Communication method and device, and storage medium

Abstract

The invention provides a communication method, equipment and a storage medium. The communication method applied to a first network device comprises the following steps: sending a first information frame to a second network device on a first channel; and receiving a second information frame fed back by the second network device on the second channel.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Traditional Access Points (APs) can only send beacon frames, authentication and connection request / response frames, and other management frames and other information frames on the primary 20MHz channel (P20). When the P20s of two APs with overlapping Basic Service Sets (BSSs) are different, communication cannot be carried out in the traditional manner. Figure 1 FIG. Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a configuration scenario where BSSs overlap each other. As shown, the P20s of AP1 and AP2 are the same, and AP1 and AP2 operate on the same 320MHz channel; Figure 2 FIG. Figure 2 shows another schematic diagram of a configuration scenario where BSSs overlap each other. As shown, the P20s of AP1 and AP2 are the same, the operating channel bandwidth of AP1 is 320MHz, the operating channel bandwidth of AP2 is 160MHz, and the operating channel of AP2 completely overlaps with the operating channel of AP1; Figure 3 FIG. Figure 3 shows yet another schematic diagram of a configuration scenario where BSSs overlap each other. As shown, the P20s of AP1 and AP2 are the same, but AP1 and AP2 operate on different 320MHz channels; Figure 4 FIG. Figure 4 shows still another schematic diagram of a configuration scenario where BSSs overlap each other. As shown, both AP1 and AP2 operate on 320MHz channels, and part of the operating channels overlap, and the P20s are different; Figure 5 FIG. Figure 5 shows still another schematic diagram of a configuration scenario where BSSs overlap each other. As shown, AP1 and AP2 operate on completely overlapping 320MHz channels, but the P20s are different. According to the traditional method, Figures 1-3 in the scenario shown, AP1 and AP2 can discover each other and exchange other information frames in the traditional manner. However, Figure 4 and Figure 5 in the scenarios shown, AP1 and AP2 cannot discover each other and exchange other information frames. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, device, and storage medium, achieving the effect that even when the operating channels overlap each other and the primary channels are different during the multi-access point collaboration process, information frames can be exchanged between two access points.

[0004] An embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to a first network device and includes:

[0005] Sending a first information frame to a second network device on a first channel;

[0006] Receiving a second information frame fed back by the second network device on a second channel.

[0007] An embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to a second network device and includes:

[0008] Receiving a first information frame sent by a first network device on a first channel;

[0009] Feeding back a second information frame to the first network device on a second channel.

[0010] An embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, including: a memory, and one or more processors;

[0011] The memory is configured to store one or more programs;

[0012] When the one or more programs are executed by the one or more processors, the one or more processors implement the method described in any of the above embodiments.

[0013] An embodiment of the present application provides a storage medium, which stores a computer program, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, the method described in any of the above embodiments is implemented. Description of the Drawings

[0014] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a configuration scenario where BSSs overlap each other provided by the prior art;

[0015] Figure 2 It is another schematic diagram of a configuration scenario where BSSs overlap each other provided by the prior art;

[0016] Figure 3 It is yet another schematic diagram of a configuration scenario where BSSs overlap each other provided by the prior art;

[0017] Figure 4 It is still another schematic diagram of a configuration scenario where BSSs overlap each other provided by the prior art;

[0018] Figure 5 It is still another schematic diagram of a configuration scenario where BSSs overlap each other provided by the prior art;

[0019] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the implementation of a multi-link connection establishment process provided by the prior art;

[0020] Figure 7 is a flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0021] Figure 8 is a flowchart of another communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0022] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the implementation of information frame interaction between AP1 and AP2 provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0023] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the implementation of AP1 replicating the information frame of P20 on some sub-channels provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0024] Figure 11 is a structural block diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0025] Figure 12 is a structural block diagram of another communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0027] The embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description with reference to the embodiment drawings of the present application is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present application.

[0028] For the convenience of understanding the solution of the present application, the channel access technology involved in the present application will be described.

[0029] First, the Fiber-To-The-Room (FTTR) technology connects APs (such as routers) in different rooms or locations in scenarios such as homes or small and medium-sized enterprises through optical fibers, thereby providing a high-bandwidth and highly reliable connection for multi-AP networking. A point-to-multipoint optical distribution network can be used to realize the connection between the master control AP and the slave APs.

[0030] Second, the channel access technology based on CSMA / CA: In a Wi-Fi network, both the AP and the connected terminal devices share the same wireless medium for data communication. The access principle of the Wi-Fi wireless medium is how to enable each device to adopt a mutual avoidance mechanism and obtain the access right to the wireless medium in turn in an equal competition manner, and then send data.

[0031] Its basic principle is the CSMA / CA mechanism. That is, when multiple devices send data using the wireless channel simultaneously, each device first needs to perform channel sensing. When it determines that the channel is idle, after a frame interval, it obtains the opportunity to send data into the wireless channel by randomly selecting a backoff window and counting down.

[0032] Thirdly, the Multi-Link Operation (MLO) technology is introduced in the Wi-Fi 7 protocol. That is, multi-link devices (Multi-Link Devices, MLDs), including network devices (AP MLDs) and terminal devices (non-AP MLDs), can transmit data simultaneously on multiple links, improving the throughput of data transmission and reducing latency.

[0033] After the AP MLD and non-AP MLD complete the four-way handshake on one link, they generate a pairwise transient key (PTK) at the MLO level and a group temporal key (GTK) at the link level, which are used to encrypt and decrypt the transmitted unicast data frames and multicast data frames respectively, ensuring the security of data transmission. For example, Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the implementation of a multi-link connection establishment process provided by the prior art, as Figure 6 shown. Both the AP MLD and non-AP MLD include three links operating at 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz. After the AP MLD and non-AP MLD complete the authentication, connection, and four-way handshake processes on the 2.4 GHz link and establish a multi-link connection, they can transmit data on the three links.

[0034] Fourthly, the Neighbour report (NR) field contains information about other surrounding APs (or AP MLDs, hereinafter referred to as APs for short). Generally, it is used for the STA (or non-AP MLD, hereinafter referred to as STA for short) to send a query frame to the target AP to query information about other surrounding APs, and the target AP sends a response frame to the STA to feedback the information about other surrounding APs queried by the STA. For example, the STA sends an Access Network Query Protocol (ANQP) query frame to the AP, and the AP sends an ANQP response frame to the STA.

[0035] Alternatively, in the scenarios of roaming or multi-AP load balancing, the AP actively recommends information of other surrounding APs to the STA, and the STA confirms the information and then sends a (re)association request to one of the recommended APs. For example, the AP sends a BSS Transition Management (BTM) request frame to the STA and carries the information of the recommended AP in the NR field. The STA sends a BTM response frame, and the NR field included therein carries the information of the AP that the STA expects to connect to, and then sends an authentication frame and a (re)association frame to establish a connection with the target AP.

[0036] Fifthly, the Reduced Neighbour Report (RNR) field contains information of other surrounding APs. To reduce the channel resource overhead caused by the field length, based on the NR field, the RNR field has been correspondingly trimmed and modified to only include the key information of the surrounding APs, such as the working channel, Service Set Identifier (SSID), Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID) information, etc. When the STA receives a management frame such as a beacon frame or a probe response frame sent by an AP carrying the RNR field, the STA can quickly discover other surrounding APs, and then further probe on the channel where the target AP is located, so as to obtain the complete information of the AP, which reduces the time overhead of the STA blindly scanning the channel and probing the surrounding APs.

[0037] Sixthly, the Multi-link element field is proposed to carry information of APs or STAs of other links belonging to the same MLD. This field is widely used in the discovery and connection phases. For example, it is carried in the Beacon, (ML)probe request / response frames in the discovery phase, and in the (Re)association request / response frames in the connection phase.

[0038] Seventhly, multiple APs can be created on one radio frequency link of Wi-Fi, and each AP corresponds to a different BSSID. To reduce the channel resource overhead of each AP sending beacon frames and probe response frames, the 802.11 protocol introduces the MBSSID technology, that is, the beacon frames and probe response frames sent by multiple APs on the same radio frequency are merged and sent in the beacon frame and probe response frame of one AP, that is, the beacon frame and probe response frame of one AP carry the information of other APs on the same radio frequency, and this information is placed in the multi-BSSID element field.

[0039] Eighth, in Wi-Fi 8, the Ultra High Reliability (UHR) technology is adopted to improve transmission stability, including reducing latency, increasing throughput, and reducing packet loss rate.

[0040] One way is that the Transmission Opportunity (TXOP) is shared between mutually overlapping Basic Service Sets (BSSs), which reduces the problem of channel utilization degradation caused by conflicts due to mutual competition for the channel between mutually BSSs. Its general steps can be described as follows:

[0041] (1) Multiple Access Points (APs) (such as AP1, AP2, etc.) send beacon frames or other management frames (which can also be called information frames) on their working channels;

[0042] (2) When AP2 receives the beacon frame of AP1, it discovers AP1. By parsing the capability set of AP1, it further discovers that it supports the multi-AP cooperative operation capability, and vice versa;

[0043] (3) AP1 initializes the multi-AP cooperative operation and becomes the master AP;

[0044] (4) AP1 sends a request frame to AP2, inviting it to join the cooperative operation group, and AP2 initializes to become a slave AP;

[0045] (5) AP1 configures the cooperative group ID and assigns an AP ID to AP2;

[0046] (6) After the Master AP competes for the channel resources, it allocates Resource Units (RUs) and / or TXOP time slices to one or more slave APs (including the sharing AP itself) in the Trigger frame according to the demands of the slave APs;

[0047] (7) After obtaining the RU, the shave AP transmits downlink data or Null Data PPDU Announcement (NDPA) / Null Data PPDU (NDP) to the STAs within the BSS on its own RU and / or TXOP time slice.

[0048] The embodiment of this application proposes a communication method, which can provide a solution to the problem that when the working channels of BSSs overlap with each other, but the two APs cannot interact with management frames due to different P20s during the AP cooperation process:

[0049] The first solution: The first network device (e.g., AP1) simultaneously transmits the same information frame on its 20 MHz sub-channel. The second network device (e.g., AP2) can discover AP1 when it receives the information frame on the sub-channel where P20 operates, and respond to the information frame.

[0050] The second solution: AP1 temporarily switches to the P20 channel of AP2 and exchanges information frames with it in a traditional manner. After the exchange is completed, it returns to its original working channel.

[0051] It should be noted that the above two solutions are not mutually exclusive. In different application scenarios, at least one of the above solutions can be selected for application.

[0052] In one embodiment, Figure 7 is a flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. This embodiment is applied to the multi-access point cooperation process, and manages the transmission of management frames between two access points when the BSS working channels overlap. This embodiment can be executed by the first network device. As Figure 7 shown, this embodiment includes: S110 - S120.

[0053] S110. Send a first information frame to the second network device on the first channel.

[0054] S120. Receive a second information frame fed back by the second network device on the second channel.

[0055] In one embodiment, the first information frame includes at least one of the following types: multicast type non-request frame; unicast type non-request frame; unicast type request frame; multicast type request frame. When the first information frame is a unicast type request frame, the corresponding second information frame is a unicast type response frame.

[0056] In one embodiment, both the first information frame and the second information frame include at least one of the following: beacon frame; probe request frame; probe response frame; multi-link probe request frame; multi-link probe response frame; association request frame; re-association request frame; association response frame; re-association response frame; authentication frame; action frame.

[0057] In one embodiment, the first channel includes: the working channel corresponding to the first network device; sending a first information frame to the second network device on the first channel includes: simultaneously sending the same first information frame to the second network device on all sub-channels including the primary channel corresponding to the first network device. The working channel corresponding to the first network device includes at least one or more sub-channels such as the primary channel (i.e., the P20 channel). Generally speaking, after the first network device competes for channel resources on one or more sub-channels, it can copy multiple copies of the information frame on P20 and simultaneously transmit the first information frame on the multiple sub-channels for which it has competed. In one example, the number of copies of the information frame on P20 is equal to the number of sub-channels for which the first network device has competed for channel resources.

[0058] In one embodiment, the communication method applied to the first network device further includes: configuring the same random backoff window on all sub-channels of the working channel corresponding to the first network device and competing for channel resources simultaneously;

[0059] Correspondingly, sending a first information frame to the second network device on the first channel includes: simultaneously sending the first information frame to the second network device on all sub-channels for which channel resources have been competed.

[0060] In one embodiment, the first network device does not transmit the first information frame on a sub-channel whose current channel state is an occupied state. The occupied state can also be understood as a busy state. The current channel state is used to characterize whether the sub-channel competed for by the first network device is occupied; the current channel state includes: a busy state and an idle state. If the first network device cannot obtain channel access permission on some sub-channels, that is, the current channel state of the sub-channel is a busy state, then the first network device will not transmit the first information frame on the sub-channel in the busy state.

[0061] In one embodiment, when the current channel state of the primary channel corresponding to the first network device is an occupied state, the random backoff window of other sub-channels in the working channel corresponding to the first network device is configured to be delayed by the first network device until the current channel state of the primary channel corresponding to the first network device becomes an idle state. Herein, the primary channel corresponding to the first network device refers to the P20 channel in the working channel corresponding to the first network device.

[0062] In one embodiment, when the current channel state of the primary channel corresponding to the second network device is an occupied state, the first network device delays the configuration of the random backoff window of other sub-channels in the working channel corresponding to the first network device until the current channel state of the primary channel corresponding to the second network device becomes an idle state. Herein, the primary channel corresponding to the second network device refers to the P20 channel in the working channel corresponding to the second network device. When the current channel state of the sub-channel corresponding to the P20 channel of the second network device is an occupied state, the first network device delays the configuration of the random backoff window of its own other sub-channels until the P20 channel of the second network device becomes idle, which can ensure that the second network device can receive the first information frame transmitted by the first network device on its P20 channel.

[0063] In one embodiment, when the first information frame is a request frame, the second information frame is a response frame; the sub-channel on which the first network device sends the request frame is partially the same as the sub-channel on which the second network device feeds back the response frame.

[0064] In one embodiment, when the first network device sends a unicast type request frame to the second network device, the first network device sends the request frame on a sub-channel that overlaps with the primary channel corresponding to the second network device.

[0065] In one embodiment, the first information frame includes the working channel information of the primary channel corresponding to the first network device. The first information frame sent by the first network device to the second network device contains the working channel information of P20 corresponding to the first network device. The second network device can receive the above first information frame on any sub-channel and immediately discover the configuration information of the first network device.

[0066] In one embodiment, when the first network device sends a third information frame to the terminal device or the third network device on the first channel, sending the first information frame to the second network device on the first channel includes: the first network device switches from the first channel to the second channel and sends the first information frame to the second network device on the second channel. The first network device competes for channel resources on its own primary channel and the primary channel corresponding to the second network device. After obtaining the channel resources of the two sub-channels, the first network device can send the third information frame to the terminal device or the third network device on its own primary channel and then switch to the primary channel corresponding to the second network device to send the first information frame to the second network device.

[0067] In one embodiment, the communication method applied to the first network device further includes: configuring a random backoff window on the second channel and competing for channel resources.

[0068] In one embodiment, the first network device competes for channel resources on the primary channel corresponding to itself and the primary channel corresponding to the second network device. In one example, the first network device can simultaneously compete for channel resources on the two primary channels, namely the primary channel corresponding to itself and the primary channel corresponding to the second network device; or it can compete for channel resources on these two primary channels non-simultaneously.

[0069] In one embodiment, when the first network device switches to the second channel, it performs at least two information frame interactions with the second network device.

[0070] In one embodiment, a first information frame is sent to the second network device on the first channel, including: on the primary channel of the second neighbor network device corresponding to the second network device, the first information frame is sent to the second neighbor network device corresponding to the second network device through the first neighbor network device corresponding to the first network device; the first information frame carries the configuration information of the first network device. The first network device and the first neighbor network device are neighbor devices, the second network device and the second neighbor network device are neighbor devices, the first neighbor network device and the second neighbor network device are BSSs with overlapping working channels, but their P20s are different. The first neighbor network device corresponding to the first network device can send the first information frame to the second neighbor network device on the primary channel of the second neighbor network device corresponding to the second network device; after the second neighbor network device receives the first information frame, the second neighbor network device and the second network device can discover the first network device and its configuration information.

[0071] In one embodiment, a second information frame fed back by the second network device on the second channel is received, including:

[0072] Receiving the second information frame fed back by the second neighbor network device corresponding to the second network device; wherein the second information frame carries the configuration information of the second network device. The first network device and the first neighbor network device are neighbor devices, the second network device and the second neighbor network device are neighbor devices, the first neighbor network device and the second neighbor network device are BSSs with overlapping working channels, but their P20s are different. The first neighbor network device corresponding to the first network device can send the first information frame to the second neighbor network device on the primary channel of the second neighbor network device corresponding to the second network device; after the second neighbor network device receives the first information frame, the second neighbor network device and the second network device can discover the first network device and its configuration information. The second neighbor network device sends the second information frame to the first neighbor network device; after the first neighbor network device and the first network device receive the second information frame, they can discover the second network device and its configuration information.

[0073] In one embodiment, when the first network device and the second network device are non-transmission BSSIDs, the first network device and the first neighbor network device share a radio frequency link, and the second network device and the second neighbor network device share a radio frequency link. That is, the working channel information and the P20 channel information of the first network device and the first neighbor network device are the same, and the working channel information and the P20 channel information of the second network device and the second neighbor network device are the same.

[0074] In one embodiment, the bearer fields of the configuration information of the first network device and the second network device include at least one of the following: Multi-Link (ML); RNR; NR; Multiple BSSID (MBSSID) field.

[0075] In one embodiment, Figure 8 is a flowchart of another communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. This embodiment is applied to the multi-access point cooperation process, and when the BSS working channels overlap, it shows the transmission situation of management frames between two access points. This embodiment can be executed by the second network device. As Figure 8 shown, this embodiment includes: S210 - S220.

[0076] S210. Receive a first information frame sent by the first network device on a first channel.

[0077] S220. Feedback a second information frame to the first network device on a second channel.

[0078] In one embodiment, the first information frame includes at least one of the following types: multicast type non-request frame; unicast type non-request frame; unicast type request frame; multicast type request frame. When the first information frame is a unicast type request frame, the corresponding second information frame is a unicast type response frame.

[0079] In one embodiment, both the first information frame and the second information frame include at least one of the following: beacon frame; probe request frame; probe response frame; multi-link probe request frame; multi-link probe response frame; association request frame; re-association request frame; association response frame; re-association response frame; authentication frame; action frame.

[0080] In one embodiment, the first channel includes: the working channel corresponding to the first network device; receiving the first information frame sent by the first network device on the first channel, including: receiving the same first information frame sent by the first network device simultaneously on all sub-channels including the primary channel corresponding to the first network device. The primary channel corresponding to the first network device may be the P20 channel. Generally speaking, after the first network device competes for channel resources on one or more sub-channels, it can copy the information frame on the P20 channel multiple times and transmit the first information frame to the second network device simultaneously on the multiple sub-channels it has competed for. In one example, the number of copies of the information frame on P20 is equal to the number of sub-channels on which the first network device has competed for channel resources.

[0081] In one embodiment, the first network device does not transmit the first information frame on sub-channels where the current channel state is occupied.

[0082] In one embodiment, when the current channel state of the primary channel corresponding to the first network device is occupied, the first network device delays configuring the random backoff window of other sub-channels in the working channel corresponding to the first network device until the current channel state of the primary channel corresponding to the first network device becomes idle.

[0083] In one embodiment, when the current channel state of the primary channel corresponding to the second network device is occupied, the first network device delays configuring the random backoff window of other sub-channels in the working channel corresponding to the first network device until the current channel state of the primary channel corresponding to the second network device becomes idle.

[0084] In one embodiment, when the first information frame is a request frame, the second information frame is a response frame; the sub-channels on which the first network device sends the request frame and the sub-channels on which the second network device feeds back the response frame are partially the same.

[0085] In one embodiment, when the first network device sends a unicast type request frame to the second network device, the first network device sends the request frame on sub-channels that overlap with the primary channel corresponding to the second network device.

[0086] In one embodiment, the first information frame includes the working channel information of the primary channel corresponding to the first network device.

[0087] In one embodiment, when the first network device sends a third information frame to a terminal device or a third network device on the first channel, receiving the first information frame sent by the first network device on the first channel includes: the first network device switches from the first channel to the second channel and receives the first information frame sent by the first network device on the second channel.

[0088] In one embodiment, the first network device competes for channel resources on the primary channel corresponding to itself and the primary channel corresponding to the second network device.

[0089] In one embodiment, when the first network device switches to the second channel, it performs at least two information frame interactions with the second network device.

[0090] In one embodiment, receiving the first information frame sent by the first network device on the first channel includes: on the primary channel of the second neighbor network device corresponding to the second network device, receiving the first information frame sent by the first neighbor network device corresponding to the first network device through the second neighbor network device corresponding to the second network device; the first information frame carries the configuration information of the first network device.

[0091] In one embodiment, feeding back the second information frame to the first network device on the second channel includes: feeding back the second information frame to the first network device through the second neighbor network device corresponding to the second network device; wherein, the second information frame carries the configuration information of the second network device.

[0092] In one embodiment, the bearer fields of the configuration information of the first network device and the second network device include at least one of the following: Multi-Link (ML); RNR; NR; MBSSID field.

[0093] It should be noted that for the explanations of parameters such as the first information frame, working channel information, first neighbor network device, and second neighbor network device involved in the communication method applied to the second network device, refer to the descriptions of the corresponding parameters in the communication method applied to the first network device above, and will not be elaborated here.

[0094] In one embodiment, taking the first network device as AP1 and the second network device as AP2 as an example, the process of interaction between two different BSSs of P20 through information frames is described. The process of interaction communication between two different BSSs of P20 through information frames includes the following steps:

[0095] Step 1, the first network device (AP1) competes for channel resources on the first channel (Channel 1, CH1);

[0096] Step 2, after the AP1 obtains the channel access permission on the first channel, it sends the first information frame to the second network device (AP2) on CH1;

[0097] Step 3, after the AP2 receives the first information frame on CH1, it discovers the AP1 and its configuration information, and the AP2 takes one of the following operations:

[0098] a) When the above first information frame is a multicast type non-request frame, the current information frame interaction ends;

[0099] b) When the above first information frame is a unicast type non-request frame, the receiving end AP2 replies with a confirmation message on CH1;

[0100] c) When the above first information frame is a unicast type request frame or a multicast type request frame, (if it is a unicast type request frame, after the receiving end AP2 performs the operation in (b)), it enters step 4;

[0101] Step 4, AP2 generates a corresponding response frame (i.e., the second information frame) according to the request frame of AP1, and competes for channel resources on the second channel;

[0102] Step 5, after AP2 obtains the channel access permission on the second channel (channel 2, CH2), it sends the second information frame to AP1 on CH2;

[0103] Step 6, after AP1 receives the second information frame on CH2, it discovers AP2 and its configuration information, and takes one of the following operations:

[0104] a) When the second information frame is a multicast type non-request frame, the current information frame interaction ends;

[0105] b) When the second information frame is a unicast type request frame, the receiving end AP2 replies with a confirmation message on CH1, and the current information frame interaction ends.

[0106] Step 7, AP1 and AP2 repeat the above steps to interact information frames.

[0107] In an embodiment, taking the first network device as AP1, the second network device as AP2, the first neighbor network device as AP3, and the second neighbor network device as AP4 as an example, the implementation process of AP1 and AP2 transmitting the same information frame on all sub-channels including P20 is described. The implementation process of AP1 and AP2 transmitting the same information frame on all sub-channels including P20 includes the following steps:

[0108] Step 1, before AP1 sends a management frame, it sets the same random backoff window on all 20MHz sub-channels of its working channel, and then competes for channel resources simultaneously;

[0109] Step 2, after AP1 competes for channel resources on multiple sub-channels, it copies the management frame of P20 multiple times and transmits it simultaneously on all the sub-channels it has competed for;

[0110] Step 3, after AP2 receives the above management frame on its P20 working channel, it discovers AP1 and its configuration information, and takes one of the following operations:

[0111] a. When the above management frame is a multicast type management frame, the current management frame interaction ends;

[0112] b. When the above management frame is a unicast management frame, the receiving AP2 replies with an acknowledgement message on the corresponding subchannel;

[0113] c. When the above management frame is a request frame, after the receiving AP2 performs operation (b), it proceeds to step 4;

[0114] Step 4, AP2 generates a corresponding response frame according to the request frame of AP1, sets the same random backoff window on all 20 MHz subchannels of its working channel, and then competes for channel resources simultaneously;

[0115] Step 5, after AP2 competes for channel resources on multiple subchannels, it copies the management frame of P20 multiple times and transmits the response frame simultaneously on all the subchannels where it has competed for resources;

[0116] Step 6, after AP1 receives the above response management frame on its P20 working channel, it discovers AP2 and its configuration information and takes one of the following operations:

[0117] a. When the above management frame is a multicast management frame, this management frame interaction ends;

[0118] b. When the above management frame is a unicast management frame, the receiving AP1 replies with an acknowledgement message on the corresponding subchannel.

[0119] In the implementation process of AP1 and AP2 transmitting the same information frame on all subchannels including P20, the following explanations are also included:

[0120] First, if AP1 cannot obtain channel access permission on some 20 MHz subchannels, it will not transmit management frames on the subchannels where the channel is busy;

[0121] Second, if the P20 channel of AP1 indicates busy, AP1 delays setting the random backoff window on other subchannels until P20 is idle;

[0122] Third, if the subchannel corresponding to the P20 channel of AP2 indicates busy, AP1 delays setting the random backoff window on other subchannels until the subchannel corresponding to AP2's P20 is idle (ensuring that AP2 can receive the information frame transmitted by AP1 on its P20);

[0123] Fourth, the subchannel on which AP1 sends the request frame may be different from the subchannel on which AP2 replies with the response frame. A specific application example is as Figure 9 shown;

[0124] Fifth, when AP1 sends a unicast request frame to AP2, AP1 only sends the request frame on the working channel that partially overlaps with the working channel containing AP2's P20 channel. A specific application example is asFigure 10 as shown;

[0125] Sixthly, the management frame sent by AP1 to AP2 contains the working channel information of P20. AP2 can discover the configuration information of AP1 as long as it receives the above management frame on any sub-channel;

[0126] Seventhly, AP1 and AP3 are neighbor APs, AP2 and AP4 are neighbor APs, and AP3 and AP4 exchange the information of AP1 and AP3 working on the first link on the second link.

[0127] In an embodiment, taking the first network device as AP1 and the second network device as AP2 as an example, the implementation process of AP1 temporarily switching its own P20 working channel to the P20 working channel of AP2 and interacting with AP2 for information frames is described. The implementation process of AP1 temporarily switching its own P20 working channel to the P20 working channel of AP2 and interacting with AP2 for information frames includes the following steps:

[0128] Step 1, AP1 competes for channel resources on the first channel (current P20 channel), sends a first information frame to the terminal device (STA) or the third network device (for example, AP3), indicating that the BSS is busy or unavailable, and indicating an unavailable time period (unavailableduration);

[0129] Step 2, AP1 switches to the second channel (P20 channel of AP2), sets a random backoff window, and then competes for channel resources;

[0130] Step 3, after AP1 competes for the channel, it sends a second information frame to AP2;

[0131] Step 4, after AP2 receives the above information frame on its P20 working channel, it discovers AP1 and its configuration information and takes one of the following operations:

[0132] a. When the above management frame is a multicast type non-request frame, the information frame interaction for this time ends;

[0133] b. When the above management frame is a unicast type request frame, the receiving end AP2 replies with an acknowledgment message on its P20;

[0134] c. When the above information frame is a unicast type request frame or a multicast type request frame, (if it is a unicast type request frame, after the receiving end AP2 performs the operation in (b)), it enters step (5);

[0135] Step 5, AP2 generates and sends a third information frame of response type to AP1;

[0136] Step 6, before the unavailableduration expires, AP1 returns to its first channel (the previous P20 channel).

[0137] In the process of temporarily switching the P20 working channel of AP1 to the P20 working channel of AP2 and interacting with AP2 for information frames, the following descriptions are also included:

[0138] First, AP1 competes for channel resources on both its P20 and the P20 of AP2. After obtaining the channel resources of the two sub-channels, AP1 sends a first information frame on its P20, and then switches to the P20 channel of AP2 to send a second management frame to AP2;

[0139] Second, when AP1 switches to the second channel, it may interact with AP2 for information frames multiple times;

[0140] Third, after AP1 completes the interaction of the first information frame with AP2 and returns to the first channel, AP2 switches its P20 to the first channel to interact with AP1 for the second frame;

[0141] Fourth, AP1 and AP3 are neighbor APs, AP2 and AP4 are neighbor APs, and AP3 and AP4 interact the information of AP1 and AP2 working on the first link on the second link.

[0142] In an embodiment, taking the first network device as AP1, the second network device as AP2, the first neighbor network device as AP3, and the second neighbor network device as AP4 as examples, the implementation process in which the information of AP1 and AP2 is carried and interacted by their neighbor APs on the second radio frequency link is described. Among them, AP1 and AP3 are neighbor APs, AP2 and AP4 are neighbor APs, AP3 and AP4 are BSSs with overlapping working channels, but different P20s. The information interaction process on the second radio frequency link includes the following steps:

[0143] Step 1, AP3 sends a first information frame to AP4 on the P20 channel of AP4, and AP3 carries the configuration information of AP1;

[0144] Step 2, after receiving the above information, AP4 and AP2 can discover AP1 and its configuration information;

[0145] Step 3, AP4 sends an acknowledgment message and / or a second information frame to AP3, where the second information frame carries the configuration information of AP2;

[0146] Step 4, after AP3 and AP1 receive the above information, they can discover AP2 and its configuration information;

[0147] Step 5, repeat the above information frame interaction process.

[0148] In the implementation process where the information of AP1 and AP2 is carried by their neighboring APs on the second radio frequency link and interacted, the following descriptions are further included:

[0149] First, the information of AP1 and AP2 carried by AP3 and AP4 is stored in the ML, RNR, NR, and MBSSID fields;

[0150] Second, when AP1 and AP2 are non-transmission BSSIDs, AP1 and AP3 share a radio frequency link, and AP2 and AP4 share a radio frequency link. That is, the working channel information and P20 channel information of AP1 and AP3 are the same, and the working channel information and P20 channel information of AP2 and AP4 are the same.

[0151] In one example, Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the implementation of information frame interaction between AP1 and AP2 provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 9 shown, AP1 and AP2 operate on channels with a BSS overlapping at 160 MHz. The P20 of AP1 is located at 160 MHz, and the P20 of AP2 is located at 60 MHz. When AP1 sends a request-type information frame to AP2, AP1 competes for channel resources on all sub-channels, but feedbacks that the channel is busy on the sub-channel where 120 MHz is located. AP1 then copies the request-type information frame on P20 on all sub-channels (except the 120 MHz sub-channel) and sends it to AP2 simultaneously.

[0152] After receiving the above request-type management frame on its P20, AP2 sends a corresponding response frame to AP1. The method is similar to the sending mechanism of AP1, but since the sub-channel where 20 MHz is located feedbacks that the channel is busy, AP2 replies with a response-type management frame on all sub-channels (except the 20 MHz sub-channel).

[0153] In one example, Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the implementation of AP1 copying the information frame of P20 on some sub-channels provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 10 shown, AP1 operates at 160 MHz, and AP2 operates at 80 MHz on channels with a BSS overlapping. The P20 of AP1 is located at 20 MHz, and the P20 of AP2 is located at 60 MHz. When AP1 sends a request-type management frame to AP2, AP1 competes for channel resources on the P80 channel (i.e., the 80 MHz bandwidth channel including P20), but feedbacks that the channel is busy on the sub-channel where 40 MHz is located. AP1 then copies the request-type information frame on P20 on the three sub-channels where P80 is located (except the 40 MHz sub-channel) and sends it to AP2 simultaneously.

[0154] After receiving the management frame of the above request type on its P20, AP2 sends a corresponding response frame to AP1. The method is similar to the sending mechanism of AP1. However, since the feedback channel of the sub-channel where 40MHz is located is busy, AP2 replies with an information frame of the response type on all sub-channels (except the 40MHz sub-channel).

[0155] In one embodiment, Figure 11 is a structural block diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application. This embodiment is applied to a first network device. As Figure 11 shown, the communication device in this embodiment includes: a sending module 310 and a receiving module 320.

[0156] The sending module 310 is configured to send a first information frame to a second network device on a first channel;

[0157] The receiving module 320 is configured to receive a second information frame fed back by the second network device on a second channel.

[0158] In one embodiment, the first information frame includes at least one of the following types: a multicast type non-request frame; a unicast type non-request frame; a unicast type request frame; a multicast type request frame.

[0159] In one embodiment, both the first information frame and the second information frame include at least one of the following: a beacon frame; a probe request frame; a probe response frame; a multi-link probe request frame; a multi-link probe response frame; an association request frame; a re-association request frame; an association response frame; a re-association response frame; an authentication frame; an action frame.

[0160] In one embodiment, the first channel includes: the working channel corresponding to the first network device; sending the first information frame to the second network device on the first channel includes:

[0161] Simultaneously sending the same first information frame to the second network device on all sub-channels including the primary channel corresponding to the first network device.

[0162] In one embodiment, the communication device applied to the first network device further includes: a configuration module configured to configure the same random backoff window on all sub-channels of the working channel corresponding to the first network device and compete for channel resources simultaneously;

[0163] Correspondingly, the sending module is configured to simultaneously send the first information frame to the second network device on all sub-channels that have competed for channel resources.

[0164] In one embodiment, the first network device does not transmit the first information frame on the sub-channels where the current channel state is occupied.

[0165] In one embodiment, when the current channel state of the primary channel corresponding to the first network device is an occupied state, the random backoff window of other sub-channels in the working channel corresponding to the first network device is delayed until the current channel state of the primary channel corresponding to the first network device becomes an idle state.

[0166] In one embodiment, when the current channel state of the primary channel corresponding to the second network device is an occupied state, the random backoff window of other sub-channels in the working channel corresponding to the first network device is delayed until the current channel state of the primary channel corresponding to the second network device becomes an idle state.

[0167] In one embodiment, when the first information frame is a request frame, the second information frame is a response frame; the sub-channel on which the first network device sends the request frame is partially the same as the sub-channel on which the second network device feeds back the response frame.

[0168] In one embodiment, when the first network device sends a unicast type request frame to the second network device, the first network device sends the request frame on a sub-channel that overlaps with the primary channel corresponding to the second network device.

[0169] In one embodiment, the first information frame includes the working channel information of the primary channel corresponding to the first network device.

[0170] In one embodiment, when the first network device sends a third information frame to a terminal device or a third network device on a first channel, sending the first information frame to the second network device on the first channel includes:

[0171] The first network device switches from the first channel to a second channel and sends the first information frame to the second network device on the second channel.

[0172] In one embodiment, the communication device applied to the first network device further includes: a configuration module configured to configure a random backoff window on a second channel and compete for channel resources.

[0173] In one embodiment, the first network device competes for channel resources on the primary channel corresponding to itself and the primary channel corresponding to the second network device.

[0174] In one embodiment, when the first network device switches to a second channel, at least two information frame interactions are performed with the second network device.

[0175] In one embodiment, sending the first information frame to the second network device on a first channel includes:

[0176] On the primary channel of the second neighbor network device corresponding to the second network device, send a first information frame to the second neighbor network device corresponding to the second network device through the first neighbor network device corresponding to the first network device; the first information frame carries the configuration information of the first network device.

[0177] In one embodiment, receiving a second information frame fed back by the second network device on a second channel includes:

[0178] Receiving a second information frame fed back by the second neighbor network device corresponding to the second network device; wherein, the second information frame carries the configuration information of the second network device.

[0179] In one embodiment, the bearer fields of the configuration information of the first network device and the second network device include at least one of the following: Multi-Link (ML); Reduced Neighbor Report (RNR); Neighbor Report (NR); Multi-Basic Service Set Identifier (MBSSID) field.

[0180] The communication device provided in this embodiment is configured to implement Figure 7 the communication method applied to the first network device shown in the embodiment. The implementation principle and technical effects of the communication device provided in this embodiment are similar and will not be elaborated here.

[0181] In one embodiment, Figure 12 is a structural block diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. This embodiment is applied to the second network device. As Figure 12 shown, the communication device in this embodiment includes: a receiving module 410 and a feedback module 420.

[0182] The receiving module 410 is configured to receive a first information frame sent by the first network device on a first channel;

[0183] The feedback module 420 is configured to feed back a second information frame to the first network device on a second channel.

[0184] In one embodiment, the first information frame includes at least one of the following types: multicast type non-request frame; unicast type non-request frame; unicast type request frame; multicast type request frame.

[0185] In one embodiment, both the first information frame and the second information frame include at least one of the following: beacon frame; probe request frame; probe response frame; multi-link probe request frame; multi-link probe response frame; association request frame; re-association request frame; association response frame; re-association response frame; authentication frame; action frame.

[0186] In one embodiment, the first channel includes: the working channel corresponding to the first network device; the receiving module 410 is configured to:

[0187] Receive the same first information frame simultaneously sent by the first network device on all sub-channels including the primary channel corresponding to the first network device.

[0188] In one embodiment, the first network device does not transmit the first information frame on sub-channels with the current channel state being occupied.

[0189] In one embodiment, when the current channel state of the primary channel corresponding to the first network device is occupied, delay configuring the random backoff window of other sub-channels in the working channel corresponding to the first network device until the current channel state of the primary channel corresponding to the first network device becomes idle.

[0190] In one embodiment, when the current channel state of the primary channel corresponding to the second network device is occupied, delay configuring the random backoff window of other sub-channels in the working channel corresponding to the first network device until the current channel state of the primary channel corresponding to the second network device becomes idle.

[0191] In one embodiment, when the first information frame is a request frame, the second information frame is a response frame; the sub-channels on which the first network device sends the request frame and the sub-channels on which the second network device feeds back the response frame are partially the same.

[0192] In one embodiment, when the first network device sends a unicast type request frame to the second network device, the first network device sends the request frame on sub-channels overlapping with the primary channel corresponding to the second network device.

[0193] In one embodiment, the first information frame includes the working channel information of the primary channel corresponding to the first network device.

[0194] In one embodiment, when the first network device sends a third information frame to the terminal device or the third network device on the first channel, receiving the first information frame sent by the first network device on the first channel includes:

[0195] The first network device switches from the first channel to the second channel and receives the first information frame sent by the first network device on the second channel.

[0196] In one embodiment, the first network device competes for channel resources on its own corresponding primary channel and the primary channel corresponding to the second network device.

[0197] In one embodiment, when the first network device switches to the second channel, it performs at least two information frame interactions with the second network device.

[0198] In one embodiment, the receiving module 410 is configured to: receive, on a primary channel of a second neighbor network device corresponding to a second network device, a first information frame sent by a first neighbor network device corresponding to a first network device; the first information frame carries configuration information of the first network device.

[0199] In one embodiment, feeding back a second information frame to the first network device on a second channel includes: feeding back the second information frame to the first network device through a second neighbor network device corresponding to the second network device; wherein, the second information frame carries configuration information of the second network device.

[0200] In one embodiment, the bearer fields of the configuration information of the first network device and the second network device include at least one of the following: Multi-Link (ML); Reduced Neighbor Report (RNR); Neighbor Report (NR); Multi-Basic Service Set Identifier (MBSSID) field.

[0201] The communication device provided in this embodiment is configured to implement Figure 8 the communication method applied to the second network device in the illustrated embodiment. The implementation principle and technical effects of the communication device provided in this embodiment are similar and will not be elaborated here.

[0202] In one embodiment, Figure 13 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 13 shown, the device provided in the present application includes: a processor 510, a memory 520, and a communication module 530. The number of processors 510 in the device may be one or more, Figure 13 taking one processor 510 as an example. The number of memories 520 in the device may be one or more, Figure 13 taking one memory 520 as an example. The processor 510, the memory 520, and the communication module 530 of the device may be connected through a bus or other means, Figure 13 taking the connection through a bus as an example. In this embodiment, the device may be the first network device or the second network device.

[0203] The memory 520, being a computer-readable storage medium, can be configured to store software programs, computer-executable programs, and modules, such as the program instructions / modules corresponding to the device in any embodiment of the present application (for example, the sending module 310 and the receiving module 320 in the communication device). The memory 520 can include a program storage area and a data storage area. Among them, the program storage area can store an operating system and application programs required for at least one function; the data storage area can store data created according to the use of the device and the like. In addition, the memory 520 can include high-speed random access memory and can also include non-volatile memory, such as at least one magnetic disk storage device, a flash memory device, or other non-volatile solid-state storage devices. In some instances, the memory 520 can further include a memory remotely disposed relative to the processor 510, and these remote memories can be connected to the device through a network. Examples of the above network include but are not limited to the Internet, an enterprise intranet, a local area network, a mobile communication network, and combinations thereof.

[0204] When the communication device is a first network device, the device provided above can be configured to execute the communication method applied to the first network device provided in any of the above embodiments, and has corresponding functions and effects.

[0205] When the communication device is a second network device, the device provided above can be configured to execute the communication method applied to the second network device provided in any of the above embodiments, and has corresponding functions and effects.

[0206] An embodiment of the present application further provides a storage medium containing computer-executable instructions. When the computer-executable instructions are executed by a computer processor, they are used to execute a communication method applied to a first network device. The method includes: sending a first information frame to a second network device on a first channel; receiving a second information frame fed back by the second network device on a second channel.

[0207] An embodiment of the present application further provides a storage medium containing computer-executable instructions. When the computer-executable instructions are executed by a computer processor, they are used to execute a communication method applied to a second network device. The method includes: receiving a first information frame sent by a first network device on a first channel; feeding back a second information frame to the first network device on a second channel.

[0208] Those skilled in the art should understand that the term user equipment covers any suitable type of wireless user equipment, such as a mobile phone, a portable data processing device, a portable network browser, or a vehicle-mounted mobile station.

[0209] In general, various embodiments of the present application can be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. For example, some aspects can be implemented in hardware, while other aspects can be implemented in firmware or software that can be executed by a controller, a microprocessor, or other computing devices, although the present application is not limited thereto.

[0210] Embodiments of the present application can be implemented by a data processor of a mobile device executing computer program instructions, for example, in a processor entity, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. The computer program instructions can be assembly instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-related instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, status setting data, or source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages.

[0211] Any block diagram of a logical process in the accompanying drawings of the present application can represent program steps, or can represent interconnected logical circuits, modules, and functions, or can represent a combination of program steps and logical circuits, modules, and functions. The computer program can be stored in a memory. The memory can be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and can be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as but not limited to read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), optical memory devices and systems (digital video disc (DVD) or compact disk (CD)), etc. The computer-readable medium can include non-transitory storage media. The data processor can be of any type suitable for the local technical environment, such as but not limited to general-purpose computers, dedicated computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and processors based on multi-core processor architectures.

[0212] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present application and are not used to limit the present application. For those skilled in the art, the present application can have various changes and modifications. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included within the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a first network device, including: Sending a first information frame to a second network device on a first channel; Receiving a second information frame fed back by the second network device on a second channel.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The first information frame includes at least one of the following types: a multicast type non-request frame; a unicast type non-request frame; a unicast type request frame; a multicast type request frame.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the first information frame and the second information frame include at least one of the following: a beacon frame; a probe request frame; a probe response frame; a multi-link probe request frame; a multi-link probe response frame; an association request frame; a re-association request frame; an association response frame; a re-association response frame; an authentication frame; an action frame.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first channel includes: a working channel corresponding to the first network device; the sending of the first information frame to the second network device on the first channel includes: Simultaneously sending the same first information frame to the second network device on all sub-channels including the primary channel corresponding to the first network device.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The method further includes: Configuring the same random backoff window on all sub-channels of the working channel corresponding to the first network device and competing for channel resources simultaneously; Correspondingly, the sending of the first information frame to the second network device on the first channel includes: Simultaneously sending the first information frame to the second network device on all sub-channels that have competed for channel resources.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein The first network device does not transmit the first information frame on sub-channels where the current channel state is an occupied state.

7. The method according to claim 4, wherein In the case where the current channel state of the primary channel corresponding to the first network device is an occupied state, delaying the configuration of the random backoff window of other sub-channels in the working channel corresponding to the first network device until the current channel state of the primary channel corresponding to the first network device becomes an idle state.

8. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, In the case where the current channel state of the primary channel corresponding to the second network device is an occupied state, delaying the configuration of the random backoff window of other sub-channels in the working channel corresponding to the first network device until the current channel state of the primary channel corresponding to the second network device becomes an idle state.

9. The method according to claim 4, wherein In the case where the first information frame is a request frame, the second information frame is a response frame; the sub-channels on which the first network device sends the request frame are partially the same as the sub-channels on which the second network device feeds back the response frame.

10. The method according to claim 4, wherein In the case where the first network device sends a unicast type request frame to the second network device, the first network device sends the request frame on sub-channels that overlap with the primary channel corresponding to the second network device.

11. The method according to claim 4, wherein The first information frame includes the working channel information of the primary channel corresponding to the first network device.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein In the case where the first network device sends a third information frame to a terminal device or a third network device on the first channel, the sending of the first information frame to the second network device on the first channel includes: The first network device switches from the first channel to the second channel and sends the first information frame to the second network device on the second channel.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The method further includes: Configuring a random backoff window on the second channel and competing for channel resources.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein The first network device competes for channel resources on its corresponding primary channel and the primary channel corresponding to the second network device.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein When the first network device switches to the second channel, it performs at least two information frame interactions with the second network device.

16. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that Sending a first information frame to the second network device on the first channel includes: On the primary channel of the second neighbor network device corresponding to the second network device, sending a first information frame to the second neighbor network device corresponding to the second network device through the first neighbor network device corresponding to the first network device; the first information frame carries the configuration information of the first network device.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein Receiving the second information frame fed back by the second network device on the second channel includes: Receiving the second information frame fed back by the second neighbor network device corresponding to the second network device; wherein, the second information frame carries the configuration information of the second network device.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein The bearer fields of the configuration information of the first network device and the second network device include at least one of the following: Multi-Link (ML); Reduced Neighbor Report (RNR); Neighbor Report (NR); Multi-Basic Service Set Identifier (MBSSID) field.

19. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to the second network device, it includes: Receiving the first information frame sent by the first network device on the first channel; Feeding back a second information frame to the first network device on the second channel.

20. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes: A memory, and one or more processors; The memory is configured to store one or more programs; When the one or more programs are executed by the one or more processors, the one or more processors implement the method described in any one of claims 1 - 18 or 19 above.

21. A storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores a computer program, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, it implements the method described in any one of claims 1 - 18 or 19 above.

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