Link operation mode switching method and device, communication equipment and storage medium

Abstract

The invention discloses a link operation mode switching method and device, communication equipment and a storage medium, and belongs to the technical field of wireless communication. The method is executed by a first device, and at least two links are established between the first device and a second device. The first device is a non-access point (AP) multi-link device, and the second device is an AP multi-link device; the method comprises: receiving link operation mode switching information sent by a second device (601), the link operation mode switching information being used for instructing at least one non-AP multi-link device to switch a link operation mode of a first link; the first link is one of the at least two links; and switching the link operation mode of the first link between the first device and the second device according to the link operation mode switching information if the first device belongs to the at least one non-AP multi-link device (602).

Description

Link operation mode switching method, device, communication equipment and storage medium Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and in particular to a link operation mode switching method, apparatus, communication equipment, and storage medium. Background Art

[0002] In a wireless local area network (WLAN), a multi-link device (MLD) can establish multiple wireless links simultaneously to improve its wireless transmission capability.

[0003] In related technologies, an MLD may include multiple subordinate access points (APs) or subordinate stations (STAs), and each subordinate AP / subordinate STA may establish a corresponding link with another MLD device.

[0004] Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention provides a method, apparatus, communication device, and storage medium for switching a link operation mode. The technical solution is as follows:

[0006] In one aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a link operation mode switching method, the method being performed by a first device, wherein at least two links are established between the first device and a second device; the first device is a non-access point (AP) multi-link device, and the second device is an AP multi-link device; the method comprising:

[0007] receiving link operation mode switching information sent by the second device, where the link operation mode switching information is used to instruct at least one non-AP multi-link device to switch the link operation mode of a first link; the first link is one of the at least two links;

[0008] In a case where the first device belongs to the at least one non-AP multi-link device, the link operation mode of the first link between the first device and the second device is switched according to the link operation mode switching information.

[0009] In one aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a link operation mode switching method, the method being performed by a second device, the second device having established at least two links with at least one non-AP multi-link device; the second device being an AP multi-link device; the method comprising:

[0010] Sending link operation mode switching information to the at least one non-AP multi-link device, where the link operation mode switching information is used to instruct the at least one non-AP multi-link device to switch the link operation mode of a first link; the first link is one of the at least two links;

[0011] According to the link operation mode switching information, the link operation mode of the first link between the first device and the second device is switched; the first device belongs to the at least one non-AP multi-link device.

[0012] On the other hand, an embodiment of the present application provides a link operation mode switching device, the device comprising:

[0013] a receiving module, configured to receive link operation mode switching information sent by a second device, the link operation mode switching information being used to instruct at least one non-AP multi-link device to switch a link operation mode of a first link; the first link being one of the at least two links; at least two links being established between the first device and the second device; the first device being a non-access point (AP) multi-link device, and the second device being an AP multi-link device;

[0014] A switching module is configured to switch the link operation mode of the first link between the first device and the second device according to the link operation mode switching information when the first device belongs to the at least one non-AP multi-link device.

[0015] On the other hand, an embodiment of the present application provides a link operation mode switching device, the device comprising:

[0016] a sending module, configured to send link operation mode switching information to at least one non-AP multi-link device, wherein the link operation mode switching information is used to instruct the at least one non-AP multi-link device to switch the link operation mode of a first link; the first link is one of the at least two links;

[0017] a switching module, configured to switch the link operation mode of the first link between the first device and the second device according to the link operation mode switching information; the first device belongs to the at least one non-AP multi-link device; the second device has established at least two links with the at least one non-AP multi-link device; the first link is one of the at least two links; and the second device is an AP multi-link device.

[0018] On the other hand, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which is a multi-link device; the communication device includes a processor, a memory and a transceiver, the memory stores a computer program, and the computer program is used to be executed by the processor to implement the above-mentioned link operation mode switching method.

[0019] On the other hand, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which a computer program is stored. The computer program is loaded and executed by a processor to implement the above-mentioned link operation mode switching method.

[0020] In another aspect, a computer program product is provided, the computer program including computer instructions stored in a computer-readable storage medium. A processor of a communication device reads the computer instructions from the computer-readable storage medium and executes the computer instructions, causing the communication device to perform the link operation mode switching method described above.

[0021] On the other hand, a chip is provided. The chip is used to run in a communication device so that the communication device executes the link operation mode switching method.

[0022] On the other hand, a computer program is provided, which is executed by a processor of a communication device to implement the link operation mode switching method.

[0023] The technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application can bring the following beneficial effects:

[0024] Multiple link operation modes are set for a link established by a multi-link device. A non-AP multi-link device may receive link operation mode switching information sent by an AP multi-link device. When the non-AP multi-link device is one of at least one non-AP multi-link device indicated by the link operation mode switching information, the non-AP multi-link device may switch the link operation mode of the first link between the non-AP multi-link device and the AP multi-link device according to the link operation mode switching information, thereby improving the flexibility of link management between the multi-link devices. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative work.

[0026] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture of a communication system provided by one embodiment of the present application;

[0027] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a reference model of a multi-link device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0028] FIG3 is a timing diagram of multi-link discovery and establishment involved in an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0029] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of the BI structure involved in this application;

[0030] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of request and response frame exchange during the ATI period involved in this application;

[0031] FIG6 is a flowchart of a link operation mode switching method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0032] FIG7 is a flowchart of a link operation mode switching method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0033] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of link operation mode switching according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0034] FIG9 is a flowchart of a link operation mode switching method provided by one embodiment of the present application;

[0035] FIG10 is a format definition diagram of an operation mode switching declaration element according to the embodiment shown in FIG9 ;

[0036] 11 is a format definition diagram of the operation mode switching declaration control field according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 ;

[0037] FIG12 is a schematic diagram of an operation mode switching provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0038] FIG13 is a schematic diagram of an operation mode switching provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0039] FIG14 is a schematic diagram of an operation mode switching provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0040] FIG15 is a block diagram of a link operation mode switching device provided by one embodiment of the present application;

[0041] FIG16 is a block diagram of a link operation mode switching device provided by one embodiment of the present application;

[0042] FIG17 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in one embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of this application clearer, the implementation methods of this application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0044] The network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that, with the evolution of the network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application are equally applicable to similar technical problems.

[0045] Please refer to FIG1 , which shows a schematic diagram of a network architecture of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application. The network architecture may include: a station 10 and an access point 20 .

[0046] There are usually multiple sites 10, and each access point 20 can be associated with one or more sites 10. Sites 10 can include various handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, vehicle-mounted devices, wearable devices, computing devices, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, as well as various forms of user equipment (UE), mobile stations (MS), terminal devices, etc. For ease of description, in the embodiments of this application, the above-mentioned devices are collectively referred to as sites STA.

[0047] The access point 20 is a device deployed in the access network to provide wireless communication functions for the station 10, and may also be referred to as an AP (Access Point). The access point 20 may include various forms of wireless routers, wireless switches, or wireless relay devices.

[0048] The above-mentioned station 10 and / or access point 20 may be a multi-link device.

[0049] Optionally, what is not shown in FIG1 is that the above network architecture also includes other network devices, such as gateway devices and the like.

[0050] The station 10 and the access point 20 may be associated and communicated with each other via wireless local area network technology, for example, communication based on the IEEE 802.11 protocol.

[0051] The IEEE 802.11BF working group is currently discussing the development of a protocol to define how to implement WLAN awareness using IEEE 802.11-compliant WLAN signals. WLAN terminals participating in awareness may play roles such as awareness session initiator, awareness session responder, awareness signal sender, and awareness signal receiver.

[0052] A WLAN awareness session includes one or more of the following phases: session establishment, awareness measurement, awareness reporting, and session termination. A WLAN terminal may have one or more roles in a awareness session. For example, the awareness session initiator can be solely the awareness session initiator, but can also be the awareness signal sender, the awareness signal receiver, or both.

[0053] Before introducing the technical solution of this application, some technical knowledge involved in this application is first introduced and explained.

[0054] 1) Multiple Links Device (MLD)

[0055] Relevant standard protocols define support for multiple links. The standard defines the two communicating ends as STA MLD and AP MLD. STA MLD and AP MLD that have established multiple links can leverage the advantages of multiple links to transmit and receive data across multiple links, achieving high throughput and low latency.

[0056] In traditional single-link devices, each single-link device has a Media Access Control (MAC) address that can be used to identify the device. In multi-link devices defined in relevant standards, because a multi-link device has multiple links, each link has a separate MAC address, and a multi-link device also has a single multi-link device MAC address (MLD MAC address).

[0057] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the reference model for a multi-link device. As shown in Figure 2, there are two links between two multi-link devices: Link 1 and Link 2. Each multi-link device has a separate Link MAC address (also known as a Wireless Medium (WM) MAC address) on each link in the Lower MAC layer, and a single MLD MAC address in the Upper MAC layer.

[0058] 2) Multi-link discovery and multi-link establishment

[0059] Please refer to Figure 3, which shows a multi-link discovery and establishment sequence diagram related to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 3, before initiating multi-link establishment with the AP MLD, the non-AP MLD uses one or more of the following methods to obtain information about the AP MLD and each of its affiliated APs of interest:

[0060] 1. Each subordinate station of the non-AP MLD performs the passive scanning process (Passive scanning) or active scanning process related to non-multilink operation specified in the IEEE 802.11 standard;

[0061] 2. One of the non-AP MLD's subordinate stations transmits a multi-link probe request on any link operated by the AP MLD to obtain complete information about the AP MLD and its subordinate APs.

[0062] As shown in Figure 3, Non-AP MLD and AP MLD establish multiple links by exchanging Association Request / Response frames on one of the multiple links requested. Both Association Request / Response frames carry the Basic Multi-link element (BME). The non-AP MLD performing multi-link establishment indicates the multiple links requested for establishment, as well as their capabilities and operating parameters, in the Association Request frame. The AP MLD indicates the links accepted and rejected among the multiple links requested for establishment, and requests the link capabilities and operating parameters, in the Association Response frame.

[0063] When multilink is successfully established, the AP MLD assigns an Association Identifier (AID) to the non-AP MLD. All STAs affiliated with the non-AP MLD share the same AID (the AID assigned to the non-AP MLD during the multilink establishment process). After multilink is established between the non-AP MLD and the AP MLD, multiple links are established between the non-AP and AP MLD for multilink operation, and the non-AP MLD is associated with the AP MLD (i.e., Phase 3 or Phase 4).

[0064] 3) Millimeter wave communication technology

[0065] IEEE 802.11ad is a Wi-Fi communication technology that utilizes unlicensed millimeter-wave bands to deliver multi-Gbps throughput. IEEE 802.11ay builds upon IEEE 802.11ad by employing technologies such as Multiple-In Multiple-Out (MIMO), channel bonding, channel access optimization, and advanced beamforming training, delivering Wi-Fi communication speeds of up to 100 Gb / s.

[0066] For the Media Access Control (MAC) technology of millimeter wave band communication, IEEE 802.11ay, like 802.11ad, organizes media access in the beacon interval (BI). Please refer to Figure 4, which shows a schematic diagram of the BI structure involved in this application. As shown in Figure 4, a typical BI is mainly composed of two access periods: the Beacon Header Interval (BHI) and the Data Transmission Interval (DTI).

[0067] Beacon Transmission Interval (BTI): used by an AP or a Personal Basic Service Set (PBSS) Control Point (PCP) to transmit beacon frames.

[0068] Association Beamforming Training (A-BFT): used for a station to perform beamforming training with a station that transmitted a beacon frame during the previous BTI.

[0069] A-BFT is slotted and can consist of multiple A-BFT time slots. A station can randomly select a time slot to transmit a sector sweep (SSW) frame or a short SSW frame. In this case, conflicts may occur when two or more stations select the same time slot. To accommodate more stations attempting to access during the A-BFT period, IEEE 802.11ay supports a maximum of 40 A-BFT slots per BI (beacon interval).

[0070] Announcement Transmission Interval (ATI): used by the AP / PCP to exchange management frames with beam-trained stations.

[0071] FIG5 illustrates a schematic diagram of request and response frames exchanged between an AP or PCP and any subset of stations during an ATI, as described herein. As shown in FIG5 , the AP or PCP initiates all frame exchange sequences that occur during an ATI. Once the ATI begins, the AP or PCP can immediately begin transmitting request frames, or delay transmission of request frames if the medium is determined to be busy via the CCA mechanism.

[0072] DTIs provide different types of medium access and beamforming training for data transmission. In a DTI, data frames are exchanged either in contention-based access periods (CBAPs) or in contention-free service periods (SPs).

[0073] Since millimeter wave communication has the disadvantages of large signal attenuation, susceptibility to obstruction, short coverage distance, high cost of millimeter wave devices and high power consumption of millimeter wave communication equipment, if millimeter wave equipment only uses millimeter wave links, it cannot solve the problems existing in millimeter wave communication. With the standardization of multi-link operation (MLO) technology in IEEE 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7), multi-link communication technology combining millimeter wave links and low-frequency links can be considered based on the MLO architecture and technology. That is, in a device that supports millimeter wave communication, in addition to one link operating in the millimeter wave band, at least one link operates in the low-frequency band, wherein the control and management functions are implemented in the low-frequency band link, and the millimeter wave link is mainly used for sending high-throughput data. Therefore, for multi-link communication devices that support millimeter wave communication, how to coordinate the operations between the millimeter wave link and the low-frequency link to meet the communication needs of the device while reducing the device power consumption and improving transmission efficiency is a problem that needs to be solved.

[0074] Please refer to Figure 6, which shows a flowchart of a link operation mode switching method provided by one embodiment of the present application. The method can be performed by a first device, with at least two links established between the first device and a second device; the first device is a non-access point (AP) multi-link device, and the second device is an AP multi-link device; for example, the first device can be station 10 in the network architecture shown in Figure 1, and the second device can be access point 20 in the network architecture shown in Figure 1. The method can include the following steps:

[0075] Step 601: Receive link operation mode switching information sent by a second device, where the link operation mode switching information is used to instruct at least one non-AP multi-link device to switch the link operation mode of a first link; the first link is one of at least two links.

[0076] In some embodiments, each link in a multi-link device may be configured with two or more link operation modes.

[0077] In some embodiments, the link operation mode may be used to define at least one of the following: a frame type transmitted in the corresponding link, a management method of the corresponding link, and a transmission method of management frames of the corresponding link, etc.

[0078] That is, for the same link, in different link operation modes, the frame types transmitted on the link may be different, the management methods of the link may be different, and the transmission methods of the management frames used to manage the link may also be different.

[0079] In some embodiments, the second device functions as an AP multi-link device and may include multiple subordinate APs or subordinate PCPs. The first link is a link established between any subordinate AP / subsidiary PCP in the second device and a non-AP multi-link device. Furthermore, when there are multiple non-AP multi-link devices, the second device may establish one first link with each of the multiple non-AP multi-link devices.

[0080] From the perspective of the first device, the first device may include multiple subordinate STAs, and the above-mentioned first link refers to a link established between any subordinate STA in the first device and the corresponding AP / subsidiary PCP in the second device.

[0081] For example, the first link is the link between the subordinate AP1 and the subordinate STA1. Assuming that the subordinate AP1 in the AP multi-link device establishes a link with each of the subordinate STA1s in multiple non-AP multi-link devices, the links between the subordinate AP1 and the multiple subordinate STA1s are all called first links.

[0082] In some embodiments, the link operation mode switching information is carried by one or more beacon frames, one or more periodically scheduled probe response frames, or one or more management frames periodically scheduled other than beacon frames and probe response frames.

[0083] The management frame sent on a periodic schedule may be a management frame sent on a continuous periodic schedule, or may be a management frame sent on a periodic schedule within a period of time.

[0084] For example, other periodically scheduled management frames other than the aforementioned beacon frames and probe response frames may include periodically scheduled action frames. For example, the link operation mode switching information may be carried by a periodically scheduled notification action frame (also referred to as a notification frame).

[0085] In some embodiments, the second device, as an AP multi-link device, can carry link operation mode switching information through a beacon frame, a probe response frame sent on a periodic schedule, or a management frame sent on a periodic schedule other than a beacon frame and a probe response frame. The link operation mode switching information simultaneously instructs one or more non-AP multi-link devices to switch the link operation mode of the first link.

[0086] In some embodiments, a beacon frame refers to a management frame periodically sent in a wireless local area network, usually sent by an access point device to announce the existence of the WLAN. The beacon frame contains information about the WLAN.

[0087] The probe response frame is a response frame sent by an AP multi-link device after receiving a probe request frame sent by a non-AP multi-link device.

[0088] Step 602 : When the first device belongs to at least one non-AP multi-link device, the link operation mode of the first link between the first device and the second device is switched according to the link operation mode switching information.

[0089] In some embodiments, when the first device determines that it belongs to at least one non-AP multi-link device indicated by the link operation mode switching information, it can switch the link operation mode of the first link between the first device and the second device according to the link operation mode switching information.

[0090] For example, assume that the AP multi-link device (i.e., the second device described above) includes three subordinate APs, namely, a subordinate AP corresponding to the 6 GHz frequency band, a subordinate AP corresponding to the 5 GHz frequency band, and a subordinate AP corresponding to the 2.4 GHz frequency band. Correspondingly, the non-AP multi-link device 1 and the non-AP multi-link device 2 each include three subordinate STAs, namely, a subordinate STA corresponding to the 6 GHz frequency band, a subordinate STA corresponding to the 5 GHz frequency band, and a subordinate STA corresponding to the 2.4 GHz frequency band. Taking the 6 GHz link as an example, the AP multi-link device can establish 6 GHz links with the subordinate STAs corresponding to the 6 GHz frequency band of the non-AP multi-link device 1 and the non-AP multi-link device 2 through the subordinate AP corresponding to the 6 GHz frequency band. That is, at this time, the AP multi-link device establishes first links with the two non-AP multi-link devices respectively. At the same time, the AP multi-link device can also establish other links with the non-AP multi-link device 1 and the non-AP multi-link device 2 through one or both of the other two subordinate APs. For example, the AP multi-link device can establish a 5 GHz link with the non-AP multi-link device 1 and the non-AP multi-link device 2, or a 2.4 GHz link with the non-AP multi-link device 1 and the non-AP multi-link device 2, or a 5 GHz link and a 2.4 GHz link with the non-AP multi-link device 1 and the non-AP multi-link device 2, or a 2.4 GHz link with the non-AP multi-link device 1 and the 5 GHz link with the non-AP multi-link device 2.

[0091] When controlling the first link to switch the link operation mode, if the AP multi-link device needs to simultaneously switch the link operation mode of the 6 GHz link between the AP multi-link device and the non-AP multi-link device 1 and the non-AP multi-link device 2, the AP multi-link device may broadcast link operation mode switching information to the non-AP multi-link device 1 and the non-AP multi-link device 2 (for example, via a beacon frame). The link operation mode switching information may indicate which non-AP multi-link devices need to switch the link operation mode of the 6 GHz link. After receiving the beacon frame, the non-AP multi-link device 1 and the non-AP multi-link device 2 determine that they are devices that need to switch the link operation mode of the 6 GHz link, and may switch the link operation mode of their own 6 GHz link according to the link operation mode switching information.

[0092] In summary, the solution shown in the embodiment of the present application sets multiple link operation modes for the links established by the multi-link devices. The non-AP multi-link device can receive link operation mode switching information sent by the AP multi-link device. When the non-AP multi-link device is one of the at least one non-AP multi-link device indicated by the link operation mode switching information, the non-AP multi-link device can switch the link operation mode of the first link between the non-AP multi-link device and the AP multi-link device according to the link operation mode switching information, thereby improving the flexibility of link management between the multi-link devices.

[0093] Please refer to Figure 7, which shows a flowchart of a link operation mode switching method provided by one embodiment of the present application. This method can be performed by a second device that has established at least two links with at least one non-AP multi-link device. The second device is an AP multi-link device. For example, the non-AP multi-link device can be station 10 in the network architecture shown in Figure 1, and the second device can be access point 20 in the network architecture shown in Figure 1. The method can include the following steps:

[0094] Step 701: Send link operation mode switching information to at least one non-AP multi-link device, where the link operation mode switching information is used to instruct the at least one non-AP multi-link device to switch the link operation mode of a first link; the first link is one of at least two links.

[0095] Step 702: Switch the link operation mode of a first link between a first device and a second device according to link operation mode switching information; the first device belongs to at least one non-AP multi-link device.

[0096] When the at least one non-AP multi-link device includes multiple non-AP multi-link devices, for each non-AP multi-link device, the second device may switch the link operation mode of the first link between the second device and each non-AP multi-link device according to the link operation mode switching information.

[0097] In summary, the solution shown in the embodiment of the present application sets multiple link operation modes for links established by multi-link devices. The AP multi-link device can send link operation mode switching information to the non-AP multi-link device. At the same time, for one non-AP multi-link device among at least one non-AP multi-link device indicated by the link operation mode switching information, the AP multi-link device can switch the link operation mode of the first link between it and the non-AP multi-link device according to the link operation mode switching information, thereby improving the flexibility of link management between the multi-link devices.

[0098] Based on the embodiments shown in Figures 6 and 7 above, please refer to Figure 8, which shows a schematic diagram of link operation mode switching involved in the embodiment of the present application. Taking the link operation mode switching information sent through the beacon frame as an example:

[0099] As shown in FIG8 , at time A, two links, namely a first link and a second link, are established between the AP multi-link device 810 and the non-AP multi-link device 820. Simultaneously, two links, namely a first link and a third link, are established between the AP multi-link device 810 and the non-AP multi-link device 830. Furthermore, both first links operate in link operation mode 1.

[0100] At time B, the AP multi-link device 810 needs to switch the link operation mode of the two first links. At this time, the AP multi-link device 810 sends a beacon frame containing link operation mode switching information. The link operation mode switching information indicates that the non-AP multi-link device 820 and the non-AP multi-link device 830 need to switch the link operation mode of the first link. The non-AP multi-link device 820 and the non-AP multi-link device 830 can both receive the beacon frame.

[0101] At time C, the AP multi-link device 810 switches the link operation modes of the two first links (for example, to link operation mode 2) according to the link operation mode switching information. Furthermore, the non-AP multi-link device 820 and the non-AP multi-link device 830 determine that they are the devices indicated by the link operation mode switching information and need to switch the link operation mode of their first links. According to the link operation mode switching information, they switch the link operation mode of their respective first links to link operation mode 2.

[0102] Based on the embodiments shown in Figures 6 and 7 above, please refer to Figure 9, which shows a flowchart of a link operation mode switching method provided by one embodiment of the present application. The method can be interactively executed by a first device and a second device, where at least two links are established between the first device and the second device; the first device is a non-access point (AP) multi-link device, and the second device is an AP multi-link device; for example, the first device can be station 10 in the network architecture shown in Figure 1, and the second device can be access point 20 in the network architecture shown in Figure 1. The method can include the following steps:

[0103] Step 901: A second device sends link operation mode switching information to at least one non-AP multi-link device; and a first device receives the link operation mode switching information sent by the second device.

[0104] In some embodiments, the at least one non-AP multi-link device is a multi-link device having a first link established with each second device, and the second device has at least two links including the first link established with each non-AP multi-link device.

[0105] The link operation mode switching information is used to instruct at least one non-AP multi-link device to switch the link operation mode of the first link.

[0106] In some embodiments, the link operation modes include: a controlled operation mode based on MLO and an independent operation mode based on MLO;

[0107] Among them, the controlled operation mode based on MLO refers to a mode in which the data transmission of the corresponding link in the MLO of the established link is managed and controlled by other links (also called management and control links); among them, the controlled operation mode based on MLO can also be called the forced enable operation mode of the management and control link based on MLO, that is, in this mode, the management and control link operates in the forced enable operation mode.

[0108] The independent operation mode based on MLO refers to a mode in which the data transmission of the corresponding link in the MLO of an established link is managed and controlled by the corresponding link; wherein, the independent operation mode based on MLO can also be called the non-mandatory enablement operation mode of the management and control link based on MLO, that is, in this mode, the management and control link operates in the non-mandatory enablement operation mode, that is, the management and control link can be in a disabled state or an energy-saving state.

[0109] The aforementioned independent operation mode based on MLO can also be referred to as a semi-independent operation mode. The so-called semi-independent operation mode means that a link is only operable in MLO, i.e., establishment of the link depends on the establishment of multiple links including the link on other links, and / or the link is only operable as one of the at least two established links when there are at least two established links.

[0110] In some embodiments, among the at least two links, the link in the MLO-based independent operation mode is used to transmit at least one of the following management frames:

[0111] Beacon frames, individually addressed type 3 management frames, individually addressed deauthentication frames, individually addressed disassociation frames, and individually addressed multilink probe requests.

[0112] In some embodiments, of the at least two links, the link in the MLO-based controlled operation mode is not used to transmit at least one of the following management frames:

[0113] Beacon frames, individually addressed type 3 management frames, individually addressed deauthentication frames, individually addressed disassociation frames, and individually addressed multilink probe requests.

[0114] In some embodiments, two working modes of the link are defined: an independent operation mode based on MLO (i.e., a non-mandatory enabled operation mode of the management and control link based on MLO, referred to as the independent operation mode), and a controlled operation mode based on MLO (i.e., a mandatory enabled operation mode of the management and control link based on MLO, referred to as the controlled operation mode).

[0115] Among them, for an AP multi-link device, one or more links established between an attached AP / attached PCP and one or more other non-AP link devices can constitute a Basic Service Set (BSS); at this time, the working mode of the link established by an attached AP / attached PCP in the AP multi-link device can be called an independent operation mode of a BSS or a controlled operation mode of a BSS.

[0116] Among them, the independent operation mode of the above-mentioned BSS or link means that the BSS or link can independently manage and control its own BSS or link and communicate data, mainly including the corresponding AP periodically scheduling the sending of beacon frames or probe response frames in the BSS or link, and exchanging specific management frames (such as Class 3 management frames, deauthentication frames and disassociation frames, etc.) in the BSS or link.

[0117] The controlled operation mode of the above-mentioned BSS or link means that the BSS or link is managed and controlled by another BSS or link (called the management and control BSS or link), mainly including that in the BSS or link, the corresponding AP does not send beacon frames or probe response frames on a periodic basis, and cannot exchange specific management frames (such as Type 3 management frames, deauthentication frames and disassociation frames, etc.), and its communication is managed and controlled by the management and control BSS or link.

[0118] In some embodiments, the second device sends link operation mode switching information to at least one non-AP multi-link device, including:

[0119] In a case where the first link is in the MLO-based controlled operation mode, sending link operation mode switching information to at least one non-AP multi-link device through the second link;

[0120] Correspondingly, at this time, the first device receives the link operation mode switching information sent by the second device, including:

[0121] When the first link is in the controlled operation mode based on the MLO, link operation mode switching information is received through the second link; the second link is a link that manages and controls the first link.

[0122] In which, when the first link between the first device and the second device operates in a controlled operation mode based on MLO, no beacon frames, periodically scheduled probe response frames, or other periodically scheduled management frames are transmitted on the first link between the first device and the second device. At this time, the second device can send beacon frames carrying link operation mode switching information, periodically scheduled probe response frames, or other periodically scheduled management frames through the second link that manages and controls the first link.

[0123] In some embodiments, the second device sends link operation mode switching information to at least one non-AP multi-link device, including:

[0124] When the first link is in an independent operation mode based on MLO, link operation mode switching information is sent to at least one non-AP multi-link device via the first link, and / or operation mode switching information is sent to at least one non-AP multi-link device via a second link receiving link; the second link is a link for managing and controlling the first link;

[0125] Accordingly, the first device receives the link operation mode switching information sent by the second device, including:

[0126] When the first link is in the independent operation mode based on MLO, link operation mode switching information is received through the first link, and / or link operation mode switching information is received through the second link; the second link is a link that manages and controls the first link.

[0127] Among them, when the first link between the first device and the second device operates in an independent operation mode based on MLO, the first link between the first device and the second device itself will transmit beacon frames, periodically scheduled probe response frames, or other periodically scheduled management frames. At this time, the second device can send beacon frames carrying link operation mode switching information, periodically scheduled probe response frames, or other periodically scheduled management frames through the first link.

[0128] In some embodiments, the link operation mode switching information is used to indicate at least one of the following information:

[0129] Whether the first link performs frame transmission before switching the link operation mode, the target link operation mode of the first link switching, the non-AP multi-link device performing the switching, and the operation mode switching time of the first link.

[0130] In some embodiments, the link operation mode switching information includes at least one of the following information fields:

[0131] Operation mode switching declaration control field, sector bitmap field, and switching time point indication field;

[0132] The operation mode switching announcement control field includes at least one of the following information fields:

[0133] Operation mode switching announcement mode subfield, new operation mode subfield, and all sectors subfield;

[0134] The operation mode switching announcement mode subfield is used to indicate whether the first link performs frame transmission before switching the link operation mode;

[0135] The new operation mode subfield is used to indicate the target link operation mode of the first link switching;

[0136] The All Sector subfield is used to indicate whether to switch the first link of the non-AP multi-link device in all sectors;

[0137] The sector bitmap field is used to indicate the sector where the non-AP multi-link device that switches the link operation mode of the first link is located;

[0138] The switching time point indication field is used to indicate the switching time point of the link operation mode of the first link.

[0139] In some embodiments, when the all-sectors sub-field indicates that the first link of the non-AP multi-link device in all sectors is not switched, the link operation mode switching information includes a sector bitmap field.

[0140] The information related to the sector where the non-AP multi-link device is located can be determined through beam training.

[0141] In some embodiments, when the above-mentioned all-sector sub-field indicates that the first link of the non-AP multi-link device in all sectors is not switched, the second device can send the above-mentioned link operation mode switching information in the sector where the non-AP multi-link device that needs to switch the link operation mode of the first link is located through a beacon frame, a periodically scheduled probe response frame, or other periodically scheduled management frame.

[0142] In some embodiments, when the all-sectors sub-field indicates that the first link of the non-AP multi-link devices in all sectors is not switched, the second device does not send a beacon frame containing the link operation mode switching information, a periodically scheduled probe response frame, or other periodically scheduled management frames in a sector where no non-AP multi-link device whose link operation mode needs to be switched to the first link is located.

[0143] In the above embodiment, the link operation mode switching information indicates, via the all-sectors subfield and the sector bitmap field, which sectors the non-AP multi-link devices within need to switch the link operation mode of the first link. In other embodiments, the link operation mode switching information may also indicate the non-AP multi-link devices that need to switch the link operation mode of the first link via other information, for example, by directly carrying the AID of the non-AP multi-link device to indicate the non-AP multi-link device that needs to switch the link operation mode of the first link.

[0144] In some embodiments, the switching time point indication field includes an operation mode switching count field and an operation mode switching time field;

[0145] The operation mode switching count field is used to indicate the number of reference TBTTs between the transmission time point of the link operation mode switching information and the switching time point of the link operation mode of the first link;

[0146] The operation mode switching time field is used to indicate the maximum time deviation between the transmission time point of the management frame containing the link operation mode switching information whose operation mode switching count field has a specified value (such as 0 or 1) and the expected transmission time of the first beacon frame sent after the first link switches to the independent operation mode based on MLO when the target link operation mode is the independent operation mode based on MLO.

[0147] In some embodiments, the maximum time deviation is less than or equal to a scheduling transmission period of the management frame in which the link operation mode switching information is located.

[0148] For example, taking the management frame carrying the link operation mode switching information as a beacon frame, the maximum time offset may be less than or equal to the TBTT of the beacon frame carrying the link operation mode switching information.

[0149] In some embodiments, when the operation mode of the first link is a controlled operation mode based on MLO, the reference target beacon transmission time (TBTT) is the TBTT in the second link; the second link is a link that manages and controls the first link;

[0150] In case that the operation mode of the first link is the independent operation mode based on MLO, the reference TBTT is the TBTT in the first link.

[0151] In some embodiments, an Operation Mode Switch Announcement element (Operation Mode Switch Announcement element), also known as an Operation Mode Indication (Operation Mode Indication), is defined. This element is used by an AP to announce that a link involved in an Operation Mode Switch will change its operation mode, i.e., from independent to controlled operation mode, or vice versa.

[0152] In some embodiments, the fields or subfields of the above-mentioned operation mode switching announcement element mainly include the following:

[0153] The New Operation Mode subfield indicates the operation mode to be switched to. When the value of the New Operation Mode subfield is 0, it indicates that the operation mode will be switched to the controlled operation mode. When the value of the New Operation Mode subfield is 1, it indicates that the operation mode will be switched to the independent operation mode.

[0154] The All Sectors subfield indicates whether the operation mode switching involves all supported sectors, where the value of the All Sectors subfield is 0, indicating that there is no pertinent sector bitmap field, and indicating that the operation mode switching involves all supported sectors; the value of the All Sectors subfield is 1, indicating that there is a pertinent sector bitmap field, and the sectors involved are indicated by the pertinent sector bitmap field.

[0155] The pertinent sector bitmap field indicates a bitmap related to operation mode switching. In the bitmap, a bit value of 0 indicates that the operation mode switching of the sector ID corresponding to the bit position is not involved; a bit value of 1 indicates that the operation mode switching of the sector ID corresponding to the bit position is involved.

[0156] The Operation Mode Switch Count field indicates the number of reference TBTTs until the AP corresponding to the operation mode switch switches to the new operation mode. For the AP corresponding to the operation mode switch, when it is in the controlled operation mode before the operation mode switch is completed and no beacon frame is sent, the reference TBTT is the TBTT on the management control link that manages and controls the link where the AP is located; for the AP corresponding to the operation mode switch, when the link where the AP is located is in the independent operation mode before the operation mode switch, the reference TBTT is the TBTT of the link where the AP corresponding to the operation mode switch is located. Among them, the value of the Operation Mode Switch Count field is 1, indicating that the operation mode switch occurs at the next TBTT; the value is 0, indicating that the operation mode switch occurs at any time after the frame carrying this element is sent.

[0157] The Operation Mode Switch Time field is primarily used when switching from controlled mode to independent mode, i.e., when the new mode of operation is independent. It indicates the maximum time difference between the transmission time of a beacon with an Operation Mode Switch Count of 1 on the control and management link and the expected transmission time of the first beacon frame transmitted by the link undergoing the mode switch after switching to independent mode. The unit of this field is TU (Time Unit), where 1 TU in Wi-Fi is equal to 1024 microseconds (μs). Specifically, when the Operation Mode Switch Announcement element is carried in the Per-STA Profile subelement of the Basic Multilink Element and corresponds to a reported AP, the Operation Mode Switch Time field indicates the maximum time difference between the transmission time of a beacon with an Operation Mode Switch Count field of a specified value (e.g., 1) on the link transmitting the Operation Mode Switch Announcement element (i.e., carried in the Basic Multilink Element) and the expected transmission time of the first beacon frame transmitted by the link corresponding to the reported AP (i.e., the link undergoing the mode switch) after switching to independent mode.

[0158] In some embodiments, please refer to FIG10 , which shows a format definition diagram of an operation mode switching declaration element involved in an embodiment of the present application.

[0159] As shown in FIG10 , the Element ID, Length, and Element ID Extension fields may be defined in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 specification.

[0160] Please refer to FIG. 11 , which shows a format definition diagram of an Operation Mode Switch Announcement Control field according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0161] As shown in Figure 11, the Operation Mode Switch Announcement Method subfield indicates any transmission restrictions until the operation mode switch is completed. The AP can set the Operation Mode Switch Announcement Method subfield to 0 or 1. When a STA receives an Operation Mode Switch Announcement Method subfield with a value of 1, it does not transmit any frames until the scheduled operation mode switch occurs. When the Operation Mode Switch Announcement Method subfield is 0, no requirements are imposed on the STA that receives the Operation Mode Switch Announcement Method subfield.

[0162] Step 902: When the first device belongs to at least one non-AP multi-link device, the first device switches the link operation mode of the first link between the first device and the second device according to the link operation mode switching information.

[0163] The operation mode switching is used to change the link operation mode of a BSS or a link, that is, to switch from the independent operation mode of the BSS or link to the controlled operation mode, or to switch from the controlled operation mode of the BSS or link to the independent operation mode.

[0164] Step 903: When the first device belongs to at least one non-AP multi-link device, the second device switches the link operation mode of the first link between the first device and the second device.

[0165] For the BSS or link that is about to switch the operating mode, the corresponding AP on the BSS or link can notify the associated stations to switch the operating mode by carrying or using the operating mode switching declaration element in the beacon frame, the probe response frame sent periodically or other management frames sent periodically, or the management and control BSS or link (BSS2 or link 2) of the BSS or link (BSS1 or link 1) notifies the BSS1 or the associated stations on link 1 to switch the operating mode by including the operating mode switching declaration element in the relevant information of the reported AP (i.e., the corresponding AP of BSS1 or link 1 is the reported AP) carried in the probe response frame sent by it or other management frames sent periodically, or other management frames sent periodically.

[0166] In some embodiments, an AP multi-link device may send a series of operation mode switch announcement elements via beacon frames, periodically scheduled probe response frames, or other periodically scheduled management frames to schedule mode switching for a BSS or link that is to undergo mode switching, thereby ensuring that stations or multi-link devices (including stations or multi-link devices in energy-saving mode) on the BSS or link that is to undergo mode switching have an opportunity to receive at least one operation mode switch announcement element. The AP may send frames carrying the operation mode switch announcement element by determining that the wireless medium is idle for a PIFS time interval without performing a backoff in the BSS.

[0167] In some embodiments, when the operation mode of the first link is the MLO-based controlled operation mode, the affiliated station corresponding to the second link in the first device is in at least one of the following modes or states:

[0168] Active mode, intermittent wake-up state in energy-saving mode, and continuous wake-up state in energy-saving mode;

[0169] The second link is a link for managing and controlling the first link.

[0170] In some embodiments, when the operation mode of the first link is an independent operation mode based on MLO, the subsidiary station corresponding to the second link in the first device is in at least one of the following modes or states:

[0171] active mode, intermittent awakening state in energy-saving mode, continuous awakening state in energy-saving mode, and continuous sleeping state in energy-saving mode; wherein the second link is a link for managing and controlling the first link.

[0172] In some embodiments, when the operation mode of the first link is the MLO-based controlled operation mode, the subordinate AP corresponding to the second link in the second device is in at least one of the following modes or states:

[0173] Active mode, intermittent wake-up state in energy-saving mode, and continuous wake-up state in energy-saving mode;

[0174] The second link is a link for managing and controlling the first link.

[0175] In some embodiments, when the operation mode of the first link is an independent operation mode based on MLO, the auxiliary AP corresponding to the second link in the second device is in at least one of the following modes or states:

[0176] active mode, intermittent awakening state in energy-saving mode, continuous awakening state in energy-saving mode, and continuous sleeping state in energy-saving mode; wherein the second link is a link for managing and controlling the first link.

[0177] In which, the above-mentioned link operation mode can be associated with the energy-saving mode / activation mode of the link. For example, when the subsidiary station and / or subsidiary AP corresponding to a link needs to save energy to reduce consumption, it can enter a continuous sleep state in the energy-saving mode. At this time, the link can switch to a controlled operation mode based on MLO and not transmit beacon frames and specific management frames; when a link needs to prioritize transmission performance or assume management tasks for other links, the corresponding subsidiary station and / or subsidiary AP can enter a continuous wake-up state / intermittent wake-up state in the activation mode. At this time, the link can switch to an independent operation mode based on MLO to transmit beacon frames, probe response frames and other specific management frames.

[0178] In some embodiments, the at least two links include at least one link operating in the millimeter wave (mmWave) segment.

[0179] This application proposes an enhanced wireless link management method based on multi-link operation (MLO), wherein millimeter wave communication equipment based on multi-link operation (MLO) can adopt a multi-link communication technology combining millimeter wave links and low-frequency links based on the MLO architecture. That is, in addition to one or more links operating in the millimeter wave band, at least one link operates in the low-frequency band. The control and management functions are implemented in the low-frequency band link, and the millimeter wave link is mainly used for sending high-throughput data. Based on the above scheme, the millimeter wave link can adopt an independent operation mode and a controlled operation mode, and can coordinate the operation between the millimeter wave link and the low-frequency link by switching the operation mode, which not only meets the communication needs of the device, but also reduces the device power consumption and improves transmission efficiency.

[0180] Based on any of the embodiments shown in Figures 6 to 9 above, please refer to Figure 12, which shows a schematic diagram of an operation mode switching provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 12, it describes an example of an operation mode switching method from a controlled operation mode to an independent operation mode.

[0181] As shown in Figure 12, an access point multi-link device (AP MLD) has two links. Link 1 is a high-frequency link, such as a millimeter wave link (operating in the millimeter wave band), which can operate in either independent or controlled mode. Link 2 is a management and control link, which can be a low-frequency link (operating in a frequency band below 7 GHz) and manages and controls communications on Link 1. A non-AP MLD is associated with an AP MLD and establishes two links with it: Link 1 and Link 2.

[0182] Initially, Link 1 is in controlled mode. AP MLD's AP1 does not send beacon frames, and its communications are managed and controlled by Link 2. On Link 2, AP2 carries Link 1-related information in beacon frames, periodically scheduled probe response frames, or other periodically scheduled management frames to notify stations or non-AP MLD devices that receive these beacon frames, periodically scheduled probe response frames, or other periodically scheduled management frames about Link 1 or its corresponding AP (i.e., the reported AP). For non-AP MLD, when Link 1 is in controlled mode, Station 2 on Link 2 operates in an awake state in active mode to ensure that it can obtain management information on Link 1 in a timely manner while simultaneously acquiring management information on Link 2. STA 1 on Link 1, on the other hand, is in a sleep state in energy-saving mode to achieve energy conservation.

[0183] After some time periods, AP2 of AP MLD notifies BSS1 or Link 1 that the operation mode will be switched by including an operation mode switch declaration element in the relevant information of the reported AP (i.e., the corresponding AP of BSS1 or Link1 as the reported AP) carried in the beacon frame it sends, the probe response frame sent by periodic scheduling, or other management frames sent by periodic scheduling (for example, the operation mode switch declaration element is included in the per-STA Profile subelement corresponding to Link1 in the basic multi-link element carried by the beacon frame). Among them, when the value of the New Operation Mode subfield in the carried Operation Mode Switch Announcement Element is 1, it is used to indicate that Link1 will switch to the independent operation mode; the Operation Mode Switch Count field indicates the number of reference TBTTs (i.e., TBTT of Link2) until the AP corresponding to the operation mode switch (i.e., the AP corresponding to Link1) switches to the new operation mode; the Operation Mode Switch Time field is used to indicate the maximum time deviation between the sending time of the beacon carrying the operation mode switch count of the corresponding link (i.e., Link1) as 1 on the control and management link (i.e., Link2) and the expected transmission time of the first beacon frame sent by the link performing the mode switch (i.e., Link1) after switching to the independent operation mode.

[0184] After receiving the Operation Mode Switch Announcement element, STA2 on Link 2, which is non-AP MLD, learns that Link 1 will undergo an operation mode switch. It then switches STA1 on Link 1 from energy-saving mode to active mode. After the AP MLD sends a beacon with an Operation Mode Switch Announcement element containing an Operation Mode Switch Count field of 1 on Link 2, it then sends the first beacon frame after switching to independent operation mode on Link 1 after the operation mode switch time indicated by the Operation Mode Switch Time field has elapsed, completing the switch from controlled to independent operation mode. Subsequently, AP1 periodically schedules beacon frames, probe response frames, or other specific management frames on Link 1. After completing the switch from controlled to independent operation mode on Link 1, the non-AP MLD switches STA2 from active mode to sleep mode in energy-saving mode on Link 2. This allows STA2 to maintain communication with the AP MLD on Link 1 while saving energy.

[0185] Based on the embodiments shown in any one of Figures 6 to 9 above, please refer to Figure 13, which shows a schematic diagram of an operation mode switching provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 13, it describes an example of an operation mode switching method for switching from an independent operation mode to a controlled operation mode. The access point multi-link device (AP MLD) has two links, wherein Link1 is a high-frequency link, such as a millimeter wave link (i.e., operating in the millimeter wave band), which can operate in an independent operation mode or a controlled operation mode; Link2 is a management and control link, which can be a low-frequency link (i.e., operating in a frequency band below 7 GHz), and can manage and control communications on Link1. A Non-AP MLD is associated with the AP MLD, and establishes two links with the AP MLD, namely Link1 and Link2.

[0186] Initially, Link 1 is in standalone operation mode. AP MLD AP1 transmits beacon frames on Link 1. On Link 2, AP2 carries Link 1-related information in beacon frames, periodically scheduled probe response frames, or other periodically scheduled management frames to notify stations or non-AP MLD devices that receive these beacon frames, periodically scheduled probe response frames, or other periodically scheduled management frames about Link 1 or the AP corresponding to Link 1 (i.e., the reported AP). For non-AP MLD, when Link 1 is in standalone operation mode, Station 1 on Link 1 operates in an awake state (active mode) to ensure timely access to management information on Link 1. STA 2 on Link 2, on the other hand, operates in a sleep state (energy-saving mode) to achieve energy conservation.

[0187] After some time, AP1 of the AP MLD notifies BSS1 or Link 1 of the upcoming operation mode switch by including an Operation Mode Switch Announcement element in its transmitted beacon frames, periodically scheduled probe response frames, or other periodically scheduled management frames. Simultaneously, AP2 notifies BSS1 or Link 1 of the upcoming operation mode switch by including an Operation Mode Switch Announcement element in the relevant information about the reported AP (i.e., the AP corresponding to BSS1 or Link 1 as the reported AP) in its transmitted beacon frames, periodically scheduled probe response frames, or other periodically scheduled management frames (e.g., including an Operation Mode Switch Announcement element in the Per-STA Profile subelement corresponding to Link 1 in the Basic Multilink Element carried in the beacon frame). The New Operation Mode subfield value of 0 in the Operation Mode Switch Announcement element carried by AP1 indicates that Link 1 will switch to the controlled operation mode. The Operation Mode Switch Count field indicates the number of reference TBTTs (i.e., the TBTT for Link 1) until the AP corresponding to the Operation Mode Switch (i.e., the AP corresponding to Link 1) switches to the new operation mode. The New Operation Mode subfield value in the operation mode switch declaration element corresponding to Link1 carried by AP2 is 0, which is used to indicate that Link1 will switch to the controlled operation mode; the Operation Mode Switch Count field indicates the number of reference TBTTs (i.e., TBTT of Link1) until the AP corresponding to the operation mode switch (i.e., the AP corresponding to Link1) switches to the new operation mode.

[0188] After receiving the Operation Mode Switch Announcement element, STA2 on Link 2 of the non-AP MLD knows that Link 1 will switch its operation mode (i.e., switch to controlled operation mode). It then switches STA2 on Link 2 from energy-saving mode to active mode. After the AP MLD sends a beacon carrying an Operation Mode Switch Announcement element with an Operation Mode Switch Count field value of 1 on Link 1, it switches to controlled operation mode and stops sending beacon frames, probe response frames, or other specific management frames on Link 1, completing the switch from independent operation mode to controlled operation mode. After completing the switch from controlled operation mode to independent operation mode on Link 1, the non-AP MLD switches STA1 from active mode to sleep mode in energy-saving mode on Link 1, thereby maintaining communication with the AP MLD on Link 2 while achieving energy saving for STA1.

[0189] Based on any of the embodiments shown in Figures 6 to 9 above, please refer to Figure 14, which shows a schematic diagram of an operation mode switching provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 14, it describes an example of an operation mode switching method based on a millimeter wave sector. The access point multi-link device (AP MLD) has two links, wherein Link1 is a high-frequency link, such as a millimeter wave link (i.e., operating in the millimeter wave band), which can operate in an independent operation mode or a controlled operation mode; Link2 is a management and control link, which can be a low-frequency link (i.e., operating in a frequency band below 7 GHz) and can manage and control communications on Link1. Non-AP MLD1 and Non-AP MLD1 are respectively associated with AP MLD, and establish two links with AP MLD, namely Link1 and Link2. Among them, STA1-1 of Non-AP MLD1 operates in sector 1 of millimeter wave link Link1, while STA1-2 of Non-AP MLD2 operates in sector 2 of millimeter wave link Link1.

[0190] Initially, Link 1 is in controlled operation mode. That is, AP MLD's AP 1 does not send beacon frames, periodically scheduled probe response frames, or other periodically scheduled management frames, and its communication is managed and controlled by Link 2. On Link 2, AP 2 carries Link 1-related information in the beacon frames, periodically scheduled probe response frames, or other periodically scheduled management frames it sends, thereby notifying stations or non-AP MLD devices that can receive the beacon frames, periodically scheduled probe response frames, or other periodically scheduled management frames of information about Link 1 or the AP corresponding to Link 1 (i.e., the reported AP).

[0191] AP2 of AP MLD notifies BSS1 or sector 1 of link 1 that the operation mode switching will be performed by including an operation mode switching announcement element in the relevant information of the reported AP (i.e., the corresponding AP of BSS1 or Link1 as the reported AP) carried in the beacon frame it sends, the probe response frame sent by periodic scheduling, or other management frames sent by periodic scheduling (for example, the operation mode switching announcement element is included in the per-STA Profile subelement corresponding to Link1 in the basic multi-link element carried by the beacon frame). Among them, when the value of the New Operation Mode subfield in the carried operation mode switch declaration element is 1, it is used to indicate that Link1 will switch to independent operation mode; the value of the All Sectors subfield is 1, which indicates that there is a pertinent sector bitmap field, and the sectors involved are indicated by the pertinent sector bitmap field; the pertinent sector bitmap field indicates the sectors involved in the operation mode switch, and here it indicates that sector 1 of Link1 is involved in the operation mode switch, and the other sectors of Link1 are not involved in the operation mode switch; the Operation Mode Switch Count field indicates the number of reference TBTTs (i.e., TBTTs of Link2) until the AP corresponding to the operation mode switch (i.e., the AP corresponding to Link1) switches to the new operation mode.

[0192] After STA2-1 on Link 2 receives the Operation Mode Switch Announcement element, Non-AP MLD1 learns that Sector 1 on Link 1 will undergo an operation mode switch, affecting STA1-1 on Sector 1 of Link 1. After STA2-2 on Link 2 receives the Operation Mode Switch Announcement element, Non-AP MLD2 learns that Sector 1 on Link 1 will undergo an operation mode switch, but does not affect STA1-2 on Sector 2 of Link 1 of Non-AP MLD2. After AP MLD transmits a beacon carrying the Operation Mode Switch Announcement element with an Operation Mode Switch Count field of 1 on Link 2, it transmits the first beacon frame after switching to independent operation mode on Sector 1 of Link 1, completing the switch from controlled to independent operation mode on Sector 1 of Link 1. Subsequently, AP1 periodically transmits beacon frames, probe response frames, or other periodically scheduled management frames (such as Directional Multi-Gigabit (DMG) beacon frames) on Sector 1 of Link 1. After the operation mode switching is completed, STA1-1 of Non-AP MLD1 working on sector 1 of Link1 adopts the independent operation mode.

[0193] Please refer to Figure 15, which shows a block diagram of a link operation mode switching device provided by an embodiment of the present application. The device has the function of implementing the steps performed by the first device in the link operation mode switching method described above. As shown in Figure 15, the device may include:

[0194] A receiving module 1501 is configured to receive link operation mode switching information sent by a second device, where the link operation mode switching information is used to instruct at least one non-AP multi-link device to switch a link operation mode of a first link; the first link is one of the at least two links; at least two links are established between the first device and the second device; the first device is a non-access point (AP) multi-link device, and the second device is an AP multi-link device;

[0195] The switching module 1502 is configured to switch the link operation mode of the first link between the first device and the second device according to the link operation mode switching information when the first device belongs to the at least one non-AP multi-link device.

[0196] In some embodiments, the link operation mode switching information is carried by one or more beacon frames, one or more periodically scheduled probe response frames, or one or more management frames other than beacon frames and probe response frames that are periodically scheduled.

[0197] In some embodiments, the link operation mode includes: a controlled operation mode based on a multi-link operation MLO and an independent operation mode based on the MLO;

[0198] The MLO-based controlled operation mode refers to a mode in which data transmission of the corresponding link in the MLO of the established link is managed and controlled by other links;

[0199] The MLO-based independent operation mode refers to a mode in which data transmission of a corresponding link in the MLO of an established link is managed and controlled by the corresponding link.

[0200] In some embodiments, the link operation mode switching information is used to indicate at least one of the following information:

[0201] whether the first link performs frame transmission before switching the link operation mode, the target link operation mode of the first link switching, the non-AP multi-link device performing the switching, and the operation mode switching time of the first link.

[0202] In some embodiments, the link operation mode switching information includes at least one of the following information fields:

[0203] Operation mode switching declaration control field, sector bitmap field, and switching time point indication field;

[0204] The operation mode switching announcement control field includes at least one of the following information fields:

[0205] Operation mode switching announcement mode subfield, new operation mode subfield, and all sectors subfield;

[0206] The operation mode switching announcement mode subfield is used to indicate whether the first link performs frame transmission before switching the link operation mode;

[0207] The new operation mode subfield is used to indicate the target link operation mode of the first link switching;

[0208] The all-sector subfield is used to indicate whether to switch the first link of the non-AP multi-link device in all sectors;

[0209] The sector bitmap field is used to indicate a sector where a non-AP multi-link device that switches the link operation mode of the first link is located;

[0210] The switching time point indication field is used to indicate a switching time point of the link operation mode of the first link.

[0211] In some embodiments, when the all-sectors sub-field indicates that the first link of the non-AP multi-link device in all sectors is not switched, the link operation mode switching information includes the sector bitmap field.

[0212] In some embodiments, the switching time point indication field includes an operation mode switching count field and an operation mode switching time field;

[0213] The operation mode switching count field is used to indicate the number of reference TBTTs between the transmission time point of the link operation mode switching information and the switching time point of the link operation mode of the first link;

[0214] The operation mode switching time field is used to indicate the maximum time deviation between the transmission time point of the link operation mode switching information when the value of the operation mode switching count field is a specified value and the expected transmission time of the first beacon frame sent after the first link switches to the MLO-based independent operation mode when the target link operation mode is the MLO-based independent operation mode.

[0215] In some embodiments, when the operation mode of the first link is a controlled operation mode based on MLO, the reference TBTT is a TBTT in a second link; the second link is a link that manages and controls the first link;

[0216] In the case where the operation mode of the first link is an independent operation mode based on MLO, the reference TBTT is the TBTT in the first link.

[0217] In some embodiments, the receiving module 1501 is configured to receive the link operation mode switching information through a second link when the first link is in an MLO-based controlled operation mode; the second link is a link for managing and controlling the first link.

[0218] In some embodiments, the receiving module 1501 is used to receive the link operation mode switching information through the first link when the first link is in an independent operation mode based on MLO, and / or receive the link operation mode switching information through a second link; the second link is a link that manages and controls the first link.

[0219] In some embodiments, the at least two links include at least one link operating in the millimeter wave (mmWave) segment.

[0220] In some embodiments, when the operation mode of the first link is a controlled operation mode based on MLO, the first link is in a sleep state in a power saving mode;

[0221] The switching module 1502 is further configured to switch the first link to a wake-up state in an active mode when the link operation mode of the first link is switched from a controlled operation mode based on MLO to an independent operation mode based on MLO.

[0222] In some embodiments, when the operation mode of the first link is an independent operation mode based on MLO, the first link is in an awake state in an active mode;

[0223] The switching module 1502 is further configured to switch the first link to a sleep state in an energy-saving mode when the link operation mode of the first link is switched from an independent operation mode based on MLO to a controlled operation mode based on MLO.

[0224] In some embodiments, among the at least two links, the link in the MLO-based independent operation mode is used to transmit at least one of the following management frames:

[0225] Beacon frames, individually addressed type 3 management frames, individually addressed deauthentication frames, individually addressed disassociation frames, and individually addressed multilink probe requests.

[0226] In some embodiments, among the at least two links, the link in the MLO-based controlled operation mode is not used to transmit at least one of the following management frames:

[0227] Beacon frames, individually addressed type 3 management frames, individually addressed deauthentication frames, individually addressed disassociation frames, and individually addressed multilink probe requests.

[0228] Please refer to Figure 16, which shows a block diagram of a link operation mode switching device provided by an embodiment of the present application. The device has the function of implementing the steps performed by the second device in the link operation mode switching method described above. As shown in Figure 16, the device may include:

[0229] a sending module 1601, configured to send link operation mode switching information to at least one non-AP multi-link device, where the link operation mode switching information is used to instruct the at least one non-AP multi-link device to switch the link operation mode of a first link, where the first link is one of the at least two links;

[0230] A switching module 1602 is configured to switch the link operation mode of the first link between the first device and the second device according to the link operation mode switching information; the first device belongs to the at least one non-AP multi-link device; the second device has established at least two links with the at least one non-AP multi-link device; the first link is one of the at least two links; and the second device is an AP multi-link device.

[0231] In some embodiments, the link operation mode switching information is carried by one or more beacon frames, one or more periodically scheduled probe response frames, or one or more management frames other than beacon frames and probe response frames that are periodically scheduled.

[0232] In some embodiments, the link operation mode includes: a controlled operation mode based on a multi-link operation MLO and an independent operation mode based on the MLO;

[0233] The MLO-based controlled operation mode refers to a mode in which data transmission of the corresponding link in the MLO of the established link is managed and controlled by other links;

[0234] The MLO-based independent operation mode refers to a mode in which data transmission of a corresponding link in the MLO of an established link is managed and controlled by the corresponding link.

[0235] In some embodiments, the link operation mode switching information is used to indicate at least one of the following information:

[0236] whether the first link performs frame transmission before switching the link operation mode, the target link operation mode of the first link switching, the non-AP multi-link device performing the switching, and the operation mode switching time of the first link.

[0237] In some embodiments, the link operation mode switching information includes at least one of the following information fields:

[0238] Operation mode switching declaration control field, sector bitmap field, and switching time point indication field;

[0239] The operation mode switching announcement control field includes at least one of the following information fields:

[0240] Operation mode switching announcement mode subfield, new operation mode subfield, and all sectors subfield;

[0241] The operation mode switching announcement mode subfield is used to indicate whether the first link performs frame transmission before switching the link operation mode;

[0242] The new operation mode subfield is used to indicate the target link operation mode of the first link switching;

[0243] The all-sector subfield is used to indicate whether to switch the first link of the non-AP multi-link device in all sectors;

[0244] The sector bitmap field is used to indicate a sector where a non-AP multi-link device that switches the link operation mode of the first link is located;

[0245] The switching time point indication field is used to indicate a switching time point of the link operation mode of the first link.

[0246] In some embodiments, when the all-sectors sub-field indicates that the first link of the non-AP multi-link device in all sectors is not switched, the link operation mode switching information includes the sector bitmap field.

[0247] In some embodiments, the switching time point indication field includes an operation mode switching count field and an operation mode switching time field;

[0248] The operation mode switching count field is used to indicate the number of reference TBTTs between the transmission time point of the link operation mode switching information and the switching time point of the link operation mode of the first link;

[0249] The operation mode switching time field is used to indicate the maximum time deviation between the transmission time point of the link operation mode switching information when the value of the operation mode switching count field is a specified value and the expected transmission time of the first beacon frame sent after the first link switches to the MLO-based independent operation mode when the target link operation mode is the MLO-based independent operation mode.

[0250] In some embodiments, when the operation mode of the first link is a controlled operation mode based on MLO, the reference TBTT is a TBTT in a second link; the second link is a link that manages and controls the first link;

[0251] In the case where the operation mode of the first link is an independent operation mode based on MLO, the reference TBTT is the TBTT in the first link.

[0252] In some embodiments, the sending module 1601 is configured to send the link operation mode switching information to the at least one non-AP multi-link device via a second link when the first link is in an MLO-based controlled operation mode; the second link is a link for managing and controlling the first link.

[0253] In some embodiments, the sending module 1601 is configured to send the link operation mode switching information to the at least one non-AP multi-link device via the first link when the first link is in an independent operation mode based on MLO, and / or send the link operation mode switching information to the at least one non-AP multi-link device via a second link; the second link is a link for managing and controlling the first link.

[0254] In some embodiments, the at least two links include at least one link operating in the millimeter wave (mmWave) segment.

[0255] In some embodiments, when the operation mode of the first link is a controlled operation mode based on MLO, the first link is in a sleep state in a power saving mode;

[0256] The switching module 1602 is further configured to switch the first link to a wake-up state in an active mode when the link operation mode of the first link is switched from a controlled operation mode based on MLO to an independent operation mode based on MLO.

[0257] In some embodiments, when the operation mode of the first link is an independent operation mode based on MLO, the first link is in an awake state in an active mode;

[0258] The switching module 1602 is further configured to switch the first link to a sleep state in an energy-saving mode when the link operation mode of the first link is switched from an independent operation mode based on MLO to a controlled operation mode based on MLO.

[0259] In some embodiments, among the at least two links, the link in the MLO-based independent operation mode is used to transmit at least one of the following management frames:

[0260] Beacon frames, individually addressed type 3 management frames, individually addressed deauthentication frames, individually addressed disassociation frames, and individually addressed multilink probe requests.

[0261] In some embodiments, among the at least two links, the link in the MLO-based controlled operation mode is not used to transmit at least one of the following management frames:

[0262] Beacon frames, individually addressed type 3 management frames, individually addressed deauthentication frames, individually addressed disassociation frames, and individually addressed multilink probe requests.

[0263] It should be noted that the device provided in the above embodiment only uses the division of the above-mentioned functional modules as an example to implement its functions. In actual applications, the above-mentioned functions can be assigned to different functional modules according to actual needs, that is, the content structure of the device can be divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the functions described above.

[0264] Regarding the apparatus in the above embodiment, the specific manner in which each module performs operations has been described in detail in the embodiment of the method, and will not be elaborated here.

[0265] Please refer to Figure 17, which shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 1700 provided in one embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1700 may be a multi-link device and may include: a processor 1701, a receiver 1702, a transmitter 1703, a memory 1704, and a bus 1705.

[0266] The processor 1701 includes one or more processing cores. The processor 1701 executes various functional applications and information processing by running software programs and modules.

[0267] The receiver 1702 and the transmitter 1703 may be implemented as a communication component, which may be a communication chip, which may also be called a transceiver.

[0268] The memory 1704 is connected to the processor 1701 via a bus 1705 .

[0269] The memory 1704 may be used to store a computer program, and the processor 1701 may be used to execute the computer program to implement the various steps performed by the terminal device in the above method embodiment.

[0270] In addition, memory 1704 can be implemented by any type of volatile or non-volatile storage device or a combination thereof, including but not limited to: magnetic disk or optical disk, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, static random access memory, read-only memory, magnetic memory, flash memory, and programmable read-only memory.

[0271] In an exemplary embodiment, the communication device includes a processor, a memory, and a transceiver (the transceiver may include a receiver and a transmitter, the receiver is used to receive information, and the transmitter is used to send information);

[0272] In one possible implementation, the processor and the transceiver may be used to execute all or part of the steps performed by the first device or the second device in any of the embodiments of FIG. 6 , FIG. 7 or FIG. 9 , which are not described in detail here.

[0273] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which a computer program is stored. The computer program is loaded and executed by a processor to implement the various steps performed by the first device or the second device in the method shown in any of the embodiments of Figures 6, 7 or 9 above.

[0274] The present application also provides a computer program product, which includes computer instructions stored in a computer-readable storage medium. A processor of a communication device reads the computer instructions from the computer-readable storage medium and executes the computer instructions, causing the communication device to perform each step performed by the first device or the second device in the method shown in any of the embodiments of Figures 6, 7, or 9.

[0275] The present application also provides a chip, which is used to run in a communication device so that the communication device executes each step performed by the first device or the second device in the method shown in any embodiment of Figure 6, Figure 7 or Figure 9 above.

[0276] The present application also provides a computer program, which is executed by a processor of a communication device to implement the various steps performed by the first device or the second device in the method shown in any of the embodiments of Figures 6, 7 or 9 above.

[0277] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in one or more of the above examples, the functions described in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented using hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, these functions can be stored in a computer-readable medium or transmitted as one or more instructions or codes on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media include computer storage media and communication media, wherein communication media include any media that facilitates the transmission of computer programs from one place to another. The storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.

[0278] The above description is merely an exemplary embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present application shall be included in the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A link operation mode switching method, characterized in that: The method is performed by a first device, and at least two links are established between the first device and a second device; The first device is a non-access point AP multi-link device, and the second device is an AP multi-link device; the method comprises: receiving link operation mode switching information sent by the second device, where the link operation mode switching information is used to instruct at least one non-AP multi-link device to switch a link operation mode of a first link; the first link is one of the at least two links; In a case where the first device belongs to the at least one non-AP multi-link device, the link operation mode of the first link between the first device and the second device is switched according to the link operation mode switching information.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The link operation mode switching information is carried by one or more beacon frames, one or more probe response frames sent in a periodic schedule, or one or more management frames sent in a periodic schedule other than beacon frames and probe response frames.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The link operation modes include: a controlled operation mode based on multi-link operation MLO and an independent operation mode based on MLO; The MLO-based controlled operation mode refers to a mode in which the data transmission of the corresponding link in the MLO of the established link is managed and controlled by other links; The MLO-based independent operation mode refers to a mode in which data transmission of a corresponding link in the MLO of an established link is managed and controlled by the corresponding link.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The link operation mode switching information is used to indicate at least one of the following information: whether the first link performs frame transmission before switching the link operation mode, the target link operation mode of the first link switching, the non-AP multi-link device performing the switching, and the operation mode switching time of the first link.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The link operation mode switching information includes at least one of the following information fields: Operation mode switching declaration control field, sector bitmap field, and switching time point indication field; The operation mode switching declaration control field includes at least one of the following information fields: Operation mode switching announcement mode subfield, new operation mode subfield, and all sectors subfield; The operation mode switching announcement mode subfield is used to indicate whether the first link performs frame transmission before switching the link operation mode; The new operation mode subfield is used to indicate the target link operation mode of the first link switching; The all-sector subfield is used to indicate whether to switch the first link of the non-AP multi-link device in all sectors; The sector bitmap field is used to indicate a sector where a non-AP multi-link device that switches the link operation mode of the first link is located; The switching time point indication field is used to indicate a switching time point of the link operation mode of the first link.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that In the case where the all-sectors subfield indicates that the first link of the non-AP multi-link devices in all sectors is not to be switched, the link operation mode switching information includes the sector bitmap field.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: The switching time point indication field includes an operation mode switching count field and an operation mode switching time field; The operation mode switching count field is used to indicate the number of reference target beacon transmission times TBTT between the transmission time point of the link operation mode switching information and the switching time point of the link operation mode of the first link; The operation mode switching time field is used to indicate the maximum time deviation between the transmission time point of the management frame containing the link operation mode switching information whose value of the operation mode switching count field is a specified value and the expected transmission time of the first beacon frame sent after the first link switches to the independent operation mode based on MLO when the target link operation mode is an independent operation mode based on MLO.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that In the case where the operation mode of the first link is a controlled operation mode based on MLO, the reference TBTT is a TBTT in a second link; the second link is a link that manages and controls the first link; In case that the operation mode of the first link is an independent operation mode based on MLO, the reference TBTT is the TBTT in the first link.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The receiving the link operation mode switching information sent by the second device includes: In a case where the first link is in a controlled operation mode based on MLO, the link operation mode switching information is received through a second link; the second link is a link for managing and controlling the first link.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The receiving the link operation mode switching information sent by the second device includes: In the case where the first link is in an independent operation mode based on MLO, the link operation mode switching information is received through the first link, and / or the link operation mode switching information is received through a second link; the second link is a link for managing and controlling the first link.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: The at least two links include at least one link operating in the millimeter wave (mmWave) segment.

12. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that In the case where the operation mode of the first link is a controlled operation mode based on MLO, the subsidiary station corresponding to the second link in the first device is in at least one of the following modes or states: Active mode, intermittent wake-up state in energy-saving mode, and continuous wake-up state in energy-saving mode; The second link is a link for managing and controlling the first link.

13. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that In the case where the operation mode of the first link is an independent operation mode based on MLO, the subsidiary station corresponding to the second link in the first device is in at least one of the following modes or states: Active mode, intermittent wake-up state in energy-saving mode, continuous wake-up state in energy-saving mode, and continuous sleep state in energy-saving mode; The second link is a link for managing and controlling the first link.

14. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that Of the at least two links, the link in the independent operation mode based on MLO is used to transmit at least one of the following management frames: Beacon frames, individually addressed type 3 management frames, individually addressed deauthentication frames, individually addressed disassociation frames, and individually addressed multilink probe requests.

15. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that Of the at least two links, the link in the MLO-based controlled operation mode is not used to transmit at least one of the following management frames: Beacon frames, individually addressed type 3 management frames, individually addressed deauthentication frames, individually addressed disassociation frames, and individually addressed multilink probe requests.

16. A link operation mode switching method, characterized in that: The method is performed by a second device, wherein the second device establishes at least two links with at least one non-AP multi-link device; The second device is an AP multi-link device; the method comprises: Sending link operation mode switching information to the at least one non-AP multi-link device, where the link operation mode switching information is used to instruct the at least one non-AP multi-link device to switch the link operation mode of a first link; the first link is one of the at least two links; According to the link operation mode switching information, the link operation mode of the first link between the first device and the second device is switched; the first device belongs to the at least one non-AP multi-link device.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The link operation mode switching information is carried by one or more beacon frames, one or more probe response frames, or one or more management frames sent in a periodic schedule other than beacon frames and probe response frames.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that The link operation modes include: a controlled operation mode based on multi-link operation MLO and an independent operation mode based on MLO; The MLO-based controlled operation mode refers to a mode in which the data transmission of the corresponding link in the MLO of the established link is managed and controlled by other links; The MLO-based independent operation mode refers to a mode in which data transmission of a corresponding link in the MLO of an established link is managed and controlled by the corresponding link.

19. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that: The link operation mode switching information is used to indicate at least one of the following information: whether the first link performs frame transmission before switching the link operation mode, the target link operation mode of the first link switching, the non-AP multi-link device performing the switching, and the operation mode switching time of the first link.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that The link operation mode switching information includes at least one of the following information fields: Operation mode switching declaration control field, sector bitmap field, and switching time point indication field; The operation mode switching declaration control field includes at least one of the following information fields: Operation mode switching announcement mode subfield, new operation mode subfield, and all sectors subfield; The operation mode switching announcement mode subfield is used to indicate whether the first link performs frame transmission before switching the link operation mode; The new operation mode subfield is used to indicate the target link operation mode of the first link switching; The all-sector subfield is used to indicate whether to switch the first link of the non-AP multi-link device in all sectors; The sector bitmap field is used to indicate a sector where a non-AP multi-link device that switches the link operation mode of the first link is located; The switching time point indication field is used to indicate a switching time point of the link operation mode of the first link.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that In the case where the all-sectors subfield indicates that the first link of the non-AP multi-link devices in all sectors is not to be switched, the link operation mode switching information includes the sector bitmap field.

22. The method according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that The switching time point indication field includes an operation mode switching count field and an operation mode switching time field; The operation mode switching count field is used to indicate the number of reference TBTTs between the transmission time point of the link operation mode switching information and the switching time point of the link operation mode of the first link; The operation mode switching time field is used to indicate the maximum time deviation between the transmission time point of the link operation mode switching information whose value of the operation mode switching count field is a specified value and the expected transmission time of the first beacon frame sent after the first link switches to the MLO-based independent operation mode when the target link operation mode is the MLO-based independent operation mode.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that In the case where the operation mode of the first link is a controlled operation mode based on MLO, the reference TBTT is a TBTT in a second link; the second link is a link that manages and controls the first link; In case that the operation mode of the first link is an independent operation mode based on MLO, the reference TBTT is the TBTT in the first link.

24. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 23, characterized in that: The sending link operation mode switching information to the at least one non-AP multi-link device includes: In a case where the first link is in a controlled operation mode based on MLO, the link operation mode switching information is sent to the at least one non-AP multi-link device via a second link; the second link is a link for managing and controlling the first link.

25. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 23, characterized in that: The sending link operation mode switching information to the at least one non-AP multi-link device includes: In a case where the first link is in an independent operation mode based on MLO, the link operation mode switching information is sent to the at least one non-AP multi-link device via the first link, and / or the link operation mode switching information is sent to the at least one non-AP multi-link device via a second link; the second link is a link for managing and controlling the first link.

26. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 25, characterized in that: The at least two links include at least one link operating in the millimeter wave (mmWave) segment.

27. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that In the case where the operation mode of the first link is a controlled operation mode based on MLO, the subordinate AP corresponding to the second link in the second device is in at least one of the following modes or states: Active mode, intermittent wake-up state in energy-saving mode, and continuous wake-up state in energy-saving mode; The second link is a link for managing and controlling the first link.

28. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that In the case where the operation mode of the first link is an independent operation mode based on MLO, the subordinate AP corresponding to the second link in the second device is in at least one of the following modes or states: Active mode, intermittent wake-up state in energy-saving mode, continuous wake-up state in energy-saving mode, and continuous sleep state in energy-saving mode; The second link is a link for managing and controlling the first link.

29. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that Of the at least two links, the link in the independent operation mode based on MLO is used to transmit at least one of the following management frames: Beacon frames, individually addressed type 3 management frames, individually addressed deauthentication frames, individually addressed disassociation frames, and individually addressed multilink probe requests.

30. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that Of the at least two links, the link in the MLO-based controlled operation mode is not used to transmit at least one of the following management frames: Beacon frames, individually addressed type 3 management frames, individually addressed deauthentication frames, individually addressed disassociation frames, and individually addressed multilink probe requests.

31. A link operation mode switching device, characterized in that: The device comprises: a receiving module, configured to receive link operation mode switching information sent by a second device, wherein the link operation mode switching information is used to instruct at least one non-AP multi-link device to switch the link operation mode of a first link; the first link is one of the at least two links; at least two links are established between the first device and the second device; the first device is a non-access point AP multi-link device, and the second device is an AP multi-link device; A switching module is used to switch the link operation mode of the first link between the first device and the second device according to the link operation mode switching information when the first device belongs to the at least one non-AP multi-link device.

32. A link operation mode switching device, characterized in that: The device comprises: The sending module is configured to send link operation mode switching information to at least one non-AP multi-link device. The information is used to instruct the at least one non-AP multi-link device to switch the link operation mode of the first link; the first link is one of the at least two links; a switching module, configured to switch the link operation mode of the first link between the first device and the second device according to the link operation mode switching information; the first device belongs to the at least one non-AP multi-link device; the second device has established at least two links with the at least one non-AP multi-link device; the first link is one of the at least two links; and the second device is an AP multi-link device.

33. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device is implemented as a first device, at least two links are established between the first device and the second device; the first device is a non-access point AP multi-link device, and the second device is an AP multi-link device; the communication device includes a processor, a memory, and a transceiver; The transceiver is used to receive link operation mode switching information sent by the second device, where the link operation mode switching information is used to instruct at least one non-AP multi-link device to switch the link operation mode of the first link; The first link is one of the at least two links; The processor is configured to switch a link operation mode of a first link between the first device and the second device according to the link operation mode switching information when the first device belongs to the at least one non-AP multi-link device.

34. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device is implemented as a second device, the second device has at least two links established with at least one non-AP multi-link device; the second device is an AP multi-link device; the communication device includes a processor, a memory and a transceiver; The transceiver is used to send link operation mode switching information to the at least one non-AP multi-link device, wherein the link operation mode switching information is used to instruct the at least one non-AP multi-link device to switch the link operation mode of the first link; The first link is one of the at least two links; The processor is configured to switch the link operation mode of the first link between the first device and the second device according to the link operation mode switching information; The first device belongs to the at least one non-AP multi-link device.

35. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The storage medium stores a computer program, and the computer program is used to be executed by a processor to implement the link operation mode switching method according to any one of claims 1 to 30.

36. A chip, characterized in that: The chip is used to run in a communication device so that the communication device executes the link operation mode switching method according to any one of claims 1 to 30.

37. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product includes computer instructions, which are stored in a computer-readable storage medium; the processor of the communication device reads the computer instructions from the computer-readable storage medium and executes the computer instructions, so that the communication device executes the link operation mode switching method as described in any one of claims 1 to 30.

38. A computer program, characterized in that The computer program is executed by a processor of a communication device to implement the link operation mode switching method according to any one of claims 1 to 30.

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