Communication method, communication device and communication system

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a communication method, communication equipment and a communication system. The communication method comprises the following steps: a first station device STA determines whether to execute an NPCA operation in a first TXOP; wherein a first STA is associated with a first access point device (AP), the first STA and the first AP enable an NPCA Mode, the first TXOP is a TXOP acquired by a second AP, and the second AP and the first AP negotiate to establish a Co-TDMA Aggreent for multi-AP coordination based on time division multiple access. According to the communication method, interference between different communication processes can be further reduced, the transmission stability is improved, and ultra-low delay and ultra-high reliability communication requirements in an industrial-grade high-density scene are met.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, communication equipment, and communication system. Background Art

[0002] Wi-Fi technology research includes Ultra High Reliability (UHR), whose vision is to improve the reliability of Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) connections, reduce latency, improve manageability, increase throughput at different signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) levels, and reduce device-level power consumption.

[0003] In UHR, the Multiple AP (M-AP Coordination) mechanism will be further enhanced. M-AP Coordination collaboratively manages the timing, spectrum, and power resources of multiple access points, aiming to reduce network interference, improve transmission stability, and support the ultra-low latency and ultra-high reliability communication requirements in industrial-grade high-density scenarios. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, a communication device, and a communication system to reduce interference between different communication processes and improve transmission stability.

[0005] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, performed by a first station device STA, where the first STA is associated with a first access point device AP, and the first STA and the first AP have enabled NPCA Mode. The method includes:

[0006] determining whether to perform an NPCA operation within a first TXOP;

[0007] The first TXOP is a TXOP acquired by the second AP, and the second AP and the first AP have negotiated to establish a Co-TDMA Agreement for multi-AP coordination based on time division multiple access.

[0008] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a communication method, performed by a first AP, where the first AP has enabled NPCA Mode, the method comprising:

[0009] receiving a first PPDU sent by a second AP, wherein the first PPDU is used to confirm whether a recipient of the first PPDU intends to receive the transmission duration of a first TXOP shared by the second AP; the first TXOP is a TXOP obtained by the second AP;

[0010] A determination is made as to whether to perform an NPCA operation within the first TXOP.

[0011] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a communication device, which is used to execute the communication method described in the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0012] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a communication device, including:

[0013] one or more processors;

[0014] The communication device is used to execute the communication method described in the first aspect or the second aspect of the embodiment of this disclosure.

[0015] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a communication system, including a first STA and a first AP;

[0016] The first STA is configured to implement the communication method described in the first aspect, and the first AP is configured to implement the communication method described in the second aspect.

[0017] In the sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a storage medium, which stores instructions. When the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes the communication method described in the first aspect of the embodiment of the present disclosure, or executes the communication method described in the second aspect of the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] In the seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a program product, comprising at least one of a program or an instruction, wherein when the at least one of the program or the instruction is executed by a communication device, the communication method described in the first aspect is implemented, or the communication method described in the second aspect is implemented.

[0019] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the first AP and the second AP have negotiated to establish a Co-TDMA Agreement and the first STA and the first AP have enabled NPCA Mode, by considering possible interoperability and incompatibility issues between Co-TDMA operations and NPCA operations, a mechanism is defined for the first STA to determine whether it performs NPCA operations within the first TXOP held by the second AP. This mechanism can reduce network interference, improve transmission stability, and support ultra-low latency and ultra-high reliability communication requirements in industrial-grade high-density scenarios.

[0020] Additional aspects and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be given in part in the following description, which will become apparent from the following description, or will be learned through practice of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the following drawings required for describing the embodiments are introduced. The following drawings are merely some embodiments of the present disclosure and do not impose specific limitations on the protection scope of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 2 This is one of the interactive schematic diagrams of the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 3 This is the second interactive schematic diagram of the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025] Figure 4 This is the third interactive schematic diagram of the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0026] Figure 5 This is one of the flow charts of the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] Figure 6 This is the second flow chart of the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 7 is a structural diagram of a first site device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 8 is a structural diagram of a first access point device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] Figure 10 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the chip proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, a communication device, and a communication system.

[0033] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, performed by a first station device STA, where the first STA is associated with a first access point device AP, and the first STA and the first AP have enabled NPCA Mode. The method includes:

[0034] determining whether to perform an NPCA operation within a first TXOP;

[0035] The first TXOP is a TXOP acquired by the second AP, and the second AP and the first AP have negotiated to establish a Co-TDMA Agreement for multi-AP coordination based on time division multiple access.

[0036] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the first AP and the second AP have negotiated to establish a Co-TDMA Agreement and the first STA and the first AP have enabled NPCA Mode, by considering possible interoperability and incompatibility issues between Co-TDMA operations and NPCA operations, a mechanism is defined for the first STA to determine whether it performs NPCA operations within the first TXOP held by the second AP. This mechanism can reduce network interference, improve transmission stability, and support ultra-low latency and ultra-high reliability communication requirements in industrial-grade high-density scenarios.

[0037] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a communication method, performed by a first AP, where the first AP has enabled NPCA Mode, the method comprising:

[0038] receiving a first PPDU sent by a second AP, wherein the first PPDU is used to confirm whether a recipient of the first PPDU intends to receive the transmission duration of a first TXOP shared by the second AP; the first TXOP is a TXOP obtained by the second AP;

[0039] A determination is made as to whether to perform an NPCA operation within the first TXOP.

[0040] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a communication device, which is used to execute an optional implementation of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0041] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a communication device, including:

[0042] one or more processors;

[0043] The communication device is used to execute the optional implementation of the first aspect, or to execute the optional implementation of the second aspect.

[0044] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a communication system, including a first STA and a first AP;

[0045] The first STA is configured to implement the optional implementation manner described in the first aspect, and the first AP is configured to implement the optional implementation manner described in the second aspect.

[0046] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a storage medium storing instructions, which, when executed on a communication device, enables the communication device to execute an optional implementation as described in the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0047] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a program product. When the program product is executed by a communication device, the communication device executes the method described in the optional implementation manner of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0048] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method described in the optional implementation of the first or second aspect.

[0049] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a chip or a chip system, wherein the chip or chip system includes a processing circuit configured to execute the method described in the optional implementation of the first or second aspect.

[0050] It is understood that the above-mentioned communication devices, communication systems, storage media, program products, computer programs, chips, or chip systems are all used to perform the methods proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can refer to the beneficial effects of the corresponding methods and will not be repeated here.

[0051] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, a communication device, and a communication system. In some embodiments, the terms communication method, signal transmission method, wireless frame transmission method, etc. can be used interchangeably, and the terms information processing system, communication system, etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0052] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive and are merely illustrative of some embodiments, and are not intended to be a specific limitation on the scope of protection of the present disclosure. In the absence of contradiction, each step in a certain embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a certain embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily exchanged. In addition, the optional implementation methods in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; in addition, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined. For example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments.

[0053] In each embodiment of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified or provided for by logic, the terms and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form a new embodiment based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0054] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0055] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, “plurality” refers to two or more.

[0056] In some embodiments, the terms "at least one of A or B, at least one of A and B", "one or more", "a plurality of", "multiple" and the like can be used interchangeably.

[0057] In some embodiments, descriptions such as "at least one of A and B," "A and / or B," "A in one case, B in another case," and "in response to one case A, in response to another case B" may include the following technical solutions depending on the circumstances: in some embodiments, A (A is executed regardless of whether there is a branch B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed regardless of whether there is a branch A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); in some embodiments, A and B (both A and B are executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, and C.

[0058] In some embodiments, "A or B" and other notations may include the following technical solutions, depending on the circumstances: in some embodiments, A (A is executed regardless of whether B branch exists); in some embodiments, B (B is executed regardless of whether A branch exists); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, and C.

[0059] The prefixes such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only used to distinguish different description objects and do not constitute any restriction on the position, order, priority, quantity or content of the description objects. For the statement of the description object, please refer to the description in the context of the claims or embodiments, and no unnecessary restriction should be constituted due to the use of prefixes. For example, if the description object is a "field", the ordinal number before the "field" in the "first field" and the "second field" does not limit the position or order between the "fields". "First" and "second" do not limit whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they limit the order of the "first field" and the "second field". For another example, if the description object is a "level", the ordinal number before the "level" in the "first level" and the "second level" does not limit the priority between the "levels". For another example, the number of description objects is not limited by the ordinal number and can be one or more. Taking "first device" as an example, the number of "devices" can be one or more. In addition, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the description object is "device", then the "first device" and the "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different; for another example, if the description object is "information", then the "first information" and the "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their contents can be the same or different.

[0060] In some embodiments, “including A,” “comprising A,” “used to indicate A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0061] In some embodiments, terms such as "time / frequency" and "time / frequency domain" refer to the time domain and / or the frequency domain.

[0062] In some embodiments, terms such as "in response to...", "in response to determining...", "in the case of...", "at...", "when...", "if...", "if...", etc. can be used interchangeably. These descriptions all mean that the device will make corresponding processing under certain objective circumstances. It is not necessary to limit the time, nor is it required that the device must perform a judgment action when implemented, nor does it mean that there must be other limitations.

[0063] In some embodiments, terms such as "greater than", "greater than or equal to", "not less than", "more than", "more than or equal to", "not less than", "higher than", "higher than or equal to", "not less than", and "above" can be replaced with each other, and terms such as "less than", "less than or equal to", "not greater than", "less than", "less than or equal to", "not more than", "lower than", "lower than or equal to", "not higher than", and "below" can be replaced with each other.

[0064] In some embodiments, devices and the like can be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to those described in the embodiments. Terms such as "device," "equipment," "device," "circuit," "network element," "network function," "network device," "function," "node," "unit," "section," "system," "network," "chip," "chip system," "entity," and "subject" can be used interchangeably.

[0065] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in the network (eg, access network equipment, core network equipment, etc.).

[0066] In addition, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" can also be replaced with terms corresponding to inter-terminal communication (for example, "side"). For example, uplink channel, downlink channel, etc. can be replaced with side channel, and uplink, downlink, etc. can be replaced with sidelink.

[0067] In some embodiments, link can mean "connection" or "link"; in various embodiments, "connection" and "link" can be interchangeable.

[0068] In some embodiments, obtaining data, information, etc. may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the data is obtained.

[0069] In some embodiments, data, information, etc. may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0070] In addition, each element, each row, or each column in the table of the embodiment of the present disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of any elements, any rows, and any columns can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0071] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0072] like Figure 1 As shown, the communication system 100 includes a first station device (STA) 101 and a first access point device (AP) 102 , a second AP 103 that has negotiated to establish a Co-TDMA Agreement with the first AP 102 , and a second STA 104 associated with the second AP 103 .

[0073] In some embodiments, the first AP 102 and the second AP 103 can be access points for mobile terminals to enter the wired network. The AP is equivalent to a bridge connecting the wired network and the wireless network. Its main function is to connect various wireless network clients together and then connect the wireless network to the Ethernet. Specifically, the AP can be a terminal device or network device with a wireless fidelity chip. Optionally, the AP can support multiple WLAN standards such as 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b and 802.11a, 802.11bf, 802.11bn, and support the next generation 802.11 protocol, but is not limited to this.

[0074] In some embodiments, the first STA 101 and the second STA 104 include, for example, a wireless communication chip, a wireless sensor, or a wireless communication terminal that supports Wi-Fi communication. Optionally, the wireless communication terminal is, for example, a mobile phone, a wearable device, an IoT device that supports Wi-Fi communication, a car with WiFi communication, a smart car, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, or a wireless terminal device in a smart home, but is not limited thereto.

[0075] Specifically, the first STA 101 and the second STA 104 can be terminal devices or network devices with wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) chips. Optionally, the first STA 101 and the second STA 104 can support multiple WLAN standards such as 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b and 802.11a, 802.11bf, 802.11bn, and support the next generation 802.11 protocol, but are not limited thereto.

[0076] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the AP and STA may be devices supporting multi-link, for example, they may be respectively represented as a multi-link access point device (Access Point Multi-Link Device, AP MLD) and a multi-link site device (Non-Access Point Multi-Link Device, Non-AP MLD); AP MLD may represent an access point supporting multi-link communication function, and non-AP MLD may represent a site supporting multi-link communication function.

[0077] It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiment of the present disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solution of the embodiment of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solution proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure. Ordinary technicians in this field can know that with the evolution of the system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solution proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure is also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0078] The following embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to Figure 1 The communication system 100, or a portion thereof, is shown but is not limited thereto. Figure 1 The various entities shown are examples, and the communication system may include Figure 1 All or part of the subject, and may also include Figure 1 The number and form of other subjects are arbitrary, each subject can be physical or virtual, the connection relationship between the subjects is illustrative, the subjects can be connected or disconnected, and the connection can be in any way, which can be direct or indirect, wired or wireless.

[0079] The various embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to a wireless local area network (WLAN), such as a local area network that adopts the 802.11 series of protocols. In a WLAN, a basic service set (BSS) is a basic component of a WLAN. A BSS network is composed of station devices with certain associations within a specific coverage area. One scenario of association is that stations communicate directly with each other in an ad hoc network, which is called an independent basic service set (IBSS). Another more common scenario is that in a BSS network, there is only one central station with a dedicated BSS management function, which is called an access point device, and other stations in the BSS network that are not APs are called terminals, also called non-AP STAs. APs and non-AP STAs are collectively referred to as STAs. When describing STAs, there is no need to distinguish between APs and non-AP STAs. In the same BSS network, due to distance, transmission power, etc., a STA cannot detect other STAs that are farther away from it, and the two are hidden nodes of each other.

[0080] With the increasing frequency bands supported by Wi-Fi communication devices (hereinafter referred to as "Wi-Fi devices" or "WLAN devices"), the trend of higher frequencies, and the diversification of communication services, WLAN device deployment is becoming increasingly dense. The increasingly dense APs bring more transmission interference and increase the risk of channel contention conflicts.

[0081] In some embodiments, in order to further improve the user service quality and overall communication performance, achieve higher throughput, higher rate and higher access efficiency within a single BSS, while pursuing improvements in communication rate, communication delay and reliability within a single BSS, a Multiple AP Coordination Transmission mechanism is proposed. The MAP coordination mechanism mainly achieves the purposes of eliminating interference between BSSs, improving user service quality and reducing delay by implementing coordination strategies such as time-frequency, frequency domain resource sharing, spatial multiplexing or joint transmission among multiple APs. Among them, MAP coordination transmission mainly includes three stages: MAP coordination discovery (MAPC Discovery), MAP coordination agreement negotiation (MAPCagreement negotiation) and specific MAP coordination transmission (Specific MAP Coordination transmission).

[0082] In some embodiments, a coordinated time division multiple access (Co-TDMA) inter-AP coordination strategy mainly includes a polling phase, a time allocation phase, and a possible TXOP return (TXOP, i.e., transmission opportunity) phase. In the polling phase, a sharing AP sends an initial control frame (ICF) at the beginning of a TXOP to check which neighboring APs of the sharing AP are willing to receive a portion of the current TXOP time shared with them. The target AP of the ICF (i.e., the neighboring AP of the sharing AP that is willing to receive a portion of the current TXOP time shared with it) is called a polled AP. After receiving a response frame to the ICF from the polled AP, the sharing AP determines whether to share the current TXOP with the corresponding polled AP. During the Time Allocation phase, Sharing APs perform TXOP sharing by sending Multi-User Request to Send (MU-RTS) TXS Trigger frames (MU stands for multi-user, RTS stands for request to send, and TXS stands for TXOP Sharing) to interested polled APs. During the TXOP return phase, if a Coordinated AP (also known as a Shared AP, i.e., the polled AP that receives the MU-RTS TXS Trigger frame) completes transmission ahead of schedule, the Coordinated AP can return the remaining TXOP to the Sharing AP.

[0083] However, there may be potential interoperability and incompatibility issues between Co-TDMA operation and non-primary channel access (NPCA) operation. For example, in Co-TDMA operation, the STA (e.g., including STA1) in the BSS where the Shared AP is located may monitor the initial control frame and data frame sent by the Sharing AP to its neighboring AP. On the one hand, if STA1 supports NPCA operation, after detecting the PPDU (Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit, which can carry the initial control frame) sent by the Sharing AP, STA1 may perform NPCA operation to switch to the primary channel (NPCA Primary Channel) corresponding to the non-primary channel access operation. As a result, the Shared AP may be unable to communicate with STA1 (STA1 is associated with the Shared AP) during the portion of time it obtains the sharing of the Sharing AP in the current TXOP. On the other hand, if it is stipulated that neither the access point device nor the station device that receives the initial control frame performs NPCA operation, over-protection may occur. For example, during the polling phase, AP1 (Sharing AP) does not poll AP3, with which it has established Co-TDMA. Non-AP STAs associated with AP3 and that can hear the initial control frame sent by AP1 can perform NPCA operations. Forcibly shutting down or disabling NPCA operations between AP3 and the corresponding non-AP STAs at this time will affect spectrum utilization efficiency and low-latency service transmission.

[0084] Therefore, the current coordinated transmission methods and processes between multiple access points are adjusted to reduce interference between different communication processes, improve transmission stability, and support ultra-low latency and ultra-high reliability communication requirements in industrial-grade high-density scenarios.

[0085] Figure 2 FIG. 1 is one of the interactive diagrams of the communication method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 As shown, the above method includes:

[0086] Step 201: The first STA determines whether to perform an NPCA operation within the first TXOP.

[0087] Among them, the first STA is associated with the first AP, and the first STA and the first AP have enabled the non-primary channel access mode (NPCA Mode), the first TXOP is the TXOP obtained by the second AP, and the second AP and the first AP have negotiated to establish a multi-AP coordination agreement based on time division multiple access (Co-TDMA Agreement).

[0088] Optionally, the second AP is the holder of the TXOP, and accordingly, the second AP can be called a "Sharing AP".

[0089] Optionally, the first AP may receive all or part of the duration of the first TXOP from the second AP. Accordingly, the first AP may be called a "Shared AP".

[0090] Optionally, when the first AP negotiates with the second AP to establish a Co-TDMA Agreement, the first AP may initiate the establishment of the Co-TDMA Agreement with the second AP, or the second AP may initiate the establishment of the Co-TDMA Agreement with the first AP, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0091] Optionally, when the first AP initiates a Co-TDMA Agreement with the second AP, and the second AP accepts the Co-TDMA Agreement with the first AP, the first AP may be referred to as a "coordinating AP" and the second AP may be referred to as a "coordinated AP".

[0092] Optionally, when the second AP initiates to establish a Co-TDMA Agreement with the first AP, and the first AP accepts to establish the Co-TDMA Agreement with the second AP, the second AP may be referred to as a "Coordinating AP" and the first AP may be referred to as a "Coordinated AP".

[0093] In some embodiments, the first STA can determine whether to perform NPCA operation within the first TXOP by considering whether it will interfere with the communication process within the first TXOP, further improve spectrum utilization efficiency, reduce the transmission delay of low-latency service data, and other requirements. Specifically, when the first STA performs NPCA operation within the first TXOP, at least one of the following goals can be achieved: avoid interference with the communication process within the first TXOP as much as possible, further improve spectrum utilization efficiency, and reduce the transmission delay of low-latency service data transmitted between the first AP.

[0094] In the above embodiment, when the first AP and the second AP have negotiated to establish a Co-TDMA Agreement and the first STA and the first AP have enabled NPCA Mode, by considering the possible interoperability and incompatibility between Co-TDMA operation and NPCA operation, a mechanism is defined for the first STA to determine whether it is performing NPCA operation within the first TXOP held by the second AP. This can reduce network interference, improve transmission stability, and support the ultra-low latency and ultra-high reliability communication requirements in industrial-grade high-density scenarios.

[0095] Figure 3 This is the second interactive diagram of the communication method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 As shown, the above method includes:

[0096] Step 301: A first AP negotiates with a second AP to establish a Co-TDMA Agreement.

[0097] Optionally, the first AP and the second AP may be neighboring APs. Figure 3 For example, the neighbor AP of the second AP is the first AP, and the neighbor AP of the first AP is the second AP.

[0098] Optionally, as described above, when the first AP negotiates with the second AP to establish a Co-TDMA Agreement, the first AP may initiate the establishment of the Co-TDMA Agreement with the second AP, or the second AP may initiate the establishment of the Co-TDMA Agreement with the first AP. This is not limited in the present embodiment. In other words, there are the following two situations:

[0099] In case 1, the first AP sends a Co-TDMA Agreement Establishment Request frame to at least one of its neighboring APs (including the second AP). If the second AP accepts to establish a Co-TDMA Agreement with the first AP, the second AP can send a Co-TDMA Agreement Establishment Response frame to the first AP and indicate in the Co-TDMA Agreement Establishment Response frame that the second AP accepts to establish a Co-TDMA Agreement with the first AP. In this way, the first AP can negotiate to establish a Co-TDMA Agreement with the second AP.

[0100] In the second scenario, the second AP sends a Co-TDMA Agreement Establishment Request frame to at least one of its neighboring APs (including the first AP). If the first AP accepts to establish a Co-TDMA Agreement with the second AP, the first AP can send a Co-TDMA Agreement Establishment Response frame to the second AP and indicate in the Co-TDMA Agreement Establishment Response frame that the first AP accepts to establish a Co-TDMA Agreement with the second AP. In this way, the first AP can negotiate to establish a Co-TDMA Agreement with the second AP.

[0101] Step 302: The first AP broadcasts a third radio frame. Correspondingly, the first STA receives the third radio frame sent by the first AP, wherein the third radio frame carries identification information of one or more APs that have negotiated to establish a Co-TDMA Agreement with the first AP.

[0102] It is understandable that the second AP may also broadcast a fourth radio frame; wherein the fourth radio frame carries identification information of one or more APs that have negotiated with the second AP to establish a Co-TDMA Agreement.

[0103] Optionally, the identification information of the AP may include but is not limited to: at least one of the basic service set color of the AP (i.e., the basic service set color of the BSS where the AP is located; the basic service set color is BSS Color), the device ID of the AP, the medium access control (MAC) address of the AP, etc.

[0104] Optionally, when an AP negotiates with multiple APs to establish a Co-TDMA Agreement (i.e., coordination between multiple APs based on time division multiple access), the identification information of multiple APs that negotiate with the AP to establish a Co-TDMA Agreement can be called: a list of AP identification information that negotiates with the AP to establish a Co-TDMA Agreement.

[0105] For example, if the AP identification information includes BSS Color, for the first AP, the third radio frame may carry the BSS Color list of APs that have negotiated to establish a Co-TDMA Agreement with the first AP. For the second AP, the fourth radio frame may carry the BSS Color list of APs that have negotiated to establish a Co-TDMA Agreement with the second AP.

[0106] Step 303: The second AP sends a request to at least one AP ( Figure 3 Taking the first AP as an example, the first AP sends a first PPDU. Correspondingly, the first AP receives a first PPDU sent by a second AP; wherein the first PPDU is used to confirm whether the recipient of the first PPDU intends to receive the transmission duration of the first TXOP shared with the second AP; the first TXOP is the TXOP obtained by the second AP.

[0107] In some embodiments, the first PPDU includes first identification information, where the first identification information includes at least one of the following:

[0108] A first identifier, where the first identifier identifies: the first PPDU is used to determine whether a receiver of the first PPDU intends to receive the transmission duration shared by the second AP;

[0109] A first identification field, where the first identification field identifies: identification information of the second AP.

[0110] Optionally, the first identifier may be carried in a preamble (PHY Preamble) of the first PPDU.

[0111] Optionally, the first identifier may be carried in an initial control frame included in the first PPDU; for example, the first PPDU includes an initial control frame (for example, a BSRP Trigger frame, a BSRP trigger frame, BSRP, namely, Buffer Status ReportPoll, a buffer status report poll), and the first identifier is included in the BSRP Trigger frame; optionally, the first identifier may be included in a common information field (Common Info field) or a user information field (User Info field) of the BSRP Trigger frame.

[0112] Optionally, the first identification field may be carried in the PHY Preamble of the first PPDU.

[0113] Optionally, the first identification field can be carried in the initial control frame included in the first PPDU; for example, the first PPDU includes an initial control frame BSRP Trigger frame, and the first identification field is included in the BSRP Trigger frame; optionally, the first identification field can be included in the Common Info field or the User Info field of the BSRP Trigger frame.

[0114] Optionally, the identification information of the second AP may include but is not limited to at least one of: a BSS Color of the second AP, a device ID of the second AP, a MAC address of the second AP, and the like.

[0115] Optionally, when the second AP sends the first PPDU, in addition to the AP that negotiates with the second AP to establish the Co-TDMA Agreement, other devices may also monitor the first PPDU, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0116] Step 304: The first AP sends a first radio frame to the second AP; wherein the first radio frame indicates that the first AP intends to receive the transmission duration of the first TXOP shared by the second AP.

[0117] Optionally, the frame type of the first wireless frame may be used to indicate that the sender of the first wireless frame intends to receive the transmission duration in the first TXOP shared with the second AP. In this case, as long as an AP sends the first wireless frame, it indicates that the AP intends to receive the transmission duration in the first TXOP shared with the second AP.

[0118] Optionally, the frame type of the first radio frame may also be used to indicate whether the sender of the first radio frame intends to receive the transmission duration in the first TXOP shared with the second AP. In this case, the first radio frame may include a reception intention indication bit. For example, the reception intention indication bit may occupy one bit in the first radio frame. When the bit is set to "1", it may indicate that the AP sending the first radio frame intends to receive the transmission duration in the first TXOP shared with the second AP; when the bit is set to "0", it may indicate that the AP sending the first radio frame intends not to receive the transmission duration in the first TXOP shared with the second AP.

[0119] It can be understood that the first radio frame can be applicable to any of the above situations, wherein when the first radio frame is applicable to the second situation, in step 304, the reception intention indication bit in the first radio frame can be set to "1".

[0120] Optionally, the first wireless frame may also carry identification information of the first AP, so that a device receiving the first wireless frame sent by the first AP can obtain which AP is intended to receive the transmission time shared by the second AP.

[0121] Optionally, in the case where the first AP intends to receive the transmission duration shared by the second AP, the first AP may further carry specific duration information that it needs the second AP to share with it in the first wireless frame.

[0122] Optionally, the second AP may share the transmission duration with the first AP based on the specific duration information carried by the first AP in the first wireless frame that the second AP needs to share with the first AP, while trying to meet the needs of the first AP.

[0123] Optionally, the first AP intends to receive the transmission duration in the first TXOP shared with it by the second AP, which may be the TXOP Sharing performed by the first AP receiving the second AP. It can be understood as: the first AP accepts the sharing of this TXOP, and when the second AP shares part of the transmission duration or all of the transmission duration in the TXOP with the first AP, the first AP will transmit within this TXOP; that is: when the first AP gives a positive response (for example, the first AP sends the first wireless frame to the second AP), it means that the second AP will perform TXOP Sharing with the first AP, and then the first AP can transmit within this BSS within the shared TXOP.

[0124] In step 305, the first STA does not perform the NPCA operation within the first TXOP when it determines that the first AP intends to receive the transmission time shared by the second AP. The first STA is associated with the first AP, and the first STA and the first AP have enabled NPCA Mode. The first TXOP is the TXOP obtained by the second AP, and the second AP and the first AP have negotiated to establish a Co-TDMA Agreement.

[0125] Optionally, the first STA may determine whether the first AP intends to receive the transmission duration shared by the second AP based on whether it monitors the first radio frame sent by the first AP to the second AP.

[0126] In some embodiments, the first STA monitors a first wireless frame sent by the first AP, and the first wireless frame indicates that the first AP intends to receive the transmission duration shared by the second AP, and determines that the first condition is met.

[0127] Optionally, the first condition is satisfied including: the first STA determines that the first AP intends to receive the transmission duration in the first TXOP shared with it by the second AP.

[0128] Optionally, the first STA determines not to perform the NPCA operation within the first TXOP if a first condition is satisfied. That is, the first STA monitors a first radio frame sent by the first AP, and the first radio frame indicates that the first AP intends to receive the transmission duration shared by the second AP, and determines not to perform the NPCA operation within the first TXOP.

[0129] Optionally, after the first STA monitors the first wireless frame sent by the first AP, it can parse the first wireless frame. When it is determined that the first wireless frame carries the identification information of the first AP, it determines that the first AP intends to receive the transmission duration shared by the second AP and determines that the first condition is met.

[0130] Optionally, if the first AP intends to receive the transmission time shared by the second AP, the first AP can continue to communicate with the first STA on the current channel during the transmission time shared by the second AP without performing the NPCA operation, thereby improving spectrum utilization. On the other hand, if the first STA switches to the NPCAPrimary channel due to the NPCA operation during the transmission time shared by the second AP, the first AP will not be able to communicate with the first STA during the transmission time shared by the second AP.

[0131] Optionally, regardless of whether the first STA monitors the first PPDU sent by the second AP, as long as the first STA determines that the first AP intends to receive the transmission duration in the first TXOP shared with it by the second AP, it can be determined that it does not perform NPCA operations within the first TXOP.

[0132] In some embodiments, the first STA may further assist in determining whether to perform the NPCA operation within the first TXOP based on whether it monitors the first PPDU sent by the second AP.

[0133] In some embodiments, when the first condition is satisfied, determining not to perform the NPCA operation in the first TXOP may further include at least one of the following:

[0134] If the first condition is met and the first PPDU meets the first requirement, determine not to perform the NPCA operation in the first TXOP;

[0135] If the first condition is met and the first STA does not monitor the first PPDU, it is determined not to perform an NPCA operation within the first TXOP.

[0136] Optionally, the first STA may monitor the first PPDU sent by the second AP. When the first STA monitors the first PPDU, it may assist in determining whether to perform the NPCA operation according to whether the first PPDU meets the first requirement.

[0137] In some embodiments, the first PPDU complies with a first requirement, including at least one of the following:

[0138] The first PPDU carries a first identifier;

[0139] The first PPDU carries a first identification field, and the AP corresponding to the first identification field has negotiated and established a Co-TDMA Agreement with the first AP.

[0140] Optionally, after monitoring the first PPDU, the first STA may parse the first PPDU to determine whether the first PPDU carries the first identifier or the first identification field, and determine whether the first PPDU meets the first requirement based on the determination result.

[0141] Optionally, when the first identifier is carried in the first PPDU, it is determined that the first PPDU meets the first requirement.

[0142] Optionally, the AP corresponding to the first identification domain may refer to the AP identified in the first identification domain. For example, if the first identification domain identifies one or more APs, the AP corresponding to the first identification domain may refer to the one or more APs; for example, if the first identification domain identifies the second AP, the AP corresponding to the first identification domain may refer to the second AP.

[0143] Optionally, when the first PPDU carries a first identification domain and the first identification domain indicates identification information of the second AP, the second AP is determined to be the AP corresponding to the first identification domain; and, the identification information of the second AP is compared with the identification information of the AP carried in the third wireless frame. When the identification information of the AP carried in the third wireless frame includes the identification information of the second AP, it is determined that the AP corresponding to the first identification domain has negotiated with the first AP to establish a Co-TDMA Agreement, that is, the first PPDU meets the first requirement.

[0144] In the above embodiment, if the first STA does not hear the first PPDU, it can monitor or analyze whether the first AP sends a response frame for the first PPDU. If the first AP hears the first AP send a response frame for the first PPDU, and the response frame indicates that the first AP intends to receive the second AP's shared transmission time, this means that within the first TXOP held by the second AP, the first AP intends to receive the second AP's shared transmission time. If the second AP shares the transmission time with the first AP, the first AP can continue to communicate with the first STA on the current channel. Therefore, the first STA does not need to perform NPCA. If the first AP hears the first AP does not send a response frame for the first PPDU, or sends a response frame for the first PPDU but the response frame indicates that the first AP does not intend to receive the second AP's shared transmission time, this means that within the first TXOP held by the second AP, the first AP does not intend to receive the second AP's shared transmission time. Therefore, the second AP will not share the transmission time with the first AP. In this case, when the NPCA trigger condition occurs, the first AP and the first STA can perform NPCA and switch to the NPCAP marginal channel for transmission, thereby improving spectrum utilization.

[0145] In step 306 , the second AP may send a radio frame to its associated second STA within the first TXOP.

[0146] Optionally, the second AP may perform frame exchange with the second STA by sending a wireless frame to the second STA within the first TXOP.

[0147] Optionally, the second AP may send a radio frame to the second STA after sending the first PPDU and / or after receiving the first radio frame sent thereto by one or more APs.

[0148] In step 307 , the first AP intends to receive the transmission duration shared by the second AP, and the first AP does not perform the NPCA operation in the first TXOP.

[0149] Optionally, the first AP sends a first wireless frame to the second AP, and intends to receive the transmission time shared by the second AP. It can be determined that within the first TXOP held by the second AP, the second AP will share part of the transmission time of the first TXOP with the first AP. At this time, the first AP and its associated STA do not perform the NPCA operation to avoid communication failure between the first AP and its associated STA within the part of the transmission time shared by the second AP.

[0150] Figure 4 This is the third interactive diagram of the communication method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 As shown, the above method includes:

[0151] Step 401: A first AP establishes a Co-TDMA Agreement with a second AP.

[0152] Optionally, the specific implementation of step 401 may refer to step 301 and will not be described in detail here.

[0153] Step 402: The first AP broadcasts a third radio frame. Correspondingly, the first STA receives the third radio frame sent by the first AP, wherein the third radio frame carries identification information of one or more APs that have negotiated to establish a Co-TDMA Agreement with the first AP.

[0154] Optionally, the specific implementation of step 402 may refer to step 302 and will not be described in detail here.

[0155] Step 403: The second AP sends a request to at least one AP ( Figure 4Taking the first AP as an example, the first AP sends a first PPDU. Correspondingly, the first AP receives a first PPDU sent by a second AP; wherein the first PPDU is used to confirm whether the recipient of the first PPDU intends to receive the transmission duration of the first TXOP shared with the second AP; the first TXOP is the TXOP obtained by the second AP.

[0156] In some embodiments, the first PPDU includes first identification information, where the first identification information includes at least one of the following:

[0157] A first identifier, where the first identifier identifies: the first PPDU is used to determine whether a receiver of the first PPDU intends to receive the transmission duration shared by the second AP;

[0158] A first identification field, where the first identification field identifies: identification information of the second AP.

[0159] Optionally, the first identifier may be carried in a preamble (PHY Preamble) of the first PPDU.

[0160] Optionally, the first identifier may be carried in an initial control frame included in the first PPDU; for example, the first PPDU includes an initial control frame BSRP Trigger frame, and the first identifier is included in the BSRP Trigger frame; optionally, the first identifier may be included in the Common Info field or the User Info field of the BSRP Trigger frame.

[0161] Optionally, the first identification field may be carried in the PHY Preamble of the first PPDU.

[0162] Optionally, the first identification field can be carried in the initial control frame included in the first PPDU; for example, the first PPDU includes an initial control frame BSRP Trigger frame, and the first identification field is included in the BSRP Trigger frame; optionally, the first identification field can be included in the Common Info field or the User Info field of the BSRP Trigger frame.

[0163] Optionally, when the second AP sends the first PPDU, in addition to the AP that negotiates with the second AP to establish the Co-TDMA Agreement, other devices may also monitor the first PPDU, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0164] Optionally, the specific implementation of step 403 may refer to step 303 and will not be described in detail here.

[0165] Step 404: The first AP does not respond to the first PPDU, or sends a second wireless frame to the second AP; wherein the second wireless frame indicates that the first AP intends not to receive the transmission duration in the first TXOP shared with it by the second AP.

[0166] Optionally, the frame structure of the second radio frame may be the same as the frame structure in the second case corresponding to the above-mentioned first radio frame.

[0167] That is, the frame type of the second radio frame may also be used to indicate whether the sender of the second radio frame intends to receive the transmission duration in the first TXOP shared with it by the second AP. In this case, the second radio frame may include a reception intention indication bit. For example, the reception intention indication bit may occupy one bit in the second radio frame. When the bit is set to "1", it may indicate that the AP sending the second radio frame intends to receive the transmission duration in the first TXOP shared with it by the second AP; when the bit is set to "0", it may indicate that the AP sending the second radio frame intends not to receive the transmission duration in the first TXOP shared with it by the second AP.

[0168] Optionally, in step 404, the reception intention indication bit in the second radio frame may be set to "0".

[0169] Optionally, the second wireless frame may also carry identification information of the first AP, so that a device receiving the second wireless frame sent by the first AP can obtain which AP intends not to receive the transmission time shared by the second AP.

[0170] Optionally, the first AP intends not to receive the transmission duration in the first TXOP shared with it by the second AP, which may be that the first AP does not receive TXOP Sharing performed by the second AP, which can be understood as: the first AP does not accept the sharing of this TXOP; that is: when the first AP gives a negative response (for example, the first AP sends a second wireless frame to the second AP, or the first AP does not respond to the first PPDU), it means that the second AP will not perform TXOP Sharing with the first AP, and thus the first AP cannot continue to transmit within this BSS within the first TXOP.

[0171] Step 405: When the first STA determines that the first AP intends not to receive the transmission duration in the first TXOP shared with it by the second AP, the first STA determines that the NPCA operation can be performed in the first TXOP.

[0172] Optionally, the first STA may determine whether the first AP intends to receive the transmission duration shared by the second AP based on whether it monitors the second radio frame sent by the first AP to the second AP.

[0173] Optionally, the first STA monitors a second radio frame sent by the first AP, and the second radio frame indicates that the first AP intends not to receive the transmission duration shared by the second AP, and determines that the NPCA operation can be performed within the first TXOP;

[0174] After monitoring the first PPDU sent by the second AP, the first STA does not monitor the first AP's response to the first PPDU within a first timeout period, and determines that the NPCA operation can be performed within the first TXOP.

[0175] In some embodiments, the first STA monitors a second radio frame sent by the first AP, and the second radio frame indicates that the first AP intends not to receive the transmission duration shared by the second AP, and determines that the second condition is satisfied;

[0176] After the first STA monitors the first PPDU sent by the second AP, it does not monitor the first AP's response to the first PPDU within a first timeout period, and determines that the second condition is met.

[0177] Optionally, after the first STA monitors the second wireless frame sent by the first AP, it can parse the second wireless frame. When it is determined that the second wireless frame carries the identification information of the first AP, it determines that the first AP intends not to receive the transmission duration shared by the second AP, and determines that the second condition is met.

[0178] Optionally, in the embodiment part corresponding to step 304 of the frame structure of the first wireless frame, in the case of the frame structure of the first case corresponding to the first wireless frame, if the first AP is not heard sending the first wireless frame to the second AP within the first timeout period of the first STA, it can be regarded as that the first AP does not respond to the first PPDU, and then determines that the first AP intends not to receive the transmission time shared by the second AP.

[0179] Optionally, regardless of whether the first STA monitors the first PPDU sent by the second AP, as long as the first STA determines that the first AP intends not to receive the transmission duration in the first TXOP shared with it by the second AP, it can be determined that it can perform NPCA operations within the first TXOP.

[0180] Optionally, when the first STA determines that the first AP intends not to receive the transmission duration shared by the second AP, it may be determined that it has the ability to perform the NPCA operation within the first TXOP (i.e., the first STA can perform the NPCA operation within the first TXOP). Specifically, the first STA may determine whether to perform the NPCA operation within the first TXOP based on actual transmission requirements.

[0181] As an example, if the first AP sends a response frame for the first PPDU to the second AP after receiving the first PPDU, indicating its intention not to receive the part of the transmission time shared by the second AP; within the first TXOP duration, the first AP and the first STA detect the OBSS PPDU (including the PPDU transmitted in the BSS where the second AP is located; OBSS is Overlapping Basic Service Set) on the BSS Primary channel, and the OBSS PPDU duration exceeds the NPCA execution time threshold (for example, NPCA Minimum Duration Threshold), the first AP and the first STA can perform the NPCA operation to switch to the NPCA Primary channel for communication, so as to minimize the timeliness of the transmission between the first AP and the first STA, especially to ensure the reliable transmission of low-latency services.

[0182] In step 406 , the second AP may send a radio frame to its associated second STA within the first TXOP.

[0183] Optionally, the second AP may send a radio frame to the second STA after sending the first PPDU.

[0184] In step 407 , the first AP intends not to receive the transmission duration shared by the second AP, and the first AP can perform the NPCA operation in the first TXOP.

[0185] Optionally, when the first AP intends not to receive the transmission duration shared by the second AP, it can be determined that it has the ability to perform the NPCA operation within the first TXOP (i.e., the first AP can perform the NPCA operation within the first TXOP). Specifically, the first AP can determine whether to perform the NPCA operation within the first TXOP based on actual transmission requirements.

[0186] As an example, if the first AP does not respond to the first PPDU after receiving the first PPDU; within the duration of the first TXOP, the first AP and the first STA detect the OBSS PPDU (including the PPDU transmitted in the BSS where the second AP is located) on the BSS Primary channel and the OBSS PPDU duration exceeds the NPCA execution time threshold (for example, NPCA MinimumDuration Threshold), the first AP and the first STA can perform the NPCA operation to switch to the NPCA Primary channel for communication, so as to minimize the timeliness of the transmission between the first AP and the first STA, especially to ensure the reliable transmission of low-latency services.

[0187] In some embodiments, the embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a method and process for coordinated transmission between multiple access points. Specifically, in the Co-TDMA process, the access point device that has negotiated to establish Co-TDMA will broadcast information about the access point device that has established Co-TDMA with it (e.g., BSS Color); the Sharing AP includes identification information in the PPDU that carries the initial control frame in the Polling phase, and the identification information indicates that it is used to poll neighboring access points that require TXOP Sharing; accordingly, the non-AP STA associated with the polled AP decides whether to perform the NPCA operation within the TXOP based on the identification information carried in the initial control frame (e.g., the initial control frame carried in the first PPDU) and whether its associated polled AP receives the Sharing AP's intention to perform TXOP Sharing. Based on the method, on the one hand, it can effectively ensure that non-AP STAs associated with the polled AP do not perform NPCA operations when receiving the initial control frame, thereby preventing the Shared AP from being unable to transmit with it within the Shared TXOP; on the other hand, it can avoid the over-protection phenomenon of non-AP STAs that are not polled and their associated non-AP STAs not performing NPCA operations due to the initial control frame; the method can further improve and standardize the Co-TMDA operation process, improve spectrum utilization efficiency and coordinated transmission between multiple access points. The specific steps of the method may include:

[0188] 1. After establishing a Co-TDMA Agreement with at least one neighboring access point device, the access point device broadcasts a wireless frame (for example, the third wireless frame or the fourth wireless frame mentioned above); wherein the wireless frame includes BSS color information of the access point device that establishes a Co-TDMA Agreement with the AP that sends the wireless frame, such as the access point device BSS color list.

[0189] 2. AP3 (i.e., the second AP mentioned above) obtains a TXOP and can send a first PPDU to one or more AP4s to check whether AP4 intends to receive the portion of the TXOP shared by AP3; wherein AP4 is the AP that has negotiated and established a Co-TDMA Agreement with AP3. The first PPDU includes first identification information, which identifies the first PPDU used to poll the target access point device to determine whether the first access point device intends to receive the portion of the TXOP shared by the first access point device. The first identification information includes at least one of the following:

[0190] The first PPDU carries a first identifier, which identifies that the first PPDU is used to poll whether the target access point device intends to receive the portion of the TXOP shared by the first access point device.

[0191] The first PPDU carries a first identification field; optionally, the identification field indicates the BSS Color information of the AP3.

[0192] 3. After receiving the first PPDU, AP4 (taking the first AP as an example) performs at least one of the following operations:

[0193] 3.1 intending to receive a portion of the TXOP shared by AP3, sending a first radio frame to AP3, where the first radio frame indicates that AP4 intends to receive a portion of the TXOP shared by AP3;

[0194] 3.2 intending not to receive the portion of the TXOP shared by AP3, not responding to the first PPDU or sending a second radio frame to AP3, the second radio frame indicating that AP4 intends not to receive the portion of the TXOP shared by AP3;

[0195] 4. The station device (the first STA) associated with AP4 and enabled with NPCA Mode performs the following operations:

[0196] 4.1 The first type of station device, that is, the station device associated with AP4 and enabled with NPCA Mode that can monitor the first PPDU sent by AP3, performs at least one of the following operations:

[0197] A. When at least one of the following conditions occurs, the first type of site device does not perform NPCA operations;

[0198] Case 1: the first identification information in the first PPDU includes a first identifier;

[0199] Case 2: The first identification information in the first PPDU includes a first identification field, and the BSS Color carried in the first identification field matches one of the BSS Color information of the access point device with which the Co-TDMA Agreement is established and contained in the third radio frame sent by the associated AP4 received by the first type station device;

[0200] 5. After AP3 sends the first PPDU and / or receives one or more first wireless frames (the polled access point device may or may not respond to the first PPDU), it can send wireless frames to communicate with its associated station device (i.e., the above-mentioned second STA).

[0201] 6. The station device (the first STA) associated with AP4 and enabled with NPCA Mode performs the following operations:

[0202] 6.1 For Category 1 site equipment, perform at least one of the following operations:

[0203] A. If, after receiving the first PPDU, the first radio frame sent by its associated AP4 is received, the first type of station device does not perform the NPCA operation;

[0204] B. If, after receiving the first PPDU, the first radio frame sent by the associated AP4 is not received, the first type of station device may perform an NPCA operation;

[0205] C. If, after receiving the first PPDU, the second radio frame sent by its associated AP4 is received, the first type of station device may perform an NPCA operation;

[0206] 7. After receiving the third wireless frame, AP4 performs the following operations:

[0207] 7.1 corresponds to 3.1 and 6.1A. AP4 does not perform NPCA operations;

[0208] 7.2 corresponds to 3.2 and 6.1B or 6.1C. AP4 can perform NPCA operations.

[0209] In some embodiments, the names of information, etc. are not limited to the names described in the embodiments, and terms such as "information", "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "domain", "field", "symbol", "bit", "data", "program", and "chip" can be used interchangeably.

[0210] In some embodiments, terms such as "moment", "time point", "time", and "time position" can be replaced with each other, and terms such as "duration", "period", "time window", "window", and "time" can be replaced with each other.

[0211] In some embodiments, terms such as wireless access scheme and waveform may be used interchangeably.

[0212] In some embodiments, terms such as "certain", "preset", "preset", "setting", "indicated", "some", "any", and "first" can be interchangeable. "Specific A", "preset A", "preset A", "setting A", "indicated A", "some A", "any A", and "first A" can be interpreted as A pre-specified in a protocol, etc., or as A obtained through setting, configuration, or indication, etc., or as specific A, some A, any A, or first A, etc., but not limited to this.

[0213] In some embodiments, the determination or judgment can be performed by a value represented by 1 bit (0 or 1), or by a true or false value (Boolean value) represented by true or false, or by comparison of numerical values ​​(for example, comparison with a predetermined value), but is not limited thereto.

[0214] In some embodiments, "not expecting to receive" can be interpreted as not receiving on time domain resources and / or frequency domain resources, or as not performing subsequent processing on the data after receiving it; "not expecting to send" can be interpreted as not sending, or as sending but not expecting the recipient to respond to the content sent.

[0215] The communication method involved in the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of the aforementioned steps and embodiments. For example, Figures 2 to 4 In the embodiment, each step in each figure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of any two steps in each figure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0216] In some embodiments, see Figures 2 to 4 Other optional implementations recorded before or after the corresponding description.

[0217] Figure 5 This is one of the flow charts of the communication method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0218] like Figure 5 As shown, the above method can be applied to a first station device 101, a first STA is associated with a first access point device AP, and the first STA and the first AP have enabled NPCA Mode. The above method includes:

[0219] Step 501, determining whether to perform an NPCA operation in the first TXOP;

[0220] The first TXOP is a TXOP acquired by the second AP, and the second AP and the first AP have negotiated to establish a Co-TDMA Agreement for multi-AP coordination based on time division multiple access.

[0221] In the above embodiment, when the first AP and the second AP have negotiated to establish a Co-TDMA Agreement and the first STA and the first AP have enabled NPCA Mode, a mechanism is defined for the first STA to determine whether it is performing NPCA operation within the first TXOP held by the second AP, by considering issues such as possible interoperability and incompatibility between Co-TDMA operation and NPCA operation.

[0222] Optionally, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the method further includes at least one of the following:

[0223] The first STA monitors a first radio frame sent by the first AP, and the first radio frame indicates that the first AP intends to receive the transmission duration shared by the second AP, and determines that the first condition is met;

[0224] The first STA monitors a second radio frame sent by the first AP, and the second radio frame indicates that the first AP intends not to receive the transmission duration shared by the second AP, and determines that the second condition is met;

[0225] After the first STA monitors the first PPDU sent by the second AP, it does not monitor the first AP's response to the first PPDU within a first timeout period, thereby determining that the second condition is met; wherein, the first PPDU is used to confirm whether the recipient of the first PPDU intends to receive the transmission duration in the first TXOP shared with it by the second AP.

[0226] In the above embodiment, if the first STA does not hear the first PPDU, it can monitor or analyze whether the first AP sends a response frame for the first PPDU. If the first AP hears the first AP send a response frame for the first PPDU, and the response frame indicates that the first AP intends to receive the second AP's shared transmission time, this means that within the first TXOP held by the second AP, the first AP intends to receive the second AP's shared transmission time. If the second AP shares the transmission time with the first AP, the first AP can continue to communicate with the first STA on the current channel. Therefore, the first STA does not need to perform NPCA. If the first AP hears the first AP does not send a response frame for the first PPDU, or sends a response frame for the first PPDU but the response frame indicates that the first AP does not intend to receive the second AP's shared transmission time, this means that within the first TXOP held by the second AP, the first AP does not intend to receive the second AP's shared transmission time. Therefore, the second AP will not share the transmission time with the first AP. In this case, when the NPCA trigger condition occurs, the first AP and the first STA can perform NPCA and switch to the NPCAP marginal channel for transmission, thereby improving spectrum utilization.

[0227] Optionally, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, determining whether to perform an NPCA operation within the first TXOP includes at least one of the following:

[0228] If a first condition is met, determining not to perform an NPCA operation in the first TXOP; wherein the first condition is met including: the first STA determining that the first AP intends to receive the transmission duration in the first TXOP shared by the second AP;

[0229] When a second condition is met, it is determined that the NPCA operation can be performed within the first TXOP; wherein the second condition is met including: the first STA determines that the first AP intends not to receive the transmission duration in the first TXOP shared with it by the second AP.

[0230] In the above embodiment, if the first AP intends to receive the transmission time shared by the second AP, the first AP can continue to communicate with the first STA on the current channel during the transmission time shared by the second AP without performing the NPCA operation, thereby improving spectrum utilization. On the other hand, if the first STA switches to the NPCA Primary channel due to performing the NPCA operation during the transmission time shared by the second AP, the first AP will not be able to communicate with the first STA during the transmission time shared by the second AP.

[0231] In the above embodiment, when the first STA determines that the first AP does not intend to receive the transmission duration shared by the second AP, it can be determined that it has the ability to perform the NPCA operation within the first TXOP (i.e., the first STA can perform the NPCA operation within the first TXOP). Specifically, the first STA can determine whether to perform the NPCA operation within the first TXOP based on actual transmission requirements.

[0232] Optionally, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the first condition is met, determining not to perform the NPCA operation in the first TXOP further includes at least one of the following:

[0233] If the first condition is met and the first PPDU meets the first requirement, determine not to perform an NPCA operation in the first TXOP;

[0234] If the first condition is met and the first STA does not monitor the first PPDU, it is determined not to perform an NPCA operation within the first TXOP.

[0235] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first PPDU meets the first requirement, including at least one of the following:

[0236] The first PPDU carries a first identifier;

[0237] The first PPDU carries a first identification field, and the AP corresponding to the first identification field has negotiated and established a Co-TDMA Agreement with the first AP.

[0238] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first PPDU includes first identification information, and the first identification information includes at least one of the following:

[0239] A first identifier, where the first identifier identifies: the first PPDU is used to determine whether a receiver of the first PPDU intends to receive the transmission duration shared by the second AP;

[0240] A first identification field, where the first identification field identifies: identification information of the second AP.

[0241] Optionally, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the method further includes:

[0242] Receive a third radio frame sent by the first AP; wherein the third radio frame carries identification information of one or more APs that have negotiated with the first AP to establish a Co-TDMA Agreement.

[0243] In the above embodiment, when an AP negotiates to establish a Co-TDMA Agreement with multiple APs, the identification information of at least one AP that negotiates to establish a Co-TDMA Agreement with the AP is sent to its associated STA. In this way, the STA can determine, based on the information, whether its communication process will interfere with the communication process of the AP that negotiates to establish a Co-TDMA Agreement with the AP.

[0244] In some embodiments, reference may be made to the steps and optional implementation methods of other embodiments recorded before or after the description corresponding to this embodiment, as well as other related parts in the description, which will not be repeated here.

[0245] Figure 6 This is a second flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0246] like Figure 6 As shown, the above method can be applied to a first access point device 102, where the first AP has enabled NPCA Mode. The above method includes:

[0247] Step 601: Receive a first PPDU sent by a second AP; wherein the first PPDU is used to confirm whether a recipient of the first PPDU intends to receive the transmission duration of a first TXOP shared by the second AP; the first TXOP is the TXOP obtained by the second AP;

[0248] Step 602: Determine whether to perform an NPCA operation in the first TXOP.

[0249] Optionally, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the determining whether to perform an NPCA operation in the first TXOP includes at least one of the following:

[0250] Intends to receive the transmission duration shared by the second AP and does not perform the NPCA operation in the first TXOP;

[0251] The device intends not to receive the transmission duration shared by the second AP and can perform the NPCA operation within the first TXOP.

[0252] Optionally, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the method further includes:

[0253] Sending a third radio frame to the first STA;

[0254] The first STA is associated with the first AP, and the third radio frame carries identification information of one or more APs that have negotiated with the first AP to establish a Co-TDMA Agreement.

[0255] Optionally, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the method further includes at least one of the following:

[0256] Intending to receive the transmission duration of the first TXOP shared by the second AP, sending a first radio frame to the second AP; wherein the first radio frame indicates that the first AP intends to receive the transmission duration of the first TXOP shared by the second AP;

[0257] The first AP intends not to receive the transmission duration in the first TXOP shared by the second AP, does not respond to the first PPDU, or sends a second wireless frame to the second AP; wherein the second wireless frame indicates that the first AP intends not to receive the transmission duration in the first TXOP shared by the second AP.

[0258] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first PPDU includes first identification information, and the first identification information includes at least one of the following:

[0259] A first identifier, where the first identifier identifies: the first PPDU is used to determine whether a receiver of the first PPDU intends to receive the transmission duration shared by the second AP;

[0260] A first identification field, where the first identification field identifies: identification information of the second AP.

[0261] In some embodiments, reference may be made to the steps and optional implementation methods of other embodiments recorded before or after the description corresponding to this embodiment, as well as other related parts in the description, which will not be repeated here.

[0262] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of the aforementioned steps and embodiments. For example, step 601 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step 602 may be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of step 601 and step 602 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0263] The embodiments of the present disclosure also provide apparatuses (also referred to as communication devices, etc.) for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is provided that includes units or modules for implementing each step performed by a terminal in any of the above methods. As another example, another apparatus is provided that includes units or modules for implementing each step performed by a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network function node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0264] It should be understood that the division of the various units or modules in the above device is merely a division of logical functions. In actual implementation, they may be fully or partially integrated into a physical entity, or they may be physically separated. In addition, the units or modules in the device may be implemented in the form of a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor, the processor is connected to a memory, and the memory stores instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or implement the functions of the various units or modules of the above device, wherein the processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is a memory within the device or a memory outside the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits, and the functions of some or all of the units or modules can be realized by designing the hardware circuits. The above-mentioned hardware circuits can be understood as one or more processors; for example, in one implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), which realizes the functions of some or all of the above units or modules by designing the logical relationship of the components in the circuit; for example, in another implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit can be realized by a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits is configured by configuring the configuration file, thereby realizing the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. All units or modules of the above devices can be realized in the form of software called by the processor, or in the form of hardware circuits, or in part by the form of software called by the processor, and the rest by hardware circuits.

[0265] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capability. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction reading and execution capability, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP); in another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationship of the hardware circuit, and the logical relationship of the above hardware circuit is fixed or reconfigurable, such as a hardware circuit implemented by a processor as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the processor loads a configuration document to implement the process of hardware circuit configuration, which can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. In addition, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (NPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a deep learning processing unit (DPU), etc.

[0266] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the structure of the first site device proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure. The first site device is used to perform any of the above methods. In some embodiments, Figure 7 As shown, the first station device 700 may include: at least one of a processing module 701, etc., wherein a first STA is associated with a first access point device AP, and the first STA and the first AP have enabled NPCAMode.

[0267] In some embodiments, the processing module 701 is configured to determine whether to perform an NPCA operation within a first TXOP; wherein the first TXOP is a TXOP acquired by a second AP, and the second AP and the first AP have negotiated to establish a Co-TDMA Agreement for multi-AP coordination based on time division multiple access.

[0268] Optionally, the processing module 601 is configured to execute at least one of the communication steps (eg, step 201, step 305, step 405, step 501, but not limited thereto) performed by the first site device 101 in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here.

[0269] The first site device may further include a transceiver module configured to execute at least one of the transceiver steps (eg, step 302 and step 402 , but not limited thereto) executed by the first site device 101 in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here.

[0270] In some embodiments, the processing module can be replaced with the processor and the determination module, and the transceiver module can be replaced with the transceiver, the sending module, and the receiving module.

[0271] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first access point device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. The first access point device is used to perform any of the above methods. In some embodiments, Figure 8 As shown, the first access point device 800 may include: a transceiver module 801 and a processing module 802 .

[0272] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 801 is configured to receive a first PPDU sent by a second AP, wherein the first PPDU is used to confirm whether a recipient of the first PPDU intends to receive the transmission duration shared by the second AP in a first TXOP, and the first TXOP is a TXOP acquired by the second AP. The processing module 802 is configured to determine whether to perform an NPCA operation within the first TXOP.

[0273] Optionally, the transceiver module 801 is configured to execute at least one of the transceiver steps (e.g., step 301, step 302, step 303, step 304, step 401, step 402, step 403, step 404, and step 601, but not limited thereto) performed by the first access point device 102 in any of the above methods, and will not be described in detail here. The processing module 802 is configured to execute at least one of the communication steps (e.g., step 307, step 407, and step 601, but not limited thereto) performed by the first access point device 102 in any of the above methods, and will not be described in detail here.

[0274] In some embodiments, the processing module can be replaced with the processor and the determination module, and the transceiver module can be replaced with the transceiver, the sending module, and the receiving module.

[0275] Figure 9is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 900 proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Communication device 900 can be a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network device, etc.), a terminal (e.g., a user equipment, etc.), a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports a network device to implement any of the above methods, or a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports a terminal to implement any of the above methods. Communication device 900 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments. For details, please refer to the description of the above method embodiments.

[0276] like Figure 9 As shown, the communication device 900 is used to perform any of the above methods. In some embodiments, the communication device 900 includes one or more processors 901. The processor 901 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, for example, a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process the communication protocol and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control the communication device (such as a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal device, a terminal device chip, a DU or a CU, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. Optionally, the communication device 900 is used to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, one or more processors 901 are used to call instructions to enable the communication device 900 to perform any of the above methods.

[0277] In some embodiments, the communication device 900 further includes one or more transceivers 902. When the communication device 900 includes one or more transceivers 902, the transceiver 902 performs at least one of the communication steps of sending and / or receiving in the above method (e.g., step 301, step 302, step 303, step 304, step 306, step 401, step 402, step 403, step 404, step 406, step 601, but not limited thereto), and the processor 901 performs at least one of the other steps (e.g., step 201, step 305, step 307, step 405, step 407, step 501, step 601, but not limited thereto). In an alternative embodiment, the transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter, and the receiver and transmitter may be separate or integrated. Optionally, terms such as transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, interface circuit, and interface can be replaced with each other; terms such as transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, and transmitting circuit can be replaced with each other; and terms such as receiver, receiving unit, receiver, and receiving circuit can be replaced with each other.

[0278] In some embodiments, the communication device 900 further includes one or more memories 903 for storing data and / or instructions. Optionally, one or more processors 901 are configured to call instructions stored in the memories 903 so that the communication device 900 performs any of the above methods. Optionally, all or part of the memories 903 may be located outside the communication device 900. In an optional embodiment, the communication device 900 may include one or more interface circuits 904. Optionally, the interface circuit 904 is connected to the memory 902, and the interface circuit 904 may be configured to receive data and / or instructions from the memory 902 or other devices, and may be configured to send data and / or instructions to the memory 902 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 904 may read data and / or instructions stored in the memory 902 and send the data and / or instructions to the processor 901.

[0279] The communication device 900 described in the above embodiment may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 900 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 900 may not be limited thereto. Figure 9 The communication device may be an independent device or a part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: 1) an independent integrated circuit IC, or a chip, or a chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the above IC collection may also include a storage component for storing data, programs and / or instructions; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, a terminal device, an intelligent terminal device, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handheld device, a mobile unit, an in-vehicle device, a network device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0280] Figure 10 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 1000 proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure. For the case where the communication device 900 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to Figure 10 The structure of the chip 1000 is shown, but is not limited thereto.

[0281] The chip 1000 includes one or more processors 1001. The chip 1000 is configured to execute any of the above methods.

[0282] In some embodiments, chip 1000 further includes one or more interface circuits 1002. Optionally, terms such as interface circuit, interface, and transceiver pins may be used interchangeably. In some embodiments, chip 1000 further includes one or more memories 1003 for storing data and / or instructions. Optionally, all or part of memory 1003 may be located outside chip 1000. Optionally, interface circuit 1002 is connected to memory 1003, and interface circuit 1002 may be used to receive data and / or instructions from memory 1003 or other devices, or to send data and / or instructions to memory 1003 or other devices. For example, interface circuit 1002 may read data and / or instructions stored in memory 1003 and send the data and / or instructions to processor 1001.

[0283] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 1002 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (e.g., step 301, step 302, step 303, step 304, step 306, step 401, step 402, step 403, step 404, step 406, and step 601, but not limited thereto). The interface circuit 1002 performing the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method, for example, means that the interface circuit 1002 performs data and / or instruction exchange between the processor 1001, chip 1000, memory 1003, or a transceiver device. In some embodiments, the processor 1001 performs at least one of the other steps (e.g., step 201, step 305, step 307, step 405, step 407, step 501, and step 601, but not limited thereto).

[0284] The modules and / or devices described in various embodiments, such as virtual devices, physical devices, and chips, can be arbitrarily combined or separated according to circumstances. Optionally, some or all steps can also be performed collaboratively by multiple modules and / or devices, which is not limited here.

[0285] The embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a storage medium having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed on a communication device, causes the communication device to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but is not limited thereto and may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but is not limited thereto and may also be a transient storage medium.

[0286] The present disclosure also provides a program product comprising a program and / or instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product. Optionally, the program product is stored on the above storage medium.

[0287] The embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute any one of the above methods.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: The method is performed by a first station device STA, the first STA is associated with a first access point device AP, and the first STA and the first AP have enabled NPCA Mode. The method includes: determining whether to perform an NPCA operation within a first TXOP; The first TXOP is a TXOP acquired by the second AP, and the second AP and the first AP have negotiated to establish a Co-TDMA Agreement for multi-AP coordination based on time division multiple access.

2. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein: The determining whether to perform the NPCA operation in the first TXOP includes at least one of the following: If a first condition is met, determining not to perform an NPCA operation in the first TXOP; wherein the first condition includes: the first STA determining that the first AP intends to receive a transmission duration in the first TXOP shared by the second AP; When a second condition is met, it is determined that the NPCA operation can be performed within the first TXOP; wherein the second condition includes: the first STA determines that the first AP intends not to receive the transmission duration in the first TXOP shared with it by the second AP.

3. The communication method according to claim 2, wherein: The method further comprises at least one of the following: The first STA monitors a first radio frame sent by the first AP, and the first radio frame indicates that the first AP intends to receive the transmission duration shared by the second AP, and determines that the first condition is met; The first STA monitors a second radio frame sent by the first AP, and the second radio frame indicates that the first AP intends not to receive the transmission duration shared by the second AP, and determines that the second condition is met; After the first STA monitors the first PPDU sent by the second AP, it does not monitor the first AP's response to the first PPDU within a first timeout period, thereby determining that the second condition is met; wherein, the first PPDU is used to confirm whether the recipient of the first PPDU intends to receive the transmission duration in the first TXOP shared with it by the second AP.

4. The communication method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The determining not to perform the NPCA operation in the first TXOP when the first condition is met further includes at least one of the following: If the first condition is met and the first PPDU meets the first requirement, determine not to perform the NPCA operation in the first TXOP; When the first condition is met and the first STA does not monitor the first PPDU, it is determined not to perform the NPCA operation in the first TXOP.

5. The communication method according to claim 4, wherein: The first PPDU complies with a first requirement, including at least one of the following: The first PPDU carries a first identifier; The first PPDU carries a first identification field, and the AP corresponding to the first identification field has negotiated and established a Co-TDMA Agreement with the first AP.

6. The communication method according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that: The first PPDU includes first identification information, where the first identification information includes at least one of the following: A first identifier, where the first identifier identifies: the first PPDU is used to determine whether a receiver of the first PPDU intends to receive the transmission duration shared by the second AP; A first identification field, where the first identification field identifies: identification information of the second AP.

7. The communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Receive a third radio frame sent by the first AP; wherein the third radio frame carries identification information of one or more APs that have negotiated with the first AP to establish a Co-TDMA Agreement.

8. A communication method, characterized in that: The method is performed by a first AP, where the first AP has enabled NPCA Mode. The method includes: receiving a first PPDU sent by a second AP, wherein the first PPDU is used to confirm whether a recipient of the first PPDU intends to receive the transmission duration of a first TXOP shared by the second AP; the first TXOP is a TXOP obtained by the second AP; A determination is made as to whether to perform an NPCA operation within the first TXOP.

9. The communication method according to claim 8, wherein: The determining whether to perform an NPCA operation in the first TXOP includes at least one of the following: Intends to receive the transmission duration shared by the second AP and does not perform the NPCA operation in the first TXOP; The device intends not to receive the transmission duration shared by the second AP and can perform the NPCA operation within the first TXOP.

10. The communication method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Sending a third radio frame to the first STA; The first STA is associated with the first AP, and the third radio frame carries identification information of one or more APs that have negotiated with the first AP to establish a Co-TDMA Agreement.

11. The communication method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that: The method further comprises at least one of the following: Intending to receive the transmission duration of the first TXOP shared by the second AP, sending a first radio frame to the second AP; wherein the first radio frame indicates that the first AP intends to receive the transmission duration of the first TXOP shared by the second AP; The first AP intends not to receive the transmission duration in the first TXOP shared by the second AP, does not respond to the first PPDU, or sends a second wireless frame to the second AP; wherein the second wireless frame indicates that the first AP intends not to receive the transmission duration in the first TXOP shared by the second AP.

12. The communication method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that: The first PPDU includes first identification information, where the first identification information includes at least one of the following: A first identifier, where the first identifier identifies: the first PPDU is used to determine whether a receiver of the first PPDU intends to receive the transmission duration shared by the second AP; A first identification field, where the first identification field identifies: identification information of the second AP.

13. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device is configured to execute the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 or claims 8 to 12.

14. A communication system, characterized in that: including a first STA and a first AP; The first STA is configured to implement the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and the first AP is configured to implement the communication method according to any one of claims 8 to 12.

15. A storage medium storing instructions, characterized in that: When the instruction is executed on a communication device, the communication device is caused to execute the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 or the communication method according to any one of claims 8 to 12.

16. A program product, comprising at least one of a program and instructions, characterized in that: When at least one of the program and the instruction is executed by a communication device, the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 or the communication method according to any one of claims 8 to 12 is implemented.

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