accessing the channel is stopped to avoid the TWT SP1.

[0138] During the TWT SP1, the AP1 and the STA1 perform frame interaction. After the frame interaction between the AP1 and the STA1 ends, if it is still during the TWT SP1 and the channel is idle, the AP2 can start to try to access the channel again after detecting the idle information of the channel. After the AP2 accesses the channel, the remaining service data is frame-interacted with the STA2.

[0139] Optionally, if the service data to be transmitted by the target device cannot be sent before the start of the SP of the first TWT, the transmission of the service data is stopped before the start of the SP of the first TWT, and the service data is transmitted by a restricted channel access method within the first preset duration after the start of the SP of the first TWT. In this implementation, the first preset duration is the protection duration in this implementation.

[0140] Among them, the service data to be transmitted may be service data with a higher service priority. Therefore, even if the SP of the first TWT needs to be protected, the service data still needs to be transmitted during the duration of the SP of the first TWT. To protect the SP of the first TWT, when transmitting the service data during the duration of the SP of the first TWT, the service data needs to be transmitted by a restricted channel access method. The restricted channel access method may be, for example, using EDCA parameters with a lower priority, setting NAV or other similar mechanisms to restrict channel access during this period.

[0141] Optionally, if the service priority of the service data to be transmitted by the target device is higher than the service data with the higher service priority mentioned above, the transmission of the service data may not be stopped before the start of the SP of the first TWT. Within the second preset duration after the start of the SP of the first TWT, channel access can be performed by a restricted channel access method, and the transmission of the service data can be completed. The second preset duration may be the same as or different from the aforementioned first preset duration, and this application does not limit this.

[0142] The method provided by the embodiments of this application enables the target device to protect the SP of the first TWT through this protection method during the SP of the first TWT by sending an indication of the protection method for protecting the SP of the first TWT to the target device, thereby providing differential protection for the SPs of different TWTs, reducing interference to the transmission of service data on the protected SP of the TWT, reducing the probability of service conflicts, reducing the overhead of channel access, and improving the performance of the device and the system.

[0143] In addition, the communication method provided by the embodiments of this application can also perform differential protection methods according to the type of service data. In this implementation, the type of the service data may include the type of service data that obeys the protection method of the SP of the first TWT, and the type of service data that does not need to obey the protection method of the SP of the first TWT.

[0144] Among them, the type of service data subject to the protection method of the first SP of the TWT is the type that can avoid the first SP of the TWT. For example, it can be a type of service data with relatively low service delay requirements, a type of service data with relatively low service priority, etc., which has relatively little impact on the service after avoidance. The type of service data that does not need to be subject to the protection method of the first SP of the TWT is the type that does not want to avoid the first SP of the TWT. For example, it can be a type of service data with relatively high service delay requirements, a type of service data with relatively high service priority, etc., which has relatively large impact on the service after avoidance.

[0145] The above two types of service data can be pre-configured in the target device or obtained by the target device from the first indication information. Exemplarily, taking the example that the first indication information further includes third information for indicating the target type of service data subject to the protection method of the first SP of the TWT, this implementation manner will be introduced.

[0146] Figure 6 It is a schematic flowchart of another communication method provided by an embodiment of this application. As Figure 6 shown, the process of protecting the first SP of the TWT in the foregoing step S202 may include:

[0147] S601. The target device determines whether the service data to be transmitted is of the target type.

[0148] The target device determines the service data to be transmitted before the start of the first SP of the TWT. If the target device determines that the service data to be transmitted is of the target type, it indicates that the service data to be transmitted needs to protect the first SP of the TWT according to the protection method of the first SP of the TWT, and step S602 is executed; if the target device determines that the service data to be transmitted is not of the target type, it indicates that the service data to be transmitted does not need to protect the first SP of the TWT according to the protection method of the first SP of the TWT, and the service data is transmitted by competing for the channel during the first SP of the TWT.

[0149] S602. Protect the first SP of the TWT.

[0150] Among them, the protection method for protecting the first SP of the TWT may refer to any one of the aforementioned method 1 and method 2, which will not be elaborated here.

[0151] Exemplarily, Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of the scenario of still another communication method provided by an embodiment of this application. As Figure 7 shown, this scenario includes AP1, AP2, STA1 for data transmission with AP1, and STA2 for data transmission with AP2.

[0152] Among them, the AP2 and the AP1 are OBSS APs to each other. The AP1 sets a TWT SP1, and the STA1 is a member STA of the TWT SP1. The AP2 receives first indication information from the AP1 before the start of the TWT SP1 and determines that the AP2 needs to protect the TWT SP1.

[0153] Before the start of the TWT SP1, the AP2 can obtain information such as the start time, duration, and period of the TWT SP1 by listening to the beacon frame broadcast by the AP1 to determine the start time and end time of the TWT SP1. Since there is traffic data from the STA2 arriving at the AP2 before the start of the TWT SP1, if the AP2 does not protect the TWT SP1, the AP2 needs to access the channel to perform frame interaction with the STA2.

[0154] However, since the AP2 determines that it needs to protect the TWT SP1 according to the first indication information and calculates that the frame interaction with the STA2 cannot end before the start of the TWT SP1, after the traffic data arrives at the AP2 and after the start of the TWT SP1, the competition for accessing the channel is stopped to avoid the TWT SP1.

[0155] During the TWT SP1, the AP1 performs frame interaction with the STA1. After the protection duration of the TWT SP1 ends, the AP2 resumes attempting to access the channel. After the AP2 accesses the channel, it performs the frame interaction process for the remaining traffic data with the STA2. In this implementation, since the TBTT time of the AP2 is within the TWT SP1 and the priority of the beacon frame is relatively high and does not need to conform to the traffic data type of the TWT SP1, the interaction of the beacon frame within the TWT SP1 is not restricted by the protection of the TWT SP1, and the AP2 sends the beacon frame by competing for the channel during the TWT SP1.

[0156] Optionally, if there is a protection duration (i.e., the second preset duration) during the TWT SP1, whether the beacon frame needs to be sent after the end of the second preset duration or during the duration of the second preset duration, it is not restricted by the protection. The AP2 can send the beacon frame by competing for the channel.

[0157] The method provided by the embodiments of the present application determines the type of the service data to be transmitted. If the type of the service data to be transmitted is the target type of the service data subject to the protection mode of the SP of the first TWT, the SP of the first TWT is protected; if the type of the service data to be transmitted is not the target type, the SP of the first TWT is not protected. The method provided by the embodiments of the present application can provide different protection modes for different types of service data based on the different types of service data, so as to meet the personalized requirements of the service data while considering the protection of the SP of the TWT.

[0158] Optionally, if the target device is a non-AP STA (non-Access Point Station), the method provided by the embodiments of the present application can also perform transmission control according to the rules of the first TWT if the STA is a member STA of the first TWT; if not, the corresponding protection mode is used to protect the SP of the first TWT.

[0159] When the STA is not a member STA of the first TWT, it means that the STA does not have the permission to transmit service data within the SP of the first TWT. If the STA transmits service data within the SP of the first TWT to be protected, it may cause service conflicts or transmission interference with the member STAs of the first TWT that transmit service data within the SP. Therefore, the STA needs to protect the SP of the first TWT.

[0160] Therefore, when protecting the SP of the first TWT, it can also be determined first whether the target device STA is a member STA of the first TWT to be protected. If the target device STA is not a member STA of the first TWT, the SP of the first TWT is protected.

[0161] The method provided by the embodiments of the present application, when the target device is a non-AP STA, determines whether the target device is a member STA of the first TWT. If it is a member STA, there is no need to protect the SP of the first TWT. If it is not a member STA, the SP of the first TWT needs to be protected, thereby protecting the service data transmission of the member STAs of the first TWT on the protected SP and reducing the interference to the service data transmission on the SP.

[0162] It should be understood that the above embodiments of the protection mode provided by the present application can be combined with each other to obtain corresponding protection modes for different situations.

[0163] Next, taking the first indication information being included in the announcement signaling of the first TWT as an example, the storage method of the first information in the announcement signaling is introduced.

[0164] A possible implementation manner is that the first information is carried in the TWT announcement signaling frame. When the first information is carried in the TWT announcement signaling frame, optionally, the first information may be located in the TWT element in the TWT announcement signaling frame, or may be located in a newly added first information element in the TWT announcement signaling frame. When the first information is located in the TWT element in the TWT announcement signaling frame, optionally, the first information may be located in the broadcast TWT parameter sub-field of the TWT parameter information field of the TWT element, and the broadcast TWT parameter sub-field is used to indicate the parameters of the first TWT; the first information may also be located in other information fields or newly added information fields in the TWT element; the first information may also be located in other sub-fields or newly added sub-fields of the TWT parameter information field of the TWT element, etc.

[0165] Exemplarily, Figure 8 FIG. is a schematic diagram of the frame structure of a TWT element provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 8 shown, the TWT element is a newly designed extended TWT element.

[0166] Among them, the extended TWT element includes an Element ID field, a Length field, an Element ID Extension field, a Control field, and an Extended TWT Information Set field. Among them, the Control field is used to indicate the information type included in the subsequent extended TWT information.

[0167] Under the Control field, there are an Identifier Present sub-field used to indicate whether there is an identifier field in the extended TWT information sub-field in the subsequent extended TWT information set, a Protection Info Present sub-field used to indicate whether there is a protection information field in the extended TWT information sub-field in the subsequent extended TWT information set, and a Reserved sub-field, and the Reserved sub-field is used for subsequent extension.

[0168] Under the extended TWT information setting field, one or more extended TWT information sub-fields may be included. Among them, the extended TWT information sub-field may include an Identifier sub-field and a Protection Info sub-field.

[0169] This identifier subfield is used to indicate the ID (Broadcast TWT ID) subfield of the broadcast TWT, the Last Broadcast TWT info subfield, and other subfields to be extended. The Last Broadcast TWT info subfield is used to identify whether this extended TWT info subfield is the last extended TWT info subfield. For example, when the information of the Last Broadcast TWT is 0, it means it is not the last extended TWT info subfield, and there is one or more extended TWT info subfields after this extended TWT info subfield.

[0170] This protection information subfield includes an Extended TWT Protection Control subfield, a Protected Duration subfield, and a TID bitmap subfield. The Protected Duration subfield is used to indicate the protected duration described in the foregoing method embodiments. The protected duration can be any value greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to the duration of the SP of the first TWT to be protected. In an exemplary embodiment, the Protected Duration subfield includes a 16-bit unsigned integer indicating the protected duration in microseconds. The TID bitmap subfield can be used to indicate whether different types of services are restricted from accessing the channel within the SP of the protected first TWT.

[0171] Among them, the extended TWT protection control information includes a Protection Type subfield, a Protected Duration Valid subfield, a TID bitmap Valid subfield, and a subfield for information to be extended. The protection type information can indicate any one of the protection methods involved in the foregoing embodiments, or can represent different interpretation methods of the TID bitmap.

[0172] The Protected Duration Valid subfield is used to indicate whether the foregoing Protected Duration subfield is effective. For example, when the value of the Protected Duration Valid subfield is 0, it means the Protected Duration subfield is not effective, and protection is required throughout the duration of the SP of the first TWT. When the value of the Protected Duration Valid subfield is 1, it means the Protected Duration subfield is effective, and according to the value of the Protected Duration subfield, it indicates the length of the protected duration within the duration of the SP of the first TWT.

[0173] The TID bitmap active subfield is used to indicate whether the foregoing TID bitmap subfield is active. For example, when the TID bitmap active subfield is 0, it means that the TID bitmap subfield is not active, and all types of services need to be restricted from accessing the channel during the SP duration of the first TWT. When the TID bitmap active subfield is 1, it means that the TID bitmap subfield is active, and according to the value of the TID bitmap subfield, it indicates the TIDs of the services that are not restricted from accessing during the SP duration of the first TWT.

[0174] In another possible implementation, the first information is carried in an area outside the TWT announcement signaling frame in the TWT announcement signaling.

[0175] Figure 9 This is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application. It can be understood that this communication device can correspondingly implement the operations or steps of the target device in the foregoing various method embodiments. This communication device can be the target device or can be a component configurable in the target device, such as a chip, a chip module, etc. As Figure 9 shown, this communication device may include: a receiving module 901, a control module 902. In a possible implementation, it may further include: a processing module 903.

[0176] The receiving module 901 is configured to receive first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate a protected first target wake-up time TWT.

[0177] The control module 902 is configured to protect the service period SP of the first TWT.

[0178] Optionally, the first indication information includes: first information, and the first information is used to indicate the identifier of the first TWT.

[0179] Optionally, the first information includes: the identifier of the first TWT, and the identifier of the first device, where the first device is the device that sends the first indication information.

[0180] Optionally, the first indication information further includes second information, and the second information is used to indicate the protection mode of the SP of the first TWT.

[0181] Optionally, the control module 902 is specifically configured to, if the service data to be transmitted cannot be completely transmitted before the start of the SP of the first TWT, stop transmitting the service data before the start of the SP of the first TWT, and pause channel access after the start of the SP of the first TWT until the end of the SP of the first TWT. Or, if the service data to be transmitted cannot be completely transmitted before the start of the SP of the first TWT, stop transmitting the service data before the start of the SP of the first TWT, and transmit the service data through a restricted channel access method within a first preset duration after the start of the SP of the first TWT. Or, the service data to be transmitted will perform channel access through a restricted channel access method within a first preset duration after the start of the SP of the first TWT, and complete the transmission of the service data.

[0182] Optionally, the receiving module 901 is further configured to receive second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate the first preset duration, and / or, the second preset duration.

[0183] Optionally, the first indication information further includes third information, where the third information is used to indicate the target type of the service data that complies with the protection method of the SP of the first TWT.

[0184] Optionally, the processing module 903 is configured to determine whether the service data to be transmitted is of the target type. If so, the control module 902 is specifically configured to protect the SP of the first TWT.

[0185] Optionally, if the target device is a non-AP STA, the processing module 903 is specifically configured to determine whether it is a member STA of the first TWT. The control module 902 is specifically configured to, if it is not a member STA of the first TWT, protect the SP of the first TWT.

[0186] Optionally, the first indication information is independent of the announcement signaling of the first TWT.

[0187] Optionally, the first indication information is included in the announcement signaling of the first TWT.

[0188] Optionally, the first information is carried in a TWT announcement signaling frame.

[0189] Optionally, the first information is located in the TWT element in the TWT announcement signaling frame.

[0190] Optionally, the first information is located in the broadcast TWT parameter subfield of the TWT parameter information field of the TWT element, and the broadcast TWT parameter subfield is used to indicate the parameters of the first TWT.

[0191] The communication device provided in this embodiment can perform the actions of the target device in the foregoing method embodiment, and its implementation principle and technical effects are similar, which will not be elaborated here.

[0192] Optionally, the above communication device may further include at least one storage module, which may include data and / or instructions. Other modules in the communication device (such as a receiving module, a sending module, a processing module, etc.) may read the data and / or instructions in the storage module to implement corresponding methods.

[0193] It should be noted that it should be understood that in the actual implementation, the sending module may be a transmitter, the receiving module may be a receiver, or the sending module and the receiving module may be implemented by a transceiver, or the sending module and the receiving module may be implemented by a communication port. The processing module may be implemented in the form of software called by a processing element; it may also be implemented in hardware. For example, the processing module may be at least one separately established processing element, or may be integrated in a certain chip of the above device. In addition, it may also be stored in the memory of the above device in the form of program code and called and executed by a certain processing element of the above device to perform the functions of the above processing module. In addition, all or part of these modules may be integrated together or may be independently implemented. The processing element mentioned here may be an integrated circuit with signal processing capabilities. In the implementation process, each step of the above method or each of the above modules may be completed by the integrated logic circuit in the processor element in hardware or the instructions in software form.

[0194] For example, the above modules may be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above method, such as: one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), or one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), etc. Again, when a certain module above is implemented in the form of a program code called by a processing element, the processing element may be a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or other processors that can call program code. Again, these modules may be integrated together and implemented in the form of a system-on-a-chip (SOC).

[0195] Figure 10 This is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided in the embodiments of the present application. As Figure 10As shown, the communication device 1000 may include: at least one processor 1001, a memory 1002, and a transceiver 1003. Among them, the processor 1001, the transceiver 1003, and the memory 1002 communicate with each other through an internal connection path. The memory 1002 is used to store instructions, and the processor 1001 is used to execute the instructions stored in the memory 1002 to control the transceiver 1003 to receive indication information.

[0196] Among them, the communication device may, for example, be the aforementioned target device.

[0197] It should be understood that the communication device may be used to execute each step and / or process performed by the target device in the above method embodiments. Optionally, the memory 1002 may include a read-only memory and a random access memory, and provide instructions and data to the processor 1001. A part of the memory 1002 may also include a non-volatile random access memory. The memory 1002 may be a separate device or integrated in the processor 1001. The processor 1001 may be used to execute the instructions stored in the memory 1002, and when the processor 1001 executes the instructions stored in the memory, the processor 1001 is used to execute each step and / or process of the above method embodiments.

[0198] Among them, the transceiver 1003 may include a transmitter and a receiver. The transceiver 1003 may further include antennas, and the number of antennas may be one or more. The processor 1001 and the memory 1002 and the transceiver 1003 may be devices integrated on different chips. For example, the processor 1001 and the memory 1002 may be integrated in a baseband chip, and the transceiver 1003 may be integrated in a radio frequency chip. The processor 1001 and the memory 1002 and the transceiver 1003 may also be devices integrated on the same chip. This application does not make any limitations in this regard.

[0199] Optionally, the communication device is a component configured in the target device, such as a chip, a chip system, etc.

[0200] Among them, the transceiver 1003 may also be a communication interface, such as an input / output interface, a circuit, etc. The transceiver 1003, the processor 1001, and the memory 1002 may all be integrated in the same chip, such as integrated in a baseband chip.

[0201] It should be understood that the above communication device can be one or more chips. For example, the communication device can be a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a system on chip (SoC), a central processor unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), a digital signal processor (DSP), a micro controller unit (MCU), a programmable logic device (PLD), or other integrated chips.

[0202] In the implementation process, the steps of the above method can be completed by the integrated logic circuit in the hardware of the processor or the instructions in the form of software. The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be directly implemented by the execution of the hardware processor, or completed by the combination of the hardware and software modules in the processor. The software module can be located in a mature storage medium in the art such as a random access memory, a flash memory, a read only memory, a programmable read only memory, or an electrically erasable programmable memory, a register, etc. The storage medium is located in the memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and combines its hardware to complete the steps of the above method. To avoid repetition, it will not be described in detail here.

[0203] It should be noted that the processor in the embodiments of the present application may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. During implementation, the steps of the above method embodiments may be completed by the integrated logic circuit in the hardware of the processor or instructions in the form of software. The above-mentioned processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components. It can implement or execute the various methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may also be any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the method disclosed in combination with the embodiments of the present application may be directly embodied as being executed by the hardware decoding processor, or completed by a combination of the hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software module may be located in a mature storage medium in the art such as a random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, or electrically erasable programmable memory, register, etc. This storage medium is located in the memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and combines its hardware to complete the steps of the above method.

[0204] It can be understood that the memory in the embodiments of the present application may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be a random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus random access memory (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory described herein is intended to include but not be limited to these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0205] The present application also provides a chip, on which a computer program is stored. When the computer program is executed by the chip, the method in the above embodiments is implemented.

[0206] The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, which may include: various media capable of storing program codes such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disc. Specifically, program instructions are stored in the computer-readable storage medium, and the program instructions are used for the method in the above embodiments.

[0207] The present application also provides a program product, which includes execution instructions stored in a readable storage medium. At least one processor of a communication device can read the execution instructions from the readable storage medium, and the execution of the execution instructions by at least one processor enables a target device to implement the communication methods provided by the various above embodiments.

[0208] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit them; although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or perform equivalent replacements on some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the various embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a target device and includes: Receiving first indication information for indicating a protected first target wake-up time TWT; Protecting the service period SP of the first TWT.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The first indication information includes: first information for indicating an identifier of the first TWT.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein The first information includes: the identifier of the first TWT and an identifier of a first device, where the first device is the device that sends the first indication information.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first indication information further includes second information for indicating a protection mode of the SP of the first TWT.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The protecting the SP of the first TWT includes: If service data to be transmitted cannot be completely sent before the start of the SP of the first TWT, stopping the transmission of the service data before the start of the SP of the first TWT and pausing channel access after the start of the SP of the first TWT until the end of the SP of the first TWT; Or, If the service data to be transmitted cannot be completely sent before the start of the SP of the first TWT, stopping the transmission of the service data before the start of the SP of the first TWT and transmitting the service data through a restricted channel access mode within a first preset duration after the start of the SP of the first TWT; Or, The service data to be transmitted will perform channel access through a restricted channel access mode within a first preset duration after the start of the SP of the first TWT and complete the transmission of the service data.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein The method further includes: Receiving second indication information for indicating the first preset duration and / or a second preset duration.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein The first indication information further includes third information for indicating a target type of service data that complies with the protection mode of the SP of the first TWT.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein The protecting the SP of the first TWT includes: Determining whether the service data to be transmitted is of the target type; If so, protecting the SP of the first TWT.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, If the target device is a non-AP STA, the protecting the SP of the first TWT includes: Determining whether it is a member STA of the first TWT; If it is not a member STA of the first TWT, protecting the SP of the first TWT.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The first indication information is independent of the announcement signaling of the first TWT.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The first indication information is included in the announcement signaling of the first TWT.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein The first information is carried in a TWT announcement signaling frame.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein The first information is located in a TWT element in the TWT announcement signaling frame.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein The first information is located in a broadcast TWT parameter subfield of a TWT parameter information field in the TWT element, and the broadcast TWT parameter subfield is used to indicate parameters of the first TWT.

15. A communication device, characterized in that, The apparatus is applied to a target device, and the apparatus includes: A receiving module for receiving first indication information for indicating a protected first target wake-up time TWT; A control module for protecting the service period SP of the first TWT.

16. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes: a processor, a transceiver, and a memory; the processor is communicatively connected to the transceiver and the memory respectively; The memory stores computer-executable instructions; The transceiver communicates with external devices; The processor executes the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory to implement the method according to any one of claims 1-14.

17. A chip, characterized in that, A computer program is stored on the chip, and when the computer program is executed by the chip, the method according to any one of claims 1-14 is implemented.

18. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, A computer program is stored thereon, and the computer program is executed by a processor to implement the method according to any one of claims 1-14.

Images