Communication method and related device

Abstract

The invention provides a communication method and a related device, which are favorable for reducing transmission delay. The method comprises the following steps: sending at least one superframe on a competed channel resource; and receiving a response frame on the channel resource, the response frame being a feedback on whether the last superframe sent on the channel resource is successfully received, the response frame being located after the last superframe and the length of the response frame being less than that of the last superframe.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communications, and in particular to a communication method and related devices. Background Art

[0002] In a communication system that supports multiple communication domains competing for channel resources, master nodes in multiple communication domains compete for channel resources. After a master node seizes channel resources, it sends a superframe to the slave nodes in its corresponding communication domain. The master node then receives ACK / NACK feedback from the slave nodes in the next superframe.

[0003] However, existing communication methods will bring about large transmission delays. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present application provides a communication method and related devices, which are conducive to reducing transmission delay.

[0005] In the first aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a first communication device. The first communication device can be a master node in the communication domain, or a component configured in the master node (such as a processor, chip, or chip system, etc.), or a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the first communication device. This application does not limit this.

[0006] The method includes: sending at least one superframe on the channel resource obtained through competition; receiving a response frame on the channel resource, wherein the response frame is feedback on whether the last superframe sent on the channel resource is successfully received, and the response frame is located after the last superframe and the length of the response frame is less than the last superframe.

[0007] In the present application, the first communication device can send at least one superframe during a channel occupancy period and receive the response frame during this channel occupancy period, without having to wait until the next channel occupancy period to receive the response feedback for the last superframe. This is conducive to reducing the transmission delay of the response feedback for the last superframe.

[0008] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the response frame includes multiple radio frames, the multiple radio frames include at least one blank frame and at least one radio frame for carrying the response signal, and the at least one blank frame is located before the at least one radio frame for carrying the response signal.

[0009] In conjunction with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, each radio frame in at least one radio frame includes multiple symbols, and symbols other than a guard period (GP) symbol in the multiple symbols are used to carry a response signal. This helps reduce a transmission delay of the response frame.

[0010] In conjunction with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the response frame carries the superframe number of the last superframe in at least one superframe, thereby indicating that the response frame is a response feedback for the last superframe.

[0011] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the response frame and the last superframe are continuous in the time domain.

[0012] In the present application, the response frame and the last superframe are transmitted during the same channel occupancy period, and the response frame follows the last superframe in the time domain.

[0013] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the time interval between the response frame and the last superframe is less than or equal to a preset threshold.

[0014] In conjunction with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the length of the response frame is less than 1 ms. It should be noted that the length of the response frame can also be understood as the transmission duration of the response frame or the duration of transmitting the response frame.

[0015] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the sum of the lengths of the last superframe and the response frame is greater than 1 ms.

[0016] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: determining a duration of occupying channel resources based on a length of at least one superframe and a length of a response frame.

[0017] In the present application, the duration of occupying channel resources includes the duration of at least one superframe and the duration of the response frame, so that at least one superframe can be transmitted and the response frame can be received during one channel occupation period, which is conducive to reducing the transmission delay of the response frame.

[0018] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: sending preamble information on the channel resource, where the preamble information is used to indicate the number of wireless frames transmitted within the duration of occupying the channel resource.

[0019] On the second aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a second communication device. The second communication device can be a slave node in the communication domain, or a component configured in the slave node (such as a processor, chip, or chip system, etc.), or a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the second communication device. This application does not limit this.

[0020] The method includes: receiving at least one superframe on a channel resource obtained through competition; sending a response frame on the channel resource, wherein the response frame is feedback on whether the last superframe sent on the channel resource is successfully received, and the response frame is located after the last superframe, and the length of the response frame is less than the last superframe.

[0021] In the present application, the second communication device can receive at least one superframe during a channel occupancy period and send the response frame during this channel occupancy period, without having to wait until the next channel occupancy period to send the response feedback for the last superframe. This is conducive to reducing the transmission delay of the response feedback for the last superframe.

[0022] In combination with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the response frame includes multiple radio frames, the multiple radio frames include at least one blank frame and at least one radio frame for carrying a response signal, and the at least one blank frame is located before the at least one radio frame for carrying a response signal.

[0023] In conjunction with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, each radio frame in at least one radio frame includes multiple symbols, and symbols other than the GP symbol in the multiple symbols are used to carry a response signal. This helps reduce the transmission delay of the response frame.

[0024] In conjunction with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the response frame carries the superframe number of the last superframe in at least one superframe, thereby indicating that the response frame is a response feedback for the last superframe.

[0025] In combination with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the response frame and the last superframe are continuous in the time domain.

[0026] In the present application, the response frame and the last superframe are transmitted during the same channel occupancy period, and the response frame follows the last superframe in the time domain.

[0027] In combination with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the time interval between the response frame and the last superframe is less than or equal to a preset threshold.

[0028] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the length of the response frame is less than 1 ms.

[0029] In combination with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the sum of the lengths of the last superframe and the response frame is greater than 1 ms.

[0030] In combination with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: receiving preamble information on a channel resource, where the preamble information is used to indicate the number of wireless frames transmitted within the duration of occupying the channel resource.

[0031] It should be understood that the second aspect of this application corresponds to the technical solution of the first aspect of this application, and the beneficial effects achieved by each aspect and the corresponding feasible implementation methods are similar and will not be repeated here.

[0032] On the third aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a first communication device. The first communication device can be a master node in the communication domain, or a component configured in the master node (such as a processor, chip, or chip system, etc.), or a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the first communication device. This application does not limit this.

[0033] The method comprises: generating a data frame, the length of which is smaller than the length of a superframe; and sending the data frame on a channel resource obtained through competition.

[0034] In this application, the length of the data frame is less than the length of the superframe, and the data frame can be considered a short data frame. This frame structure design can flexibly match the data transmission of low-traffic services, which is conducive to reducing the data transmission delay of low-traffic services. It should be understood that the short data frame in this application refers to a data frame with a length less than a superframe.

[0035] In combination with the third aspect, in certain implementations of the third aspect, the method further includes: sending preamble information on the channel resource, the preamble information including a first training signal (FTS) symbol, a second training signal (STS) symbol, and a downlink control information (DCI) symbol.

[0036] In combination with the third aspect, in certain implementations of the third aspect, the method further includes: replacing the first control symbols in the superframe with the second control symbols excluding the first control symbols in the superframe in sequence to obtain the data frame.

[0037] In the present application, the first control symbol is a control symbol that is repeated with the control symbol included in the leading information in the superframe. In order to generate a short data frame, the repeated control symbol can be removed from the superframe and replaced with the second control symbol in sequence.

[0038] It should be understood that the second control symbol is located after the first control symbol in the time domain. After the first control symbol is removed, the second control symbol is sequentially added to the position of the first control symbol.

[0039] In combination with the third aspect, in certain implementations of the third aspect, the data frame does not include the first control symbol in the superframe and the third control symbol in the superframe.

[0040] As described above, the first control symbol is a repeated control symbol and can therefore be removed when generating a data frame. However, there may be cases where the data frame is insufficiently long to include all control symbols in the superframe except the first control symbol. In this application, the control symbols that cannot be included are referred to as third control symbols.

[0041] In combination with the third aspect, in certain implementations of the third aspect, the first control symbol includes one or more of the following: an FTS symbol, an STS symbol, or a DCI symbol.

[0042] In conjunction with the third aspect, in certain implementations of the third aspect, the method further includes: determining the length of the data frame based on the amount of data to be transmitted, thereby making the transmission duration of the data frame more flexible.

[0043] In combination with the third aspect, in certain implementations of the third aspect, the preamble information includes a first field, and the first field is used to indicate the number of wireless frames transmitted within the duration of occupying the channel resources.

[0044] In the fourth aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a second communication device. The second communication device can be a slave node in the communication domain, or a component configured in the slave node (such as a processor, chip, or chip system, etc.), or a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the second communication device. This application does not limit this.

[0045] The method includes: receiving a data frame on a channel resource obtained through competition, wherein the length of the data frame is smaller than the length of a superframe.

[0046] In this application, the length of the data frame is less than the length of the superframe, and the data frame can be regarded as a short data frame. Such a frame structure design can flexibly match the data transmission of small traffic services, which is conducive to reducing the data transmission delay of small traffic services.

[0047] In combination with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the method includes: receiving preamble information on the channel resource, the preamble information including an FTS symbol, an STS symbol, and a DCI symbol.

[0048] In combination with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the data frame is obtained by sequentially replacing first control symbols in a superframe with second control symbols excluding the first control symbols in the superframe.

[0049] In combination with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the data frame does not include the first control symbol in the superframe and the third control symbol in the superframe.

[0050] In combination with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the first control symbol includes one or more of the following: an FTS symbol, an STS symbol, or a DCI symbol.

[0051] In combination with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the preamble information includes a first field, which is used to indicate the number of wireless frames transmitted within the duration of occupying the channel resources.

[0052] It should be understood that the fourth aspect of this application corresponds to the technical solution of the third aspect of this application, and the beneficial effects achieved by each aspect and the corresponding feasible implementation methods are similar and will not be repeated here.

[0053] In the fifth aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a first communication device. The first communication device can be a master node in the communication domain, or a component configured in the master node (such as a processor, chip, or chip system, etc.), or a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the first communication device. This application does not limit this.

[0054] The method includes: sending a data frame on a channel resource obtained through contention, wherein the length of the data frame is less than the length of a superframe, and the data frame is the last data frame of at least one data frame sent on the channel resource; and receiving a response frame on the channel resource, wherein the response frame is feedback on whether the last data frame sent on the channel resource is successfully received. The response frame is located after the last data frame and has a length less than the last data frame.

[0055] In the present application, the data frame can flexibly match the data transmission of low-traffic services, which is beneficial for reducing the data transmission delay of low-traffic services. In addition, the first communication device can send at least one data frame during a channel occupation period and receive the response frame during this channel occupation period, without having to wait until the next channel occupation period to receive the response feedback for the last data frame. This helps to reduce the transmission delay of the response feedback for the last data frame.

[0056] In combination with the fifth aspect, in certain implementations of the fifth aspect, the method further includes: sending preamble information on the channel resource, the preamble information including an FTS symbol, an STS symbol, and a DCI symbol.

[0057] In combination with the fifth aspect, in certain implementations of the fifth aspect, the method further includes: replacing the first control symbols in the superframe with the second control symbols in the superframe excluding the first control symbols in sequence to obtain the data frame.

[0058] In the present application, the first control symbol is a control symbol that is repeated with the control symbol included in the leading information in the superframe. In order to generate a short data frame, the repeated control symbol can be removed from the superframe and replaced with the second control symbol in sequence.

[0059] It should be understood that the second control symbol is located after the first control symbol in the time domain. After the first control symbol is removed, the second control symbol is sequentially added to the position of the first control symbol.

[0060] In combination with the fifth aspect, in certain implementations of the fifth aspect, the data frame does not include the first control symbol in the superframe and the third control symbol in the superframe.

[0061] As described above, the first control symbol is a repeated control symbol and can therefore be removed when generating a data frame. However, a data frame may not be long enough to include all control symbols in a superframe except the first control symbol. In this application, the control symbols that cannot be included are referred to as third control symbols.

[0062] In combination with the fifth aspect, in certain implementations of the fifth aspect, the first control symbol includes one or more of the following: an FTS symbol, an STS symbol, or a DCI symbol.

[0063] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in certain implementations of the fifth aspect, the method further includes: determining the length of the data frame based on the amount of data to be transmitted, thereby making the transmission duration of the data frame more flexible.

[0064] In combination with the fifth aspect, in certain implementations of the fifth aspect, the preamble information includes a first field, and the first field is used to indicate the number of wireless frames transmitted within the duration of occupying the channel resources.

[0065] In combination with the fifth aspect, in certain implementations of the fifth aspect, the response frame includes multiple radio frames, the multiple radio frames include at least one blank frame and at least one radio frame for carrying a response signal, and the at least one blank frame is located before the at least one radio frame for carrying a response signal.

[0066] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in certain implementations of the fifth aspect, each radio frame in at least one radio frame includes multiple symbols, and symbols other than the GP symbol in the multiple symbols are used to carry a response signal. This helps reduce the transmission delay of the response frame.

[0067] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in certain implementations of the fifth aspect, the response frame carries the frame number of the last data frame, which can indicate that the response frame is a response feedback for the last data frame.

[0068] In combination with the fifth aspect, in certain implementations of the fifth aspect, the response frame and the last data frame are continuous in the time domain.

[0069] In the present application, the response frame and the last data frame are transmitted during the same channel occupancy period, and the response frame immediately follows the last data frame in the time domain.

[0070] In combination with the fifth aspect, in certain implementations of the fifth aspect, the time interval between the response frame and the last data frame is less than or equal to a preset threshold.

[0071] In combination with the fifth aspect, in certain implementations of the fifth aspect, the length of the response frame is less than 1 ms.

[0072] In combination with the fifth aspect, in certain implementations of the fifth aspect, the method includes: determining the duration of occupying channel resources based on the length of at least one data frame and the length of the response frame.

[0073] In the present application, the duration of occupying channel resources includes the duration of the response frame, so that at least one data frame can be transmitted and the response frame can be received during one channel occupation period, which is conducive to reducing the transmission delay of the response frame.

[0074] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a module for executing the method in any possible implementation of any of the above aspects. Specifically, the device comprises a module for executing the method in any possible implementation of any of the above aspects.

[0075] In one design, the device may include a module corresponding to each of the methods / operations / steps / actions described in any of the above aspects. The module may be a hardware circuit, software, or a combination of hardware circuit and software.

[0076] In another design, the device is a communication chip, which may include an input circuit or interface for sending information or data, and an output circuit or interface for receiving information or data.

[0077] In another design, the apparatus includes a transmitter for sending information or data and a receiver for receiving information or data.

[0078] In another design, the device is used to execute the method in any possible implementation of any of the above aspects, and the device can be configured in a master node or a slave node.

[0079] In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor configured to call and run a computer program from a memory, so that the device executes a method in any possible implementation of any of the above aspects.

[0080] Optionally, the device further comprises a memory, which can be used to store instructions and data. The memory is coupled to the processor, and when the processor executes the instructions stored in the memory, the method described in the above aspects can be implemented.

[0081] Optionally, the device further includes: a transmitter (emitter) and a receiver (receiver), and the transmitter and the receiver can be separately provided or integrated together, and are referred to as a transceiver (transceiver).

[0082] In an eighth aspect, a computer program product is provided, comprising: a computer program (also referred to as code, or instruction), which, when executed, enables a computer to execute a method in any possible implementation of any of the above aspects.

[0083] In the ninth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program (also referred to as code, or instructions) which, when run on a computer, enables the computer to execute a method in any possible implementation of any of the above aspects.

[0084] In the tenth aspect, the present application provides a chip system comprising at least one processor for supporting the functions involved in any possible implementation of any of the above aspects, such as receiving or processing the data involved in the above method.

[0085] In one possible design, the chip system further includes a memory, which is used to store program instructions and data, and the memory is located inside or outside the processor.

[0086] Optionally, the chip system may consist of a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete devices. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0087] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of data transmission based on the LBT mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0088] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the topology of an in-vehicle communication link provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0089] Figure 3 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0090] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a cross-carrier retransmission provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0091] Figure 5A This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a superframe provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0092] Figure 5B This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a response frame provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0093] Figure 6 is a schematic flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0094] Figure 7A This is a schematic diagram of the structure of another superframe provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0095] Figure 7B and Figure 7C This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a data frame provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0096] Figure 8 and Figure 9 It is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0097] The technical solution in this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0098] Before introducing the communication method and related devices provided in the embodiments of the present application, the following points are explained.

[0099] First, in the embodiments described below, various terms and abbreviations, such as ACK and GP, are provided for ease of description and should not be construed as limiting this application. This application does not exclude the possibility of defining other terms in existing or future protocols that can achieve the same or similar functions.

[0100] Second, the first, second and various numerical numbers in the embodiments shown below are only used for the convenience of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application.

[0101] Third, "at least one" means one or more, and "more" means two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the previous and next associated objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following items" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single items or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b and c can mean: a, or b, or c, or a and b, or a and c, or b and c, or a, b and c, where a, b, c can be single or multiple.

[0102] Fourth, “sending” and “receiving” in this application indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, “sending a response frame to the first communication device” can be understood as the destination end of the response frame is the first communication device, which can include direct sending through the air interface, and also include indirect sending through the air interface by other units or modules. “Receiving a data frame from the first communication device” can be understood as the source end of the data frame is the first communication device, which can include direct receiving from the first communication device through the air interface, and also include indirect receiving from the first communication device through the air interface from other units or modules. “Sending” can also be understood as the “output” of the chip interface, and “receiving” can also be understood as the “input” of the chip interface.

[0103] In other words, sending and receiving can be performed between devices, for example, between a terminal and a base station; or it can be performed within a device, for example, sending or receiving between components, modules, chips, software modules or hardware modules within the device through a bus, wiring or interface.

[0104] The following is an introduction to the relevant technologies and concepts involved in this application.

[0105] Currently, in some communication scenarios, there are multiple communication domains. Each communication domain includes a master node (also called a G node) and at least one slave node (also called a T node). The master node schedules the slave node to realize data transmission between the master node and the slave node.

[0106] In a resource reuse method that supports contention for communication resources, multiple master nodes in multiple communication domains compete to seize channels for data transmission. After seizing a channel, the master node sends a preamble to the slave node before transmitting data to it. This preamble allows the slave node to identify the communication domain occupying the channel, allowing it to quickly obtain system information and access the channel won by the master node.

[0107] In one possible implementation, master nodes in different communication domains can preempt channels based on a listen-before-talk (LBT) mechanism. LBT is a widely used technology in radio communications. Before starting data transmission, the master node listens to its radio environment and performs a clear channel assessment (CCA) to detect whether the channel is idle. For example, the master node uses energy detection (ED) to determine whether the channel is idle. If the channel is idle, the master node transmits data during the subsequent channel occupation period. If the channel is busy, the master node waits until the channel is idle before transmitting. This avoids channel access conflicts and enables channel spectrum sharing.

[0108] Figure 1 This is a diagram of data transmission based on the LBT mechanism. Figure 1 As shown, the master node first sends a preamble to the slave node during a channel occupation period (occupancy time is x). After the slave node accesses the channel, the master node sends a superframe to the slave node, for example Figure 1 The master node sends superframe 1, superframe 2, and superframe j. During the next channel occupation period (occupancy time is y), the master node also sends the preamble information. After the slave node accesses the channel, the master node sends superframes to the slave node, for example Figure 1 The sending superframe j+1, superframe j+2 and so on to superframe n.

[0109] Each superframe includes downlink data and acknowledgment feedback. The acknowledgment feedback is feedback from the slave node on whether the superframe is successfully received. The acknowledgment feedback can be positive (acknowledgement, ACK) feedback or negative (negative acknowledgment, NACK) feedback.

[0110] If the slave node receives a superframe, it sends an ACK feedback to the master node, and the master node will continue to send the next superframe to the slave node. If the slave node does not receive a superframe, it sends a NACK feedback to the master node, and the master node can then retransmit the superframe.

[0111] exist Figure 1 In the example, the ACK feedback in superframe 2 is the feedback for the successful reception of the previous superframe 1, the ACK feedback in superframe j is the feedback for the successful reception of the previous superframe j-1, and the ACK feedback in superframe j+1 sent during the next channel occupation period is the feedback for the successful reception of superframe j.

[0112] However, if the above-mentioned superframe j is the last superframe sent during this channel occupation period, then the master node cannot receive the response feedback from the slave node for superframe j during this channel occupation period. The master node needs to wait until the next channel occupation period to receive the response feedback for superframe j. There is a large time interval between the two channel occupations, which will bring about a large transmission delay.

[0113] In view of this, the present application provides a communication method in which, after a first communication device (e.g., the master node) transmits the last superframe during a channel occupation period, it can receive a response frame sent by a second communication device (e.g., the slave node) during this channel occupation period. The response frame is feedback on whether the last superframe was successfully received. This can reduce the delay in the first communication device receiving the response feedback for the last superframe.

[0114] In one possible implementation, the embodiments of the present application are applicable to in-vehicle wireless communication scenarios. Currently, the diversification of in-vehicle applications has led to an increasing number and variety of in-vehicle communication nodes, which places higher demands on the capabilities of in-vehicle communication. Compared to existing wired communications, in-vehicle wireless can further reduce the number, length, and weight of in-vehicle wiring harnesses, as well as the corresponding installation, maintenance, and servicing costs. Therefore, in-vehicle communication technology has a trend towards wireless connectivity.

[0115] There are usually multiple communication domains in a car, such as: Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the topology of an in-vehicle communication link provided by an embodiment of the present application. Figure 2 As shown in the figure, the interior of the vehicle includes communication domains 1, 2, and 3. The master node in communication domain 1 is the mobile phone, and the slave nodes include headphones and wearable devices such as watches and bracelets. The master node in communication domain 2 is the automatic adjustment and continuous damping control system (CDC), and the slave nodes include microphones, speakers, and mobile phones. The master node in communication domain 3 is the passive entry passive start system (PEPS), and the slave nodes include mobile phone keys and car keys.

[0116] In one possible implementation, the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to wide-area wireless communication scenarios, such as communication scenarios between multiple base stations and multiple terminals, where the base station acts as a master node to allocate resources to the terminal, and the terminal acts as a slave node to obey the scheduling of the base station.

[0117] In a possible implementation, the communication method provided in the present application is also applicable to local area wireless communication scenarios, such as a communication scenario between multiple access points (APs) and multiple stations (STAs).

[0118] In the embodiment of the present application, the first communication device is, for example, a master node in the above-mentioned wireless communication scenario, and the second communication device can be, for example, a slave node in the above-mentioned wireless communication scenario. When the embodiment of the present application is applied to an in-vehicle wireless communication scenario, the first communication device and the second communication device belong to the same communication domain.

[0119] Figure 3 300 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method 300 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method 300 includes S301 and S302, and the specific steps are as follows:

[0120] S301: A first communication device sends at least one superframe to a second communication device on a channel resource obtained through contention. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the at least one superframe on the channel resource obtained through contention.

[0121] In a possible implementation, the channel resource is a channel resource obtained by the first communication device through competition. During a channel occupation period, the first communication device may transmit at least one superframe on the occupied channel resource.

[0122] S302: The second communication device sends a response frame to the first communication device on the channel resource obtained through contention. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the response frame on the channel resource obtained through contention.

[0123] In this step, the response frame is the last superframe (eg Figure 1 The response frame is located after the last superframe, and the length of the response frame is less than that of the last superframe.

[0124] When occupying channel resources for data transmission, in addition to the preamble information, if there is a superframe part whose length is greater than the superframe length and is a non-integer, it can be determined that the superframe part includes the superframe and the response frame.

[0125] In an embodiment of the present application, the first communication device may transmit at least one superframe during a channel occupation period and receive feedback during the current channel occupation period regarding whether the last superframe was successfully received, which corresponds to receiving the response frame in the embodiment of the present application. Because the response frame is transmitted during the current channel occupation period, the first communication device can receive the response frame in a timely manner without having to wait until the next channel occupation period to receive the response frame, which helps reduce the transmission delay of the response frame.

[0126] In one possible implementation, for example, in a multi-carrier scenario, if the first communication device receives the response frame during the current channel occupation period, the first communication device may retransmit the last superframe across carriers to reduce the retransmission delay, see Figure 4 .

[0127] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a cross-carrier retransmission provided in an embodiment of the present application. The first communication device sends the at least one superframe on the channel resources of carrier 1, and receives a response frame for the last superframe j, which is a NACK feedback, after which the first communication device releases the channel resources. After the first communication device releases the channel resources, the channel resources of carrier 1 may be occupied by other short-range systems, or the first communication device may need to wait for a period of time based on an avoidance mechanism before it can compete for channel resources again, so that the first communication device needs a longer interval before it can retransmit superframe j. In order to reduce the delay of the first communication device in retransmitting superframe j, the first communication device can retransmit superframe j on carrier 2, which can reduce the retransmission delay.

[0128] Figure 5A This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a superframe provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 5A In the , a superframe includes multiple radio frames, each radio frame includes two control symbols. The control symbol can also be called an S symbol. Figure 5A As shown, the superframe includes 48 radio frames, each radio frame includes 10 symbols, including 2 control symbols, and the other symbols except the control symbols and GP symbols are uplink symbols or downlink symbols.

[0129] by Figure 5A Taking radio frame #0 in radio frame 0 as an example, the control symbols in radio frame #0 include UL group 1 symbols and broadcast symbols. UL group 1 symbols can be understood as symbols used to carry UL group 1 signals, and broadcast symbols can be understood as symbols used to carry broadcast signals. Blank symbols in radio frame 0 are either uplink symbols or downlink symbols. Uplink symbols carry uplink data, while downlink symbols carry downlink data.

[0130] by Figure 5ATaking radio frame #28 in radio frame #28 as an example, the control symbols in radio frame #28 include channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) symbols and demodulation reference signal (DMRS) symbols. CSI-RS symbols can be understood as symbols used to carry CSI-RS, and DMRS symbols can be understood as symbols used to carry DMRS. Blank symbols in radio frame #28 are uplink symbols or downlink symbols, where uplink symbols are used to carry uplink data, and downlink symbols are used to carry downlink data.

[0131] Reference Figure 5A Each radio frame from radio frame #29 to radio frame #34 has two control symbols used to carry an acknowledgment signal, which acknowledges whether the previous superframe was successfully received. The acknowledgment signal includes AN group 00, AN group 1, AN group 2, AN group 3, AN group 4, and AN group 5. Since the superframe configuration uses two control symbols, radio frames starting with radio frame #29 use two control symbols to carry AN groups, and this continues until all AN groups 00, AN group 1, AN group 2, AN group 3, AN group 4, and AN group 5 are arranged. For example, two control symbols in radio frame #29 are used to carry AN group 00, two control symbols in radio frame #30 are used to carry AN group 1, two control symbols in radio frame #31 are used to carry AN group 2, two control symbols in radio frame #32 are used to carry AN group 3, two control symbols in radio frame #33 are used to carry AN group 4, and two control symbols in radio frame #34 are used to carry AN group 5. A total of six radio frames are required to transmit the acknowledgment signal.

[0132] The last superframe transmitted during a channel occupation period is Figure 5A Taking the superframe shown as an example, Figure 5A The response signal in the superframe shown is a response feedback for the previous superframe of the superframe (that is, the second to last superframe transmitted during this channel occupancy period).

[0133] The last superframe transmitted during a channel occupation period is Figure 5A As an example of the superframe shown in FIG. 1 , the response frame of the embodiment of the present application is located at Figure 5A The response frame includes multiple radio frames, including at least one blank frame and at least one radio frame for carrying the response signal, and the at least one blank frame is located before the at least one radio frame. The at least one blank frame is used to indicate the feedback delay (ACK delay), or in other words, to indicate the switching time length of the uplink and downlink transmission. The response signal in the response frame is a response to the following example: Figure 5AThe acknowledgment feedback of the last superframe is shown.

[0134] Figure 5B This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a response frame provided by an embodiment of the present application. Figure 5B In the , the response frame includes 4 radio frames, of which the first two radio frames are blank frames and the last two radio frames are used to carry the response signal. Figure 5A Similarly, the response signal includes AN group 00, AN group 1, AN group 2, AN group 3, AN group 4 and AN group 5. Different AN groups are distributed in the two wireless frames after two blank frames. The order of arrangement of the AN groups is the same as that in the super frame.

[0135] In one possible implementation, the number of symbols used to carry the response signal in the response frame is determined based on the number of AN groups. Since symbols other than the GP symbol in the response frame do not need to carry other signals, the radio frames in the response frame, excluding the blank frame, may include multiple symbols used to carry the response signal.

[0136] Reference Figure 5B , the number of AN groups is 6, and each AN group is carried by two control symbols. Therefore, a total of 12 control symbols are required to carry 6 AN groups. In addition to the GP symbol in wireless frame #2, the other symbols are used to carry AN group 00, AN group 1, AN group 2, and AN group 3 in the response signal. In addition to the GP symbol, the second and third symbols of wireless frame #3 are used to carry AN group 4 in the response signal, and the fourth and fifth symbols are used to carry AN group 5 in the response signal. The remaining symbols are empty. When the response signal includes more AN groups, for example, AN group 6 and AN group 7, the remaining symbols in wireless frame #3 are used to carry AN group 6 and AN group 7.

[0137] In a possible implementation, the response frame may carry a superframe number, where the superframe number is the superframe number of the last superframe, indicating that the response frame is feedback on whether the last superframe is successfully received.

[0138] In a possible implementation, the response frame is connected to the last superframe in the time domain and is located after the last superframe. That is, in the time dimension, the response frame is received after the last superframe is sent.

[0139] In a possible implementation, the time interval between the response frame and the last superframe is less than or equal to a preset threshold.

[0140] Exemplarily, the preset threshold is equal to the feedback delay, or the preset threshold is equal to the short interframe space (SIFS).

[0141] In a possible implementation, the length of the response frame is less than 1 ms.

[0142] In a possible implementation, the sum of the lengths of the last superframe and the response frame is greater than 1 ms.

[0143] In one design, the sum of the lengths of the last superframe and the response frame includes the time interval. That is, the length greater than 1 ms here is the sum of the length of the time interval, which is the time interval between the last superframe and the response frame.

[0144] In another design, the sum of the lengths of the last superframe and the response frame does not include the time interval. In other words, the length greater than 1 ms here is the length without the time interval.

[0145] In one possible implementation, the first communications device determines the duration of occupying channel resources based on the length of the at least one superframe and the length of the response frame. This allows the first communications device to transmit the last superframe and receive a response frame for the last superframe on the channel resources it has seized, thereby reducing the latency in receiving the response frame.

[0146] When the second communication device does not feed back a response frame to the first communication device, at least one superframe is sent on the channel resources seized this time. Therefore, the first communication device can indicate the number of the at least one superframe transmitted on the seized channel resources in the leading information, which can also be described as the number of superframes included in this resource occupation.

[0147] In the case where the second communication device feeds back a response frame to the first communication device, not only the at least one superframe but also the response frame is transmitted on the channel resources seized this time. Since the response frame is not at the superframe granularity, the first communication device can indicate the number of wireless frames transmitted on the seized channel resources with the wireless frame as the granularity, which can also be described as the number of wireless frames included in this resource occupation.

[0148] In a possible implementation, before S301 , the method 300 further includes: the first communication device sending a pilot information on the channel resource obtained through contention, where the pilot information is used to indicate the number of radio frames transmitted on the channel resource obtained through contention.

[0149] In one possible implementation, the first communication device needs to modify the 4-bit field "the number of superframes (with a length of 1ms) included in this resource occupancy" in the leading information to a 10-bit field "the number of radio frames (with a length of 1 / 48ms) included in this resource occupancy", that is, to modify the previous transmission number with superframe as the granularity to the transmission number with radio frame as the granularity.

[0150] At the same time, since the 4-bit field in the above-mentioned leading field is modified into a 10-bit field, the number of bits increases, and therefore, a leading symbol needs to be added to improve the reliability of information transmission.

[0151] Based on the above Figure 5B The frame structure design introduced can solve the problem of long transmission delay caused by receiving the response feedback of the last superframe in the existing communication method.

[0152] In addition, there is another problem in the existing communication method. Figure 1 As can be seen from the description, the master node's data transmission duration is an integer multiple of the superframe length. However, low-traffic services typically transmit data for less than a superframe. Therefore, for low-traffic services, sending superframes wastes resources and results in significant transmission delays.

[0153] For example, consider a scenario where audio services from speakers compete for channel resources with download services based on the File Transfer Protocol (FTP). Audio services, with their small data volume, require a shorter channel occupancy time. FTP, on the other hand, involves downloading large files and therefore requires a longer channel occupancy time. However, as shown in Table 1, the time consumed by audio and FTP download services indicates that, in current designs, the average time used for clear channel assessment (CCA) to determine channel availability (referred to as the CCA average time) is 0.1 ms, and the average time used to send preamble information (referred to as the preamble average time) is also 0.1 ms. Regardless of the data volume, the data transmission time consumed by audio services (the third column in Table 1) is equal to the length of a superframe, 1 ms. This results in a longer total audio service time. Consequently, the channel occupancy time left for FTP download services within an audio frame (the last column in Table 1) is relatively short, resulting in a significant time required for FTP download services to download data.

[0154] Table 1

[0155]

[0156]

[0157] In response to the above-mentioned problem that sending superframes will cause waste of resources for small-traffic services, the present application provides a communication method. In this method, the length of the data frame sent by the first communication device (such as the above-mentioned master node) during a channel occupancy period is less than the length of the superframe. The data frame can be used for data transmission of small-traffic services, which is conducive to reducing the data transmission delay of small-traffic services.

[0158] The following combination Figure 6 The present application introduces a communication method provided to address the above-mentioned second aspect.

[0159] Figure 6 6 is a schematic flow chart of another communication method 600 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method 600 includes S601 and S602. The specific steps are as follows:

[0160] S601: A first communication device generates a data frame, where the length of the data frame is smaller than the length of a superframe.

[0161] In the embodiments of the present application, the length of a data frame is less than the length of a superframe. When occupying channel resources for data transmission, if there is a data frame, excluding the preamble information, whose length is less than the length of a superframe (for example, 1ms), then the data frame is a short data frame. In the embodiments of the present application, a data frame whose length is less than a superframe is referred to as a short data frame.

[0162] The ratio of downlink symbols, guard intervals, and uplink symbols in a short data frame can be determined by the preamble information.

[0163] It should be understood that the short data frame in the embodiment of the present application refers to a data frame whose length is smaller than a superframe.

[0164] S602: The first communication device sends a data frame to the second communication device on the channel resource obtained through contention. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the data frame.

[0165] In the application embodiment, since the length of the data frame is smaller than the length of the superframe, such a frame structure design can flexibly match the data transmission of small-traffic services, which is beneficial to reducing the data transmission delay of small-traffic services.

[0166] Figure 7A This is a schematic diagram of another superframe structure provided by an embodiment of the present application. Figure 7A In the superframe, the radio frame configuration is radio frame structure 3, and each radio frame includes two control symbols. Figure 7A As shown, the superframe includes 48 radio frames, each radio frame includes 10 symbols, including 2 control symbols, and the other symbols except those before the control symbols are uplink symbols and / or downlink symbols.

[0167] In one possible implementation, before the first communication group device sends the data frame on the channel resource that has been competed for, it first sends a leading information on the channel resource that has been competed for. The leading information includes a first field, and the first field is used to indicate the number of wireless frames transmitted during the duration of occupying the channel resource. Similar to the introduction of the leading information in conjunction with method 300 above, in an embodiment of the present application, the length of the data frame is less than the length of the superframe, that is, the transmission is no longer performed with the superframe as the granularity. Therefore, it is necessary to modify the 4-bit field "the number of superframes (with a length of 1ms) included in this resource occupation" in the leading field to a 10-bit field "the number of wireless frames (with a length of 1 / 48ms) included in this resource occupation".

[0168] The preamble information includes at least one control symbol. In a possible implementation, the preamble information includes an FTS symbol, an STS symbol, and a DCI symbol.

[0169] The control symbols in a superframe may overlap with those in the preamble. For example, a superframe may include FTS symbols, STS symbols, or DCI symbols. Therefore, to reduce the length of a data frame, the first control symbol in a superframe can be replaced sequentially with the second control symbols in the superframe excluding the first control symbol, thereby obtaining a short data frame. Alternatively, this can be understood as removing the first control symbol from the superframe and then replacing it with the second control symbol. The radio frame containing the second control symbol follows the radio frame containing the first control symbol.

[0170] In one possible implementation, the first control symbol includes one or more of the following: an FTS symbol, an STS symbol, or a DCI symbol. The first control symbol is a control symbol that is repeated with a control symbol in the preamble. The DCI symbol includes a UL group symbol and a DL group symbol.

[0171] In one possible design, the length of the data frame is sufficient to include all other control symbols in the superframe except the first control symbol. Taking the above-mentioned first control symbol including FTS symbol, STS symbol and DCI symbol, and the second control symbol including CSI-RS symbol, DMRS symbol, AN group symbol, contention symbol and non-contention symbol as an example, based on Figure 7A The superframe shown in FIG. 1 is replaced by the FTS symbol, STS symbol and DCI symbol in the superframe with the CSI-RS symbol, DMRS symbol, AN group symbol, contention symbol and non-contention symbol in sequence, and the result is Figure 7B The data frame shown.

[0172] For example, the DCI symbol in radio frame #0 (ie, UL group 1) is replaced with the CSI-RS symbol in radio frame #26, and the DCI symbol in radio frame #1 (ie, UL group 1) is replaced with the DMRS symbol in radio frame #26.

[0173] Similarly, the control symbols ( Figure 7A The symbols shown in each radio frame except the GP symbol are control symbols, and each radio frame includes two control symbols) are replaced in sequence with the control symbols in radio frames #27 to #47, and the relative positions of the control symbols remain unchanged. The remaining radio frames #24 and #25 do not need to be padded with control symbols, so radio frames #24 and #25 do not need to be included in the data frame.

[0174] For example, the DCI symbol in radio frame #4 (ie, UL group 2) is replaced with AN group 00 in radio frame #29. For example, the DCI symbol in radio frame #5 (ie, UL group 2) is replaced with AN group 1 in radio frame #30.

[0175] Reference Figure 7B The data frame includes 24 radio frames, and the data frame does not include STS symbols, FTS symbols, and DCI symbols. Except for the STS symbols, FTS symbols, and DCI symbols, the remaining control symbols are filled in sequentially, and their relative positions remain unchanged.

[0176] In another possible design, the length of the data frame is insufficient to include all other control symbols in the superframe except the first control symbol. Taking the above-mentioned first control symbol including FTS symbol, STS symbol and DCI symbol, and the second control symbol including CSI-RS symbol, DMRS symbol, AN group symbol and contention symbol as an example, based on Figure 7A The superframe shown in FIG. 1 is replaced by the FTS symbol, STS symbol and DCI symbol in the superframe with the CSI-RS symbol, DMRS symbol, AN group symbol and contention symbol in sequence, and the following can be obtained: Figure 7C The data frame shown,

[0177] Reference Figure 7C , the data frame includes 18 wireless frames, and the data frame does not include the first control symbol and the third control symbol. In this example, the first control symbol includes the FTS symbol, the STS symbol and the DCI symbol, and the third control symbol includes the non-competition symbol, the channel sounding reference signal (SRS), the DMRS symbol, etc.

[0178] and targeting Figure 7BSimilar to the description, the DCI symbols in radio frame #0 (i.e., UL group 1) are replaced by CSI-RS symbols in radio frame #26, and the DCI symbols in radio frame #1 (i.e., UL group 1) are replaced by DMRS symbols in radio frame #26.

[0179] Similarly, the control symbols ( Figure 7A The symbols shown in each radio frame except the GP symbol are control symbols, and each radio frame includes two control symbols) are replaced sequentially with the control symbols in radio frames #27 to #40 (excluding the non-contention symbols in radio frame #40). The relative positions of the control symbols remain unchanged. Due to the limited length of the data frame, the non-contention symbols in radio frame #40 and the subsequent radio frames #41 and #47 are not included in the data frame. In other words, the non-contention symbols in radio frame #40 and the control symbols in the subsequent radio frames #41 and #47 are invalid.

[0180] In one possible implementation, the first communication device can determine the length of the data frame based on the amount of data to be transmitted. It can be understood that the first communication device selects an appropriate length of the data frame based on the amount of data to be transmitted, which makes the transmission duration of the data frame more flexible.

[0181] For example, when the data frames provided in the embodiment of the present application are supported, the time consumed by the audio service and the FTP download service is shown in Table 2.

[0182] Table 2

[0183]

[0184] By comparing Table 2 and Table 1, it can be seen that when supporting the data frames provided by the embodiment of the present application, if the audio service and the FTP download service exist at the same time, the audio service occupies a short time (the 6th column in Table 2 is the time occupied by the audio service), then more channel occupancy time can be left for the FTP service within an audio frame time (the 9th column in Table 2), and the amount of downloaded data of the FTP service will be more (reflected in the increase in FTP throughput gain), so that the FTP download service can complete data download in a shorter time.

[0185] The two communication methods provided in the first and second aspects of the present application can be implemented in combination. In one embodiment, a first communication device sends a data frame to a second communication device on a channel resource obtained through competition. The length of the data frame is less than the length of a superframe, and the data frame is the last data frame of at least one data frame sent on the channel resource. The second communication device receives the data frame on the channel resource and sends a response frame to the first communication device on the channel resource. The response frame is feedback on whether the last data frame sent on the channel resource was successfully received. The response frame is located after the last data frame, and the length of the response frame is less than the last data frame.

[0186] It should be understood that the size of the serial numbers of the above processes does not mean the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0187] Combined with the above Figures 3 to 7C , describes in detail the communication method according to the embodiment of the present application, and will be combined with Figure 8 and Figure 9 , describes in detail the communication device according to the embodiment of the present application.

[0188] Figure 8 8 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 800 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The device 800 includes a transceiver module 810 and optionally a processing module 820 .

[0189] The processing module 820 is used to perform data processing. The transceiver module 810 can implement corresponding communication functions. The transceiver module 810 can also be called a communication interface or a communication module.

[0190] Optionally, the device 800 may further include a storage module, which may be used to store data and / or to store computer programs or instructions. The processing module 820 may read the computer programs / instructions and / or data in the storage module so that the device 800 implements the above-mentioned method embodiment.

[0191] The device 800 can be used to perform the actions performed by the first communication device or the second communication device in the above-described method embodiments. The device 800 can be a master node or a slave node. Alternatively, the device 800 is a component (e.g., a chip) configured in the master node or the slave node. The processing module 820 is used to perform operations related to processing of the master node or the slave node in the above-described method embodiments. The transceiver module 810 is used to perform operations related to receiving and sending of the master node or the slave node in the above-described method embodiments.

[0192] In an embodiment of the present application, the first communication device may be a master node in a communication domain, the second communication device may be a slave node in a communication domain, and the first communication device and the second communication device belong to the same communication domain.

[0193] Exemplarily, the master node in one communication domain is, for example, a base station, and the slave node is, for example, a terminal; the master node in another communication domain is, for example, an AP, and the slave node is, for example, a STA.

[0194] Optionally, the transceiver module 810 may include a sending module and a receiving module. The sending module is used to perform the sending operation in the above method embodiment. The receiving module is used to perform the receiving operation in the above method embodiment.

[0195] It should be noted that the apparatus 800 may include a sending module but not a receiving module. Alternatively, the apparatus 800 may include a receiving module but not a sending module. This may depend on whether the above solution executed by the apparatus 800 includes both a sending action and a receiving action.

[0196] Optionally, the device 800 is used to perform the above Figure 3 or Figure 6 The actions performed by the first communication device or the second communication device in the embodiment shown are as follows. Figure 3 or Figure 6 The relevant introduction in the illustrated embodiment will not be repeated here.

[0197] In one embodiment, the transceiver module 810 is used to: send at least one superframe on the channel resource that is competed for; receive a response frame on the channel resource, wherein the response frame is feedback on whether the last superframe sent on the channel resource is successfully received, and the response frame is located after the last superframe and the length of the response frame is less than the last superframe.

[0198] Optionally, the response frame includes multiple radio frames, the multiple radio frames include at least one blank frame and at least one radio frame for carrying the response signal, and the at least one blank frame is located before the at least one radio frame.

[0199] Optionally, each radio frame in the at least one radio frame includes multiple symbols, and other symbols in the multiple symbols except the GP symbol are used to carry the response signal.

[0200] Optionally, the response frame carries the superframe number of the last superframe in at least one superframe.

[0201] Optionally, the response frame is continuous with the last superframe in the time domain.

[0202] Optionally, the time interval between the response frame and the last superframe is less than or equal to a preset threshold.

[0203] Optionally, the length of the response frame is less than 1 ms.

[0204] Optionally, the sum of the lengths of the last superframe and the response frame is greater than 1 ms.

[0205] Optionally, the processing module 820 is configured to determine a duration of occupying channel resources based on a length of at least one superframe and a length of a response frame.

[0206] Optionally, the transceiver module 810 is configured to: send a preamble information on a channel resource, where the preamble information is used to indicate the number of radio frames transmitted within a duration of occupying the channel resource.

[0207] In this embodiment, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the device 800 may be specifically the above-mentioned Figure 3 The first communication device in the embodiment shown, or the above Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the functions of the first communication device can be integrated into device 800. The aforementioned functions can be implemented via hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the aforementioned functions. Device 800 can be used to execute the various processes and / or steps corresponding to the first communication device in the aforementioned method embodiment.

[0208] In another possible embodiment, the transceiver module 810 is used to: receive at least one superframe on the channel resource that has been competed for; and send a response frame on the channel resource, where the response frame is feedback on whether the last superframe sent on the channel resource is successfully received, and the response frame is located after the last superframe, and the length of the response frame is less than the last superframe.

[0209] Optionally, the response frame includes multiple radio frames, the multiple radio frames include at least one blank frame and at least one radio frame for carrying the response signal, and the at least one blank frame is located before the at least one radio frame.

[0210] Optionally, each radio frame in the at least one radio frame includes multiple symbols, and other symbols in the multiple symbols except the GP symbol are used to carry the response signal.

[0211] Optionally, the response frame carries the superframe number of the last superframe in at least one superframe.

[0212] Optionally, the response frame is continuous with the last superframe in the time domain.

[0213] Optionally, the time interval between the response frame and the last superframe is less than or equal to a preset threshold.

[0214] Optionally, the length of the response frame is less than 1 ms.

[0215] Optionally, the sum of the lengths of the last superframe and the response frame is greater than 1 ms.

[0216] Optionally, the transceiver module 810 is configured to: receive preamble information on a channel resource, where the preamble information is used to indicate the number of radio frames transmitted within a duration of occupying the channel resource.

[0217] In this embodiment, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the device 800 may be specifically the above-mentioned Figure 3 The second communication device in the embodiment shown, or the above Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the functions of the second communication device can be integrated into device 800. The aforementioned functions can be implemented via hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the aforementioned functions. Device 800 can be used to execute the various processes and / or steps corresponding to the second communication device in the aforementioned method embodiment.

[0218] In another possible embodiment, the processing module 820 is configured to generate a data frame whose length is less than that of a superframe, and the transceiver module 810 is configured to send the data frame on the channel resources obtained through contention.

[0219] Optionally, the transceiver module 810 is configured to send preamble information on the channel resource, where the preamble information includes an FTS symbol, an STS symbol, and a DCI symbol.

[0220] Optionally, the processing module 820 is configured to: sequentially replace the first control symbols in the superframe with the second control symbols excluding the first control symbols in the superframe to obtain the data frame.

[0221] Optionally, the data frame does not include the first control symbol in the superframe and the third control symbol in the superframe.

[0222] Optionally, the first control symbol includes one or more of the following: an FTS symbol, an STS symbol, or a DCI symbol.

[0223] Optionally, the preamble information includes a first field, and the first field is used to indicate the number of radio frames transmitted within the duration of occupying the channel resource.

[0224] In this embodiment, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the device 800 may be specifically the above-mentioned Figure 6 The first communication device in the embodiment shown, or the above Figure 6In the illustrated embodiment, the functions of the first communication device can be integrated into device 800. The aforementioned functions can be implemented via hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the aforementioned functions. Device 800 can be used to execute the various processes and / or steps corresponding to the first communication device in the aforementioned method embodiment.

[0225] In another possible embodiment, the transceiver module 810 is configured to receive a data frame on the channel resource obtained through contention, where the length of the data frame is smaller than the length of the superframe.

[0226] Optionally, the transceiver module 810 is configured to: receive preamble information on the channel resource, where the preamble information includes an FTS symbol, an STS symbol, and a DCI symbol.

[0227] Optionally, the data frame is obtained by sequentially replacing first control symbols in a superframe with second control symbols excluding the first control symbols in the superframe.

[0228] Optionally, the data frame does not include the first control symbol in the superframe and the third control symbol in the superframe.

[0229] Optionally, the first control symbol includes one or more of the following: an FTS symbol, an STS symbol, or a DCI symbol.

[0230] Optionally, the preamble information includes a first field, and the first field is used to indicate the number of radio frames transmitted within the duration of occupying the channel resource.

[0231] In this embodiment, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the device 800 may be specifically the above-mentioned Figure 6 The second communication device in the embodiment shown, or the above Figure 6 In the illustrated embodiment, the functions of the second communication device can be integrated into device 800. The aforementioned functions can be implemented via hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the aforementioned functions. Device 800 can be used to execute the various processes and / or steps corresponding to the second communication device in the aforementioned method embodiment.

[0232] It should be understood that the apparatus 800 herein is embodied in the form of functional modules. The term "module" herein may refer to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (e.g., a shared processor, a dedicated processor, or a group processor, etc.) and memory for executing one or more software or firmware programs, combined logic circuits, and / or other suitable components that support the described functionality.

[0233] In the embodiment of the present application, the device 800 may also be a chip or a chip system, such as a system on chip (SoC). Correspondingly, the transceiver module may be a transceiver circuit of the chip, which is not limited here.

[0234] Figure 9 9 is a schematic block diagram of another communication device 900 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The device 900 includes a processor 910, a transceiver 920, and a memory 930. The processor 910, the transceiver 920, and the memory 930 communicate with each other via an internal connection path. The memory 930 is used to store instructions, and the processor 910 is used to execute the instructions stored in the memory 930 to control the transceiver 920 to send and / or receive signals.

[0235] It should be understood that the device 900 can be specifically the first communication device or the second communication device in the above-mentioned embodiment, or the functions of the first communication device or the second communication device in the above-mentioned embodiment can be integrated into the device 900, and the device 900 can be used to execute the various steps and / or processes corresponding to the first communication device or the second communication device in the above-mentioned method embodiment. Optionally, the memory 930 may include a read-only memory and a random access memory, and provide instructions and data to the processor. A portion of the memory may also include a non-volatile random access memory. For example, the memory may also store device type information. The processor 910 can be used to execute instructions stored in the memory, and when the processor executes the instructions, the processor 910 can execute the various steps and / or processes corresponding to the first communication device or the second communication device in the above-mentioned method embodiment.

[0236] It should be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the processor may be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), ASICs, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0237] During implementation, each step of the above method can be completed by an integrated logic circuit of hardware in a processor or by instructions in the form of software. The steps of the method disclosed in conjunction with the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware processor, or can be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor. The software module can be located in a storage medium mature in the art, such as a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory, or an electrically erasable programmable memory, a register, etc. The storage medium is located in a memory, and the processor executes the instructions in the memory, and completes the steps of the above method in conjunction with its hardware. To avoid repetition, it will not be described in detail here.

[0238] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the modules and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0239] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and modules described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0240] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely schematic. For example, the division of the modules is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as multiple modules or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or modules, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0241] The modules described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as modules may or may not be physical modules, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network modules. Some or all of the modules may be selected to achieve the purpose of the present embodiment according to actual needs.

[0242] In addition, each functional module in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing module, or each module may exist physically separately, or two or more modules may be integrated into one module.

[0243] If the functions are implemented in the form of software function modules and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application, or the part that contributes to the prior art or the part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk.

[0244] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included in the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: include: Send at least one superframe on the channel resources obtained through contention; A response frame is received on the channel resource, where the response frame is feedback on whether the last superframe sent on the channel resource is successfully received. The response frame is located after the last superframe, and the length of the response frame is less than the last superframe.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The response frame includes multiple radio frames, which include at least one blank frame and at least one radio frame used to carry the response signal, and the at least one blank frame is located before the at least one radio frame.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that Each radio frame in the at least one radio frame includes multiple symbols, and other symbols in the multiple symbols except the guard interval GP symbol are used to carry the response signal.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The response frame carries the superframe number of the last superframe in the at least one superframe.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The response frame is continuous with the last superframe in the time domain.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The time interval between the response frame and the last superframe is less than or equal to a preset threshold.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The length of the response frame is less than 1 ms.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The sum of the lengths of the last superframe and the response frame is greater than 1 ms.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that Before sending at least one superframe on the contended channel resources, the method further includes: The duration of occupying the channel resources is determined based on the length of the at least one superframe and the length of the response frame.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that Before sending at least one superframe on the contended channel resources, the method further includes: Preamble information is sent on the channel resource, where the preamble information is used to indicate the number of radio frames transmitted within a duration of occupying the channel resource.

11. A communication method, characterized in that: include: Receiving at least one superframe on the contended channel resources; A response frame is sent on the channel resource, where the response frame is feedback on whether the last superframe sent on the channel resource is successfully received. The response frame is located after the last superframe, and the length of the response frame is less than the last superframe.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The response frame includes multiple radio frames, which include at least one blank frame and at least one radio frame used to carry the response signal, and the at least one blank frame is located before the at least one radio frame.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that Each radio frame in the at least one radio frame includes multiple symbols, and other symbols in the multiple symbols except the guard interval GP symbol are used to carry the response signal.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that The response frame carries the superframe number of the last superframe in the at least one superframe.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that The response frame is continuous with the last superframe in the time domain.

16. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that The time interval between the response frame and the last superframe is less than or equal to a preset threshold.

17. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 16, characterized in that The length of the response frame is less than 1 ms.

18. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 17, characterized in that The sum of the lengths of the last superframe and the response frame is greater than 1 ms.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that Before receiving at least one superframe on the contended channel resource, the method further includes: A preamble is received on the channel resource, where the preamble is used to indicate the number of radio frames transmitted within a duration of occupying the channel resource.

20. A communication method, characterized in that: include: generating a data frame, wherein the length of the data frame is less than the length of the superframe; The data frame is sent on the channel resource obtained through competition.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that Before sending the data frame on the channel resource obtained through contention, the method further includes: The preamble information is sent on the channel resource, where the preamble information includes a first training signal FTS symbol, a second training signal STS symbol, and a downlink control information DCI symbol.

22. The method according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that The generating of the data frame comprises: The data frame is obtained by sequentially replacing the first control symbols in the superframe with the second control symbols in the superframe excluding the first control symbols.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that The data frame does not include the first control symbol and the third control symbol in the superframe.

24. The method according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that The first control symbol includes one or more of the following: FTS symbol, STS symbol or DCI symbol.

25. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 24, characterized in that The method further comprises: The length of the data frame is determined based on the amount of data to be transmitted.

26. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 25, characterized in that The preamble information includes a first field, where the first field is used to indicate the number of radio frames transmitted within a duration of occupying the channel resources.

27. A communication method, characterized in that: include: A data frame is received on the channel resource obtained through contention, where the length of the data frame is less than the length of the superframe.

28. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that Before receiving the data frame on the channel resource obtained through contention, the method further includes: Preamble information is received on the channel resource, where the preamble information includes a first training signal FTS symbol, a second training signal STS symbol, and a downlink control information DCI symbol.

29. The method according to claim 27 or 28, characterized in that The data frame is obtained by sequentially replacing the first control symbols in the super frame with the second control symbols in the super frame excluding the first control symbols.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein The data frame does not include the first control symbol and the third control symbol in the superframe.

31. The method according to claim 29 or 30, characterized in that The first control symbol includes one or more of the following: FTS symbol, STS symbol or DCI symbol.

32. The method according to any one of claims 27 to 31, characterized in that The preamble information includes a first field, where the first field is used to indicate the number of radio frames transmitted within a duration of occupying the channel resources.

33. A communication device, characterized in that: Comprising a module for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, or a module for implementing the method according to any one of claims 11 to 19, or a module for implementing the method according to any one of claims 20 to 26, or a module for implementing the method according to any one of claims 27 to 32.

34. A communication device, characterized in that: The invention comprises a processor coupled to a memory, wherein the memory is used to store programs or instructions. When the programs or instructions are executed by the processor, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 is executed, or the method according to any one of claims 11 to 19 is executed, or the method according to any one of claims 20 to 26 is executed, or the method according to any one of claims 27 to 32 is executed.

35. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that Used to store a computer program, which, when running on a computer, causes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 to be executed, or causes the method according to any one of claims 11 to 19 to be executed, or causes the method according to any one of claims 20 to 26 to be executed, or causes the method according to any one of claims 27 to 32 to be executed.

36. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that include: A computer program or instruction that, when executed, causes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 to be performed, or causes the method according to any one of claims 11 to 19 to be performed, or causes the method according to any one of claims 20 to 26 to be performed, or causes the method according to any one of claims 27 to 32 to be performed.

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