Communication method and communication device

Abstract

The invention provides a communication method and device, which are used for reducing the channel competition influence of a first STA on a scheduled STA in an OBSS by limiting the channel access of the first STA in a BSS where a first AP is located, so as to improve the success rate of the scheduled STA in the OBSS to obtain a channel. In the method, a first AP generates a first frame, the first frame comprises r-TWT SP information and first indication information, and the first indication information is used for indicating that the r-TWT SP information is r-TWT SP information of an OBSS of a BSS where the first AP is located; wherein the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS is used for indicating whether a first STA stops TXOP at a starting moment indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS, and the first STA is an STA in a BSS where the first AP is located; and the first AP sends the first frame. The application is applied to a wireless local area network system supporting a next generation WiFi protocol of IEEE 802.11 ax, such as 802.11 be, or an 802.11 series protocol of EHT and the like.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application. The original application has the application number 202210090368.6 and the original application date is January 25, 2022. The entire contents of the original application are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), and more particularly to a communication method and communication device. Background Technology

[0003] With the development of communication technology, WLAN communication standards have made ensuring latency and latency jitter characteristics a key technical objective, which has received widespread attention from the industry. Among them, the restricted target wakeup time (r-TWT) is a new mechanism to ensure low-latency services.

[0004] Currently, in the implementation of the r-TWT mechanism, the access point (AP) can send one or more restricted target wakeup time service period (r-TWT SP) messages through management frames. For stations (STAs) supporting the r-TWT mechanism, they need to end their transmission opportunity (TXOP) before the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP message. Furthermore, STAs not scheduled by the r-TWT SP message need to remain silent after the start time, while STAs scheduled by the r-TWT SP message can initiate channel contention after the start time. In other words, the r-TWT SP message is used to restrict channel access for unscheduled STAs, thereby increasing the probability of scheduled STAs acquiring the channel.

[0005] However, within the communication reach of the AP, there may be some STAs that are not managed by the management frames sent by the AP, which may cause the scheduled STAs to still be affected by the competition from these STAs.

[0006] Therefore, how to improve the success rate of STAs scheduled by the r-TWT mechanism in acquiring channels is a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This application provides a communication method and apparatus for reducing the impact of the first STA on the channel contention of the scheduled STA in the OBSS by restricting the channel access of the first STA in the BSS where the first AP is located, thereby improving the success rate of the scheduled STA in the OBSS obtaining the channel.

[0008] This application provides a communication method for WLAN communication. The method is executed by an access point (AP), or by a component (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system) within the AP. In this first aspect and its possible implementations, the method is described using the execution of the method by a first AP as an example. In this method, the first AP generates a first frame, which includes target wake-up time service phase (r-TWT) SP information and first indication information. The first indication information indicates that the r-TWT SP information is the r-TWT SP information of the overlapping basic service set (OBSS) of the basic service set (BSS) to which the first AP resides. The OBSS's r-TWT SP information indicates whether a first STA (Standard Operating System) should stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the OBSS's r-TWT SP information. The first STA is a STA within the BSS to which the first AP resides. The first AP then transmits the first frame.

[0009] Based on the above technical solution, the first frame sent by the first AP includes r-TWT SP information and first indication information. The first indication information indicates that the r-TWT SP information is the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located. In other words, the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS is used to restrict channel access for unscheduled STAs in the OBSS, thereby increasing the probability of scheduled STAs in the OBSS acquiring a channel. Furthermore, the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS is used to indicate whether the first STA should stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS, thereby restricting the channel access of the first STA at that start time. Here, the first STA is a STA within the BSS where the first AP is located, i.e., the first STA and the first AP are located in the same BSS. Therefore, by restricting the channel access of the first STA in the BSS where the first AP is located, the impact of the first STA on channel contention for scheduled STAs in the OBSS is reduced, thereby improving the success rate of scheduled STAs in the OBSS acquiring a channel.

[0010] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS is also used to indicate whether the first STA is silent during the quiet interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS.

[0011] Optionally, this implementation can also be described as follows: the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS is also used to indicate whether the first STA ignores the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS.

[0012] Based on the above technical solution, the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS is used to indicate whether the first STA should stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS, thereby restricting the first STA's channel access at that start time. The r-TWT SP information of the OBSS is also used to indicate whether the first STA should remain silent during the silence interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS, thereby restricting the first STA's channel access during that silence interval. Thus, the impact of the first STA on channel contention of the scheduled STAs in the OBSS is further reduced, thereby improving the success rate of the scheduled STAs in the OBSS obtaining a channel.

[0013] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, before the first AP generates the first frame, the method further includes: the first AP receiving a second frame from an AP located in the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located, the second frame including information related to the r-TWT SP information; wherein, the first AP generating the first frame includes: the first AP generating the first frame based on the information related to the r-TWT SP information.

[0014] Optionally, the information related to the r-TWT SP information contained in the second frame may include a portion of the r-TWT SP information contained in the first frame.

[0015] Optionally, the information related to the r-TWT SP information contained in the second frame may include all the information of the r-TWT SP information contained in the first frame.

[0016] Based on the above technical solution, the first AP can generate the first frame based on the information related to the r-TWT SP information in the second frame of the AP located in the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located. The information related to the r-TWT SP information contained in the second frame can indicate the start time, duration or other information, so that the first AP generates the first frame based on the information related to the r-TWT SP information.

[0017] Optionally, the first AP may also acquire the second frame in other ways. For example, the first AP may receive the second frame from an access controller (AC), where the AC can be the controller of both the first AP and the APs in the OBSS. Alternatively, the first AP may generate the second frame and send it to the APs in the OBSS, where the first AP can be the controller of the APs in the OBSS.

[0018] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the method further includes: the first AP sending a sixth frame, the sixth frame including a first TWT element, wherein the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information in the first TWT element is the same as the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information in the first frame; wherein the first TWT element further includes a TWT establishment command field located in the request type subfield of the broadcast TWT information field, and the value of the TWT establishment command field indicates a reject TWT.

[0019] Based on the above technical solution, after the first AP sends a first frame indicating whether the first STA should stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS, the first AP can also send a sixth frame. In this sixth frame, the value of the TWT establishment command field contained in the first TWT element indicates a rejection TWT, used to instruct the first STA to reject the r-TWT SP indicated by the r-TWT SP information in the first TWT element, that is, to instruct the first STA not to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information in the first TWT element. Since the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information in the first TWT element is the same as the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information in the first frame, the first AP instructs the first STA to reject the r-TWT SP indicated by the r-TWT SP information carried in the first frame through the sixth frame. Therefore, in addition to supporting the first AP to indicate the r-TWT SP indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS through the first frame, the sixth frame also supports the first AP to reject the r-TWT SP indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS.

[0020] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the first TWT element further includes seventh indication information, which indicates that the r-TWT SP information in the first TWT element is the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located.

[0021] Based on the above technical solution, after receiving the sixth frame, the first STA can clearly reject the r-TWT SP indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located because the seventh indication information contained in the first TWT element of the sixth frame is used to indicate that the r-TWT SP information in the first TWT element is the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS.

[0022] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the sixth frame further includes a second TWT element; wherein the second TWT element further includes a TWT establishment command field located in the request type subfield of the broadcast TWT information field, the value of the TWT establishment command field indicating an accept TWT.

[0023] It should be understood that the parameters involved in the r-TWT SP information in the second TWT element (such as start time, duration, etc.) can be the same as or different from the parameters involved in the r-TWT SP information in the first TWT element, and no limitation is made here.

[0024] Based on the above technical solution, the sixth frame sent by the first AP includes not only the first TWT element but also a second TWT element. The value of the TWT setup command field contained in the second TWT element indicates acceptance of the TWT, meaning that the first STA needs to accept the r-TWT SP indicated by the r-TWT SP information contained in the second TWT. In other words, the first and second TWT elements carried in the sixth frame modify the r-TWT SP indicated by the r-TWT SP information carried in the first frame. Therefore, in addition to supporting the first AP in indicating the r-TWT SP indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS through the first frame, the sixth frame also supports the first AP in modifying the r-TWT SP indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS.

[0025] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the second TWT element further includes eighth indication information, which indicates that the r-TWT SP information in the second TWT element is the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located.

[0026] Based on the above technical solution, after receiving the sixth frame, the first STA can clearly understand that the r-TWT SP to be received is the r-TWT SP indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located, since the eighth indication information contained in the second TWT element of the sixth frame is used to indicate that the r-TWT SP information in the first TWT element is the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS.

[0027] The second aspect of this application provides a communication method applied to WLAN communication. This method is executed by a station (STA), or by a component (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system) within the STA. In the first aspect and its possible implementations, the method is described using the example of execution by a first STA. In this method, the first STA receives a first frame, which includes r-TWT SP information and first indication information. The first indication information indicates that the r-TWT SP information is the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located. The OBSS r-TWT SP information indicates whether the first STA should stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the OBSS r-TWT SP information. The first STA is a STA within the BSS where the first AP is located. The first STA determines, based on the OBSS first indication information, that the r-TWT SP information is the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located. The first STA determines, based on the OBSS r-TWT SP information, whether it should stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the OBSS r-TWT SP information.

[0028] Based on the above technical solution, the first frame received by the first STA includes r-TWT SP information and first indication information. The first indication information indicates that the r-TWT SP information is the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located. In other words, the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS is used to restrict channel access for unscheduled STAs in the OBSS, thereby increasing the probability of scheduled STAs in the OBSS obtaining a channel. Furthermore, the first STA determines whether to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information based on the OBSS r-TWT SP information, thereby restricting the first STA's channel access at that start time. Here, the first STA is a STA within the BSS where the first AP is located, i.e., the first STA and the first AP are located in the same BSS. Therefore, by restricting the channel access of the first STA in the BSS where the first AP is located, the impact of the first STA on channel contention for scheduled STAs in the OBSS is reduced, thereby improving the success rate of scheduled STAs in the OBSS obtaining a channel.

[0029] In one possible implementation of the second aspect, the method further includes: the first STA determining whether to remain silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS based on the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS.

[0030] Optionally, this implementation can also be described as follows: the first STA determines whether to ignore the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS based on the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS.

[0031] Based on the above technical solution, the first STA determines whether to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS, thereby restricting the first STA's channel access at that start time; the first STA also determines whether to remain silent during the silence interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS, thereby restricting the first STA's channel access during that silence interval. This further reduces the impact of the first STA on channel contention of the scheduled STAs in the OBSS, thereby improving the success rate of the scheduled STAs in the OBSS obtaining a channel.

[0032] In one possible implementation of the second aspect, the method further includes: the first STA receiving a sixth frame, the sixth frame including a first TWT element, the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information in the first TWT element being the same as the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information in the first frame; wherein the first TWT element further includes a TWT establishment command field located in the request type subfield of the broadcast TWT information field, the value of the TWT establishment command field indicating a rejection TWT; the first STA determining, based on the value of the TWT establishment command field in the first TWT element, that there is no need to stop the transmission opportunity TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information in the first frame.

[0033] Based on the above technical solution, after the first STA receives the first frame indicating whether it should stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS, the first STA can also receive a sixth frame. In this sixth frame, the value of the TWT establishment command field contained in the first TWT element indicates a rejection TWT, used to instruct the first STA to reject the r-TWT SP indicated by the r-TWT SP information in the first TWT element, that is, to instruct the first STA not to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information in the first TWT element. Since the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information in the first TWT element is the same as the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information in the first frame, the first AP instructs the first STA to reject the r-TWT SP indicated by the r-TWT SP information carried in the first frame through the sixth frame. Therefore, in addition to supporting the first AP to indicate the r-TWT SP indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS through the first frame, the sixth frame also supports the first AP to reject the r-TWT SP indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS.

[0034] In one possible implementation of the second aspect, the first TWT element further includes seventh indication information, which indicates that the r-TWT SP information in the first TWT element is the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located.

[0035] Based on the above technical solution, after receiving the sixth frame, the first STA can clearly reject the r-TWT SP indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located because the seventh indication information contained in the first TWT element of the sixth frame is used to indicate that the r-TWT SP information in the first TWT element is the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS.

[0036] In one possible implementation of the second aspect, the sixth frame further includes a second TWT element, wherein the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information in the second TWT element is different from the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information in the first frame; wherein the second TWT element further includes a TWT establishment command field located in the request type subfield of the broadcast TWT information field, and the value of the TWT establishment command field indicates acceptance of TWT; the first STA determines whether to stop transmission opportunity TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information in the first frame based on the value of the TWT establishment command field in the second TWT element.

[0037] Based on the above technical solution, the sixth frame received by the first STA includes not only the first TWT element but also a second TWT element. The value of the TWT setup command field contained in the second TWT element indicates acceptance of the TWT, meaning the first STA needs to accept the r-TWT SP indicated by the r-TWT SP information contained in the second TWT. In other words, the first and second TWT elements carried in the sixth frame modify the r-TWT SP indicated by the r-TWT SP information carried in the first frame. Therefore, in addition to supporting the first AP in indicating the r-TWT SP indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS through the first frame, the sixth frame also supports the first AP in modifying the r-TWT SP indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS.

[0038] In one possible implementation of the second aspect, the second TWT element further includes an eighth indication information, which indicates that the r-TWT SP information in the second TWT element is the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located.

[0039] Based on the above technical solution, after receiving the sixth frame, the first STA can clearly understand that the r-TWT SP to be received is the r-TWT SP indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located, since the eighth indication information contained in the second TWT element of the sixth frame is used to indicate that the r-TWT SP information in the first TWT element is the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS.

[0040] A third aspect of this application provides a communication device for WLAN communication. This device is an access point (AP), or a component within an AP (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system). In this third aspect and its possible implementations, the device is described as a first AP. The device includes a processing unit and a transceiver unit. The processing unit generates a first frame, which includes target wake-up time service phase (r-TWT SP) information and first indication information. The first indication information indicates that the r-TWT SP information is the r-TWT SP information of the overlapping basic service set (OBSS) of the BSS where the first AP is located. The OBSS r-TWT SP information indicates whether a first station (STA) should stop transmission opportunity (TXOP) at the start time indicated by the OBSS r-TWT SP information. The first STA is a STA within the BSS where the first AP is located. The transceiver unit transmits the first frame.

[0041] Based on the above technical solution, the first frame transmitted by the transceiver unit includes r-TWT SP information and first indication information. The first indication information indicates that the r-TWT SP information is the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located. In other words, the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS is used to restrict channel access for unscheduled STAs in the OBSS, thereby increasing the probability of scheduled STAs in the OBSS acquiring a channel. Furthermore, the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS is used to indicate whether the first STA should stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS, thereby restricting the channel access of the first STA at that start time. Here, the first STA is a STA within the BSS where the first AP is located, i.e., the first STA and the first AP are located in the same BSS. Therefore, by restricting the channel access of the first STA in the BSS where the first AP is located, the impact of the first STA on channel contention for scheduled STAs in the OBSS is reduced, thereby improving the success rate of scheduled STAs in the OBSS acquiring a channel.

[0042] In one possible implementation of the third aspect, the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS is also used to indicate whether the first STA is silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS.

[0043] In one possible implementation of the third aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a second frame from an AP located in the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located, the second frame including information related to the r-TWT SP information; the processing unit is further configured to generate the first frame based on the information related to the r-TWT SP information.

[0044] In one possible implementation of the third aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to transmit a sixth frame, the sixth frame including a first TWT element, wherein the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information in the first TWT element is the same as the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information in the first frame; wherein the first TWT element further includes a TWT establishment command field located in the request type subfield of the broadcast TWT information field, and the value of the TWT establishment command field indicates a rejection TWT.

[0045] In one possible implementation of the third aspect, the first TWT element further includes seventh indication information, which indicates that the r-TWT SP information in the first TWT element is the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located.

[0046] In one possible implementation of the third aspect, the sixth frame further includes a second TWT element, wherein the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information in the second TWT element is different from the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information in the first frame; wherein the second TWT element further includes a TWT establishment command field located in the request type subfield of the broadcast TWT information field, and the value of the TWT establishment command field indicates acceptance of TWT.

[0047] In one possible implementation of the third aspect, the second TWT element further includes an eighth indication information, which indicates that the r-TWT SP information in the second TWT element is the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located.

[0048] This application provides a fourth aspect of a communication apparatus for WLAN communication. The apparatus is a Station (STA), or a component within a STA (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system). In this fourth aspect and its possible implementations, the apparatus is described as a first STA. The apparatus includes a processing unit and a transceiver unit. The transceiver unit receives a first frame, which includes target wake-up time service phase (r-TWT SP) information and first indication information. The first indication information indicates that the r-TWT SP information is the r-TWT SP information of the Overlapping Basic Service Set (OBSS) of the BSS where the first AP is located; the first STA is a STA within the BSS where the first AP is located. The processing unit determines, based on the first indication information, that the r-TWT SP information is the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located. The processing unit further determines, based on the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS, whether the first STA should stop transmission opportunity (TXOP) at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information.

[0049] Based on the above technical solution, the first frame received by the transceiver unit includes r-TWT SP information and first indication information. The first indication information indicates that the r-TWT SP information is the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located. In other words, the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS is used to restrict channel access for unscheduled STAs in the OBSS, thereby increasing the probability of scheduled STAs in the OBSS acquiring a channel. Furthermore, the processing unit determines whether the first STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS based on the OBSS r-TWT SP information, thereby restricting the channel access of the first STA at that start time. Here, the first STA is a STA within the BSS where the first AP is located, i.e., the first STA and the first AP are located in the same BSS. Therefore, by restricting the channel access of the first STA in the BSS where the first AP is located, the impact of the first STA on channel contention for scheduled STAs in the OBSS is reduced, thereby improving the success rate of scheduled STAs in the OBSS acquiring a channel.

[0050] In one possible implementation of the fourth aspect, the processing unit is further configured to determine, based on the r-TWTSP information of the OBSS, whether to remain silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWTSP information of the OBSS.

[0051] In one possible implementation of the fourth aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a sixth frame, the sixth frame including a first TWT element, wherein the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information in the first TWT element is the same as the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information in the first frame; wherein the first TWT element further includes a TWT establishment command field located in the request type subfield of the broadcast TWT information field, and the value of the TWT establishment command field indicates a rejection TWT; The first STA determines the opportunity to stop transmission (TXOP) at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information in the first frame based on the value of the TWT command field in the first TWT element.

[0052] In one possible implementation of the fourth aspect, the first TWT element further includes a seventh indication information, which indicates that the r-TWT SP information in the first TWT element is the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located.

[0053] In one possible implementation of the fourth aspect, the sixth frame further includes a second TWT element, wherein the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information in the second TWT element is different from the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information in the first frame; wherein the second TWT element further includes a TWT establishment command field located in the request type subfield of the broadcast TWT information field, and the value of the TWT establishment command field indicates acceptance of TWT; The processing unit is also used to determine, based on the value of the TWT establishment command field in the second TWT element, whether to stop the transmission opportunity TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information in the first frame.

[0054] In one possible implementation of the fourth aspect, the second TWT element further includes an eighth indication information, which indicates that the r-TWT SP information in the second TWT element is the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located.

[0055] In any of the possible implementations of the first to fourth aspects, the first frame further includes second indication information, which includes n fields, where n is greater than or equal to 1; the field positions of the n fields are used to indicate a traffic identifier (TID), and the values ​​of the n fields are used to instruct the first STA to perform the service corresponding to the TID according to one of the following items, which include: The first STA does not need to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS, nor does it need to remain silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS; or, The first STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS and does not need to remain silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS; or, The first STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS and remains silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS.

[0056] In any embodiment of this application, the first STA does not need to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS and does not need to be silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS. It can also be described as: the first STA does not need to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS and ignores the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS.

[0057] In any embodiment of this application, the first STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS and does not need to be silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS. This can also be described as: the first STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS and ignores the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS.

[0058] In any embodiment of this application, the first STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS and remains silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS. This can also be described as the first STA stopping TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS and prohibiting the ignoring of the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS.

[0059] Based on the above technical solution, the first frame sent by the first AP also includes second indication information. This second indication information indicates that when the service corresponding to the TID is executed by the first STA, it does not necessarily restrict the first STA's channel access at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS, nor does it necessarily restrict the first STA's channel access during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS. Therefore, through the implementation of the second indication information in the second frame, the first STA in the BSS where the first AP is located is not restricted by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS when executing certain services corresponding to TIDs, ensuring that the services of the first STA in the BSS where the first AP is located (such as high-priority services, low-latency requirement services, etc.) can be executed.

[0060] In any of the possible implementations of the first to fourth aspects, the first frame includes a target wakeup time (TWT) element, and the broadcast TWT information field in the TWT element includes a broadcast TWT identifier field; wherein the values ​​of the n fields are used to indicate that the first STA in the TWT group indicated by the broadcast TWT identifier field performs the service corresponding to the TID according to one of the following items.

[0061] Based on the above technical solution, the TWT element in the first frame sent by the first AP also includes a broadcast TWT identifier field, which is used to indicate the TWT group. Therefore, based on the broadcast TWT identifier field and the second indication information in the first frame, the STAs in the TWT group within the BSS where the first AP is located are not restricted by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS when performing certain TID-corresponding services, ensuring that the services (such as high-priority services, low-latency requirement services, etc.) of the STAs in the TWT group within the BSS where the first AP is located can be executed.

[0062] In any of the possible implementations of the first to fourth aspects, the TWT element includes an r-TWT service information field; the second indication information is located in the r-TWT downlink TID bitmap subfield and / or the r-TWT uplink TID bitmap subfield within the r-TWT service information field.

[0063] Optionally, the second indication information may be located in other fields within the TWT element.

[0064] In any of the possible implementations of the first to fourth aspects, the first frame includes a target wakeup time (TWT) element, and the broadcast TWT information field in the TWT element includes a broadcast TWT identifier field; wherein the first STA in the TWT group indicated by the broadcast TWT identifier field does not need to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS and does not need to be silent during the silence interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information.

[0065] Based on the above technical solution, the TWT element in the first frame sent by the first AP also includes a broadcast TWT identifier field, which is used to indicate the TWT group. Therefore, based on the broadcast TWT identifier field in the first frame, STAs in the TWT group within the BSS where the first AP is located are not restricted by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS when performing certain services corresponding to TIDs, ensuring that the services (such as high-priority services, low-latency requirement services, etc.) of the STAs in the TWT group within the BSS where the first AP is located can be executed.

[0066] In any of the possible implementations of the first to fourth aspects, the first frame includes a TWT element, in which the r-TWT SP information and the first indication information are located.

[0067] In one possible implementation of any of the first to fourth aspects, the TWT element further includes a TWT creation command field located in the request type subfield of the broadcast TWT information field; wherein the value of the TWT creation command field indicates acceptance of the TWT.

[0068] Based on the above technical solution, after receiving the first frame, the first STA knows that it needs to accept the r-TWT SP indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS because the value of the TWT establishment command field contained in the TWT element of the first frame indicates that the TWT should be accepted.

[0069] In any of the possible implementations of the first to fourth aspects, the TWT element includes a broadcast TWT information field; the first indication information is located in the broadcast TWT information field.

[0070] In any of the possible implementations of the first to fourth aspects The first indication information is located in the broadcast TWT identifier field of the broadcast TWT information field; or, The first indication information is located in a reserved field in the broadcast TWT information field; or, The first indication information is located in a reserved field in the broadcast TWT information field, wherein the broadcast TWT identifier field in the broadcast TWT information field is a reserved field.

[0071] In any of the possible implementations of the first to fourth aspects, the TWT element includes an r-TWT business information field; the first indication information is located in the business information control subfield within the r-TWT business information field.

[0072] In any of the possible implementations of the first to fourth aspects, the first frame also includes a silence element, the start time of which indicates the silence interval is the same as the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS.

[0073] Optionally, the silence element may be located in a different frame than the first frame. For example, the other frame carrying the silence element may include a beacon frame, a probe response frame, or a frame specifically designed to carry the silence element.

[0074] Optionally, one or more frames sent by the first AP may include multiple silence elements, and among these multiple silence elements, there is a silence element (referred to as the first silence element for ease of description) whose start time of the silence interval is the same as the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS.

[0075] Optionally, if the first STA supports the r-TWT mechanism, then the first STA can determine that the first silence element is the silence element corresponding to the r-TWT SP information carried in the first frame. This makes it clear to the first STA that if the first STA silences based on the first silence element, the purpose is to reduce the impact of the first STA on channel contention of the scheduled STAs in the OBSS.

[0076] Optionally, if the first STA does not support the r-TWT mechanism, i.e., the first STA is a legacy STA, then the first STA can be silenced based on the first silence element to reduce the impact of the first STA on the channel contention of the STAs scheduled in the OBSS.

[0077] In any of the possible implementations of the first to fourth aspects, the first frame is a beacon frame or a probe response frame.

[0078] Optionally, the first frame is a management frame.

[0079] This application provides a fifth aspect of a communication method for WLAN communication. The method is performed by an access point (AP), or by a component (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system) within the AP. In this fifth aspect and its possible implementations, the method is described using the example of a first AP performing the method. In this method, the first AP receives a second frame from a second AP, the second frame including target wake-up time service phase (r-TWT) SP information, wherein the second AP is located in the overlapping basic service set (OBSS) of the basic service set (BSS) to which the first AP is located; the first AP sends a third frame to a first station (STA), the third frame including a silence element, the silence element indicating the start time of a silence interval being the same as the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information.

[0080] Based on the above technical solution, after the first AP receives a second frame containing r-TWT SP information from the second AP, the first AP sends a third frame containing a silence element to the first STA based on the second frame. The start time of the silence interval indicated by the silence element is the same as the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information. The second AP is located in the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located. In other words, the first AP can determine from the second frame that the r-TWT SP information in the OBSS is used to restrict channel access for unscheduled STAs in the OBSS, thereby increasing the probability of scheduled STAs in the OBSS acquiring a channel. Therefore, after sending the third frame containing the silence element to the first STA, the first AP reduces the impact of the first STA on channel contention for scheduled STAs in the OBSS by restricting the first STA's channel access in the BSS where the first AP is located, thereby improving the success rate of scheduled STAs in the OBSS acquiring a channel.

[0081] A sixth aspect of this application provides a communication method for WLAN communication. This method is performed by a station (STA), or by a component (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system) within the STA. In this sixth aspect and its possible implementations, the method is described exemplified by being performed by a first STA. In this method, the first station (STA) receives a third frame from a first access point (AP), the third frame including a silence element; the first STA remains silent based on the silence element at the start of a silence interval indicated by the silence element.

[0082] Based on the above technical solution, the first STA receives a third frame containing a silence element from the first AP. The start time of the silence interval indicated by the silence element is the same as the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information sent by the second AP. The second AP is located in the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located. Therefore, after sending the third frame containing the silence element to the first STA, the first AP reduces the impact of the first STA on channel contention of scheduled STAs in the OBSS by restricting the first STA's channel access in the BSS where the first AP is located, thereby improving the success rate of scheduled STAs in the OBSS obtaining a channel.

[0083] A seventh aspect of this application provides a communication apparatus for WLAN communication. The apparatus is an access point (AP), or a component within an AP (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system). In this seventh aspect and its possible implementations, the apparatus is described as a first AP. The apparatus includes a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. The receiving unit receives a second frame from a second AP, the second frame including target wake-up time service phase (r-TWT) SP information, wherein the second AP is located in the overlapping basic service set (OBSS) of the basic service set (BSS) to which the first AP is located. The transmitting unit transmits a third frame to a first station (STA), the third frame including a silence element, the silence element indicating the start time of a silence interval being the same as the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information.

[0084] Based on the above technical solution, after receiving a second frame containing r-TWT SP information from the second AP, the transmitting unit sends a third frame containing a silence element to the first STA. The start time of the silence interval indicated by the silence element is the same as the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information. The second AP is located in the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located. In other words, based on the second frame, the first AP can determine that the r-TWT SP information in the OBSS is used to restrict channel access for unscheduled STAs, thereby increasing the probability of scheduled STAs in the OBSS acquiring a channel. Therefore, after sending the third frame containing the silence element to the first STA, the first AP reduces the impact of the first STA on channel contention for scheduled STAs in the OBSS by restricting channel access for the first STA in the BSS where the first AP is located, thus improving the success rate of scheduled STAs in the OBSS acquiring a channel.

[0085] This application provides an eighth aspect of a communication apparatus for WLAN communication. The apparatus is a Station (STA), or a component within a STA (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system). In this eighth aspect and its possible implementations, the apparatus is described as a first STA. The apparatus includes a processing unit and a transceiver unit. The transceiver unit is configured to receive a third frame from a first Access Point (AP), the third frame including a silence element. The processing unit is configured to silence the user based on the silence element at the start time of a silence interval indicated by the silence element.

[0086] Based on the above technical solution, the transceiver unit receives a third frame containing a silence element from the first AP. The start time of the silence interval indicated by the silence element is the same as the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information sent by the second AP. The second AP is located in the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located. Therefore, after the first AP sends the third frame containing the silence element to the first STA, it reduces the impact of the first STA on channel contention of the scheduled STAs in the OBSS by restricting the first STA's channel access in the BSS where the first AP is located, thereby improving the success rate of the scheduled STAs in the OBSS obtaining a channel.

[0087] It should be noted that, in the implementation of the fifth or seventh aspect, the first AP may also execute any possible implementation of the first or third aspect mentioned above and achieve the corresponding technical effect, which will not be elaborated here. Furthermore, in the implementation of the sixth or eighth aspect, the first STA may also execute any possible implementation of the second or fourth aspect mentioned above and achieve the corresponding technical effect, which will not be elaborated here.

[0088] A ninth aspect of this application provides a communication method applied to WLAN communication. This method is executed by an access point (AP), or by a component (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system) within the AP. In this ninth aspect and its possible implementations, the method is described as being executed by a second AP. In this method, the second AP generates a fourth frame, which includes target wake-up time service phase (r-TWT) SP information and third indication information. The third indication information includes m fields, where m is greater than or equal to 1. The positions of these m fields are used to indicate the service identifier (TID), and the values ​​of these m fields are used to instruct the second STA to perform the service corresponding to the TID according to one of the following items: The second STA does not need to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information, nor does it need to remain silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information; or, The second STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and does not need to remain silent during the silence interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information; or, The second STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and remains silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information; The second AP sends the fourth frame.

[0089] In any embodiment of this application, the second STA does not need to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and does not need to remain silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information. Alternatively, it can be stated that the second STA does not need to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and ignores the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information.

[0090] In any embodiment of this application, the second STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and does not need to be silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information. This can also be described as: the second STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and ignores the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information.

[0091] In any embodiment of this application, the second STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and remains silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information. Alternatively, the second STA can be described as stopping TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and prohibiting the ignoring of the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information.

[0092] Based on the above technical solution, the fourth frame sent by the second AP includes third indication information. This third indication information indicates that when the service corresponding to the TID is executed by the second STA, it does not necessarily restrict the second STA's channel access at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information, nor does it necessarily restrict the second STA's channel access during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information. Here, the second STA is a station within the BSS where the second AP is located; that is, the second AP and the second STA are located in the same BSS. Therefore, through the implementation of the third indication information in the fourth frame, the second STA in the BSS where the second AP is located is not subject to the restrictions of the r-TWT SP information when executing services corresponding to certain TIDs, ensuring that the second STA's services (such as high-priority services, low-latency requirement services, etc.) can be executed within the BSS where the second AP is located.

[0093] The tenth aspect of this application provides a communication method applied to WLAN communication. This method is performed by a station (STA), or by a component (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system) within the STA. In this tenth aspect and its possible implementations, the method is described as being performed by a second STA. In this method, The second station STA receives a fourth frame, which includes the target wake-up time service phase r-TWT SP information and a third indication information. The third indication information includes m fields, where m is greater than or equal to 1. The positions of these m fields are used to indicate the service identifier (TID), and the values ​​of these m fields are used to instruct the second STA to perform the service corresponding to the TID according to one of the following items: The second STA does not need to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information, nor does it need to remain silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information; or, The second STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and does not need to remain silent during the silence interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information; or, The second STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and remains silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information; The second STA determines, based on the r-TWT SP information and the third indication information, whether to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and whether to remain silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information.

[0094] Based on the above technical solution, the fourth frame received by the second STA includes third indication information. This third indication information indicates that when the service corresponding to the TID is executed by the second STA, it does not necessarily restrict the second STA's channel access at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information, nor does it necessarily restrict the second STA's channel access during the silence interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information. In other words, the second STA determines whether to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and whether to ignore the silence interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information based on the r-TWT SP information and the third indication information. The second AP and the second STA are located in the same BSS. Therefore, through the implementation of the third indication information in the fourth frame, the second STA in the BSS where the second AP is located is not restricted by the r-TWT SP information when executing services corresponding to certain TIDs, ensuring that the second STA's services (such as high-priority services, low-latency service requirements, etc.) in the BSS where the second AP is located can be executed.

[0095] The eleventh aspect of this application provides a communication device for WLAN communication. This device is an access point (AP), or it is a component of an AP (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system). In the eleventh aspect and its possible implementations, the device is described as a second AP. The device includes a processing unit and a transceiver unit. The processing unit is used to generate a fourth frame, which includes target wake-up time service phase (r-TWT) SP information and third indication information. The third indication information includes m fields, where m is greater than or equal to 1. The positions of these m fields are used to indicate the service identifier (TID), and the values ​​of these m fields are used to instruct the second STA to perform the service corresponding to the TID according to one of the following items: The second STA does not need to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information, nor does it need to remain silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information; or, The second STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and does not need to remain silent during the silence interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information; or, The second STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and remains silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information; This transceiver unit is used to send the fourth frame.

[0096] Based on the above technical solution, the fourth frame sent by the transceiver unit includes third indication information. This information, transmitted via the second indication information, indicates that when the service corresponding to the TID is executed by the second STA, it does not necessarily restrict the second STA's channel access at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information, nor does it necessarily restrict the second STA's channel access during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information. The second AP and the second STA are located in the same BSS. Therefore, through the implementation of the third indication information in the fourth frame, the second STA in the BSS where the second AP is located is not subject to the restrictions of the r-TWT SP information when executing certain services corresponding to TIDs, ensuring that the services of the second STA in the BSS where the second AP is located (such as high-priority services, low-latency service requirements, etc.) can be executed.

[0097] The twelfth aspect of this application provides a communication device for WLAN communication. This device is a STA (Station), or a component of a STA (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system). In the twelfth aspect and its possible implementations, the device is described as a second STA. The device includes a processing unit and a transceiver unit.

[0098] The transceiver unit is used to receive a fourth frame, which includes the target wake-up time service phase r-TWTSP information and a third indication information. The third indication information includes m fields, where m is greater than or equal to 1. The positions of these m fields are used to indicate the service identifier (TID), and the values ​​of these m fields are used to instruct the second STA to perform the service corresponding to the TID according to one of the following items: The second STA does not need to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information, nor does it need to remain silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information; or, The second STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and does not need to remain silent during the silence interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information; or, The second STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and remains silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information; The processing unit is configured to determine, based on the r-TWT SP information and the third indication information, whether the second STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and whether it remains silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information.

[0099] Based on the above technical solution, the fourth frame received by the transceiver unit includes third indication information. This third indication information indicates that when the service corresponding to the TID is executed by the second STA, it does not necessarily restrict the second STA's channel access at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information, nor does it necessarily restrict the second STA's channel access during the silence interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information. In other words, the processing unit determines whether the second STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and whether it remains silent during the silence interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information, based on the r-TWT SP information and the third indication information. The second AP and the second STA are located in the same BSS. Therefore, through the implementation of the third indication information in the fourth frame, the second STA in the BSS where the second AP is located is not restricted by the r-TWT SP information when executing services corresponding to certain TIDs, ensuring that the services of the second STA in the BSS where the second AP is located (e.g., high-priority services, low-latency requirement services, etc.) can be executed.

[0100] In any of the possible implementations of aspects nine through twelfth, the fourth frame includes a target wake-up time (TWT) element, in which the r-TWT SP information and the third indication information are located.

[0101] In any of the possible implementations of aspects nine through twelfth, the TWT element includes an r-TWT service information field; wherein the third indication information is located in the r-TWT service information field.

[0102] In any of the possible implementations of aspects nine through twelfth, the r-TWT service information domain includes a service information control subdomain; wherein the service information control subdomain includes fourth indication information, which is used to indicate whether the r-TWT service information domain includes the third indication information.

[0103] In any of the possible implementations of aspects nine through twelfth, the fourth frame includes a target wakeup time (TWT) element, wherein the broadcast TWT information field in the TWT element includes a broadcast TWT identifier field; wherein the values ​​of the m fields are used to indicate that the second STA in the TWT group indicated by the broadcast TWT identifier field performs the service corresponding to the TID according to one of the following items.

[0104] Based on the above technical solution, the TWT element in the fourth frame sent by the second AP also includes a broadcast TWT identifier field, which is used to indicate the TWT group. Therefore, based on the broadcast TWT identifier field and the fourth indication information in the fourth frame, the second STA in the TWT group within the BSS where the second AP is located is not restricted by the r-TWT SP information in the OBSS when performing certain TID-corresponding services, ensuring that the services (such as high-priority services, low-latency requirement services, etc.) of the STAs in the TWT group within the BSS where the second AP is located can be executed.

[0105] The thirteenth aspect of this application provides a communication method applied to WLAN communication. This method is executed by an access point (AP), or by a component within the AP (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system). In this thirteenth aspect and its possible implementations, the method is described using the example of execution by a second AP. In this method, the second AP generates a fifth frame, which includes target wake-up time service phase (r-TWT) SP information and a fifth indication information. The fifth indication information indicates whether a first STA should stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information; wherein the first STA is not associated with the second AP; and the second AP transmits the fifth frame.

[0106] Based on the above technical solution, the fifth frame sent by the second AP includes r-TWT SP information and fifth indication information. The fifth indication information is used to instruct the first STA whether to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information. Specifically, the r-TWT SP information restricts channel access for unscheduled STAs in the BSS where the second AP is located, thereby increasing the probability of scheduled STAs in the BSS where the second AP is located acquiring a channel. Furthermore, the fifth indication information instructs the first STA whether to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information, thereby restricting the first STA's channel access at that start time. Here, the first STA is not associated with the second AP. In other words, the second AP restricts channel access for STAs in other BSSs through the fifth indication information and r-TWT SP information carried in the fifth frame. Therefore, by restricting channel access for the first STA, which is not associated with the second AP, the impact of the first STA on channel contention for scheduled STAs in the BSS where the second AP is located is reduced, thereby improving the success rate of scheduled STAs in the BSS where the second AP is located acquiring a channel.

[0107] In this embodiment, "the first STA is not associated with the second AP" includes: the first STA is associated with the first AP, wherein the first AP is located in the OBSS of the BSS where the second AP is located. Alternatively, "the first STA is not associated with the second AP" includes: the first STA is not associated with any AP.

[0108] In one possible implementation of the thirteenth aspect, the fifth indication information is also used to indicate whether the first STA is silent during the silence interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information.

[0109] Optionally, this implementation can also be described as follows: the fifth indication information is also used to indicate whether the first STA ignores the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information.

[0110] Based on the above technical solution, the fifth indication information is used to instruct the first STA whether to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information, thereby restricting the first STA's channel access at that start time; the fifth indication information is also used to instruct the first STA whether to remain silent during the silence interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information, thereby restricting the first STA's channel access during that silence interval. Thus, the impact of the first STA on channel contention of STAs scheduled in the BSS where the second AP is located is further reduced, thereby improving the success rate of STAs scheduled in the BSS where the second AP is located obtaining a channel.

[0111] In one possible implementation of the thirteenth aspect, after the second AP sends the fifth frame, the method further includes: the second AP receiving a response frame of the fifth frame.

[0112] Optionally, the response frame of the fifth frame can be a notification, response, or acknowledgment (ACK) frame.

[0113] Based on the above technical solution, after the second AP sends the fifth frame, the second AP can also receive the response frame of the fifth frame sent by the first STA, so that the second AP knows that the channel access of the first STA will be restricted, thus ensuring that the STA scheduled in the BSS where the second AP is located obtains the channel.

[0114] The fourteenth aspect of this application provides a communication method applied to WLAN communication. This method is performed by a station (STA), or by a component (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system) within the STA. In the fourteenth aspect and its possible implementations, the method is described using the example of a first STA performing the method. In this method, the first station (STA) receives a fifth frame from a second access point (AP). This fifth frame includes Target Wake-up Time Service Phase (r-TWT) SP information and a fifth indication information. The fifth indication information indicates whether the first STA should stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information. The first STA is not associated with the second AP. The first STA determines whether to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information based on the fifth indication information.

[0115] Based on the above technical solution, the fifth frame received by the first STA includes r-TWT SP information and fifth indication information. The fifth indication information is used to instruct the first STA whether to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information. Specifically, the r-TWT SP information restricts channel access for unscheduled STAs in the BSS where the second AP is located, thereby increasing the probability of scheduled STAs in the BSS where the second AP is located acquiring a channel. Furthermore, the fifth indication information instructs the first STA whether to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information, thereby restricting the first STA's channel access at that start time. Here, the first STA is not associated with the second AP. In other words, the second AP restricts channel access for STAs in other BSSs through the fifth indication information and r-TWT SP information carried in the fifth frame. Therefore, by restricting channel access for the first STA, which is not associated with the second AP, the impact of the first STA on channel contention for scheduled STAs in the BSS where the second AP is located is reduced, thereby improving the success rate of scheduled STAs in the BSS where the second AP is located acquiring a channel.

[0116] In one possible implementation of the fourteenth aspect, the method further includes: the first STA determining, based on the fifth indication information, whether the first STA is silent during the silence interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information.

[0117] Optionally, this implementation can also be described as follows: the first STA determines whether to ignore the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information based on the fifth indication information.

[0118] Based on the above technical solution, the fifth indication information is used to instruct the first STA whether to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information, thereby restricting the first STA's channel access at that start time. The fifth indication information is also used to instruct the first STA whether to remain silent during the silence interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information, thereby restricting the first STA's channel access during that silence interval. This further reduces the impact of the first STA on channel contention of scheduled STAs in the OBSS, thereby improving the success rate of STAs scheduled in the BSS where the second AP is located obtaining a channel.

[0119] In one possible implementation of the fourteenth aspect, after the first STA receives the fifth frame, the method further includes: the first STA sending a response frame for the fifth frame.

[0120] Optionally, the response frame of the fifth frame can be a notification, response, or acknowledgment (ACK) frame.

[0121] Based on the above technical solution, after receiving the fifth frame, the first STA can also send a response frame of the fifth frame to the second AP, so that the second AP knows that the channel access of the first STA will be restricted, thus ensuring that the STA scheduled in the BSS where the second AP is located obtains the channel.

[0122] The fifteenth aspect of this application provides a communication apparatus for WLAN communication. The apparatus is an access point (AP), or a component of an AP (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system). In the fifteenth aspect and its possible implementations, the apparatus is described as a second AP. The apparatus includes a processing unit and a transceiver unit. The processing unit generates a fifth frame, which includes target wake-up time service phase (r-TWT) SP information and a fifth indication information. The fifth indication information indicates whether a first STA should stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information; wherein the first STA is not associated with the second AP. The transceiver unit transmits the fifth frame.

[0123] Based on the above technical solution, the fifth frame transmitted by the transceiver unit includes r-TWT SP information and fifth indication information. The fifth indication information is used to instruct the first STA whether to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information. Specifically, the r-TWT SP information restricts channel access for unscheduled STAs in the BSS where the second AP is located, thereby increasing the probability of scheduled STAs in the BSS where the second AP is located acquiring a channel. Furthermore, the fifth indication information instructs the first STA whether to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information, thereby restricting the first STA's channel access at that start time. Here, the first STA is not associated with the second AP. In other words, the second AP restricts channel access for STAs in other BSSs through the fifth indication information and r-TWT SP information carried in the fifth frame. Therefore, by restricting channel access for the first STA, which is not associated with the second AP, the impact of the first STA on channel contention for scheduled STAs in the BSS where the second AP is located is reduced, thereby improving the success rate of scheduled STAs in the BSS where the second AP is located acquiring a channel.

[0124] In one possible implementation of the fifteenth aspect, the fifth indication information is also used to indicate whether the first STA is silent during the silence interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information.

[0125] In one possible implementation of the fifteenth aspect, after the second AP sends the fifth frame, the transceiver unit is also configured to receive a response frame for the fifth frame.

[0126] The sixteenth aspect of this application provides a communication apparatus for WLAN communication. The apparatus is a STA (Station), or a component within a STA (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system). In the sixteenth aspect and its possible implementations, the apparatus is described as a first STA. The apparatus includes a processing unit and a transceiver unit. The transceiver unit receives a fifth frame from a second access point (AP). The fifth frame includes Target Wake-up Time Service Phase (r-TWT) SP information and fifth indication information. The fifth indication information indicates whether the first STA should stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information; wherein the first STA is not associated with the second AP. The processing unit determines, based on the fifth indication information, whether the first STA should stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information.

[0127] Based on the above technical solution, the fifth frame received by the transceiver unit includes r-TWT SP information and fifth indication information. The fifth indication information is used to instruct the first STA whether to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information. Specifically, the r-TWT SP information restricts channel access for unscheduled STAs in the BSS where the second AP is located, thereby increasing the probability of scheduled STAs in the BSS where the second AP is located acquiring a channel. Furthermore, the fifth indication information instructs the first STA whether to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information, thereby restricting the first STA's channel access at that start time. The first STA is not associated with the second AP. In other words, the second AP restricts channel access for STAs in other BSSs through the fifth indication information and r-TWT SP information carried in the fifth frame. Therefore, by restricting channel access for the first STA, which is not associated with the second AP, the impact of the first STA on channel contention for scheduled STAs in the BSS where the second AP is located is reduced, thereby improving the success rate of scheduled STAs in the BSS where the second AP is located acquiring a channel.

[0128] In one possible implementation of the sixteenth aspect, the processing unit is further configured to determine, based on the fifth indication information, whether the first STA is silent during the silence interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information.

[0129] In one possible implementation of the sixteenth aspect, after the first STA receives the fifth frame, the transceiver unit is also configured to send a response frame for the fifth frame.

[0130] In any of the possible implementations of aspects thirteen through sixteen, the fifth frame further includes sixth indication information, which includes k fields, where k is greater than or equal to 1; The positions of these k fields are used to indicate the service identifier (TID), and the values ​​of these k fields are used to instruct the second STA to perform the service corresponding to the TID according to one of the following items: The first STA does not need to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information, nor does it need to remain silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information; or, The first STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and does not need to remain silent during the silence interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information; or, The first STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and remains silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information.

[0131] In any embodiment of this application, the first STA does not need to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and does not need to remain silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information. Alternatively, it can be stated that the first STA does not need to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and ignores the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information.

[0132] In any embodiment of this application, the first STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and does not need to be silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information. This can also be described as: the first STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and ignores the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information.

[0133] In any embodiment of this application, the first STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and remains silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information. Alternatively, the first STA can be described as stopping TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and prohibiting the ignoring of the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information.

[0134] Based on the above technical solution, the fifth frame sent by the second AP includes sixth indication information. This sixth indication information indicates that when the service corresponding to the TID is executed by the first STA, it does not necessarily restrict the first STA's channel access at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information, nor does it necessarily restrict the first STA's channel access during the silence interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information. Therefore, through the implementation of the sixth indication information in the fifth frame, the first STA is not restricted by the r-TWT SP information during the execution of services corresponding to certain TIDs, ensuring that the first STA's services (such as high-priority services, low-latency service requirements, etc.) can be executed.

[0135] In any of the possible implementations of aspects thirteen to sixteen, the fifth frame includes a target wake-up time (TWT) element, wherein the broadcast TWT information field in the TWT element includes a broadcast TWT identifier field; wherein the values ​​of the k fields are used to indicate that the first STA in the TWT group indicated by the broadcast TWT identifier field performs the service corresponding to the TID according to one of the following items.

[0136] Based on the above technical solution, the TWT element in the fifth frame sent by the second AP also includes a broadcast TWT identifier field, which is used to indicate the TWT group. Therefore, based on the broadcast TWT identifier field and the sixth indication information in the fifth frame, the STAs in this TWT group are not restricted by the r-TWT SP information in the OBSS when performing certain services corresponding to TIDs, ensuring that the services of the first STA in the TWT group (such as high-priority services, low-latency requirement services, etc.) can be executed.

[0137] In any of the possible implementations of aspects thirteen through sixteen, the TWT element includes an r-TWT service information field; the sixth indication information is located in the r-TWT downlink TID bitmap subfield and / or the r-TWT uplink TID bitmap subfield within the r-TWT service information field.

[0138] In any of the possible implementations of aspects thirteen to sixteen, the fifth frame includes a target wakeup time (TWT) element, wherein the broadcast TWT information field in the TWT element includes a broadcast TWT identifier field; wherein the first STA in the TWT group indicated by the broadcast TWT identifier field does not need to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and does not need to be silent during the silence interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information.

[0139] Based on the above technical solution, the TWT element in the fifth frame sent by the second AP also includes a broadcast TWT identifier field, which is used to indicate the TWT group. Therefore, based on the broadcast TWT identifier field and the sixth indication information in the fifth frame, the first STA in this TWT group is not restricted by the r-TWT SP information in the OBSS when performing certain services corresponding to TIDs, ensuring that the services of the STAs in this TWT group (such as high-priority services, low-latency requirement services, etc.) can be executed.

[0140] In any of the possible implementations of aspects thirteen through sixteen, the AP associated with the first STA is located in a first AP group, wherein the fifth indication information includes the identifier of the first AP group.

[0141] In any of the possible implementations of aspects thirteen through sixteen, the fifth frame includes a TWT element in which the r-TWT SP information and the fifth indication information are located.

[0142] In any of the possible implementations of aspects thirteen through sixteen, the TWT element includes a broadcast TWT information field; the fifth indication information is located in the broadcast TWT information field.

[0143] In any of the possible implementations of aspects thirteen through sixteen, The fifth indication information is located in the Broadcast TWT Identifier field of the Broadcast TWT Information field; or, The fifth instruction information is located in a reserved field within the broadcast TWT information field; or, The fifth indication information is located in a reserved field in the broadcast TWT information field, wherein the broadcast TWT identifier field in the broadcast TWT information field is a reserved field.

[0144] In any of the possible implementations of aspects thirteen through sixteen, the TWT element includes an r-TWT business information field; wherein the fifth indication information is located in the business information control subfield of the r-TWT business information field.

[0145] In any of the possible implementations of aspects thirteen through sixteen, the fifth frame is a beacon frame or a probe response frame.

[0146] Optionally, this fifth frame is a management frame.

[0147] In one possible implementation of any of aspects thirteen through sixteen, the fifth instruction information is located in the TWT establishment command field of the request type subfield of the broadcast TWT information field.

[0148] Based on the above technical solution, the fifth indication information carried in the fifth frame can be located in the TWT establishment command field of the request type subfield of the broadcast TWT information field, so that the value of the TWT establishment command field can be set to indicate whether the first STA should stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information.

[0149] In any of the possible implementations of aspects thirteen through sixteen, The value of the fifth indication information indicates acceptance of TWT, and the fifth indication information is used to instruct the first STA to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information. The fifth indication information is also used to instruct the first STA to remain silent during the silence interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information. or, The value of the fifth indication information indicates that TWT is rejected, and the fifth indication information is used to indicate that the first STA does not need to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information; or, The value of the fifth indication information indicates that the TWT is modified, and the fifth indication information is used to instruct the first STA to modify the r-TWT SP information corresponding to the BSSID of the second AP based on the r-TWT SP information.

[0150] Optionally, if the value of the fifth indication information indicates a modification of the TWT, the fifth indication information is used to instruct the first STA to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the modified r-TWT SP information. The fifth indication information is also used to instruct the first STA to remain silent during the silent interval corresponding to the modified r-TWT SP information.

[0151] Based on the above technical solution, in the implementation process of the TWT establishment command field of the request type subfield of the broadcast TWT information field, the second AP can, through different values ​​of the TWT establishment command field, instruct the first STA not associated with the second AP to accept the r-TWT SP indicated by the r-TWT SP information, or the second AP can, instruct the first STA not associated with the second AP to reject the r-TWT SP indicated by the r-TWT SP information corresponding to the BSSID of the second AP, or the second AP can, instruct the first STA not associated with the second AP to modify the r-TWT SP indicated by the r-TWT SP information corresponding to the BSSID of the second AP.

[0152] The seventeenth aspect of this application provides a communication method applied to WLAN communication. This method is executed by an Access Point (AP), or by a component (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system) within the AP. In the seventeenth aspect and its possible implementations, the method is described using the example of execution by a first AP. In this method, the first AP generates a seventh frame, which includes r-TWT SP information. This r-TWT SP information indicates whether a first STA (Station) should stop transmission opportunity (TXOP) at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information. The first STA is a STA within the BSS (Browser Service) where the first AP is located. The broadcast TWT identifier corresponding to the r-TWT SP information is an unassigned broadcast TWT identifier within the BSS where the first AP is located. The first AP then transmits the seventh frame.

[0153] Based on the above technical solution, after determining the OBSSr-TWT SP information, the first AP sends a first frame including the r-TWT SP information. The broadcast TWT identifier corresponding to this r-TWT SP information is an unallocated broadcast TWT identifier within the BSS where the first AP is located. This allows the first STA to determine whether to stop the transmission opportunity (TXOP) at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information based on this unallocated broadcast TWT identifier. Here, the first STA is a STA within the BSS where the first AP is located; that is, the first STA and the first AP reside in the same BSS. Therefore, by restricting the channel access of the first STA within the BSS where the first AP is located, the impact of the first STA on channel contention for scheduled STAs in the OBSS is reduced, thereby improving the success rate of scheduled STAs in the OBSS obtaining a channel.

[0154] In one possible implementation of the seventeenth aspect, the r-TWT SP information is also used to indicate whether the first STA is silent during the quiet interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information.

[0155] Optionally, this implementation can also be described as follows: the r-TWT SP information is also used to indicate whether the first STA ignores the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information.

[0156] Based on the above technical solution, the r-TWT SP information is used to indicate whether the first STA should stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information, thereby restricting the first STA's channel access at that start time; the r-TWT SP information is also used to indicate whether the first STA should remain silent during the silence interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information, thereby restricting the first STA's channel access during that silence interval. Thus, the impact of the first STA on channel contention of the scheduled STAs in the OBSS is further reduced, thereby improving the success rate of the scheduled STAs in the OBSS obtaining a channel.

[0157] In one possible implementation of the seventeenth aspect, before the first AP generates the seventh frame, the method further includes: the first AP receiving an eighth frame from an AP located in the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located, the eighth frame including information related to the r-TWT SP information; the first AP generating the seventh frame includes: the first AP generating the seventh frame based on the information related to the r-TWT SP information.

[0158] Optionally, the information related to the r-TWT SP information contained in the eighth frame may include a portion of the r-TWT SP information contained in the seventh frame.

[0159] Optionally, the information related to the r-TWT SP information contained in the eighth frame may include all the information of the r-TWT SP information contained in the seventh frame.

[0160] Based on the above technical solution, the first AP can generate the seventh frame based on the information related to the r-TWT SP information in the second frame of the AP located in the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located. The information related to the r-TWT SP information contained in the eighth frame can indicate the start time, duration or other information, so that the first AP generates the seventh frame based on the information related to the r-TWT SP information.

[0161] Optionally, the first AP may also acquire the eighth frame in other ways. For example, the first AP may receive the eighth frame from an access controller (AC), where the AC can be the controller of both the first AP and the APs in the OBSS. Alternatively, the first AP may generate the eighth frame and send it to the APs in the OBSS, where the first AP can be the controller of the APs in the OBSS.

[0162] The eighteenth aspect of this application provides a communication method applied to WLAN communication. This method is performed by a station (STA), or by a component (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system) within the STA. In the first aspect and its possible implementations, the method is described using the example of a first STA performing the method. In this method, the first STA receives a seventh frame, which includes target wake-up time service phase (r-TWT) SP information. This r-TWT SP information indicates whether the first STA should stop transmission opportunity (TXOP) at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information. The first STA is a STA within the BSS where the first AP is located. The broadcast TWT identifier corresponding to the r-TWT SP information is an unassigned broadcast TWT identifier within the BSS where the first AP is located. The first STA determines whether to stop transmission opportunity (TXOP) based on the r-TWT SP information.

[0163] Based on the above technical solution, after determining the OBSSr-TWT SP information, the first AP sends a first frame including the r-TWT SP information. The broadcast TWT identifier corresponding to this r-TWT SP information is an unallocated broadcast TWT identifier within the BSS where the first AP is located. This allows the first STA to determine whether to stop the transmission opportunity (TXOP) at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information based on this unallocated broadcast TWT identifier. Here, the first STA is a STA within the BSS where the first AP is located; that is, the first STA and the first AP reside in the same BSS. Therefore, by restricting the channel access of the first STA within the BSS where the first AP is located, the impact of the first STA on channel contention for scheduled STAs in the OBSS is reduced, thereby improving the success rate of scheduled STAs in the OBSS obtaining a channel.

[0164] In one possible implementation of the eighteenth aspect, the r-TWT SP information is further used to indicate whether the first STA is silent during the quiet interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information, and the method further includes: the first STA determining whether to be silent during the quiet interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information based on the r-TWT SP information.

[0165] Optionally, this implementation can also be described as follows: the first STA determines whether to ignore the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information based on the r-TWT SP information.

[0166] Based on the above technical solution, the first STA determines whether to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information, thereby restricting the first STA's channel access at that start time; the first STA also determines whether to remain silent during the silence interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information, thereby restricting the first STA's channel access during that silence interval. This further reduces the impact of the first STA on channel contention of the scheduled STAs in the OBSS, thereby improving the success rate of the scheduled STAs in the OBSS obtaining a channel.

[0167] The nineteenth aspect of this application provides a communication device for WLAN communication. The device is an access point (AP), or a component of the AP (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system). In the nineteenth aspect and its possible implementations, the device is described as a first AP. The device includes a processing unit and a transceiver unit. The processing unit generates a seventh frame, which includes r-TWT SP information. This r-TWT SP information indicates whether a first STA (Station) should stop transmission opportunity (TXOP) at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information. The first STA is a STA within the BSS (Band System Server) where the first AP is located. The broadcast TWT identifier corresponding to the r-TWT SP information is an unassigned broadcast TWT identifier within the BSS where the first AP is located. The transceiver unit transmits the seventh frame.

[0168] Based on the above technical solution, after determining the OBSSr-TWT SP information, the first frame sent by the transceiver unit includes the r-TWT SP information. The broadcast TWT identifier corresponding to this r-TWT SP information is an unallocated broadcast TWT identifier in the BSS where the first AP is located. This allows the first STA to determine whether to stop the transmission opportunity (TXOP) at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information based on the unallocated broadcast TWT identifier. Here, the first STA is a STA within the BSS where the first AP is located; that is, the first STA and the first AP are located in the same BSS. Therefore, by restricting the channel access of the first STA in the BSS where the first AP is located, the impact of the first STA on channel contention of scheduled STAs in the OBSS is reduced, thereby improving the success rate of scheduled STAs in the OBSS obtaining a channel.

[0169] In one possible implementation of the nineteenth aspect, the r-TWT SP information is also used to indicate whether the first STA is silent during the quiet interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information.

[0170] Optionally, this implementation can also be described as follows: the r-TWT SP information is also used to indicate whether the first STA ignores the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information.

[0171] In one possible implementation of the nineteenth aspect, The transceiver unit is also configured to receive an eighth frame from an AP located in the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located, the eighth frame including information related to the r-TWT SP information; The processing unit is specifically used to generate the seventh frame based on the information related to the r-TWT SP information.

[0172] The twentieth aspect of this application provides a communication apparatus for WLAN communication. The apparatus is a STA (Station), or a component within a STA (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system). In this twentieth aspect and its possible implementations, the apparatus is described using a first STA as an example. The apparatus includes a processing unit and a transceiver unit. The transceiver unit is configured to receive a seventh frame, which includes target wake-up time service phase (r-TWT) SP information. This r-TWT SP information indicates whether a first STA should stop transmission opportunity (TXOP) at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information. The first STA is a STA within the BSS (Band System Server) where the first AP (Access Point) is located. The broadcast TWT identifier corresponding to the r-TWT SP information is an unassigned broadcast TWT identifier within the BSS where the first AP is located. The processing unit is configured to determine, based on the r-TWT SP information, whether to stop transmission opportunity (TXOP) at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information.

[0173] Based on the above technical solution, after the first AP determines the OBSSr-TWT SP information, the first frame sent by the transceiver unit includes the r-TWT SP information. The broadcast TWT identifier corresponding to this r-TWT SP information is an unallocated broadcast TWT identifier within the BSS where the first AP is located. This allows the first STA to determine whether to stop the transmission opportunity (TXOP) at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information based on the unallocated broadcast TWT identifier. Here, the first STA is a STA within the BSS where the first AP is located; that is, the first STA and the first AP reside in the same BSS. Therefore, by restricting the channel access of the first STA within the BSS where the first AP is located, the impact of the first STA on channel contention for scheduled STAs in the OBSS is reduced, thereby improving the success rate of scheduled STAs in the OBSS obtaining a channel.

[0174] In one possible implementation of the twentieth aspect, the r-TWT SP information is further used to indicate whether the first STA is silent during the quiet interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information, and the processing unit is further used to determine whether to be silent during the quiet interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information based on the r-TWT SP information.

[0175] Optionally, this implementation can also be described as follows: the processing unit is further configured to determine whether to ignore the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information based on the r-TWT SP information.

[0176] In any of the possible implementations of aspects seventeen to twentieth, the seventh frame further includes first indication information for indicating that the r-TWT SP information is the r-TWT SP information of the overlapping basic service set (OBSS) of the basic service set (BSS) to which the first AP is located, and the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS is used to indicate whether the first station (STA) should stop transmission opportunity (TXOP) at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS.

[0177] It should be noted that in any of the possible implementations of aspects seventeen to twentieth, the first instruction information contained in the seventh frame may also refer to the description of the first instruction information contained in the first frame in any of the possible implementations of aspects one to four above, and achieve the corresponding technical effect, which will not be elaborated here.

[0178] A twenty-first aspect of this application provides a communication device, including at least one processor coupled to a memory; the memory is used to store a program or instructions; the at least one processor is used to execute the program or instructions to cause the device to implement the method described in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, or to cause the device to implement the method described in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect, or to cause the device to implement the method described in the fifth aspect or any possible implementation of the fifth aspect, or to cause the device to implement the method described in the sixth aspect or any possible implementation of the sixth aspect, or to cause the device to implement the method described in the ninth aspect or any possible implementation of the ninth aspect, or to cause the device to implement the method described in the tenth aspect or any possible implementation of the tenth aspect, or to cause the device to implement the method described in the thirteenth aspect or any possible implementation of the thirteenth aspect, or to cause the device to implement the method described in the fourteenth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourteenth aspect, or to cause the device to implement the method described in the seventeenth aspect or any possible implementation of the eighteenth aspect.

[0179] The twenty-second aspect of this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing one or more computer-executable instructions. When the computer-executable instructions are executed by a processor, the processor executes the method as described in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof, or the processor executes the method as described in the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof, or the processor executes the method as described in the fifth aspect or any possible implementation thereof, or the processor executes the method as described in the sixth aspect or any possible implementation thereof, or the processor executes the method as described in the ninth aspect or any possible implementation thereof, or the processor executes the method as described in the tenth aspect or any possible implementation thereof, or the processor executes the method as described in the thirteenth aspect or any possible implementation thereof, or the processor executes the method as described in the fourteenth aspect or any possible implementation thereof, or the processor executes the method as described in the seventeenth aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0180] The twenty-third aspect of this application provides a computer program product (or computer program) that stores one or more computers. When the computer program product is executed by the processor, the processor executes the method as described in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, or the processor executes the method as described in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect, or the processor executes the method as described in the fifth aspect or any possible implementation of the fifth aspect, or the processor executes the method as described in the sixth aspect or any possible implementation of the sixth aspect, or the processor executes the method as described in the ninth aspect or any possible implementation of the ninth aspect, or the processor executes the method as described in the tenth aspect or any possible implementation of the tenth aspect, or the processor executes the method as described in the thirteenth aspect or any possible implementation of the thirteenth aspect, or the processor executes the method as described in the fourteenth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourteenth aspect, or the processor executes the method as described in the seventeenth aspect or any possible implementation of the eighteenth aspect.

[0181] A twenty-fourth aspect of this application provides a chip system including at least one processor for supporting a communication device in implementing the functions involved in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect; or, supporting a communication device in implementing the functions involved in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect; or, supporting a communication device in implementing the functions involved in the fifth aspect or any possible implementation of the fifth aspect; or, supporting a communication device in implementing the functions involved in the sixth aspect or any possible implementation of the sixth aspect; or, supporting a communication device in implementing the functions involved in the ninth aspect or any possible implementation of the ninth aspect; or, supporting a communication device in implementing the functions involved in the tenth aspect or any possible implementation of the tenth aspect; or, supporting a communication device in implementing the functions involved in the thirteenth aspect or any possible implementation of the thirteenth aspect; or, supporting a communication device in implementing the functions involved in the fourteenth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourteenth aspect; or, supporting a communication device in implementing the functions involved in the seventeenth aspect or any possible implementation of the seventeenth aspect; or, supporting a communication device in implementing the functions involved in the eighteenth aspect or any possible implementation of the eighteenth aspect.

[0182] In one possible design, the chip system may further include a memory for storing program instructions and data necessary for the communication device. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices. Optionally, the chip system may also include interface circuitry that provides program instructions and / or data to the at least one processor.

[0183] The twenty-fifth aspect of this application provides a communication system, which includes the communication devices of the third aspect and the fourth aspect described above, and / or, the communication system includes the communication devices of the seventh aspect and the eighth aspect described above, and / or, the communication system includes the communication devices of the eleventh aspect and the twelfth aspect described above, and / or, the communication system includes the communication devices of the fifteenth aspect and the sixteenth aspect described above, and / or, the communication system includes the communication devices of the nineteenth and twentyth aspects described above, and / or, the communication system includes the communication devices of the twenty-first aspect described above.

[0184] The technical effects of any of the design methods in aspects 21 to 25 can be found in the technical effects of different implementation methods in aspects 1 to 20 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0185] As can be seen from the above technical solutions, the beneficial effects brought about by the embodiments of this application include: In some embodiments, by restricting the channel access of the first STA in the BSS where the first AP is located, the impact of the first STA on the channel contention of the scheduled STA in the OBSS is reduced, thereby improving the success rate of the scheduled STA in the OBSS obtaining the channel.

[0186] In other embodiments, after the first AP sends a third frame containing a silence element to the first STA, it reduces the impact of the first STA on the channel contention of the scheduled STA in the OBSS by restricting the channel access of the first STA in the BSS where the first AP is located, thereby improving the success rate of the scheduled STA in the OBSS to obtain the channel.

[0187] In other embodiments, by implementing the third indication information in the fourth frame, the second STA in the BSS where the second AP is located is not restricted by the r-TWT SP information when performing certain services corresponding to TIDs, so as to ensure that the services of the second STA in the BSS where the second AP is located (such as high-priority services, low-latency service requirements, etc.) can be executed.

[0188] In other embodiments, by restricting channel access for first STAs not associated with the second AP, the impact of the first STA on channel contention of STAs scheduled in the BSS where the second AP is located is reduced, thereby improving the success rate of STAs scheduled in the BSS where the second AP is located obtaining channels. Attached Figure Description

[0189] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the communication system used in this application; Figure 2a A schematic diagram of the AP provided in this application; Figure 2b A schematic diagram of the STA provided in this application; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the communication method involved in this application; Figure 4a This is a schematic diagram of a wireless frame involved in this application; Figure 4b This is another schematic diagram of the wireless frame involved in this application; Figure 4c This is another schematic diagram of the wireless frame involved in this application; Figure 5a This is a schematic diagram of the communication scenario involved in this application; Figure 5b This is another schematic diagram illustrating the communication scenario involved in this application; Figure 6a A schematic diagram of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 6b A schematic diagram of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 7a A schematic diagram of a wireless frame provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 7b Another schematic diagram of a wireless frame provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 7c Another schematic diagram of a wireless frame provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 8a Another schematic diagram of a wireless frame provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 8b Another schematic diagram of a wireless frame provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 8c Another schematic diagram of a wireless frame provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 8d Another schematic diagram of a wireless frame provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 9a Another schematic diagram of a wireless frame provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 9b Another schematic diagram of a wireless frame provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 10 Another schematic diagram of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 11 Another schematic diagram of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 12 Another schematic diagram of a wireless frame provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 13 Another schematic diagram of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 14a Another schematic diagram of a wireless frame provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 14b Another schematic diagram of a wireless frame provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 14c Another schematic diagram of a wireless frame provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 14d Another schematic diagram of a wireless frame provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 14e Another schematic diagram of a wireless frame provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 15 A schematic diagram of the apparatus provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 16 Another schematic diagram of the apparatus provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 17Another schematic diagram of the apparatus provided in the embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0190] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0191] In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, " / " means "or". For example, A / B can mean A or B. "And / or" in this document 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 alone, A and B simultaneously, and B alone. Furthermore, "at least one" means one or more, and "multiple" means two or more. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c; a and b; a and c; b and c; or a and b and c. Where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0192] In the description of this application, the words "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity or the order of execution, and the words "first" and "second" do not necessarily imply that they are different.

[0193] In this application, the words "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate that something is an example, illustration, or illustration. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary," "for example," or "for example" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of the words "exemplary," "for example," or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner.

[0194] It should be understood that in this application, "when," "if," and "if" all refer to the device making a corresponding action under certain objective circumstances, and are not time-limited, nor do they require the device to make a judgment when it is implemented, nor do they imply any other limitations.

[0195] In this application, the use of singular designations for elements is intended to represent "one or more" rather than "one and only one," unless otherwise specified.

[0196] In this application, unless otherwise specified, the same or similar parts between various embodiments or implementations can be referred to each other. In the various embodiments of this application, and in the various implementation methods / methods / implementations within each embodiment, unless otherwise specified or logically conflicting, the terminology and / or descriptions between different embodiments and between the various implementation methods / methods / implementations within each embodiment are consistent and can be mutually referenced. The technical features in different embodiments and the various implementation methods / methods / implementations within each embodiment can be combined according to their inherent logical relationships to form new embodiments, implementation methods, methods, or implementation approaches. The embodiments described below do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application.

[0197] To facilitate understanding of the methods provided in the embodiments of this application, the system architecture of the methods provided in the embodiments of this application will be described below. It is understood that the system architecture described in the embodiments of this application is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0198] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as systems using the 802.11 standard. Exemplary examples include, but are not limited to, the 802.11be standard or next-generation 802.11 standards. The applicable scenarios for the technical solutions in this application include communication between an AP and one or more STAs, communication between APs, or communication between STAs. In the embodiments of this application, the term "communication" can also be described as "data transmission," "information transmission," or "transmission."

[0199] WLAN has gone through several generations to date, such as 802.11a / b / g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, and the currently discussed 802.11be. Among them, the 802.11n standard can be called high throughput (HT), the 802.11ac standard can be called very high throughput (VHT), 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) can be called high efficient (HE), and 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7) can be called extremely high throughput (EHT). Standards before HT, such as 802.11a / b / g, can be collectively referred to as non-high throughput (Non-HT).

[0200] See Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a wireless communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 1 As shown, the wireless communication system may include one or more APs (such as...) Figure 1 AP100 in the middle) and one or more STAs (such as AP100) and one or more STAs ( Figure 1 The STA200 and STA300 in this application are examples. The AP and STA support WLAN communication protocols, which may include 802.11be (also known as Wi-Fi 7, Extremely High Throughput (EHT) protocol), as well as 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11bf, and other protocols. Of course, with the continuous evolution and development of communication technologies, this communication protocol may also include next-generation protocols of 802.11be. Taking WLAN as an example, the device implementing the method of this application can be an AP or STA in a WLAN, or a chip or processing system installed in the AP or STA.

[0201] Optionally, the access point involved in this application (such as...) Figure 1 The AP100 is a device with wireless communication capabilities, supporting communication using the Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) protocol. It has the ability to communicate with other devices (such as stations or other access points) in the WLAN network, and can also communicate with other devices. In a WLAN system, an access point can be called an access point station (AP STA). This wireless communication device can be a complete device, or it can be a chip or processing system installed in a complete device. Devices with these chips or processing systems can implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application under the control of the chip or processing system. The AP in the embodiments of this application is a device that provides services to STAs and can support the 802.11 series of protocols. For example, the AP can be a communication server, router, switch, bridge, or other communication entity; the AP can include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, etc. Of course, the AP can also be the chip and processing system within these various forms of devices, thereby implementing the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application.

[0202] Optionally, the sites involved in this application (such as...) Figure 1A STA200 or STA300 is a device with wireless communication capabilities, supporting communication using the WLAN protocol and having the ability to communicate with other stations or access points in a WLAN network. In a WLAN system, a station can be called a non-access point station (non-AP STA). For example, an STA is any user communication device that allows a user to communicate with an AP and thus with the WLAN. This device with wireless communication capabilities can be a complete device, or it can be a chip or processing system installed in a complete device. Devices with these chips or processing systems installed can implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application under the control of the chip or processing system. For example, an STA can be a user device that can connect to the Internet, such as a tablet computer, desktop computer, laptop computer, ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), handheld computer, netbook, personal digital assistant (PDA), or mobile phone; or an Internet of Things (IoT) node in the Internet of Things (IoT); or an in-vehicle device in the Internet of Vehicles (IoV); or an entertainment device, gaming device or system; or a GPS device; etc. An STA can also be a chip and processing system in the above-mentioned terminals.

[0203] WLAN systems can provide high-speed, low-latency transmission. As WLAN application scenarios continue to evolve, WLAN systems will be applied to more scenarios and industries, such as the Internet of Things (IoT) industry, the Internet of Vehicles (IoV) industry, the banking industry, enterprise offices, stadiums, exhibition halls, concert halls, hotel rooms, dormitories, hospital wards, classrooms, supermarkets, squares, streets, production workshops, and warehouses. Of course, devices supporting WLAN communication (such as access points or sites) can be 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, speakers, refrigerators, washing machines, etc.), nodes in the IoT, entertainment terminals (e.g., augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and other wearable devices), smart devices in smart offices (e.g., printers, projectors, loudspeakers, speakers, etc.), IoV devices, infrastructure in daily life scenarios (e.g., vending machines, supermarket self-service navigation kiosks, self-checkout machines, self-service ordering machines, etc.), and equipment in large sports and music venues. The specific forms of STA and AP in this application embodiment are not limited; they are merely illustrative examples.

[0204] It should be understood that the 802.11 standard focuses on the physical layer (PHY) and medium access control (MAC) layers. See one example. Figure 2a , Figure 2a This is a schematic diagram of the access point structure provided in an embodiment of this application. The AP can be multi-antenna / multi-radio frequency or single-antenna / single-radio frequency, and the antenna / radio frequency is used to transmit / receive data packets (in this document, data packets can also be referred to as Physical Layer Protocol Data Units, i.e., PPDUs). In one implementation, the antenna or radio frequency part of the AP can be separated from the main body of the AP, presenting a remote layout structure. Figure 2a In this configuration, the AP may include physical layer processing circuitry and media access control (MAC) processing circuitry. The physical layer processing circuitry can be used to process physical layer signals, and the MAC layer processing circuitry can be used to process MAC layer signals. See another example. Figure 2b , Figure 2b This is a schematic diagram of the site structure provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 2b The diagram illustrates a single-antenna / RF STA structure. In practical scenarios, a STA can also be a multi-antenna / multi-RF device, and may even have two or more antennas used for transmitting / receiving data packets. In one implementation, the antenna or RF portion of the STA can be separated from the main body of the STA, presenting a remote layout. Figure 2b In this context, the STA can include a PHY processing circuit and a MAC processing circuit. The physical layer processing circuit can be used to process physical layer signals, and the MAC layer processing circuit can be used to process MAC layer signals.

[0205] It should be noted that the embodiments of this application involve WLAN communication, and it should be understood that the above content is merely some examples of application scenarios of this application.

[0206] The above briefly describes the system architecture of the embodiments of this application. In order to better understand the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the communication feature of restricted target wakeup time (r-TWT) related to the embodiments of this application will be introduced below.

[0207] Currently, an increasing number of wireless network applications and services are placing stringent requirements on latency characteristics, such as online gaming, virtual reality, and industrial applications. Therefore, the next-generation WLAN IEEE 802.11be standard has made ensuring latency and jitter characteristics a key technical objective, which has received widespread attention from the industry. Among these, restricted target wakeup time (r-TWT) is a new mechanism for ensuring low-latency services. r-TWT is derived from the existing Broadcast TWT in IEEE 802.11ax.

[0208] Under the 802.11be standard, there are many real-time applications on non-AP EHT STA (hereinafter referred to as EHT STA). These applications have very strict latency requirements. Based on this, the r-TWT mechanism was proposed. This mechanism states that the AP broadcasts one or more r-TWT SP messages through beacon frames or probe response frames.

[0209] In one implementation example, in Figure 3 In the EHT scenario, the STAs in the BSS where the ultra-high throughput access point (EHT AP) is located include ultra-high throughput site 1 (EHT STA1), ultra-high throughput site 2 (EHT STA2), and non-ultra-high throughput site (Non-EHT STA) as examples.

[0210] like Figure 3 As shown, the EHT AP carries one or more r-TWT SP information in the beacon frames it broadcasts. The r-TWT SP information may include a start time and a duration. The "start time" indicates the start time of the r-TWT SP, and the "duration" indicates the duration of the r-TWT SP (denoted as k).

[0211] In addition, the AP can set a quiet interval in the beacon that is aligned with the start time of the r-TWT SP. Figure 3In the example, this duration is set to 1 millisecond (ms). Based on this silence interval setting, the AP requires that EHT STAs belonging to this r-TWT SP group (grouped by Broadcast TWT ID) can ignore the aforementioned silence interval and thus compete for the channel after the r-TWT SP begins. Other STAs need to remain silent according to the silence interval, which reduces the number of STAs competing for the channel within the BSS and increases the probability that EHT STAs with low-latency services will obtain the channel.

[0212] Optionally, for an EHT STA, when an EHT STA within the BSS receives any r-TWT SP information broadcast by the AP, if the STA's ".11 Restricted TWTption Implemented" is set to true, then the EHT STA must end its Transmission Opportunity (TXOP) before the start time of the r-TWT SP.

[0213] It should be noted that the parameter "dot11RestrictedTWTptionImplemented" is a term from the Management Information Base (MIB) of the IEEE 802.11 standard. This parameter indicates whether the site has implemented the R-TWT feature. Specifically, in "dot11RestrictedTWTptionImplemented", "dot11" refers to ".11" in "802.11", "RestrictedTWT" is the name of the feature (i.e., limiting the target wake-up time), and "OptionImplemented" indicates that implementation is optional.

[0214] For example, Figure 3 As shown, EHT STA1 belongs to the extremely high throughput site within the r-TWT group. Therefore, EHT STA1 can stop TXOP at the start time of the r-TWT SP and... Figure 3 The channel access is performed within the duration "k" shown, and data frames and acknowledgment frames are exchanged with the EHT AP.

[0215] For example, Figure 3 If EHT STA2 is not a high-throughput site within the r-TWT group, then EHT STA1 can stop TXOP at the r-TWT SP start time and, based on the silence interval in the beacon frame... Figure 3 The silence duration shown is "1ms".

[0216] For example, Figure 3 The Non-EHT STA shown cannot correctly interpret the r-TWT SP information in the beacon frame. Therefore, this Non-EHT STA will base its actions on the silence interval in the beacon frame. Figure 3 The silence duration shown is "1ms".

[0217] based on Figure 3 As can be seen from the implementation example shown, by reducing the number of STAs competing for the channel within the BSS, the probability of an EHT STA (i.e., EHT STA1) with low-latency services obtaining the channel is increased.

[0218] For example, Figure 3 The r-TWT SP information in the beacon frame shown can be carried in the TWT element field.

[0219] Optionally, one implementation of TWT element fields can be achieved through... Figure 4a The frame format shown is implemented as follows. Figure 4a As shown, the TWT element field includes the following fields: Element ID, Length, Control, and TWT Parameter Information.

[0220] Optionally, the above TWT parameter information includes the following fields: Request Type, Target Wake Time, Nominal Minimum TWT Wake Duration, TWT Wake Interval Mantissa, Broadcast TWT Info, and r-TWT Service Information (Optional) (Restricted TWT).

[0221] Further optional, the fields included in the aforementioned Broadcast TWT Info are as follows: Figure 4b As shown, it includes: The TWT service information subdomains include Restricted TWT Traffic Info Present, Reserved, Broadcast TWT ID, and Broadcast TWT Persistence.

[0222] Further, optionally, the fields included in the above r-TWT business information (Restricted TWT) are as follows: Figure 4c As shown, it includes: Traffic Info Control, Restricted TWTDL Bitmap for Downlink TWT, and Restricted TWTUL Bitmap for Uplink TWT.

[0223] The Traffic Info Control section includes the following fields: Whether the downlink service identifier bitmap is valid (DL TID Bitmap Valid), whether the uplink service identifier bitmap is valid (UL TID Bitmap Valid), and whether it is reserved.

[0224] Optional, Figure 4b The TWT element field shown contains a broadcast target wake-up time information subfield, which includes a one-bit restricted TWT traffic information subfield presence indication subfield (Restricted TWT Traffic Info Present). A value of 1 for this bit indicates that the TWT element field contains... Figure 4c The r-TWT service information subfield shown is 0, which means the TWT element field does not contain it. Figure 4c The r-TWT service information subfield shown.

[0225] Optional, Figure 4b The Broadcast TWT ID subfield represents the identifier of the TWT group.

[0226] It should be understood that this application relates to Figures 4a to 4c In the frame format shown, the values ​​of the number of bytes (or bits) for different fields and the order of different fields are not limited. Figures 4a to 4c The values ​​of the number of bytes (or bits) for different fields in the frame format shown, and the order of the different fields, are merely an implementation example. Figures 4a to 4c The number of bytes (or bits) for different fields in the frame format shown can also take other values. Figures 4a to 4c The order of the different fields in the frame format shown can also be other field orders; no restriction is imposed here. Furthermore, Figures 4a to 4c Each field in the frame format shown can be implemented independently.

[0227] As shown in the above implementation example, in the implementation of the r-TWT mechanism, the access point (AP) can send one or more restricted target wakeuptime service period (r-TWT SP) messages through management frames. For stations (STAs) supporting the r-TWT mechanism, they need to end their transmission opportunity (TXOP) before the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP message. Furthermore, STAs not scheduled by the r-TWT SP message need to remain silent after the start time, while STAs scheduled by the r-TWT SP message can initiate channel contention after the start time. In other words, the r-TWT SP message is used to restrict channel access for unscheduled STAs, thereby increasing the probability of scheduled STAs acquiring the channel. Figure 3 Taking the implementation process shown as an example, in order to ensure the transmission of low-latency services for certain STAs (i.e., EHT STA1), channel access for other STAs (i.e., EHT STA2 and Non-EHT STA) within this BSS is restricted.

[0228] However, within the communication reach of the AP, some STAs may not be managed by the management frames sent by the AP, meaning that scheduled STAs may still be affected by contention from these STAs. However, the above implementation does not restrict channel access from external cells (or external BSSs), so low-latency services obtaining transmission opportunities through r-TWT are still affected by contention from external cells.

[0229] Therefore, how to improve the success rate of STAs scheduled by the r-TWT mechanism in acquiring channels is a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved.

[0230] The following will first be through Figure 5a and Figure 5b The implementation process shown introduces the overlapping basic service set (OBSS) involved in this application.

[0231] In one possible implementation, an overlapping basic service set (OBSS) refers to a basic service set (BSS) operating on the same channel as the station's (STA's) BSS and within (either partly or wholly) its basic service area (BSA). BSSs with this characteristic are each other's OBSSs. The basic service area (BSA) refers to the area containing the members of a basic service set (BSS). It may also contain members of other BSSs.

[0232] In other words, when the basic service area of ​​one BSS overlaps with that of another BSS, the first BSS can be called the OBSS of the second BSS, and vice versa. Understandably, this overlap can be either a partial overlap of the basic service areas of one BSS and another, or an inclusion relationship, where the basic service area of ​​one BSS falls within the basic service area of ​​another BSS.

[0233] The following will be based on Figure 5a and Figure 5b The example scenario shown further illustrates OBSS. Figure 5a and Figure 5b In this example, the basic service area of ​​the BSS (including BSS1 and BSS2) is a circle. It is understood that the basic service area of ​​the BSS can also be a rectangle, an ellipse, or other regular or irregular shapes. The circle is used as an example here.

[0234] For example, such as Figure 5a As shown, Figure 5a This is a schematic diagram of an OBSS formed by the overlap of one BSS and another BSS. Figure 5aIn this context, AP1, STA11, and STA12 belong to BSS1, and STA11 and STA12 are both associated with AP1; AP2, STA21, and STA22 belong to BSS2, and STA21 and STA22 are both associated with AP2. Figure 5a In this context, the basic service area of ​​BSS1 overlaps with that of BSS2, that is... Figure 5a In the "overlapping area", BSS1 can be called the OBSS of BSS2, and BSS2 can also be called the OBSS of BSS1.

[0235] For example, such as Figure 5b As shown, Figure 5b This is a diagram illustrating how a BSS contains another BSS to form an OBS. Figure 5b In this context, AP1, STA11, and STA12 belong to BSS1, and STA11 and STA12 are both associated with AP1; AP2, STA21, and STA22 belong to BSS2, and STA21 and STA22 are both associated with AP2. Figure 5b In this context, the basic service area of ​​BSS1 overlaps with that of BSS2, that is... Figure 5b In the context of "BSS2 (Basic Service Set 2), which is also an overlapping region", BSS1 can be called the OBSS of BSS2, and BSS2 can also be called the OBSS of BSS1.

[0236] It should be noted that the above Figure 5a and Figure 5b This example uses two BSSs that are each other's OBSSs. In practical applications, if two or more BSSs overlap (e.g.... Figure 5a The parts shown overlap or are as follows Figure 5b If all of them overlap (as shown), the two or more BSSs can also refer to each other as OBSSs of other BSSs. For ease of explanation, this embodiment and subsequent embodiments only take the example of two BSSs referring to each other as OSSs. It can be understood that when multiple BSSs have OBSS relationships, any AP or STA in any BSS of the multiple BSSs can also execute the methods involved in any embodiment of this application. For details, please refer to the description of the embodiments of this application, which will not be repeated here.

[0237] This place is Figure 5a The implementation scenario shown is used as an example to further describe the above-mentioned technical issues.

[0238] exist Figure 5aIn the scheduling process based on the aforementioned r-TWT mechanism, AP1 can restrict channel access for unscheduled STAs (e.g., STA11) by carrying r-TWT information in the beacon frame, thereby increasing the probability of scheduled STAs (e.g., STA12) acquiring the channel. However, since STA22 is located in BSS1 but associated with AP2 in BSS2, STA22 cannot recognize the r-TWT information carried in AP1's beacon frame. This means that STA22 may still attempt channel access at the start time and duration of the r-TWT information. In other words, within the communication reach of AP1, some STAs (i.e., STA22) may not be managed by the beacon frames sent by that AP, causing scheduled STAs (STA12) to still be affected by the contention of these STAs.

[0239] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this application provides a communication method and apparatus for reducing the impact of the first STA on channel contention of scheduled STAs in the OBSS by restricting channel access of the first STA in the BSS where the first AP is located, thereby improving the success rate of scheduled STAs in the OBSS obtaining channels.

[0240] It should be noted that for a frame sent by a particular AP, the STA associated with that AP will parse the frame, while STAs not associated with that AP generally will not parse the frame. However, in the embodiments described later, a frame sent by a particular AP (such as the fifth frame mentioned later) may require STAs not associated with that AP to parse it. Figure 5a As an example, frames sent by AP1 may require STA22 to parse. The following examples illustrate how to make frames sent by an AP parsable by STAs not associated with that AP.

[0241] One implementation involves multiple access points (APs) forming an AP group. There are many different procedures for creating AP groups; the AP group creation procedure given below is merely an example, and this embodiment is not limited to this method.

[0242] For example, first an initiator AP (e.g.) Figure 5a AP1 in the network broadcasts or unicasts an AP group establishment frame, providing the AP group ID, current AP group members, and joining conditions. Other APs that receive this AP group establishment frame (e.g., AP1) will receive the frame. Figure 5a AP2 can send a request frame to apply to join the AP group. After the initiator AP replies with a confirmation frame, AP2 successfully joins the AP group.

[0243] For example, AP1 can group several APs with strong interference into an AP group based on the strength of the signal it receives from AP2 (the stronger the signal, the greater the interference) or the reports from the associated STA about neighboring APs. Then, AP1 can broadcast the information of the AP group to the associated STA. In this way, the associated STA will receive management frames carrying R-TWT information sent by APs belonging to the AP group.

[0244] Another implementation method does not require the establishment of AP groups, that is, it forces all STAs to parse a certain frame (such as a beacon frame) sent by all APs (including associated APs and non-associated APs).

[0245] It should be understood that other implementation methods can also be used to enable frames sent by an AP to be parsed by STAs not associated with that AP, and this is not limited here.

[0246] The communication method provided in this application will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0247] Please see Figure 6a This is a schematic diagram of the communication method provided in this application, which includes the following steps.

[0248] S601. The first AP generates the first frame.

[0249] In this embodiment, the first AP generates a first frame in step S601. This first frame includes target wake-up time service phase (r-TWT) SP information and first indication information. The first indication information indicates that the r-TWT SP information is the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located. The OBSS's r-TWT SP information indicates whether the first STA should stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the OBSS's r-TWT SP information. The first STA is a STA within the BSS where the first AP is located.

[0250] In one possible implementation, before the first AP generates the first frame in step S601, the method further includes: the first AP receiving a second frame from an AP in the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located, the second frame including information related to the r-TWT SP information; wherein, the first AP generating the first frame in step S601 includes: the first AP generating the first frame based on the information related to the r-TWT SP information.

[0251] Optionally, the information related to the r-TWT SP information contained in the second frame may include a portion of the r-TWT SP information contained in the first frame.

[0252] Optionally, the information related to the r-TWT SP information contained in the second frame may include all the information of the r-TWT SP information contained in the first frame.

[0253] Specifically, the first AP can generate the first frame based on information related to the r-TWT SP information in the second frame of the AP located in the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located. The information related to the r-TWT SP information contained in the second frame can indicate the start time, duration or other information, so that the first AP generates the first frame based on the information related to the r-TWT SP information.

[0254] Optionally, before step S601, the first AP may also acquire the second frame in other ways. For example, the first AP may receive the second frame from an access controller (AC), where the AC can be the controller of the first AP and the APs in the OBSS. Alternatively, the first AP may generate the second frame and send it to the APs in the OBSS, where the first AP can be the controller of the APs in the OBSS.

[0255] S602. The first AP sends the first frame.

[0256] In this embodiment, after the first AP generates the first frame in step S601, the first AP sends the first frame to the first STA in step S602. Correspondingly, the first STA receives the first frame in step S602.

[0257] S603. The first STA determines that the r-TWT SP information is the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located, and the STA determines whether the first STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information.

[0258] In this embodiment, after the first STA receives the first frame in step S602, in step S603, the first STA determines, based on the first indication information, that the r-TWT SP information is the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located; in step S603, the first STA also determines, based on the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS, whether the first STA should stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS.

[0259] In one possible implementation, the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS is also used to indicate whether the first STA is silent during the quiet interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information.

[0260] Optionally, this implementation can also be described as follows: the r-TWT SP information and the first indication information are also used to indicate whether the first STA ignores the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information.

[0261] Specifically, the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS is used to instruct the first STA whether to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS, thereby restricting the first STA's channel access at that start time. The r-TWT SP information of the OBSS is also used to instruct the first STA whether to remain silent during the silence interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS, thereby restricting the first STA's channel access during that silence interval. This further reduces the impact of the first STA on channel contention of the scheduled STAs in the OBSS, thereby improving the success rate of the scheduled STAs in the OBSS obtaining a channel.

[0262] In one possible implementation, the first frame includes a TWT element, within which the r-TWT SP information and the first indication information are located. The implementation process of the TWT element can be referred to the foregoing. Figure 4a The implementation example shown is not elaborated here.

[0263] Optionally, in the first frame, the TWT element also includes a TWT establishment command field located in the request type subfield of the broadcast TWT information field; wherein the value of the TWT establishment command field indicates acceptance of the TWT. Specifically, after the first STA receives the first frame in step S602, since the value of the TWT establishment command field included in the TWT element of the first frame indicates acceptance of the TWT, the first STA clearly needs to accept the r-TWT SP indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS.

[0264] As mentioned above Figure 4a As shown, the TWT parameter information field contained in the TWT element contains multiple subfields. The following explanation will use the example of the first indication information being located in the broadcast TWT information field or the r-TWT service information field.

[0265] In one implementation, the first indication information may be located in the broadcast TWT information field.

[0266] Specifically, when the first indication information is located in the broadcast TWT information field, the following conditions are met: The first indication information is located in the broadcast TWT identifier field of the broadcast TWT information field; or, The first indication information is located in a reserved field in the broadcast TWT information field; or, The first indication information is located in a reserved field in the broadcast TWT information field, wherein the broadcast TWT identifier field in the broadcast TWT information field is a reserved field.

[0267] One implementation example is as follows Figure 7a As shown, in the Broadcast TWT Info subfield, a special Broadcast TWT ID value is used to indicate that this r-TWT SP is OBSS r-TWT SP information.

[0268] Optionally, the Broadcast TWT ID can be set to 31 to indicate that the r-TWT is an OBSS r-TWT.

[0269] Furthermore, to protect the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS, the AP can set a QuitInterval in the first frame, and the start time of this QuitInterval must be aligned with the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS. Subsequently, the associated STA that receives the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS from the AP in step S602 must end its TXOP before the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS. If the AP sets a QuitInterval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS, the associated STA of the AP must comply with the channel access rules of the QuitInterval, i.e., access to the channel is not allowed during the QuitInterval.

[0270] Another implementation example is as follows Figure 7b As shown, in the Broadcast TWT Info subfield, the original 1-bit reserved bit is changed to the OBSS Indication subfield. If the OBSS Indication subfield is 1, it indicates that this r-TWT is an OBSS r-TWT, and the Broadcast TWT ID becomes reserved. Conversely, if the OBSS Indication subfield is 0, the r-TWT SP is still an r-TWT SP of this cell (or this BSS), and therefore still needs to carry the Broadcast TWT ID.

[0271] Furthermore, to protect the OBSS r-TWT SP, the AP can set a QuietInterval in the first frame, and the start time of this Quiet Interval must be aligned with the start time indicated by the OBSS r-TWT SP information. Subsequently, the processing rules for the associated STA receiving the OBSS r-TWT SP information sent by the AP in step S602 are as follows: Figure 7a The implementation method shown is the same, so it will not be elaborated here.

[0272] In another implementation, the first indication information can be located in the r-TWT business information field.

[0273] like Figure 7c As shown, in the Traffic Info Control subfield of the r-TWT Traffic Info field, the original 1-bit reserved bit is changed to OBSS Indication. If the OBSS Indication subfield is 1, it indicates that this r-TWT is an OBSS r-TWT, and the Broadcast TWT ID becomes reserved. Conversely, if the OBSS Indication subfield is 0, the r-TWT SP is still the r-TWT SP of this cell, and therefore still needs to carry the Broadcast TWT ID.

[0274] Furthermore, to protect the OBSS r-TWT SP, the AP can set a QuietInterval in the first frame, and the start time of this Quiet Interval must be aligned with the start time indicated by the OBSS r-TWT SP information. Subsequently, the processing rules for the associated STA containing OBSS r-TWT SP information received by the AP in step S602 are... Figure 7a The implementation method shown is the same, so it will not be elaborated here.

[0275] It should be understood that this application relates to Figures 7a to 7c In the frame format shown, the values ​​of the number of bytes (or bits) for different fields and the order of different fields are not limited. Figures 7a to 7c The values ​​of the number of bytes (or bits) for different fields in the frame format shown, and the order of the different fields, are merely an implementation example. Figures 7a to 7c The number of bytes (or bits) for different fields in the frame format shown can also take other values. Figures 7a to 7c The order of the different fields in the frame format shown can also be other field orders; no restriction is imposed here. Furthermore, Figures 7a to 7c Each field in the frame format shown can be implemented independently.

[0276] In one possible implementation, such as Figures 7a to 7c As described in the implementation, the first frame may also include a silence element, the start time of which indicates the silence interval is the same as the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information.

[0277] Optionally, the silence element may be located in a different frame than the first frame. For example, the other frame carrying the silence element may include a beacon frame, a probe response frame, or a frame specifically designed to carry the silence element.

[0278] Optionally, one or more frames sent by the first AP may include multiple silence elements, and among these multiple silence elements, there is a silence element (referred to as the first silence element for ease of description) whose start time of the silence interval is the same as the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information.

[0279] Optionally, if the first STA supports the r-TWT mechanism, then after step S602, the first STA can determine that the first silence element is the silence element corresponding to the r-TWT SP information carried in the first frame. This makes it clear to the first STA that if the first STA silences based on the first silence element, the purpose is to reduce the impact of the first STA on channel contention of the scheduled STAs in the OBSS.

[0280] Optionally, if the first STA does not support the r-TWT mechanism, i.e., the first STA is a legacy STA, then after step S602, the first STA can be silenced based on the first silence element to reduce the impact of the first STA on the channel contention of the STAs scheduled in the OBSS.

[0281] Optionally, the first frame sent by the first AP in step S602 is a management frame. For example, the first frame is a beacon frame or a probe response frame.

[0282] In one possible implementation, the first frame sent by the first AP in step S602 further includes second indication information, which includes n fields, where n is greater than or equal to 1; the field positions of the n fields are used to indicate a traffic identifier (TID), and the values ​​of the n fields are used to instruct the first STA to perform the service corresponding to the TID according to one of the following items: The first STA does not need to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS, nor does it need to remain silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS; or, The first STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS and does not need to remain silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS; or, The first STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS and remains silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS.

[0283] Specifically, the first frame sent by the first AP in step S602 also includes second indication information. This second indication information indicates that when the service corresponding to the TID is executed by the first STA, it does not necessarily restrict the first STA's channel access at the start time indicated by the r-TWTSP information of the OBSS, nor does it necessarily restrict the first STA's channel access during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWTSP information of the OBSS. Therefore, through the implementation of the second indication information in the second frame, the first STA in the BSS where the first AP is located is not restricted by the r-TWTSP information of the OBSS when executing certain services corresponding to TIDs, ensuring that the services of the first STA in the BSS where the first AP is located (such as high-priority services, low-latency requirement services, etc.) can be executed.

[0284] Optionally, the TWT element includes an r-TWT service information field; the second indication information is located in the r-TWT downlink TID bitmap subfield and / or the r-TWT uplink TID bitmap subfield within the r-TWT service information field. In other words, the second indication information reuses the r-TWT downlink TID bitmap subfield and / or the r-TWT uplink TID bitmap subfield within the r-TWT service information field.

[0285] The following will be through Figures 8a to 9b The implementation shown is used as an example to illustrate the case where the second indication information is located in the r-TWT business information field of the TWT element.

[0286] Optionally, when the second indication information is located in the r-TWT service information field, the second indication information can also be located in other newly established positions within the r-TWT service information field, without reusing the r-TWT downlink TID bitmap subfield and / or the r-TWT uplink TID bitmap subfield. In the following... Figures 8a to 9b The example shown is only illustrated by the case where the second indication information reuses the r-TWT downlink TID bitmap subfield and / or the r-TWT uplink TID bitmap subfield in the r-TWT service information field.

[0287] In one implementation example, the values ​​of the n fields are used to indicate that when the service corresponding to the TID is executed by the first STA, if the first STA does not need to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and does not need to remain silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information (for ease of description, this is referred to as Case 1), the following description of Case 1 will be illustrated by taking the second indication information named "TID not respect OBSS r-TWT" as an example.

[0288] Optional, one implementation example of case one is as follows: Figure 8a As shown. In Figure 8a In this rule, the original "r-TWT downlink TID bitmap subfield" is changed to the "TID not respect OBSS r-TWT" subfield when the OBSS Indication subfield is set to 1. Here, a value of 1 for the nth bit indicates that TID n does not need to respect OBSS r-TWT, meaning the first STA is allowed to execute TID n without ending the TXOP before the start of the OBSS r-TWT and without needing to remain silent during the corresponding Quiet Interval. This rule applies to all EHT STAs within this BSS that support r-TWT.

[0289] Optional, another implementation example of case one is as follows: Figure 8b As shown. In Figure 8b In, with Figure 8a The implementation is similar, except that the original "r-TWT uplink TID bitmap subfield" is changed to "TID not respect OBSS r-TWT" subfield when the OBSS Indication subfield is set to 1.

[0290] In another implementation example, the values ​​of the n fields are used to indicate that when the service corresponding to the TID is executed by the first STA, if the first STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and remains silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information (for ease of description, this is referred to as Case 2), the following description of Case 2 will be illustrated by taking the second indication information named "TID bitmap respect OBSS r-TWT" as an example.

[0291] Optional, an example implementation of case two is as follows: Figure 8c As shown. In Figure 8c In this rule, the original "r-TWT downlink TID bitmap subfield" is changed to the "TID respect OBSS r-TWT" subfield when the OBSS Indication subfield is set to 1. A value of 1 for the nth bit indicates that the first STA must comply with OBSS r-TWT when executing TID n. That is, the first STA must end its TXOP before the start time of the OBSS r-TWT and remain silent for the corresponding Quiet Interval. This rule applies to all EHT STAs supporting r-TWT within this BSS.

[0292] Optional, another implementation example of case two is as follows: Figure 8d As shown. In Figure 8d In, with Figure 8c The implementation is similar, except that the original "r-TWT uplink TID bitmap subfield" is changed to "TID respect OBSS r-TWT" subfield when the OBSS Indication subfield is set to 1.

[0293] It should be understood that this application relates to Figures 8a to 8d In the frame format shown, the values ​​of the number of bytes (or bits) for different fields and the order of different fields are not limited. Figures 8a to 8d The values ​​of the number of bytes (or bits) for different fields in the frame format shown, and the order of the different fields, are merely an implementation example. Figures 8a to 8d The number of bytes (or bits) for different fields in the frame format shown can also take other values. Figures 8a to 8d The order of the different fields in the frame format shown can also be other field orders; no restriction is imposed here. Furthermore, Figures 8a to 8d Each field in the frame format shown can be implemented independently.

[0294] In another implementation example, the values ​​of the n fields are used to indicate that when the service corresponding to the TID is executed by the first STA, if the first STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and does not need to be silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information (for ease of description, it is referred to as case three), in case three, the implementation of the second indication information can be based on the joint indication of case one and case two mentioned above.

[0295] Optional, an implementation example of case three is as follows: Figure 9a As shown. In Figure 9a The following example illustrates the second instruction information, which is named "TID not respect OBSS r-TWT" and "TID respect OBSS r-TWT".

[0296] exist Figure 9a In the original "r-TWT downlink TID bitmap subfield", when the OBSS Indication subfield is set to 1, it is changed to "TID not respect OBSS r-TWT" subfield. The original "r-TWT uplink TID bitmap subfield" is changed to "TID respect OBSS r-TWT" subfield when the OBSS Indication subfield is set to 1.

[0297] exist Figure 9a In the TID not respect OBSS r-TWT, when the nth bit is set to 1, it means that when the first STA executes the corresponding TID n, the first STA does not need to end TXOP before the start time of the OBSS r-TWT, and does not need to be silent during the Quiet Interval that overlaps with the OBSS r-TWT. Furthermore, the nth bit corresponding to TID not respect OBSS r-TWT no longer has any meaning and can be set to 0 or 1, or defined as reserved.

[0298] exist Figure 9a In TID not respect OBSS r-TWT, when the nth bit is set to 0, it is necessary to combine the setting of the nth bit of TIDrespect OBSS r-TWT to determine the behavior of TID n corresponding to that bit.

[0299] For example, if the nth bit in TID not respect OBSS r-TWT is set to 0 and the nth bit in TID respect OBSS r-TWT is set to 1, it means that the first STA can share the OBSS r-TWT when executing TID n. That is, the first STA must end TXOP before the start time of the OBSS r-TWT when executing TID n, and does not need to be silent during the quiet interval corresponding to the OBSS r-TWT.

[0300] For example, if the nth bit in TID not respect OBSS r-TWT is set to 0, and the nth bit in TID respect OBSS r-TWT is set to 0, it means that the first STA must protect the OBSS r-TWT when executing TID n. That is, the first STA must end TXOP before the start time of the OBSS r-TWT when executing TID n, and remain silent during the quiet interval corresponding to the OBSS r-TWT.

[0301] Optional, Figure 9a The rules shown apply to all EHT STAs that support r-TWT within this BSS, or only to EHT STAs that support r-TWT.

[0302] Optionally, for ease of understanding, two examples are given below to illustrate the above. Figure 9a The implementation plan will be explained as follows: 1) A value of 10000000 in the "TID not respect OBSS r-TWT" field indicates that when the first STA executes the service with TID 0, the first STA does not need to end the TXOP before the start time of the OBSS r-TWT, and does not need to be silent during the Quiet Interval corresponding to the OBSS r-TWT. The behavior of services with TIDs 1-7 needs to be determined in conjunction with the corresponding bit settings in TID respect OBSS r-TWT.

[0303] 2) Furthermore, the "TID respect OBSS r-TWT" field being 01100000 indicates that when the first STA executes services corresponding to TID 1 and 2, the first STA must end the TXOP before the start time of the OBSS r-TWT, but is allowed to share the OBSS r-TWT; that is, the first STA does not need to be silent during the Quiet Interval corresponding to the OBSS r-TWT. When the first STA executes services corresponding to TIDs 3 to 7, the first STA must end the TXOP before the start time of the OBSS r-TWT and be silent during the Quiet Interval corresponding to the OBSS r-TWT.

[0304] Optional, another implementation example of case three is as follows: Figure 9b As shown. In Figure 9a The following example illustrates this, using the second instruction message named "Respect OBSS r-TWT for each TID".

[0305] exist Figure 9b In this process, the downlink TID bitmap subfield and the uplink TID bitmap subfield of r-TWT are multiplexed into the Respect OBSS r-TWT for each TID subfield. The Respect OBSS r-TWT for each TID subfield is divided into 8 two-bit subfields, and each two-bit subfield corresponds to one TID.

[0306] In one implementation, the four possible values ​​for the two bits in the Respect OBSS r-TWT for each TID subfield are set as follows: If the two bits are "00", that is, when the value is "0", it means that when the first STA executes the TID corresponding to the two bits in step S603, it is not necessary to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and it is not necessary to be silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information. If the two bits are "01", that is, when the value is "1", it means that when the first STA executes the TID corresponding to the two bits in step S603, TXOP stops at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and there is no need to be silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information. If the two bits are "10", that is, when the value is "2", it means that when the first STA executes the TID corresponding to the two bits in step S603, TXOP stops at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and remains silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information. If these two bits are "11", that is, if the value is "3", then the meaning of the Respect OBSS r-TWT for eachTID subfield is reserved.

[0307] It should be noted that this application does not limit the correspondence between the values ​​of the two bits in the Respect OBSS r-TWT for each TID subfield and their indicated meanings; other correspondence methods can be used, such as: If the two bits are "00", that is, when the value is "0", it means that when the first STA executes the TID corresponding to the two bits in step S603, it is not necessary to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and it is not necessary to be silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information. If the two bits are "10", that is, when the value is "2", it means that when the first STA executes the TID corresponding to the two bits in step S603, TXOP stops at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and there is no need to be silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information. If the two bits are "01", that is, when the value is "1", it means that when the first STA executes the TID corresponding to the two bits in step S603, TXOP stops at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and remains silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information. If these two bits are "11", that is, if the value is "3", then the meaning of the Respect OBSS r-TWT for eachTID subfield is reserved.

[0308] For example: If the two bits are "10", that is, when the value is "2", it means that when the first STA executes the TID corresponding to the two bits in step S603, it is not necessary to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and it is not necessary to be silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information. If the two bits are "01", that is, when the value is "1", it means that when the first STA executes the TID corresponding to the two bits in step S603, TXOP stops at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and there is no need to be silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information. If the two bits are "00", that is, when the value is "0", it means that when the first STA executes the TID corresponding to the two bits in step S603, TXOP stops at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and remains silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information. If these two bits are "11", that is, if the value is "3", then the meaning of the Respect OBSS r-TWT for eachTID subfield is reserved.

[0309] For example: If the two bits are "10", that is, when the value is "2", it means that when the first STA executes the TID corresponding to the two bits in step S603, it is not necessary to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and it is not necessary to be silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information. If the two bits are "00", that is, when the value is "0", it means that when the first STA executes the TID corresponding to the two bits in step S603, TXOP stops at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and there is no need to be silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information. If the two bits are "01", that is, when the value is "1", it means that when the first STA executes the TID corresponding to the two bits in step S603, TXOP stops at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and the silence interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information is silent. If these two bits are "11", that is, if the value is "3", then the meaning of the Respect OBSS r-TWT for eachTID subfield is reserved.

[0310] For example: If the two bits are "01", that is, when the value is "1", it means that when the first STA executes the TID corresponding to the two bits in step S603, it is not necessary to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and it is not necessary to be silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information. If the two bits are "10", that is, when the value is "2", it means that when the first STA executes the TID corresponding to the two bits in step S603, TXOP stops at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and there is no need to be silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information. If the two bits are "00", that is, when the value is "0", it means that when the first STA executes the TID corresponding to the two bits in step S603, TXOP stops at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and remains silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information. If these two bits are "11", that is, if the value is "3", then the meaning of the Respect OBSS r-TWT for eachTID subfield is reserved.

[0311] For example: If the two bits are "01", that is, when the value is "1", it means that when the first STA executes the TID corresponding to the two bits in step S603, it is not necessary to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and it is not necessary to be silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information. If the two bits are "00", that is, when the value is "0", it means that when the first STA executes the TID corresponding to the two bits in step S603, TXOP stops at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and there is no need to be silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information. If the two bits are "10", that is, when the value is "2", it means that when the first STA executes the TID corresponding to the two bits in step S603, TXOP stops at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and remains silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information. If these two bits are "11", that is, if the value is "3", then the meaning of the Respect OBSS r-TWT for eachTID subfield is reserved.

[0312] Similarly, other corresponding methods can be used, and their implementation process can be referred to the above description, which will not be elaborated here.

[0313] It should be understood that this application relates to Figures 9a to 9b In the frame format shown, the values ​​of the number of bytes (or bits) for different fields and the order of different fields are not limited. Figures 9a to 9b The values ​​of the number of bytes (or bits) for different fields in the frame format shown, and the order of the different fields, are merely an implementation example. Figures 9a to 9b The number of bytes (or bits) for different fields in the frame format shown can also take other values. Figures 9a to 9b The order of the different fields in the frame format shown can also be other field orders; no restriction is imposed here. Furthermore, Figures 9a to 9b Each field in the frame format shown can be implemented independently.

[0314] It should be noted that, in the above Figures 8a to 9b In this implementation, the first indication information does not necessarily require the OBSS Indication subfield to indicate that the r-TWT SP is an OBSS r-TWT SP. Alternatively, it can be indicated in the Broadcast TWT Info subfield by using a special Broadcast TWT ID value to represent that the r-TWT SP is an OBSS r-TWT SP. Or, as described above... Figures 7a to 7c The implementation methods of the descriptions are not limited here.

[0315] Optionally, the first frame sent by the first AP in step S602 includes a target wakeuptime (TWT) element, and the broadcast TWT information field in the TWT element includes a broadcast TWT identifier field; wherein, the values ​​of the n fields are used to indicate that the first STA in the TWT group indicated by the broadcast TWT identifier field performs the service corresponding to the TID according to one of the following items.

[0316] Optionally, the description of the "the following items" can refer to the implementation process of the aforementioned "n fields", which will not be repeated here.

[0317] Specifically, the TWT element in the first frame sent by the first AP also includes a broadcast TWT identifier field, which is used to indicate the TWT group. Therefore, based on the broadcast TWT identifier field and the second indication information in the first frame, STAs in this TWT group within the BSS where the first AP resides are not restricted by the r-TWT SP information of the BSS when performing services corresponding to certain TIDs, ensuring that the services (such as high-priority services, low-latency requirement services, etc.) of STAs in the TWT group within the BSS where the first AP resides can be executed. In other words, in the aforementioned... Figures 8a to 9b In this implementation, the Broadcast TWT ID may not be reserved and can remain valid. Therefore, the rules for the "TID not respect OBSS r-TWT" and "TID respect OBSS r-TWT" subfields only apply to EHT STAs (via Broadcast TWT ID) belonging to that r-TWT group.

[0318] Optional, unlike the above Figures 8a to 9b In some implementations, the second instruction information may also be located in other fields of the TWT element.

[0319] based on Figures 6a to 9bThe illustrated technical solution involves a first frame sent by the first AP in step S602, comprising r-TWTSP information and first indication information. The first indication information indicates that the r-TWTSP information is the r-TWTSP information of the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP resides. In other words, the OBSS r-TWTSP information restricts channel access for unscheduled STAs within the OBSS, thereby increasing the probability of scheduled STAs within the OBSS acquiring a channel. Furthermore, the OBSS r-TWTSP information instructs the first STA whether to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the OBSS r-TWTSP information, thus restricting the first STA's channel access at that start time. The first STA and the first AP reside in the same BSS. Therefore, by restricting channel access for the first STA within the BSS where the first AP resides, the impact of the first STA on channel contention for scheduled STAs within the OBSS is reduced, thereby improving the success rate of scheduled STAs within the OBSS acquiring a channel.

[0320] For example, with Figure 5a The scenario shown is for illustrative purposes; AP2 can act as the first AP to execute the aforementioned... Figures 6a to 9b The technical solution shown is as follows. After AP2 learns the r-TWT SP information in OBSS, AP2 can send the first frame to STA21 and STA22. By restricting the channel access of the first STA (including STA21 and STA22) in the BSS where AP2 is located, the impact of the first STA on the channel contention of the scheduled STA (STA11) in OBSS is reduced, thereby improving the success rate of the scheduled STA in OBSS obtaining the channel.

[0321] From the above Figure 6a As can be seen from the implementation process of the communication method shown, the first frame sent by the first AP in step S602 is used to indicate whether the first STA should stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS. Afterwards, the first AP can further instruct the rejection or modification of the r-TWT SP indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS. The following will combine... Figure 6b The implementation method shown is described in further detail.

[0322] like Figure 6b As shown in the content, with Figure 6a Compared to the implementation shown, after the first AP sends the first frame in step S602, the first AP sends the sixth frame in step S604, and correspondingly, the first STA receives the sixth frame in step S604.

[0323] Specifically, the sixth frame includes a first TWT element, the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information in the first TWT element is the same as the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information in the first frame; wherein, the first TWT element also includes a TWT establishment command field located in the request type subfield of the broadcast TWT information field, and the value of the TWT establishment command field indicates a reject TWT.

[0324] Based on the above technical solution, after the first AP sends a first frame in step S602 to indicate whether the first STA should stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information in the OBSS, the first AP can also send a sixth frame in step S604. The value of the TWT establishment command field contained in the first TWT element of the sixth frame indicates a rejected TWT, which instructs the first STA to reject the r-TWT SP indicated by the r-TWT SP information in the first TWT element, that is, to indicate that the first STA does not need to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information in the first TWT element. Since the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information in the first TWT element is the same as the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information in the first frame, the first AP instructs the first STA to reject the r-TWT SP indicated by the r-TWT SP information carried in the first frame through the sixth frame. Therefore, in addition to supporting the first AP to indicate the r-TWT SP indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS through the first frame, the first AP is also supported to reject the r-TWT SP indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS through the sixth frame.

[0325] In one possible implementation, the first TWT element further includes seventh indication information, which indicates that the r-TWT SP information in the first TWT element is the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located. Specifically, after the first STA receives the sixth frame in step S604, since the seventh indication information included in the first TWT element of the sixth frame indicates that the r-TWT SP information in the first TWT element is the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS where the first AP is located, the first STA explicitly needs to reject the r-TWT SP indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS.

[0326] In one possible implementation, the sixth frame further includes a second TWT element. The start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information in the second TWT element is different from the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information in the first frame. The second TWT element also includes a TWT establishment command field located in the request type subfield of the broadcast TWT information field, and the value of the TWT establishment command field indicates an accept TWT. Specifically, the sixth frame sent by the first AP in step S604 includes not only the first TWT element but also the second TWT element, and the value of the TWT establishment command field contained in the second TWT element indicates an accept TWT, that is, it indicates that the first STA needs to accept the r-TWT SP indicated by the r-TWT SP information contained in the second TWT. In other words, the first TWT element and the second TWT element carried in the sixth frame modify the r-TWT SP indicated by the r-TWT SP information carried in the first frame. Therefore, in addition to supporting the first AP to indicate the r-TWT SP of the OBSS r-TWT SP information through the first frame, the first AP can also modify the r-TWT SP of the OBSS r-TWT SP information through the sixth frame.

[0327] It should be understood that the parameters involved in the r-TWT SP information in the second TWT element (such as start time, duration, etc.) can be the same as or different from the parameters involved in the r-TWT SP information in the first TWT element, and no limitation is made here.

[0328] In one possible implementation, the second TWT element further includes eighth indication information, which indicates that the r-TWT SP information in the second TWT element is the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located. Specifically, after the first STA receives the sixth frame in step S604, since the eighth indication information included in the second TWT element of the sixth frame indicates that the r-TWT SP information in the first TWT element is the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located, the first STA clearly understands that the r-TWT SP it needs to accept is the r-TWT SP indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS.

[0329] based on Figure 6b As can be seen from the implementation scheme shown, continuing Figure 6a The illustrated embodiment is designed with the addition of operations for terminating and modifying the r-TWT SP information of OBSS. For example, it still uses... Figure 5a The scenario shown is for illustrative purposes; AP2 can act as the first AP to execute the aforementioned... Figure 6bThe technical solution shown is as follows. After AP2 learns the r-TWT SP information in OBSS, AP2 can send the first frame to STA21 and STA22. By restricting the channel access of the first STA (including STA21 and STA22) in the BSS where AP2 is located, the impact of the first STA on the channel contention of the scheduled STA (STA11) in OBSS is reduced, thereby improving the success rate of the scheduled STA in OBSS obtaining the channel.

[0330] Further optionally, after AP2 learns that it needs to terminate the r-TWT SP information in OBSS, AP2 can send a sixth frame to STA21 and STA22 to indicate through the first TWT element in the sixth frame that the first STA (including STA21 and STA22) does not need to consider the channel contention impact on the scheduled STA (STA11) in OBSS.

[0331] Optionally, after AP2 learns that the r-TWT SP information in the OBSS needs to be modified, AP2 can send a sixth frame to STA21 and STA22 to instruct the first STA (including STA21 and STA22) to modify the r-TWT SP information in the OBSS through the first TWT element and the second TWT in the sixth frame. By restricting the channel access of the first STA (including STA21 and STA22) in the BSS where AP2 is located, the impact of the first STA on the channel contention of the scheduled STA (STA11) in the OBSS is reduced, thereby improving the success rate of the scheduled STA in the OBSS to obtain the channel.

[0332] Please see Figure 10 This is another schematic diagram of the communication method provided in this application, which includes the following steps.

[0333] S1001. The second AP sends the second frame.

[0334] In this embodiment, the second AP sends a second frame in step S1001, and correspondingly, the first AP receives the second frame in step S1001. The second frame includes target wake-up time service phase (r-TWT) SP information, and the second AP is located in the overlapping basic service set (OBSS) of the basic service set (BSS) where the first AP is located.

[0335] S1002. The first AP sends the third frame to the first STA.

[0336] In this embodiment, the first AP sends a third frame in step S1002, and correspondingly, the first STA receives the third frame in step S1002. The third frame includes a silence element, and the start time of the silence interval indicated by the silence element is the same as the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information.

[0337] S1003. The first STA is silent at the start of the silence interval indicated by the silence element based on the silence element.

[0338] In this embodiment, after the first STA receives the third frame in step S1002, in step S1003, the first STA remains silent at the start time of the silence interval indicated by the silence element based on the silence element carried in the third frame.

[0339] based on Figure 10 In the illustrated technical solution, after the first AP receives a second frame containing r-TWTSP information from the second AP in step S1001, the first AP sends a third frame containing a silence element to the first STA in step S1002 based on the second frame. The start time of the silence interval indicated by the silence element is the same as the start time indicated by the r-TWTSP information. The second AP is located in the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located. In other words, based on the second frame, the first AP can determine that the r-TWTSP information in the OBSS is used to restrict channel access for unscheduled STAs in the OBSS, thereby increasing the probability of scheduled STAs in the OBSS acquiring a channel. Therefore, after sending the third frame containing the silence element to the first STA, the first AP reduces the impact of the first STA on channel contention for scheduled STAs in the OBSS by restricting channel access for the first STA in the BSS where the first AP is located, thereby improving the success rate of scheduled STAs in the OBSS acquiring a channel.

[0340] For example, with Figure 5a The scenario shown is for illustrative purposes; AP2 can act as the first AP to execute the aforementioned... Figure 10 The technical solution shown is as follows. After AP2 learns the r-TWT SP information in the OBSS, AP2 can send a third frame to STA21 and STA22. By restricting the channel access of the first STA (including STA21 and STA22) in the BSS where AP2 is located, the channel contention of the first STA on the scheduled STA (STA11) in the OBSS is reduced, thereby improving the success rate of the scheduled STA in the OBSS obtaining the channel.

[0341] It should be noted that, in Figure 10 In the implementation process shown, the first AP can also perform the aforementioned Figures 6a to 9b Any possible implementation method and the corresponding technical effect will not be elaborated here. Furthermore, the first STA can also perform the aforementioned... Figures 6a to 9b Any possible implementation method and the corresponding technical effect are described, but will not be elaborated here.

[0342] In the current implementation of the r-TWT feature described above, the AP distinguishes STAs based on the broadcast TWT identifier field carried in the r-TWT SP information. This allows STAs in the TWT group corresponding to the "broadcast TWT identifier" to compete for channel access, while restricting channel access for other STAs outside the TWT group. However, this implementation cannot guarantee the transmission of high-priority services.

[0343] For example, in Figure 3 In the implementation shown, to ensure the transmission of low-latency services for certain STAs (i.e., EHT STA1), channel access for other STAs within this BSS (i.e., EHT STA2 and Non-EHT STAs) is restricted. However, when EHT STA2 needs to perform certain specific services (e.g., high-priority services, low-latency requirement services, etc.), the restricted channel access prevents these specific services from being performed. Therefore, this application provides... Figure 11 The method shown is used to solve this problem.

[0344] Please see Figure 11 This is another schematic diagram of the communication method provided in this application, which includes the following steps.

[0345] S1101. The second AP generates the fourth frame.

[0346] In this embodiment, the second AP generates a fourth frame in step S1101. The fourth frame includes target wake-up time service phase (r-TWT) SP information and third indication information. The third indication information includes m fields, where m is greater than or equal to 1. The positions of these m fields are used to indicate the service identifier (TID), and the values ​​of these m fields are used to instruct the second STA to perform the service corresponding to the TID according to one of the following items: The second STA does not need to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information, nor does it need to remain silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information; or, The second STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and does not need to remain silent during the silence interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information; or, The second STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and remains silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information.

[0347] S1102. The second AP sends the fourth frame.

[0348] In this embodiment, after the second AP generates the fourth frame in step S1101, the second AP sends the fourth frame in step S1102, and correspondingly, the second STA receives the fourth frame in step S1102.

[0349] S1103. The second STA determines whether the second STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and whether it remains silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information.

[0350] In this embodiment, after the second STA receives the fourth frame in step S1102, in step S1103, the second STA determines, based on the information carried in the fourth frame, whether the second STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and whether it remains silent during the silence interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information.

[0351] In one possible implementation, the fourth frame includes a target wake-up time (TWT) element, in which the r-TWT SP information and the third indication information are located.

[0352] Optionally, in the fourth frame, the TWT element also includes a TWT establishment command field located in the request type subfield of the broadcast TWT information field; wherein the value of the TWT establishment command field indicates acceptance of the TWT. Specifically, after the second STA receives the fourth frame in step S1102, since the value of the TWT establishment command field included in the fourth frame's TWT element indicates acceptance of the TWT, the second STA explicitly needs to accept the r-TWT SP indicated by the r-TWT SP information.

[0353] In one possible implementation, the TWT element includes an r-TWT service information field; wherein the third indication information is located in the r-TWT service information field.

[0354] In one possible implementation, the r-TWT service information field includes a service information control subfield; wherein the service information control subfield includes fourth indication information, which is used to indicate whether the r-TWT service information field includes the third indication information.

[0355] In one possible implementation, the fourth frame includes a target wakeup time (TWT) element, and the broadcast TWT information field in the TWT element includes a broadcast TWT identifier field; wherein, the values ​​of the m fields are used to indicate that the second STA in the TWT group indicated by the broadcast TWT identifier field performs the service corresponding to the TID according to one of the following items.

[0356] Optionally, the implementation process of "the following items" can refer to the aforementioned implementation process of "m fields", which will not be repeated here.

[0357] Specifically, the TWT element in the fourth frame sent by the second AP in step S1102 also includes a broadcast TWT identifier field, which is used to indicate the TWT group. Therefore, based on the broadcast TWT identifier field and the fourth indication information in the fourth frame, the STAs in the TWT group within the BSS where the second AP is located are not restricted by the r-TWT SP information in the OBSS when performing certain TID-corresponding services, ensuring that the services (such as high-priority services, low-latency requirement services, etc.) of the STAs in the TWT group within the BSS where the second AP is located can be executed.

[0358] The following will be through Figure 12 The implementation shown is provided as an example to illustrate the case where the third indication information includes m fields and is located in the r-TWT business information field of the TWT element.

[0359] Optionally, when the third indication information is located in the r-TWT service information field, the third indication information may also be located in the r-TWT downlink TID bitmap subfield and / or r-TWT uplink TID bitmap subfield within the r-TWT service information field. In other words, the third indication information may reuse the r-TWT downlink TID bitmap subfield and / or r-TWT uplink TID bitmap subfield within the r-TWT service information field. In this case, the meaning of the fields "r-TWT downlink TID bitmap subfield and / or r-TWT uplink TID bitmap subfield" in the r-TWT service information field changes to the meaning of the fields in the third indication information; in other words, in this case, the fields "r-TWT downlink TID bitmap subfield and / or r-TWT uplink TID bitmap subfield" do not appear in the r-TWT service information field. In the following... Figure 12 The example shown only illustrates the case where the third indication information is located in a newly established field in the r-TWT service information field. That is, the third indication information does not need to reuse the r-TWT downlink TID bitmap subfield and / or r-TWT uplink TID bitmap subfield in the r-TWT service information field.

[0360] Optionally, one implementation example of the fourth indication information is as follows: Figure 12 As shown.

[0361] Optionally, in Figure 12In this code, a subfield "r-TWT exception TID bitmap enabled / disabled" and a subfield "r-TWT exception TID bitmap" are introduced. If the value of "r-TWT exception TID bitmap enabled / disabled" is 0, then the subfield "r-TWT exception TID bitmap" is disabled. Conversely, if the value of "r-TWT exception TID bitmap enabled / disabled" is 1, then the subfield "r-TWT exception TID bitmap" is enabled. Optionally, additional indicator information can be added in other locations to indicate the presence of the r-TWT exception TID bitmap, for example... Figure 4a In the frame format shown, this indication information has been added to other fields ("Request Type", "Broadcast TWT Information", etc.) that are listed alongside "r-TWT Service Information Field".

[0362] For example, in Figure 12 In the frame format shown, a value of 1 for the m-th bit in the "r-TWT Exception TID Bitmap" indicates that TID m may not comply with r-TWT. This means that TID m is allowed to complete the TXOP before the start of the r-TWT, and the TID can ignore the corresponding Quiet Interval. This rule applies to all EHT STAs within this BSS that support r-TWT.

[0363] based on Figures 11 to 12 The technical solution shown includes a fourth frame sent by the second AP in step S1102, which includes third indication information. This third indication information indicates that when the service corresponding to the TID is executed by the second STA, it does not necessarily restrict the second STA's channel access at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information, nor does it necessarily restrict the second STA's channel access during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information. The second AP and the second STA are located in the same BSS. Therefore, through the implementation of the third indication information in the fourth frame, the second STA in the BSS where the second AP is located is not restricted by the r-TWT SP information when executing services corresponding to certain TIDs, ensuring that the services of the second STA in the BSS where the second AP is located (such as high-priority services, low-latency service requirements, etc.) can be executed.

[0364] For example, with Figure 5a The scenario shown is an example; AP1 can act as a second AP to perform the aforementioned actions. Figure 11The technical solution is shown below. After generating r-TWT SP information for scheduling STA11, AP1 can send a fourth frame to STA11 and STA12. Through the implementation of the third indication information in the fourth frame, the second STA (e.g., STA12) in the BSS (i.e., BSS1) where the second AP is located is not restricted by the r-TWT SP information when executing certain services corresponding to TIDs. This ensures that the services of the second STA in the BSS where the second AP is located (e.g., high-priority services, low-latency service requirements, etc.) can be executed.

[0365] Please see Figure 13 This is another schematic diagram of the communication method provided in this application, which includes the following steps.

[0366] S1301. The second AP generates the fifth frame.

[0367] In this embodiment, the second AP generates a fifth frame in step S1301. The fifth frame includes target wake-up time service phase r-TWT SP information and fifth indication information. The fifth indication information is used to indicate whether the first STA should stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information.

[0368] In one possible implementation, the fifth instruction information can be implemented in the manner described above. Figure 7a and Figure 7b The implementation method of the first indication information in the frame structure shown is as follows. The difference is that the meaning of the OBSS Indication field changes from "the R-TWT in the current TWT element is the OBSS R-TWT" to "the R-TWT in the current TWT element is the R-TWT of this BSS, but the OBSS STA also needs to comply, that is, the OBSS STA must stop the current TXOP before the R-TWT SP starts".

[0369] In another possible implementation, the AP associated with the first STA is located in a first AP group, wherein the fifth indication information includes the identifier of the first AP group.

[0370] For example, the fifth instruction information can be in the form of Figure 14a The implementation shown is an example. The AP group is an AP group established for OBSS R-TWT. The specific process of establishing this AP group is not the core of this patent and will not be discussed in detail here. For example, it can be initiated by an AP, selecting an AP group identifier (e.g., AP group ID) to represent this AP group, and then the AP invites other APs to join the AP group through negotiation. In this embodiment, the fifth indication information can be... Figure 14aThe AP Group ID field in the r-TWT service information field is used to indicate that the R-TWT information carried is the R-TWT of this BSS. The AP Group ID field indicates that APs belonging to this AP group and their associated STAs need to comply with this R-TWT.

[0371] It should be understood that Figure 14a The implementation shown is merely an example; the "AP group identifier" can also be implemented in other ways, besides being located in... Figure 14a Outside of the service information control field of the TWT element shown, the "AP group identifier" can also be located in other fields of the TWT element, or the "AP group identifier" can be located in other elements of the fifth frame that are different from the TWT element, which is not limited here.

[0372] S1302. The second AP sends the fifth frame.

[0373] In this embodiment, after the second AP generates the fifth frame in step S1031, the second AP sends the fifth frame in step S1302, and correspondingly, the first STA receives the fifth frame in step S1302.

[0374] S1303. The first STA determines whether the first STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information.

[0375] In this embodiment, after the first STA receives the fifth frame in step S1302, the first STA determines in step S1303 whether to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information based on the fifth indication information carried in the fifth frame.

[0376] It should be noted that, in this embodiment of the application, "the first STA is not associated with the second AP" includes: the first STA is associated with the first AP, wherein the first AP is located in the OBSS of the BSS where the second AP is located. Alternatively, "the first STA is not associated with the second AP" includes: the first STA is not associated with any AP.

[0377] In one possible implementation, the fifth indication information carried in the fifth frame sent by the second AP in step S1302 is also used to indicate whether the first STA is silent during the silence interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information.

[0378] Optionally, this implementation can also be described as follows: the fifth indication information is also used to indicate whether the first STA ignores the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information.

[0379] Specifically, the fifth indication information is used to instruct the first STA whether to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information, thereby restricting the first STA's channel access at that start time; the fifth indication information is also used to instruct the first STA whether to remain silent during the silence interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information, thereby restricting the first STA's channel access during that silence interval. This further reduces the impact of the first STA on channel contention of STAs scheduled in the BSS where the second AP is located, thereby improving the success rate of STAs scheduled in the BSS where the second AP is located obtaining a channel.

[0380] In one possible implementation, after the second AP sends the fifth frame in step S1302, the method further includes: the second AP receiving a response frame for the fifth frame.

[0381] Optionally, the response frame of the fifth frame can be a notification, response, or acknowledgment (ACK) frame.

[0382] Specifically, after the second AP sends the fifth frame in step S1302, the first STA can also send a response frame of the fifth frame to the second AP, so that the second AP knows that the channel access of the first STA will be restricted, in order to ensure that the STA scheduled in the BSS where the second AP is located obtains the channel.

[0383] In one possible implementation, the fifth frame also includes sixth indication information, which includes k fields, where k is greater than or equal to 1; The positions of these k fields are used to indicate the service identifier (TID), and the values ​​of these k fields are used to instruct the second STA to perform the service corresponding to the TID according to one of the following items: The first STA does not need to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information, nor does it need to remain silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information; or, The first STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and does not need to remain silent during the silence interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information; or, The first STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and remains silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information.

[0384] Specifically, the fifth frame sent by the second AP includes a sixth indication information. This sixth indication information indicates that when the service corresponding to the TID is executed by the first STA, it does not necessarily restrict the first STA's channel access at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information, nor does it necessarily restrict the first STA's channel access during the silence interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information. Therefore, through the implementation of the sixth indication information in the fifth frame, the first STA is not restricted by the r-TWT SP information when executing services corresponding to certain TIDs, ensuring that the first STA's services (such as high-priority services, low-latency requirement services, etc.) can be executed.

[0385] The following will be through Figures 14b to 14d The implementation shown is used as an example to illustrate the case where the sixth indication information includes k fields and is located in the r-TWT business information field of the TWT element.

[0386] Optionally, when the sixth indication information is located in the r-TWT service information field, the sixth indication information may also be located in the r-TWT downlink TID bitmap subfield and / or the r-TWT uplink TID bitmap subfield within the r-TWT service information field. In other words, the sixth indication information may also reuse the r-TWT downlink TID bitmap subfield and / or the r-TWT uplink TID bitmap subfield within the r-TWT service information field. In the following... Figures 14b to 14d The example shown only illustrates the case where the sixth indication information is located in a newly established field in the r-TWT service information field. That is, the sixth indication information does not need to reuse the r-TWT downlink TID bitmap subfield and / or r-TWT uplink TID bitmap subfield in the r-TWT service information field.

[0387] In one implementation example, the values ​​of the k fields are used to indicate that when the service corresponding to the TID is executed by the first STA, if the first STA does not need to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and ignores the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information (for ease of description, it is referred to as Case 4), the following description of Case 4 will be illustrated by taking the sixth indication information named "TID not respect OBSS r-TWT" as an example.

[0388] For example, the implementation of the sixth instruction information is described here as follows: Figure 14bThe implementation shown is an example. A subfield, "TID not respect OBSS r-TWT present," is added to the Traffic InfoControl field to indicate the existence of the "TID notrespect OBSS r-TWT" field.

[0389] Alternatively, a subfield, "TID not respect OBSSr-TWT valid," can be added to the Traffic Info Control field to indicate the validity of the "TID not respect OBSSr-TWT" field.

[0390] Alternatively, additional information can be added in other locations to indicate the presence of the TID not respect OBSSr-TWT field, for example... Figure 4a In the frame format shown, this indication information has been added to other fields ("Request Type", "Broadcast TWT Information", etc.) that are listed alongside "r-TWT Service Information Field".

[0391] Optionally, the "TID not respect OBSS r-TWT" field is an 8-bit bitmap, with each bit corresponding to TID0-TID7. When a bit is set to 1, it means that the TID corresponding to the STA in the OBSS can ignore the R-TWT; that is, the current TXOP does not need to be stopped before the R-TWT SP begins, and the quiet interval overlapping with the R-TWT SP can also be ignored. When a bit is set to 0, it means that the TID corresponding to the STA in the OBSS cannot ignore the R-TWT; that is, the current TXOP needs to be stopped before the R-TWT SP begins, and the quiet interval overlapping with the R-TWT SP cannot be ignored.

[0392] In another implementation example, the values ​​of the k fields are used to indicate that when the service corresponding to the TID is executed by the first STA, if the first STA does not need to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and is prohibited from ignoring the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information (for ease of description, it is referred to as Case 5), the following description of Case 5 will be illustrated by taking the sixth indication information named "TID bitmap respect OBSS r-TWT" as an example.

[0393] Optionally, similar to situation four above, it can be... Figure 14bThe fields "TID not respect OBSS r-TWTpresent" and "TID not respect OBSS r-TWT" should be replaced with "TID respect OBSS r-TWTpresent" and "TID respect OBSS r-TWT" respectively. However, the meanings of 0 and 1 in the bitmap will need to be reversed accordingly.

[0394] In another implementation example, the values ​​of the n fields are used to indicate that when the service corresponding to the TID is executed by the first STA, if the first STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and ignores the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information (for ease of description, it is referred to as case six), in case six, the implementation of the sixth indication information can be based on the joint indication of the aforementioned case four and case five.

[0395] Optional, an implementation example of case six is ​​as follows: Figure 14c As shown. In Figure 14c The following example illustrates the sixth instruction information, which is named "TID not respect OBSS r-TWT" and "TID respect OBSS r-TWT".

[0396] exist Figure 14c In the Traffic Info Control field, add a subfield called OBSS TID for r-TWT present to indicate the presence of OBSS TID that does not respect the r-TWT field and OBSS TID that respect the r-TWT field. Alternatively, you can add the indication information in other locations to indicate the presence of OBSS TID that does not respect the r-TWT field and OBSS TID that respect the r-TWT field, for example... Figure 4a In the frame format shown, this indication information has been added to other fields ("Request Type", "Broadcast TWT Information", etc.) that are listed alongside "r-TWT Service Information Field".

[0397] Optionally, the OBSS TID for r-TWT present subfield can be 1 bit or 2 bits, where each bit corresponds to one of the OBSS TID that not respect r-TWT field and the OBSS TID that respect r-TWT field.

[0398] Optionally, the meanings indicated by setting the bits to 1 and 0 in the OBSS TID that not respect r-TWT field and the OBSS TID that respect r-TWT field are the same as those in the TID not respect OBSS r-TWT field and the TID respect OBSS r-TWT field in the aforementioned case three. For details, please refer to the aforementioned implementation process, which will not be repeated here.

[0399] Optional, another implementation example of case six is ​​as follows: Figure 14d As shown. In Figure 14d The following example illustrates this, using the sixth instruction message named "Respect OBSS r-TWT for each TID".

[0400] like Figure 14d As shown, an OBSS TID for r-TWTpresent subfield is added to the Traffic Info Control field to indicate the existence of the Respect r-TWT for each OBSS TID field.

[0401] Alternatively, additional information can be added in other locations to indicate the presence of the TID field in the Respect r-TWT foreach OBSS command, for example... Figure 4a In the frame format shown, this indication information has been added to other fields ("Request Type", "Broadcast TWT Information", etc.) that are listed alongside "r-TWT Service Information Field".

[0402] Optionally, the meaning of the two bit values ​​in For TID n is the same as described above. Figure 9b The implementation process for scenario three is similar, the difference being that the implementing subject and the object are reversed, that is, as mentioned above. Figure 9b In scenario three, the instruction refers to the behavior of this BSS STA towards OBSS r-TWT, while in this implementation, it refers to the behavior of the OBSS STA towards this BSS R-TWT. For details, please refer to the aforementioned implementation process, which will not be repeated here.

[0403] It should be understood that this application relates to Figures 14a to 14d In the frame format shown, the values ​​of the number of bytes (or bits) for different fields and the order of different fields are not limited. Figures 14a to 14d The values ​​of the number of bytes (or bits) for different fields in the frame format shown, and the order of the different fields, are merely an implementation example. Figures 14a to 14dThe number of bytes (or bits) for different fields in the frame format shown can also take other values. Figures 14a to 14d The order of the different fields in the frame format shown can also be other field orders; no restriction is imposed here. Furthermore, Figures 14a to 14d Each field in the frame format shown can be implemented independently.

[0404] In one possible implementation, the fifth frame includes a target wake-up time (TWT) element, and the broadcast TWT information field in the TWT element includes a broadcast TWT identifier field; wherein the values ​​of the k fields are used to indicate that the first STA in the TWT group indicated by the broadcast TWT identifier field performs the service corresponding to the TID according to one of the following items.

[0405] Optionally, the implementation process of "the following items" can refer to the aforementioned implementation process of "k fields", which will not be repeated here.

[0406] Specifically, the TWT element in the fifth frame sent by the second AP also includes a broadcast TWT identifier field, which is used to indicate the TWT group. Therefore, based on the broadcast TWT identifier field in the fifth frame and the sixth indication information, the STAs in this TWT group are not restricted by the r-TWT SP information in the OBSS when performing certain services corresponding to TIDs, ensuring that the services of the STAs in the TWT group (such as high-priority services, low-latency requirement services, etc.) can be executed.

[0407] In one possible implementation, the fifth frame includes a target wakeup time (TWT) element, and the broadcast TWT information field in the TWT element includes a broadcast TWT identifier field; wherein the first STA in the TWT group indicated by the broadcast TWT identifier field does not need to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and does not need to be silent during the silence interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information.

[0408] Specifically, the TWT element in the fifth frame sent by the second AP also includes a broadcast TWT identifier field, which is used to indicate the TWT group. Therefore, based on the broadcast TWT identifier field in the fifth frame and the sixth indication information, the first STA in this TWT group is not restricted by the r-TWT SP information in the OBSS when performing certain services corresponding to TIDs, ensuring that the services of the STAs in this TWT group (such as high-priority services, low-latency requirement services, etc.) can be executed.

[0409] In one possible implementation, the TWT element includes an r-TWT service information field; the sixth indication information is located in the r-TWT downlink TID bitmap subfield and / or the r-TWT uplink TID bitmap subfield within the r-TWT service information field.

[0410] In one possible implementation, the fifth frame includes a TWT element, in which the r-TWT SP information and the fifth indication information are located.

[0411] In one possible implementation, the TWT element includes a broadcast TWT information field; the fifth indication information is located in the broadcast TWT information field.

[0412] In one possible implementation, The fifth indication information is located in the Broadcast TWT Identifier field of the Broadcast TWT Information field; or, The fifth instruction information is located in a reserved field within the broadcast TWT information field; or, The fifth indication information is located in a reserved field in the broadcast TWT information field, wherein the broadcast TWT identifier field in the broadcast TWT information field is a reserved field.

[0413] In one possible implementation, the TWT element includes an r-TWT business information field; wherein the fifth indication information is located in the business information control subfield of the r-TWT business information field.

[0414] In one possible implementation, the fifth indication information is located in the TWT establishment command field of the request type subfield of the broadcast TWT information field. Specifically, the fifth indication information carried by the fifth frame can be located in the TWT establishment command field of the request type subfield of the broadcast TWT information field, so that the setting of the value of the TWT establishment command field can indicate whether the first STA should stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information.

[0415] Furthermore, as an optional implementation, if the fifth instruction information is located in the TWT establishment command field of the request type subfield of the broadcast TWT information field, the fifth instruction information satisfies at least one of the following: The value of the fifth indication information indicates acceptance of TWT, and the fifth indication information is used to instruct the first STA to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information. The fifth indication information is also used to instruct the first STA to remain silent during the silence interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information. or, The value of the fifth indication information indicates that TWT is rejected, and the fifth indication information is used to indicate that the first STA does not need to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information; or, The value of the fifth indication information indicates that the TWT is modified, and the fifth indication information is used to instruct the first STA to modify the r-TWT SP information corresponding to the BSSID of the second AP based on the r-TWT SP information.

[0416] Optionally, if the value of the fifth indication information indicates a modification of the TWT, the fifth indication information is used to instruct the first STA to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the modified r-TWT SP information. The fifth indication information is also used to instruct the first STA to remain silent during the silent interval corresponding to the modified r-TWT SP information.

[0417] Based on the above technical solution, in the implementation process of the TWT establishment command field of the request type subfield of the broadcast TWT information field, the second AP can, through different values ​​of the TWT establishment command field, instruct the first STA not associated with the second AP to accept the r-TWT SP indicated by the r-TWT SP information, or the second AP can, instruct the first STA not associated with the second AP to reject the r-TWT SP indicated by the r-TWT SP information corresponding to the BSSID of the second AP, or the second AP can, instruct the first STA not associated with the second AP to modify the r-TWT SP indicated by the r-TWT SP information corresponding to the BSSID of the second AP.

[0418] In one possible implementation, the fifth frame is a management frame. For example, the fifth frame could be a beacon frame or a probe response frame.

[0419] Optionally, the fifth frame can be a new frame that is different from both the beacon frame and the probe response frame; here, the fifth frame is named the R-TWT notification frame. EHT STAs belonging to this r-TWT group reply with an r-TWT notification frame after receiving the R-TWT notification frame. Multiple STAs use the same frame format to reply with the r-TWT notification frame.

[0420] Optionally, the responding r-TWT notification frame has the same content as the received r-TWT notification frame, and uses the scrambler seed from the received r-TWT notification frame as the scrambler seed of the responding r-TWT notification frame. Alternatively, the EHT STA of the r-TWT group can reply with an r-TWT notification response frame, which requires defining a new frame type. In the r-TWT notification response frame, except for the frame type, all other fields are set the same as in the received r-TWT notification frame.

[0421] In addition, the purpose of having EHT STAs in the r-TWT group reply with R-TWT notification or r-TWT notification response frames is to solve the hidden node problem and prevent some STAs in this BSS from being unable to hear the Beacon, Probe Response or r-TWT notification frames sent by the OBSS AP, thus being unable to obtain OBSS r-TWT information.

[0422] based on Figures 13 to 14d The technical solution shown describes a scenario where the fifth frame sent by the second AP in step S1302 includes r-TWT SP information and fifth indication information. The fifth indication information instructs the first STA whether to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information. Specifically, the r-TWT SP information restricts channel access for unscheduled STAs in the BSS where the second AP is located, thereby increasing the probability of scheduled STAs in the BSS where the second AP is located acquiring a channel. Furthermore, the fifth indication information instructs the first STA whether to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information, thus restricting the first STA's channel access at that start time. The first STA is not associated with the second AP. In other words, the second AP restricts channel access for STAs in other BSSs through the fifth indication information and r-TWT SP information carried in the fifth frame. Therefore, by restricting channel access for the first STA, which is not associated with the second AP, the impact of the first STA on channel contention for scheduled STAs in the BSS where the second AP is located is reduced, thereby improving the success rate of scheduled STAs in the BSS where the second AP is located acquiring a channel.

[0423] Furthermore, during the implementation of the TWT establishment command field in the request type subfield of the fifth instruction information located in the broadcast TWT information field, the second AP can, through different values ​​of the TWT establishment command field, instruct the first STA not associated with the second AP to accept the r-TWT SP indicated by the r-TWT SP information, or the second AP can, instruct the first STA not associated with the second AP to reject the r-TWT SP indicated by the r-TWT SP information corresponding to the BSSID of the second AP, or the second AP can, instruct the first STA not associated with the second AP to modify the r-TWT SP indicated by the r-TWT SP information corresponding to the BSSID of the second AP.

[0424] For example, with Figure 5a The scenario shown is an example; AP1 can act as a second AP to perform the aforementioned actions. Figures 13 to 14d The technical solution is shown. After generating the r-TWT SP information, AP1 can send the fifth frame to STA21. STA21, based on the description of the aforementioned embodiment, needs to read the fifth frame sent by the AP in the OBSS where the associated AP is located. By restricting channel access for STAs (including STA21) in the BSS where AP1 is located that are not associated with AP1, the impact of the first STA (including STA21) on the channel contention of the scheduled STAs (including STA11) in the BSS where the second AP is located is reduced, thereby improving the success rate of the scheduled STAs in the BSS where the second AP is located obtaining a channel.

[0425] As an optional implementation, the fifth frame sent by AP1 can also instruct the first STA (including STA21) to establish, reject, or modify the r-TWT SP indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the BSS where AP2 is located.

[0426] In addition, Figures 13 to 14d In the implementation process shown, with Figure 5a Taking the example where the BSS AP is AP2 (i.e., the first AP) and the OBSS AP is AP1 (i.e., the second AP), the advantages of the OBSS AP directly sending OBSS r-TWT information include: 1) It avoids signaling interaction between the OBSS AP and the local BSS AP, as well as the need for the local BSS AP to send OBSS R-TWT information to the local BSS STA a second time, thus saving signaling overhead; 2) Since the coverage areas of the OBSS AP and the local BSS AP are different, this avoids the overprotection caused by the local BSS AP sending the OBSS R-TWT information to the local BSS STA that cannot hear the OBSS AP; it also avoids the problem that the local BSS AP cannot conveniently send the R-TWT information on behalf of the OBSS AP in scenarios where the coverage areas of the OBSS AP and the local BSS AP overlap but cannot hear each other.

[0427] Please see Figure 14e This is another schematic diagram of the communication method provided in this application, which includes the following steps.

[0428] S1401. The first AP generates the seventh frame.

[0429] In this embodiment, the first AP generates a seventh frame in step S1401. The seventh frame includes r-TWT SP information, which is used to indicate whether the first STA should stop the transmission opportunity TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information. The first STA is a STA in the BSS where the first AP is located. The broadcast TWT identifier corresponding to the r-TWT SP information is a broadcast TWT identifier that has not been assigned in the BSS where the first AP is located.

[0430] In one possible implementation, before the first AP generates the seventh frame, the method further includes: the first AP receiving an eighth frame from an AP in the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located, the eighth frame including information related to the r-TWT SP information; the first AP generating the seventh frame includes: the first AP generating the seventh frame based on the information related to the r-TWT SP information.

[0431] Optionally, the information related to the r-TWT SP information contained in the eighth frame may include a portion of the r-TWT SP information contained in the seventh frame.

[0432] Optionally, the information related to the r-TWT SP information contained in the eighth frame may include all the information of the r-TWT SP information contained in the seventh frame.

[0433] Specifically, the first AP can generate the seventh frame based on information related to the r-TWT SP information from the second frame of the AP located in the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located. The information related to the r-TWT SP information contained in the eighth frame can indicate the start time, duration or other information, so that the first AP generates the seventh frame based on the information related to the r-TWT SP information.

[0434] Optionally, the first AP may also acquire the eighth frame in other ways. For example, the first AP may receive the eighth frame from an access controller (AC), where the AC can be the controller of both the first AP and the APs in the OBSS. Alternatively, the first AP may generate the eighth frame and send it to the APs in the OBSS, where the first AP can be the controller of the APs in the OBSS.

[0435] It should be understood that the implementation process of the first AP generating the seventh frame based on the eighth frame in step S1401 can also refer to the aforementioned implementation process of the first AP generating the first frame based on the second frame in step S601, and achieve the corresponding technical effect, which will not be elaborated here.

[0436] S1402. The first AP sends the seventh frame.

[0437] In this embodiment, after the first AP generates the seventh frame in step S1401, the first AP sends the seventh frame to the first STA in step S1402. Correspondingly, the first STA receives the seventh frame in step S1402.

[0438] S1403. The first STA determines, based on the r-TWT SP information, whether to stop the transmission opportunity TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information.

[0439] Optionally, in the seventh frame, the r-TWT SP information is located in the TWT element. The TWT element further includes a TWT establishment command field located in the request type subfield of the broadcast TWT information field; wherein the value of the TWT establishment command field indicates acceptance of the TWT. Specifically, after receiving the seventh frame in step S1402, since the value of the TWT establishment command field in the TWT element of the seventh frame indicates acceptance of the TWT, the first STA explicitly needs to accept the r-TWT SP indicated by the r-TWT SP information.

[0440] Based on the above technical solution, after the first AP determines the OBSSr-TWT SP information, the first frame sent by the first AP in step S1402 includes the r-TWT SP information. The broadcast TWT identifier corresponding to the r-TWT SP information is an unallocated broadcast TWT identifier in the BSS where the first AP is located. This allows the first STA in step S1403 to determine, based on the unallocated broadcast TWT identifier, whether to stop the transmission opportunity TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information. Here, the first STA is a STA within the BSS where the first AP is located; that is, the first STA and the first AP are located in the same BSS. Therefore, by restricting the channel access of the first STA in the BSS where the first AP is located, the impact of the first STA on channel contention of scheduled STAs in the OBSS is reduced, thereby improving the success rate of scheduled STAs in the OBSS obtaining a channel.

[0441] Optionally, if a STA within the BSS where the first AP is located wishes to join any R-TWT group with a broadcast TWT identifier corresponding to the r-TWT SP information in the seventh frame, the first AP must refuse its joining.

[0442] Optionally, the first AP can indicate the status of the R-TWT group corresponding to the broadcast TWT identifier in the seventh frame as "full" to prevent STAs in the BSS where the first AP is located from requesting to join the R-TWT group. This status indication can use one or both reserved bits (B1, B2) in the Broadcast TWT Info field.

[0443] From the above content, it can be seen that, Figure 14e The method shown is transparent to the first STA, so the first STA does not need to distinguish whether the received r-TWT SP information is from the BSS where the first STA is located or from the OBSS of the BSS where the first STA is located. The rule is simple and easy to implement.

[0444] In one possible implementation, the r-TWT SP information is also used to indicate whether the first STA is silent during the quiet interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information, so that the first STA also needs to determine whether to be silent during the quiet interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information based on the r-TWT SP information in step S1403.

[0445] Optionally, this implementation can also be described as follows: the first STA determines whether to ignore the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information based on the r-TWT SP information.

[0446] Specifically, the first STA determines whether to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information based on the r-TWT SP information, thereby restricting the first STA's channel access at that start time; the first STA also determines whether to remain silent during the silence interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information based on the r-TWT SP information, thereby restricting the first STA's channel access during that silence interval. This further reduces the impact of the first STA on channel contention of the scheduled STAs in the OBSS, thereby improving the success rate of the scheduled STAs in the OBSS obtaining a channel.

[0447] In one possible implementation, the seventh frame sent by the first AP in step S1402 further includes first indication information. This first indication information indicates that the r-TWT SP information is the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS of the basic service set (BSS) to which the first AP resides. The OBSS's r-TWT SP information is used to indicate whether the first station STA should stop the transmission opportunity (TXOP) at the start time indicated by the OBSS's r-TWT SP information. This allows the first STA to clearly determine whether the r-TWT SP information in the seventh frame is the OBSS's r-TWT SP information, thereby facilitating its decision on whether to join the R-TWT group with the broadcast TWT identifier corresponding to the r-TWT SP information in the seventh frame.

[0448] It should be noted that, in this implementation, the first indication information contained in the seventh frame can also refer to the aforementioned... Figures 6a to 9b The description of the first indication information contained in the first frame in any of the implementation methods, and the corresponding technical effects, will not be elaborated here.

[0449] The above describes this application from a methodological perspective; the following will further introduce this application from the perspective of apparatus.

[0450] Please see Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of a communication device 1500 provided in an embodiment of this application, wherein the communication device 1500 includes a processing unit 1501 and a transceiver unit 1502.

[0451] In one implementation, the communication device 1500 may specifically be a first access point (AP), or the communication device 1500 may specifically be a component (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system) within the first AP, used to implement the communication method in any of the foregoing embodiments. Accordingly, the processing unit 1501 and the transceiver unit 1502 are at least used to perform the following processes.

[0452] The processing unit 1501 is used to generate a first frame, which includes target wake-up time service phase r-TWT SP information and first indication information. The first indication information is used to indicate that the r-TWT SP information is the r-TWT SP information of the overlapping basic service set OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located. The r-TWT SP information of the OBSS is used to indicate whether the first STA should stop transmission opportunity TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information. The first STA is a STA in the BSS where the first AP is located. The transceiver unit 1502 is used to send the first frame.

[0453] Based on the above technical solution, the first frame transmitted by the transceiver unit 1502 includes r-TWT SP information and first indication information. The first indication information indicates that the r-TWT SP information is the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located. In other words, the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS is used to restrict the channel access of unscheduled STAs in the OBSS, thereby increasing the probability of scheduled STAs in the OBSS obtaining a channel. Furthermore, the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS is used to indicate whether the first STA should stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS, thereby restricting the channel access of the first STA at that start time. Here, the first STA and the first AP are located in the same BSS. Therefore, by restricting the channel access of the first STA in the BSS where the first AP is located, the impact of the first STA on the channel contention of scheduled STAs in the OBSS is reduced, thereby improving the success rate of scheduled STAs in the OBSS obtaining a channel.

[0454] In one possible implementation, The transceiver unit 1502 is also configured to receive a second frame from an AP located in the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located, the second frame including information related to the r-TWT SP information; The processing unit 1501 is also used to generate the first frame based on the information related to the r-TWT SP information.

[0455] In one possible implementation, the r-TWT SP information and the first indication information are also used to indicate whether the first STA is silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS.

[0456] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 1502 is further configured to transmit a sixth frame, the sixth frame including a first TWT element, wherein the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information in the first TWT element is the same as the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information in the first frame; wherein the first TWT element further includes a TWT establishment command field located in the request type subfield of the broadcast TWT information field, and the value of the TWT establishment command field indicates a rejection TWT.

[0457] In one possible implementation, the first TWT element further includes a seventh indication information, which indicates that the r-TWT SP information in the first TWT element is the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located.

[0458] In one possible implementation, the sixth frame further includes a second TWT element, wherein the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information in the second TWT element is different from the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information in the first frame; wherein the second TWT element further includes a TWT establishment command field located in the request type subfield of the broadcast TWT information field, and the value of the TWT establishment command field indicates acceptance of TWT.

[0459] In one possible implementation, the second TWT element further includes an eighth indication information, which indicates that the r-TWT SP information in the second TWT element is the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located.

[0460] In one implementation, the communication device 1500 may specifically be a first STA, used to implement the communication method in any of the foregoing embodiments. Accordingly, the processing unit 1501 and the transceiver unit 1502 are at least used to perform the following processes.

[0461] The transceiver unit 1502 is used to receive a first frame, which includes target wake-up time service phase r-TWT SP information and first indication information. The first indication information is used to indicate that the r-TWT SP information is the r-TWT SP information of the overlapping basic service set OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located. The processing unit 1501 is used to determine, based on the first indication information, that the r-TWT SP information is the r-TWT SP information of the overlapping basic service set (OBSS) of the BSS where the first AP is located; The processing unit 1501 is used to determine, based on the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS, whether the first STA should stop transmission opportunity TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information.

[0462] Based on the above technical solution, the first frame received by the transceiver unit 1502 includes r-TWT SP information and first indication information. The first indication information indicates that the r-TWT SP information is the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located. In other words, the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS is used to restrict the channel access of unscheduled STAs in the OBSS, thereby increasing the probability of scheduled STAs in the OBSS obtaining a channel. Furthermore, the processing unit determines whether the first STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information based on the OBSS r-TWT SP information, thereby restricting the channel access of the first STA at that start time. Here, the first STA and the first AP are located in the same BSS. Therefore, by restricting the channel access of the first STA in the BSS where the first AP is located, the impact of the first STA on the channel contention of scheduled STAs in the OBSS is reduced, thereby improving the success rate of scheduled STAs in the OBSS obtaining a channel.

[0463] In one possible implementation, the processing unit 1501 is further configured to determine whether to remain silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information based on the r-TWT SP information and the first indication information.

[0464] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 1502 is further configured to receive a sixth frame, the sixth frame including a first TWT element, wherein the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information in the first TWT element is the same as the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information in the first frame; wherein the first TWT element further includes a TWT establishment command field located in the request type subfield of the broadcast TWT information field, and the value of the TWT establishment command field indicates a rejection TWT; The processing unit 1501 is also used to determine, based on the value of the command field of the TWT in the first TWT element, the opportunity to stop transmission (TXOP) at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information in the first frame.

[0465] In one possible implementation, the first TWT element further includes a seventh indication information, which indicates that the r-TWT SP information in the first TWT element is the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located.

[0466] In one possible implementation, the sixth frame further includes a second TWT element, wherein the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information in the second TWT element is different from the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information in the first frame; wherein the second TWT element further includes a TWT establishment command field located in the request type subfield of the broadcast TWT information field, and the value of the TWT establishment command field indicates acceptance of TWT; The first STA determines whether to stop the transmission opportunity (TXOP) at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information in the first frame based on the value of the TWT command field in the second TWT element.

[0467] In one possible implementation of the fourth aspect, the second TWT element further includes an eighth indication information, which indicates that the r-TWT SP information in the second TWT element is the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located.

[0468] In one possible implementation, the first frame also includes second indication information, which includes n fields, where n is greater than or equal to 1; The positions of these n fields are used to indicate the service identifier (TID), and the values ​​of these n fields are used to instruct the first STA to perform the service corresponding to the TID according to one of the following items: The first STA does not need to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information, nor does it need to remain silent during the silence interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information; or, The first STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and does not need to remain silent during the silence interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information; or, The first STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and remains silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information.

[0469] In one possible implementation, the first frame includes a target wake-up time (TWT) element, and the broadcast TWT information field in the TWT element includes a broadcast TWT identifier field; The values ​​of these n fields are used to indicate the first STA in the TWT group indicated by the broadcast TWT identifier field to perform the service corresponding to the TID according to one of the following items.

[0470] In one possible implementation, the TWT element includes an r-TWT business information field; The second indication information is located in the r-TWT downlink TID bitmap subfield and / or the r-TWT uplink TID bitmap subfield in the r-TWT service information field.

[0471] In one possible implementation, the first frame includes a TWT element, and the broadcast TWT information field in the TWT element includes a broadcast TWT identifier field; wherein the first STA in the TWT group indicated by the broadcast TWT identifier field does not need to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS and does not need to be silent during the silence interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information.

[0472] In one possible implementation, the first frame includes a TWT element, in which the r-TWT SP information and the first indication information are located.

[0473] In one possible implementation, the TWT element further includes a TWT creation command field located in the request type subfield of the broadcast TWT information field; wherein the value of the TWT creation command field indicates acceptance of the TWT.

[0474] In one possible implementation, the TWT element includes a broadcast TWT information field; The first indication information is located in the broadcast TWT information field.

[0475] In one possible implementation, The first indication information is located in the broadcast TWT identifier field of the broadcast TWT information field; or, The first indication information is located in a reserved field in the broadcast TWT information field; or, The first indication information is located in a reserved field in the broadcast TWT information field, wherein the broadcast TWT identifier field in the broadcast TWT information field is a reserved field.

[0476] In one possible implementation, the TWT element includes an r-TWT business information field; The first instruction information is located in the business information control subdomain within the r-TWT business information domain.

[0477] In one possible implementation, The first frame also includes a silence element, the start time of which indicates the same start time as indicated by the r-TWTSP information.

[0478] In one possible implementation, the first frame is a beacon frame or a probe response frame.

[0479] In one implementation, the communication device 1500 may specifically be a first STA, or the communication device 1500 may specifically be a component (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system) within the first STA, used to implement the communication method in any of the foregoing embodiments. Accordingly, the processing unit 1501 and the transceiver unit 1502 are at least used to perform the following processes.

[0480] The transceiver unit 1502 is used to receive a third frame from the first AP, the third frame including a silence element; The processing unit 1501 is used to silence the silence element at the start time of the silence interval indicated by the silence element.

[0481] Based on the above technical solution, the transceiver unit 1502 receives a third frame containing a silence element sent by the first AP. The start time of the silence interval indicated by the silence element is the same as the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information sent by the second AP. The second AP is located in the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located. Therefore, after the first AP sends the third frame containing the silence element to the first STA, it reduces the impact of the first STA on channel contention of the scheduled STAs in the OBSS by restricting the first STA's channel access in the BSS where the first AP is located, thereby improving the success rate of the scheduled STAs in the OBSS obtaining a channel.

[0482] In one implementation, the communication device 1500 may specifically be a second access point (AP), or the communication device 1500 may specifically be a component (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system) within the second AP, used to implement the communication method in any of the foregoing embodiments. Accordingly, the processing unit 1501 and the transceiver unit 1502 are at least used to perform the following processes.

[0483] The processing unit 1501 is used to generate a fourth frame, which includes target wake-up time service phase r-TWT SP information and third indication information. The third indication information includes m fields, where m is greater than or equal to 1. The positions of these m fields are used to indicate the service identifier (TID), and the values ​​of these m fields are used to instruct the second STA to perform the service corresponding to the TID according to one of the following items: The second STA does not need to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information, nor does it need to remain silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information; or, The second STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and does not need to remain silent during the silence interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information; or, The second STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and remains silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information; The transceiver unit 1502 is used to send the fourth frame.

[0484] Based on the above technical solution, the fourth frame sent by the transceiver unit 1502 includes third indication information. This third indication information, transmitted via the second indication information, indicates that when the service corresponding to the TID is executed by the second STA, it does not necessarily restrict the second STA's channel access at the start time indicated by the r-TWTSP information, nor does it necessarily restrict the second STA's channel access during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWTSP information. The second AP and the second STA are located in the same BSS. Therefore, through the implementation of the third indication information in the fourth frame, the second STA in the BSS where the second AP is located is not restricted by the r-TWTSP information when executing services corresponding to certain TIDs, ensuring that the services of the second STA in the BSS where the second AP is located (such as high-priority services, low-latency service requirements, etc.) can be executed.

[0485] In one implementation, the communication device 1500 may specifically be a second STA, or the communication device 1500 may specifically be a component (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system) within the second STA, used to implement the communication method in any of the foregoing embodiments. Accordingly, the processing unit 1501 and the transceiver unit 1502 are at least used to perform the following processes.

[0486] The transceiver unit 1502 is used to receive a fourth frame, which includes target wake-up time service phase r-TWT SP information and third indication information. The third indication information includes m fields, where m is greater than or equal to 1. The positions of these m fields are used to indicate the service identifier (TID), and the values ​​of these m fields are used to instruct the second STA to perform the service corresponding to the TID according to one of the following items: The second STA does not need to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information, nor does it need to remain silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information; or, The second STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and does not need to remain silent during the silence interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information; or, The second STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and remains silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information; The processing unit 1501 is used to determine, based on the r-TWT SP information and the third indication information, whether the second STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and whether it remains silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information.

[0487] Based on the above technical solution, the fourth frame received by the transceiver unit 1502 includes third indication information. This third indication information indicates that when the service corresponding to the TID is executed by the second STA, it does not necessarily restrict the second STA's channel access at the start time indicated by the r-TWTSP information, nor does it necessarily restrict the second STA's channel access during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWTSP information. In other words, the processing unit 1501 determines, based on the r-TWTSP information and the third indication information, whether the second STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWTSP information and whether to ignore the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWTSP information. The second AP and the second STA are located in the same BSS. Therefore, through the implementation of the third indication information in the fourth frame, the second STA in the BSS where the second AP is located is not restricted by the r-TWTSP information when executing services corresponding to certain TIDs, ensuring that the services of the second STA in the BSS where the second AP is located (e.g., high-priority services, low-latency requirement services, etc.) can be executed.

[0488] In one possible implementation, the fourth frame includes a target wake-up time (TWT) element, in which the r-TWT SP information and the third indication information are located.

[0489] In one possible implementation, the TWT element includes an r-TWT business information field; The third instruction information is located in the r-TWT business information field.

[0490] In one possible implementation, the r-TWT business information domain includes a business information control subdomain; The business information control subdomain includes a fourth indication information, which is used to indicate whether the r-TWT business information domain includes the third indication information.

[0491] In one implementation, the communication device 1500 may specifically be a second access point (AP), or the communication device 1500 may specifically be a component (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system) within the second AP, used to implement the communication method in any of the foregoing embodiments. Accordingly, the processing unit 1501 and the transceiver unit 1502 are at least used to perform the following processes.

[0492] The processing unit 1501 is used to generate a fifth frame, which includes target wake-up time service phase (r-TWT) SP information and a fifth indication information. The fifth indication information is used to indicate whether the first STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information; wherein the first STA is not associated with the second AP. The transceiver unit 1502 is used to send the fifth frame.

[0493] Based on the above technical solution, the fifth frame transmitted by the transceiver unit 1502 includes r-TWT SP information and fifth indication information. The fifth indication information is used to instruct the first STA whether to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information. Specifically, the r-TWT SP information restricts channel access for unscheduled STAs in the BSS where the second AP is located, thereby increasing the probability of scheduled STAs in the BSS where the second AP is located acquiring a channel. Furthermore, the fifth indication information instructs the first STA whether to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information, thereby restricting the first STA's channel access at that start time. The first STA is not associated with the second AP. In other words, the second AP restricts channel access for STAs in other BSSs through the fifth indication information and r-TWT SP information carried in the fifth frame. Therefore, by restricting channel access for the first STA, which is not associated with the second AP, the impact of the first STA on channel contention for scheduled STAs in the BSS where the second AP is located is reduced, thereby improving the success rate of scheduled STAs in the BSS where the second AP is located acquiring a channel.

[0494] In one possible implementation, the fifth indication information is also used to indicate whether the first STA is silent during the silence interval corresponding to the r-TWTSP information.

[0495] In one possible implementation, after the second AP sends the fifth frame, the transceiver unit 1502 is also used to receive a response frame for the fifth frame.

[0496] In one implementation, the communication device 1500 may specifically be a first STA, or the communication device 1500 may specifically be a component (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system) within the first STA, used to implement the communication method in any of the foregoing embodiments. Accordingly, the processing unit 1501 and the transceiver unit 1502 are at least used to perform the following processes.

[0497] The transceiver unit 1502 is used to receive a fifth frame from the second access point (AP). The fifth frame includes target wake-up time service phase (r-TWT) SP information and a fifth indication information. The fifth indication information is used to indicate whether the first STA should stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information. The first STA is not associated with the second AP. The processing unit 1501 is used to determine, based on the fifth indication information, whether the first STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information.

[0498] Based on the above technical solution, the fifth frame received by the transceiver unit 1502 includes r-TWT SP information and fifth indication information. The fifth indication information is used to instruct the first STA whether to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information. Specifically, the r-TWT SP information restricts channel access for unscheduled STAs in the BSS where the second AP is located, thereby increasing the probability of scheduled STAs in the BSS where the second AP is located acquiring a channel. Furthermore, the fifth indication information instructs the first STA whether to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information, thereby restricting the first STA's channel access at that start time. The first STA is not associated with the second AP. In other words, the second AP restricts channel access for STAs in other BSSs through the fifth indication information and r-TWT SP information carried in the fifth frame. Therefore, by restricting channel access for the first STA, which is not associated with the second AP, the impact of the first STA on channel contention for scheduled STAs in the BSS where the second AP is located is reduced, thereby improving the success rate of scheduled STAs in the BSS where the second AP is located acquiring a channel.

[0499] In one possible implementation, the processing unit 1501 is further configured to determine, based on the fifth indication information, whether the first STA is silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information.

[0500] In one possible implementation, after the first STA receives the fifth frame, the transceiver unit 1502 is also used to send a response frame for the fifth frame.

[0501] In one possible implementation, the fifth frame also includes sixth indication information, which includes k fields, where k is greater than or equal to 1; The positions of these k fields are used to indicate the service identifier (TID), and the values ​​of these k fields are used to instruct the second STA to perform the service corresponding to the TID according to one of the following items: The first STA does not need to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information, nor does it need to remain silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information; or, The first STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and does not need to remain silent during the silence interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information; or, The first STA stops TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information and remains silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information.

[0502] In one possible implementation, the fifth frame includes a target wake-up time (TWT) element, and the broadcast TWT information field in the TWT element includes a broadcast TWT identifier field; The values ​​of the k fields are used to indicate that the first STA in the TWT group indicated by the broadcast TWT identifier field performs the service corresponding to the TID according to one of the following items.

[0503] In one possible implementation, the TWT element includes an r-TWT business information field; The sixth indication information is located in the r-TWT downlink TID bitmap subfield and / or the r-TWT uplink TID bitmap subfield within the r-TWT service information field.

[0504] In one possible implementation, the AP associated with the first STA is located in a first AP group, wherein the fifth indication information includes the identifier of the first AP group.

[0505] In one possible implementation, the fifth frame includes a TWT element, in which the r-TWT SP information and the fifth indication information are located.

[0506] In one possible implementation, the TWT element includes a broadcast TWT information field; The fifth instruction information is located in the broadcast TWT information field.

[0507] In one possible implementation, The fifth indication information is located in the Broadcast TWT Identifier field of the Broadcast TWT Information field; or, The fifth instruction information is located in a reserved field within the broadcast TWT information field; or, The fifth indication information is located in a reserved field in the broadcast TWT information field, wherein the broadcast TWT identifier field in the broadcast TWT information field is a reserved field.

[0508] In one possible implementation, the TWT element includes an r-TWT business information field; The fifth instruction information is located in the business information control subdomain of the r-TWT business information domain.

[0509] In one possible implementation, the fifth frame is a beacon frame or a probe response frame.

[0510] Optionally, this fifth frame is a management frame.

[0511] In one possible implementation, the fifth instruction information is located in the TWT creation command field of the request type subfield of the broadcast TWT information field.

[0512] In one possible implementation, The value of the fifth indication information indicates acceptance of TWT, and the fifth indication information is used to instruct the first STA to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information. The fifth indication information is also used to instruct the first STA to remain silent during the silence interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information. or, The value of the fifth indication information indicates that TWT is rejected, and the fifth indication information is used to indicate that the first STA does not need to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information; or, The value of the fifth indication information indicates that the TWT is modified, and the fifth indication information is used to instruct the first STA to modify the r-TWT SP information corresponding to the BSSID of the second AP based on the r-TWT SP information.

[0513] Optionally, if the value of the fifth indication information indicates a modification of the TWT, the fifth indication information is used to instruct the first STA to stop TXOP at the start time indicated by the modified r-TWT SP information. The fifth indication information is also used to instruct the first STA to remain silent during the silent interval corresponding to the modified r-TWT SP information.

[0514] In one implementation, the communication device 1500 may specifically be a first access point (AP), or the communication device 1500 may specifically be a component (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system) within the first AP, used to implement the communication method in any of the foregoing embodiments. Accordingly, the processing unit 1501 and the transceiver unit 1502 are at least used to perform the following processes.

[0515] The processing unit 1501 is used to generate a seventh frame, which includes r-TWT SP information. The r-TWT SP information is used to indicate whether the first STA should stop the transmission opportunity TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information. The first STA is a STA in the BSS where the first AP is located. The broadcast TWT identifier corresponding to the r-TWT SP information is a broadcast TWT identifier that is not assigned in the BSS where the first AP is located. The transceiver unit 1502 is used to transmit the seventh frame.

[0516] Based on the above technical solution, after the processing unit 1501 determines the OBSSr-TWT SP information, the first frame sent by the transceiver unit 1502 includes the r-TWT SP information. The broadcast TWT identifier corresponding to the r-TWT SP information is an unallocated broadcast TWT identifier in the BSS where the first AP is located. This allows the first STA to determine whether to stop the transmission opportunity TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information based on the unallocated broadcast TWT identifier. Here, the first STA is a STA within the BSS where the first AP is located; that is, the first STA and the first AP are located in the same BSS. Therefore, by restricting the channel access of the first STA in the BSS where the first AP is located, the impact of the first STA on channel contention of scheduled STAs in the OBSS is reduced, thereby improving the success rate of scheduled STAs in the OBSS obtaining a channel.

[0517] In one possible implementation, the r-TWT SP information is also used to indicate whether the first STA is silent during the quiet interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information.

[0518] Optionally, this implementation can also be described as follows: the r-TWT SP information is also used to indicate whether the first STA ignores the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information.

[0519] In one possible implementation, The transceiver unit 1502 is also configured to receive an eighth frame from an AP located in the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located, the eighth frame including information related to the r-TWT SP information; The processing unit 1501 is specifically used to generate the seventh frame based on the information related to the r-TWT SP information.

[0520] In one implementation, the communication device 1500 may specifically be a first STA, or the communication device 1500 may specifically be a component (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system) within the first STA, used to implement the communication method in any of the foregoing embodiments. Accordingly, the processing unit 1501 and the transceiver unit 1502 are at least used to perform the following processes.

[0521] The transceiver unit 1502 is used to receive a seventh frame, which includes a target wake-up time service phase (r-TWT) SP information. The r-TWT SP information is used to indicate whether a first STA should stop transmission opportunity (TXOP) at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information. The first STA is a STA within the BSS where the first AP is located. The broadcast TWT identifier corresponding to the r-TWT SP information is a broadcast TWT identifier that is not assigned in the BSS where the first AP is located. The processing unit 1501 is used to determine whether to stop transmission opportunity (TXOP) at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information based on the r-TWT SP information.

[0522] Based on the above technical solution, after the first AP determines the OBSSr-TWT SP information, the first frame sent by the transceiver unit 1502 includes the r-TWT SP information. The broadcast TWT identifier corresponding to the r-TWT SP information is an unallocated broadcast TWT identifier in the BSS where the first AP is located. This allows the first STA to determine whether to stop the transmission opportunity TXOP at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information based on the unallocated broadcast TWT identifier. Here, the first STA is a STA within the BSS where the first AP is located; that is, the first STA and the first AP are located in the same BSS. Therefore, by restricting the channel access of the first STA in the BSS where the first AP is located, the impact of the first STA on channel contention of scheduled STAs in the OBSS is reduced, thereby improving the success rate of scheduled STAs in the OBSS obtaining a channel.

[0523] In one possible implementation, the r-TWT SP information is also used to indicate whether the first STA is silent during the quiet interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information. The processing unit is also used to determine whether to be silent during the quiet interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information based on the r-TWT SP information.

[0524] Optionally, this implementation can also be described as follows: the processing unit is further configured to determine whether to ignore the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information based on the r-TWT SP information.

[0525] In one possible implementation, the seventh frame further includes first indication information, which indicates that the r-TWT SP information is the r-TWT SP information of the overlapping basic service set (OBSS) of the basic service set (BSS) where the first AP is located. The r-TWT SP information of the OBSS is used to indicate whether the first station (STA) should stop transmission opportunity (TXOP) at the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS.

[0526] It should be noted that the communication device 1500 can also be used to execute the other embodiments described above and achieve the corresponding beneficial effects. For details, please refer to the description in the foregoing embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0527] Please see Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of a communication device 1600 provided in an embodiment of this application, wherein the communication device 1600 includes a receiving unit 1601 and a transmitting unit 1602.

[0528] In one implementation, the communication device 1600 may specifically be a first access point (AP), or the communication device 1500 may specifically be a component (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system) within the first AP, used to implement the communication method in any of the foregoing embodiments. Accordingly, the receiving unit 1601 and the transmitting unit 1602 are at least used to perform the following processes.

[0529] The receiving unit 1601 is used to receive a second frame from the second AP, the second frame including defined target wake-up time service phase r-TWT SP information, wherein the second AP is located in the overlapping basic service set OBSS of the basic service set BSS where the first AP is located; The transmitting unit 1602 is used to transmit a third frame to the first station STA. The third frame includes a silence element, and the start time of the silence interval indicated by the silence element is the same as the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information.

[0530] Based on the above technical solution, after receiving a second frame containing r-TWT SP information from the second AP, the transmitting unit 1601 sends a third frame containing a silence element to the first STA. The start time of the silence interval indicated by the silence element is the same as the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information. The second AP is located in the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located. In other words, based on the second frame, the first AP can determine that the r-TWT SP information in the OBSS is used to restrict channel access for unscheduled STAs in the OBSS, thereby increasing the probability of scheduled STAs in the OBSS acquiring a channel. Therefore, after sending the third frame containing the silence element to the first STA, the first AP reduces the impact of the first STA on channel contention for scheduled STAs in the OBSS by restricting channel access for the first STA in the BSS where the first AP is located, thereby improving the success rate of scheduled STAs in the OBSS acquiring a channel.

[0531] It should be noted that the communication device 1600 can also be used to execute the other embodiments described above and achieve the corresponding beneficial effects. For details, please refer to the description in the foregoing embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0532] See Figure 17 , Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device 1700 provided in the embodiments of this application. The communication device 1700 includes at least a transceiver 1702.

[0533] Optionally, the communication device 1700 may also include a processor 1701.

[0534] The communication device 1700 can be a wireless frame transmitting device or a wireless frame receiving device, or a chip therein.

[0535] Optional, Figure 17 Only the main components of the communication device 1700 are shown. In addition to the processor 1701 and transceiver 1702, the communication device may further include a memory 1703 and input / output devices (not shown).

[0536] The processor 1701 is primarily used to process communication protocols and data, control the entire communication device, execute software programs, and process the data within those programs. The memory 1703 is primarily used to store software programs and data. The transceiver 1702 may include radio frequency (RF) circuitry and an antenna. The RF circuitry is primarily used for converting baseband signals to RF signals and processing RF signals. The antenna is primarily used for transmitting and receiving RF signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. Input / output devices, such as touchscreens, displays, and keyboards, are primarily used to receive user input data and output data to the user.

[0537] The processor 1701, transceiver 1702, and memory 1703 can be connected via a communication bus.

[0538] When the communication device is powered on, the processor 1701 can read the software program in the memory 1703, interpret and execute the instructions of the software program, and process the data of the software program. When data needs to be transmitted wirelessly, the processor 1701 performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted and outputs the baseband signal to the radio frequency (RF) circuit. The RF circuit processes the baseband signal and transmits the RF signal outward in the form of electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the communication device, the RF circuit receives the RF signal through the antenna, converts the RF signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor 1701. The processor 1701 converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0539] In any of the above designs, the processor 1701 may include a communication interface for implementing receiving and transmitting functions. For example, this communication interface may be a transceiver circuit, an interface, or an interface circuit. The transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit for implementing receiving and transmitting functions may be separate or integrated. The aforementioned transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit may be used for reading and writing code / data, or it may be used for transmitting or relaying signals.

[0540] In any of the above designs, the processor 1701 may store instructions, which may be computer programs. These computer programs, running on the processor 1701, cause the communication device 1700 to perform the methods described in any of the above embodiments. The computer program may be embedded in the processor 1701; in this case, the processor 1701 may be implemented in hardware.

[0541] In one implementation, the communication device 1700 may include circuitry capable of transmitting, receiving, or communicating in any of the foregoing embodiments. The processor and communication interface described in this application can be implemented on integrated circuits (ICs), analog ICs, radio frequency integrated circuits (RFICs), mixed-signal ICs, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), printed circuit boards (PCBs), electronic devices, etc. The processor and communication interface can also be manufactured using various IC process technologies, such as complementary metal oxide semiconductors (CMOS), n-type metal oxide semiconductors (NMOS), p-type metal oxide semiconductors (PMOS), bipolar junction transistors (BJTs), bipolar CMOS (BiCMOS), silicon germanium (SiGe), gallium arsenide (GaAs), etc.

[0542] In another implementation, the radio frequency circuitry and antenna can be set up independently of the processor performing baseband processing. For example, in a distributed scenario, the radio frequency circuitry and antenna can be arranged remotely, independent of the communication device.

[0543] The communication device can be a standalone device or part of a larger device. For example, the communication device could be: (1) Independent integrated circuit IC, or chip, or chip system or subsystem; (2) A collection of one or more ICs, optionally including a storage component for storing data and instructions; (3) ASIC, such as modem; (4) Modules that can be embedded in other devices; (5) Receivers, smart terminals, wireless devices, handheld devices, mobile units, vehicle-mounted devices, cloud devices, artificial intelligence devices, etc.; (6) Others, etc.

[0544] Furthermore, processor 1701 can be used for, for example, but not limited to, baseband-related processing, and transceiver 1702 can be used for, for example, but not limited to, radio frequency transceiver. The aforementioned devices can be disposed on separate chips, or at least partially or entirely on the same chip. For example, the processor can be further divided into analog baseband processors and digital baseband processors. The analog baseband processor can be integrated with the transceiver on the same chip, while the digital baseband processor can be disposed on a separate chip. With the continuous development of integrated circuit technology, more and more devices can be integrated on the same chip. For example, a digital baseband processor can be integrated with multiple application processors (e.g., but not limited to graphics processors, multimedia processors, etc.) on the same chip. Such a chip can be called a system-on-chip (SoC). Whether the various devices are disposed independently on different chips or integrated on one or more chips often depends on the specific needs of the product design. This embodiment of the invention does not limit the specific implementation of the aforementioned devices.

[0545] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer program code. When the processor executes the computer program code, the electronic device performs the method in any of the foregoing embodiments.

[0546] This application also provides a computer program product that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods in any of the foregoing embodiments.

[0547] This application also provides a communication device, which can exist in the form of a chip. The device includes a processor and an interface circuit. The processor is used to communicate with other devices through a receiving circuit, so that the device can execute the method in any of the foregoing embodiments.

[0548] This application also provides a WLAN communication system, including a wireless frame transmitting device and a wireless frame receiving device, which can perform the methods in any of the foregoing embodiments.

[0549] The steps of the methods or algorithms described in this application can be implemented in hardware or by a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions can consist of corresponding software modules, which can be stored in random access memory (RAM), flash memory, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), registers, hard disks, portable hard disks, CD-ROMs, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to a processor, enabling the processor to read information from and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium can also be a component of the processor. The processor and storage medium can reside in an ASIC. Alternatively, the ASIC can reside in a core network interface device. Of course, the processor and storage medium can also exist as discrete components in the core network interface device.

[0550] Those skilled in the art will recognize that, in one or more of the examples above, the functions described in this application can be implemented using hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, these functions can be stored in a computer-readable medium or transmitted as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media include computer-readable storage media and communication media, wherein communication media include any medium that facilitates the transmission of a computer program from one place to another. Storage media can be any available medium accessible to a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.

[0551] Although this application has been described herein in conjunction with various embodiments, those skilled in the art, by reviewing the accompanying drawings, disclosure, and appended claims, will understand and implement other variations of the disclosed embodiments in carrying out the claimed application. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other components or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude multiple instances. A single processor or other unit can implement several functions listed in the claims. While different dependent claims may recite certain measures, this does not mean that these measures cannot be combined to produce good results.

[0552] The above-described specific embodiments further illustrate the purpose, technical solution, and beneficial effects of this application. It should be understood that the above-described embodiments are merely specific embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made based on the technical solution of this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, include: The first access point (AP) generates a first frame, which includes target wake-up time service phase (r-TWT) SP information and first indication information. The first indication information is used to indicate that the r-TWT SP information is the r-TWT SP information of the overlapping basic service set (OBSS) of the basic service set (BSS) where the first AP is located. The r-TWT SP information of the OBSS is used to indicate that the first station (STA) stops transmission opportunity (TXOP) before the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS. The first STA is a STA within the BSS where the first AP is located. The first AP sends the first frame.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The r-TWT SP information of the OBSS is also used to indicate whether the first STA is silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first AP receives a second frame from an AP in the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located, the second frame including information related to the r-TWT SP information; The first AP generates the first frame, including: The first AP generates the first frame based on the information related to the r-TWT SP information.

4. A communication method, characterized in that, include: The first station STA receives a first frame, which includes target wake-up time service phase (r-TWT) SP information and first indication information. The first indication information is used to indicate that the r-TWT SP information is the r-TWT SP information of the overlapped basic service set (OBSS) of the BSS where the first access point (AP) is located. The r-TWT SP information of the OBSS is used to indicate that the first STA stops transmission opportunity (TXOP) before the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS. The first STA is a STA within the BSS where the first AP is located. The first STA determines, based on the first indication information, that the r-TWT SP information is the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS of the BSS where the first AP is located; The first STA determines the TXOP (Transmission Opportunity to Stop) before the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS based on the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first STA determines whether to remain silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS based on the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The first frame also includes second indication information, which includes n fields, where n is greater than or equal to 1; The positions of the n fields are used to indicate the service identifier (TID), and the values ​​of the n fields are used to instruct the first STA to execute the service corresponding to the TID according to one of the following items: The first STA is not required to stop TXOP before the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS, nor is it required to remain silent during the silence interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS; or, The first STA stops TXOP before the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS and does not need to be silent during the silence interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS; or, The first STA stops TXOP before the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS and remains silent during the silent interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first frame also includes a Target Wake-up Time (TWT) element, wherein the broadcast TWT information field in the TWT element includes a broadcast TWT identifier field; The values ​​of the n fields are used to indicate that the first STA in the TWT group indicated by the broadcast TWT identifier field performs the service corresponding to the TID according to one of the following items.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The TWT element includes the r-TWT service information field; The second indication information is located in the r-TWT downlink TID bitmap subfield and / or the r-TWT uplink TID bitmap subfield in the r-TWT service information field.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The first frame also includes a TWT element, wherein the broadcast TWT information field in the TWT element includes a broadcast TWT identifier field; The first STA in the TWT group indicated by the broadcast TWT identifier field is not required to stop TXOP before the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS and is not required to be silent during the silence interval corresponding to the r-TWT SP information.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The first frame includes a TWT element, and the r-TWT SP information and the first indication information are located in the TWT element.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The TWT element includes a broadcast TWT information field; The first indication information is located in the broadcast TWT information field.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The first indication information is located in the broadcast TWT identifier field of the broadcast TWT information field; or, The first indication information is located in a reserved field in the broadcast TWT information field; or, The first indication information is located in a reserved field in the broadcast TWT information field, wherein the broadcast TWT identifier field in the broadcast TWT information field is a reserved field.

13. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The TWT element includes the r-TWT service information field; The first indication information is located in the business information control subdomain of the r-TWT business information domain.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that, The first frame also includes a silence element, the start time of which indicates the silence interval is the same as the start time indicated by the r-TWT SP information of the OBSS.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that, The first frame is a beacon frame or a probe response frame.

16. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes processing units and transceiver units; The processing unit and the transceiver unit are used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, 6 to 15.

17. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes processing units and transceiver units; The processing unit and the transceiver unit are used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 4 to 15.

18. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores program instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 15.

19. A computer program product containing program instructions, characterized in that, When the program instructions are run on a computer, the computer performs the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 15.

Images