Wireless communication method, network device and environmental energy AMP device

Abstract

A wireless communication method, network device and environmental energy AMP device, the method comprising: a network device sends a main channel in a frequency hopping manner, a beacon frame is sent through the main channel, or the beacon frame is sent through a fixed channel, and the beacon frame is sent to the environmental energy AMP device.

Description

Wireless communication method, network device and environmental energy AMP device Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present application relate to the field of communications, and specifically to a wireless communication method, a network device, and an environmental energy AMP device. Background Art

[0002] In some scenarios, S1G is the most suitable operating frequency band for ambient power enabled IoT (AMP) devices. In some regions or countries, such as China, the S1G band is mandatory frequency hopping, for example, 920MHz-925MHz, and AMP devices are likely to operate on this frequency band.

[0003] In 802.11 systems, beacon frames are transmitted over the primary channel, where the channel bandwidth is 4 MHz out of 20 MHz at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. For S1G, the minimum channel bandwidth for existing 802.11 systems, such as 802.11ah, is 1 MHz. However, in regions outside the United States, such as China, the minimum channel bandwidth is 250 kHz, and frequency hopping is mandatory.

[0004] AMP devices are considered for large-scale deployment due to their low complexity, low power consumption, low cost, and maintenance-free nature. When deployed within an 802.11 system, designing the channel for AMP beacon frames to meet regional or national regulatory requirements is a pressing issue.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present application provides a wireless communication method, network device and environmental energy AMP device. The network device sends a main channel through frequency hopping. The beacon frame is transmitted in the main channel or in a fixed channel, which can meet the frequency hopping requirements of some countries or regions for frequency bands.

[0007] In a first aspect, a method for wireless communication is provided, comprising: a network device sending a main channel through a frequency hopping manner, wherein a beacon frame is sent through the main channel, or the beacon frame is sent through a fixed channel, and the beacon frame is sent to an environmental energy AMP device.

[0008] In a second aspect, a method for wireless communication is provided, including: an environmental energy device AMP device receives a main channel sent by a network device through a frequency hopping manner, wherein a beacon frame sent to the AMP device is sent through the main channel, or the beacon frame is sent through a fixed channel.

[0009] In a third aspect, a network device is provided for executing the method in the first aspect or its various implementations.

[0010] Specifically, the network device includes a functional module for executing the method in the above-mentioned first aspect or its various implementation modes.

[0011] In a fourth aspect, an ambient energy AMP device is provided for executing the method in the above-mentioned second aspect or its various implementations.

[0012] Specifically, the AMP device includes a functional module for executing the method in the above-mentioned second aspect or its various implementations.

[0013] In a fifth aspect, a network device is provided, comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the memory is configured to store a computer program, and the processor is configured to call and execute the computer program stored in the memory to perform the method of the first aspect or its respective implementations.

[0014] In a sixth aspect, an ambient energy AMP device is provided, comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor is used to call and run the computer program stored in the memory to perform the method of the second aspect or its respective implementations.

[0015] In a seventh aspect, a chip is provided for implementing the method described in any one of the first and second aspects above, or their respective implementations. Specifically, the chip includes a processor configured to retrieve and execute a computer program from a memory, causing a device equipped with the chip to perform the method described in any one of the first and second aspects above, or their respective implementations.

[0016] In an eighth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided for storing a computer program, which enables a computer to execute the method of any one of the first to second aspects or their respective implementations.

[0017] In a ninth aspect, a computer program product is provided, comprising computer program instructions, wherein the computer program instructions enable a computer to execute the method of any one of the first to second aspects or their respective implementations.

[0018] In a tenth aspect, a computer program is provided, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method of any one of the first to second aspects or their respective implementations.

[0019] Through the above technical solution, the network device sends the main channel through frequency hopping, and the beacon frame is transmitted in the main channel or in a fixed channel, which can meet the frequency hopping requirements of some countries or regions for frequency bands. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0021] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a zero-power communication system according to an example of the present application.

[0022] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of energy harvesting according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0023] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of backscatter communication according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0024] FIG5 is a circuit diagram of resistive load modulation according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0025] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0026] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of a frequency hopping method of a beacon frame provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0027] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of another frequency hopping method of a beacon frame provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0028] FIG9 is a schematic diagram of a frequency hopping method of a primary channel provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0029] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of a frequency hopping method of a beacon frame provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0030] FIG11 is a schematic diagram of another frequency hopping method of a beacon frame provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0031] FIG12 is a schematic diagram of a frequency hopping method of a main channel and a beacon frame provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0032] FIG13 is a schematic block diagram of a network device provided according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0033] FIG14 is a schematic block diagram of an AMP device provided according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0034] FIG15 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0035] FIG16 is a schematic block diagram of a chip provided according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0036] Figure 17 is a schematic block diagram of a communication system provided according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The following will describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the embodiments described are part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. With respect to the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0038] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: Global System of Mobile communication (GSM) system, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) system, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, Advanced Long Term Evolution (LTE-A) system, New Radio (NR) system, NR system evolution system, LTE on unlicensed spectrum (LTE-U) system, NR on unlicensed spectrum (NR-U) system, Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) system, Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN), Wireless Fidelity (Wireless Fidelity) system. Fidelity, WiFi), fifth-generation communication (5th-Generation, 5G) system, cellular Internet of Things system, cellular passive Internet of Things system or other communication systems, etc.

[0039] Generally speaking, traditional communication systems support a limited number of connections and are easy to implement. However, with the development of communication technology, mobile communication systems will not only support traditional communications, but will also support, for example, device-to-device (D2D) communication, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, or vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, etc. The embodiments of the present application can also be applied to these communication systems.

[0040] Optionally, the communication system in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to a carrier aggregation (CA) scenario, a dual connectivity (DC) scenario, or a standalone (SA) networking scenario.

[0041] Optionally, the communication system in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to an unlicensed spectrum, where the unlicensed spectrum can also be considered as a shared spectrum; or, the communication system in the embodiment of the present application can also be applied to an authorized spectrum, where the authorized spectrum can also be considered as an unshared spectrum.

[0042] The embodiments of the present application describe various embodiments in conjunction with network devices and terminal devices, wherein the terminal device may also be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent or user device, etc.

[0043] In an embodiment of the present application, the network device may be a device for communicating with a mobile device. The network device may be an access point (AP) in WLAN, a base station (BTS) in GSM or CDMA, a base station (NodeB, NB) in WCDMA, an evolved base station (eNB or eNodeB) in LTE, or a relay station or access point, or a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, and a network device (gNB) in an NR network, or a network device in a cellular Internet of Things, or a network device in a cellular passive Internet of Things, or a network device in a future evolved PLMN network or a network device in an NTN network, etc.

[0044] As an example and not a limitation, in an embodiment of the present application, the network device may have a mobile feature, for example, the network device may be a mobile device. Alternatively, the network device may be a satellite or a balloon station. For example, the satellite may be a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite, a medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite, a geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite, a high elliptical orbit (HEO) satellite, etc. Optionally, the network device may also be a base station set up in a location such as land or water.

[0045] In an embodiment of the present application, the network device can provide services for a cell, and the terminal device communicates with the network device through the transmission resources used by the cell (for example, frequency domain resources, or spectrum resources). The cell can be a cell corresponding to the network device (for example, a base station). The cell can belong to a macro base station or a base station corresponding to a small cell. The small cells here may include: metro cells, micro cells, pico cells, femto cells, etc. These small cells have the characteristics of small coverage and low transmission power, and are suitable for providing high-speed data transmission services.

[0046] The terminal device can be a station (ST) in a WLAN, a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a Wireless Local Loop (WLL) station, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) device, a handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a terminal device in a next-generation communication system such as an NR network, or a terminal device in a future evolved Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) network, a terminal device in a cellular Internet of Things, a terminal device in a cellular passive Internet of Things, etc.

[0047] In an embodiment of the present application, the terminal device can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld, wearable or vehicle-mounted; it can also be deployed on the water surface (such as ships, etc.); it can also be deployed in the air (such as airplanes, balloons and satellites, etc.).

[0048] In an embodiment of the present application, the terminal device may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, or a wireless terminal device in a smart home, etc.

[0049] As an example and not a limitation, in the embodiment of the present application, the terminal device may also be a wearable device. Wearable devices may also be called wearable smart devices, which are a general term for wearable devices that are intelligently designed and developed using wearable technology for daily wear, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes. A wearable device is a portable device that is worn directly on the body or integrated into the user's clothes or accessories. Wearable devices are not only hardware devices, but also achieve powerful functions through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. Broadly speaking, wearable smart devices include those that are fully functional, large in size, and can achieve complete or partial functions without relying on smartphones, such as smart watches or smart glasses, as well as those that only focus on a certain type of application function and need to be used in conjunction with other devices such as smartphones, such as various smart bracelets and smart jewelry for vital sign monitoring.

[0050] For example, a communication system 100 used in an embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG1 . The communication system 100 may include a network device 110, which may be a device that communicates with a terminal device 120 (or a communication terminal or terminal). The network device 110 may provide communication coverage for a specific geographic area and may communicate with terminal devices within the coverage area.

[0051] FIG1 exemplarily shows a network device and two terminal devices. Optionally, the communication system 100 may include multiple network devices and each network device may include other numbers of terminal devices within its coverage area, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0052] Optionally, the communication system 100 may further include other network entities such as a network controller and a mobility management entity, which is not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0053] It should be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, a device having a communication function in a network / system may be referred to as a communication device. Taking the communication system 100 shown in FIG1 as an example, the communication device may include a network device 110 and a terminal device 120 having a communication function. The network device 110 and the terminal device 120 may be the specific devices described above and will not be described in detail here. The communication device may also include other devices in the communication system 100, such as a network controller, a mobility management entity, and other network entities, which are not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0054] It should be understood that the terms "system" and "network" are often used interchangeably herein. The term "and / or" is simply a description of an association between related objects, indicating that three possible relationships exist. For example, "A and / or B" can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone. Furthermore, the character " / " generally indicates that the related objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0055] It should be understood that the "indication" mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be a direct indication, an indirect indication, or an indication of an association. For example, "A indicates B" can mean that A directly indicates B, for example, B can be obtained through A; it can also mean that A indirectly indicates B, for example, A indicates C, and B can be obtained through C; it can also mean that there is an association between A and B.

[0056] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the term "corresponding" may indicate a direct or indirect correspondence between the two, or an association relationship between the two, or a relationship between indication and being indicated, configuration and being configured, etc.

[0057] In the embodiments of the present application, "pre-defined" may be implemented by pre-storing corresponding codes, tables, or other methods that can be used to indicate relevant information in a device (e.g., a terminal device or a network device). The present application does not limit the specific implementation method. For example, pre-defined may refer to information defined in a protocol.

[0058] In the embodiments of the present application, the "protocol" may refer to a standard protocol in the communication field, for example, it may include an LTE protocol, an NR protocol, and related protocols used in future communication systems, and this application does not limit this.

[0059] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the relevant technologies of the present application are explained.

[0060] 1. Zero-power communication

[0061] The key technologies of zero-power communication include energy harvesting, backscatter communication and low-power technology.

[0062] As shown in Figure 2, a typical zero-power communication system (such as an RFID system) includes a network device (such as an RFID system reader) and a zero-power device (such as an electronic tag). The network device is used to send wireless power supply signals and downlink communication signals to the zero-power device and receive backscattered signals from the zero-power device. A basic zero-power device includes an energy harvesting module, a backscatter communication module, and a low-power computing module. In addition, the zero-power device may also have a memory or sensor for storing some basic information (such as item identification, etc.) or sensor data such as ambient temperature and ambient humidity.

[0063] For example, the energy harvesting module can collect energy carried by radio waves in space (Figure 2 shows radio waves emitted by network devices) to drive the low-power computing module of the zero-power device and implement backscatter communication. After obtaining energy, the zero-power device can receive control commands from the network device and send data to the network device based on control signaling using backscattering. The data sent can be data stored in the zero-power device itself (such as an identity identifier or pre-written information, such as the product's production date, brand, manufacturer, etc.). The zero-power device can also be loaded with various sensors, so that the data collected by various sensors can be reported based on the zero-power mechanism.

[0064] The following describes the key technologies in zero-power communication.

[0065] 1. RF Power Harvesting

[0066] As shown in Figure 3, the RF energy harvesting module uses the principle of electromagnetic induction to harvest electromagnetic wave energy from space, thereby obtaining the energy needed to operate zero-power devices. This energy is used to drive low-power demodulation and modulation modules, sensors, and memory readout. Therefore, zero-power devices do not require traditional batteries.

[0067] 2. Back Scattering

[0068] As shown in Figure 4, a zero-power device receives a carrier signal sent by a network device, modulates it, loads the information to be transmitted, and radiates the modulated signal from the antenna. This information transmission process is called backscatter communication. Backscatter and load modulation are closely related. Load modulation achieves this by adjusting and controlling the circuit parameters of the zero-power device's oscillator circuit according to the data stream's rhythm, causing parameters such as the zero-power device's impedance to change accordingly. Load modulation techniques primarily include resistive load modulation and capacitive load modulation. In resistive load modulation, a resistor is connected in parallel with the load, which is turned on or off based on the binary data stream, as shown in Figure 5. The switching of the resistor causes a change in the circuit voltage, thus implementing amplitude-shifted keying (ASK) modulation. This modulation and transmission is achieved by adjusting the amplitude of the zero-power device's backscattered signal. Similarly, in capacitive load modulation, the switching of the capacitor changes the circuit's resonant frequency, enabling frequency-shifted keying (FSK) modulation. This modulation and transmission is achieved by adjusting the operating frequency of the zero-power device's backscattered signal.

[0069] It can be seen that the zero-power device uses load modulation to modulate the incoming signal, thereby realizing the backscatter communication process. Therefore, the zero-power device has significant advantages:

[0070] (1) It does not actively transmit signals, so it does not require complex RF links, such as PA, RF filters, etc.

[0071] (2) There is no need to actively generate high-frequency signals, so no high-frequency crystal oscillator is required;

[0072] (3) With the help of backscatter communication, terminal signal transmission does not need to consume the terminal's own energy.

[0073] 3. Coding technology

[0074] Data transmitted by zero-power devices can use various codes to represent binary "1s" and "0s." RFID systems typically use one of the following encoding methods: non-return-to-zero (NRZ), Manchester, unipolar return-to-zero, differential bi-phase (DBP), differential, pulse interval encoding (PIE), bidirectional space encoding (FMO), Miller, and differential encoding. In simple terms, different encoding techniques use different pulse signals to represent 0s and 1s.

[0075] In some scenarios, based on the energy source and usage of zero-power devices, zero-power devices can be divided into the following types:

[0076] 1. Passive zero-power devices

[0077] Zero-power devices (such as electronic tags in RFID systems) do not require internal batteries. When a zero-power device is close to a network device (such as an RFID reader), it is within the near-field radiation generated by the network device's antenna. Consequently, the zero-power device's antenna generates an induced current through electromagnetic induction, which drives the device's low-power chip circuitry. This enables forward link signal demodulation and reverse link (or reflection link) signal modulation. For backscatter links, the zero-power device uses backscattering to transmit signals.

[0078] It can be seen that the passive zero-power device does not require a built-in battery to drive either the forward link or the reverse link, and is a truly zero-power device.

[0079] Passive zero-power devices do not require batteries, and the RF circuit and baseband circuit are very simple. For example, they do not require low-noise amplifiers (LNAs), power amplifiers (PAs), crystal oscillators, analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), and other devices. Therefore, they have many advantages such as small size, light weight, very low price, and long service life.

[0080] Passive zero-power terminals can also support other energy collection methods. By collecting energy from the environment (such as light energy, thermal energy, kinetic energy, mechanical energy, etc.), they can obtain energy for driving circuits and support terminal devices to communicate.

[0081] 2. Semi-passive zero-power devices

[0082] Semi-passive zero-power devices do not have conventional batteries installed themselves, but can use RF energy harvesting modules to harvest radio wave energy or use energy harvesting modules to harvest energy from the environment (such as solar energy, thermal energy, mechanical vibration energy, etc.), and store the harvested energy in an energy storage unit (such as a capacitor). After the energy storage unit obtains energy, it can drive the low-power chip circuit of the zero-power device. It can realize tasks such as demodulation of forward link signals and modulation of reverse link signals. For backscatter links, zero-power devices use backscatter implementation to transmit signals. Alternatively, based on the harvested energy, zero-power devices can use low-power transmitters for active transmission communication.

[0083] It can be seen that the semi-passive zero-power device does not require a built-in battery to drive either the forward link or the reverse link. Although it uses energy stored in capacitors during operation, the energy comes from the radio energy collected by the energy harvesting module. Therefore, it is also a truly zero-power device.

[0084] Semi-passive zero-power devices inherit many advantages of passive zero-power devices, so they have many advantages such as small size, light weight, very low price, and long service life.

[0085] 3. Active zero-power devices

[0086] In some scenarios, zero-power devices can also be active zero-power devices, which can have built-in batteries. The batteries power the low-power chip circuitry in these devices, enabling forward link signal demodulation and reverse link signal modulation. However, for backscatter links, zero-power devices use backscattering to transmit signals. Therefore, the zero-power nature of these devices lies primarily in the fact that reverse link signal transmission does not require the terminal's own power, but rather utilizes backscattering.

[0087] Active zero-power terminals have built-in batteries that power the RFID chip, increasing their read and write distance and improving communication reliability. Therefore, they are suitable for scenarios with relatively high requirements for communication distance and read latency.

[0088] In some scenarios, zero-power devices can be categorized as follows based on transmitter type:

[0089] 1) Zero-power devices based on backscattering

[0090] These zero-power devices use the aforementioned backscattering method to transmit uplink data. These devices lack an active transmitter, only a backscattering transmitter. Therefore, when these zero-power devices transmit data, they require network equipment to provide a carrier, which they then use to perform backscattering to achieve data transmission.

[0091] 2) Zero-power devices based on active transmitters

[0092] This type of zero-power device uses an active transmitter with active transmission capabilities for uplink data transmission. Therefore, when sending data, this type of zero-power device can use its own active transmitter to send data without the need for network equipment to provide a carrier. Active transmitters suitable for zero-power devices can include ultra-low-power ASK and ultra-low-power FSK transmitters. When transmitting a 100uW signal, the overall power consumption can be reduced to 400-600uW.

[0093] 3) Zero-power devices with both backscatter transmitters and active transmitters

[0094] These zero-power devices can support both backscatter and active transmitters. They can determine which signal transmission method to use, namely, active or backscatter, based on different conditions (such as battery life and available ambient energy) or based on network device scheduling.

[0095] With the rapid development of the Internet of Things, existing IoT communication technologies can no longer meet the IoT communication needs in many scenarios, such as:

[0096] 1. Harsh communication environment

[0097] Certain IoT scenarios may face extreme environments such as high temperature, extremely low temperature, high humidity, high voltage, high radiation, or high-speed movement. Examples include ultra-high voltage substations, high-speed train track monitoring, environmental monitoring in high-altitude cold regions, and industrial production lines. In these scenarios, existing IoT terminals will not function due to the operating environment limitations of conventional power supplies. Furthermore, extreme operating environments are not conducive to IoT maintenance, such as battery replacement.

[0098] 2. Demand for extremely small terminal form factors

[0099] Certain IoT communication scenarios, such as food traceability, commodity distribution, and smart wearables, require terminals to be extremely small for ease of use. For example, IoT terminals used for commodity management in the distribution process often take the form of electronic tags, embedded in product packaging in a very compact form factor. Another example is lightweight wearable devices that can meet user needs while improving the user experience.

[0100] 3. Extremely low-cost IoT communication requirements

[0101] Many IoT communication scenarios require IoT terminals to be sufficiently affordable to enhance their competitiveness compared to alternative technologies. For example, in logistics or warehousing, to facilitate the management of large quantities of circulating items, IoT terminals can be attached to each item. Communication between the terminal and the logistics network enables precise management of the entire logistics process and lifecycle. These scenarios require IoT terminals to be competitively priced.

[0102] Therefore, in order to cover these unmet IoT communication needs, cellular networks also need to develop ultra-low-cost, extremely small-size, battery-free / maintenance-free IoT, and zero-power IoT can just meet this need.

[0103] The zero-power Internet of Things (IoT) can also be referred to as the ambient power enabled IoT (Ambient IoT or AMP IoT). Zero-power devices are also known as Ambient IoT devices, AMP IoT devices, or AMP devices. Ambient IoT devices can refer to IoT devices that use various ambient energies, such as radio frequency energy, light energy, solar energy, thermal energy, and mechanical energy. These devices can have no energy storage capacity or very limited energy storage capacity, such as using capacitors with a capacity of tens of microfarads.

[0104] Ambient IoT can be used in at least four scenarios:

[0105] 1. Object recognition, such as logistics, production line product management, and supply chain management;

[0106] 2. Environmental monitoring, such as temperature, humidity, and harmful gas monitoring of the working environment and natural environment;

[0107] 3. Positioning, such as indoor positioning, intelligent object search, production line item positioning, etc.

[0108] 4. Intelligent control, such as intelligent control of various electrical appliances in smart homes (turning on and off air conditioners, adjusting temperature), and intelligent control of various facilities in agricultural greenhouses (automatic irrigation and fertilization).

[0109] 2. Cellular Passive IoT

[0110] As 5G industry applications expand, the types of connected objects and application scenarios will increase, placing higher demands on the cost and power consumption of communication terminals. The application of battery-free, low-cost passive IoT devices has become a key technology for cellular IoT, expanding the types and number of terminals connected to 5G networks and truly realizing the interconnection of everything. Passive IoT devices can be based on zero-power communication technologies, such as RFID, and can be extended to suit cellular IoT.

[0111] For AMP devices, S1G is the most suitable operating frequency band. For example, due to its good coverage, S1G (sub-1 GHz) is the most suitable operating frequency band for communications. Because it allows higher transmit power, S1G is also the most suitable operating frequency band for RF capability acquisition. In some regions or countries, such as China, the S1G band requires mandatory frequency hopping, such as 920 MHz to 925 MHz, and AMP devices are likely to operate in this frequency band.

[0112] In 802.11 systems, beacon frames are transmitted over the primary channel, where the channel bandwidth is 4 MHz out of 20 MHz at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. For S1G, the minimum channel bandwidth for existing 802.11 systems, such as 802.11ah, is 1 MHz. However, in regions outside the United States, such as China, the minimum channel bandwidth is 250 kHz, and frequency hopping is mandatory.

[0113] AMP devices are considered for large-scale deployment due to their low complexity, low power consumption, low cost, and maintenance-free nature. When AMP devices are deployed in 802.11 systems, designing the primary channel for transmitting beacon frames to meet regional or national regulatory requirements is a pressing issue.

[0114] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the technical solutions of the present application are described in detail below through specific embodiments. The above related technologies can be combined arbitrarily with the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application as optional solutions, and all of them fall within the scope of protection of the embodiments of the present application. The embodiments of the present application include at least part of the following contents.

[0115] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication method 200 according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG6 , the method 200 includes at least part of the following:

[0116] S210, the network device sends a main channel in a frequency hopping manner, wherein a beacon frame is sent through the main channel, or the beacon frame is sent through a fixed channel, and the beacon frame is sent to the environment energy AMP device.

[0117] Correspondingly, the AMP device receives the beacon frame through the primary channel, or receives the channel frame through the fixed channel.

[0118] It should be understood that the embodiments of the present application can be applied to a WIFI system (or a system that supports the 802.11 protocol, or an 802.11 system), and the 802.11 protocol can include the existing 802.11, or can also include a new protocol in the future 802.11 family.

[0119] In some embodiments, the network device may be an AP in a WIFI system, etc., which is not limited in this application.

[0120] In the embodiments of the present application, the AMP device is also called an AMP IoT device or an Ambient IoT device, a zero-power device, or a zero-power terminal.

[0121] In some embodiments, an AMP device may be a type of device defined based on characteristics such as device complexity, power consumption, energy source, communication method, and waveform used.

[0122] For example, the AMP device may be a device that communicates based on environmental energy. For example, the AMP device uses environmental energy such as wireless radio frequency energy, light energy, solar energy, thermal energy, and mechanical energy to obtain energy for communication.

[0123] For another example, the AMP device may be a device of low complexity or a device that uses a new waveform, for example, a device that uses a low-order modulation method or a simple waveform or a signal with a smaller bandwidth for communication.

[0124] For another example, the AMP device may be a device that adopts a backscatter communication method.

[0125] In some embodiments, the AMP device may also support active transmission communication.

[0126] In some embodiments, the total number of channels in a communication system (e.g., an 802.11 system) is K, and the primary channel includes one or more of the K channels. For example, the primary channel is the first channel of the K channels (denoted as channel 0), where K is a positive integer.

[0127] In some embodiments, the frequency band where the K channels are located belongs to the S1G frequency band.

[0128] Therefore, the network device sends the main channel for carrying beacon frames through frequency hopping, or sends the main channel through frequency hopping and sends beacon frames through a fixed channel, which can meet the regulatory requirements of some regions or countries (such as China).

[0129] The following describes the specific implementation of the channel for carrying beacon frames in conjunction with specific embodiments.

[0130] Example 1:

[0131] In this embodiment 1, the beacon frame is transmitted through the primary channel.

[0132] In some embodiments, the primary channel frequency hops based on a first frequency hopping pattern.

[0133] In some embodiments, the first frequency hopping pattern is predefined, or the network device may configure the first frequency hopping pattern for the AMP device, for example, dynamically or semi-statically. That is, the network device and the AMP device have the same understanding of the frequency hopping pattern of the primary channel.

[0134] It should be understood that in the embodiment of the present application, the main channel can be frequency-hopped in units of channels, or the main channel can be frequency-hopped in units of other frequency domain units, and the present application does not limit this.

[0135] In some embodiments of the present application, the first frequency hopping pattern is used to indicate N channel indexes, where N is a frequency hopping period, and the N channel indexes are used to indicate channels to which a main channel hops sequentially within a frequency hopping period.

[0136] Optionally, the unit of the frequency hopping period may be a time slot, or other time units, which is not limited in this application.

[0137] As a specific example, the frequency hopping period may be N time slots.

[0138] In some embodiments, the primary channel may perform frequency hopping among all channels (ie, the K channels) supported by the communication system.

[0139] In this case, the value range of the N channel indexes depends on the values ​​of the channel indexes of the K channels.

[0140] In a specific embodiment, the K channels are 20 channels, and the channel indexes are 0-19 respectively. The main channel performs frequency hopping among the 20 channels, and the value range of the N channel indexes can be 0-19.

[0141] As an example, N=4, and the first frequency hopping pattern indicates [0, 6, 12, 15]. Then, within one frequency hopping cycle, the main channel hops in the order of channel 0, channel 6, channel 12, and channel 15.

[0142] In other embodiments, the primary channel may also be frequency-hopped within a subset of all channels supported by the communication system (i.e., the K channels). This approach helps reduce the complexity of beacon frame reception by the AMP device. In this case, the range of values ​​for the N channel indices depends on the values ​​of the channel indices corresponding to the channels in the subset.

[0143] In a specific embodiment, the K channels are 20 channels, and the channel indexes are 0 to 19 respectively. The main channel performs frequency hopping in the subset {0, 4, 8, 12, 16} of the 20 channels, that is, frequency hopping on one channel among 4 consecutive channels, and the value range of the N channel indexes is {0, 4, 8, 12, 16}.

[0144] As an example, N=4, and the first frequency hopping pattern indicates [0, 4, 8, 12]. Then, within one frequency hopping cycle, the main channel hops in the order of channel 0, channel 4, channel 8, and channel 12.

[0145] In other embodiments of the present application, the first frequency hopping pattern can be used to indicate N frequency hopping offsets, where the frequency hopping offset may refer to the number of channels by which the target channel of a frequency hop is offset relative to the starting channel, and N is the frequency hopping period. The frequency hopping offset may be a positive value or a negative value, where a positive value indicates frequency hopping to a channel with a larger index, and a negative value indicates frequency hopping to a channel with a smaller index.

[0146] In a specific embodiment, the K channels are 20 channels, the channel indexes are 0 to 19, N=4, and the first frequency hopping pattern indicates [0, 2, 3, -4]. Then, within one frequency hopping cycle, the main channel hops in the order of channel 0, channel 2 (the frequency hopping offset between channel 2 and channel 0 is 2), channel 5 (the frequency hopping offset between channel 5 and channel 3 is 3), and channel 1 (the frequency hopping offset between channel 1 and channel 5 is -4).

[0147] It should be understood that in the embodiment of the present application, the frequency hopping offsets and frequency hopping directions of two adjacent frequency hoppings in the first frequency hopping pattern may be the same, or may be different, which is limited in the present application.

[0148] For example, within a frequency hopping cycle, the first frequency hop is from channel 0 to channel 3, with a hopping offset of 3 channels. The second frequency hop can have a hopping offset of 3 channels, or another number of channels. The hopping direction of the second frequency hop can be the same as or different from the hopping direction of the first frequency hop. For example, the second frequency hop can be from channel 3 to channel 6, or to another channel, such as channel 4 or channel 5. Alternatively, the second frequency hop can be from channel 3 to channel 0, channel 1, or channel 2.

[0149] In some embodiments, the frequency hopping pattern of the primary channel may be the same within each frequency hopping cycle, for example, the first frequency hopping pattern is predefined, or semi-statically configured, or the frequency hopping pattern of the primary channel may be variable within each frequency hopping cycle, for example, the first frequency hopping pattern is dynamically configured.

[0150] In some embodiments, the duration of the frequency hopping cycle needs to meet preset rules, for example, it needs to be less than or equal to a first duration threshold, which is determined according to the preset rules. For example, the first duration threshold can be t seconds (for example, t=2) specified by some countries or regions, thereby meeting the frequency hopping requirements of some countries or regions that the dwell time on a channel must be less than t seconds. For example, if the frequency hopping cycle is N time slots, the duration of the N time slots needs to be less than or equal to t seconds.

[0151] In some embodiments, the first frequency hopping pattern is generated based on a pseudo-noise (PN) sequence.

[0152] Optionally, multiple frequency hopping patterns may be generated based on the PN sequence for different frequency hopping periods.

[0153] In some embodiments, channels other than the primary channel are also transmitted in a frequency hopping manner.

[0154] That is, the main channel and other channels are sent using frequency hopping.

[0155] In some embodiments, the other channels and the primary channel use the same frequency hopping pattern.

[0156] In some other embodiments, the frequency hopping patterns adopted by the other channels and the main channel have a first frequency hopping offset, and the unit of the first frequency hopping offset is a channel.

[0157] For example, if the frequency hopping pattern of the primary channel is [Δ1, Δ2, …, Δ N ], then the frequency hopping pattern of channel k can be [(Δ1+μ k )mod K,(Δ2+μ k )mod K,…,(Δ N +μ k )mod K], where Δ i Channel index used to indicate frequency hopping, i=1,2,…,N,Δ i The value range is the channel index of K channels, μ k Indicates the frequency hopping offset corresponding to channel k.

[0158] Optionally, the frequency hopping offsets of the frequency hopping patterns of different channels relative to the frequency hopping pattern of the main channel may be the same, or may be different, which is not limited in this application.

[0159] Optionally, other channels except the main channel may not be sent in a frequency hopping manner, that is, only the main channel is sent in a frequency hopping manner.

[0160] The following describes the method of indicating primary channel related information in conjunction with specific embodiments.

[0161] In some embodiments, the primary channel related information may include at least one of the following:

[0162] The initial position of the main channel (or the starting position, such as the initial frequency point), and the frequency hopping information of the main channel (such as the frequency hopping pattern).

[0163] Method 1: Use frames to indicate primary channel related information

[0164] In some embodiments of the present application, the method 200 further includes:

[0165] The network device indicates primary channel related information through a first frame, wherein the first frame includes but is not limited to at least one of the following frames: a beacon frame, an association response frame, a reassociation response frame, and a probe response frame.

[0166] In some embodiments, when a Beacon frame is received, the AMP device may determine that the channel where the Beacon frame is located is the main channel.

[0167] In some embodiments, when a non-Beacon frame such as an Association Response, Reassociation Response, or Probe Response frame is received, the Association Response, Reassociation Response, or Probe Response frame may indicate the location of the primary channel, such as the initial frequency of the primary channel.

[0168] In some embodiments, the first frame includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate information related to the primary channel, such as an initial frequency point of the primary channel and / or a frequency hopping pattern of the primary channel.

[0169] For example, the Beacon frame may carry first indication information, and the first indication information may indicate a frequency hopping pattern of the primary channel.

[0170] For another example, an Association Response, a Reassociation Response, or a Probe Response frame may carry the first indication information, and the first indication information may be used to indicate an initial frequency point of the primary channel and a frequency hopping pattern of the primary channel.

[0171] Optionally, in a case where the frequency hopping pattern of the primary channel is a predefined frequency hopping pattern, the first frame may not indicate the frequency hopping pattern of the primary channel.

[0172] In some embodiments, the first frame may further indicate a frequency of a channel where the first frame is located.

[0173] Method 2: Use the indicator channel to indicate the main channel related information.

[0174] In some embodiments of the present application, the method 200 further includes:

[0175] The network device indicates primary channel related information, such as frequency hopping information of the primary channel, through the first channel.

[0176] In this case, the first signal can be considered as an indicator channel.

[0177] In some embodiments, the network device and the AMP device have the same understanding of the location of the indicator channel, so that the AMP device can obtain main channel related information from the indicator channel.

[0178] In some embodiments, the first channel is a fixed channel (or static channel), for example, a channel indexed by x. Optionally, x is predefined or configured by the network device.

[0179] In some other embodiments, the first channel is transmitted via frequency hopping.

[0180] In some embodiments, the initial frequency point of the first channel may be predefined or configured by the network device.

[0181] In some embodiments, the frequency hopping pattern of the first channel is predefined or configured by the network device.

[0182] That is, in the embodiment of the present application, the AMP device and the network device have the same understanding of the location of the first channel at different times, so the AMP device can obtain main channel related information from the first channel.

[0183] In some embodiments, the frequency hopping patterns of the first channel and the primary channel are the same, or they may be different, which is not limited in this application.

[0184] In some embodiments, the first channel is used to indicate a frequency hopping pattern of the primary channel and / or an initial frequency point of the primary channel.

[0185] In some embodiments, the first channel is used to indicate a frequency hopping offset between a frequency hopping pattern of a primary channel and a frequency hopping pattern of the first channel and / or an initial frequency point of the primary channel. Optionally, the unit of the frequency hopping offset may be a channel.

[0186] For example, if the frequency hopping pattern of the first channel is [O1, O2, ..., O N ], then the frequency hopping pattern of the main channel can be [(O1+offset)mod K,(Δ2+offset)mod K,…,(Δ N + offset) mod K], where O i Channel index used to indicate frequency hopping, i = 1, 2, ..., N, O iThe value range of may be the channel index of K channels, and offset represents the frequency hopping offset between the frequency hopping pattern of the main channel and the frequency hopping pattern of the first channel.

[0187] In some embodiments, when the first channel is transmitted in a frequency hopping manner, the first channel only hops to other channels for a short period of time (eg, Δt), which is equivalent to the AMP device always being able to obtain information related to the main channel in a static channel.

[0188] Optionally, when the first channel does not indicate the initial frequency of the main channel, the initial frequency of the main channel can be acquired through the aforementioned first frame.

[0189] In some embodiments, the beacon frame includes a legacy preamble portion and an AMP portion, wherein the AMP portion can be received by an AMP device, and the legacy preamble portion can be received by a non-AMP device. Optionally, the legacy preamble portion can allow a non-AMP device to identify that a channel is occupied, or can be used by a non-AMP device to determine that the beacon frame is intended for an AMP device.

[0190] In some embodiments, the AMP portion may carry some necessary information for the AMP device to access the channel or receive subsequent frames.

[0191] In some embodiments, the bandwidth of the legacy preamble portion and the bandwidth of the AMP portion need to meet preset rules, such as bandwidth requirements of certain countries or regions.

[0192] For example, the bandwidth of the legacy preamble part is not less than 1 MHz, and the bandwidth of the AMP part is an integer multiple of 250 MHz, for example, 250 MHz.

[0193] In some embodiments, the non-AMP device may be an existing device in the communication system, or a legacy device. For example, the non-AMP device may include a STA in a WIFI system.

[0194] In some embodiments, both the legacy preamble portion and the AMP portion are sent via frequency hopping.

[0195] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a frequency hopping transmission of a legacy preamble part and an AMP part together.

[0196] In other embodiments, the AMP portion is sent via frequency hopping.

[0197] For example, the frequency hopping range of the AMP part does not exceed the bandwidth of the legacy preamble part.

[0198] For an AMP device, the channel carrying the AMP part can be considered as the main channel corresponding to the AMP device. When the AMP part is frequency-hopping transmitted, it is equivalent to the main channel of the AMP device also being frequency-hopping transmitted.

[0199] In one specific embodiment, the bandwidth of the legacy preamble portion is 1 MHz, and the bandwidth of the AMP portion is 250 kHz. The AMP portion can perform frequency hopping transmission within the 1 MHz bandwidth. For example, the 1 MHz bandwidth is divided into four frequency bands: 0-250 kHz, 250 kHz-500 kHz, 500 kHz-750 kHz, and 750 kHz-1 MHz, indexed as bands 0 to 3. The frequency hopping pattern can be [band 0, band 1, band 2, band 3] or [band 0, band 2 band 1, band 3].

[0200] FIG8 is a schematic diagram showing frequency hopping transmission of an AMP part within the bandwidth of a legacy preamble part.

[0201] Embodiment 2: The primary channel is frequency-hopping transmitted, the beacon frame is transmitted through the primary channel, and the beacon frame is transmitted on the semi-static channel.

[0202] The difference from Example 1 is that the beacon frame is transmitted on a semi-static channel, while in Example 1, the beacon frame is transmitted on a dynamic channel. Therefore, the transmission of beacon frames based on Example 2 can, on the one hand, meet the frequency hopping requirements of some countries or regions, and on the other hand, reduce the complexity of the AMP device receiving the beacon frame.

[0203] In some embodiments, the primary channel performs frequency hopping within a first channel set, and the beacon frame is sent on a fixed channel in the first channel set.

[0204] Optionally, the first channel set includes all of the K channels, or may also include part of the K channels.

[0205] In some embodiments, the beacon frame may be transmitted on the channel with the lowest channel index in the first channel set, such as channel 0, or on a channel determined according to other preset rules, which is not limited in this application.

[0206] In some embodiments, on channels other than the fixed channel in the first channel set, the network device remains silent or transmits frames other than beacon frames.

[0207] In some embodiments, the primary channel's dwell time on the fixed channel is less than a second time threshold, i.e., frequency hopping to other channels in the first channel set within the second time interval. Optionally, the second time threshold can be determined according to a preset rule. For example, the second time threshold can be t seconds (e.g., t=2) specified in some countries or regions, thereby meeting the frequency hopping requirement in some countries or regions that the dwell time on a channel must be less than t seconds.

[0208] In some embodiments, assuming that the residence time of the network device on a channel other than the fixed channel is Δt, a duty cycle based on Δt and the residence time of the network device on the fixed channel needs to meet a preset rule.

[0209] In some embodiments, the network device is in an active period for a time period shorter than a predetermined time period, such as z seconds, and beacon frames are transmitted during the active period. Optionally, beacon frames are not allowed to be transmitted during a certain time window when the primary channel hops to a channel other than the fixed channel.

[0210] Figure 9 shows a schematic diagram of a frequency hopping method for a primary channel provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 9, the primary channel can be frequency-hopped across channel 0, channel x, and channel y, and beacon frames can be transmitted on a fixed channel (e.g., channel 0). When the primary channel hops to channel x and channel y, the network device remains silent or can transmit other frames besides the beacon frame.

[0211] It should be understood that in this embodiment 2, the primary channel may also adopt the first frequency hopping pattern for frequency hopping transmission. For specific implementation, refer to the relevant description of embodiment 1, which will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0212] It should also be understood that in this embodiment 2, the method 1 and the method 2 described in embodiment 1 may also be used to indicate the main channel related information. For specific implementation, refer to the relevant description of embodiment 1, and for the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0213] In this embodiment 2, the beacon frame can be transmitted in a similar manner to that in embodiment 1.

[0214] In some implementations, both the traditional preamble portion and the AMP portion in the beacon frame are sent via frequency hopping, as shown in FIG10 .

[0215] In other implementations, the AMP portion of the beacon frame is transmitted on a fixed channel by frequency hopping, for example, the frequency hopping range of the AMP portion does not exceed the bandwidth of the traditional preamble portion, as shown in FIG11 .

[0216] It should be understood that in this embodiment 2, when the beacon frame is transmitted in the main channel and the main channel is frequency hopping transmitted, it can be considered that the beacon frame is also frequency hopping transmitted. When the beacon frame is frequency hopping transmitted, in some cases, the relative position relationship between the traditional preamble part and the AMP part in the beacon frame is fixed, as shown in Figures 7 and 10. Since the traditional preamble part and the AMP part frequency hop together, the relative position between the two does not change. In other cases, the relative position between the traditional preamble part and the AMP part in the beacon frame is variable, as shown in Figures 8 and 11, and the AMP part is frequency hopping transmitted within the bandwidth of the traditional preamble part.

[0217] Embodiment 3: The main channel is transmitted in a frequency hopping manner, and the beacon frame is transmitted in a fixed channel.

[0218] That is, in Example 3, the main channel is transmitted through frequency hopping, and the beacon frame is transmitted on a static channel. Therefore, the transmission of the beacon frame based on Example 3 can meet the frequency hopping requirements of some countries or regions on the one hand, and on the other hand, reduce the complexity of the AMP device receiving the beacon frame.

[0219] Optionally, the fixed channel may be a primary channel, or may not be a primary channel.

[0220] For example, the channel frame is fixedly transmitted on channel 0, or may be fixedly transmitted on other channels.

[0221] Figure 12 shows a schematic diagram of a transmission method for a main channel and a beacon frame, wherein the main channel is transmitted in a frequency hopping manner, and the beacon frame is transmitted on a fixed channel, such as channel 0. The main channel is transmitted in a frequency hopping manner on channel 0, channel x, and channel y.

[0222] It should be understood that in this embodiment 3, the primary channel may adopt the transmission method in embodiment 1, which will not be described here for the sake of brevity.

[0223] It should be understood that in this embodiment 3, the method in embodiment 1 may also be used to indicate the primary channel related information, which will not be described in detail here for the sake of brevity.

[0224] It should be understood that in this embodiment 3, the beacon frame includes a legacy preamble part and an AMP part. The AMP part can be received by an AMP device, and the legacy preamble part can be received by a non-AMP device.

[0225] In some embodiments, both the legacy preamble part and the AMP part are transmitted without frequency hopping.

[0226] In some embodiments, the AMP portion is transmitted via frequency hopping, and the legacy preamble portion is transmitted without frequency hopping.

[0227] For example, the frequency hopping range of the AMP part does not exceed the bandwidth of the legacy preamble part, as shown in Figure 8.

[0228] In summary, in an embodiment of the present application, the network device sends the main channel through frequency hopping, wherein the beacon frame is sent through the main channel, or the beacon frame is sent through a fixed channel, which can meet the frequency hopping requirements for frequency bands in some countries or regions.

[0229] In some implementations, the primary channel is transmitted using a specific frequency hopping pattern, and the beacon frame is transmitted via the primary channel.

[0230] In some implementations, the primary channel is transmitted using a specific frequency hopping pattern, and the beacon frame is transmitted on a fixed channel within the frequency hopping pattern of the primary channel.

[0231] In other implementations, the primary channel is transmitted using a specific pattern, and the beacon frame is transmitted on a fixed channel.

[0232] In some designs, to enable coexistence with existing systems, a beacon frame can include a legacy preamble portion and an AMP portion. The legacy preamble portion can allow non-AMP devices to identify that a channel is occupied, or for non-AMP devices to determine that the beacon frame is intended for an AMP device.

[0233] In some designs, both the legacy preamble part and the AMP part are frequency-hopped for transmission, or only the AMP part is frequency-hopped for transmission, for example, frequency-hopping is performed within the bandwidth of the legacy preamble part.

[0234] The above text, in combination with Figures 6 to 12, describes in detail the method embodiment of the present application. The following text, in combination with Figures 13 to 17, describes in detail the device embodiment of the present application. It should be understood that the device embodiment and the method embodiment correspond to each other, and similar descriptions can refer to the method embodiment.

[0235] FIG13 shows a schematic block diagram of a network device 400 according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG13 , the network device 400 includes:

[0236] The communication unit 410 is configured to send a main channel in a frequency hopping manner, wherein a beacon frame is sent through the main channel, or the beacon frame is sent through a fixed channel, and the beacon frame is sent to an environmental energy AMP device.

[0237] In some embodiments, the primary channel frequency hops based on a first frequency hopping pattern.

[0238] In some embodiments, the first frequency hopping pattern is predefined.

[0239] In some embodiments, the first frequency hopping pattern is used to indicate N channel indices, where N is a frequency hopping period, and the N channel indices are used to indicate channels that are frequency-hopped sequentially within a frequency hopping period.

[0240] In some embodiments, the frequency hopping pattern of the primary channel is the same in each frequency hopping period, or the frequency hopping pattern of the primary channel is variable.

[0241] In some embodiments, the first frequency hopping pattern is generated based on a pseudo noise (PN) sequence.

[0242] In some embodiments, channels other than the primary channel are also transmitted in a frequency hopping manner.

[0243] In some embodiments, the other channels and the primary channel use the same frequency hopping pattern.

[0244] In some embodiments, the frequency hopping patterns adopted by the other channels and the primary channel have a first frequency hopping offset, and the unit of the first frequency hopping offset is a channel.

[0245] In some embodiments, the primary channel performs frequency hopping within a first channel set, and the beacon frame is sent on a fixed channel in the first channel set, where the first channel set includes part or all of all channels.

[0246] In some embodiments, on channels other than the fixed channel in the first channel set, the network device remains silent or transmits frames other than beacon frames.

[0247] In some embodiments, the method communication unit 410 is further configured to:

[0248] The frequency hopping information of the primary channel is indicated by a first frame, wherein the first frame includes at least one of the following frames: a beacon frame, an association response frame, a reassociation response frame, and a probe response frame.

[0249] In some embodiments, the first frame includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate an initial frequency point of the primary channel and / or a frequency hopping pattern of the primary channel.

[0250] In some embodiments, the first frame is further used to indicate the frequency of the channel where the first frame is located.

[0251] In some embodiments, the method communication unit 410 is further configured to:

[0252] Frequency hopping information of the primary channel is indicated through the first channel.

[0253] In some embodiments, the first channel is a fixed channel, or the first channel is also sent in a frequency hopping manner.

[0254] In some embodiments, the first channel is used to indicate a frequency hopping pattern of the primary channel or a frequency hopping offset between the frequency hopping pattern of the primary channel and the frequency hopping pattern of the first channel.

[0255] In some embodiments, the primary channel performs frequency hopping within a first set of channels, the first set of channels including a portion of all channels.

[0256] In some embodiments, the beacon frame includes a legacy preamble portion and an AMP portion, the target receiving device of the AMP portion is an AMP device, and the target receiving device of the legacy preamble portion is a non-AMP device.

[0257] In some embodiments, both the legacy preamble portion and the AMP portion are sent via frequency hopping.

[0258] In some embodiments, the AMP portion is transmitted via frequency hopping.

[0259] In some embodiments, the frequency hopping range of the AMP portion does not exceed the bandwidth of the legacy preamble portion.

[0260] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the communication unit may be a communication interface or a transceiver, or an input / output interface of a communication chip or a system on chip. The processing unit may be one or more processors.

[0261] It should be understood that the network device 400 according to the embodiment of the present application may correspond to the network device in the embodiment of the method of the present application, and the above-mentioned and other operations and / or functions of each unit in the network device 400 are respectively for realizing the corresponding processes of the network device in the method shown in Figures 6 to 12. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0262] FIG14 shows a schematic block diagram of an environmental energy AMP device 500 according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG14 , the AMP device 500 includes:

[0263] The communication unit 510 is configured to receive a main channel sent by a network device in a frequency hopping manner, wherein a beacon frame sent to the AMP device is sent through the main channel, or the beacon frame is sent through a fixed channel.

[0264] In some embodiments, the primary channel frequency hops based on a first frequency hopping pattern.

[0265] In some embodiments, the first frequency hopping pattern is predefined or configured by the network device.

[0266] In some embodiments, the first frequency hopping pattern is used to indicate N channel indices, where N is a frequency hopping period, and the N channel indices are used to indicate channels that are frequency-hopped sequentially within a frequency hopping period.

[0267] In some embodiments, the frequency hopping pattern of the primary channel is the same in each frequency hopping period, or the frequency hopping pattern of the primary channel is variable.

[0268] In some embodiments, the first frequency hopping pattern is generated based on a pseudo noise (PN) sequence.

[0269] In some embodiments, channels other than the primary channel are also transmitted in a frequency hopping manner.

[0270] In some embodiments, the other channels and the primary channel use the same frequency hopping pattern.

[0271] In some embodiments, the frequency hopping patterns adopted by the other channels and the primary channel have a first frequency hopping offset, and the unit of the first frequency hopping offset is a channel.

[0272] In some embodiments, the primary channel performs frequency hopping within a first channel set, and the beacon frame is sent on a fixed channel in the first channel set, where the first channel set includes part or all of all channels.

[0273] In some embodiments, on channels other than the fixed channel in the first channel set, the network device remains silent or transmits frames other than beacon frames.

[0274] In some embodiments, the communication unit 510 is also used to: receive a first frame sent by a network device, the first frame being used to indicate frequency hopping information of the main channel, wherein the first frame includes at least one of the following frames: a beacon frame, an association response frame, a reassociation response frame, and a probe response frame.

[0275] In some embodiments, the first frame includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate an initial frequency point of the primary channel and / or a frequency hopping pattern of the primary channel.

[0276] In some embodiments, the first frame is further used to indicate the frequency of the channel where the first frame is located.

[0277] In some embodiments, the communication unit 510 is further configured to: receive a first channel sent by the network device, where the first channel is used to indicate frequency hopping information of the primary channel.

[0278] In some embodiments, the first channel is a fixed channel, or the first channel is also sent in a frequency hopping manner.

[0279] In some embodiments, the first channel is used to indicate a frequency hopping pattern of the primary channel or a frequency hopping offset between the frequency hopping pattern of the primary channel and the frequency hopping pattern of the first channel.

[0280] In some embodiments, the primary channel performs frequency hopping within a first set of channels, the first set of channels including a portion of all channels.

[0281] In some embodiments, the beacon frame includes a legacy preamble portion and an AMP portion, the target receiving device of the AMP portion is an AMP device, and the target receiving device of the legacy preamble portion is a non-AMP device.

[0282] In some embodiments, both the legacy preamble portion and the AMP portion are sent via frequency hopping.

[0283] In some embodiments, the AMP portion is transmitted via frequency hopping.

[0284] In some embodiments, the frequency hopping range of the AMP portion does not exceed the bandwidth of the legacy preamble portion.

[0285] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the communication unit may be a communication interface or a transceiver, or an input / output interface of a communication chip or a system on chip. The processing unit may be one or more processors.

[0286] It should be understood that the AMP device 500 according to the embodiment of the present application may correspond to the AMP device in the embodiment of the method of the present application, and the above-mentioned and other operations and / or functions of each unit in the AMP device 500 are respectively for realizing the corresponding processes of the AMP device in the method shown in Figures 6 to 12. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0287] Figure 15 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 600 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 600 shown in Figure 15 includes a processor 610, which can call and run a computer program from a memory to implement the method in the embodiment of the present application.

[0288] Optionally, as shown in FIG15 , the communication device 600 may further include a memory 620. The processor 610 may call and execute a computer program from the memory 620 to implement the method in the embodiment of the present application.

[0289] The memory 620 may be a separate device independent of the processor 610 , or may be integrated into the processor 610 .

[0290] Optionally, as shown in FIG15 , the communication device 600 may further include a transceiver 630 , and the processor 610 may control the transceiver 630 to communicate with other devices, specifically, to send information or data to other devices, or to receive information or data sent by other devices.

[0291] The transceiver 630 may include a transmitter and a receiver. The transceiver 630 may further include an antenna, and the number of antennas may be one or more.

[0292] Optionally, the communication device 600 may specifically be a network device in an embodiment of the present application, and the communication device 600 may implement the corresponding processes implemented by the network device in each method in the embodiment of the present application. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0293] Optionally, the communication device 600 may specifically be an AMP device in an embodiment of the present application, and the communication device 600 may implement the corresponding processes implemented by the AMP device in each method in the embodiment of the present application. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0294] Figure 16 is a schematic structural diagram of a chip according to an embodiment of the present application. The chip 700 shown in Figure 16 includes a processor 710, which can call and run a computer program from a memory to implement the method according to the embodiment of the present application.

[0295] Optionally, as shown in FIG16 , the chip 700 may further include a memory 720 , wherein the processor 710 may call and execute a computer program from the memory 720 to implement the method in the embodiment of the present application.

[0296] The memory 720 may be a separate device independent of the processor 710 , or may be integrated into the processor 710 .

[0297] Optionally, the chip 700 may further include an input interface 730. The processor 710 may control the input interface 730 to communicate with other devices or chips, and specifically, may obtain information or data sent by other devices or chips.

[0298] Optionally, the chip 700 may further include an output interface 740. The processor 710 may control the output interface 740 to communicate with other devices or chips, and specifically, may output information or data to other devices or chips.

[0299] Optionally, the chip can be applied to the network device in the embodiments of the present application, and the chip can implement the corresponding processes implemented by the network device in each method of the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0300] Optionally, the chip can be applied to the mobile terminal / terminal device in the embodiments of the present application, and the chip can implement the corresponding processes implemented by the mobile terminal / terminal device in the various methods of the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0301] It should be understood that the chip mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can also be called a system-level chip, a system chip, a chip system or a system-on-chip chip, etc.

[0302] FIG17 is a schematic block diagram of a communication system 900 provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG17 , the communication system 900 includes an AMP device 910 and a network device 920 .

[0303] Among them, the AMP device 910 can be used to implement the corresponding functions implemented by the AMP device in the above method, and the network device 920 can be used to implement the corresponding functions implemented by the network device in the above method. For the sake of brevity, they are not repeated here.

[0304] It should be understood that the processor of the embodiments of the present application may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. During implementation, each step of the above method embodiment can be completed by hardware integrated logic circuits in the processor or software instructions. The above processor can be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components. The various methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented or executed. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware decoding processor, or can be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software module can be located in a storage medium mature in the art, such as random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, etc. The storage medium is located in the memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and completes the steps of the above method in combination with its hardware.

[0305] It is understood that the memory in the embodiments of the present application may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be a random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct RAM bus random access memory (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory of the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0306] It should be understood that the above-mentioned memories are exemplary but not restrictive. For example, the memories in the embodiments of the present application may also be static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct RAM RAM (DR RAM), etc. In other words, the memories in the embodiments of the present application are intended to include, but are not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memories.

[0307] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program.

[0308] Optionally, the computer-readable storage medium can be applied to the network device in the embodiments of the present application, and the computer program enables the computer to execute the corresponding processes implemented by the network device in the various methods of the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, they are not repeated here.

[0309] Optionally, the computer-readable storage medium can be applied to the mobile terminal / terminal device in the embodiments of the present application, and the computer program enables the computer to execute the corresponding processes implemented by the mobile terminal / terminal device in the various methods of the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0310] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product, including computer program instructions.

[0311] Optionally, the computer program product can be applied to the network device in the embodiments of the present application, and the computer program instructions enable the computer to execute the corresponding processes implemented by the network device in the various methods of the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, they are not repeated here.

[0312] Optionally, the computer program product can be applied to the mobile terminal / terminal device in the embodiments of the present application, and the computer program instructions enable the computer to execute the corresponding processes implemented by the mobile terminal / terminal device in the various methods of the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0313] The embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program.

[0314] Optionally, the computer program can be applied to the network device in the embodiments of the present application. When the computer program runs on a computer, the computer executes the corresponding processes implemented by the network device in the various methods of the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, they are not described here.

[0315] Optionally, the computer program can be applied to the mobile terminal / terminal device in the embodiments of the present application. When the computer program runs on the computer, the computer executes the corresponding processes implemented by the mobile terminal / terminal device in the various methods of the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0316] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0317] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0318] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely schematic. For example, the division of the units is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0319] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of these units may be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0320] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0321] If the functions are implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or the part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0322] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present application should be included in the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A wireless communication method, characterized in that: include: The network device sends a main channel in a frequency hopping manner, wherein a beacon frame is sent through the main channel, or the beacon frame is sent through a fixed channel, and the beacon frame is sent to an environmental energy AMP device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The primary channel performs frequency hopping based on a first frequency hopping pattern.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The first frequency hopping pattern is predefined.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The first frequency hopping pattern is used to indicate N channel indexes, where N is a frequency hopping period, and the N channel indexes are used to indicate channels that hop sequentially within a frequency hopping period.

5. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that: In each frequency hopping period, the frequency hopping pattern of the main channel is the same, or the frequency hopping pattern of the main channel is variable.

6. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that: The first frequency hopping pattern is generated based on a pseudo noise (PN) sequence.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that Other channels except the main channel are also sent in a frequency hopping manner.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The other channels and the main channel use the same frequency hopping pattern.

9. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that: The frequency hopping patterns adopted by the other channels and the main channel have a first frequency hopping offset, and the unit of the first frequency hopping offset is a channel.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that The main channel performs frequency hopping within a first channel set, and the beacon frame is sent on a fixed channel in the first channel set, wherein the first channel set includes part or all of all channels.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that On other channels in the first channel set except the fixed channel, the network device remains silent or transmits other frames except the beacon frame.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that The method further comprises: The network device indicates the frequency hopping information of the primary channel through a first frame, wherein the first frame includes at least one of the following frames: a beacon frame, an association response frame, a reassociation response frame, and a probe response frame.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The first frame includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate an initial frequency point of the primary channel and / or a frequency hopping pattern of the primary channel.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that The first frame is also used to indicate the frequency of the channel where the first frame is located.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that The method further comprises: The network device indicates frequency hopping information of the main channel through the first channel.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The first channel is a fixed channel, or the first channel is also sent in a frequency hopping manner.

17. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The first channel is used to indicate a frequency hopping pattern of the primary channel or a frequency hopping offset between the frequency hopping pattern of the primary channel and the frequency hopping pattern of the first channel.

18. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that The primary channel performs frequency hopping within a first set of channels, the first set of channels including a portion of all channels.

19. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that The beacon frame includes a traditional preamble part and an AMP part, the target receiving device of the AMP part is an AMP device, and the target receiving device of the traditional preamble part is a non-AMP device.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that The traditional preamble part and the AMP part are both sent in a frequency hopping manner.

21. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that The AMP part is sent by frequency hopping.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that The frequency hopping range of the AMP part does not exceed the bandwidth of the traditional preamble part.

23. A wireless communication method, characterized in that: include: The ambient energy device AMP device receives a main channel sent by a network device in a frequency hopping manner, wherein a beacon frame sent to the AMP device is sent through the main channel, or the beacon frame is sent through a fixed channel.

24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that The primary channel performs frequency hopping based on a first frequency hopping pattern.

25. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that The first frequency hopping pattern is predefined or configured by the network device.

26. The method according to claim 24 or 25, characterized in that The first frequency hopping pattern is used to indicate N channel indexes, where N is a frequency hopping period, and the N channel indexes are used to indicate channels that are frequency-hopped sequentially within a frequency hopping period.

27. The method according to any one of claims 24 to 26, characterized in that In each frequency hopping period, the frequency hopping pattern of the main channel is the same, or the frequency hopping pattern of the main channel is variable.

28. The method according to any one of claims 24 to 27, characterized in that The first frequency hopping pattern is generated based on a pseudo noise (PN) sequence.

29. The method according to any one of claims 23 to 28, characterized in that Other channels except the main channel are also sent in a frequency hopping manner.

30. The method according to claim 29, characterized in that The other channels and the main channel use the same frequency hopping pattern.

31. The method according to claim 29, characterized in that The frequency hopping patterns adopted by the other channels and the main channel have a first frequency hopping offset, and the unit of the first frequency hopping offset is a channel.

32. The method according to any one of claims 23 to 31, characterized in that The main channel performs frequency hopping within a first channel set, and the beacon frame is sent on a fixed channel in the first channel set, wherein the first channel set includes part or all of all channels.

33. The method according to claim 32, characterized in that On other channels in the first channel set except the fixed channel, the network device remains silent or transmits other frames except the beacon frame.

34. The method according to any one of claims 23 to 33, characterized in that The method further comprises: The AMP device receives a first frame sent by a network device, where the first frame is used to indicate frequency hopping information of the primary channel, wherein the first frame includes at least one of the following frames: a beacon frame, an association response frame, a reassociation response frame, and a detection response frame.

35. The method according to claim 34, characterized in that The first frame includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate an initial frequency point of the primary channel and / or a frequency hopping pattern of the primary channel.

36. The method according to claim 34 or 35, characterized in that The first frame is also used to indicate the frequency of the channel where the first frame is located.

37. The method according to any one of claims 23 to 36, characterized in that The method further comprises: The AMP device receives a first channel sent by the network device, where the first channel is used to indicate frequency hopping information of the main channel.

38. The method according to claim 37, characterized in that The first channel is a fixed channel, or the first channel is also sent in a frequency hopping manner.

39. The method according to claim 37, characterized in that The first channel is used to indicate a frequency hopping pattern of the primary channel or a frequency hopping offset between the frequency hopping pattern of the primary channel and the frequency hopping pattern of the first channel.

40. The method according to any one of claims 23 to 39, characterized in that The primary channel performs frequency hopping within a first set of channels, the first set of channels including a portion of all channels.

41. The method according to any one of claims 23 to 40, characterized in that The beacon frame includes a traditional preamble part and an AMP part, the target receiving device of the AMP part is an AMP device, and the target receiving device of the traditional preamble part is a non-AMP device.

42. The method according to claim 41, characterized in that The traditional preamble part and the AMP part are both sent in a frequency hopping manner.

43. The method according to claim 41, characterized in that The AMP part is sent by frequency hopping.

44. The method according to claim 43, characterized in that The frequency hopping range of the AMP part does not exceed the bandwidth of the traditional preamble part.

45. A network device, characterized in that: include: A communication unit is used to send a main channel by frequency hopping, wherein a beacon frame is sent through the main channel, or the beacon frame is sent through a fixed channel, and the beacon frame is sent to an environmental energy AMP device.

46. ​​An environmental energy AMP device, characterized in that: include: The communication unit is used to receive a main channel sent by a network device through a frequency hopping manner, wherein a beacon frame sent to the AMP device is sent through the main channel, or the beacon frame is sent through a fixed channel.

47. A network device, characterized in that: include: A processor and a memory, the memory being used to store a computer program, the processor being used to call and run the computer program stored in the memory to execute the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 22.

48. An environmental energy AMP device, characterized in that: include: A processor and a memory, the memory being used to store a computer program, the processor being used to call and run the computer program stored in the memory to execute the method as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 44.

49. A chip, characterized in that: include: A processor, configured to call and run a computer program from a memory, so that a device equipped with the chip executes a method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 22, or a method as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 44.

50. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that Used to store a computer program, the computer program causing a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 23 to 44, or the method according to any one of claims 23 to 44.

51. A computer program product, characterized in that The method comprises computer program instructions which cause a computer to execute the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 22 or the method as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 44.

52. A computer program, characterized in that The computer program causes a computer to execute the method as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 44, or the method as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 44.

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