A bandwidth allocation method, apparatus and system

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application provide a bandwidth allocation method, device and system, which can be applied to a fiber to the room (FTTR) scenario. A master device is connected with a slave device through an optical network, and the slave device supports communication with a STA through multiple communication protocols. The slave device sends a first message to the master device, and the first message includes uplink bandwidth requirements of at least one of the multiple communication protocols. The master device allocates uplink bandwidth for the slave device according to information carried in the first message, and sends a second message to the slave device to indicate the uplink bandwidth allocated by the master device for the slave device. In this way, the master device can more reasonably allocate uplink bandwidth for the slave device according to the uplink bandwidth requirements of each communication protocol, thereby facilitating normal communication of each communication protocol.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communications, and more particularly to a bandwidth allocation method, apparatus, and system. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of communication technology, fiber optic transmission is increasingly being used in communication systems, among which fiber to the room (FTTR) is a crucial component of optical networks. An FTTR system consists of a main device and sub-devices, connected via optical fiber. The main device, acting as an optical network terminal (ONT) or optical network unit (ONU) in a passive optical network (PON), is connected to the optical line terminal (OLT) at the operator's central office via optical fiber.

[0003] Currently, various short-range protocols are supported by stations (STAs) in the market, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Starfly, ZigBee, radio frequency identification (RFID), and ultra-wide band (UWB). Due to the unique advantages of each short-range protocol in terms of technology, ecosystem, frequency band, and use cases, it is unlikely that any single protocol will dominate the market in the short term. For a considerable period, the market will likely remain characterized by the coexistence of multiple protocols. Therefore, for FTTR scenarios with multiple protocols, there is an urgent need for an uplink bandwidth allocation method that can ensure normal communication for all protocols. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a bandwidth allocation method, apparatus, and system. The master device can allocate uplink bandwidth to the sub-devices more reasonably according to the uplink bandwidth requirements of each communication protocol, thereby helping to ensure the normal communication of each communication protocol.

[0005] Firstly, this application provides a bandwidth allocation method. A master device and a slave device are connected via an optical network. The slave device supports communication with the STA (Stationary Access Device) through multiple communication protocols. This bandwidth allocation method is executed by the master device. Specifically, the master device receives a first message sent by the slave device, the first message including the uplink bandwidth requirement of at least one of the multiple communication protocols. The master device then sends a second message to the slave device based on the first message, the second message indicating the uplink bandwidth allocated by the master device to the slave device. In this way, the master device can allocate uplink bandwidth to the slave device more rationally according to the uplink bandwidth requirements of each communication protocol, thereby helping to ensure normal communication of each communication protocol.

[0006] In some possible implementations, the second message is used to indicate the uplink bandwidth of at least one of the multiple communication protocols allocated by the master device to the sub-device. This is equivalent to further subdividing the uplink bandwidth allocated to the sub-device into uplink bandwidth corresponding to each communication protocol, providing appropriate uplink bandwidth for each communication protocol of the sub-device, which is more conducive to ensuring normal communication of each communication protocol.

[0007] In some possible implementations, the first message includes the service priority of at least one of the multiple communication protocols, providing more effective reference information for allocating uplink bandwidth to the master device. For example, uplink bandwidth can be preferentially allocated to sub-devices with a higher proportion of high-priority services, meaning that sub-devices with a higher proportion of high-priority services are more likely to be allocated uplink bandwidth.

[0008] In some possible implementations, the first message includes communication quality information for at least one of the multiple communication protocols. This communication quality information includes at least one of signal energy, modulation and coding scheme, communication rate, transmission delay, signal-to-noise ratio, error vector amplitude, and bit error rate, providing more effective reference information for the master device to allocate uplink bandwidth. For example, uplink bandwidth can be preferentially allocated to sub-devices with poor communication quality, meaning that sub-devices with poor communication quality are more likely to be allocated uplink bandwidth.

[0009] In some possible implementations, the first message includes the online duration of the STA associated with at least one of the multiple communication protocols, providing more effective reference information for allocating uplink bandwidth to the master device. For example, the master device can learn information related to user behavior through this information, thereby allocating uplink bandwidth to the sub-device by predicting user behavior.

[0010] In some possible implementations, the uplink bandwidth requirement of at least one of the multiple communication protocols is determined by the sub-device based on the received uplink traffic of the at least one communication protocol, making the uplink bandwidth requirement of each communication protocol more accurate and helping the master device to make better bandwidth allocation decisions.

[0011] In some possible implementations, the multiple communication protocols include at least two of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Sparklink Low Energy (SLE), Zigbee, radio frequency identification (RFID), and ultra-wide bandgap (UWB).

[0012] In some possible implementations, the main device is a main FTTR unit (MFU) or a main fiber unit (MFU), and the sub-device is a sub FTTR unit (SFU) or a sub fiber unit (SFU).

[0013] Secondly, this application provides a bandwidth allocation method. A master device and a slave device are connected via an optical network. The slave device supports communication with the STA via multiple communication protocols, and this bandwidth allocation method is performed by the slave device. Specifically, the slave device sends a first message to the master device, the first message including the uplink bandwidth requirement of at least one of the multiple communication protocols. The slave device receives a second message sent by the master device based on the first message, the second message indicating the uplink bandwidth allocated by the master device to the slave device.

[0014] In some possible implementations, the second message is used to indicate the uplink bandwidth of at least one of the multiple communication protocols allocated by the master device to the sub-device.

[0015] In some possible implementations, the first message includes the service priority of at least one of the multiple communication protocols.

[0016] In some possible implementations, the first message includes communication quality information of at least one of the multiple communication protocols, the communication quality information including at least one of signal energy, modulation and coding scheme, communication rate, transmission delay, signal-to-noise ratio, error vector amplitude, and bit error rate.

[0017] In some possible implementations, the first message includes the online duration of the STA associated with at least one of the multiple communication protocols.

[0018] In some possible implementations, the uplink bandwidth requirement of at least one of the multiple communication protocols is determined by the sub-device based on the received uplink traffic of the at least one communication protocol.

[0019] In some possible implementations, after the sub-device receives the second message sent by the master device according to the first message, the method further includes: the sub-device performing uplink data transmission according to the second message via at least one of the multiple communication protocols. For example, the sub-device performs uplink data transmission according to the uplink bandwidth indicated by the second message. Alternatively, the sub-device may use the second message as a reference for secondary decision-making, and then perform uplink data transmission according to its own decided uplink bandwidth allocation scheme.

[0020] In some possible implementations, the multiple communication protocols include at least two of Wi-Fi, BLE, SLE, Purple Bee Protocol, RFID, and UWB.

[0021] In some possible implementations, the master device is an MFU and the sub-device is an SFU.

[0022] Thirdly, this application provides a master device, which is connected to a sub-device via an optical network. The sub-device supports communication with a station (STA) via multiple communication protocols. The master device includes a transceiver unit. The transceiver unit is configured to: receive a first message sent by the sub-device, the first message including uplink bandwidth requirements for at least one of the multiple communication protocols; and send a second message to the sub-device based on the first message, the second message indicating the uplink bandwidth allocated by the master device to the sub-device.

[0023] In some possible implementations, the second message is used to indicate the uplink bandwidth of at least one of the multiple communication protocols allocated by the master device to the sub-device.

[0024] In some possible implementations, the first message includes the service priority of at least one of the multiple communication protocols.

[0025] In some possible implementations, the first message includes communication quality information of at least one of the multiple communication protocols, the communication quality information including at least one of signal energy, modulation and coding scheme, communication rate, transmission delay, signal-to-noise ratio, error vector amplitude, and bit error rate.

[0026] In some possible implementations, the first message includes the online duration of the STA associated with at least one of the multiple communication protocols.

[0027] In some possible implementations, the uplink bandwidth requirement of at least one of the multiple communication protocols is determined by the sub-device based on the received uplink traffic of the at least one communication protocol.

[0028] In some possible implementations, the multiple communication protocols include at least two of Wi-Fi, BLE, SLE, Purple Bee Protocol, RFID, and UWB.

[0029] In some possible implementations, the master device is an MFU and the sub-device is an SFU.

[0030] Fourthly, this application provides a sub-device, in which a master device and a sub-device are connected via an optical network. The sub-device supports communication with a station (STA) via multiple communication protocols, and includes a transceiver unit. The transceiver unit is configured to: send a first message to the master device, the first message including uplink bandwidth requirements for at least one of the multiple communication protocols; and receive a second message sent by the master device based on the first message, the second message indicating uplink bandwidth allocated by the master device to the sub-device.

[0031] In some possible implementations, the second message is used to indicate the uplink bandwidth of at least one of the multiple communication protocols allocated by the master device to the sub-device.

[0032] In some possible implementations, the first message includes the service priority of at least one of the multiple communication protocols.

[0033] In some possible implementations, the first message includes communication quality information of at least one of the multiple communication protocols, the communication quality information including at least one of signal energy, modulation and coding scheme, communication rate, transmission delay, signal-to-noise ratio, error vector amplitude, and bit error rate.

[0034] In some possible implementations, the first message includes the online duration of the STA associated with at least one of the multiple communication protocols.

[0035] In some possible implementations, the uplink bandwidth requirement of at least one of the multiple communication protocols is determined by the sub-device based on the received uplink traffic of the at least one communication protocol.

[0036] In some possible implementations, the sub-device further includes a processing unit, which, after receiving a second message sent by the master device according to the first message, is configured to: perform uplink data transmission according to the second message through at least one of the multiple communication protocols.

[0037] In some possible implementations, the multiple communication protocols include at least two of Wi-Fi, BLE, SLE, Purple Bee Protocol, RFID, and UWB.

[0038] In some possible implementations, the master device is an MFU and the sub-device is an SFU.

[0039] Fifthly, this application provides a master device for performing the method as described in any embodiment of the first aspect.

[0040] In a sixth aspect, this application provides a sub-device for performing the method as described in any embodiment of the second aspect.

[0041] In a seventh aspect, this application provides a master device, which includes a processor and an interface, the interface being used to transmit and receive signals, and the processor being used to execute the method described in any embodiment of the first aspect.

[0042] In an eighth aspect, this application provides a sub-device including a processor and an interface, the interface being used for transmitting and receiving signals, and the processor being used for performing the method as described in any embodiment of the second aspect.

[0043] Ninthly, this application provides a communication system including a master device and a plurality of sub-devices, wherein the master device is configured to perform the method described in any embodiment of the first aspect, and the sub-devices are configured to perform the method described in any embodiment of the second aspect.

[0044] In a tenth aspect, this application provides a chip for performing the methods described in any of the embodiments of the first or second aspect.

[0045] In one aspect, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the method described in any of the embodiments of the first or second aspect to be implemented.

[0046] In a twelfth aspect, this application provides a computer program product including program instructions that, when executed, implement the method described in any of the embodiments of the first or second aspect above. Attached Figure Description

[0047] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of a possible WLAN network architecture;

[0048] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the FTTH / O system architecture;

[0049] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the FTTR system architecture;

[0050] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a scenario where multiple protocols coexist in a P2MP system.

[0051] Figure 5 A flowchart of a bandwidth allocation method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0052] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an application scenario of the bandwidth allocation method in the embodiments of this application;

[0053] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the main device in one embodiment of this application;

[0054] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of another structure of the main device in an embodiment of this application;

[0055] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a sub-device in an embodiment of this application;

[0056] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of another structure of the sub-device in the embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0057] This application provides a bandwidth allocation method, apparatus, and system. The master device can allocate uplink bandwidth to the sub-devices more reasonably according to the uplink bandwidth requirements of each communication protocol, thereby helping to ensure normal communication of each communication protocol.

[0058] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, the following points are made:

[0059] First, unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. Technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0060] Second, "at least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more (including two). "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the textual description of this application, the character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, and c can mean: a, or, b, or, c, or, a and b, or, a and c, or, b and c, or, a, b, and c. Here, a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0061] Third, the terms "first," "second," and various numerical designations (e.g., #1, #2) are merely for descriptive convenience and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. For example, they can be used to distinguish different indication information.

[0062] Fourth, the terms “comprising” and “having” and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, for example, a process, method, system, product or device that includes a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units that are explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not explicitly listed or that are inherent to such process, method, product or device.

[0063] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a possible WLAN network architecture. Figure 1 As shown, the wireless local area network (WLAN) architecture includes a wireless controller (also referred to as a "control node" in this embodiment), wireless access points (also referred to as "network nodes" in this embodiment), and terminal devices. The wireless controller is used to configure services and radio frequency for the access points. The wireless access point (AP) is used to provide service access to associated stations (STAs). Terminal devices, acting as STAs, can be associated with the access point.

[0064] Terminal devices can include mobile phones (or "cellular" phones), computers with mobile terminal devices, portable, pocket-sized, handheld, and computer-embedded mobile devices, etc. Examples include Personal Communication Service (PCS) phones, cordless phones, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phones, Wireless Local Loop (WLL) stations, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), and other devices. Terminal devices can also be computers, tablets, e-readers, and smart home devices such as smart TVs and smart speakers. As an example and not a limitation, in this embodiment, the terminal device can also be a wearable device. Wearable devices, also known as wearable smart devices or smart wearable devices, are a general term for devices that utilize wearable technology to intelligently design and develop everyday wearables, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes. Wearable devices are portable devices worn directly on the body or integrated into the user's clothing or accessories. Wearable devices are not merely hardware devices; they achieve powerful functions through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. Wearable smart devices in a broad sense include those that are feature-rich, large in size, and can perform all or part of their functions without relying on a smartphone, such as smartwatches or smart glasses, as well as those that focus on a specific type of application function and require the use of other devices such as smartphones, such as various smart bracelets, smart helmets, and smart jewelry for vital sign monitoring.

[0065] In some possible scenarios, Wi-Fi is one of the technologies of WLAN, and "WLAN" in this application embodiment can also be called "Wi-Fi". For example, "WLAN system" can also be called "Wi-Fi system", and "WLAN signal" can also be called "Wi-Fi signal".

[0066] With the development of communication technology, optical fiber transmission is increasingly used in communication systems, with FTTR being a crucial component of optical networks. An FTTR system consists of a main device and sub-devices, connected via optical fiber. The main device, acting as an optical network terminal (ONT) or optical network unit (ONU) in a passive optical network (PON), connects to the optical line terminal (OLT) at the operator's central office via optical fiber.

[0067] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a fiber-to-the-home / office (FTTH / O) system architecture. It connects upstream network-side equipment (such as switches and routers) and downstream ONTs via an optical distribution network (ODN). The ODN includes passive optical splitters for optical power distribution, a trunk fiber connecting the passive optical splitters and the OLT, and branch fibers connecting the passive optical splitters and ONTs. When transmitting downlink signals, the downlink signal sent by the OLT is transmitted to each ONT through the splitter, and the ONT selectively receives the downlink data belonging to itself from the downlink signal. When transmitting uplink signals, the uplink signals sent by N ONTs are combined into a single optical signal by the splitter and transmitted to the OLT.

[0068] Building upon FTTH / O, to address signal coverage issues (such as wireless LAN (WLAN) signals) in home or office networks, fiber optic cables can be extended further into the room. Optical terminal equipment (APs) providing WLAN signals are installed inside the room, thus reducing the distance between the user terminal and the AP and improving signal quality. This technology is called FTTR.

[0069] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the FTTR system architecture. In FTTH / O, the OLT is deployed in the central equipment room, while the ONT is deployed in homes or offices. The master device in the FTTR network acts as both an ONT in the FTTH network and an upstream device for the FTTR sub-devices, managing them. The master device can also function as a wireless access point (AP). Sub-devices in FTTR can be deployed in various rooms of homes or offices to provide signal to user terminals. These sub-devices possess both ONT and wireless AP functions.

[0070] Multiple sub-devices can be deployed in an FTTR, each connected to the main device via an optical splitter. The main device can manage and configure all sub-devices centrally. The main device can also be called a "main gateway," "main optical modem," "main FTTR unit (MFU)," or "main fiber unit (MFU)," while sub-devices can be called "sub-gateways," "sub-optical modems," "slave gateways," "slave optical modems," "sub FTTR units (SFU)," or "subfiber units (SFU)," etc.

[0071] It should be noted that the embodiments of this application can be applied to any point-to-multipoint (P2MP) communication system. This P2MP communication system specifically includes a master device and multiple sub-devices, and the master device can collaboratively manage the multiple sub-devices. For example, in... Figure 2 In the FTTH / O scenario shown, the master device can be an OLT, and the slave device can be an ONU. For example, in... Figure 3 In the FTTR scenario shown, the master device can be an MFU, and the slave device can be an MFU.

[0072] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a scenario where multiple protocols coexist in a P2MP system. For example... Figure 4 As shown, in some possible scenarios, for the wireless AP function of the sub-device, the sub-device supports communication with the STA through multiple communication protocols. This is equivalent to the sub-device providing the STA with wireless access functionality using multiple communication protocols. This scenario can be called a multi-protocol coexistence scenario or a multi-mode coexistence scenario. For example, communication protocols include, but are not limited to, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), SparkLink Low Energy (SLE), Zigbee, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), and Ultra Wide Bandwidth (UWB). Bluetooth Low Energy can also be referred to as Bluetooth, and SparkLink Low Energy can also be referred to as SparkLink. Figure 4 For example, the sub-device can connect to terminal devices such as mobile phones, TVs, or robot vacuums via Wi-Fi; the sub-device can connect to terminal devices such as robot vacuums via StarFlash; and the sub-device can connect to terminal devices such as mobile phones or wireless headphones via Bluetooth.

[0073] For the aforementioned multi-protocol coexistence scenario, this application provides a bandwidth allocation method. The master device can allocate uplink bandwidth to the sub-devices more rationally based on the uplink bandwidth requirements of each communication protocol, thereby ensuring normal communication of each protocol. The bandwidth allocation method provided in this application is described in detail below.

[0074] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating a bandwidth allocation method provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 5As shown, the interaction between the master device and the sub-device can include multiple stages. For example, before the bandwidth allocation stage, the interaction between the master device and the sub-device can also include, but is not limited to, the initialization stage, the synchronization stage, and the online registration stage. This application embodiment mainly describes the process of the bandwidth allocation stage; the specific methods of the initialization stage, the synchronization stage, and the online registration stage are not elaborated here. The bandwidth allocation stage can include multiple rounds of uplink bandwidth allocation. For example, each round of uplink bandwidth allocation can be performed periodically. For ease of explanation, this application embodiment uses any one round of uplink bandwidth allocation as an example. In practical applications, the master device can interact with multiple sub-devices simultaneously. For each sub-device, the uplink bandwidth allocation method is similar. For ease of explanation, this application embodiment uses the interaction between the master device and one of the sub-devices as an example.

[0075] 101. The sub-device obtains the uplink bandwidth requirements of at least one communication protocol.

[0076] Considering that the sub-device supports communication with the STA via multiple communication protocols, the sub-device can obtain the uplink bandwidth requirements of at least one communication protocol and report them to the master device. This allows the master device to allocate uplink bandwidth to the sub-device more rationally, ensuring normal communication of the sub-device through various communication protocols. For example, the uplink bandwidth requirements of a communication protocol can be expressed in bytes, with the required bandwidth size represented by the length of the bytes.

[0077] In one example, the sub-device can determine the uplink bandwidth requirement of at least one communication protocol based on the uplink traffic of at least one communication protocol. For example, if the communication protocol is Wi-Fi, the uplink bandwidth requirement of Wi-Fi is greater than or equal to the uplink traffic of Wi-Fi.

[0078] 102. The sub-device sends the first message to the master device.

[0079] The first message sent by the sub-device to the master device carries the uplink bandwidth requirements of at least one communication protocol of the sub-device. In order to facilitate the master device's identification of the sub-device that sent the first message, the first message also carries the sub-device's identifier, which may be the sub-device's ID, IP address, or MAC address, etc.

[0080] Optionally, the first message includes the service priority of at least one communication protocol of the sub-device. Taking Wi-Fi as an example, the first message includes the quality of service (QoS) distribution of all services based on Wi-Fi, i.e., the proportion of each type of service. For example, according to access category (AC), services can be divided into AC-voice stream (VO), AC-video stream (VI), AC-best-effort stream (BE), and AC-background stream (BK), where VO and VI have higher service priorities, and BE and BK have lower service priorities.

[0081] Optionally, the first message includes communication quality information for at least one communication protocol of the sub-device. This communication quality information includes at least one of signal energy, modulation and coding scheme (MCS), communication rate, transmission delay, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), error vector magnitude (EVM), and bit error rate (BER). The communication rate can also be represented by throughput, which can be understood as data flow. Signal energy can be represented by received signal strength indication (RSSI).

[0082] Optionally, the first message includes the online duration of the STA associated with at least one communication protocol of the sub-device. Taking the sub-device associating with STA1 and STA2 via Wi-Fi as an example, the first message includes the duration of STA1's association with the sub-device via Wi-Fi and the duration of STA2's association with the sub-device via Wi-Fi.

[0083] This application does not limit the specific format of the first message. The first message may include multiple fields. Table 1 below provides the fields that may be included in the first message, the length of each field, and its definition. As shown in Table 1, the first message includes the following fields: bandwidth requirement, sub-device information, STA information, and bandwidth allocation reference information. The bandwidth requirement field is used to indicate the uplink bandwidth requirement of each communication protocol. For example, the uplink bandwidth requirement for Wi-Fi is x1 bytes, the uplink bandwidth requirement for Bluetooth is x2 bytes, and the uplink bandwidth requirement for StarScan is x3 bytes. The sub-device information field is used to indicate the identifier of the sub-device. For example, the identifier of the sub-device includes the sub-device ID, the sub-device IP address, and / or the sub-device MAC address. The STA information is used to indicate the identifier of the STA associated with the sub-device through each communication protocol. For example, the identifier of the STA includes the STA ID, the STA IP address, and / or the STA MAC address. The bandwidth allocation reference information field is used to indicate the reference information provided by the sub-device to the master device for bandwidth allocation. For example, the bandwidth allocation reference information includes the service priority of each communication protocol, the communication quality information of each communication protocol, and / or the online duration of the STA associated with each communication protocol.

[0084] This application does not limit the name and length of each field in the first message. In other words, Table 1 provided in this application embodiment is only one possible example, and those skilled in the art can make flexible modifications based on it. For example, the name of any field in Table 1 can be changed. For example, the byte length of any field in Table 1 can be changed, or the length of any field can also be measured in bits. For example, the indication content corresponding to the value of any field in Table 1 can also be changed.

[0085] Table 1

[0086]

[0087] 103. The master device makes an uplink bandwidth allocation decision based on the first message.

[0088] The master device makes a decision based on the information carried in the first message reported by the slave device to determine how to allocate uplink bandwidth to the slave device. In one example, the master device can allocate uplink bandwidth to the slave device based on the uplink bandwidth requirements of at least one communication protocol carried in the first message, so as to meet the uplink bandwidth requirements of at least one communication protocol. For example, if the slave device has uplink bandwidth requirements for both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, the uplink bandwidth allocated by the master device to the slave device can meet the uplink bandwidth requirements of both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

[0089] Optionally, the master device can determine the uplink bandwidth for at least one communication protocol of the sub-device through decision-making. That is, the master device allocates corresponding uplink bandwidth to each communication protocol of the sub-device that has uplink bandwidth requirements, which is equivalent to further subdividing the uplink bandwidth allocated to the sub-device into uplink bandwidth corresponding to each communication protocol.

[0090] Optionally, the first message includes the service priority of at least one communication protocol of the sub-device, providing more effective reference information for allocating uplink bandwidth to the master device. For example, uplink bandwidth can be preferentially allocated to sub-devices with a higher proportion of high-priority services, meaning that sub-devices with a higher proportion of high-priority services are more likely to be allocated uplink bandwidth.

[0091] Optionally, the first message includes communication quality information for at least one communication protocol of the sub-device, providing more effective reference information for the master device to allocate uplink bandwidth. For example, uplink bandwidth can be preferentially allocated to sub-devices with poor communication quality, meaning that sub-devices with poor communication quality are more likely to be allocated uplink bandwidth.

[0092] Optionally, the first message includes the online duration of the STA associated with at least one communication protocol of the sub-device, providing more effective reference information for the master device to allocate uplink bandwidth. For example, the master device can learn information related to user behavior through this information, and thus allocate uplink bandwidth to the sub-device by predicting user behavior.

[0093] 104. The master device sends a second message to the slave device.

[0094] The second message sent by the master device to the slave device carries the uplink bandwidth allocated by the master device for the slave device. In one example, the uplink bandwidth allocated by the master device for the slave device can be represented by a time slot. For example, the second message carries the start and end times of the time slot, and the length of the time slot between the start and end times is the uplink bandwidth allocated by the master device for the slave device.

[0095] In one example, the master device broadcasts a second message to multiple sub-devices. The second message includes the uplink bandwidth allocated to each sub-device. For instance, the second message sent by the master device includes a downlink frame, which is divided into multiple segments. Each segment carries the identifier of the corresponding sub-device and the uplink bandwidth allocated to that sub-device. After receiving the second message, each sub-device can determine its own uplink bandwidth by recognizing the identifier corresponding to itself.

[0096] In one example, the master device sends a second message to the sub-device via unicast. The second message carries the sub-device's identifier (such as the sub-device's IP address) to enable the second message to be transmitted to the sub-device.

[0097] Optionally, the second message carries the uplink bandwidth allocated by the master device for at least one communication protocol of the sub-device. For example, if the sub-device has uplink bandwidth requirements for both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, the second message includes the uplink time slots allocated by the master device for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, which is equivalent to subdividing the total uplink time slots allocated to the sub-device into uplink bandwidth allocated to each communication protocol. Alternatively, the second message may also indicate the uplink transmission order of each communication protocol, i.e., the order of the uplink time slots for each communication protocol, such as the uplink time slots for Wi-Fi preceding the uplink time slots for Bluetooth.

[0098] This application does not limit the specific format of the second message. The second message may include multiple fields. Table 2 below provides the fields that may be included in the second message, the length of each field, and their definitions. As shown in Table 2, the second message includes the following fields: sub-device information and bandwidth allocation information. The sub-device information field is used to indicate the identifier of the sub-device. For example, the identifier of the sub-device includes the sub-device ID, the sub-device IP address, and / or the sub-device MAC address. The bandwidth allocation information field is used to indicate the bandwidth allocation scheme provided by the master device to the sub-device. For example, it indicates the total uplink bandwidth provided to the sub-device; or, for example, it indicates the uplink bandwidth provided for each communication protocol of the sub-device.

[0099] This application does not limit the name and length of each field in the second message. In other words, Table 2 provided in this application embodiment is only one possible example, and those skilled in the art can make flexible modifications based on it. For example, the name of any field in Table 2 can be changed. For example, the byte length of any field in Table 2 can be changed, or the length of any field can also be measured in bits. For example, the indication content corresponding to the value of any field in Table 2 can also be changed.

[0100] Table 2

[0101]

[0102]

[0103] 105. The sub-device performs uplink data transmission based on the second message.

[0104] The second message carries the uplink bandwidth allocation scheme decided by the master device. In one possible scenario, the sub-device performs uplink data transmission according to the uplink bandwidth indicated by the second message. In another possible scenario, the sub-device can also use the second message as a reference for secondary decision-making. That is, the sub-device makes a decision based on the information carried in the second message to determine the uplink bandwidth allocation scheme, and then performs uplink data transmission according to its own determined uplink bandwidth allocation scheme. For example, the second message sent by the master device indicates the total uplink bandwidth allocated to the sub-device, and the sub-device further determines the uplink bandwidth corresponding to each communication protocol based on the total uplink bandwidth allocated to it by the master device.

[0105] It should be noted that when the load of a sub-device changes, the uplink bandwidth requirement of at least one communication protocol of the sub-device also changes accordingly. The master device should adjust the bandwidth allocation strategy in a timely manner based on the information reported by the sub-device and notify the sub-device to achieve dynamic bandwidth assignment (DBA), which is beneficial to ensure the rational use of bandwidth resources. Typically, the load of a sub-device changes due to the offline or roaming of a STA associated with a certain communication protocol. The bandwidth allocation method described below, based on an embodiment of this application, provides a possible application scenario.

[0106] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an application scenario of the bandwidth allocation method in this application. For example... Figure 6 As shown, taking a robot vacuum cleaner as an example in the network architecture, the robot vacuum cleaner supports association with sub-devices via Wi-Fi, StarFlash, and RFID.

[0107] In the initial state, the robot vacuum is within the coverage area of ​​sub-device 1. The robot vacuum connects to sub-device 1 via Wi-Fi, GPS, and RFID. The first message sent by sub-device 1 to the master device includes uplink bandwidth requirements for Wi-Fi, GPS, and RFID. Optionally, sub-device 1 can also report the bandwidth allocation reference information in Table 1 above. In the initial state, sub-device 2 has no load and does not report bandwidth requirements to the master device, or the bandwidth requirement reported by sub-device 2 to the master device is 0. Therefore, a reasonable bandwidth allocation scheme provided by the master device based on the information reported by each sub-device is as follows: the master device provides more uplink bandwidth to sub-device 1, which is equivalent to giving sub-device 1 more uplink transmission opportunities. Optionally, the master device can also specifically provide uplink bandwidth for Wi-Fi, GPS, and RFID separately. Simultaneously, the master device can also provide less uplink bandwidth to sub-device 2 to ensure that sub-device 2 can utilize the provided uplink bandwidth to complete the next first message report.

[0108] After the robot vacuum moves, it falls within the coverage area of ​​sub-device 2, changing the network topology. The robot vacuum's Wi-Fi and RFID roam from sub-device 1 to sub-device 2, meaning it connects to sub-device 2 via Wi-Fi and RFID, while still connecting to sub-device 1 via the StarFlash feature. At this point, the first message sent by sub-device 1 to the master device includes the uplink bandwidth requirement for the StarFlash feature, while the first message sent by sub-device 2 to the master device includes the uplink bandwidth requirements for Wi-Fi and RFID. Optionally, sub-devices 1 and 2 can also report the bandwidth allocation reference information in Table 1 above. Therefore, a reasonable bandwidth allocation scheme provided by the master device based on the information reported by each sub-device is as follows: the master device reduces the uplink bandwidth provided to sub-device 1, effectively reducing sub-device 1's uplink transmission opportunities. Optionally, it can also specifically provide uplink bandwidth for the StarFlash feature to sub-device 1. Simultaneously, the master device increases the uplink bandwidth provided to sub-device 2, effectively increasing sub-device 2's uplink transmission opportunities. Optionally, it can also specifically provide uplink bandwidth for Wi-Fi and RFID to sub-device 2.

[0109] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the main device in one embodiment of this application. Figure 7 As shown, the main device includes a processing unit 201 and a transceiver unit 202. Specifically, the transceiver unit 202 is used to perform the above-described... Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment, the master device performs message sending and receiving operations. For example, the transceiver unit 202 can perform the above-described operations. Figure 5 Steps 102 and 104 in the illustrated embodiment are executed by the processing unit 201. Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment, in addition to message sending and receiving, other operations of the master device, such as those performed by the processing unit 201, can be executed as described above. Figure 5 Step 103 in the illustrated embodiment.

[0110] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of another structure of the main device in an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 8 As shown, the main device includes a processor 301 and an interface 302, which are interconnected via a line. The interface 302 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. The interface 302 is used to receive signals from other devices outside the main device and transmit them to the processor 301, or to send signals from the processor 301 to other devices outside the main device. It should be noted that the interface 302 is used to perform the above-described... Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment, the master device performs message sending and receiving operations. For example, interface 302 can perform the above-described operations. Figure 5 Steps 102 and 104 in the illustrated embodiment are executed by processor 301. Figure 5In the illustrated embodiment, in addition to message sending and receiving, other operations of the master device can be performed, for example, the processor 301 can execute the above-described operations. Figure 5 Step 103 in the illustrated embodiment. In some possible implementations, processor 301 includes the processing unit 201 described above, and interface 302 includes the transceiver unit 202 described above. Optionally, the host device may further include memory 303, wherein memory 303 is used to store program instructions and data.

[0111] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a sub-device in an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 9 As shown, the sub-device includes a processing unit 401 and a transceiver unit 402. Specifically, the transceiver unit 402 is used to perform the above-described... Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment, the sub-device performs message sending and receiving operations. For example, the transceiver unit 402 can perform the above-described operations. Figure 5 Steps 102 and 104 in the illustrated embodiment are executed by the processing unit 401. Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment, in addition to message sending and receiving, other operations of the sub-device can be performed by the processing unit 401 as described above. Figure 5 Steps 101 and 105 in the illustrated embodiment.

[0112] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of another structure of the sub-device in an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 10 As shown, the sub-device includes a processor 501 and an interface 502, which are interconnected via a line. The interface 502 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. The interface 502 is used to receive signals from other devices outside the sub-device and transmit them to the processor 501, or to send signals from the processor 501 to other devices outside the sub-device. It should be noted that the interface 502 is used to perform the above-described... Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment, the sub-device performs message sending and receiving operations. For example, interface 502 can perform the above-described operations. Figure 5 Steps 102 and 104 in the illustrated embodiment are executed by processor 501. Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment, in addition to message sending and receiving, other operations of the sub-device can be performed, for example, the processor 501 can execute the above-described operations. Figure 5 Steps 101 and 105 are shown in the illustrated embodiment. In some possible implementations, the processor 501 includes the processing unit 401 described above, and the interface 502 includes the transceiver unit 402 described above. Optionally, the sub-device may further include a memory 503, wherein the memory 503 is used to store program instructions and data.

[0113] This application also provides a chip. The chip integrates circuitry for implementing the functions of the processor 301 or processor 501 described above, and one or more interfaces. As an example, the chip integrates a memory. As another example, when the chip does not integrate a memory, it can be connected to an external memory via the interface. The chip can perform the method steps of any one or more of the foregoing embodiments. Alternatively, the chip can implement the actions performed by the processing and transmission device in the foregoing embodiments based on program code stored in the memory.

[0114] As an example, the chip in the embodiments of this application can be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor, any conventional processor, or a processing circuit that implements a specific function.

[0115] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium including a program or instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the method performed as described in the above method embodiments to be implemented.

[0116] It should be understood that the processor mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be implemented in hardware or software. When implemented in hardware, the processor can be a logic circuit, integrated circuit, etc. When implemented in software, the processor can be a general-purpose processor that reads software code stored in memory. The memory can exist independently and be connected to the processor, or the memory can be integrated with the processor.

[0117] As an example, the processor in the embodiments of this application can be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor, any conventional processor, or a processing circuit that implements a specific function.

[0118] In embodiments of this application, the memory may be random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), registers, hard disks, portable hard disks, CD-ROMs, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to a processor, enabling the processor to read information from and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium may also be a component of the processor. The processor and storage medium may reside in an ASIC. Additionally, the ASIC may reside in a network device or a terminal device. Alternatively, the processor and storage medium may exist as discrete components in the network device or terminal device.

[0119] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented entirely or partially by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof.

[0120] When implemented in hardware, the methods provided in this application embodiment may be implemented without reading software code or instructions. For example, they may be implemented using a CPU, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof.

[0121] When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. A computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions of the embodiments of this application are performed. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a terminal device, or other programmable device. The computer program or instructions can be stored in or transmitted through a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access, or a data storage device such as a server integrating one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, hard disk, or magnetic tape; it can also be an optical medium, such as a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD); or it can be a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state disk (SSD).

[0122] Finally, it should be noted that the above are merely specific embodiments of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A bandwidth allocation method, characterized in that, The master device and the slave device are connected via an optical network. The slave device supports communication with the site STA via multiple communication protocols, including Wi-Fi and StarFlash. The method includes: The master device receives a first message sent by the sub-device, the first message including the uplink bandwidth requirement of Wi-Fi and the uplink bandwidth requirement of StarFlash; The master device makes an uplink bandwidth allocation decision based on the first message to determine the uplink bandwidth of the Wi-Fi and the uplink bandwidth of the Star Flash allocated to the sub-device; The master device sends a second message to the sub-device, the second message being used to indicate the uplink bandwidth of the Wi-Fi and the uplink bandwidth of the Star Flash allocated by the master device to the sub-device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first message includes the service priority of at least one of the multiple communication protocols.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first message includes communication quality information of at least one of the multiple communication protocols, and the communication quality information includes at least one of signal energy, modulation and coding scheme, communication rate, transmission delay, signal-to-noise ratio, error vector amplitude, and bit error rate.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first message includes the online duration of the STA associated with at least one of the multiple communication protocols.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The uplink bandwidth requirement of at least one of the multiple communication protocols is determined by the sub-device based on the received uplink traffic of the at least one communication protocol.

6. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The main device is a Fiber to the Room (MFU) main unit, and the sub-device is a Fiber to the Room (SFU) sub-device.

7. A bandwidth allocation method, characterized in that, The master device and the slave device are connected via an optical network. The slave device supports communication with the site STA via multiple communication protocols, including Wi-Fi and StarFlash. The method includes: The sub-device sends a first message to the master device, the first message including the uplink bandwidth requirement of Wi-Fi and the uplink bandwidth requirement of Star Flash, so that the master device makes an uplink bandwidth allocation decision based on the first message to determine the uplink bandwidth of Wi-Fi and the uplink bandwidth of Star Flash allocated to the sub-device. The sub-device receives a second message sent by the master device according to the first message. The second message is used to indicate the uplink bandwidth of the Wi-Fi and the uplink bandwidth of the Star Flash allocated by the master device to the sub-device.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first message includes the service priority of at least one of the multiple communication protocols.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The first message includes communication quality information of at least one of the multiple communication protocols, and the communication quality information includes at least one of signal energy, modulation and coding scheme, communication rate, transmission delay, signal-to-noise ratio, error vector amplitude, and bit error rate.

10. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The first message includes the online duration of the STA associated with at least one of the multiple communication protocols.

11. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The uplink bandwidth requirement of at least one of the multiple communication protocols is determined by the sub-device based on the received uplink traffic of the at least one communication protocol.

12. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, After the sub-device receives the second message sent by the master device according to the first message, the method further includes: The sub-device performs uplink data transmission according to the second message using at least one of the multiple communication protocols.

13. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The main device is a Fiber to the Room (MFU) main unit, and the sub-device is a Fiber to the Room (SFU) sub-device.

14. A main device, characterized in that, The master device and the sub-device are connected via an optical network. The sub-device supports communication with the STA (Station) via multiple communication protocols, including Wi-Fi and Starlink. The master device includes a transceiver unit, which is used for: Receive a first message sent by the sub-device, the first message including the uplink bandwidth requirement of Wi-Fi and the uplink bandwidth requirement of StarFlash; Based on the first message, a decision is made on uplink bandwidth allocation to determine the uplink bandwidth of the Wi-Fi and the uplink bandwidth of the Star Flash allocated to the sub-device; The master device sends a second message to the sub-device based on the first message. The second message is used to indicate the uplink bandwidth of the Wi-Fi and the uplink bandwidth of the Star Flash allocated by the master device to the sub-device.

15. A sub-device, characterized in that, The master device and the slave device are connected via an optical network. The slave device supports communication with the STA (Station Site) via multiple communication protocols, including Wi-Fi and Starlink. The slave device includes a transceiver unit, which is used for: Send a first message to the master device, the first message including the uplink bandwidth requirement of the Wi-Fi and the uplink bandwidth requirement of the Star Flash, so that the master device makes an uplink bandwidth allocation decision based on the first message to determine the uplink bandwidth of the Wi-Fi and the uplink bandwidth of the Star Flash allocated to the sub-device; The master device receives a second message sent by the master device according to the first message. The second message is used to indicate the uplink bandwidth of the Wi-Fi and the uplink bandwidth of the Star Flash allocated by the master device to the sub-device.

16. A main device, characterized in that, The main device includes a processor and an interface, the processor being configured to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

17. A sub-device, characterized in that, The sub-device includes a processor and an interface, the processor being configured to perform the method as described in any one of claims 7 to 13.

18. A communication system, characterized in that, The communication system includes a master device and a sub-device, the master device being used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, and the sub-device being used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 7 to 13.

19. A chip, characterized in that, The chip includes circuitry for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 13.

Images