Communication method and device and computer readable storage medium

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention relates to the field of communication, and provides a communication method and device and a computer readable storage medium. The method provided by the embodiment of the invention comprises the following steps: if a first condition is met, a station STA judges that a limited service time period is ended, and the first condition comprises any one or more of the following: receiving a first frame, the first frame being used for indicating that the limited service time period is ended; the second frame is not received within a preset time period; and receiving a frame of non-low delay service communication in the cell, wherein the cell is a basic service set (BSS) where the STA is located. By adopting the embodiment of the invention, communication resources can be saved under the condition of R-TWT SP communication.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application. The application number of the original application is 202011635867.6, the original application date is December 31, 2020, and the entire content of the original application is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of wireless communication technologies, and in particular, to a communication method, apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium. Background Art

[0003] Target Wake Time (TWT) is a technology defined in WiFi6 for energy saving. It means that a station (STA) and an access point (AP) can agree on a service period (SP), and stay active and communicate during this service period, so as to be able to sleep outside the service period to achieve the purpose of energy saving. According to different methods of agreeing on the service time, TWT can be divided into individual TWT and broadcast TWT.

[0004] Restricted TWT SP (R-TWT) is only used to serve low-latency services, and other non-low-latency services cannot communicate during this period. When the length of the R-TWT SP exceeds the time length actually required for current low-latency service communication, the R-TWT SP time after the end of the current low-latency communication will be wasted, resulting in a waste of communication resources. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Embodiments of this application provide a communication method, apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium, which can save communication resources in the case of R-TWT SP communication.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, which includes: if a first condition is met, the STA determines that the restricted service time period ends, and the first condition includes any one or more of the following: receiving a first frame, where the first frame is used to indicate the end of the restricted service time period; not receiving a second frame within a preset time period; receiving a frame of non-low-latency service communication in the current cell, where the current cell is the basic service set (BSS) where the STA is located.

[0007] In the solution provided by this application, for a restricted service period, the STA can end the restricted service period in advance when the first condition is met. Since the STA can only communicate for low-latency services during the restricted service period, when any one or more of the conditions in the first condition are met, the STA determines that the restricted service period ends and ends the restricted service period in advance. In this way, it is possible to avoid wasting the remaining idle restricted service time after the low-latency service is completed, thereby saving communication resources.

[0008] It can be understood that the restricted service period is a period of time during which the AP and the STA are only used to serve low-latency services. Optionally, this restricted service period can be referred to as an R-SP (restricted service period), or it can also be referred to as a restricted TWT SP (restricted TWT SP). It can be understood that this restricted service period can also have other names, and the embodiments of this application do not limit this.

[0009] Combined with the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the first frame is an extremely high throughput (EHT) action frame, and the EHT action field in the EHT action frame indicates the end of the restricted service period.

[0010] In the solution provided by this application, the first frame can be an EHT action frame, a CF-end frame, or other frames.

[0011] Combined with the first aspect, in a possible implementation, when the first condition includes not receiving the second frame within a preset period, before the STA determines that the restricted service period ends, the communication method further includes: the STA receives a third frame, and the third frame carries a TWT element; the preset period is determined by the nominal minimum TWT wake-up duration field and the wake-up time unit field in the TWT element.

[0012] In the solution provided by this application, the preset period can be obtained by the STA through receiving the third frame, or it can be specified by the standard.

[0013] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, when the first condition includes receiving a frame of non-low-latency service communication within the cell, before the STA determines that the restricted service time period ends, the communication method further includes: the STA receives a fourth frame, and the fourth frame carries a TWT element; the TWT element carries a threshold access category (AC) for non-low-latency services or a preset traffic identifier (TID) for non-low-latency services. A non-low-latency service is a service whose access category is lower than or equal to the threshold access category of non-low-latency services, or a non-low-latency service is a service whose service identifier is the preset service identifier of non-low-latency services.

[0014] In the solution provided by this application, to meet the condition of receiving a frame of non-low-latency service communication within the cell, the STA needs to obtain the threshold access category of non-low-latency services or the preset service identifier of non-low-latency services, and can determine whether the currently received service is a non-low-latency service, so as to determine whether the condition of receiving a frame of non-low-latency service communication within the cell is met. When this condition is met, it can be determined that the restricted service time period ends.

[0015] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the threshold access category of non-low-latency services or the preset service identifier of non-low-latency services is determined by the broadcast TWT recommendation field in the TWT element.

[0016] In the solution provided by this application, the threshold access category of non-low-latency services or the preset service identifier of non-low-latency services can be carried in the TWT element, and there is no need to newly set an element to specifically carry the threshold access category of non-low-latency services or the preset service identifier of non-low-latency services, so as to save communication resources.

[0017] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the communication method further includes: after the STA determines that the restricted service time period ends, initiating a new channel access, or continuing the channel access that was paused before the restricted service time period.

[0018] In the solution provided by this application, when the STA determines that the restricted service time period ends and ends the restricted service time period in advance, it can continue the channel access, which can minimize the waste of idle communication time.

[0019] Second aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication method. In the case of R-TWT SP communication, it can ensure that the transmission of in-transit low-latency services is not interrupted. The communication method includes: The STA obtains a transmit opportunity (TXOP) before the arrival of a restricted service period; if a second condition is satisfied, the STA does not end the TXOP before the arrival of the restricted service period. The second condition includes any one or more of the following: The TXOP is used to transmit data frames of a first service; the transmission time of the service transmitted within the TXOP is less than or equal to a first threshold; the restricted service period is a period for device-to-device (D2D) transmission.

[0020] In the solution provided by the present application, since the STA needs to end its own TXOP before the arrival of the restricted service period, but if any one or more of the exception conditions (the second condition) are satisfied, the STA can avoid ending its own transmit opportunity before the arrival of the restricted service period. In this way, the transmission of the in-transit low-latency service is not interrupted, thereby ensuring the latency performance of the STA's own low-latency service.

[0021] The STA does not end the TXOP before the arrival of the restricted service period can be understood as that the STA does not end the TXOP before the arrival of the restricted service period. It can also be understood as that the STA continues the current service transmission when the restricted service period arrives.

[0022] Combined with the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner, when the second condition includes that the transmission time of the service transmitted within the TXOP is less than or equal to the first threshold, before the STA does not end the TXOP before the arrival of the restricted service period, the communication method further includes: The STA receives a fifth frame, and the fifth frame carries a TWT element, and the TWT element carries the first threshold.

[0023] In the solution provided by the present application, before the condition that the transmission time of the service transmitted within the TXOP is less than or equal to the first threshold is satisfied, the STA needs to obtain information about the first threshold. The information about the first threshold can be obtained by the STA through the TWT element carried in the fifth frame, or can be specified by the standard.

[0024] In combination with the second aspect, in a possible implementation, the first service is a low-latency service; when the second condition includes that the TXOP is used to transmit data frames of the first service, before the STA ends the TXOP before the arrival of the restricted service time period, the communication method further includes: the STA receives a sixth frame, and the sixth frame carries a TWT element; the TWT element carries a threshold access level for the low-latency service or a preset service identifier for the low-latency service, and the low-latency service is a service whose access level is higher than or equal to the threshold access level of the low-latency service, or the low-latency service is a service whose service identifier is the preset service identifier of the low-latency service.

[0025] In the solution provided in this application, the first service can be a low-latency service. To meet the condition that the TXOP is used to transmit data frames of the first service, the STA needs to obtain the threshold access level of the low-latency service or the preset service identifier of the low-latency service, and can determine whether the currently received service is a low-latency service, so as to determine whether the condition that the TXOP is used to transmit data frames of the first service is met. In the case of meeting this condition, the STA can end its own transmission opportunity without ending it before the arrival of the restricted service time period. In this way, the transmission of the in-transit low-latency service is not interrupted, thus ensuring the latency performance of the STA's own low-latency service.

[0026] In combination with the second aspect, in a possible implementation, the threshold access level for the low-latency service or the preset service identifier for the low-latency service is determined by the broadcast TWT recommendation field in the TWT element.

[0027] In the solution provided in this application, the threshold access level for the low-latency service or the preset service identifier for the low-latency service can be carried in the TWT element, and there is no need to newly set an element to specifically carry the threshold access level for the low-latency service or the preset service identifier for the low-latency service, so as to save communication resources.

[0028] In combination with the second aspect, in a possible implementation, the first service is an exception service; when the second condition includes that the TXOP is used to transmit data frames of the first service, before the STA ends the TXOP before the arrival of the restricted service time period, the communication method further includes: the STA receives a seventh frame, and the seventh frame carries a TWT element; the TWT element carries a threshold access level for the exception service or a preset service identifier for the exception service, and the exception service is a service whose access level is higher than or equal to the threshold access level of the exception service, or the exception service is a service whose service identifier is the preset service identifier of the exception service.

[0029] In the solution provided by this application, the first service may be an exception service. To meet the condition that the TXOP is used to transmit data frames of the first service, the STA needs to obtain the threshold access level of the exception service or the preset service identifier of the exception service, and can determine whether the currently received service is an exception service, so as to determine whether the condition that the TXOP is used to transmit data frames of the first service is met. In the case of meeting this condition, the STA can end its own transmission opportunity without waiting for the restricted service time period to arrive. In this way, the transmission of the service being transmitted is not interrupted, thus ensuring the delay performance of the STA's own service.

[0030] Combined with the second aspect, in a possible implementation, the threshold access level of the exception service or the preset service identifier of the exception service is determined by the exception access level field in the TWT element.

[0031] In the solution provided by this application, the threshold access level of the exception service or the preset service identifier of the exception service can be carried in the TWT element, without newly setting an element specifically for carrying the threshold access level of the exception service or the preset service identifier of the exception service, so as to save communication resources.

[0032] Combined with the second aspect, in a possible implementation, the communication method further includes: when the restricted service time period arrives, when the transmission time of the service transmitted within the TXOP is greater than the second threshold, the STA ends the TXOP.

[0033] In the solution provided by this application, when the restricted service time period arrives, in a possible implementation, the STA can only continue to transmit for a period of time, but not exceed the second threshold. The second threshold can be a certain value specified by the standard, or can be sent by the AP to the STA, for example, carried in the TWT element and sent. In this way, the impact on the restricted service time period can be reduced.

[0034] It can be understood that the second threshold can be equal to the first threshold, that is, when the current service transmission of the TXOP is completed, the STA ends the TXOP.

[0035] Combined with the second aspect, in a possible implementation, the communication method further includes: when the restricted service time period arrives, the STA continues to transmit at most one physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) within the TXOP.

[0036] In the solution provided by this application, when the restricted service time period arrives, in another possible implementation, when the STA continues to transmit within the TXOP, it can only transmit one PPDU. In this way, the impact on the restricted service time period can be reduced.

[0037] In combination with the second aspect, in a possible implementation, the communication method further includes: The STA receives an eighth frame, and the eighth frame is used to indicate an extended restricted service period.

[0038] In the solution provided in this application, when the restricted service period arrives, in another possible implementation, the STA can receive a frame used to indicate an extended restricted service period. After first transmitting the current transmission until completion, it starts the transmission of the restricted service period. Extending the duration of the restricted service period can reduce the impact on service transmissions during the restricted service period.

[0039] In a third aspect, an embodiment of this application provides a first communication device, which can be applied to the STA and includes:

[0040] A processing unit, configured to determine that the restricted service period ends if a first condition is met. The first condition includes any one or more of the following:

[0041] Receiving a first frame, where the first frame is used to indicate the end of the restricted service period;

[0042] Not receiving a second frame within a preset time period;

[0043] Receiving a frame for non-low-latency service communication within the cell, where the cell is the BSS where the STA is located.

[0044] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible implementation, the first frame is an EHT action frame, and the EHT action field in the EHT action frame indicates the end of the restricted service period.

[0045] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible implementation, the first communication device further includes:

[0046] A transceiver unit, configured to, when the first condition includes not receiving a second frame within a preset time period, receive a third frame carrying a TWT element before the STA determines that the restricted service period ends; the preset time period is determined by the nominal minimum TWT wake-up duration field and the wake-up time unit field in the TWT element.

[0047] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible implementation, the above transceiver unit can also be configured to: when the first condition includes receiving a frame for non-low-latency service communication within the cell, receive a fourth frame carrying a TWT element before the STA determines that the restricted service period ends;

[0048] The TWT element carries a threshold access level for non-low-latency services or a preset service identifier for non-low-latency services. A non-low-latency service is a service whose access level is lower than or equal to the threshold access level of non-low-latency services, or a service whose service identifier is the preset service identifier of non-low-latency services.

[0049] Combined with the third aspect, in a possible implementation, the threshold access level for non-low-latency services or the preset service identifier for non-low-latency services is determined by the broadcast TWT recommendation field in the TWT element.

[0050] Combined with the third aspect, in a possible implementation, the above processing unit can also be used to: after determining that the restricted service time period ends, initiate a new channel access, or continue the channel access suspended before the restricted service time period.

[0051] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a second communication device, which can be applied to an STA and includes:

[0052] A processing unit, configured to obtain a TXOP before the restricted service time period arrives;

[0053] The processing unit is further configured to, if a second condition is satisfied, not end the TXOP before the restricted service time period arrives. The second condition includes any one or more of the following:

[0054] The TXOP is used to transmit data frames of the first service;

[0055] The transmission time of the service transmitted within the TXOP is less than or equal to a first threshold;

[0056] The restricted service time period is a time period for D2D transmission.

[0057] Combined with the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation, the second communication device further includes:

[0058] A transceiver unit, configured to receive a fifth frame before ending the TXOP before the restricted service time period arrives when the second condition includes that the transmission time of the service transmitted within the TXOP is less than or equal to the first threshold. The fifth frame carries a TWT element, and the TWT element carries the first threshold.

[0059] Combined with the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation, the first service is a low-latency service; the above transceiver unit can also be used to:

[0060] When the second condition includes that the TXOP is used to transmit data frames of the first service, before ending the TXOP before the arrival of the restricted service period, receive a sixth frame, where the sixth frame carries a TWT element; the TWT element carries a threshold access class for low-latency services or a preset service identifier for low-latency services. A low-latency service is a service whose access class is higher than or equal to the threshold access class of the low-latency service, or a service whose service identifier is the preset service identifier of the low-latency service.

[0061] In combination with the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation, the threshold access class for low-latency services or the preset service identifier for low-latency services is determined by the broadcast TWT recommendation field in the TWT element.

[0062] In combination with the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation, the first service is an exception service; the above transceiver unit is further configured to:

[0063] When the second condition includes that the TXOP is used to transmit data frames of the first service, before ending the TXOP before the arrival of the restricted service period, receive a seventh frame, where the seventh frame carries a TWT element; the TWT element carries a threshold access class for exception services or a preset service identifier for exception services. An exception service is a service whose access class is higher than or equal to the threshold access class of the exception service, or a service whose service identifier is the preset service identifier of the exception service.

[0064] In combination with the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation, the threshold access class for exception services or the preset service identifier for exception services is determined by the exception access class field in the TWT element.

[0065] In combination with the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation, the above processing unit can also be used to:

[0066] When the restricted service period arrives, when the transmission time of the service transmitted within the TXOP is greater than the second threshold, end the TXOP.

[0067] In combination with the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation, the above processing unit can also be used to:

[0068] When the restricted service period arrives, continue to transmit at most one PPDU within the TXOP.

[0069] In combination with the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation, the above transceiver unit can also be used to:

[0070] Receive an eighth frame, where the eighth frame is used to indicate an extension of the restricted service period.

[0071] Fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a first communication device, which can be applied to a STA and includes a processor. Optionally, it further includes a transceiver internally connected to the processor for communication. The processor is configured to determine that a restricted service time period ends if a first condition is met. The first condition includes any one or more of the following:

[0072] A first frame is received, and the first frame is used to indicate the end of the restricted service time period;

[0073] A second frame is not received within a preset time period;

[0074] A frame of non-low-latency service communication within the cell is received, where the cell is the BSS where the STA is located.

[0075] The first communication device provided in the fifth aspect is configured to execute the first aspect or any possible implementation manner of the first aspect. For specific details, reference can be made to the first aspect or any possible implementation manner of the first aspect, which will not be elaborated here.

[0076] Sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a second communication device, which can be applied to a STA and includes a processor. Optionally, it further includes a transceiver internally connected to the processor for communication. The processor is configured to obtain a TXOP before the restricted service time period arrives;

[0077] The processing unit is further configured to not end the TXOP before the restricted service time period arrives if a second condition is met. The second condition includes any one or more of the following:

[0078] The TXOP is used to transmit data frames of a first service;

[0079] The transmission time of the service transmitted within the TXOP is less than or equal to a first threshold;

[0080] The restricted service time period is a time period for D2D transmission.

[0081] The second communication device provided in the sixth aspect is configured to execute the second aspect or any possible implementation manner of the second aspect. For specific details, reference can be made to the second aspect or any possible implementation manner of the second aspect, which will not be elaborated here.

[0082] Seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a first communication device, which can be applied to a STA and includes a processing circuit. Optionally, it further includes an output interface internally connected to the processing circuit for communication. The processing circuit is configured to determine that a restricted service time period ends if a first condition is met. The first condition includes any one or more of the following:

[0083] A first frame is received, and the first frame is used to indicate the end of the restricted service time period;

[0084] No second frame is received within a preset time period;

[0085] A frame of non-low-latency service communication within the cell is received, where the cell is the BSS where the STA is located.

[0086] The first communication device provided in the seventh aspect is used to execute the first aspect or any possible implementation manner of the first aspect. For specific details, reference can be made to the first aspect or any possible implementation manner of the first aspect, which will not be elaborated here.

[0087] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a second communication device, which can be applied to an STA and includes a processing circuit. Optionally, it further includes an output interface that is internally connected and communicates with the processing circuit. The processing circuit is used to obtain a TXOP before the arrival of a restricted service time period;

[0088] The processing unit is further used to, if a second condition is satisfied, not end the TXOP before the arrival of the restricted service time period, and the second condition includes any one or more of the following:

[0089] The TXOP is used to transmit data frames of a first service;

[0090] The transmission time of the service transmitted within the TXOP is less than or equal to a first threshold;

[0091] The restricted service time period is a time period for D2D transmission.

[0092] The second communication device provided in the eighth aspect is used to execute the second aspect or any possible implementation manner of the second aspect. For specific details, reference can be made to the second aspect or any possible implementation manner of the second aspect, which will not be elaborated here.

[0093] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which instructions are stored. When the instructions run on a computer, the computer is caused to execute the method of the first aspect or any possible implementation manner of the first aspect.

[0094] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which instructions are stored. When the instructions run on a computer, the computer is caused to execute the method of the second aspect or any possible implementation manner of the second aspect.

[0095] In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product containing program instructions. When it runs on a computer, the computer is caused to execute the method of the first aspect or any possible implementation manner of the first aspect.

[0096] In a twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product including program instructions. When the computer program product runs on a computer, it causes the computer to execute the method according to the second aspect or any possible implementation manner of the second aspect described above.

[0097] In a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system. The communication system includes the first communication device provided by the third aspect, the fifth aspect, or the seventh aspect described above, and the second communication device provided by the fourth aspect, the sixth aspect, or the eighth aspect described above. Description of the Drawings

[0098] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an implementation manner in the TWT service stage in the prior art;

[0099] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0100] Figure 3 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0101] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a frame structure provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0102] Figure 5A is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of a TWT element provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0103] Figure 5B is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of an EHT operation element provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0104] Figure 6A is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of another TWT element provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0105] Figure 6B is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of another EHT operation element provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0106] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of yet another TWT element provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0107] Figure 8 is a schematic flowchart of another communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0108] Figure 9A is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of yet another TWT element provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0109] Figure 9B is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of yet another EHT operation element provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0110] Figure 10 It is a schematic diagram of another frame structure provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0111] Figure 11 It is a schematic diagram of a first communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0112] Figure 12 It is a schematic diagram of a second communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0113] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0114] To facilitate the understanding of the present application, relevant technical knowledge involved in the embodiments of the present application will be introduced herein first.

[0115] 1. TWT

[0116] TWT is a technology for energy saving defined by WiFi6. The core idea is to set some periodic time periods so that some devices only need to be active during these TWT service periods (TWT SP), and can go into sleep during other times, thereby achieving the purpose of energy saving.

[0117] TWT is divided into unicast TWT (individual TWT) and broadcast TWT (broadcast TWT). In unicast TWT, each STA can establish a TWT protocol with the AP individually. Therefore, each STA can have its own active time period and sleep time period; in broadcast TWT, the AP can establish a common TWT protocol for a group of STAs, and multiple STAs work during the same active time period and go into sleep during other time periods.

[0118] Unicast TWT:

[0119] Unicast TWT means that the TWT requesting station sends a TWT request message to the TWT responding station, requesting to set a wake-up time. After receiving the TWT request message, the responding station sends a TWT response message to the requesting station. After successful interaction, a TWT protocol is established between the requesting station and the responding station. When the TWT protocol is reached, both the requesting station and the responding station should remain active during the agreed-upon time period for data transmission and reception. Outside of the above time period, the station can go into sleep mode to achieve energy savings. Generally, it is the STA that sends a TWT protocol establishment request to the AP, that is, the STA is the requesting station and the AP is the responding station. Of course, the AP can also initiate a TWT protocol establishment request to the station. After the TWT protocol is established, the agreed-upon active time period is called the TWT service phase. Please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an implementation method of a TWT service phase in the prior art. As Figure 1 shown, the STA sends a TWT request frame to the AP to request the TWT protocol, and the AP sends a TWT response frame to the STA. Each TWT protocol can include multiple periodically occurring TWT service phases of equal length.

[0120] Broadcast TWT:

[0121] Different from unicast TWT, broadcast TWT provides a "batch management" mechanism. The AP can establish a series of periodically occurring TWT service phases with multiple STAs. During the TWT service phase, the above-mentioned multiple STAs need to remain active to communicate with the AP.

[0122] The AP can carry information about one or more broadcast TWTs in the beacon frame. Each broadcast TWT is represented by a broadcast TWT identifier and the media access control (MAC) address of the AP. After receiving the beacon frame, if the STA is willing to join the broadcast TWT, it can send a broadcast TWT establishment request message to the AP to join the broadcast TWT. When establishing the broadcast TWT, it is necessary to specify the broadcast TWT identifier to request to join a specific broadcast TWT. After joining the broadcast TWT, the STA can wake up according to the service phase indicated by the TWT parameter set to communicate with the AP. It should be noted that if the STA supports broadcast TWT but does not explicitly join a certain broadcast TWT ID, it is default to participate in the broadcast TWT with broadcast TWT ID = 0.

[0123] Similar to unicast TWT, the parameter set of broadcast TWT also specifies the period when the TWT service phase occurs and the duration of each TWT service phase. In addition, the broadcast TWT parameters also include the life cycle of the broadcast TWT, which is expressed in beacon frame intervals and represents the duration of the established broadcast TWT.

[0124] 2. Low-latency communication

[0125] With the development of wireless networks and the continuous upgrade of wireless local area network (WLAN) technology, more and more application traffic is carried by WiFi. On the other hand, the emerging mobile applications also have higher and higher requirements for the latency performance of WLAN. For example, applications such as wireless video, voice, games, augmented reality (AR) / virtual reality (VR) have very high requirements for communication latency.

[0126] In order to meet different types of traffic demands as much as possible, WLAN needs to prioritize different services. For example, each device has four different access categories during the channel contention access process in WLAN, and the transmission priority is divided through different contention parameters; each access category can include two service identifiers to correspond to two different services. Usually, the data packets of low-latency services are generated periodically.

[0127] The restricted TWT service phase (R-TWT-SP) is only used to serve low-latency services, and other services cannot communicate during this period. In addition, if the STA has already started communication before the R-TWT-SP, it must end the current communication before the R-TWT-SP starts.

[0128] The technical defects of this mechanism include the following two aspects:

[0129] 1. The length of the R-TWT-SP may exceed the actual communication time required for low-latency services. However, according to the regulations, no other communication is allowed within the R-TWT-SP. Therefore, the time of the R-TWT-SP after the low-latency communication ends will be wasted.

[0130] 2. Before the R-TWT-SP arrives, the communication that the STA is conducting may also be a low-latency service communication. However, according to the regulations, the STA must end its transmit opportunity (TXOP) before the R-TWT-SP arrives, which will affect the latency performance of the STA's own low-latency services.

[0131] Based on the problem that the R-TWT-SP time will be wasted after the low-latency communication ends, the embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, which can save communication resources in the case of R-TWT SP communication. The communication method is specifically as follows: If the first condition is met, the STA determines that the restricted service time period ends. The first condition includes any one or more of the following: receiving a first frame, where the first frame is used to indicate the end of the restricted service time period; not receiving a second frame within a preset time period; receiving a frame of non-low-latency service communication in the current cell, where the current cell is the BSS where the STA is located. Since the STA can only perform low-latency service communication during the restricted service time period, when any one or more of the first conditions are met, the STA determines that the restricted service time period ends, and thus ends the restricted service time period in advance. In this way, it is possible to avoid wasting the remaining idle restricted service time after the low-latency service is completed, thereby saving communication resources.

[0132] Based on the problem of affecting the latency performance of the STA's own low-latency services, the embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, which can prevent the transmission of an ongoing low-latency service from being interrupted, thereby ensuring the latency performance of the STA's own low-latency services. The communication method is specifically as follows: The STA obtains a TXOP before the restricted service time period arrives; if the second condition is met, the STA does not end the TXOP before the restricted service time period arrives. The second condition includes any one or more of the following: the TXOP is used to transmit data frames of a first service; the transmission time of the service transmitted within the TXOP is less than or equal to a first threshold; the restricted service time period is a time period for D2D transmission. Since the STA needs to end its own TXOP before the restricted service time period arrives, but if any one or more of the exception conditions (the second condition) are met, the STA can avoid ending its own transmission opportunity before the restricted service time period arrives. In this way, the transmission of an ongoing low-latency service is not interrupted, thereby ensuring the latency performance of the STA's own low-latency services.

[0133] To better understand a communication method, device, and computer-readable storage medium provided by the embodiments of the present application, the communication system applied in the embodiments of the present application will be described below.

[0134] It should be understood that the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: WIFI wireless communication systems, global system of mobile communication (GSM) systems, code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) systems, general packet radio service (GPRS) systems, long term evolution (LTE) systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems, universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication systems, other future evolved systems, or other various wireless communication systems adopting wireless access technologies, etc.

[0135] Please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2 which is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided by the embodiments of the present application. As Figure 2As shown in the figure, the communication system includes a network device and at least one terminal device within the coverage area of the network device. The network device can provide communication coverage for a specific geographical area and communicate with the terminal devices located within this coverage area. The network device can be a base transceiver station (BTS) in a GSM system or a code division multiple access (CDMA) system, a node B (NB) in a WCDMA system, an evolved node B (eNB or eNodeB) in an LTE system, a radio controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a relay station, an access point AP, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a network-side device in a future network, etc. The terminal device can be mobile or fixed. The terminal device can be a station STA, an access terminal, a user equipment (UE), a user unit, a user station, a mobile station, a mobile phone, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a user terminal, a wireless communication device, a user agent, or a user device, etc.

[0136] It should be noted that the STA in the embodiments of this application is an STA that supports R-TWT-SP. The STA can declare in advance whether it supports R-TWT-SP. If it supports, the STA must end its ongoing non-low-latency service communication before the start of R-TWT-SP; if it does not support, the STA can ignore the existence of R-TWT-SP. Since R-TWT-SP has a certain impact on the non-low-latency service communication of the STA that supports this feature, the R-TWT-SP in the embodiments of this application can only serve the STA that supports the R-TWT-SP feature.

[0137] It should be understood that Figure 2 the shown communication system is only an exemplary illustration and does not constitute a limitation thereto.

[0138] Figure 3 It is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by the embodiments of this application. Hereinafter, taking the STA as an example, this method will be described. However, it should be understood that this method is not limited to being executed by the STA, and the AP can also execute it. The STA described herein includes various forms of devices / equipment on the STA side, and the AP includes various forms of devices / equipment on the AP side. As Figure 3 shown, the communication method includes but is not limited to the following steps.

[0139] 301. If the first condition is met;

[0140] 302. The STA determines that the restricted service time period has ended.

[0141] Among them, the first condition includes any one or more of the following conditions:

[0142] Condition 1): The STA receives a first frame used to indicate the end of the restricted service time period;

[0143] Condition 2): The STA does not receive a second frame within a preset time period;

[0144] Condition 3): The STA receives a frame of non-low-latency service communication within the cell.

[0145] The restricted service time period is a period of time during which the AP and the STA are only used for serving low-latency services. Optionally, this restricted service time period can be referred to as an R-SP (restricted service period), or can also be referred to as a restricted TWT SP (restricted TWT SP). It can be understood that this restricted service time period can also have other names, which are not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0146] It can be understood that in order to ensure that the restricted service time periods between multiple cells do not affect each other, the AP can send the parameter value of its own restricted service time period to other APs. When other APs set the parameter value of their own restricted service time period, it is necessary to ensure that the time periods of the restricted service time periods between multiple APs do not overlap.

[0147] The following will explain the first condition in detail. It should be understood that the first condition includes but is not limited to the above three conditions.

[0148] For condition 1):

[0149] The AP indicates that the restricted service time period has ended and sends a first frame used to indicate the end of the restricted service time period to the STA. After the STA receives the first frame sent by the AP, it determines that the restricted service time period has ended.

[0150] Specifically, the AP indicating that the restricted service time period has ended can be divided into two cases:

[0151] The first case: When the low-latency service communication within the restricted service time period has ended, the AP can send a first frame used to indicate the end of the restricted service time period to the STA within the restricted service time period;

[0152] The second case: If there is no low-latency service communication within the current restricted service time period, the AP can send a first frame used to indicate the end of the restricted service time period to the STA before the restricted service time period arrives.

[0153] One implementation of the first frame: The first frame can be a type of EHT action frame. Please refer to Figure 4 , Figure 4 which is a schematic diagram of a frame structure provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 4 shown, the EHT action frame may include a frame control field, a duration field, a Receiver address (RA) field, a sending address (TA) field, a Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID) field, a sequence control field, a High Throughput control (HT control) field, a frame body field, and a frame check sequence (FCS) field. Among them, the frame body field includes a category sub-field and an Extremely High Throughput action (EHT action) sub-field. Among them, the value of the Extremely High Throughput action (EHT action) sub-field indicates that the EHT action frame is used to terminate the current restricted service time period. For example, when the value of the Extremely High Throughput action (EHT action) sub-field is 0, it can be used to indicate terminating the current restricted service time period, or when the value of the Extremely High Throughput action (EHT action) sub-field is 1, it can be used to indicate terminating the current restricted service time period. The value of the Extremely High Throughput action (EHT action) sub-field can also be a value such as 2 or 3, etc., for indicating terminating the current restricted service time period. It can be understood that the values of the Extremely High Throughput action (EHT action) sub-field are only exemplary descriptions and do not constitute a limitation thereto.

[0154] Another implementation of the first frame: The first frame can be a contention free end (CF-End) frame. When the STA receives the CF-End frame sent by the AP within the restricted service time period, it determines that the restricted service time period ends.

[0155] The first frame can be sent in a broadcast form.

[0156] For condition 2):

[0157] After the STA enters the restricted service time period, if it does not receive the second frame within the preset time period, it determines that the restricted service time period ends.

[0158] Among them, the preset time period can be sent by the AP to the STA. For example, it can be carried in the TWT element or carried in the EHT operation element for sending. Specifically, it can be determined by the nominal minimum TWT wake duration field and the wake duration unit field of the TWT element, or it can be determined by the minimum restricted service period duration field in the EHT operation element. The preset time period can also be specified by the standard. For example, the preset time period can be 1 ms (millisecond), 100 us (microsecond), etc. The preset time period is less than the restricted service time period.

[0159] If the preset time period is sent by the AP to the STA, the STA can receive the third frame carrying the TWT element or the EHT operation element sent by the AP. The third frame can be a beacon frame or a TWT response frame.

[0160] Please refer to Figure 5A , Figure 5A which is a schematic diagram of the frame structure of a TWT element provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 5A shown, the TWT element can include an element ID field, a length field, a control field, and a TWT parameter information field. Among them, the TWT parameter information field can include a nominal minimum TWT wake duration subfield. The control field can include a wake duration unit subfield.

[0161] Please refer to Figure 5B , Figure 5B which is a schematic diagram of the frame structure of an EHT operation element provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 5B shown, the EHT operation element can include a minimum restricted service period duration field. It can be understood that this field is used to indicate the length of the preset time period, and it can also have other names, and the name of this field is not limited.

[0162] The preset time period can be determined by, for example, Figure 5AThe nominal minimum TWT wake duration field and the wake duration unit field in the TWT element are determined as follows:

[0163] Specifically, after receiving the third frame, the STA can determine the length of the restricted service time period according to the nominal minimum TWT wake duration field and the wake duration unit field. For example, when the value of the wake duration unit field specified in the standard is 0, it means the unit is 256 μs (microseconds), and when the value of the wake duration unit field is 1, it means the unit is 1024 μs (microseconds). The duration of the preset time period is equal to the value represented by the nominal minimum TWT wake duration field multiplied by the time unit represented by the wake duration unit field, and then multiplied by the first coefficient. The first coefficient can be a predefined value, such as 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 0.8, 1, etc. The first coefficient can be sent by the AP to the STA; specifically, the first coefficient can be carried in the TWT element.

[0164] The preset time period can also be determined by the minimum restricted service period duration field in the EHT operation element such as Figure 5B :

[0165] Specifically, after receiving the third frame, the STA can determine the length of the preset time period according to the minimum restricted service period duration field.

[0166] The second frame can be a frame for low-latency service communication within the cell, a frame sent by the AP within the cell, or any frame.

[0167] Herein, the present cell can be understood as the BSS where the STA is located. The STA can obtain the value of the BSS color of the present cell in advance. The STA can determine whether the received frame is a frame within the present cell based on the physical layer frame header or the MAC layer frame header of the received frame. Specifically, it can be determined through the BSS color field in the physical layer frame header. If the received BSS color field is the same as the value of the BSS color of the present cell, it is determined that the received frame is a frame within the present cell; it can also be determined through the receive address or transmit address field in the MAC layer frame header. If the value of the receive address or transmit address field is the same as the MAC address of the AP in the present cell, it is determined that the received frame is a frame within the present cell.

[0168] The low-latency service can be a service whose access class is higher than or equal to certain specific access classes (the threshold access class of the low-latency service), or a service whose service identifier is certain specific identifiers (the preset service identifier of the low-latency service). It can be understood that the low-latency service can be a service whose priority corresponding to the access class is higher than or equal to the priority corresponding to certain specific access classes (the threshold access class of the low-latency service), or a service whose service identifier is certain specific identifiers (the preset service identifier of the low-latency service). The threshold access class of the low-latency service or the preset service identifier of the low-latency service can be sent by the AP to the STA. For example, it is carried in the TWT element or carried in the EHT operation element (EHT operation element) and sent. The threshold access class of the low-latency service or the preset service identifier of the low-latency service can also be specified by the standard. For example, AC = AC_VO or AC = AC_VI; or TID = 0 or 1. Optionally, the service identifier can be a specific service identifier name or a specific value.

[0169] If the threshold access class of the low-latency service or the preset service identifier of the low-latency service is sent by the AP to the STA, the STA can receive the sixth frame carrying the TWT element or the EHT operation element sent by the AP. The sixth frame can be a beacon frame or a TWT response frame.

[0170] Please refer to Figure 6A , Figure 6A which is a schematic diagram of the frame structure of another TWT element provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 6AAs shown, the TWT element may include an element ID field, a length field, a control field, and a TWT parameter information field. Among them, the TWT parameter information field may include a request type sub-field, a target wake time sub-field, a nominal minimum TWT wake duration sub-field, a TWT wake interval mantissa sub-field, and a broadcast TWT Info sub-field. Among them, the request type sub-field may include a broadcast TWT recommendation sub-field.

[0171] Please refer to Figure 6B , Figure 6B which is a schematic diagram of the frame structure of another EHT operation element provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 6B shown, the EHT operation element may include a threshold access level or a preset service identification field. It can be understood that the threshold access level or the preset service identification field may be used to indicate the threshold access level of the low-latency service or the preset service identification field of the low-latency service, and may also have other names, and the name of this field is not limited.

[0172] The threshold access level of the low-latency service or the preset service identification of the low-latency service may be determined by the broadcast TWT recommendation field in the TWT element as Figure 6A shown or by the threshold access level or the preset service identification field in the EHT operation element as Figure 6B shown. The following specifically introduces the implementation method in which the threshold access level of the low-latency service or the preset service identification of the low-latency service can be determined by the broadcast TWT recommendation field in the TWT element as Figure 6A shown:

[0173] In a possible implementation, the broadcast TWT recommendation field may indicate the threshold access level of low-latency services or the preset service identifier of low-latency services in an indexed manner. Specifically, the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field may represent an index value, and the index value may correspond to the threshold access level of low-latency services or the preset service identifier of low-latency services. Specifically, the broadcast TWT recommendation field indicates the threshold access level of low-latency services or the preset service identifier of low-latency services by means of an index value.

[0174] The correspondence between the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field and the threshold access level of low-latency services may be as shown in Table 1 below.

[0175] Table 1

[0176]

[0177] In Table 1, when the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field is the first value, the threshold access level of the low-latency service corresponding to the first value is AC_VO; when the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field is the second value, the threshold access levels of the low-latency services corresponding to the second value are AC_VO and AC_VI. It can be understood that the correspondence between the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field and the threshold access level of low-latency services shown in Table 1 is only an example. In actual applications, the correspondence between the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field and the threshold access level of low-latency services can be determined according to the actual application scenario. The embodiments of the present application do not make any limitations in this regard.

[0178] If the broadcast TWT recommendation field in the TWT element received by the STA is an index value, the threshold access level of the low-latency service corresponding to the index value can be determined according to the index value. Then, it is determined whether the service is a low-latency service according to the access level of the currently received service. For example, if the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field is the first value, the STA can determine whether the access level of the currently received service is AC_VO. If so, it is determined that the currently received service is a low-latency service. If the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field is the second value, the STA can determine whether the access level of the currently received service is AC_VO or AC_VI. If so, it is determined that the currently received service is a low-latency service. When the STA determines that the currently received service is not a low-latency service in this cell, condition 2) is satisfied, and the STA determines that the restricted service time period ends.

[0179] The corresponding relationship between the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field and the preset service identifier of the low-latency service can be as shown in Table 2 below.

[0180] Table 2

[0181]

[0182] In Table 2, when the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field is the first value, the preset service identifiers of the low-latency service corresponding to the first value are 6 and 7; when the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field is the second value, the preset service identifiers of the low-latency service corresponding to the second value are 4, 5, 6, and 7; when the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field is the third value (such as 3), the preset service identifiers of the low-latency service corresponding to the third value are the values between the third value (such as 3) and 7. It can be understood that the corresponding relationship between the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field and the preset service identifier of the low-latency service shown in Table 2 is only an example. In actual applications, the corresponding relationship between the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field and the preset service identifier of the low-latency service can be determined according to the actual application scenario. The embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0183] If the broadcast TWT recommendation field in the TWT element received by the STA is an index value, the STA can determine the preset service identifier of the low-latency service corresponding to the index value according to the index value. Then, the STA determines whether the service currently received is a low-latency service based on the service identifier of the currently received service. For example, if the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field is the first value, the STA can determine whether the service identifier of the currently received service is 6 or 7. If so, it is determined that the currently received service is a low-latency service. Another example is that if the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field is the second value, the STA can determine whether the service identifier of the currently received service is one of 4, 5, 6, and 7. If so, it is determined that the currently received service is a low-latency service. Another example is that if the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field is the third value, the STA can determine whether the service identifier of the currently received service is one of the third value (such as 3) to 7. If so, it is determined that the currently received service is a low-latency service. When the STA determines that the service currently received is not the low-latency service of the current cell, condition 2) is satisfied, and the STA determines that the restricted service time period ends.

[0184] In another possible implementation, the broadcast TWT recommendation field can directly indicate the threshold access level of the low-latency service or the preset service identifier of the low-latency service. Specifically, when the information in the broadcast TWT recommendation field is AC_VO, it can indicate that AC_VO is the threshold access level of the low-latency service. When the information in the broadcast TWT recommendation field is AC_VO and AC_VI, it can indicate that AC_VO and AC_VI are the threshold access levels of the low-latency service. Or, when the information in the broadcast TWT recommendation field is 6 and 7, it can indicate that 6 and 7 are the preset service identifiers of the low-latency service. When the information in the broadcast TWT recommendation field is 4, 5, 6, and 7, it can indicate that 4, 5, 6, and 7 are the preset service identifiers of the low-latency service. When the information in the broadcast TWT recommendation field is the third value (such as 3), it can indicate that the values between the third value (such as 3) and 7 are the preset service identifiers of the low-latency service.

[0185] If the information in the broadcast TWT recommendation field in the TWT element received by the STA directly indicates the threshold access level for low-latency services or the preset service identifier for low-latency services, the STA can determine the threshold access level for low-latency services or the preset service identifier for low-latency services based on the information in this field. By comparing the access level or service identifier of the currently received service with the information in the broadcast TWT recommendation field, it is determined whether the currently received service is a low-latency service. When the STA determines that the currently received service is not a low-latency service in this cell, condition 2) is met, and the STA determines that the restricted service time period ends.

[0186] It can be understood that the threshold access level for low-latency services or the preset service identifier for low-latency services can also be determined by the threshold access level or preset service identifier field in the EHT operation element as shown in Figure 6B . For the specific implementation method, reference can be made to the method determined by the broadcast TWT recommendation field in the above TWT element. To avoid repetition, it will not be elaborated here.

[0187] Optionally, the TWT element carried in the sixth frame can also add a low-latency field, and the threshold access level for low-latency services or the preset service identifier for low-latency services is determined by the low-latency field.

[0188] Please refer to Figure 7 , Figure 7 which is a schematic diagram of the frame structure of another TWT element provided by an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 7 , the TWT element can include an element ID field, a length field, a control field, and a TWT parameter information field. Among them, the control field can include a low-latency subfield.

[0189] The threshold access level for low-latency services or the preset service identifier for low-latency services can be determined by the TWT element as shown in Figure 7 :

[0190] In a possible implementation, the low latency field may indicate the threshold access level of low latency services or the preset service identifier of low latency services in an indexed manner. Specifically, the value of the low latency field may represent an index value, and the index value may correspond to the threshold access level of low latency services or the preset service identifier of low latency services. Specifically, the low latency field indicates the threshold access level of low latency services or the preset service identifier of low latency services in the form of an index value.

[0191] The correspondence between the value of the low latency field and the threshold access level of low latency services may be as shown in Table 3 below.

[0192] Table 3

[0193] Value of the low latency field Threshold access level for low latency services First value AC_VO Second value AC_VO and AC_VI … …

[0194] In Table 3, when the value of the low latency field is the first value, the threshold access level of the low latency service corresponding to the first value is AC_VO; when the value of the low latency field is the second value, the threshold access levels of the low latency services corresponding to the second value are AC_VO and AC_VI. It can be understood that the correspondence between the value of the low latency field shown in Table 3 and the threshold access level of low latency services is only an example. In actual applications, the correspondence between the value of the low latency field and the threshold access level of low latency services can be determined according to the actual application scenario. The embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0195] If the low latency field in the TWT element or EHT operation element received by the STA is an index value, the threshold access level of the low latency service corresponding to the index value can be determined according to the index value. Then, it is determined whether the service is a low latency service based on the access level of the currently received service. For example, if the value of the low latency field is the first value, the STA can determine whether the access level of the currently received service is AC_VO. If so, it is determined that the currently received service is a low latency service. If the value of the low latency field is the second value, the STA can determine whether the access level of the currently received service is AC_VO or AC_VI. If so, it is determined that the currently received service is a low latency service. When the STA determines that the currently received service is not a low latency service in this cell, condition 2) is satisfied, and the STA determines that the restricted service time period ends.

[0196] The correspondence between the values of the low latency field and the preset service identifiers of low latency services can be as shown in Table 4 below.

[0197] Table 4

[0198] Value of the low latency field Preset service identifier for low latency services First value 6 and 7 Second value 4, 5, 6 and 7 … …

[0199] In Table 4, when the value of the low latency field is the first value, the preset service identifiers of the low latency services corresponding to the first value are 6 and 7; when the value of the low latency field is the second value, the preset service identifiers of the low latency services corresponding to the second value are 4, 5, 6, and 7. It can be understood that the correspondence between the values of the low latency field shown in Table 4 and the preset service identifiers of low latency services is only an example. In actual applications, the correspondence between the values of the low latency field and the preset service identifiers of low latency services can be determined according to the actual application scenario. The embodiments of this application do not make any limitations in this regard.

[0200] If the low latency field in the TWT element or EHT operation element received by the STA is an index value, the preset service identifier of the low latency service corresponding to the index value can be determined according to the index value. Then, it is determined whether the service is a low latency service based on the service identifier of the currently received service. For example, when the value of the low latency field is the first value, the STA can determine whether the service identifier of the currently received service is 6 or 7. If so, it is determined that the currently received service is a low latency service; for another example, when the value of the low latency field is the second value, the STA can determine whether the service identifier of the currently received service is one of 4, 5, 6, and 7. If so, it is determined that the currently received service is a low latency service. When the STA determines that the currently received service is not a low latency service in this cell, condition 2) is satisfied, and the STA determines that the restricted service time period ends.

[0201] In another possible implementation, the low latency field can directly indicate the threshold access level of low latency services or the preset service identifier of low latency services. Specifically, when the information in the low latency field is AC_VO, it can indicate that AC_VO is the threshold access level of low latency services; when the information in the low latency field is AC_VO and AC_VI, it can indicate that AC_VO and AC_VI are the threshold access levels of low latency services; or, when the information in the low latency field is 6 and 7, it can indicate that 6 and 7 are the preset service identifiers of low latency services; when the information in the low latency field is 4, 5, 6, and 7, it can indicate that 4, 5, 6, and 7 are the preset service identifiers of low latency services.

[0202] If the information in the low latency field in the TWT element or EHT operation element received by the STA directly indicates the threshold access level of low latency services or the preset service identifier of low latency services, the STA can determine the threshold access level of low latency services or the preset service identifier of low latency services according to the information in this field. By comparing the access level or service identifier of the currently received service with the information in the low latency field, it is determined whether the currently received service is a low latency service. When the STA determines that the currently received service is not a low latency service in this cell, condition 2) is met, and the STA determines that the restricted service time period ends.

[0203] Optionally, a special value of this low latency field can indicate that the established TWT is not for low latency communication but for traditional TWT communication. Other values indicate that it is for low latency communication and at the same time indicate the corresponding access level or service identifier of low latency communication. The values are shown in Table 5 below.

[0204] Table 5

[0205] Value of the low latency field Meaning 0 Non-Low latency 1 AC_VO 2 AC_VO and AC_VI … …

[0206] It can be understood that the value meanings shown in Table 5 are only examples. In actual applications, the value meanings can be determined according to the actual application scenarios. The embodiments of the present application do not make any limitations in this regard.

[0207] Regarding condition 3):

[0208] After the STA enters the restricted service time period, if it receives a frame for non-low latency service (i.e., ordinary service) communication within this cell, it determines that the restricted service time period ends.

[0209] Herein, this cell can be understood as the BSS where the STA is located. The STA can obtain the value of the BSS color of this cell in advance. The STA can determine whether the received frame is a frame within this cell based on the physical layer frame header or the MAC layer frame header of the received frame. Specifically, it can be determined through the BSS color field in the physical layer frame header. If the received BSS color field is the same as the BSS color value of this cell, it is determined that the received frame is a frame within this cell; it can also be determined through the receive address or transmit address field in the MAC layer frame header. If the value of the receive address or transmit address field is the same as the MAC address of the AP in this cell, it is determined that the received frame is a frame within this cell.

[0210] The non-low latency service can be a service whose access level is lower than certain specific access levels (the threshold access level of the non-low latency service), or a service whose service identifier is certain specific identifiers (the preset service identifier of the non-low latency service). It can be understood that the non-low latency service can be a service whose priority corresponding to the access level is lower than the priority corresponding to certain specific access levels (the threshold access level of the non-low latency service), or a service whose service identifier is certain specific identifiers (the preset service identifier of the non-low latency service). The threshold access level of the non-low latency service or the preset service identifier of the non-low latency service can be sent by the AP to the STA. For example, it is sent carried in the TWT element or the EHT operation element. The threshold access level of the non-low latency service or the preset service identifier of the non-low latency service can also be specified by the standard. Optionally, the service identifier can be a specific service identifier name or a specific value.

[0211] If the threshold access level of the non-low latency service or the preset service identifier of the non-low latency service is sent by the AP to the STA, the STA can receive the fourth frame carried with the TWT element or the EHT operation element sent by the AP. The fourth frame can be a beacon frame or a TWT response frame. The schematic diagram of the frame structure of the TWT element can be as Figure 6A shown, and the schematic diagram of the frame structure of the EHT operation element can be as Figure 6BAs shown. The broadcast TWT recommendation field in the TWT element here or the threshold access level or preset service identifier field in the EHT operation element can be used to indicate the threshold access level of non-low-latency services or the preset service identifier of non-low-latency services. For the specific implementation method, reference can be made to the implementation method in which the broadcast TWT recommendation field in the TWT element or the threshold access level or preset service identifier field in the EHT operation element indicates the threshold access level of low-latency services or the preset service identifier of non-low-latency services in the above condition 2). To avoid repetition, it will not be elaborated here. If the access level or service identifier of the current service received by the STA is the threshold access level of low-latency services or the preset service identifier of low-latency services indicated by the broadcast TWT recommendation field, the STA can determine that the current service is a non-low-latency service. When the STA determines that the current service is a non-low-latency service in this cell, that is, condition 3) is satisfied, it is determined that the restricted service time period ends.

[0212] Optionally, the STA can receive the sixth frame. Since the TWT element or EHT operation element carried by the sixth frame indicates the threshold access level of low-latency services or the preset service identifier of low-latency services, when the STA receives the current service, it can determine whether the access level or service identifier of the current service is the threshold access level of low-latency services or the preset service identifier of low-latency services. If not, the STA can determine that the current service is a non-low-latency service. When the STA determines that the current service is a non-low-latency service in this cell, that is, condition 3) is satisfied, it is determined that the restricted service time period ends.

[0213] When the first condition includes condition 2), the AP needs to send the third frame and the fourth frame to the STA. The third frame and the fourth frame can be the same frame, and the TWT element or EHT operation element carried by it simultaneously indicates the preset time period and the threshold access level of non-low-latency services or the preset service identifier of low-latency services. Alternatively, the AP needs to send the third frame and the sixth frame to the STA. The third frame and the sixth frame can be the same frame, and the TWT element or EHT operation element carried by it simultaneously indicates the preset time period and the threshold access level of low-latency services or the preset service identifier of low-latency services.

[0214] When the first condition includes condition 3), the AP needs to send a fourth frame to the STA. Then, the above-mentioned third frame and fourth frame are different frames. The TWT element or EHT operation element carried in the third frame is used to indicate a preset time period, and the TWT element or EHT operation element carried in the fourth frame is used to indicate the threshold access level for non-low-latency services or the preset service identifier for low-latency services. Alternatively, the AP needs to send a sixth frame to the STA. The third frame and sixth frame are different frames. The TWT element or EHT operation element carried in the third frame is used to indicate a preset time period, and the TWT element or EHT operation element carried in the sixth frame is used to indicate the threshold access level for low-latency services or the preset service identifier for low-latency services.

[0215] When the restricted service time period arrives, the ongoing channel access process of the STA pauses, and the channel access within the restricted service time period begins. When any one or more of the above first conditions are met, the STA determines that the restricted service time period ends. After the end of the restricted service time period, the STA can initiate a new channel access or continue the channel access that was paused before the restricted service time period. The channel access can be a channel access process based on carrier sense multiple access / collision avoidance (CSMA / CA) or enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA).

[0216] It can be understood that in the previous channel access rules, when the STA receives a trigger frame sent by the AP and sends a data frame, if the STA subsequently uses the EDCA access method for channel access, it needs to use a multi-user (MU) EDCA parameter set for channel contention. This is because the STA has already accessed the channel by responding to the trigger frame and needs to use more conservative parameters (i.e., the MU EDCA parameter set) in subsequent channel access. In the embodiments of the present application, since the data frame sent by the STA in response to the trigger frame received during the restricted service time period is a data frame of a low-latency service, it should not affect the channel access opportunity of the low-latency service. When the STA receives a trigger frame sent by the AP during the restricted service time period and sends a data frame, if the STA subsequently needs to use the EDCA access method for channel access, it can not use the MU EDCA parameter set and use the original EDCA parameter set for channel access.

[0217] It can be understood that since the STA must end the communication of its ongoing non-low-latency service before the start of the restricted service period, if the STA completes the random backoff before the start of the restricted service period but does not perform transmission before the restricted service period, then after the end of the restricted service period, if the station needs to use the EDCA access method for channel access subsequently, the EDCA parameters used are the same as those used in the random backoff before the start of the restricted service period.

[0218] Figure 8 It is a schematic flowchart of another communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. Taking the STA as an example below to illustrate this method, it should be understood that this method is not limited to being executed by the STA, and the AP can also execute it. The STA described herein includes various forms of devices / equipment on the STA side, and the AP includes various forms of devices / equipment on the AP side. As Figure 8 shown, this communication method includes but is not limited to the following steps.

[0219] S801. The STA obtains a TXOP before the arrival of the restricted service period.

[0220] The STA can obtain a TXOP before the arrival of the restricted service period, and the services transmitted by the TXOP can include low-latency services, non-low-latency services, exception services, and other services.

[0221] S802. If the second condition is met, the STA does not end the TXOP before the arrival of the restricted service period.

[0222] Among them, the second condition includes any one or more of the following exception conditions:

[0223] Exception condition 1): The TXOP is used to transmit data frames of the first service;

[0224] Exception condition 2): The transmission time of the service transmitted within the TXOP is less than or equal to the first threshold;

[0225] Exception condition 3): The restricted service period is a period for D2D transmission.

[0226] The restricted service period is a period of time during which the AP and the STA are only used to serve low-latency services. Optionally, this restricted service period can be referred to as an R-SP (restricted service period), or can also be referred to as a restricted TWT SP (restricted TWT SP). It can be understood that this restricted service period can also have other names, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0227] The STA does not end the TXOP before the arrival of the restricted service period, which can be understood as that the STA does not need to end its own TXOP before the arrival of the restricted service period, or the STA does not end the TXOP before the arrival of the restricted service period, or the STA continues the current service transmission when the restricted service period arrives.

[0228] It can be understood that in order to ensure that the restricted service periods between multiple cells do not affect each other, the AP can send the parameter values of its own restricted service period to other APs. When other APs set the parameter values of their own restricted service periods, they need to ensure that the time periods of the restricted service periods between multiple APs do not overlap.

[0229] The following will separately elaborate on the second condition. It should be understood that the second condition includes but is not limited to the above three exception conditions.

[0230] For exception condition 1):

[0231] If the TXOP obtained by the STA before the arrival of the restricted service period is used to transmit data frames of the first service, the STA does not end the TXOP before the arrival of the restricted service period.

[0232] Among them, the first service can be a low-latency service or an exception service.

[0233] When the first service is a low-latency service, specifically:

[0234] The low-latency service can be a service whose access level is higher than or equal to certain specific access levels (the threshold access level of the low-latency service), or a service whose service identifier is certain specific identifiers (the preset service identifier of the low-latency service). It can be understood that the low-latency service can be a service whose priority corresponding to the access level is higher than or equal to the priority corresponding to certain specific access levels (the threshold access level of the low-latency service), or a service whose service identifier is certain specific identifiers (the preset service identifier of the low-latency service). The threshold access level of the low-latency service or the preset service identifier of the low-latency service can be sent by the AP to the STA. For example, it is sent in the TWT element or the EHT operation element. The threshold access level of the low-latency service or the preset service identifier of the low-latency service can also be specified by the standard. For example, AC = AC_VO or AC = AC_VI; or TID = 0 or 1. Optionally, the service identifier can be a specific service identifier name or a specific value.

[0235] If the threshold access level for low-latency services or the preset service identifier for low-latency services is sent by the AP to the STA, then the STA can receive the sixth frame sent by the AP carrying the TWT element or the EHT operation element. The sixth frame can be a beacon frame or a TWT response frame.

[0236] The threshold access level for low-latency services or the preset service identifier for low-latency services can be determined by the broadcast TWT recommendation field in the TWT element as shown in Figure 6A or the threshold access level or preset service identifier field in the EHT operation element as shown in Figure 6B . The threshold access level for low-latency services or the preset service identifier for low-latency services can also be determined by the low latency field in the TWT element as shown in Figure 7 . The specific implementation method can refer to the specific description in the above condition 2). To avoid repetition, it will not be elaborated here. When the TXOP obtained by the STA before the arrival of the restricted service period is used to transmit data frames for low-latency services, then the exception condition 1) is satisfied, and the STA does not end the TXOP before the arrival of the restricted service period.

[0237] When the first service is an exception service, specifically:

[0238] The exception service can be the same service as the low-latency service or a service different from the low-latency service. If the exception service is a service different from the low-latency service, the exception service can be a service whose access level is higher than or equal to the threshold access level of the exception service, or a service whose service identifier is the preset service identifier of the exception service. It can be understood that the exception service can be a service whose corresponding priority of the access level is higher than or equal to the threshold access level of the exception service, or a service whose service identifier is the preset service identifier of the exception service. The threshold access level for the exception service or the preset service identifier for the exception service can be sent by the AP to the STA. For example, it is sent in the TWT element or the EHT operation element. The threshold access level for the exception service or the preset service identifier for the exception service can also be specified by the standard. Optionally, the service identifier can be a specific service identifier name or a specific value.

[0239] If the threshold access level for the exception service or the preset service identifier for the exception service is sent by the AP to the STA, then the STA can receive the seventh frame sent by the AP carrying the TWT element or the EHT operation element. The seventh frame can be a beacon frame or a TWT response frame.

[0240] Please refer to Figure 9A , Figure 9AIt is a schematic diagram of the frame structure of another TWT element provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 9A shown, the TWT element may include an element ID (element ID) field, a length (length) field, a control (control) field, and a TWT parameter information (TWT parameter information) field. Among them, the TWT parameter information (TWT parameter information) field may include a request type (request type) sub-field, a target wake time (target wake time) sub-field, a nominal minimum TWT wake duration (nominal minimum TWT wake duration) sub-field, a TWT wake interval mantissa (TWT wake interval mantissa) sub-field, and a broadcast TWT information (broadcast TWT Info) sub-field. Among them, the broadcast TWT information (broadcast TWT Info) sub-field may include an exception access category (or exception traffic identifier) (exception AC (or exception TID)) sub-field.

[0241] Please refer to Figure 9B , Figure 9B It is a schematic diagram of the frame structure of another EHT operation element provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 9B shown, the EHT operation element may include an exception access category (or exception traffic identifier) (exception AC (or exception TID)) field.

[0242] The threshold access category of the exception traffic or the preset traffic identifier of the exception traffic may be determined by the exception access category (or exception traffic identifier) (exception AC (or exception TID)) field in the TWT element shown in Figure 9A or the EHT operation element shown in Figure 9B .

[0243] When the access category corresponding to the data frame transmitted using the TXOP obtained by the STA before the arrival of the restricted service period is higher than or equal to the threshold access category of the exception traffic or the preset traffic identifier of the exception traffic indicated by the exception access category (or exception traffic identifier) (exception AC (or exception TID)) field, that is, exception condition 1) is satisfied, the STA does not end its TXOP before the arrival of the restricted service period.

[0244] For exception condition 2):

[0245] If the STA obtains a TXOP before the arrival of the restricted service period and the transmission time of the traffic transmitted within the TXOP is less than or equal to the first threshold, the STA does not end the TXOP before the arrival of the restricted service period.

[0246] Among them, the first threshold can be sent by the AP to the STA. For example, it is carried in the TWT element or the EHT operation element. The first threshold can also be specified by the standard. For example, the first threshold can be 1 ms (millisecond), 100 us (microsecond), etc.

[0247] If the preset period is sent by the AP to the STA, the STA can receive the fifth frame sent by the AP carrying the TWT element or the EHT operation element. The fifth frame can be a beacon frame or a TWT response frame. A certain field in the TWT element or the EHT operation element can indicate the first threshold.

[0248] For exception condition 3):

[0249] The restricted service period can be the period for low-latency traffic communication between the serving AP and the STA, or the period for traffic communication between D2D. D2D is for traffic transmission between the STA and the STA, and D2D can also be called a peer-to-peer network. When the restricted service period is the period for D2D transmission, that is, when exception condition 3) is satisfied, the STA does not end the TXOP before the arrival of the restricted service period.

[0250] When one or more exception conditions in the second condition are satisfied, the STA can perform any one or more of the following actions:

[0251] Action 1: The STA can ignore the existence of the restricted service period. It can be understood that when the restricted service period arrives, the STA can not terminate the transmission of its current TXOP until the transmission of the TXOP is completed. Optionally, the transmission of the TXOP can end after the start time of the restricted service period;

[0252] Action 2: When the restricted service period arrives, if the transmission time of the traffic transmitted within the TXOP is greater than the second threshold, the STA ends the TXOP. Specifically, when the restricted service period arrives, the STA can only continue to transmit for a period of time, but not exceed the second threshold. The second threshold can be a certain value specified by the standard or sent by the AP to the STA, for example, sent in the TWT element or the EHT operation element.

[0253] Optionally, the second threshold can be equal to the first threshold, that is, when the current traffic transmission of the TXOP is completed, the STA ends the TXOP.

[0254] Behavior three: When the restricted service period arrives, the STA continues to transmit at most one PPDU within the TXOP.

[0255] Optionally, when the second condition is met, since a period of the restricted service period is occupied by other nodes, the AP can send an eighth frame to the STA, and the eighth frame is used to indicate the extension of the restricted service period. The eighth frame can be a type of EHT action frame. Please refer to Figure 10 , Figure 10 It is a schematic diagram of another frame structure provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 10 shown, the EHT action frame may include a frame control field, a duration field, a Receiver address (RA) field, a sending address (TA) field, a Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID) field, a sequence control field, a High Throughput control (HT control) field, a frame body field, and a frame check sequence (FCS) field. Among them, the frame body field includes a category subfield, an Extremely High Throughput action (EHT action) subfield, and an extra restricted service phase duration subfield. Among them, the value of the extra restricted service phase duration subfield can be used to represent the extended duration of the restricted service period. For example, when the value of the extra restricted service phase duration subfield is 10, it can be used to represent that the restricted service period is extended by 10 ms (milliseconds).

[0256] The above content elaborates in detail the method provided by the present application. To facilitate better implementation of the above solution of the embodiment of the present application, the embodiment of the present application also provides a corresponding device.

[0257] The embodiment of the present application can divide the communication device into functional modules according to the above method example. For example, each functional module can be corresponding to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The above integrated module can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional module. It should be noted that the division of modules in the embodiment of the present application is illustrative, and is only a logical function division, and there may be other division methods in actual implementation.

[0258] In the case of using an integrated unit, please refer to Figure 11 , Figure 11 which is a schematic structural diagram of a first communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application. The first communication device can be an STA or a module (such as a chip) in the STA. As Figure 11 shown, the first communication device 1100 at least includes: a processing unit 1101 and a transceiver unit 1102; where:

[0259] The processing unit 1101 is configured to determine that the restricted service time period ends if a first condition is met. The first condition includes any one or more of the following:

[0260] Receiving a first frame, where the first frame is used to indicate the end of the restricted service time period;

[0261] Not receiving a second frame within a preset time period;

[0262] Receiving a frame of non-low-latency service communication within the cell, where the cell is the BSS where the STA is located.

[0263] In one embodiment, the first frame is an EHT action frame, and the EHT action field in the EHT action frame indicates the end of the restricted service time period.

[0264] In one embodiment, the first communication device 1100 further includes:

[0265] The transceiver unit 1102 is configured to, when the first condition includes not receiving a second frame within a preset time period, receive a third frame carrying a TWT element before the STA determines that the restricted service time period ends; the preset time period is determined by the nominal minimum TWT wake-up duration field and the wake-up time unit field in the TWT element.

[0266] In one embodiment, the transceiver unit 1102 may further be configured to: when the first condition includes receiving a frame of non-low-latency service communication within the cell, receive a fourth frame carrying a TWT element before the STA determines that the restricted service time period ends;

[0267] The TWT element carries a threshold access level for non-low-latency services or a preset service identifier for non-low-latency services. Non-low-latency services are services whose access level is lower than or equal to the threshold access level for non-low-latency services, or non-low-latency services are services whose service identifier is the preset service identifier for non-low-latency services.

[0268] In one embodiment, the threshold access level for non-low-latency services or the preset service identifier for non-low-latency services is determined by the broadcast TWT recommendation field in the TWT element.

[0269] In one embodiment, the processing unit 1101 may further be configured to: after determining that the restricted service time period ends, initiate a new channel access, or continue the channel access that was paused before the restricted service time period.

[0270] For a more detailed description of the above-mentioned processing unit 1101 and transceiver unit 1102, reference may be directly made to the relevant description of the STA in the method embodiment shown above, which will not be elaborated here. Figure 3 shown, and will not be elaborated here.

[0271] Please refer to Figure 12 , Figure 12 which is a schematic structural diagram of a second communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application. The second communication device may be an STA or a module (for example, a chip) in the STA. As Figure 12 shown, the second communication device 1200 includes at least: a processing unit 1201 and a transceiver unit 1202; where:

[0272] The processing unit 1201 is configured to obtain a TXOP before the restricted service time period arrives.

[0273] The processing unit 1201 is further configured to, if a second condition is satisfied, not end the TXOP before the restricted service time period arrives, and the second condition includes any one or more of the following:

[0274] The TXOP is used to transmit data frames of a first service;

[0275] The transmission time of the service transmitted within the TXOP is less than or equal to a first threshold;

[0276] The restricted service time period is a time period for D2D transmission.

[0277] In one embodiment, the second communication device 1200 further includes:

[0278] The transceiver unit 1202 is configured to, when the second condition includes that the transmission time of the service transmitted within the TXOP is less than or equal to the first threshold and before ending the TXOP before the restricted service time period arrives, receive a fifth frame, where the fifth frame carries a TWT element, and the TWT element carries the first threshold.

[0279] In one embodiment, the first service is a low-latency service; the transceiver unit 1202 may further be configured to:

[0280] When the second condition includes that the TXOP is used to transmit data frames of the first service, before ending the TXOP before the arrival of the restricted service period, receive a sixth frame, where the sixth frame carries a TWT element; the TWT element carries a threshold access class for low-latency services or a preset service identifier for low-latency services. A low-latency service is a service whose access class is higher than or equal to the threshold access class for low-latency services, or a low-latency service is a service whose service identifier is the preset service identifier for low-latency services.

[0281] In one embodiment, the threshold access class for low-latency services or the preset service identifier for low-latency services is determined by the broadcast TWT recommendation field in the TWT element.

[0282] In one embodiment, the first service is an exceptional service; the transceiver unit 1202 is further configured to:

[0283] When the second condition includes that the TXOP is used to transmit data frames of the first service, before ending the TXOP before the arrival of the restricted service period, receive a seventh frame, where the seventh frame carries a TWT element; the TWT element carries a threshold access class for exceptional services or a preset service identifier for exceptional services. An exceptional service is a service whose access class is higher than or equal to the threshold access class for exceptional services, or an exceptional service is a service whose service identifier is the preset service identifier for exceptional services.

[0284] In one embodiment, the threshold access class for exceptional services or the preset service identifier for exceptional services is determined by the exceptional access class field in the TWT element.

[0285] In one embodiment, the processing unit 1201 may further be configured to:

[0286] When the restricted service period arrives, when the transmission time of the service transmitted within the TXOP is greater than the second threshold, end the TXOP.

[0287] In one embodiment, the processing unit 1201 may further be configured to:

[0288] When the restricted service period arrives, continue to transmit at most one PPDU within the TXOP.

[0289] In one embodiment, the transceiver unit 1202 may further be configured to:

[0290] Receive an eighth frame, where the eighth frame is used to indicate an extension of the restricted service period.

[0291] For a more detailed description of the above processing unit 1201 and transceiver unit 1202, reference may be directly made to the relevant description of the STA in the method embodiment shown above, which will not be elaborated here. Figure 8 shown, and there is no need to repeat it here.

[0292] The first communication device and the second communication device of the embodiments of the present application are introduced above. The following introduces the possible product forms of the application to the first communication device and the application to the second communication device. It should be understood that any product form with the features of the application to the first communication device described above, and any product form with the features of the application to the second communication device described above, fall within the protection scope of the present application. It should also be understood that the following introduction is only for example, and does not limit the product forms of the application to the first communication device and the application to the second communication device of the embodiments of the present application to only this. Figure 11 Any product form with the features of the application to the first communication device described above, and Figure 12 any product form with the features of the application to the second communication device described above, fall within the protection scope of the present application. It should also be understood that the following introduction is only for example, and does not limit the product forms of the application to the first communication device and the application to the second communication device of the embodiments of the present application to only this.

[0293] As a possible product form, the first communication device and the second communication device described in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by a general bus architecture.

[0294] The first communication device includes a processor. Optionally, it further includes a transceiver internally connected and communicating with the processor. The processor is used to determine that the restricted service time period ends if a first condition is met. The first condition includes any one or more of the following: receiving a first frame, where the first frame is used to indicate the end of the restricted service time period; not receiving a second frame within a preset time period; receiving a frame of non-low-latency service communication in the current cell, where the current cell is the BSS where the STA is located. Optionally, the first communication device may further include a memory, and the memory is used to store instructions executed by the processor.

[0295] The second communication device includes a processor. Optionally, it further includes a transceiver internally connected and communicating with the processor. The processor is used to obtain a TXOP before the restricted service time period arrives; the processing unit is further used to not end the TXOP before the restricted service time period arrives if a second condition is met. The second condition includes any one or more of the following: the TXOP is used to transmit a data frame of a first service; the transmission time of the service transmitted within the TXOP is less than or equal to a first threshold; the restricted service time period is a time period for D2D transmission. Optionally, the second communication device may further include a memory, and the memory is used to store instructions executed by the processor.

[0296] As a possible product form, the first communication device and the second communication device described in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by a chip.

[0297] The chip implementing the first communication device includes a processing circuit. Optionally, it further includes an output interface internally connected and communicating with the processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to determine that the restricted service time period ends if a first condition is met. The first condition includes any one or more of the following: receiving a first frame for indicating the end of the restricted service time period; not receiving a second frame within a preset time period; receiving a frame of non-low-latency service communication within the cell, where the cell is the BSS where the STA is located. Optionally, the chip may further include a storage medium for storing instructions executed by the processing circuit.

[0298] The chip implementing the second communication device includes a processing circuit. Optionally, it further includes an output interface internally connected and communicating with the processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to obtain a TXOP before the restricted service time period arrives; the processing unit is further configured to not end the TXOP before the restricted service time period arrives if a second condition is met. The second condition includes any one or more of the following: the TXOP is for transmitting data frames of a first service; the transmission time of the service transmitted within the TXOP is less than or equal to a first threshold; the restricted service time period is a time period for D2D transmission. Optionally, the second communication device may further include a memory for storing instructions executed by the processor. Optionally, the chip may further include a storage medium for storing instructions executed by the processing circuit.

[0299] As a possible product form, the first communication device and the second communication device described in the embodiments of the present application may also be implemented using the following: one or more FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays), PLDs (Programmable Logic Devices), controllers, state machines, gate logic, discrete hardware components, any other suitable circuits, or any combination of circuits capable of performing the various functions described throughout the present application.

[0300] It should be understood that the first communication device and the second communication device in the above various product forms respectively have any functions of the first communication device and the second communication device in the above method embodiments, which will not be elaborated here.

[0301] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the computer to execute the method in any of the foregoing embodiments.

[0302] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program product that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to execute the method in any of the foregoing embodiments.

[0303] An embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device, which may exist in the form of a chip product. The structure of the device includes a processor and an interface circuit. The processor is used to communicate with other devices through a receiving circuit, so that the device executes the method in any of the foregoing embodiments.

[0304] The steps of the method or algorithm described in combination with the disclosure of the present application may be implemented in a hardware manner or by a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions may be composed of corresponding software modules, and the software modules may be stored in a random access memory (RAM), a flash memory, an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a register, a hard disk, a removable hard disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor, so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium may also be a component of the processor. The processor and the storage medium may be located in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC may be located in a core network interface device. Of course, the processor and the storage medium may also exist as discrete components in the core network interface device.

[0305] Those skilled in the art should be able to realize that in one or more of the above examples, the functions described in the present application can be implemented by hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, these functions can be stored in a computer-readable medium or transmitted as one or more instructions or codes on a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium includes a computer-readable storage medium and a communication medium, where the communication medium includes any medium that facilitates the transmission of a computer program from one place to another. The storage medium can be any available medium accessible by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.

[0306] The specific embodiments described above further elaborate on the purpose, technical solutions, and beneficial effects of the present application. It should be understood that the above are only specific embodiments of the present application and are not used to limit the protection scope of the present application. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made on the basis of the technical solutions of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Including: Obtain a transmission opportunity TXOP before the arrival of a restricted Target Wake Time (TWT) service period (restricted TWT SP); If the condition is met, do not end the TXOP before the arrival of the restricted TWT service period; where the condition is that the TXOP is used to transmit data frames of low-latency services.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The low-latency service is a service whose access class is higher than or equal to the threshold access class of the low-latency service, or the low-latency service is a service with a preset service identifier of the low-latency service.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein The threshold access class of the low-latency service or the preset service identifier of the low-latency service is specified by a standard, where the preset service identifier TID of the low-latency service is 0 or 1.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The method further includes: Sending / receiving a frame carrying a TWT element or an Extremely High Throughput (EHT) operation element, where the TWT element or the EHT operation element includes the threshold access class of the low-latency service or the preset service identifier TID of the low-latency service.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein The TWT element includes a broadcast TWT recommendation field, a control field, or a low-latency field, and the threshold access class of the low-latency service or the preset service identifier TID of the low-latency service is determined by the broadcast TWT recommendation field or the control field; or The EHT operation element includes a threshold access class or a preset service identifier field, and the threshold access class of the low-latency service or the preset service identifier TID of the low-latency service is determined by the threshold access class or the preset service identifier field.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The method further includes: When the restricted TWT service period arrives, if the transmission time of the service transmitted within the TXOP is greater than a second threshold, end the TXOP.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The method further includes: When the restricted TWT service period arrives, continue to transmit at most one Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) within the TXOP.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that The method further includes: When the restricted TWT service period arrives, continue to transmit the data frames of the low-latency service.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein The method further includes: Sending / receiving a frame for indicating an extension of the restricted TWT service period.

10. A communication device, characterized in that, Including a unit for performing the method according to any one of claims 1-9.

11. A communication device, characterized in that, Including a processor, where the processor is used to execute instructions stored in a memory to cause the communication device to perform: Obtain a transmission opportunity TXOP before the arrival of a restricted Target Wake Time (TWT) service period (restricted TWT SP); If the condition is met, do not end the TXOP before the arrival of the restricted TWT service period; where the condition is that the TXOP is used to transmit data frames of low-latency services.

12. A communication device, characterized in that, Including a processing circuit, where the processing circuit is used to execute instructions in a storage medium to cause the communication device to perform: Obtain a transmission opportunity TXOP before the arrival of a restricted Target Wake Time (TWT) service period (restricted TWT SP); If the condition is met, the TXOP is not ended before the arrival of the restricted TWT service time period; wherein, the condition is that the TXOP is used to transmit data frames of low-latency services.

13. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, Program instructions are stored in the computer-readable storage medium, and when the program instructions are run on a computer, the computer is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1-9.

14. A computer program product comprising program instructions, which when run on a computer cause the computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1-9.

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