Wireless communication method and communication device

Abstract

The invention provides a wireless communication method and communication equipment. The method of wireless communication includes a first device transmitting a first frame to a second device, the first frame including first information associated with a first mode of operation of the first device, the first mode of operation allowing the first device to communicate in a different mode of capability in a wake-up state.

Description

[0001] Case Analysis This invention is a divisional application of Chinese patent application number 202480019825.X, entitled "Method and Communication Device for Wireless Communication", which entered the Chinese national phase of PCT international patent application PCT / CN2024 / 085650, filed on April 2, 2024. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and more specifically, to a method and device for wireless communication. Background Technology

[0003] To reduce the power consumption of communication equipment (such as access points and sites), related technologies have introduced power-save modes. However, current power-save modes are inflexible and cannot achieve good energy-saving effects while adapting to communication capabilities (such as frame switching capabilities). Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a method and apparatus for wireless communication. The various aspects covered by this application are described below.

[0005] In a first aspect, a wireless communication method is provided, comprising: a first device sending a first frame to a second device, the first frame including first information, the first information being associated with a first operating mode of the first device, the first operating mode allowing the first device to communicate in different capability modes while in a wake-up state.

[0006] In a second aspect, a wireless communication method is provided, comprising: a second device receiving a first frame sent by a first device, the first frame including first information, the first information being associated with a first operating mode of the first device, the first operating mode allowing the first device to communicate in different capability modes while in a wake-up state.

[0007] Thirdly, a communication device is provided, the communication device being a first device, the communication device comprising: a first transmitting module, configured to transmit a first frame to a second device, the first frame including first information, the first information being associated with a first operating mode of the first device, the first operating mode allowing the first device to communicate in different capability modes while in a wake-up state.

[0008] Fourthly, a communication device is provided, the communication device being a second device, the communication device comprising: a first receiving module, configured to receive a first frame sent by a first device, the first frame including first information, the first information being associated with a first operating mode of the first device, the first operating mode allowing the first device to communicate in different capability modes while in a wake-up state.

[0009] Fifthly, a communication device is provided, including a transceiver, a processor, and a memory, the memory for storing one or more computer programs, and the processor for invoking the computer programs in the memory to enable some or all of the steps of the methods described in the preceding aspects of the communication device.

[0010] Sixthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication system that includes the aforementioned communication device. In another possible design, the system may further include other devices that interact with the communication device as described in the embodiments of this application.

[0011] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program that causes a communication device to perform some or all of the steps in the methods described above.

[0012] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product, wherein the computer program product includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program operable to cause a communication device to perform some or all of the steps of the methods described in the foregoing aspects. In some implementations, the computer program product may be a software installation package.

[0013] Ninthly, embodiments of this application provide a chip including a memory and a processor, the processor being able to call and run a computer program from the memory to implement some or all of the steps described in the methods of the foregoing aspects.

[0014] This application introduces a first operating mode, which allows the first device to communicate in different capability modes while in a wake-up state. In this way, the first device can select different capability modes to communicate according to different situations while in a wake-up state, which is beneficial to achieve better energy saving while ensuring communication capabilities. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a system architecture example diagram of a wireless communication system to which the embodiments of this application are applicable.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating a wireless communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0017] Figure 3 This is an example diagram of a first operating mode based on negotiation control provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0018] Figure 4 This is another example diagram of the first operating mode based on negotiation control provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0019] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating a wireless communication method provided in another embodiment of this application.

[0020] Figure 6 This is an example diagram showing the format of the first subfield.

[0021] Figure 7 This is an example diagram showing the format of the second subfield.

[0022] Figure 8 This is an example diagram showing the format of the capability-adaptive energy-saving control subfield.

[0023] Figure 9 This is an example diagram showing the format of the capability-adaptive energy-saving delay parameter subfield.

[0024] Figure 10 This is an example diagram showing the format of the subfield of the low-capability operation mode parameter.

[0025] Figure 11 This is an example diagram showing the format of the subfields of the high-capacity operation mode parameters.

[0026] Figure 12 This is an example diagram showing the format of the third subfield.

[0027] Figure 13 This is an example diagram showing the format of the subfield of the target capability pattern operation parameter.

[0028] Figure 14 This is an example diagram of a control frame capable of adapting to dynamic control in energy-saving modes.

[0029] Figure 15 This is an example diagram showing the format of the response subfield for capability adaptation and energy-saving mode switching.

[0030] Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0031] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in another embodiment of this application.

[0032] Figure 18 This is a schematic structural diagram of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The technical solutions in this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] Communication system The technical solutions of this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as wireless local area networks (WLAN), wireless fidelity (WiFi), high-performance radio local area networks (HIPELAN), wide area networks (WAN), cellular networks, or other communication systems. For example, the technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to communication systems using the 802.11 standard. Exemplarily, the 802.11 standard includes, but is not limited to, the 802.11ax standard, the 802.11be standard, and next-generation 802.11 standards.

[0035] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a communication system to which embodiments of this application are applicable is shown. See also Figure 1 As shown, the communication equipment in the communication system 100 may include access point (AP) 111, AP 112, and station (STA) 121 and STA 122. STA 121 can access the network through AP 111, and STA 122 can access the network through AP 112.

[0036] In some implementations, a STA can establish an association with one or more APs, after which the associated STA and APs can communicate with each other. See also Figure 1 As shown, AP 111 and STA 121 can communicate after establishing an association, and AP 112 and STA 122 can communicate after establishing an association.

[0037] In some implementations, the communication in the communication system 100 can be communication between the AP and a non-AP STA, communication between two non-AP STAs, or communication between a STA and a peer STA. Here, a peer STA can refer to a device that communicates with the STA's counterpart. For example, a peer STA may be an AP or a non-AP STA.

[0038] It should be understood that Figure 1Two AP STAs and two non-AP STAs are illustrated exemplarily. The communication system 100 may also include more AP STAs, or the communication system 100 may include other numbers of non-AP STAs. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0039] In addition, the above-mentioned communication system can be applied to scenarios involving multi-device collaboration, such as multi-AP (multi-access point) collaboration or multi-site collaboration.

[0040] In the embodiments of this application, the names of AP and / or STA are not limited. In some scenarios, AP can also be called AP STA, that is, in a sense, AP is also a kind of STA. In other scenarios, STA can be called non-AP STA.

[0041] In some scenarios, the aforementioned communication equipment can also be a "multi-link device (MLD)," meaning a device that can communicate through multiple communication links. These multiple communication links can include communication links in different frequency bands, such as millimeter-wave bands and / or low-frequency bands. Typically, if the multi-link device is an access point (AP), it can also be called a "multi-link AP." If the multi-link device is a stand-alone device (STA), it can also be called a "multi-link STA."

[0042] In this application embodiment, the AP can be a device in a wireless network. The AP can be a communication server, router, switch, bridge, or other communication entity. Alternatively, the AP can include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, etc. Of course, the AP can also be a chip, circuit, or processing system within these various forms of devices, thereby implementing the methods and functions of this application embodiment. APs can be applied in various scenarios, such as sensor nodes in smart cities (e.g., smart water meters, smart electricity meters, smart air quality monitoring nodes), smart devices in smart homes (e.g., smart cameras, projectors, displays, televisions, audio equipment, refrigerators, washing machines, etc.), nodes in the Internet of Things (IoT), entertainment terminals (e.g., AR, VR wearable devices), smart devices in smart offices (e.g., printers, projectors, etc.), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) devices, and some infrastructure in daily life scenarios (e.g., vending machines, supermarket self-service navigation kiosks, self-service checkout machines, self-service ordering machines, etc.).

[0043] In some implementations, the role of the STA in the communication system is not absolute; in some scenarios, the STA can act as an AP. For example, in a scenario where a mobile phone connects to a router, the mobile phone can be a non-AP STA, while when the mobile phone acts as a hotspot for other mobile phones, it takes on the role of an AP.

[0044] In the embodiments of this application, the STA can be a device with wireless transceiver capabilities, such as one that supports the 802.11 series of protocols and can communicate with the AP or other STAs. For example, an STA is any user communication device that allows users to communicate with the AP and thus with the WLAN. STAs include, for example, user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication equipment, user agent, or user device, etc.

[0045] In this application embodiment, the STA can also be a device that provides voice / data connectivity to the user, such as a handheld device or vehicle-mounted device with wireless connectivity. Examples include: mobile phones, tablets, laptops, PDAs, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving vehicles, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, in-vehicle devices, wearable devices, terminal devices in 5G networks, or future public land mobile communication networks. Terminal devices in a network (PLMN), etc., are not limited to this in the embodiments of this application.

[0046] By way of example and not limitation, in this embodiment, the STA can also be a wearable device. Wearable devices, also known as wearable smart devices, are a general term for devices that utilize wearable technology to intelligently design and develop everyday wearables, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes. Examples include smartwatches or smart glasses, as well as devices that focus on a specific type of application function and require cooperation with other devices such as smartphones, such as various smart bracelets and smart jewelry for vital sign monitoring.

[0047] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the STA can also be a terminal device in an Internet of Things (IoT) system. IoT is an important component of future information technology development, and its main technical feature is connecting objects to networks through communication technologies, thereby realizing an intelligent network for human-machine interconnection and object-to-object interconnection. In this embodiment, IoT technology can achieve massive connectivity, deep coverage, and low terminal power consumption through technologies such as narrowband (NB).

[0048] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the STA can be a device in a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) system. The communication methods in a V2X system are collectively referred to as V2X (where X represents anything). For example, V2X communication includes: vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication, vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) communication, or vehicle-to-network (V2N) communication, etc.

[0049] In addition, in the embodiments of this application, the STA may also include sensors such as smart printers, train detectors, and gas stations. Its main functions include collecting data (some terminal devices), receiving control information and downlink data from the AP, and sending electromagnetic waves to transmit data to the AP.

[0050] In addition, the AP in this application embodiment can be a device for communicating with the STA. The AP can be a network device in a wireless local area network, and the AP can be used to communicate with the STA through the wireless local area network.

[0051] From the perspective of the communication standards supported by the AP, in some implementations, the AP can be a device that supports the 802.11be standard. The AP can also be a device that supports various current and future 802.11 family WLAN standards such as 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, and 802.11a.

[0052] From the perspective of the communication standards supported by the STA, in some implementations, non-AP STAs can support the 802.11be standard. Non-AP STAs can also support various current and future 802.11 family of wireless local area networks (WLANs), such as 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, and 802.11a.

[0053] In this application embodiment, the frequency bands supported by WLAN technology are not limited. In some implementations, the frequency bands supported by WLAN technology may include, but are not limited to: low frequency bands (e.g., 2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz) and high frequency bands (e.g., 45GHz, 60GHz).

[0054] It should be understood that the specific forms of STA and AP are not specifically limited in the embodiments of this application, and are merely illustrative examples.

[0055] Power Management Currently, some specifications or protocols (such as IEEE 802.11) define that non-AP STAs can adopt the following two power management modes: active mode and power saving mode.

[0056] When a STA is in active mode (or wake-up state), it can receive and transmit frames at any time. In some embodiments, "STA in active mode" can also be understood as the STA remaining in a wake-up state in active mode. For example, a high-efficiency (HE) STA remains wake-up in active mode. Another example is a HE STA remaining wake-up in active mode unless the HE STA becomes unavailable. It should be noted that an unavailable STA cannot receive Physical Layer Protocol Data Units (PPDUs). Scenarios that allow a STA to become unavailable include one or more of the following: opportunistic power save, intra-PPDU powersave for non-AP HE STAs, and target wake time (TWT) information frame exchange.

[0057] The power-saving mode includes two power states: awake state and doze state. When the STA is in awake state, it is fully powered on. When the STA is in doze state, it cannot send or receive non-wake-up PPDUs (non-WUR PPDUs) and consumes very little power. In power-saving mode, once the STA enters awake state, it can receive or send frames; otherwise, it will remain in doze state.

[0058] Spatial multiplexing (SM) energy saving In related technologies, the STA consumes power across all active receive chains, even though the STA may not necessarily need all active receive chains for actual frame switching. To address this issue, the SM power-saving feature allows non-AP STAs to use only one active receive chain most of the time.

[0059] The STA uses the PHY-RXCONFIG.request primitive to control which receive chains are active. The PHY-RXCONFIG.request primitive defines the PHYCONFIG_VECTOR parameter ACTIVE_RXCHAIN_SET to indicate which receive chain the STA should be active.

[0060] SM power saving mode (or SM operation mode) can include dynamic SM power saving mode and static SM power saving mode. The following explanation uses non-AP STAs, including high throughput (HT) STAs, as an example.

[0061] In Dynamic SM Power Saving Mode, HT STAs enable multiple receive chains upon receiving the start of a frame exchange sequence addressed to them; Enhanced Directional Multi-Gigabit (EDMG) STAs enable multiple receive chains only when a received frame indicates that subsequent transmissions require activation of multiple receive chains. Such a frame exchange sequence should begin with a single spatial stream addressable frame, which is not a trigger frame but requires an immediate response and is addressed to the STA in Dynamic SM Power Saving Mode. For HT STAs, the request-to-send (RTS) / clear-to-send (CTS) sequence can be used for this purpose. For EDMG STAs in Dynamic SM Power Saving Mode, the grant / grant acknowledgment sequence is required. Depending on their spatial stream capabilities and operating mode, the STA should be able to receive PPDUs transmitted using multiple spatial streams after a short interframe space (SIFS) following the transmission of a PPDU that ends as an immediate response. After the frame exchange sequence ends, the STA can immediately switch back to single receive chain mode.

[0062] In static SM power-saving mode, the STA maintains only one active receiver chain.

[0063] STAs can use SM power-saving frames to communicate their SM power-saving status. The SM power save subfield in the HT capabilities element or EDMG capabilities element of the STA's association request frame (or reassociation request frame), or the SM power save subfield in the HE 6 GHz band capabilities element of the STA's association request frame (or reassociation request frame), can also achieve the purpose of the STA communicating its SM power-saving status. SM power-saving frames can carry an SM power control field. The SM power save enabled subfield within the SM power control field indicates whether the STA has enabled the SM power-saving function. The SM Mode subfield within the SM power control field indicates the SM power-saving mode. That is, the SM mode can indicate whether the STA uses dynamic or static SM power-saving mode. The scheme using association request frames (or reassociation request frames) allows the STA to use a single receive chain immediately after association (or reassociation). For example, the SM power saving subfield of the HT capability element or HE 6 GHz bandwidth capability element carried in the association request frame (or reassociation request frame) can indicate the SM power saving mode that runs immediately after association (or reassociation).

[0064] It should be noted that the number of active receiver chains will only be changed after the SM power-saving mode indication is successfully transmitted (i.e., by confirming a frame carrying HT or EDMG capability elements, or by confirming a frame carrying HE 6 GHz band capability elements, or by confirming an SM power-saving frame). The SM power-saving mode indication should be transmitted using separately addressed frames.

[0065] For HE non-AP STAs in dynamic SM power saving mode, if HE dynamic SM power saving is supported, the dynamic SM power saving procedure should be followed. Furthermore, if the trigger frame responding to the initiating frame exchange sequence meets the following conditions, multiple receive chains should also be enabled. These conditions include: the trigger frame is transmitted in a single spatial stream; the trigger frame originates from the associated AP; the trigger frame is a MU-RTS trigger frame, a buffer status report poll (BSRP) trigger frame, or a BQRP trigger frame; and it contains a user information field whose AID12 subfield is equal to the 12 least significant bits of the HE non-AP STA's association identifier (AID).

[0066] HE non-AP STAs should be able to receive PPDUs transmitted using multiple spatial streams after the SIFS, which ends with the transmission of a PPDU in response, depending on their spatial stream capabilities and operating mode. HE non-AP STAs can immediately switch back to single-receive-chain mode after the frame exchange sequence ends.

[0067] Enhanced multi-link single radio (EMLSR) operation EMLSR operation allows a non-AP MLD with multiple receive links to listen on one or more EMLSR links. The corresponding non-AP STA attached to the non-AP MLD is in a wake-up state, thus receiving the initial control frame sent by the AP attached to the AP MLD using a non-HT (repeated) PPDU, and participating in frame switching on the link where the initial control frame is received.

[0068] A non-AP MLD can specify a set of enabled links between itself and its associated AP MLD that operate in EMLSR mode. The set of links specified as enabled and applying EMLSR mode is called an EMLSR link. If a non-AP STA associated with a non-AP MLD is awake on one of the EMLSR links, then a site associated with that non-AP MLD that is not active on an EMLSR-enabled link should be in a dormant state.

[0069] When a non-AP MLD is running in EMLSR mode on an EMLSR link, a non-AP STA that is running on the EMLSR link and attached to the non-AP MLD cannot run in dynamic SM power saving mode on the EMLSR link.

[0070] In EMLSR mode, non-AP MLDs and AP MLDs that support EMLSR mode can perform operations using rules 1 to 4.

[0071] Rule 1: The non-AP MLD should be able to listen to the EMLSR link by waking up its associated non-AP STA corresponding to the EMLSR link. Listening operations include CCA and receiving the initial control frame for frame switching initiated by the AP MLD. The non-AP STA operating on the EMLSR link can change its power management mode; the non-AP STA can listen to the EMLSR link in active mode or in PS mode while awake.

[0072] Rule 2: When an AP MLD-affiliated AP initiates a frame exchange with a non-AP MLD on an EMLSR link that is neither a group addressing data frame nor a group addressing management frame, the frame exchange should be initiated by sending an initial control frame to the non-AP MLD, subject to the following restrictions: The initial control frame for the frame exchange should be sent in non-HT PPDU or non-HT duplicate PPDU format at a rate of 6Mb / s, 12Mb / s, or 24Mb / s; the AP MLD-affiliated AP sets the padding field length of the initial control frame according to the rules defined in the trigger frame padding, ensuring that the MAC padding duration of the initial control frame is greater than or equal to the EMLSR padding delay; the initial control frame should be a MU-RTS trigger frame or a BSRP trigger frame, and the number of spatial streams responding to the BSRP trigger frame should be limited to one, and should be indicated in the BSRP trigger frame.

[0073] Rule 3 states that upon receiving an initial control frame and transmitting an immediate response frame in response, a non-AP STA attached to a non-AP MLD and listening on the corresponding link may transmit or receive frames on the link that received the initial control frame but should not transmit or receive frames on other EMLSR links. Limited by its spatial stream capabilities, operating mode, and the minimum MAC frame padding duration of the initial control frame padding field, after the SIFS (Self-Interruption Function Schedule) following the end of the transmission of the response frame requested by the initial control frame, the non-AP STA attached to the non-AP MLD corresponding to the link that received the initial control frame should be able to receive PPDUs transmitted using multiple spatial streams. During frame switching, other APs belonging to the AP MLD cannot send frames to other non-AP STAs attached to the non-AP MLD on other EMLSR links.

[0074] Rule 4: Non-AP MLDs should switch back to listening operations on the EMLSR link after the EMLSR transition delay time at the end of frame switching.

[0075] To reduce the power consumption of communication equipment (such as access points and sites), related technologies have introduced power-saving modes. For example, the IEEE 802.11 standard defines power-saving modes for sites (including wake-up and sleep modes). However, current power-saving modes are not flexible in operation, and the degree of power saving control is not precise enough, failing to achieve good energy-saving effects while adapting to communication capabilities (such as frame switching capabilities).

[0076] As an example, in the power management modes defined in the current specification, when a STA is in the wake-up state of active mode or power-saving mode, the STA needs to be fully powered or at full power, resulting in poor energy saving. To improve the energy saving performance of STAs, related technologies have proposed the EMLSR mode. However, the operation of EMLSR mode is mainly aimed at multi-link devices, and although devices in EMLSR mode listen with low-power listening capabilities, when entering frame switching, the STA still needs to switch to full power (or high-power) mode (even if the current frame switching does not require full-power switching capability).

[0077] To address the aforementioned problems, this application introduces a new operating mode (i.e., the first operating mode hereinafter) that allows communication devices to communicate in different capability modes while in a wake-up state, thereby achieving better energy-saving effects while adapting to communication capabilities. The method embodiments of this application are described below.

[0078] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating a wireless communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 2 The method shown is presented from the perspective of the interaction between the first and second devices. The first and second devices will be introduced first below.

[0079] In this embodiment, the first device refers to the device that sends the first frame (or first information), that is, the first device is the device that indicates relevant information about the first operating mode. In some embodiments, the first device refers to the initiator of the first frame (or first information).

[0080] In some embodiments, the first device may be a site device, such as... Figure 1 The STA 121 or STA 122 shown. For example, the first device can be a non-AP STA. Another example is that the first device can be a site device with multiple links. Yet another example is that the first device can be a site device without multiple links.

[0081] In some embodiments, the first device may be an access point device, such as... Figure 1 The AP 111 or AP 112 shown. For example, the first device can be an AP. Alternatively, the first device can be an access point device with multiple links. Or, the first device can be an access point device without multiple links.

[0082] In this embodiment, the second device refers to the device that receives the first frame (or first information), that is, the second device is the device that receives information related to the first operating mode. In some embodiments, the second device refers to the responder of the first frame (or first information).

[0083] In some embodiments, the second device may be a site device, such as... Figure 1 The STA 121 or STA 122 shown. For example, the second device can be a non-AP STA. As another example, the second device can be a site device with multiple links. As yet another example, the second device can be a site device without multiple links.

[0084] In some embodiments, the second device may be an access point device, such as... Figure 1 The AP 111 or AP 112 shown. For example, the second device can be an AP. As another example, the second device can be an access point device for a multi-link device. As yet another example, the second device can be an access point device for a non-multi-link device.

[0085] In some embodiments, when the first device is a site device, the second device may be an access point device.

[0086] In some embodiments, when the first device is a site device, the second device may also be a site device.

[0087] In some embodiments, when the first device is an access point device, the second device may be a site device.

[0088] In some embodiments, when the first device is an access point device, the second device may also be an access point device.

[0089] In some embodiments, the first device may have one or more receive chains. For example, the first device may be a site device with one or more receive chains. Alternatively, the first device may be an access point device with one or more receive chains.

[0090] In some embodiments, the second device may have one or more receive chains. For example, the second device may be a site device with one or more receive chains. Alternatively, the second device may be an access point device with one or more receive chains.

[0091] Figure 2 The method shown includes step S210, which is described below.

[0092] In step S210, the first device sends a first frame to the second device. In this embodiment, the first frame includes first information.

[0093] In some embodiments, the first information is associated with a first operating mode of the first device (or, a first energy-saving mode, a capability-adaptive energy-saving operating mode, etc.). In other words, the first information is related to the first operating mode of the first device; that is, the first information includes information related to the first operating mode of the first device.

[0094] This application introduces a first operating mode, which allows the first device to communicate in different capability modes while in a wake-up state. In this way, the first device can select different capability modes to communicate according to different situations while in a wake-up state, which is beneficial to achieve better energy saving while ensuring communication capabilities.

[0095] To make it easier to understand, the first operating mode will be introduced below.

[0096] In this embodiment, the first operating mode allows the first device to communicate in different capability modes while in a wake-up state. That is, when the first device is in the first operating mode, it can communicate in different capability modes while in a wake-up state. In other words, the first operating mode can include multiple capability modes (or different capability modes), and the first device can select one of these capability modes for communication.

[0097] In some embodiments, the first operating mode may include a wake-up state and other states besides the wake-up state (e.g., a sleep state), and the first device is able to communicate (or operate) in different capability modes in the wake-up state of the first operating mode.

[0098] The embodiments of this application do not limit the communication process. For example, the "communication" mentioned in the embodiments of this application may include one or more of the following communication processes: listening to the operation channel, receiving information or data, sending information or data, and performing frame exchange, etc.

[0099] This application does not limit the number of capability modes included in the first operating mode. For example, the first operating mode may include one or more of the following capability modes: low capability mode, high capability mode, and full capability mode. In some embodiments, the full capability mode can be understood as belonging to one of the high capability modes; that is, the high capability mode may include the full capability mode.

[0100] In some embodiments, the different capability modes included in the first operating mode are either pre-negotiated or determined by default. For example, the low capability mode and / or high capability mode included in the first operating mode are either pre-negotiated or determined by default.

[0101] In some embodiments, the first operating mode may be associated with one or more operating parameters. For example, the operating parameters associated with the first operating mode may include one or more of the following: operating parameters associated with a low capability mode, operating parameters associated with a high capability mode, latency parameters for switching between different capability modes, mode index corresponding to the low capability mode, and mode index corresponding to the high capability mode.

[0102] In some embodiments, a first operating mode may be associated with one or more operating parameters to indicate different capability modes. For example, a first operating mode may be associated with one or more of the following operating parameters, or in other words, a first operating mode may be indicated by one or more of the following operating parameters: operating bandwidth, number of receive chains, modulation and coding scheme (MCS) modulation parameters, number of receiveable spatiotemporal streams / spatial streams, number of transmittable spatiotemporal streams / spatial streams, data rate, and supported PPDU formats.

[0103] Taking the first operating mode, which includes a low-capability mode, as an example, the low-capability mode can be associated with one or more of the following operating parameters: operating bandwidth in the low-capability mode, number of receiver chains in the low-capability mode, modulation and coding scheme (MCS) modulation parameters in the low-capability mode, number of receivable spatiotemporal streams / spatial streams in the low-capability mode, number of transmittable spatiotemporal streams / spatial streams in the low-capability mode, data rate in the low-capability mode, and PPDU formats that can be received in the low-capability mode.

[0104] Taking the first operating mode, which includes the high-capability mode, as an example, the high-capability mode can be associated with one or more of the following operating parameters: operating bandwidth in the high-capability mode, number of receiver chains in the high-capability mode, modulation and coding scheme (MCS) modulation parameters in the high-capability mode, number of receivable spatiotemporal streams / spatial streams in the high-capability mode, number of transmittable spatiotemporal streams / spatial streams in the high-capability mode, data rate in the high-capability mode, and PPDU formats that can be received in the high-capability mode.

[0105] In some embodiments, the number of receivable spatiotemporal streams / spatial streams associated with the first operating mode may refer to the maximum number of receivable spatiotemporal streams / spatial streams. However, the embodiments of this application are not limited to this; for example, the number of receivable spatiotemporal streams / spatial streams associated with the first operating mode may refer to the minimum number of receivable spatiotemporal streams / spatial streams, etc.

[0106] In some embodiments, the number of transmittable spatiotemporal streams / spatial streams associated with the first operating mode may refer to the maximum number of transmittable spatiotemporal streams / spatial streams. However, the embodiments of this application are not limited to this; for example, the number of transmittable spatiotemporal streams / spatial streams associated with the first operating mode may refer to the minimum number of transmittable spatiotemporal streams / spatial streams, etc.

[0107] In some embodiments, the operational parameters associated with the various capability modes included in the first operating mode are different. For example, the operational parameters associated with the low capability mode are different from those associated with the high capability mode. Alternatively, the operational parameters associated with the low capability mode are different from those associated with the full capability mode.

[0108] In some embodiments, different operational parameters associated with multiple capability modes may refer to different values ​​of the operational parameters associated with multiple capability modes.

[0109] Taking the operating parameters associated with the first operating mode, including operating bandwidth, number of receiver chains, MCS modulation parameters, number of receivable spatiotemporal streams / spatial streams, number of transmitable spatiotemporal streams / spatial streams, data rate, and supported PPDU formats, as an example, different capability modes can refer to differences in the operating bandwidth, number of receiver chains, MCS modulation parameters, number of receivable spatiotemporal streams / spatial streams, number of transmitable spatiotemporal streams / spatial streams, data rate, and supported PPDU formats. For example, the first operating mode includes a low-capability operating mode and a high-capability operating mode. The low-capability mode can mean that the first device can communicate using lower bandwidth, fewer receiver chains, lower-order MCS modulation parameters, fewer spatiotemporal streams / spatial streams, lower data rate, and a low-processing-overhead PPDU format; the high-capability mode can mean that the first device can communicate using higher bandwidth, more receiver chains, higher-order MCS modulation parameters, more spatiotemporal streams / spatial streams, higher data rate, and a high-processing-overhead PPDU format.

[0110] Taking the operational parameters associated with the first operating mode, including operating bandwidth, the number of receiver chains, and the supported PPDU formats, as an example, different capability modes can refer to different operating bandwidths, the number of receiver chains, and the supported PPDU formats. For example, the first operating mode includes a low-capability operating mode and a high-capability operating mode. The low-capability mode can mean that the first device can use a lower bandwidth, fewer receiver chains, and a PPDU format with lower processing overhead for communication; the high-capability mode can mean that the first device can use a higher bandwidth, more receiver chains, and a PPDU format with higher processing overhead for communication.

[0111] In some embodiments, the first operating mode may include different capability modes, and each capability mode may be associated with different operating parameters (e.g., different values ​​of operating parameters). Taking the first operating mode as including a low capability mode and a high capability mode as an example, the low capability mode may be associated with multiple different values ​​of operating parameters, and the high capability mode may be associated with multiple different values ​​of operating parameters. As an example, the operating parameters associated with the first operating mode include the operating bandwidth and the number of receiver chains. An operating bandwidth of 20MHz and one receiver chain can be understood as a low capability mode; an operating bandwidth of 40MHz and two receiver chains can also be understood as a low capability mode; an operating bandwidth of 80MHz and four receiver chains can be understood as a high capability mode; an operating bandwidth of 160MHz and six receiver chains can also be understood as a high capability mode, and so on. As another example, the operating parameters associated with the first operating mode include the operating bandwidth, the number of receiver chains, and the MCS modulation parameters. An operating bandwidth of 20MHz, one receiver chain, and low-order MCS modulation parameters can be understood as a low-capability mode. An operating bandwidth of 40MHz, two receiver chains, and low-order MCS modulation parameters can also be understood as a low-capability mode. An operating bandwidth of 80MHz, four receiver chains, and high-order MCS modulation parameters can be understood as a high-capability mode. An operating bandwidth of 160MHz, six receiver chains, and high-order MCS modulation parameters can also be understood as a high-capability mode, and so on.

[0112] In other words, in some embodiments, the first operating mode can be associated with different levels of operating parameters, and one or more of these different levels of operating parameters can correspond to a capability mode. For example, the first operating mode is associated with five levels of operating parameters, one or more of these five levels can correspond to a low capability mode, and the other levels of these five levels can correspond to a high capability mode. As an example, the operating parameters associated with the first operating mode include operating bandwidth and the number of receiver chains. The first operating mode is associated with five levels of operating parameters, which are: Level 1 (20MHz operating bandwidth, 1 receiver chain), Level 2 (40MHz operating bandwidth, 2 receiver chains), Level 3 (60MHz operating bandwidth, 3 receiver chains), Level 4 (80MHz operating bandwidth, 4 receiver chains), and Level 5 (160MHz operating bandwidth, 6 receiver chains). Levels 1 and 2 can correspond to the low capability mode, and levels 3, 4, and 5 can correspond to the high capability mode.

[0113] In some embodiments, the operating parameters associated with the first operating mode may include, in addition to the operating parameters described above for indicating different capability modes, other operating parameters. For example, the operating parameters associated with the first operating mode may also include a delay parameter for switching between different capability modes.

[0114] In some embodiments, the latency parameter for switching between different capability modes may include one or more of the following: the minimum latency required to switch from a low capability mode to a high capability mode (or full capability mode), and the minimum latency required to switch from a high capability mode (or full capability mode) to a low capability mode.

[0115] In some embodiments, the minimum latency required to switch from low capability mode to high capability mode (or full capability mode) may include the minimum MAC fill duration of the frame required to switch from low capability mode to high capability mode (or full capability mode), such as the minimum MAC fill duration of the initial frame required to switch from low capability mode to high capability mode (or full capability mode).

[0116] In some embodiments, the minimum latency required to switch from a high-capability mode (or full-capability mode) to a low-capability mode may also be referred to as the transition latency of the first operating mode.

[0117] In some embodiments, the latency parameters for switching between different capability modes can be pre-negotiated or determined by default. For example, the switching latency from a low capability mode to a high capability mode can be pre-negotiated or determined by default. Alternatively, the switching latency from a high capability mode to a low capability mode can be pre-negotiated or determined by default.

[0118] In some embodiments, the parameters associated with the first operating mode may further include the mode index corresponding to the low capability mode and / or the mode index corresponding to the high capability mode. The mode index can be used to represent different capability modes or different capability levels. For example, a mode index of 0 can represent a low capability mode, and a mode index of 1 can represent a high capability mode. As another example, mode indices of 0, 1, and 2 all represent low capability modes, where the operating parameters associated with the low capability modes corresponding to different mode indices are different (e.g., mode index 0 represents an operating bandwidth of 20MHz, mode index 1 represents an operating bandwidth of 40MHz, and mode index 2 represents an operating bandwidth of 80MHz); mode indexes of 3 or 4 both represent high capability modes, where the operating parameters associated with the high capability modes corresponding to different mode indices are different (e.g., mode index 3 represents an operating bandwidth of 160MHz, and mode index 4 represents an operating bandwidth of 320MHz).

[0119] In this application embodiment, the first operating mode can be of various types. For example, the first operating mode can include a static first operating mode and a dynamic first operating mode. In some embodiments, a static first operating mode may refer to the first device maintaining a low-capacity mode during operation. In some embodiments, a dynamic first operating mode may refer to the first device switching from a low-capacity mode to a high-capacity mode during operation.

[0120] In some embodiments, the dynamic first operating mode may also be referred to as the dynamic energy-saving mode, dynamic energy-saving mode, etc.

[0121] In some embodiments, the dynamic first operating mode may include a variety of modes. For example, the dynamic first operating mode may include one or more of the following: a first operating mode based on default operation, a first operating mode based on mandatory control, and a first operating mode based on negotiation control.

[0122] In other words, in the embodiments of this application, the type of the first operation mode may include one or more of the following: a static first operation mode, a first operation mode based on default operation, a first operation mode based on forced control, and a first operation mode based on negotiation control.

[0123] In some embodiments, the type of the first operating mode may be pre-negotiated or determined by default.

[0124] The types of the first operation mode are described in detail below.

[0125] Static first operation mode When the first operating mode is static, the first device can maintain a low-capability mode for communication (e.g., maintain a low-capability mode for frame switching). For example, when the first operating mode is static, the first device can only maintain a low-capability mode for communication. In some embodiments, maintaining a low-capability mode for communication can also be understood as the first device not switching from a low-capability mode to a high-capability mode during frame switching, or the first device not switching from a low-capability mode to a high-capability mode during frame switching. In other words, when the first operating mode is static, the first device listens to the operation channel and performs transmit / receive operations in low-capability mode.

[0126] Taking the first device as a site device as an example, when the first device is in a static first operation mode, during the process of frame exchange initiated by the access point device (or peer site device) associated with the first device, the first device maintains communication in a low capability mode (that is, the first device listens to the operation channel and performs send and receive operations in a low capability mode).

[0127] First operating mode based on default operation When the first device is in a first operating mode based on default operation, during a frame exchange initiated by the second device, when the first device receives a second frame (a frame indicating that the first device is to perform frame exchange) sent by the second device, the second frame can be received according to one or more of the following: operating parameters associated with a low-capability mode, and operating parameters associated with a low-capability mode indicated by the first frame. After the first device receives the second frame, the first device can switch to a high-capability mode to perform frame exchange in the current frame exchange sequence (i.e., the frame exchange sequence in which the second frame is located).

[0128] Taking the first device as a site device as an example, when the first device operates in a first operating mode based on default operation, and the access point device (or peer site device) associated with the first device sends a second frame to the first device, the operating parameters (such as operating bandwidth, number of receive chains, etc.) used by the first device in receiving the second frame are constrained by the operating parameters associated with the low-capability mode and / or the operating parameters indicated by the first frame (which can also be understood as the operating parameters notified by the first operating mode). After the second frame is exchanged, the first device can use the operating parameters associated with the high-capability mode to perform frame exchange until the frame exchange sequence in which the second frame is exchanged ends.

[0129] In some embodiments, after the current frame exchange sequence (i.e. the frame exchange sequence in which the second frame exchange occurs) ends, the first device may switch back to a low-capability mode.

[0130] In some embodiments, the second frame may be transmitted using PPDU that satisfies the low-capability mode of the first device, so as to ensure that the first device can receive the second frame in the low-capability mode.

[0131] In some embodiments, the second frame may be transmitted at a rate that meets the low-capability mode requirements of the first device, so as to ensure that the first device can receive the second frame in low-capability mode.

[0132] In some embodiments, the second frame may include an initial frame and / or a trigger frame. The initial frame may be, for example, an initial control frame or a QoS empty frame. The trigger frame may be, for example, a MU-RTS trigger frame or a basic trigger frame. The initial frame or trigger frame may be used to instruct the first device to perform frame switching. The format of the second frame can be found in the following description and will not be detailed here.

[0133] In some embodiments, the first device receiving the second frame can also be understood as the first device receiving a PPDU carrying the second frame. The second device sending the second frame can also be understood as the second device sending a PPDU carrying the second frame.

[0134] In some embodiments, when the first device is in a first operating mode based on default operation, when the second device sends a second frame to the first device, the padding delay of the PPDU carrying the second frame must be greater than or equal to the minimum delay (or minimum padding delay, minimum MAC padding delay, etc.) required for the first device to switch from the low capability mode to the high capability mode as indicated by the first device in the first frame, so as to ensure that the first device in the first operating mode based on default operation can switch from the low capability mode to the high capability mode before the PPDU transmission end time point.

[0135] First operating mode based on mandatory control When the first device is in a first operating mode based on forced control, the first device can switch between different capability modes based on the instructions of the second device.

[0136] When the first device is in the first operating mode based on forced control, the first device can listen to the operation channel or perform transmit and receive operations in low capability mode when it is in the wake-up state. When it receives the second frame sent to the first device (a frame used to indicate whether the first device should switch to high capability mode), the first device can perform corresponding operations according to the indication of the second frame.

[0137] In one implementation, the second frame may include fourth information, which indicates whether the first device should switch to a high-capability mode. In some embodiments, the fourth information can be understood as a command-style instruction. That is, if the fourth information indicates that the first device should switch to a high-capability mode, then the first device switches to high-capability mode for frame switching in the current frame switching sequence (the frame switching sequence in which the second frame is located). If the fourth information indicates that the first device should not switch to high-capability mode, then the first device maintains low-capability mode for frame switching in the current frame switching sequence (the frame switching sequence in which the second frame is located).

[0138] Taking the first device as a site device as an example, when the first device is running in a first operating mode based on forced control, it listens to the operation channel or performs transmit / receive operations in a low-capability mode when awake. When the first device receives a second frame, it can determine whether to switch to a high-capability mode based on the indication of the second frame. For example, if the second frame indicates switching to a high-capability mode, the first device switches to a high-capability mode to perform frame switching in the current frame switching sequence. Alternatively, if the second frame indicates not to switch to a high-capability mode, the first device maintains a low-capability mode to perform frame switching in the current frame switching sequence.

[0139] In some embodiments, after the current frame exchange sequence (i.e. the frame exchange sequence in which the second frame exchange occurs) ends, the first device may switch back to a low-capability mode.

[0140] In some embodiments, the second frame may be transmitted using PPDU that satisfies the low-capability mode of the first device, so as to ensure that the first device can receive the second frame in the low-capability mode.

[0141] In some embodiments, the second frame may be transmitted at a rate that meets the low-capability mode requirements of the first device, so as to ensure that the first device can receive the second frame in low-capability mode.

[0142] In some embodiments, the second frame may include an initial frame and / or a trigger frame. The initial frame may be, for example, an initial control frame or a QoS empty frame. The trigger frame may be, for example, a MU-RTS trigger frame or a basic trigger frame. The initial frame or trigger frame may be used to indicate whether the first device has switched to a high-capability mode. The format of the second frame can be found in the following description and will not be detailed here.

[0143] In some embodiments, the first device receiving the second frame can also be understood as the first device receiving a PPDU carrying the second frame. The second device sending the second frame can also be understood as the second device sending a PPDU carrying the second frame.

[0144] In some embodiments, when the first device is in a first operating mode based on forced control, when the second device sends a second frame to the first device, the padding delay of the PPDU carrying the second frame must be greater than or equal to the minimum delay (or minimum padding delay, minimum MAC padding delay, etc.) required for the first device to switch from a low capability mode to a high capability mode as indicated by the first device in the first frame, so as to ensure that the first device in the first operating mode based on forced control can switch from a low capability mode to a high capability mode before the PPDU transmission end time point.

[0145] First Operating Mode Based on Negotiation Control When the first device is in the first operating mode based on negotiation control, the first device can negotiate with the second device to determine the switching between different capability modes, which helps to reduce the frequency of switching of the first device.

[0146] When the first device is in the first operating mode based on negotiation control, the first device can listen to the operation channel or perform transmit and receive operations in a low-capability mode when it is in the wake-up state. When it receives a second frame sent to the first device (a frame that requests (or instructs) the first device to switch to a high-capability mode), it can determine and respond whether to switch according to the instruction of the second frame.

[0147] In some embodiments, the second frame may include one or more of the following information: second information and third information. The second information may be used to request the first device to switch to a high-capability mode. The third information may be used to indicate the requested operating parameters (e.g., the requested operating bandwidth, the requested number of receive chains, etc.), that is, the third information may be used to indicate the operating parameters associated with the first operating mode (such as high-capability mode) to which the first device is requested to switch.

[0148] In one implementation, the second frame may include second information. After receiving the second frame, the first device can determine whether to switch to high-capability mode based on the second information.

[0149] As an alternative implementation, the second frame may include third information. After receiving the second frame, the first device can determine whether to switch to high-capability mode and the associated operating parameters of the switched high-capability mode based on the third information.

[0150] As another implementation, the second frame may include second information and third information. After receiving the second frame, the first device can determine whether to switch to high-capability mode and the operation parameters associated with the switched high-capability mode based on the second and third information.

[0151] In some embodiments, after receiving the second frame, the first device may send a response frame of the second frame to the second device.

[0152] In some embodiments, the response frame of the second frame sent by the first device to the second device may indicate one or more of the following: whether the first device switches according to the second information, and the operating parameters associated with the target capability mode to which the first device switches.

[0153] In some embodiments, the target capability mode that the first device switches to can be a high capability mode. In this case, the operation parameters associated with the target capability mode that the first device switches to are the operation parameters associated with the high capability mode.

[0154] In some embodiments, if the response frame of the second frame instructs the first device to switch according to the second information, the first device may switch to a high-capability mode for frame switching in the current frame switching sequence (the frame switching sequence in which the second frame is located).

[0155] In some embodiments, if the response frame of the second frame indicates that the first device does not switch according to the second information, the first device may maintain a low-capability mode for frame switching in the current frame switching sequence (the frame switching sequence in which the second frame is located).

[0156] In some embodiments, the operating parameters associated with the target capability mode switched to by the first device (the operating parameters carried in the response frame of the second frame) are the same as the operating parameters associated with the high capability mode to which the second device requests the first device to switch (the operating parameters carried in the second frame). Taking the operating parameters associated with the first operating mode including the operating bandwidth and the number of receiver chains as an example, the operating parameters carried in the second frame and the operating parameters carried in the response frame of the second frame can both be: 80MHz operating bandwidth and 4 receiver chains.

[0157] In some embodiments, the operating parameters associated with the target capability mode switched to by the first device (the operating parameters carried in the response frame of the second frame) are different from the operating parameters associated with the high capability mode to which the second device requests the first device to switch (the operating parameters carried in the second frame). Taking the operating parameters associated with the first operating mode including the operating bandwidth and the number of receiver chains as an example, the operating parameters carried in the second frame may be: 160MHz operating bandwidth and 4 receiver chains, and the operating parameters carried in the response frame of the second frame may be: 80MHz operating bandwidth and 4 receiver chains.

[0158] In some embodiments, when the second device requests the first device to switch to a high-capability mode in the second frame, the first device may agree to the second device's request, that is, the first device may indicate to switch to a high-capability mode in the response frame of the second frame.

[0159] In some embodiments, when the second device requests the first device to switch to a high-capability mode in the second frame, the first device may agree to the second device's request and agree to use the operating parameters requested by the second device for frame exchange.

[0160] In some embodiments, if the second device requests the first device to switch to a high-capability mode in the second frame, the first device may agree to the second device's request but refuse to exchange frames using the operating parameters requested by the second device. In this case, the first device may indicate new operating parameters (i.e., operating parameters associated with the target capability mode) in the response frame of the second frame.

[0161] In some embodiments, if the second device requests the first device to switch to high capability mode in the second frame, the first device may reject the second device's request.

[0162] Taking the first device as a site device as an example, when the first device operates in a first operating mode based on negotiation control, it listens to the operation channel or performs transmit / receive operations in a low-capability mode when awake. When the first device receives a second frame, it can determine and respond whether to switch to a high-capability mode based on the indication of the second frame. For example, if the second frame requests the first device to switch to a high-capability mode, and the first device accepts the switch, it switches to high-capability mode for frame exchange in the current frame exchange sequence; if the first device refuses to switch to high-capability mode, it maintains low-capability mode for frame exchange in the current frame exchange sequence. In some embodiments, the first device may accept switching to high-capability mode but not accept using the operating parameters requested by the second device for frame exchange. In this case, the first device may indicate new operating parameters (i.e., operating parameters associated with the target capability mode) to the second device to perform frame exchange based on these new operating parameters.

[0163] In some embodiments, after the current frame exchange sequence (i.e. the frame exchange sequence in which the second frame exchange occurs) ends, the first device may switch back to a low-capability mode.

[0164] In some embodiments, the second frame may be transmitted using PPDU that satisfies the low-capability mode of the first device, so as to ensure that the first device can receive the second frame in the low-capability mode.

[0165] In some embodiments, the second frame may be transmitted at a rate that meets the low-capability mode requirements of the first device, so as to ensure that the first device can receive the second frame in low-capability mode.

[0166] In some embodiments, the second frame is received by the first device before entering frame exchange. In some embodiments, the second frame is received by the first device before entering frame exchange or during frame exchange.

[0167] In some embodiments, the second frame may include an initial frame and / or a trigger frame. The initial frame may be, for example, an initial control frame or a QoS empty frame. The trigger frame may be, for example, a MU-RTS trigger frame or a basic trigger frame. The initial frame or trigger frame may be used to request the first device to switch to a high-capability mode and / or to indicate the requested operating parameters. The format of the second frame can be found in the following description and will not be detailed here.

[0168] In some embodiments, the response frame of the second frame may include one or more of the following: a block acknowledgment frame, a response frame to the trigger frame. The format of the response frame of the second frame can be found in the following description, and will not be detailed here.

[0169] In some embodiments, the first device receiving the second frame can also be understood as the first device receiving a PPDU carrying the second frame. The second device sending the second frame can also be understood as the second device sending a PPDU carrying the second frame.

[0170] In some embodiments, when the first device is in a first operating mode based on negotiation control, when the second device sends a second frame to the first device, the padding delay of the PPDU carrying the second frame must be greater than or equal to the minimum delay (or minimum padding delay, minimum MAC padding delay, etc.) required for the first device to switch from a low capability mode to a high capability mode as indicated by the first device in the first frame, so as to ensure that the first device in the first operating mode based on negotiation control can switch from a low capability mode to a high capability mode before the end time of the PPDU transmission.

[0171] The following is combined Figure 3 and Figure 4 Two examples of the first operating mode based on negotiation control are given.

[0172] like Figure 3 As shown, when the first device is in a negotiation-based control-based first operating mode, it performs a listening operation in a low-capability mode. When the second device obtains a transmission opportunity and sends a second frame (e.g., a QoS empty frame) to the first device, the second frame carrying second information to request the first device to switch to a high-capability mode. If the first device refuses the switching request, it maintains its current low-capability mode. When the second device obtains another transmission opportunity and sends a second frame (e.g., a QoS empty frame) to the first device, the second frame carrying second information to request the first device to switch to a high-capability mode, if the first device accepts the switching request, it switches to high-capability mode in the current frame exchange sequence to perform frame exchange. After the frame exchange is completed, it returns to low-capability mode.

[0173] like Figure 4 As shown, when the first device is in a negotiation-based control-based first operating mode, it performs a listening operation in a low-capability mode. When the second device obtains a transmission opportunity and sends a second frame (e.g., a QoS empty frame) to the first device, carrying second and third information, the first device can send a response frame (e.g., an ACK frame) to the second device to carry handover response information. For example, if the first device accepts the handover request, the response frame of the second frame may include indication information for accepting the handover and / or operating parameters associated with the target capability mode to which it is switching. Simultaneously, the first device switches to the high-capability mode corresponding to the operating parameters indicated by the response frame of the second frame in the current frame exchange sequence for frame exchange, and returns to the low-capability mode after the frame exchange is completed.

[0174] Based on the above introduction to the first operation mode, the first frame and the first information will be introduced below.

[0175] In some embodiments, the first frame is used to indicate (or notify) relevant information about a first operating mode of the first device. For example, the first frame indicates relevant information about the first operating mode of the first device through first information. This application embodiment utilizes the first frame to indicate (or notify) relevant information about the first operating mode, which helps ensure that other devices (such as a second device) communicate with the first device based on the first operating mode of the first device (e.g., based on operating parameters associated with the first operating mode of the first device), thus saving device power consumption while ensuring normal communication.

[0176] In some embodiments, the first frame may include a control field. For example, the first frame may include an A-Control field.

[0177] In some embodiments, the first information may be carried in the control field of the first frame. For example, the first information may be carried in the A-Control field of the first frame.

[0178] In some embodiments, the first frame may be a management frame, for example, a class 3 management frame.

[0179] In some embodiments, the first frame may be a data frame, such as a QoS data frame.

[0180] In some embodiments, the first frame may be an existing frame. For example, the first frame may be an existing frame that includes a control field (such as an A-Control field). As an example, the first frame may include one or more of the following: a Quality of Service (QoS) data frame, a QoS empty frame, or a Class 3 management frame. Indicating a first operating mode (or indicating first information) in an existing frame that includes a control field results in faster transmission speeds and lower signaling overhead.

[0181] In some embodiments, when the first frame is a QoS data frame, the first frame may be a separately addressed QoS data frame.

[0182] However, the embodiments of this application are not limited to this. For example, the first frame may also be a newly defined frame (e.g., a newly defined management frame). The newly defined frame may be used to indicate relevant information about a first operating mode of the first device. For example, the newly defined frame may indicate first information, which includes relevant information about the first operating mode of the first device. In some embodiments, the newly defined frame may include a control field, which may be used to carry the first information.

[0183] In some embodiments, the first frame is sent from the first device to the second device after the first device is associated with the second device.

[0184] In some embodiments, the first frame can also be used to request the second device to immediately acknowledge the first frame. For example, the first frame can also be used to request the second frame to immediately acknowledge the first information.

[0185] In this embodiment of the application, the first information may indicate information related to a first operating mode of one or more first devices. For example, the first information may be used to indicate one or more of the following: enabling / disabling a first operating mode, operating parameters associated with the first operating mode, and the switching method between different capability modes of the first device in the wake-up state.

[0186] As an example, the first information can instruct the first device to change its first operating mode. For instance, the first information can instruct the first device to enable / de-enable a first operating mode.

[0187] As another example, the first information may instruct the first device to update the operating parameters associated with the first operating mode. For instance, the first information may indicate the updated operating parameters associated with the first operating mode.

[0188] For example, the first information may instruct the first device to adjust operating parameters associated with the low-capability mode. The first device may adjust the operating parameters associated with the low-capability mode to perform one or more of the following: receiving an initial frame sent by the second device, receiving a frame sent by the second device while in low-capability mode, and sending a frame while in low-capability mode. The operating parameters associated with the low-capability mode that the first device may adjust may include one or more of the following: maximum operating bandwidth in low-capability mode, maximum number of receive chains, supported MCS modulation parameters, number of receiveable spatiotemporal streams / spatial streams, number of transmittable spatiotemporal streams / spatial streams, maximum data rate, and supported PPDU formats for reception.

[0189] For example, the first information may instruct the first device to adjust the operating parameters associated with the high-capability mode. The operating parameters associated with the high-capability mode that the first device can adjust may include one or more of the following: maximum operating bandwidth in high-capability mode, maximum number of receive chains, supported MCS modulation parameters, number of receiveable spatiotemporal streams / spatial streams, number of transmittable spatiotemporal streams / spatial streams, maximum data rate, and supported PPDU formats for reception.

[0190] For example, the first information may instruct the first device to adjust latency parameters for switching between different capability modes. For instance, the first information may indicate the minimum MAC padding duration of the initial frame required for the first device to switch from a low capability mode to a high capability mode, and / or the minimum latency required for the first device to switch from a high capability mode to a low capability mode.

[0191] For example, the first information may instruct the first device to adjust the mode index corresponding to the low capability mode and / or adjust the mode index corresponding to the high capability mode.

[0192] As yet another example, the first piece of information can indicate how to switch between different capability modes.

[0193] In some embodiments, the switching between different capability modes includes switching from a low capability mode to a high capability mode.

[0194] In some embodiments, if the high-capability mode does not include the full-capability mode, the switching method between different capability modes may include a switching method from low-capability mode to full-capability mode, or a switching method from high-capability mode to full-capability mode.

[0195] In some embodiments, the switching method between different capability modes can be determined based on the type of the first operating mode. A description of the type of the first operating mode can be found above and will not be repeated here.

[0196] In some embodiments, the switching methods between different capability modes may include one or more of the following switching methods.

[0197] Switching mode 1: When the first device receives the second frame (such as the initial frame), it switches to high capability mode to perform frame exchange, and then returns to low capability mode after the current frame exchange sequence ends, so as to use low capability mode for listening and / or sending and receiving operations.

[0198] Switching mode 1 corresponds to the first operating mode based on default operation. That is, when the first device is in the first operating mode based on default operation, the first device can switch using switching mode 1. In some embodiments, switching mode 1 can also be understood as the default switching mode.

[0199] Switching method 2: When the first device receives an initial control frame (such as a MU-RTS frame), it switches to high-capability mode to perform frame exchange, and then returns to low-capability mode after the current frame exchange sequence ends, so as to use low-capability mode for listening and / or sending and receiving operations; when the first device receives an initial frame that is not an initial control frame (such as a QoS empty frame), the first device determines whether to switch to high-capability mode to perform frame exchange in the current frame exchange sequence according to the indication of the initial frame of the non-initial control frame.

[0200] Switching mode 2 corresponds to the first operating mode based on forced control. That is, when the first device is in the first operating mode based on forced control, the first device can switch using switching mode 2.

[0201] Switching Method 3: The first device determines whether to switch to high-capability mode for frame exchange in the current frame exchange sequence based on the fourth information carried in the second frame (such as the initial frame or trigger frame). This fourth information is a command-type instruction. For example, if the fourth information instructs the first device to switch to high-capability mode, then the first device switches to high-capability mode according to the instruction of the fourth information. Alternatively, if the fourth information instructs the first device not to switch to high-capability mode, then the first device does not switch to high-capability mode according to the instruction of the fourth information.

[0202] Switching mode 3 corresponds to the first operating mode based on forced control. That is, when the first device is in the first operating mode based on forced control, the first device can switch using switching mode 3.

[0203] Handover Method 4: The first device responds to the second information and / or third information carried in the second frame to determine whether to perform the handover according to the second device's request. For example, if the second device requests the first device to switch to high-capacity mode, and the first device accepts the handover request, then the first device switches to high-capacity mode for frame exchange in the current frame exchange sequence; if the first device rejects the handover request, then the first device maintains low-capacity mode for frame exchange in the current frame exchange sequence.

[0204] Switching mode 4 corresponds to the first operating mode based on negotiation control. That is, when the first device is in the first operating mode based on negotiation control, the first device can switch using switching mode 4.

[0205] In some embodiments, the switching method between different capability modes can be pre-negotiated or determined by default.

[0206] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating a wireless communication method provided in another embodiment of this application. Figure 5 The method shown includes steps S510 to S530.

[0207] In step S510, the first device sends a first frame to the second device. The first frame includes first information.

[0208] For an explanation of step S510, please refer to the previous explanation of step S210. For the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0209] In step S520, the first device adjusts the operating parameters associated with the first operating mode based on the first information.

[0210] In some embodiments, the operating parameters associated with the first operating mode take effect after the first device receives the transmission opportunity where the acknowledgment information for the first frame is received from the second device.

[0211] In some embodiments, when adjusting the operating parameters associated with the first operating mode is to reduce the capability of the first device (e.g., from a high capability mode to a low capability mode), the operating parameters associated with the first operating mode take effect after the first device receives the transmission opportunity where the acknowledgment information for the first frame from the second device is located.

[0212] In some embodiments, the operating parameters associated with the first operating mode are effective after the first device receives the acknowledgment information for the first frame from the second device at the transmission opportunity when one or more of the following conditions are met: enabling the first operating mode, reducing the operating parameters associated with the first operating mode, and increasing the latency parameters for switching between different capability modes.

[0213] In some embodiments, the operating parameters associated with the first operating mode take effect after the first device anticipates receiving the acknowledgment information from the second device for the first frame during a transmission opportunity.

[0214] In some embodiments, when adjusting the operating parameters associated with the first operating mode is not intended to reduce the capabilities of the first device, the operating parameters associated with the first operating mode take effect after the first device is expected to receive the acknowledgment information from the second device for the first frame during the transmission opportunity.

[0215] In some embodiments, if one or more of the following conditions are not met, the operating parameters associated with the first operating mode are effective after the first device expects to receive the acknowledgment information from the second device for the first frame during the transmission opportunity: enabling the first operating mode, reducing the operating parameters associated with the first operating mode, and increasing the latency parameters for switching between different capability modes.

[0216] In some embodiments, reducing the operating parameters associated with the first operating mode may include one or more of the following: adjusting the operating parameters associated with the high capability mode to the operating parameters associated with the low capability mode, adjusting the operating parameters associated with the high capability mode from a higher capability parameter to a lower capability parameter, and adjusting the operating parameters associated with the low capability mode from a higher capability parameter to a lower capability parameter.

[0217] In some embodiments, increasing the latency parameter for switching between different capability modes may include one or more of the following: increasing the latency parameter required to switch from a low capability mode to a high capability mode, and increasing the latency parameter required to switch from a high capability mode to a low capability mode.

[0218] In step S530, the second device updates the operating parameters associated with the first operating mode of the first device based on the first information. For example, the second device can update the operating parameters associated with the first operating mode of the first device based on the latest received first information.

[0219] In some embodiments, after the second device updates the operating parameters associated with the first device's first operating mode based on the first information, it can communicate with the first device based on the updated operating parameters. For example, after the second device updates the operating parameters associated with the first device's first operating mode based on the first information, it can initiate and perform frame exchange with the first device in the first operating mode.

[0220] As an example, the second device can initiate frame exchange with the first device by sending an initial frame (such as an initial control frame) that meets the receiving capability requirements of the first device in low-capability mode, based on updated operating parameters (such as the maximum operating bandwidth in low-capability mode, supported MCS modulation parameters, the maximum number of receivable spatial streams, and the supported PPDU formats).

[0221] In some embodiments, when the first device is in a dynamic first operating mode, the padding delay of the PPDU of the second frame sent by the second device needs to be greater than or equal to the delay parameter of the latest received switching between different capability modes sent by the first device, so as to ensure that the first device switches from the low capability mode to the high capability mode before the end time of the PPDU transmission.

[0222] In some embodiments, when the first device is in a dynamic first operating mode, after the second device sends a second frame and receives a response or acknowledgment from the first device, during the frame exchange sequence initiated by the second frame, the second device should send a frame that meets the receiving capability requirements of the first device in the high-capability mode according to the latest received high-capability mode associated operating parameters (such as the maximum operating bandwidth in the high-capability mode, the supported MCS modulation parameters, the maximum number of receivable spatial streams, the supported PPDU formats, etc.).

[0223] The embodiments of this application do not limit the execution order of steps S520 and S530. For example, step S520 can be executed before step S530, after step S530, or simultaneously with step S530.

[0224] The preceding text has described the communication process between the first and second devices, as well as various frames and information. The following text describes the format of the frames or information involved in this application.

[0225] As mentioned earlier, the first frame may include control fields (such as the A-Control field), which can carry initial information. First, we will introduce the format of the control fields included in the first frame.

[0226] It should be noted that the names of the various fields or subfields mentioned below are merely examples and are not intended to limit the embodiments of this application. The various fields or subfields mentioned below can be replaced with other names; for example, the capability adaptation energy-saving control subfield can be replaced with the fourth subfield, and the capability adaptation energy-saving delay parameter subfield can be replaced with the fifth subfield, etc.

[0227] In the MAC frame format defined by relevant technologies (e.g., the IEEE 802.11 standard), the HT control field can be carried in QoS data frames, QoS empty frames, management frames, or control wrapper frames, and is determined by the +HTC subfield of the frame control field. The HT control field is 32 bits long (B0-B31 bits). When both B0 and B1 bits are set to 1, it indicates that the HT control field is an HE variant HT control field, and B2-B31 are A-Control subfields. The A-Control subfield contains a control list subfield and a padding subfield. The "control list" subfield contains one or more control subfields. Each control subfield contains a 4-bit control identifier (Control ID) subfield and a variable-length control information subfield. The control ID subfield indicates the type of information carried in the "control information" subfield.

[0228] To carry first information in the first frame, embodiments of this application define one or more of the following subfields in the control field of the first frame: a first subfield and a second subfield. To carry second and / or third information in the second frame, embodiments of this application define a third subfield in the control field of the second frame. The first, second, and third subfields can be control subfields included in the "control list" subfields. The first, second, and third subfields are described below with reference to Table 1.

[0229] Table 1

[0230] The first subfield is used to indicate the operating parameters associated with the first operating mode. Alternatively, the first subfield can be used to define the operating parameters that the first device may adopt after enabling (or entering) the first operating mode, such as operating parameters associated with a low-capacity mode or a high-capacity mode. In some embodiments, the first subfield may be referred to as the first operating mode parameter control subfield.

[0231] As one possible implementation, the first subfield can indicate the pattern index and the associated operation parameters. The pattern index can be used to identify different capability modes contained in the first operation mode. For example, the pattern index can be used to identify a low-capability mode or a high-capability mode, or in other words, the pattern index can be used to identify operation parameters associated with a low-capability mode or an high-capability mode. As another example, the pattern index can be used to identify operation parameters for different gears; a description of operation parameters for different gears can be found above. As an example, when the pattern index is 0, it represents the operation parameters for gear 1; when the pattern index is 1, it represents the operation parameters for gear 2; and when the pattern index is 2, it represents the operation parameters for gear 3. Here, the operation parameters for gear 1 and gear 2 are both associated with the low-capability mode, while the operation parameters for gear 3 are associated with the high-capability mode.

[0232] Figure 6 An example diagram showing one possible format for the first subfield is provided. Figure 6 As shown, the first subfield may include the pattern index and the operation parameters associated with the pattern index, such as the pattern index and the operation bandwidth associated with the pattern index, MCS modulation parameters, the number of spatiotemporal streams / spatial streams that can be received, the number of spatiotemporal streams / spatial streams that can be transmitted, and the PPDU formats that can be received.

[0233] The pattern index subfield can be used to indicate the identifier of the capability mode included in the first operating mode defined by the first subfield. In some embodiments, the pattern index subfield can occupy 4 bits. However, this application embodiment is not limited to this, and the pattern index subfield can occupy other numbers of bits.

[0234] The operation bandwidth subfield can indicate the operation bandwidth supported by the first device for receiving and / or transmitting in the first operation mode indicated by the mode index. In some embodiments, the operation bandwidth subfield can occupy 4 bits. However, the embodiments of this application are not limited to this, and the operation bandwidth subfield can occupy other numbers of bits. The embodiments of this application do not limit the encoding method of the operation bandwidth subfield. For example, the operation bandwidth subfield can adopt the following encoding method: 0 for 20MHz, 1 for 40MHz; 2 for 80MHz; 3 for 160MHz and 80+80MHz; 4 for 320MHz; and other values ​​reserved. As another example, the operation bandwidth subfield can adopt the following encoding method: 0 for 20MHz, 1 for 40MHz; 2 for 80MHz; 3 for 160MHz, 4 for 80+80MHz; 5 for 320MHz; and other values ​​reserved.

[0235] The MCS index subfield supporting the highest-order modulation can be used to indicate the MCS index corresponding to the highest-order modulation supported by the first device in the first operating mode indicated by the mode index. In some embodiments, the MCS index subfield supporting the highest-order modulation can occupy 3 bits. However, the embodiments of this application are not limited to this, and the MCS index subfield supporting the highest-order modulation can occupy other numbers of bits. The embodiments of this application do not limit the encoding method of the MCS index subfield supporting the highest-order modulation. For example, the MCS index subfield supporting the highest-order modulation can adopt the following encoding method: set to 0 for binary phase shift keying (BPSK), set to 1 for quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), set to 2 for 16 quadrature amplitude modulation (16-QAM), ..., set to 6 for 2048-QAM, and set to 7 for 4096-QAM. For example, the MCS index subfield corresponding to the highest order modulation can be encoded as follows: 0 for QPSK, 1 for BPSK, 2 for 16-QAM, ..., 6 for 2048-QAM, and 7 for 4096-QAM.

[0236] The Rx NSS subfield can be used to indicate the maximum number of spatial streams (NSS) supported by the first device for receiving in the first operating mode indicated by the mode index. As a possible implementation, the value of RxNSS can be set to NSS minus 1. In some embodiments, the Rx NSS subfield can occupy 4 bits. However, this application embodiment is not limited to this, and the Rx NSS subfield can occupy other numbers of bits.

[0237] The Tx NSTS subfield can be used to indicate the maximum number of space-time streams (NSTS) supported by the first device for transmission in the first operating mode indicated by the mode index. As a possible implementation, the value of Tx NSTS can be set to NSTS minus 1. In some embodiments, the Tx NSTS subfield can occupy 4 bits. However, this application embodiment is not limited to this, and the Tx NSTS subfield can occupy other numbers of bits.

[0238] The supported PPDU format subfield can be used to indicate the PPDU formats supported by the first device for receiving and / or transmitting in the first operating mode indicated by the mode index. In some embodiments, the supported PPDU format subfield may occupy 3 bits. However, this application embodiment is not limited to this, and the supported PPDU format subfield may occupy other numbers of bits. This application embodiment does not limit the encoding method of the supported PPDU format subfield; a feasible encoding method is given below with reference to Table 2.

[0239] Table 2

[0240] As shown in Table 2, 0 is set for non-HT PPDUs or non-HT duplicate PPDUs, 1 for HT PPDUs, 2 for HE PPDUs, 3 for extremely high throughput (EHT) PPDUs, and 4 for ultra-high reliability (UHR) PPDUs, with other values ​​reserved. However, this application's embodiments are not limited to this; for example, 0 may be set for HT PPDUs, 1 for HE PPDUs, 2 for non-HT PPDUs or non-HT duplicate PPDUs, 3 for EHT PPDUs, 4 for UHR, and other values ​​reserved.

[0241] In some embodiments, when the processing capability requirement of a certain PPDU format is less than or equal to the supported PPDU format indicated by the first device, it means that the first device also supports receiving and / or sending that PPDU format.

[0242] The second subfield can be used by the first device to indicate a change in the first operating mode, such as enabling / disabling the first operating mode, updating operating parameters associated with the first operating mode, etc. In some embodiments, the second subfield can be referred to as the first operating mode control subfield.

[0243] In some embodiments, the second subfield may be used to indicate one or more of the following: enabling / disabling the first operating mode, latency parameters for switching between different capability modes, and operating parameters associated with the first operating mode.

[0244] In some embodiments, the second subfield may utilize a pattern index to indicate the operation parameters associated with the first operation mode. In this way, the second device can determine the first operation mode indicated by the first device based on the pattern index, for example, by using the pattern index and the first subfield.

[0245] Figure 7 An example diagram showing one possible format for the second subfield is provided. Figure 7 As shown, the second subfield may include one or more of the following subfields: capability adaptation energy-saving control subfield, capability adaptation energy-saving delay parameter subfield, low capability operation parameter information subfield, and high capability operation parameter information subfield.

[0246] In some embodiments, the capability adaptation energy-saving control subfield may occupy 7 bits. However, this application embodiment is not limited to this, and the capability adaptation energy-saving control subfield may occupy other numbers of bits.

[0247] Figure 8 An example diagram illustrates a possible capability to adapt the format of the energy-saving control subfield. For example... Figure 8 As shown, the capability adaptation energy saving control subfield may include one or more of the following subfields: capability adaptation energy saving enable subfield, capability adaptation energy saving mode subfield, switching method subfield, default low capability operation subfield, default high capability operation subfield, and capability adaptation energy saving delay parameter control subfield.

[0248] The capability adaptation energy-saving enable subfield can be used to indicate whether the first device enables the first operating mode. In some embodiments, the capability adaptation energy-saving enable subfield can occupy 1 bit. As one implementation, when the capability adaptation energy-saving enable subfield is 1, it indicates that the first device enables the first operating mode; when the capability adaptation energy-saving enable subfield is 0, it indicates that the first device disables (is not enabled) the first operating mode, that is, the function of the first operating mode is turned off. As another implementation, when the capability adaptation energy-saving enable subfield is 1, it indicates that the first device disables the first operating mode; when the capability adaptation energy-saving enable subfield is 0, it indicates that the first device enables the first operating mode. However, the embodiments of this application are not limited to this; for example, the capability adaptation energy-saving enable subfield can also use multiple bits to indicate whether the first device enables the first operating mode.

[0249] The capability-adaptive energy-saving mode subfield can be used to indicate the type of the first operating mode. In some embodiments, the capability-adaptive energy-saving mode subfield can occupy 1 bit. As one implementation, when the capability-adaptive energy-saving mode subfield is set to 1, it indicates a dynamic first operating mode; when the capability-adaptive energy-saving mode subfield is set to 0, it indicates a static first operating mode. As another implementation, when the capability-adaptive energy-saving mode subfield is set to 1, it indicates a static first operating mode; when the capability-adaptive energy-saving mode subfield is set to 0, it indicates a dynamic first operating mode. However, the embodiments of this application are not limited to this; for example, the capability-adaptive energy-saving mode subfield can also use multiple bits to indicate the type of the first operating mode.

[0250] The switching mode subfield can be used to indicate the switching mode of a first device in a dynamic first operating mode between different capability modes. In some embodiments, the switching mode subfield can occupy 2 bits. However, the embodiments of this application are not limited to this, and the switching mode subfield can occupy other numbers of bits. As one implementation, when the switching mode subfield is set to 0, it indicates switching mode 1; when the switching mode subfield is set to 1, it indicates switching mode 2; when the switching mode subfield is set to 2, it indicates switching mode 3; and when the switching mode subfield is set to 3, it indicates switching mode 4. For a description of the switching modes between different capability modes, please refer to the preceding text. However, the embodiments of this application are not limited to this, for example, when the switching mode subfield is set to 0, it indicates switching mode 2; when the switching mode subfield is set to 1, it indicates switching mode 3; when the switching mode subfield is set to 2, it indicates switching mode 4; and when the switching mode subfield is set to 3, it indicates switching mode 1.

[0251] The default low capability operation subfield can be used to indicate whether the default low capability mode is adopted. In some embodiments, the default low capability operation subfield may occupy 1 bit. As one implementation, if the first device adopts the default low capability mode, the default low capability operation subfield is set to 1; otherwise, the low capability operation subfield is set to 0. As another implementation, if the first device adopts the default low capability mode, the default low capability operation subfield is set to 0; otherwise, the low capability operation subfield is set to 1. However, the embodiments of this application are not limited to this; for example, the default low capability operation subfield may also use multiple bits to indicate whether the default low capability mode is adopted.

[0252] This application does not limit the default low-capability mode, or in other words, this application does not limit the operating parameters associated with the default low-capability mode. As one implementation, the default low-capability operating mode can be defined as follows: possessing the ability to perform CCA and receive the initial frame of frame exchange initiated by a second device; having an operating bandwidth of 20MHz; being able to receive non-HT PPDUs or non-HT duplicate PPDUs; and supporting rates of 6Mb / s, 12Mb / s, or 24Mb / s. As another implementation, the default low-capability operating mode can be defined as follows: possessing the ability to perform CCA and receive the initial frame of frame exchange initiated by a second device; having an operating bandwidth of 40MHz; being able to receive HT PPDUs; and supporting rates of 6Mb / s, 12Mb / s, or 24Mb / s.

[0253] In some embodiments, when the default low capability operation subfield is 0, the low capability operation parameter information subfield exists in the capability adaptation energy-saving operation mode control subfield, and the low capability mode adopts the operation parameters indicated by the low capability operation parameter information subfield.

[0254] The default high-capability operation subfield can be used to indicate whether the default high-capability mode is adopted. In some embodiments, the default high-capability operation subfield may occupy 1 bit. As one implementation, if the first device adopts the default high-capability mode, the default high-capability operation subfield is set to 1; otherwise, the high-capability operation subfield is set to 0. As another implementation, if the first device adopts the default high-capability mode, the default high-capability operation subfield is set to 0; otherwise, the high-capability operation subfield is set to 1. However, the embodiments of this application are not limited to this; for example, the default high-capability operation subfield may also use multiple bits to indicate whether the default high-capability mode is adopted.

[0255] This application embodiment does not limit the default high-capability mode, or in other words, this application embodiment does not limit the operation parameters associated with the default high-capability mode. As one implementation, the default high-capability mode can be defined as a full-capability mode, that is, the capability corresponding to the first operation mode indicated by the first device includes one or more of the following: the capability corresponding to the capability element (such as a UHR capability element) carried during association, the capability corresponding to the exchanged operation mode notification frame, and the capability corresponding to the first operation mode defined in the first frame. As another implementation, the default high-capability operation mode can be defined as having the following listening capabilities: the ability to perform CCA and receive the initial frame of frame exchange initiated by the second device; having an operation bandwidth of 160MHz; being able to receive EHT PPDUs; and supporting rates of 24Mb / s, 36Mb / s, or 48Mb / s.

[0256] In some embodiments, when the default high-capacity operation subfield is 0, the high-capacity operation parameter information subfield exists in the capacity adaptation energy-saving operation mode control subfield, and the high-capacity operation mode adopts the operation parameters indicated by the high-capacity operation parameter information subfield.

[0257] The Capability Adaptation Energy Saving Delay Parameter Control Subfield can be used to indicate whether the Capability Adaptation Energy Saving Delay Parameter Field exists in the Capability Adaptation Energy Saving Operation Mode Control Subfield. In some embodiments, the Capability Adaptation Energy Saving Delay Parameter Control Subfield can occupy 1 bit. As one implementation, the Capability Adaptation Energy Saving Control Subfield is set to 1 when the Capability Adaptation Energy Saving Mode Subfield is equal to 1 and the Capability Adaptation Energy Saving Delay Parameter Field exists in the Capability Adaptation Energy Saving Operation Mode Control Subfield; otherwise, it is set to 0.

[0258] Combined with the above Figure 8 The format of the capability adaptation energy-saving control subfield has been introduced below. Figure 9 The format of the subfield of the capability adaptation energy saving delay parameter is introduced.

[0259] like Figure 9 As shown, the capability adaptation energy saving delay parameter subfield may include one or more of the following subfields: capability adaptation energy saving fill delay, capability adaptation energy saving conversion delay.

[0260] The capability adaptation power-saving padding delay subfield can be used to indicate the minimum MAC padding duration of the initial frame requested by the first device. For example, the capability adaptation power-saving padding delay subfield can indicate the minimum MAC padding duration of the initial frame required for the first device to switch from low capability mode to high capability mode (or full capability mode). In some embodiments, the capability adaptation power-saving padding delay subfield can occupy 3 bits. However, this application embodiment is not limited to this, and the capability adaptation power-saving padding delay subfield can occupy other numbers of bits. This application embodiment does not limit the encoding method of the capability adaptation power-saving padding delay subfield. A feasible encoding method is given below with reference to Table 3.

[0261] Table 3

[0262] As shown in Table 3, 0 is set to 0 µs, 1 to 32 µs, 2 to 64 µs, 3 to 128 µs, 4 to 256 µs, and the rest are reserved. However, the embodiments of this application are not limited to this. For example, 0 is set to 32 µs, 1 to 64 µs, 2 to 128 µs, 3 to 256 µs, 4 to 512 µs, and the rest are reserved, etc.

[0263] The capability adaptation energy-saving transition delay subfield can be used to indicate the minimum delay required for the first device to switch from a high-capability mode (or full-capability mode) to a low-capability mode when it is in a first operating mode. In some embodiments, the capability adaptation energy-saving transition delay subfield can occupy 3 bits. However, the embodiments of this application are not limited to this, and the capability adaptation energy-saving transition delay subfield can occupy other numbers of bits. The embodiments of this application do not limit the encoding method of the capability adaptation energy-saving transition delay subfield. A feasible encoding method is given below with reference to Table 4.

[0264] Table 4

[0265] As shown in Table 4, 0 is set to 0 µs, 1 to 32 µs, 2 to 64 µs, 3 to 128 µs, 4 to 256 µs, and the rest are reserved. However, the embodiments of this application are not limited to this. For example, 0 is set to 32 µs, 1 to 64 µs, 2 to 128 µs, 3 to 256 µs, 4 to 512 µs, and the rest are reserved, etc.

[0266] The following sections will introduce the low-capacity operation parameter information subfield and the high-capacity operation parameter information subfield respectively.

[0267] In some embodiments, the low-capacity operation parameter information subfield can use a pattern index to indicate the operation parameter corresponding to the pattern index defined in the capability adaptation energy-saving operation mode parameter control subfield. For example, if the capability adaptation energy-saving operation mode parameter control subfield defines that the operation parameter corresponding to pattern index 0 is A, the operation parameter corresponding to pattern index 1 is B, the operation parameter corresponding to pattern index 2 is C, etc., then a value of 0 in the low-capacity operation parameter information subfield indicates that the operation parameter corresponding to the low-capacity mode is A, and a value of 1 in the low-capacity operation parameter information subfield indicates that the operation parameter corresponding to the low-capacity mode is B, etc.

[0268] In some embodiments, the high-capacity operation parameter information subfield can use a pattern index to indicate the operation parameter corresponding to the pattern index defined in the capability adaptation energy-saving operation mode parameter control subfield. For example, if the capability adaptation energy-saving operation mode parameter control subfield defines that the operation parameter corresponding to pattern index 0 is A, the operation parameter corresponding to pattern index 1 is B, the operation parameter corresponding to pattern index 2 is C, etc., then a value of 0 in the high-capacity operation parameter information subfield indicates that the operation parameter corresponding to the high-capacity mode is A, and a value of 1 in the high-capacity operation parameter information subfield indicates that the operation parameter corresponding to the high-capacity mode is B, etc.

[0269] In some embodiments, the low-capacity operation parameter information subfield can be indicated using the low-capacity operation mode parameter subfield. The format of the low-capacity operation mode parameter subfield is described below as an example.

[0270] Figure 10 An example diagram is shown illustrating the format of a possible low-capacity operation mode parameter subfield. (e.g.) Figure 10 As shown, the low-capability operation mode parameter subfield may include one or more of the following subfields: low-capability operation bandwidth subfield, MCS index corresponding to the highest order modulation supported by low capability, low-capability Rx NSS, low-capability Tx NSTS, and PPDU format supported by low capability.

[0271] The low-capacity operation bandwidth subfield can indicate the operating bandwidth supported by the first device for receiving and / or transmitting in low-capacity mode. In some embodiments, the low-capacity operation bandwidth subfield can occupy 4 bits. However, the embodiments of this application are not limited to this, and the low-capacity operation bandwidth subfield can occupy other numbers of bits. The embodiments of this application do not limit the encoding method of the low-capacity operation bandwidth subfield. For example, the low-capacity operation bandwidth subfield can adopt the following encoding method: 0 for 20MHz, 1 for 40MHz; 2 for 80MHz; 3 for 160MHz and 80+80MHz; 4 for 320MHz; other reserved. As another example, the low-capacity operation bandwidth subfield can adopt the following encoding method: 0 for 20MHz, 1 for 40MHz; 2 for 80MHz; 3 for 160MHz, 4 for 80+80MHz; 5 for 320MHz; other reserved.

[0272] The MCS index subfield corresponding to the highest-order modulation supported in low-capability mode can be used to indicate the MCS index corresponding to the highest-order modulation supported by the first device in low-capability mode. In some embodiments, the MCS index subfield corresponding to the highest-order modulation supported in low-capability mode can occupy 3 bits. However, the embodiments of this application are not limited to this, and the MCS index subfield corresponding to the highest-order modulation supported in low-capability mode can occupy other numbers of bits. The embodiments of this application do not limit the encoding method of the MCS index subfield corresponding to the highest-order modulation supported in low-capability mode. For example, the MCS index subfield corresponding to the highest-order modulation supported in low-capability mode can adopt the following encoding method: 0 for BPSK, 1 for QPSK, 2 for 16-QAM, ..., 6 for 2048-QAM, and 7 for 4096-QAM. As another example, the MCS index subfield corresponding to the highest-order modulation supported in low-capability mode can adopt the following encoding method: 0 for QPSK, 1 for BPSK, 2 for 16-QAM, ..., 6 for 2048-QAM, and 7 for 4096-QAM.

[0273] The low-capability Rx NSS subfield can be used to indicate the maximum NSS supported by the first device for reception in low-capability mode. As a possible implementation, the value of the low-capability Rx NSS can be set to NSS minus 1. In some embodiments, the low-capability Rx NSS subfield can occupy 4 bits. However, this application embodiment is not limited to this, and the low-capability Rx NSS subfield can occupy other numbers of bits.

[0274] The Low Capability Tx NSTS subfield can be used to indicate the maximum NSTS supported for transmission by the first device in low capability mode. As one possible implementation, the value of Low Capability Tx NSTS can be set to NSTS minus 1. In some embodiments, the Low Capability Tx NSTS subfield can occupy 4 bits. However, this application embodiment is not limited to this, and the Low Capability Tx NSTS subfield can occupy other numbers of bits.

[0275] The low-capability supported PPDU format subfield can be used to indicate the PPDU formats supported by the first device in low-capability mode for receiving and / or transmitting. In some embodiments, the low-capability supported PPDU format subfield may occupy 3 bits. However, this application embodiment is not limited to this, and the low-capability supported PPDU format subfield may occupy other numbers of bits. This application embodiment does not limit the encoding method of the low-capability supported PPDU format subfield; for a description of the encoding method of the low-capability supported PPDU format subfield, please refer to the relevant description in Table 2 above.

[0276] In some embodiments, the high-capacity operation parameter information subfield can be indicated using the high-capacity operation mode parameter subfield. The format of the high-capacity operation mode parameter subfield is described below as an example.

[0277] Figure 11 An example diagram is shown illustrating the format of a possible high-capacity operation mode parameter subfield. (Example:) Figure 11 As shown, the high-capability operation mode parameter subfield may include one or more of the following subfields: high-capability operation bandwidth subfield, MCS index corresponding to the highest order modulation supported by high capability, high-capability Rx NSS, high-capability Tx NSTS, and PPDU format supported by high capability.

[0278] The high-capacity operating bandwidth subfield indicates the operating bandwidth supported by the first device for receiving and / or transmitting in high-capacity mode. In some embodiments, the high-capacity operating bandwidth subfield may occupy 4 bits. However, this application embodiment is not limited to this, and the high-capacity operating bandwidth subfield may occupy other numbers of bits. This application embodiment does not limit the encoding method of the high-capacity operating bandwidth subfield. For example, the high-capacity operating bandwidth subfield may adopt the following encoding method: 0 for 20MHz, 1 for 40MHz; 2 for 80MHz; 3 for 160MHz and 80+80MHz; 4 for 320MHz; others reserved. As another example, the high-capacity operating bandwidth subfield may adopt the following encoding method: 0 for 20MHz, 1 for 40MHz; 2 for 80MHz; 3 for 160MHz, 4 for 80+80MHz; 5 for 320MHz; others reserved.

[0279] The MCS index subfield corresponding to the highest-order modulation supported in high-capability mode can be used to indicate the MCS index corresponding to the highest-order modulation supported by the first device in high-capability mode. In some embodiments, the MCS index subfield corresponding to the highest-order modulation supported in high-capability mode can occupy 3 bits. However, the embodiments of this application are not limited to this, and the MCS index subfield corresponding to the highest-order modulation supported in high-capability mode can occupy other numbers of bits. The embodiments of this application do not limit the encoding method of the MCS index subfield corresponding to the highest-order modulation supported in high-capability mode. For example, the MCS index subfield corresponding to the highest-order modulation supported in high-capability mode can adopt the following encoding method: 0 for BPSK, 1 for QPSK, 2 for 16-QAM, ..., 6 for 2048-QAM, and 7 for 4096-QAM. As another example, the MCS index subfield corresponding to the highest-order modulation supported in high-capability mode can adopt the following encoding method: 0 for QPSK, 1 for BPSK, 2 for 16-QAM, ..., 6 for 2048-QAM, and 7 for 4096-QAM.

[0280] The high-capability Rx NSS subfield can be used to indicate the maximum NSS supported by the first device for reception in high-capability mode. As a possible implementation, the value of the high-capability Rx NSS can be set to NSS minus 1. In some embodiments, the high-capability Rx NSS subfield can occupy 4 bits. However, this application embodiment is not limited to this, and the high-capability Rx NSS subfield can occupy other numbers of bits.

[0281] The High Capability Tx NSTS subfield can be used to indicate the maximum NSTS supported for transmission by the first device in high capability mode. As one possible implementation, the value of High Capability Tx NSTS can be set to NSTS minus 1. In some embodiments, the High Capability Tx NSTS subfield can occupy 4 bits. However, this application embodiment is not limited to this, and the High Capability TxNSTS subfield can occupy other numbers of bits.

[0282] The high-capability supported PPDU format subfield can be used to indicate the PPDU formats supported by the first device in high-capability mode for receiving and / or transmitting. In some embodiments, the high-capability supported PPDU format subfield may occupy 3 bits. However, this application embodiment is not limited to this, and the high-capability supported PPDU format subfield may occupy other numbers of bits. This application embodiment does not limit the encoding method of the high-capability supported PPDU format subfield; for a description of the encoding method of the high-capability supported PPDU format subfield, please refer to the relevant description in Table 2 above.

[0283] The third subfield can be used to indicate whether the first device in the first operating mode switches from a low-capability mode to a high-capability mode (or full-capability mode) in the current frame exchange sequence after receiving the second frame. In some embodiments, the third subfield can be referred to as the first operating mode switching control subfield.

[0284] In some embodiments, the third subfield may be carried in the HE variant HT control field as a control subfield contained in the A-Control subfield.

[0285] In some embodiments, the third subfield may be carried in the second frame.

[0286] In some embodiments, the control information subfield of the third subfield may include switching information to indicate whether the first device in the first operating mode switches from low capability mode to high capability mode (or full capability mode) in the current frame exchange sequence after receiving the second frame.

[0287] In some embodiments, the third subfield may be used to indicate one or more of the following: whether the first device switches capability modes, the switching method between different capability modes, the target capability mode to which the first device switches, and the operation parameters associated with the target capability mode to which the first device switches.

[0288] Figure 12 An example diagram showing one possible format for a third subfield is provided. Figure 12As shown, the third subfield (such as the control information subfield of the third subfield) may include one or more of the following subfields: switch indicator subfield, switch type subfield, target capability mode subfield, and target capability mode operation parameter subfield.

[0289] The handover indicator subfield can be used to indicate whether the first device is transitioning from a low-capability mode to a high-capability mode (or full-capability mode) in the current frame exchange sequence. In some embodiments, the handover indicator subfield may occupy 1 bit. As one implementation, when the handover indicator subfield value is 1, it indicates a transition from a low-capability mode to a high-capability mode (or full-capability mode) in the current frame exchange sequence; when the handover indicator subfield value is 0, it indicates no handover is required. As another implementation, when the handover indicator subfield value is 0, it indicates a transition from a low-capability mode to a high-capability mode (or full-capability mode) in the current frame exchange sequence; when the handover indicator subfield value is 1, it indicates no handover is required. However, the embodiments of this application are not limited to this; for example, the handover indicator subfield may also occupy multiple bits to indicate whether a transition from a low-capability mode to a high-capability mode (or full-capability mode) is occurring in the current frame exchange sequence.

[0290] The switch type subfield can be used to indicate the type of switch, or it can be used to indicate the type of the first operating mode associated with the switch. In some embodiments, the switch type subfield can occupy 1 bit. As one implementation, when the switch type subfield value is 0, it indicates that the current switch indication is based on forced control switch, that is, the switch type subfield carries forced switch indication information. When the first device receives the switch indication subfield, it determines whether to perform a switch based on the information indicated by the switch indication subfield. When the switch type subfield value is 1, it indicates that the current switch indication is based on negotiated control switch, that is, the switch type subfield carries requested switch indication information. When the first device receives the switch indication subfield, it can accept or reject the requested switch indication. As another implementation, when the handover type subfield value is 1, it indicates that the current handover indication is based on forced control handover, that is, the handover type subfield carries forced handover indication information. When the first device receives the handover indication subfield, it determines whether to perform a handover based on the information indicated by the handover indication subfield. When the handover type subfield value is 0, it indicates that the current handover indication is based on negotiated control handover, that is, the handover type subfield carries requested handover indication information. When the first device receives the handover indication subfield, it can accept or reject the requested handover indication. However, the embodiments of this application are not limited to this. For example, the handover indication subfield may also occupy multiple bits to indicate the type of handover or the type of the first operating mode associated with the handover.

[0291] The target capability mode subfield can be used to indicate whether the target capability mode to be switched to is a high capability mode or a full capability mode. In some embodiments, the target capability mode subfield can occupy 2 bits, but this application embodiment is not limited to this; for example, the target capability mode subfield can also occupy other numbers of bits. This application embodiment does not limit the encoding method of the target capability mode subfield. As one implementation, a target capability mode subfield value of 0 indicates that the target capability mode is a high capability mode; a target capability mode subfield value of 1 indicates that the target capability mode is a full capability mode; a target capability mode subfield value of 2 indicates that the operation parameters associated with the target capability mode are indicated by the target capability mode operation parameter subfield carried by the capability adaptation energy-saving mode switching control subfield.

[0292] The Target Capability Mode Operation Parameters subfield can be used to indicate the operation parameters associated with the target capability mode. In some embodiments, the Target Capability Mode Operation Parameters subfield can be carried in a third subfield. In some embodiments, the Target Capability Mode Operation Parameters subfield can be carried in the Capability Adaptation Energy Saving Mode Switching Response subfield, which will be described later and will not be detailed here.

[0293] Figure 13 An example diagram shows the format of a possible target capability pattern operation parameter subfield. (e.g.) Figure 13 As shown, the target capability mode operation parameter subfield may include one or more of the following subfields: target capability operation bandwidth, MCS index corresponding to the highest order modulation supported by the target capability, target capability Rx NSS, target capability Tx NSTS, and PPDU format supported by the target capability.

[0294] The target capability operating bandwidth subfield can indicate the operating bandwidth supported by the first device for receiving and / or transmitting in the target capability mode. In some embodiments, the target capability operating bandwidth subfield can occupy 4 bits. However, the embodiments of this application are not limited to this, and the target capability operating bandwidth subfield can occupy other numbers of bits. The embodiments of this application do not limit the encoding method of the target capability operating bandwidth subfield. For example, the target capability operating bandwidth subfield can adopt the following encoding method: 0 for 20MHz, 1 for 40MHz; 2 for 80MHz; 3 for 160MHz and 80+80MHz; 4 for 320MHz; and other values ​​reserved. As another example, the target capability operating bandwidth subfield can adopt the following encoding method: 0 for 20MHz, 1 for 40MHz; 2 for 80MHz; 3 for 160MHz, 4 for 80+80MHz; 5 for 320MHz; and other values ​​reserved.

[0295] The MCS index subfield corresponding to the highest-order modulation supported by the target capability can be used to indicate the MCS index corresponding to the highest-order modulation supported by the first device in the target capability mode. In some embodiments, the MCS index subfield corresponding to the highest-order modulation supported by the target capability can occupy 3 bits. However, the embodiments of this application are not limited to this, and the MCS index subfield corresponding to the highest-order modulation supported by the target capability can occupy other numbers of bits. The embodiments of this application do not limit the encoding method of the MCS index subfield corresponding to the highest-order modulation supported by the target capability. For example, the MCS index subfield corresponding to the highest-order modulation supported by the target capability can adopt the following encoding method: 0 for BPSK, 1 for QPSK, 2 for 16-QAM, ..., 6 for 2048-QAM, and 7 for 4096-QAM. As another example, the MCS index subfield corresponding to the highest-order modulation supported by the target capability can adopt the following encoding method: 0 for QPSK, 1 for BPSK, 2 for 16-QAM, ..., 6 for 2048-QAM, and 7 for 4096-QAM.

[0296] The target capability Rx NSS subfield can be used to indicate the maximum NSS supported by the first device for reception in the target capability mode. As a possible implementation, the value of the target capability Rx NSS can be set to NSS minus 1. In some embodiments, the target capability Rx NSS subfield can occupy 4 bits. However, this application embodiment is not limited to this, and the target capability Rx NSS subfield can occupy other numbers of bits.

[0297] The Target Capability Tx NSTS subfield can be used to indicate the maximum NSTS supported by the first device for transmission in the Target Capability mode. As one possible implementation, the value of Target Capability Tx NSTS can be set to NSTS minus 1. In some embodiments, the Target Capability Tx NSTS subfield can occupy 4 bits. However, this application embodiment is not limited to this, and the Target Capability Tx NSTS subfield can occupy other numbers of bits.

[0298] The PPDU format subfield supported by the target capability can be used to indicate the PPDU formats that the first device supports for receiving and / or transmitting in the target capability mode. In some embodiments, the PPDU format subfield supported by the target capability may occupy 3 bits. However, this application embodiment is not limited to this, and the PPDU format subfield supported by the target capability may occupy other numbers of bits. This application embodiment does not limit the encoding method of the PPDU format subfield supported by the target capability; for a description of the encoding method of the PPDU format subfield supported by the target capability, please refer to the relevant description in Table 2 above.

[0299] The preceding text described how a third subfield can be carried in the second frame to indicate the handover information requested by the second device. However, the embodiments of this application are not limited to this. For example, the second frame can be a control frame capable of adapting to dynamic control of energy-saving mode, so as to indicate the handover information requested by the second device through the control frame. The following describes the relevant content of the second frame being a control frame capable of adapting to dynamic control of energy-saving mode.

[0300] In some embodiments, when the first device is in a first operating mode, when the second device initiates or communicates with the first device, the second device may request the first device to switch from a low-capability mode to a high-capability mode (or a full-capability mode) in the current frame exchange sequence through a control frame that is capable of dynamically controlling the power-saving mode.

[0301] In some embodiments, the control frame capable of adapting to dynamic control of energy-saving mode can be extended based on the MU-RTS trigger frame or basic trigger frame defined in the existing IEEE 802.11be standard.

[0302] As one implementation method, control frames capable of adapting to dynamic control in energy-saving modes can be extended based on the MU-RTS trigger frame. For example, a switching indicator subfield and a target capability mode subfield can be defined in the Common Info field of the MU-RTS trigger frame. The following section will combine... Figure 14 Provide one possible implementation method.

[0303] The handover indicator subfield can be used to indicate whether the first device is transitioning from a low-capability mode to a high-capability mode (or full-capability mode) in the current frame exchange sequence. In some embodiments, the handover indicator subfield may occupy 1 bit. As one implementation, when the handover indicator subfield value is 1, it indicates a transition from a low-capability mode to a high-capability mode (or full-capability mode) in the current frame exchange sequence; when the handover indicator subfield value is 0, it indicates no handover is required. As another implementation, when the handover indicator subfield value is 0, it indicates a transition from a low-capability mode to a high-capability mode (or full-capability mode) in the current frame exchange sequence; when the handover indicator subfield value is 1, it indicates no handover is required. However, the embodiments of this application are not limited to this; for example, the handover indicator subfield may also occupy multiple bits to indicate whether a transition from a low-capability mode to a high-capability mode (or full-capability mode) is occurring in the current frame exchange sequence.

[0304] As one implementation method, such as Figure 14 As shown, the switching indicator subfield can occupy 1 bit. For example, the switching indicator subfield can be included in bit B36 of the common information field of the MU-RTS trigger frame.

[0305] The target capability mode subfield can be used to indicate whether the target capability mode to be switched to is a high capability mode or a full capability mode. In some embodiments, the target capability mode subfield can occupy 2 bits, but this application embodiment is not limited to this; for example, the target capability mode subfield can also occupy other numbers of bits. This application embodiment does not limit the encoding method of the target capability mode subfield. As one implementation, a target capability mode subfield value of 0 indicates that the target capability mode is a high capability mode; a target capability mode subfield value of 1 indicates that the target capability mode is a full capability mode; a target capability mode subfield value of 2 indicates that the operation parameters associated with the target capability mode are indicated by the target capability mode operation parameter subfield carried by the capability adaptation energy-saving mode switching control subfield.

[0306] As one implementation method, such as Figure 14 As shown, the target capability mode subfield can occupy 1 bit. For example, the target capability mode subfield can be included in bit B63 of the common information field of the MU-RTS trigger frame.

[0307] about Figure 14 The definitions of other subfields can be found in the descriptions of existing technologies, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0308] The following section introduces the response subfield for capability adaptation energy-saving mode switching.

[0309] In some embodiments, the capability adaptation power saving mode switching response subfield may be carried in the response frame of the second frame. For example, the capability adaptation power saving mode switching response subfield may be carried in the block confirmation frame. Alternatively, the capability adaptation power saving mode switching response subfield may be carried in the response frame of the trigger frame.

[0310] In some embodiments, after receiving a second frame (e.g., the second frame contains a third subfield), the first device can indicate whether it has received the capability adaptation power saving mode switching information indicated or requested by the second device by carrying a capability adaptation power saving mode switching response subfield in the response frame of the second frame.

[0311] Figure 15 An example diagram is shown illustrating a possible capability to adapt the format of the power-saving mode switching response subfield. For example... Figure 15 As shown, the capability adaptation energy-saving mode switching response subfield may include one or more of the following subfields: response type subfield, target capability mode operation parameter subfield.

[0312] The response type subfield can be used to indicate whether the first device accepts the request from the second device, or in other words, whether the first device accepts the first device's request to switch to the first operating mode sent by the second device. It should be noted that the second device's request or the first operating mode switching request sent by the second device can be carried in the second frame, for example, in the capability adaptation energy-saving mode switching control subfield of the second frame.

[0313] In some embodiments, the response type subfield may occupy 2 bits. However, this application is not limited to this; for example, the response type subfield may occupy other numbers of bits.

[0314] This application does not limit the encoding method of the response type subfield. A feasible encoding method is given below with reference to Table 5.

[0315] Table 5

[0316] As shown in Table 5, accepting a handover request is set to 0, rejecting a handover request and maintaining the current low-capability mode is set to 1, accepting a handover request but switching to the target capability mode indicated by the target capability mode operation parameter subfield is set to 2, and other settings are reserved. However, this application embodiment is not limited to this. For example, rejecting a handover request and maintaining the current low-capability mode is set to 0, accepting a handover request but switching to the target capability mode indicated by the target capability mode operation parameter subfield is set to 1, accepting a handover request is set to 2, and other settings are reserved.

[0317] In some embodiments, when the response type subfield indicates "Accept the switching request, but will switch to the target capability mode indicated by the target capability mode operation parameter subfield" (see code 2 in the table), the capability adaptation energy-saving mode switching response subfield may carry the target capability mode operation parameter subfield, wherein the target capability mode operation parameter subfield indicates the operation parameters associated with the high capability mode that the first device is about to enter. For a related introduction to the target capability mode operation parameter subfield, please refer to the preceding text. Figure 13 Related information.

[0318] The method embodiments of this application have been described in detail above. The apparatus embodiments of this application are described in detail below. It should be understood that the descriptions of the method embodiments correspond to the descriptions of the apparatus embodiments. Therefore, any parts not described in detail can be referred to the foregoing method embodiments.

[0319] Figure 16 This is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 1600 provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 16The communication device 1600 shown can be any of the first devices described above. The communication device 1600 may include a first transmitting module 1610. The first transmitting module 1610 can be used to transmit a first frame to a second device, the first frame including first information, the first information being associated with a first operating mode of the first device, the first operating mode allowing the first device to communicate in different capability modes while in a wake-up state.

[0320] In this embodiment, the communication device 1600 can be used to execute some or all of the method steps executed by the first device in the above method embodiments. For example, when the first device is the initiator, the communication device 1600 can be used to execute the steps described above. Figures 2 to 15 In the described scheme, the initiator performs some or all of the method steps. The communication device 1600 includes components for performing the aforementioned steps. Figures 2 to 15 The units or modules corresponding to the method steps. The method flow has been described in detail in the foregoing embodiments. The modules in this embodiment have the same function or perform the same steps, and will not be repeated here. However, those skilled in the art should understand that the foregoing... Figures 2 to 15 The corresponding text description can be incorporated into this embodiment and corresponds to the module in the communication device 1600.

[0321] In some embodiments, the first transmitting module 1610 may be a transceiver 1830. The communication device 1600 may also include a processor 1810 and a memory 1820, specifically as follows: Figure 18 As shown.

[0322] Figure 17 This is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 1700 provided in another embodiment of this application. Figure 17 The communication device 1700 shown can be any of the second devices described above. The communication device 1700 may include a first receiving module 1710. The first receiving module 1710 can be used to receive a first frame sent by the first device, the first frame including first information, the first information being associated with a first operating mode of the first device, the first operating mode allowing the first device to communicate in different capability modes while in a wake-up state.

[0323] In this embodiment, the communication device 1700 can be used to execute some or all of the method steps executed by the second device in the above method embodiments. For example, when the second device is a responder, the communication device 1700 can be used to execute the steps described above. Figures 2 to 15 In the described scheme, the responder performs some or all of the method steps. The communication device 1700 includes components for performing the aforementioned steps. Figures 2 to 15The units or modules corresponding to the method steps. The method flow has been described in detail in the foregoing embodiments. The modules in this embodiment have the same function or perform the same steps, and will not be repeated here. However, those skilled in the art should understand that the foregoing... Figures 2 to 15 The corresponding textual description can be incorporated into this embodiment and corresponds to the module in the communication device 1700.

[0324] In some embodiments, the first receiving module 1710 may be a transceiver 1830. The communication device 1700 may also include a processor 1810 and a memory 1820, specifically as follows: Figure 18 As shown.

[0325] Figure 18 This is a schematic structural diagram of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 18 The dashed lines indicate that the unit or module is optional. The device 1800 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments. The device 1800 can be a chip or a communication device.

[0326] Apparatus 1800 may include one or more processors 1810. The processor 1810 may support apparatus 1800 in implementing the methods described in the preceding method embodiments. The processor 1810 may be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor. For example, the processor may be a central processing unit (CPU). Alternatively, the processor may be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0327] The apparatus 1800 may further include one or more memories 1820. The memories 1820 store a program that can be executed by the processor 1810, causing the processor 1810 to perform the methods described in the preceding method embodiments. The memories 1820 may be independent of the processor 1810 or integrated within the processor 1810.

[0328] The device 1800 may also include a transceiver 1830. The processor 1810 can communicate with other devices or chips via the transceiver 1830. For example, the processor 1810 can send and receive data with other devices or chips via the transceiver 1830.

[0329] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing a program. This computer-readable storage medium can be applied to the communication device provided in this application, and the program causes a computer to execute the methods performed by the communication device in various embodiments of this application.

[0330] This application also provides a computer program product. The computer program product includes a program. The computer program product can be applied to the communication device provided in this application embodiment, and the program causes a computer to execute the methods performed by the communication device in various embodiments of this application.

[0331] This application also provides a computer program. This computer program can be applied to the communication device provided in this application, and causes the computer to execute the methods performed by the communication device in various embodiments of this application.

[0332] It should be understood that the terms "system" and "network" in this application can be used interchangeably. Furthermore, the terminology used in this application is only for explaining specific embodiments of the application and is not intended to limit the application. The terms "first," "second," "third," and "fourth," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish different objects, not to describe a specific order. In addition, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion.

[0333] In embodiments of this application, a "field" may also be referred to as a "domain", "subfield", or "subfield". A field may occupy one or more bytes (byte / octet), or a field may occupy one or more bits (bit).

[0334] In the embodiments of this application, the term "instruction" can be a direct instruction, an indirect instruction, or an indication of a relationship. For example, A instructing B can mean that A directly instructs B, such as B being able to obtain information through A; it can also mean that A indirectly instructs B, such as A instructing C, so B can obtain information through C; or it can mean that there is a relationship between A and B.

[0335] In the embodiments of this application, "B corresponding to A" means that B is associated with A, and B can be determined based on A. However, it should also be understood that determining B based on A does not mean that B is determined solely based on A; B can also be determined based on A and / or other information.

[0336] In the embodiments of this application, the term "correspondence" can indicate a direct or indirect correspondence between two things, or an association between two things, or a relationship such as instruction and being instructed, configuration and being configured.

[0337] In this application embodiment, "predefined" or "preconfigured" can be implemented by pre-storing corresponding codes, tables, or other means that can be used to indicate relevant information in the device (e.g., including AP and STA). This application does not limit the specific implementation method. For example, predefined can refer to what is defined in the protocol.

[0338] In the embodiments of this application, the term "and / or" is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0339] In the embodiments of this application, "comprising" can refer to direct inclusion or indirect inclusion. Optionally, "comprising" mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be replaced with "indicating" or "used to determine". For example, "A includes B" can be replaced with "A indicates B" or "A is used to determine B".

[0340] In the various embodiments of this application, the order of the above-mentioned processes does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0341] In this application embodiment, the "protocol" may refer to a standard protocol in the field of communication, such as the WiFi protocol and related protocols applied to future WiFi communication systems, and this application does not limit it.

[0342] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0343] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. 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 the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0344] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0345] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can read or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available media may be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., digital video discs (DVDs)), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks (SSDs)).

[0346] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method of wireless communication, comprising: Comprising: The first device sends a first frame to a second device, the first frame comprising first information, the first information being associated with a first operation mode of the first device, the first operation mode allowing the first device to communicate in different capability modes in a wake-up state.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first frame comprises a control field, the first information being carried in the control field.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first frame comprises one or more of the following: a quality of service (QoS) data frame, a QoS null frame, a management frame.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The first information is used to indicate one or more of the following: Enabling / disabling the first operation mode; Operation parameters associated with the first operation mode; Switching manner between different capability modes of the first device in a wake-up state; The operation parameters associated with the first operation mode comprise one or more of the following: operation parameters associated with a low capability mode, operation parameters associated with a high capability mode, a time delay parameter for switching between different capability modes, a mode index corresponding to the low capability mode, a mode index corresponding to the high capability mode.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, The switching manner between different capability modes comprises a switching manner from a low capability mode to a high capability mode.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The method further comprises: The first device receives a second frame sent by the second device in a low capability mode, the second frame comprising fourth information, the fourth information being used to indicate whether the first device switches to a high capability mode; If the fourth information indicates that the first device switches to a high capability mode, the first device switches to a high capability mode for frame exchange in a current frame exchange sequence; and / or If the fourth information indicates that the first device does not switch to a high capability mode, the first device maintains a low capability mode for frame exchange in a current frame exchange sequence.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The method further comprises: The first device receives a second frame sent by the second device, the second frame being used to indicate that the first device performs frame exchange, the second frame being received according to one or more of the following: operation parameters associated with a low capability mode, operation parameters associated with a low capability mode indicated by the first frame; The first device switches to a high capability mode for frame exchange in a current frame exchange sequence.

8. The method of any one of claims 1-3, wherein: The operation parameters associated with a low capability mode in the first operation mode comprise one or more of the following: an operating bandwidth in a low capability mode, a number of receive chains in a low capability mode, a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) modulation parameter in a low capability mode, a number of receivable space-time streams / spatial streams in a low capability mode, a number of transmittable space-time streams / spatial streams in a low capability mode, a data rate in a low capability mode, a supportable received PPDU format in a low capability mode. The operation parameters associated with the high capability mode in the first operation mode include one or more of: an operating bandwidth in the high capability mode, a number of receive chains in the high capability mode, a modulation coding scheme (MCS) modulation parameter in the high capability mode, a number of receivable space-time streams / spatial streams in the high capability mode, a number of transmittable space-time streams / spatial streams in the high capability mode, a data rate in the high capability mode, a format of a PPDU that can be supported for reception in the high capability mode.

9. The method of any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The operation parameters associated with the first operation mode include a latency parameter for switching between different capability modes, the latency parameter for switching between different capability modes including one or more of: a minimum latency required for switching from the low capability mode to the high capability mode; a minimum latency required for switching from the high capability mode to the low capability mode.

10. A communication device, characterized by A communication device comprising a transceiver, a memory, and a processor, the memory configured to store a program, and the processor configured to invoke the program in the memory to cause the communication device to perform the method of any one of claims 1-9.

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