A communication method and apparatus

Abstract

This application provides a communication method and apparatus. The method includes: a management node generating a first response frame, the first response frame including first information indicating time information for transmitting a second response frame, the second response frame being transmitted after the first response frame; and the management node sending the first response frame to a terminal node. Therefore, after receiving the first response frame, the terminal node can determine the time information of the subsequently transmitted second response frame based on the first information, thereby completing the task of receiving the second response frame. Thus, in scenarios where the management node needs to respond to many requests (high-concurrency scenarios), this method can enable the management node to transmit two or more response frames to the terminal node, thereby effectively improving response efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous expansion of the smart device ecosystem, the demand for wireless communication technology is growing, especially within the HarmonyOS ecosystem, where efficient connectivity and collaboration between devices are crucial. Sparklink technology aims to support high-speed, low-latency communication between devices, particularly for 1:N (N is a positive integer) concurrent link establishment scenarios, which support the concurrent establishment of multiple 1:1 links through a single broadcast event.

[0003] The core of StarFlash technology lies in its broadcast discovery and broadcast access processes, designed to support efficient querying and access between devices. The broadcast discovery process, through a query request and response mechanism, allows receiving devices to respond to multiple query requests within a receiving window; the broadcast access process, through access requests and responses, establishes connections between devices. However, in the broadcast access process, the limited length of the access response frame restricts the broadcast device to responding to a maximum of only two or three device requests. Therefore, the number of concurrent connection establishments supported in a single broadcast access process is limited. If more devices request network access, multiple broadcast access processes are required, resulting in low response efficiency and consequently, low connection establishment efficiency. Furthermore, the broadcast discovery and broadcast access processes are two independent processes. When faced with both query and access requests simultaneously, the broadcast device needs to execute different processes to respond, further reducing response efficiency.

[0004] Therefore, improving network response efficiency has become an urgent issue. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a communication method and apparatus for effectively improving response efficiency in a network.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method. This method can be applied to a management node, or components of a management node (such as a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of a management node, or a device used in conjunction with a management node. Taking the application of this method to a management node as an example, the method includes: the management node generating a first response frame, the first response frame including first information, the first information being used to indicate time information for transmitting a second response frame, the second response frame being transmitted after the first response frame; and the management node sending the first response frame to a terminal node.

[0007] In this method, the management node generates a first response frame, which includes first information indicating the time information for transmitting a second response frame. The second response frame is transmitted after the first response frame. The management node sends the first response frame to the terminal node. Accordingly, after receiving the first response frame, the terminal node can determine the time information for the subsequent transmission of the second response frame based on the first information, thereby completing the task of receiving the second response frame. Therefore, in scenarios where the management node needs to respond to a large number of requests (i.e., high-concurrency scenarios), this method can enable the management node to transmit two or more response frames to the terminal node, thus effectively improving response efficiency.

[0008] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the timing information for transmitting the second response frame can be any of the following:

[0009] The duration from the start time of transmitting the first response frame to the start time of transmitting the second response frame; or; the duration from the end time of transmitting the first response frame to the end time of transmitting the second response frame.

[0010] In this embodiment of the application, the time information for transmitting the second response frame can also be the absolute time information for transmitting the second response frame.

[0011] In the above, "transmission" can be understood as "sending" and / or "receiving". For example, the duration from the start time of transmitting the first response frame to the start time of transmitting the second response frame can be: the duration / offset from the start time of the management node sending the first response frame to the start time of the management node sending the second response frame, or the duration / offset from the start time of the terminal node receiving the first response frame to the start time of the terminal node receiving the second response frame. As another example, the absolute time information of transmitting the second response frame can be: the absolute start time of the management node sending the second response frame, or the absolute start time of the terminal node receiving the second response frame.

[0012] This implementation enables the terminal node to accurately determine the start time of receiving the second response frame based on the time information of transmitting the second response frame indicated by the first information. Thus, after receiving the first response frame, it can also effectively receive the second response frame, thereby realizing the transmission of multiple consecutive response frames.

[0013] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the first information is located in the access response information, which is located in the first response frame. This implementation allows the first information to be carried within the access response information of the first response frame, thus effectively transmitting the first information to the terminal node.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the access response information may further include first indication information, which indicates that the access response information includes first information. This implementation allows the terminal node to know that the access response information in the first response frame carries first information, enabling it to accurately receive the first information subsequently.

[0015] In conjunction with the first aspect, in another possible implementation, the first information is located in predetermined data type information, which is located in the first response frame. In this implementation, predetermined data type information is added to the first response frame, and the first information is carried within this predetermined data type information, thereby effectively transmitting the first information to the terminal node.

[0016] In one possible implementation, the predetermined data type information may further include second indication information and / or data length information; wherein the second indication information indicates the data type of the predetermined data type information, and the data length information indicates the data length carried in the predetermined data type information. This implementation allows the terminal node to know the data type corresponding to the predetermined data type information, and / or the data length of the first information carried in the predetermined data type information.

[0017] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the first response frame or the second response frame is one of the following:

[0018] The response frames can be query frames, access frames, or hybrid response frames. Query frames are used to respond to query requests, access frames are used to respond to access requests, and hybrid response frames are used to respond to both query and access requests.

[0019] In the embodiments of this application, the first response frame (or the second response frame) can be a query response frame or an access response frame. In addition, the first response frame (or the second response frame) can also be a hybrid response frame. The hybrid response frame can be used to respond to query requests and access requests. It can be seen that the solution of the embodiments of this application can be applied to both the access process and the query process. Furthermore, the solution of the embodiments of this application proposes a response frame (i.e., a hybrid response frame) that can be used to respond to both query requests and access requests. That is, the query process and the access process are implemented through a unified process, thereby avoiding the separate execution of the query process and the access process. This can not only significantly reduce the response time of query and access and improve the response efficiency in the network, but also reduce resource overhead.

[0020] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method that can be applied to a terminal node, or components of a terminal node (e.g., processor, chip, or chip system), or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal node's functions, or a device compatible with a terminal node. Taking the application of this method to a terminal node as an example, the method includes: the terminal node receiving a first response frame from a management node, the first response frame including first information, the first information indicating time information for transmitting a second response frame, the second response frame being transmitted after the first response frame; and the terminal node determining the time information for receiving the second response frame based on the first information.

[0021] In the method of this application, the terminal node receives a first response frame sent by the management node. Since the first response frame includes first information indicating the time information for transmitting the second response frame, the terminal node can determine the time information for transmitting the second response frame based on the first information. Subsequently, the terminal node can effectively receive the second response frame based on the time information of the transmitted second response frame. Therefore, in scenarios where the management node needs to respond to many requests (i.e., high-concurrency scenarios), this method can enable the management node to transmit two or more response frames to the terminal node, thereby effectively improving response efficiency.

[0022] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the time information for transmitting the second response frame is the duration from the start time of transmitting the first response frame to the start time of transmitting the second response frame; then, the terminal node determines the time information for receiving the second response frame based on the first information, which may include: determining the start time for receiving the second response frame based on the start time of receiving the first response frame and the duration from the start time of transmitting the first response frame to the start time of transmitting the second response frame.

[0023] With this implementation, if the time information for transmitting the second response frame indicated by the first information is the duration from the start time of transmitting the first response frame to the start time of transmitting the second response frame, this implementation allows the terminal node to accurately determine the start time of receiving the second response frame based on the actual start time of receiving the first response frame and the duration from the start time of transmitting the first response frame to the start time of transmitting the second response frame.

[0024] In conjunction with the second aspect, in another possible implementation, the time information for transmitting the second response frame is the duration from the end time of transmitting the first response frame to the end time of transmitting the second response frame. Then, the terminal node, based on the first information, determines the time information for receiving the second response frame, which may include: determining the end time for receiving the second response frame based on the end time of receiving the first response frame and the duration from the end time of transmitting the first response frame to the end time of transmitting the second response frame; and then determining the start time for receiving the second response frame based on the end time of receiving the second response frame and the duration of the second response frame. The duration of the second response frame can be instructed / sent to the terminal node in advance by the management node, or it can be predefined, or it can be negotiated / agreeed upon by both parties; there are no restrictions on this.

[0025] With this implementation, if the time information for transmitting the second response frame indicated by the first information is the duration from the end time of transmitting the first response frame to the end time of transmitting the second response frame, this implementation allows the terminal node to first determine the end time of receiving the second response frame based on the actual end time of receiving the first response frame and the duration from the end time of transmitting the first response frame to the end time of transmitting the second response frame, and then accurately determine the start time of receiving the second response frame based on the end time of receiving the second response frame and the transmission duration of the second response frame.

[0026] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the first information is located in the access response information, which is located in the first response frame. With this implementation, the terminal node can obtain the first information through the access response information in the first response frame.

[0027] In one possible implementation, the access response information further includes first indication information, which indicates that the access response information includes first information. With this implementation, the terminal node can know that the access response information in the first response frame carries the first information, and thus can accurately receive the first information.

[0028] In conjunction with the second aspect, in another possible implementation, the first information is located in predetermined data type information, which is located in the first response frame.

[0029] In one possible implementation, the predetermined data type information may further include second indication information and / or data length information; wherein the second indication information indicates the data type of the predetermined data type information, and the data length information indicates the data length carried in the predetermined data type information. Through this implementation, the terminal node can determine the data type corresponding to the predetermined data type information and / or the data length of the first information carried in the predetermined data type information.

[0030] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the first response frame or the second response frame can be one of the following:

[0031] The response frames can be query frames, access frames, or hybrid response frames. Query frames are used to respond to query requests, access frames are used to respond to access requests, and hybrid response frames are used to respond to both query and access requests.

[0032] This application also provides a communication method and apparatus, which can be referred to in the third and fourth aspects below, as well as possible implementations of the third and fourth aspects.

[0033] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method. This method can be applied to a management node, or components of a management node (e.g., processors, chips, or chip systems), or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of a management node, or a device used in conjunction with a management node. Taking the application of this method to a management node as an example, the method includes: the management node generating a first broadcast frame; the first broadcast frame including second information, the second information being used to indicate the time information of a response window, the response window including at least two response sub-windows corresponding to each of the response frames; and the management node sending the first broadcast frame to a terminal node.

[0034] In this method, the management node generates a first broadcast frame and sends it to the terminal node. The first broadcast frame includes second information indicating the time information of the response window. This response window includes response sub-windows corresponding to at least two response frames. After receiving the first broadcast frame, the terminal node can determine the time information of the response window based on the second information, and then determine the time information of each response sub-window within that window. Since the response window provided by the management node to the terminal device includes response sub-windows corresponding to at least two response frames, the management node can send at least two response frames within that window, and the terminal node can effectively receive the response frames sent by the management node based on the time information of each response sub-window. Therefore, this method can achieve continuous transmission of at least two response frames, effectively improving the response efficiency between devices / nodes in high-concurrency scenarios (receiving a large number of concurrent requests within the same time period).

[0035] In conjunction with the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the second information is located within preset discovery and access resource configuration information, which is contained within the first broadcast frame. This implementation allows the second information to be carried within the preset discovery and access resource configuration information in the first broadcast frame, thus effectively transmitting the second information to the terminal node.

[0036] In one possible implementation, the aforementioned preset discovery access resource configuration information also includes one or more of the following:

[0037] The third instruction information, the total number of response sub-windows in the response window, the duration of the access request, or the duration of the access response;

[0038] The third indication information is used to indicate the data type of the preset discovery access resource configuration information; for example, the third indication information may be the data type index corresponding to the preset discovery access resource configuration information.

[0039] The duration information of the access request is used to indicate the duration from the start time of transmitting the first broadcast frame to the start time of transmitting the access request; for example, the duration from the start time of transmitting the first broadcast frame to the start time of transmitting the access request can be: the duration (or offset) from the start time of the management node sending the first broadcast frame to the start time of the management node receiving the access request.

[0040] The duration information of the access response is used to indicate the duration from the start time of transmitting the first broadcast frame to the start time of the response window; for example, the duration from the start time of transmitting the first broadcast frame to the start time of the response window can be: the duration (or offset) from the start time of the management node sending the first broadcast frame to the start time of the response window.

[0041] This implementation method can also provide terminal nodes with one or more of the following: the data type of the discovery access resource configuration information, the total number of response sub-windows, the duration of the access request, or the duration of the access response. This not only enables terminal nodes to effectively obtain the time of the response window, but also to determine the time information of each response sub-window (i.e., the time information of transmitting each response frame).

[0042] In conjunction with the third aspect, in another possible implementation, the second information is located in preset data type information, which is located in the first broadcast frame. In this implementation, predetermined data type information is added to the first broadcast frame, and the second information is carried within this predetermined data type information, thereby effectively transmitting the second information to the terminal node.

[0043] In one possible implementation, the aforementioned preset data type information may further include one or more of the following:

[0044] The fourth instruction information, data length information, or the total number of response sub-windows in the response window;

[0045] The fourth indication information is used to indicate the data type of the preset data type information, and the data length information is used to indicate the length of the data carried in the preset data type information. Through this implementation, the terminal node can obtain one or more of the following information: the data type corresponding to the preset data type information, the length of the carried data, or the total number of response sub-windows in the response window.

[0046] In conjunction with the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the timing information of the response window includes one or more of the following:

[0047] The total duration of the response window, the time when the response ended, or the duration of the response sub-window;

[0048] The response end time information indicates the duration from the start time of transmitting the first broadcast frame to the end time of the response window; for example, the duration from the start time of transmitting the first broadcast frame to the end time of the response window can be: the duration from the start time of the management node sending the first broadcast frame to the time the management node stops responding, or an offset. The response sub-window duration information indicates the duration of the response sub-window.

[0049] In conjunction with the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the above at least two response frames include one or more of the following response frames:

[0050] Query response frames, access response frames, or mixed response frames; query response frames are used to respond to query requests, access response frames are used to respond to access requests, and mixed response frames are used to respond to both query and access requests.

[0051] In this application, the management node provides a response window to the terminal node through the first broadcast frame. This response window can be used to send query response frames, access response frames, or hybrid response frames. The hybrid response frame can be used to respond to both query requests and access requests. This avoids executing query and access processes separately. It is evident that responding through hybrid response frames can not only significantly reduce the response time of queries and access and improve the response efficiency in the network, but also reduce resource overhead.

[0052] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method that can be applied to a terminal node, or a component of a terminal node (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic node, logic module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of a terminal node, or a device used in conjunction with a terminal node. Taking the application of this method to a terminal node as an example, the method includes: the terminal node receiving a first broadcast frame, the first broadcast frame including second information, the second information being used to indicate time information of a response window, the response window including response sub-windows corresponding to at least two response frames; and the terminal node determining the time information for receiving at least two response frames based on the time information of the response window.

[0053] In the method of this application, after receiving the first broadcast frame, the terminal node can determine the time information of the response window based on the second information in the first broadcast frame. Since the response window includes response sub-windows corresponding to at least two response frames, the terminal node can determine the time information for receiving these at least two response frames based on the time information of the response window. Subsequently, the management node sends at least two response frames to the terminal node within the response window, and the terminal node can effectively complete the reception based on its corresponding reception time information. Therefore, this method can achieve continuous transmission of at least two response frames, thus effectively improving the response efficiency between devices / nodes in high-concurrency scenarios (receiving a large number of concurrent requests within the same time period).

[0054] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the second information is located in preset discovery access resource configuration information, which is located in the first broadcast frame.

[0055] In one possible implementation, the aforementioned preset discovery access resource configuration information may also include one or more of the following:

[0056] The third instruction information, the total number of response sub-windows in the response window, the duration of the access request, or the duration of the access response;

[0057] The third indication information is used to indicate the data type of the preset discovery access resource configuration information; for example, the third indication information may be the data type index corresponding to the preset discovery access resource configuration information.

[0058] The duration information of the access request is used to indicate the duration from the start time of transmitting the first broadcast frame to the start time of transmitting the access request; for example, the duration from the start time of transmitting the first broadcast frame to the start time of transmitting the access request can be: the duration (or offset) from the start time of the management node sending the first broadcast frame to the start time of the management node receiving the access request.

[0059] The duration information of the access response is used to indicate the duration from the start time of transmitting the first broadcast frame to the start time of the response window; for example, the duration from the start time of transmitting the first broadcast frame to the start time of the response window can be: the duration (or offset) from the start time of the management node sending the first broadcast frame to the start time of the response window.

[0060] Through this implementation, the terminal node can obtain one or more of the following information: the data type of the discovery access resource configuration information, the total number of response sub-windows, the duration of the access request, or the duration of the access response. In this way, the terminal node can not only effectively obtain the time of the response window, but also determine the time information of each response sub-window (i.e., the time information of transmitting each response frame).

[0061] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in another possible implementation, the second information is located in preset data type information, which is located in the first broadcast frame. In this implementation, the terminal node can obtain the second information through the newly added predetermined data type information in the first broadcast frame.

[0062] In one possible implementation, the aforementioned preset data type information may further include one or more of the following:

[0063] The fourth instruction information, data length information, or the total number of response sub-windows in the response window;

[0064] The fourth indication information is used to indicate the data type of the preset data type information, and the data length information is used to indicate the data length carried in the preset data type information.

[0065] Through this implementation, the terminal node can obtain one or more of the following information: the data type corresponding to the preset data type information, the length of the data carried, or the total number of response sub-windows in the response window.

[0066] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the timing information of the response window includes one or more of the following:

[0067] The total duration of the response window, the time when the response ended, or the duration of the response sub-window;

[0068] The response end time information indicates the duration from the start time of transmitting the first broadcast frame to the end time of the response window. For example, the duration from the start time of transmitting the first broadcast frame to the end time of the response window can be: the duration from the start time of the management node sending the first broadcast frame to the time the management node stops responding, or an offset. The response sub-window duration information indicates the duration of the response sub-window.

[0069] This implementation allows terminal nodes to effectively determine the time information of each response sub-window based on the time information of the response window.

[0070] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the above at least two response frames include any one or more of the following:

[0071] Query response frame, access response frame, or mixed response frame;

[0072] The query response frame is used to respond to query requests, the access response frame is used to respond to access requests, and the hybrid response frame is used to respond to both query and access requests.

[0073] In this application, the management node provides a response window to the terminal node through the first broadcast frame. This response window can be used to send query response frames, access response frames, or mixed response frames. The mixed response frame can be used to respond to both query requests and access requests. This avoids executing query and access processes separately. Therefore, responding through a mixed response frame can not only significantly reduce the response time of queries and access and improve the response efficiency in the network, but also reduce resource overhead.

[0074] Fifthly, this application also provides a communication device, which is a management node or a chip corresponding to a management node. The communication device has the function of implementing the first or third aspect described above, and any possible implementation thereof. The communication device can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0075] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor configured to support the communication device in performing the corresponding functions of the management node in the methods described above. The communication device may also include a memory coupled to the processor, which stores necessary program instructions and data for the communication device. Optionally, the communication device further includes interface circuitry for supporting communication between the communication device and other communication devices, such as the transmission and reception of data or signals. Exemplarily, the communication interface may be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module, or other type of communication interface.

[0076] In one possible design, the communication device includes corresponding functional modules, each used to implement the steps in the above method. The functions can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above.

[0077] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processing unit and a communication unit, which can perform the corresponding functions in the above method examples, as described in the methods provided in the first or third aspects, and will not be repeated here.

[0078] Sixthly, this application also provides a communication device, which is a terminal node or a chip corresponding to a terminal node. The communication device has the function of implementing the second or fourth aspect above, and any possible implementation thereof. The communication device can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0079] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor configured to support the communication device in performing the corresponding functions of the terminal node in the methods described above. The communication device may also include a memory coupled to the processor, which stores necessary program instructions and data for the communication device. Optionally, the communication device further includes interface circuitry for supporting communication between the communication device and other communication devices, such as the transmission and reception of data or signals. Exemplarily, the communication interface may be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module, or other type of communication interface.

[0080] In one possible design, the communication device includes corresponding functional modules, each used to implement the steps in the above method. The functions can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above.

[0081] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processing unit and a communication unit, which can perform the corresponding functions in the above method examples, as described in the methods provided in the second or fourth aspects, and will not be repeated here.

[0082] A seventh aspect provides a communication device, including a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being configured to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or the interface circuit being configured to send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device, the processor being configured to implement the methods of the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof through logic circuits or execution code instructions, or to implement the methods of the third aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

[0083] Eighthly, a communication device is provided, including a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is configured to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or the interface circuit sends signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device. The processor is configured to implement the methods of the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof through logic circuits or execution code instructions, or to implement the methods of the fourth aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

[0084] Ninthly, a computer-readable storage medium is provided that stores a computer program or instructions which, when executed by a processor, implement the methods of any one of the first to fourth aspects and any possible implementation thereof.

[0085] In a tenth aspect, a computer program product storing instructions is provided, which, when executed by a processor, implements the method of any one of the first to fourth aspects or any possible implementation thereof.

[0086] Eleventhly, a chip system is provided, comprising a processor and potentially a memory, for implementing the methods of any one of the first to fourth aspects or any possible implementation thereof. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0087] In a twelfth aspect, a communication system is provided, the communication system comprising a management node and a terminal node, the management node being configured to implement the methods of the first or third aspect or any possible implementation thereof, and the management node being configured to implement the methods of the second or fourth aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0088] It should be noted that the technical effects that can be achieved by any of the fifth to twelfth aspects or any of the possible implementations of the fifth to twelfth aspects can be referred to the description of the technical effects that can be achieved by any of the first to fourth aspects or any of the possible implementations of the first to fourth aspects, which will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0089] Figure 1A This is a schematic diagram of a broadcast discovery process;

[0090] Figure 1B This is a schematic diagram of a broadcast access process;

[0091] Figure 2AThis is a schematic diagram of the structure of a broadcast frame;

[0092] Figure 2B A diagram illustrating the message indexed by a different data type;

[0093] Figure 2C This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an access response information;

[0094] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the calculation of access response information;

[0095] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a communication architecture to which the method of the embodiments of this application can be applied;

[0096] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating a communication method is provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0097] Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in this application embodiment;

[0098] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of an access process provided for this application;

[0099] Figure 8A A schematic diagram of the structure of an access response information provided in this application;

[0100] Figure 8B This application provides an alternative structural diagram of an access response information.

[0101] Figure 8C This application provides an alternative structural diagram of an access response information.

[0102] Figure 9A A schematic diagram of the information structure of a new data type index provided in this application;

[0103] Figure 9B A schematic diagram of the information structure of a new data type index provided in this application;

[0104] Figure 9C A schematic diagram of the information structure of a new data type index provided in this application;

[0105] Figure 10 A schematic diagram of yet another access process provided in this application;

[0106] Figure 11 A schematic diagram of the structure of another enhanced version of the discovery and access resource configuration provided in this application;

[0107] Figure 12AA schematic diagram illustrating the structure of information for a new data type index in a broadcast frame, as provided in this application;

[0108] Figure 12B A schematic diagram illustrating the structure of information for a new data type index in a broadcast frame, as provided in this application;

[0109] Figure 12C A schematic diagram illustrating the structure of information for a new data type index in a broadcast frame, as provided in this application;

[0110] Figure 13 A schematic diagram of a hybrid response scheme provided in this application;

[0111] Figure 14A This application provides a flowchart illustrating a method for implementing a hybrid response for access and query.

[0112] Figure 14B A schematic diagram illustrating a transmission interaction for implementing a hybrid response for access and query, provided in this application;

[0113] Figure 15A This application provides a flowchart illustrating another method for implementing a hybrid response for access and query.

[0114] Figure 15B A schematic diagram illustrating another transmission interaction for implementing a hybrid response for access and query provided in this application;

[0115] Figure 16 A schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in this application;

[0116] Figure 17 A schematic diagram of another communication device provided in this application;

[0117] Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram of a chip device structure provided in this application. Detailed Implementation

[0118] The scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0119] The technical background involved in the embodiments of this application will be introduced below.

[0120] As the smart device ecosystem continues to expand, the demand for wireless communication technology is growing, especially within the HarmonyOS ecosystem, where efficient connectivity and collaboration between devices are crucial. Sparklink technology aims to support high-speed, low-latency communication between devices.

[0121] The core of StarFlash technology lies in its broadcast discovery and broadcast access processes, which aim to support efficient querying and access between devices. The broadcast discovery process, through a query request and response mechanism, allows receiving devices to respond to multiple query requests within a receiving window; the broadcast access process, through access requests and responses, establishes connections between devices.

[0122] The following describes the relevant technologies (such as broadcast discovery process and access process) involved in the embodiments of this application. It should be noted that these descriptions are for the purpose of making the embodiments of this application easier to understand, and should not be regarded as limiting the scope of protection claimed by this application.

[0123] 1) Broadcast discovery process:

[0124] like Figure 1A As shown, the broadcasting end (such as node G) can send basic broadcast frames through different broadcast channels (such as broadcast channel A, broadcast channel B, and broadcast channel C). Correspondingly, the discovering end opens a discovery window to receive the basic broadcast frames from the broadcasting end through different broadcast channels (such as broadcast channel A, broadcast channel B, and broadcast channel C). Next, the broadcasting end (such as node G) sends extended broadcast frames. After receiving the extended broadcast frames, the discovering end can send a query request frame to the broadcasting end. The query request frame carries a specific data type to identify the query purpose, such as a request for higher-level broadcast information.

[0125] The broadcast end (such as the G node) listens within the receiving window and receives one or more different query request frames from the discovery end. Then, it sends a unified query response frame to the target device using data type 0xff to carry higher-level broadcast information. The unified query response frame includes the data type 0xff and is used to respond to these one or more different query request frames.

[0126] 2) Broadcast access process:

[0127] like Figure 1BAs shown, the broadcasting end (such as node G) can send basic broadcast frames through different broadcast channels (such as broadcast channel A, broadcast channel B, and broadcast channel C). Correspondingly, the discovering end opens an access window to receive the basic broadcast frames from the broadcasting end through different broadcast channels (such as broadcast channel A, broadcast channel B, and broadcast channel C). Next, the broadcasting end sends extended broadcast frames. After receiving the extended broadcast frames, the discovering end can send an access request frame to the broadcasting end. The access request frame is used to request the establishment of a connection with node G.

[0128] The broadcast end (such as the G node) listens within the receiving window and receives one or more different access request frames from the discovery end. Then, it uses data type 0x04 to carry "access response information" and sends a unified access response frame to the target device. The unified access response frame includes the data type 0x04. The unified access response frame is used to respond to one or more different access request frames to confirm the establishment of a connection or to provide access conditions.

[0129] 3) Broadcast frames:

[0130] The structure diagram of the broadcast frame at the broadcast end is as follows: Figure 2A As shown, the broadcast frame includes a broadcast frame structure indicator, local media access layer identifier type, peer media access layer identifier type, local media access layer identifier, parsing key identifier IRK ID, peer media access layer identifier, extended broadcast frame resource configuration information, as well as data type, data length, and data content.

[0131] The data type is used to indicate the type of data. That is, the index of the data type defines the data type. For example, 0x00 is used to identify / represent discovery access resource configuration information. Data length can refer to the length of the data bytes immediately following it. Data content can refer to carrying actual configuration information, transmission instructions, or access response information. The data content is encoded according to the specified format and length.

[0132] See Figure 2B The data type index table shown illustrates the index values ​​for different data types, along with the corresponding message names and length information.

[0133] For extended broadcast frames, at least the data content with a data type index of 0x00 (i.e., discovery access resource configuration information) must be included.

[0134] For access response frames, at least the data content with a data type index of 0x04 (i.e. access response information) shall be included.

[0135] For a query response frame, it must include at least data content with a data type index of 0xff (i.e., high-level broadcast data or high-level business data).

[0136] Taking the access response information with data type index 0x04 as an example, it indicates that different access response information can correspond to different device addresses. The access response information indicates the response / reply information of one or more request frames, and supports sending one or more access response messages. Its corresponding structure is as follows: Figure 2C As shown. See also Figure 2C As shown, the access response information used to respond to one access request frame is used as an example. It includes the peer media access layer identifier, request response type, peer media access layer identifier type, repetition indicator, and broadcast node capability indicator.

[0137] Based on the above introduction, if the broadcasting end is a G node, in the broadcast access process, the access response frame contains transmission indication information and access response information. The length of the access response frame is calculated as follows: Figure 3 As shown. Currently, the length of the access response frame is limited to 255 bytes (i.e., it cannot exceed 255 bytes). Assuming an access response message is used to respond to a device's access request frame, then... Figure 3 The diagram illustrating the length of the access response frame shows that the G node can only support a maximum of 2 or 3 devices establishing connections concurrently, and cannot support access responses from more devices (e.g., 4 or more devices) simultaneously. Therefore, in scenarios with a larger number of devices or high concurrency requirements, this will affect the efficiency of connection establishment and response between devices. Furthermore, the broadcast discovery process and the broadcast access process are two independent processes. When faced with both query requests and access requests simultaneously, the broadcast device needs to execute different processes to respond, resulting in relatively low flexibility and efficiency in response.

[0138] Therefore, this application proposes a communication method and apparatus to improve response efficiency in a network. The method and apparatus are based on the same inventive concept. Since the principles by which the method and apparatus solve the problem are similar, their implementations can be mutually referenced, and repeated details will not be elaborated further.

[0139] The embodiments of this application can be applied to StarFlash communication networks. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that the various aspects involved in the embodiments of this application can be extended to other networks employing various standards or protocols, such as high-performance radio local area networks (HIPERLANs), wireless wide area networks (WWANs), wireless personal area networks (WPANs), or other networks now known or developed in the future. Therefore, regardless of the coverage area and wireless access protocol used, the various aspects provided in the embodiments of this application can be applied to any suitable wireless network.

[0140] The technical solutions of this application embodiment can also be applied to various communication systems or networks, such as: WLAN communication systems, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) systems, Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) systems, LTE TDD systems, Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) systems, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) communication systems, 5th Generation (5G) systems or New Radio (NR) systems, Future Communications systems, Internet of Things (IoT) networks, or Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) networks, etc. The communication systems applicable to this application described above are merely illustrative examples; the application is not limited to these examples. These examples are uniformly described here and will not be repeated below.

[0141] This application supports IEEE protocols, such as IEEE 802.11be / Wi-Fi 7 / EHT, IEEE 802.11bn / UHR / Wi-Fi 8, IEEE Integrated mmWave / IMMW, IEEE 802.15 / UWB, or IEEE 802.11bf / sensing; this application may also support Spark Link / NearLink standard protocols.

[0142] The nodes in this application embodiment can be applied to various application scenarios, such as the following: mobile internet (MI), industrial control, self-driving, transportation safety, internet of things (IoT), smart city, or smart home. In some application scenarios or certain network types, devices with similar communication capabilities may not be called nodes but may be called devices; this application does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0143] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system that may be applicable to embodiments of this application. Figure 4 As shown, the communication system may include a management node (e.g., a network device) and several terminal nodes (e.g., ...). Figure 4 (Terminal nodes 1 to 6 in the document). In this document, the management node may also be referred to as the management device, and the terminal node may also be referred to as the terminal device; no distinction is made between them. The descriptions of the management node and the terminal node are as follows:

[0144] For example, the management node can be a master device, specifically a next-generation node B (gNB), a next-generation evolved node B (ng-eNB), a node in a short-range wireless communication network system (e.g., a master node or G node in a StarSpark communication network system), or an access network device in a future communication network. The master device can be any device with wireless transceiver capabilities. This master device can be an access point (AP) or multi-link device (MLD) in a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system, a wireless relay node, a wireless backhaul node, etc. This master device can be a wireless controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario. This master device can be a wearable device or a vehicle-mounted device, etc. This master device can also be a small cell, a transmission reception point (TRP) (or a transmission point), etc.

[0145] For example, a terminal node can be a terminal device, which may also be called a user equipment (UE), terminal, etc. A terminal device is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities that can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld, wearable, or vehicle-mounted; it can also be deployed on water, such as on ships; and it can be deployed in the air, such as on airplanes, balloons, or satellites. Terminal devices can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, virtual reality (VR) terminal devices, augmented reality (AR) terminal devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical care, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, and so on. It is understood that the terminal device can also be a node in a short-range wireless communication network system (e.g., a slave node or T node in a StarFlash communication network system, or a non-access point (STA) or Non-AP MLD in a WiFi system, or a terminal device in a future communication network, etc.).

[0146] It is understood that the terminal device shown in this application may include not only vehicles (such as complete vehicles) in the Internet of Vehicles, but also in-vehicle equipment or in-vehicle terminals in the Internet of Vehicles. This application does not limit the specific form of the terminal device when it is applied to the Internet of Vehicles.

[0147] It should be understood that Figure 4 An exemplary illustration shows a management node and several terminal nodes, as well as the communication links between the nodes. Optionally, the communication system may further include multiple management nodes, and the coverage area of ​​each management node may include other numbers of terminal nodes, such as more or fewer terminal devices, etc., which is not limited in this application. For example, Figure 4 The management node and the terminal node shown can communicate through D2D technology, M2M technology or V2X technology.

[0148] Optionally, the communication links between the aforementioned communication devices can include various types of connection media, including wired links (e.g., fiber optics), wireless links, or combinations of wired and wireless links. For example, they can be short-range wireless connection technologies including StarFlash, 802.11b / g, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, Zigbee, radio frequency identification (RFID), ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, impulse radio (IR) ultra-wideband (IR-UWB), or wireless short-range communication systems (e.g., vehicle-mounted wireless short-range communication systems).

[0149] The aforementioned communication devices, such as Figure 4 The management node and terminal nodes 1 to 6 in the system can be configured with multiple antennas. These multiple antennas may include at least one transmitting antenna for transmitting signals and at least one receiving antenna for receiving signals, etc. This application embodiment does not limit the specific structure of each communication device. Optionally, the communication system may also include other network entities such as a network controller and a mobility management entity, but this application embodiment is not limited to these.

[0150] Understandable Figure 4 The communication architecture diagram shown is for illustrative purposes only. For other forms of communication architecture diagrams, please refer to relevant standards or protocols, which will not be detailed here.

[0151] It is understood that the following description uses the communication / interaction between the management node device and the terminal node device as an example to illustrate the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application. The communication method provided in the embodiments of this application may also be applicable to communication between management node devices or between terminal node devices, and no specific limitations are made thereto.

[0152] The network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. Those skilled in the art will understand that, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0153] Unless otherwise specified in this article, the terms "management node" and "terminal node" are used to describe the execution entities.

[0154] In one possible implementation, the "management node" (G node) can be a network device, a device having a network device, or a device implementing the functions of a network device. For example, the "management node" can be an access network device (e.g., an AP or AP MLD), or a module (e.g., a chip or circuit) in an access network device (e.g., an AP or AP MLD). It can also be a module or unit (e.g., a CU, DU, or RU), logic module, or software that fully or partially implements an access network device (e.g., an AP or AP MLD).

[0155] In one possible implementation, the "terminal node" (T node) can be a terminal (e.g., Non-AP STA, Non-AP MLD), a device with terminal (e.g., Non-AP STA, Non-AP MLD) functionality, or a device that implements terminal (e.g., Non-AP STA, Non-AP MLD) functionality. Alternatively, the "terminal node" may also be a core network device, a server (e.g., a cloud server), etc.

[0156] In this application, the number of "management nodes" may be one or more, and the number of "terminal nodes" may also be one or more. The following description uses one "management node" serving one or more "terminal nodes" as an example to illustrate the scheme of this application embodiment. Furthermore, "management node" can be replaced with "master node," "first node," "management device," "management apparatus," or "network device," or "first communication apparatus," etc. "Terminal node" can be correspondingly replaced with "slave node," "second node," "terminal device," "terminal apparatus," or "second communication apparatus," etc.

[0157] In this application, "send" and "receive" refer to the direction of information / data / signal transmission. For example, "send information to XX" can be understood as the destination of the information being XX, and "send information" can include direct transmission or indirect transmission through other units or modules. "Receive information from YY" can be understood as the source of the information being YY, and "receive information" can include receiving directly from YY or receiving indirectly from YY through other units or modules. Furthermore, "send" can also be understood as the "output" of a chip interface, and "receive" can be understood as the "input" of a chip interface. In other words, "send" or "receive" can occur between devices, such as a base station and a terminal transmitting or receiving data via an air interface. "Send" or "receive" can also occur within a device, such as transmitting or receiving data between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within a device via a bus, wiring, or interface.

[0158] It should be understood that the names of the messages (or information) in the following processes in this application are merely examples. As communication technology evolves, the names of the messages (or information, etc.) in the following processes may change. However, regardless of how the names change, as long as their meaning is the same as the function or meaning of the messages (or information, etc.) in this application, they all fall within the protection scope of this application. For example, "first information" can be replaced with "first frame," etc., and "access response information" can be replaced with "access response frame" or "access response message," etc.

[0159] The solutions of the embodiments of this application will be described below.

[0160] This application provides a communication method, which can be applied to, but is not limited to, [specific applications]. Figure 4 The communication architecture is shown. This method can be executed by a management node (or terminal node), a module of the management node (or terminal node) (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the management node (or terminal node). Furthermore, this application does not specifically limit the specific structure of the execution entities (such as management nodes and terminal nodes) or the number of each execution entity provided in the embodiments of this application, as long as communication can be performed according to the method provided in the embodiments of this application by running a program that records the code of the method provided in the embodiments of this application. For ease of description, the interaction between the management node and the terminal node is exemplified below. The order of steps in the following process is merely an example; in actual applications, the execution order of the steps in the following process can be adjusted, and all or part of the following steps can be adaptively executed. See also... Figure 5 As shown, the method provided in this application embodiment may include the following steps:

[0161] S501: The management node generates a first response frame, which includes first information. The first information is used to indicate the time information for transmitting the second response frame. The second response frame is transmitted after the first response frame.

[0162] In one possible implementation, the timing information for transmitting the second response frame can be any of the following:

[0163] (1) The duration from the start of transmitting the first response frame to the start of transmitting the second response frame;

[0164] (2) The duration from the end of the transmission of the first response frame to the end of the transmission of the second response frame.

[0165] In the embodiments of this application, the time information for transmitting the second response frame can also be the absolute time information for transmitting the second response frame, etc.

[0166] In the above, "transmission" can be understood as "sending" and / or "receiving".

[0167] For example, the duration from the start time of transmitting the first response frame to the start time of transmitting the second response frame can be: the duration / offset of the time from the start time of the management node sending the first response frame to the start time of the management node sending the second response frame, or the duration / offset of the time from the start time of the terminal node receiving the first response frame to the start time of the terminal node receiving the second response frame. Similarly, the duration from the end time of transmitting the first response frame to the end time of transmitting the second response frame can be: the duration / offset of the time from the end time of the management node sending the first response frame to the end time of the management node sending the second response frame, or the duration / offset of the time from the end time of the terminal node receiving the first response frame to the end time of the terminal node receiving the second response frame.

[0168] For example, in the above, the absolute time information for transmitting the second response frame can be: the absolute start time when the management node sends the second response frame, or the absolute start time when the terminal node receives the second response frame.

[0169] In this embodiment of the application, after the first response frame, the management node may transmit one or more second response frames.

[0170] In the case where the management node will transmit a second response frame after the first response frame, the first information in the first response frame is used to indicate the time information for transmitting the second response frame.

[0171] In cases where the management node will transmit multiple second response frames after the first response frame, in one possible implementation, the first information included in the first response frame is used to indicate the time information of the first second response frame transmitted after the first response frame; the first information included in the first second response frame is used to indicate the time information of the second second response frame transmitted after the first response frame; the first information included in the second second response frame is used to indicate the time information of the third second response frame transmitted after the first response frame; and so on, until the last transmitted second response frame may no longer include the first information. In the foregoing, the first information included in multiple response frames can have the same name or different names; this is not limited, as long as it can indicate the time information of the next transmitted response frame.

[0172] In the above, the timing information of the first second response frame indicates the duration from the start time of transmitting the first response frame to the start time of transmitting the first second response frame. The timing information of the second second response frame indicates the duration from the start time of transmitting the first second response frame to the start time of transmitting the second second response frame, and the timing information of the third second response frame indicates the duration from the start time of transmitting the second second response frame to the start time of transmitting the third second response frame. And so on, with the timing information of the last first second response frame indicating the duration from the start time of transmitting the last second second response frame to the start time of transmitting the last first second response frame.

[0173] In the case where the management node will transmit multiple second response frames after the first response frame, in another possible implementation, the first response frame includes multiple first information, which can be used to indicate the time information for transmitting the multiple second response frames; or the first response frame includes one first information, which is used to indicate the time information for transmitting the multiple second response frames; wherein, the specific time information for transmitting each second response frame can be referred to the above description of the time information for transmitting the second response frame, and will not be repeated here.

[0174] In the above, one or more response frames transmitted after the first response frame are collectively referred to as the second response frame.

[0175] In one possible implementation, the first response frame may also include / indicate one or more of the following:

[0176] (1) Information on the number of second response frames;

[0177] The number of second response frames can be used to directly indicate the number of second response frames that will be transmitted after the first response frame.

[0178] Alternatively, the quantity information of the second response frame may include / indicate: the total number of response frames transmitted by the management node and the sequence number / number / identification information of the first response frame within the total number of response frames, etc. This can indirectly indicate the number of second response frames to be transmitted after the first response frame. For example, if the total number of response frames transmitted by the management node is 4, and the transmitted first response frame is the second response frame, this can indirectly indicate that the management node will transmit 2 more response frames after transmitting the first response frame (in this application, response frames transmitted after the first response frame can be collectively referred to as second response frames).

[0179] (2) Type information of the second response frame;

[0180] The type information of the second response frame is used to indicate the type of the second response frame. For example, the type of the second response frame can be, but is not limited to, a query response frame, an access response frame, or a mixed response frame.

[0181] The query response frame is used to respond to query requests, the access response frame is used to respond to access requests, and the hybrid response frame is used to respond to, but is not limited to, query requests and access requests. For example, a hybrid response frame may include at least one query response message and at least one access response message.

[0182] For example, based on the above, if the management node will transmit a second response frame after transmitting the first response frame, the management node generates the first response frame. The first response frame includes first information, which is used to indicate the time information for transmitting the second response frame. The first response frame may also include the type information of the second response frame, which is used to indicate whether the second response frame is a query response frame (or an access response frame or a mixed response frame).

[0183] For example, based on the above, if the management node will transmit three second response frames after transmitting the first response frame, the management node generates a first response frame, in which the first information indicates the time information for transmitting the first second response frame; the management node also generates a first second response frame, in which the first information indicates the time information for transmitting the second second response frame; the management node also generates a second second response frame, in which the first information indicates the time information for transmitting the third second response frame. Optionally, the first response frame may also include type information of the first second response frame, the first second response frame may also include type information of the second second response frame, and the second second response frame may also include type information of the third second response frame. The type information of the second response frame indicates the type of the second response frame, such as an access response frame, a query response frame, or a mixed response frame; or...

[0184] The first response frame includes three pieces of first information, which are used to indicate the time information for transmitting the three second response frames. Optionally, the first response frame may also include information on the number of second response frames and the type information of the three second response frames. The information on the number of second response frames indicates that the number of second response frames transmitted is three. The type information of the first second response frame indicates that the first transmitted second response frame is a query response frame. The type information of the second second response frame indicates that the second transmitted second response frame is an access response frame. The type information of the third second response frame indicates that the third transmitted second response frame is a mixed response frame.

[0185] In this embodiment of the application, the first response frame includes / carries first information, which can be implemented using, but is not limited to, one of the following implementation methods:

[0186] Implementation Method 1: The first information is located in the access response information, and the access response information is located in the first response frame.

[0187] Based on implementation method one, in one possible implementation method, the access response information also includes first indication information, which is used to indicate that the access response information includes first information.

[0188] For example, the header of the access response information includes 1 bit of information, which is used to indicate whether the access response information includes the first information. If the value of the 1 bit is the first value (such as the value 0), it indicates that the access response information does not include the first information; if the value of the 1 bit is the second value (such as the value 1), it indicates that the access response information includes the first information.

[0189] With this first implementation method, the management node can effectively send the time information of the subsequent transmission of the second response frame to the terminal node by carrying the first information in the access response information in the first response frame. In this way, the terminal node can accurately receive the second response frame according to the time information of the transmission of the second response frame.

[0190] Furthermore, the aforementioned access response information may also carry first indication information, enabling the terminal node to determine in advance whether the access response information includes the first information based on the first indication information. After receiving the first indication information, if the first indication information indicates that the access response information includes the first information, the terminal node maintains the receiving state to ensure that the first information can be effectively received subsequently; if the first indication information indicates that the access response information does not include the first information, the terminal node may stop receiving (or enter a sleep state) to avoid generating additional receiving power consumption.

[0191] Implementation Method 2: The first information is located in a predetermined data type information, which is located in the first response frame.

[0192] Based on implementation method two, in one possible implementation method, the aforementioned predetermined data type information may also include one or more of the following:

[0193] (1) Second indication information; the second indication information is used to indicate the data type of the predetermined data type information;

[0194] For example, the header of the predefined data type information carries the data type index corresponding to the predefined data type information (example of the second indication information).

[0195] (2) Data length information; Data length information is used to indicate the data length carried in the predefined data type information.

[0196] In the above, the predetermined data type information carried in the first response frame can be entirely new data type information.

[0197] Through this second implementation method, the management node can effectively send the time information for the subsequent transmission of the second response frame to the terminal node by carrying a predetermined data type information in the first response frame, and the predetermined data type information carries first information, so that the terminal node can accurately receive the second response frame according to the time information for the transmission of the second response frame.

[0198] Furthermore, the aforementioned predetermined data type information may also include second indication information (such as the data type index corresponding to the predetermined data type information). This allows the terminal node to determine whether the first response frame contains the predetermined data type information based on whether it receives the second indication information. If the terminal node receives the second indication information, it confirms that the subsequently transmitted information contains the predetermined data type information, and the terminal node maintains its receiving state to continue receiving the predetermined data type information. If the terminal node does not receive the second indication information, it confirms that the subsequently transmitted information does not contain the predetermined data type information, and the terminal node can cease receiving (or enter a sleep state) to avoid generating additional receiving power consumption.

[0199] The aforementioned predetermined data type information may also include data length information, so that the terminal node can accurately know the data length of the first information carried in the predetermined data type information, so as to ensure that the subsequent terminal node can accurately receive the first information according to the data length of the first information, and further avoid generating additional receiving power consumption.

[0200] In this embodiment of the application, the first response frame can be, but is not limited to, any of the following:

[0201] (1) Query response frame; The query response frame is used to respond to query requests.

[0202] (2) Access response frame; The access response frame is used to respond to access requests.

[0203] (3) Hybrid response frame; Hybrid response frames can be used to respond to query requests and access requests.

[0204] Similarly, the second response frame can refer to the description of the first response frame, that is, the second response frame can be one of the following: query response frame, access response frame, or mixed response frame.

[0205] In this application embodiment, a response frame (i.e., a hybrid response frame) is proposed that can be used to respond to both query requests and access requests. That is, the query process and the access process can be implemented through a unified process, thereby avoiding the separate execution of the query process and the access process. This can significantly reduce the response time of query and access, further improve the response efficiency in the network, and also reduce the resource overhead in the network.

[0206] S502: The management node sends a first response frame to the terminal node; correspondingly, the terminal node receives the first response frame.

[0207] S503: The terminal node determines the time information for receiving the second response frame based on the first information in the first response frame.

[0208] In one possible implementation, the time information for transmitting the second response frame indicated by the first information is the duration from the start time of transmitting the first response frame to the start time of transmitting the second response frame; then when the terminal node executes S503 (i.e., determines the time information for receiving the second response frame based on the first information in the first response frame), it may include: the terminal node determining the start time for receiving the second response frame based on the start time of receiving the first response frame and the duration from the start time of transmitting the first response frame to the start time of transmitting the second response frame.

[0209] For example, the time from the start time of the management node sending the first response frame to the start time of the management node sending the second response frame is denoted as t1; if the start time of the terminal node actually receiving the first response frame is T1, then the terminal node can determine the start time of receiving the second response frame as T1+t1; where t1 and T1 are positive integers.

[0210] In another possible implementation, the time information for transmitting the second response frame indicated by the first information is the duration from the end time of transmitting the first response frame to the end time of transmitting the second response frame. When the terminal node executes S503 (i.e., determines the time information for receiving the second response frame based on the first information in the first response frame), it may include: the terminal node determining the end time for receiving the second response frame based on the end time of receiving the first response frame and the duration from the end time of transmitting the first response frame to the end time of transmitting the second response frame; and then determining the start time for receiving the second response frame based on the end time of receiving the second response frame and the duration of the second response frame. The duration of the second response frame can be indicated / sent to the terminal node in advance by the management node, or it can be predefined, or it can be negotiated / agreed upon by both parties; there are no restrictions on this.

[0211] For example, the duration from the end time of the management node sending the first response frame to the end time of the management node sending the second response frame is denoted as t2. If the actual end time of the terminal node receiving the first response frame is T2, then the terminal node can determine the end time of receiving the second response frame as T2+t2. If the duration of the second response frame is t3, then the terminal node determines the start time of receiving the second response frame as T2+t2-t3; where t2, t3, and T2 are positive integers.

[0212] In one possible implementation, the method of this application embodiment may further include: the terminal node receiving the second response frame sent from the management node according to the time information of receiving the second response frame.

[0213] In the above S501-S503, an example of a management node and a terminal node is used. In actual applications, the management node can also serve multiple terminal nodes. When the management node serves multiple terminal nodes, the interaction / communication between the management node and each terminal node, as well as the corresponding processing steps, can be implemented by referring to the above S501-S503 and the steps contained therein. This application will not describe them in detail.

[0214] Similarly, in the presence of other management nodes, the interaction / communication between other management nodes and the terminal nodes they serve, as well as the corresponding processing steps, can also be implemented by referring to the steps in S501-S503 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0215] Based on the above, in this application's solution, the management node sends a first response frame to the terminal node. This first response frame carries timing information indicating the time of one or more second response frames to be transmitted after the first response frame. Therefore, after receiving the first response frame, the terminal node can determine the timing information of the subsequent one or more second response frames based on the first information in the first response frame, thus completing the corresponding receiving task. It is evident that in scenarios where the management node needs to respond to a large number of requests (i.e., high-concurrency scenarios), this method can enable the management node to transmit two or more response frames to the terminal node, thereby improving response efficiency.

[0216] This application also provides a communication method, which can be applied to, but is not limited to, [specific methods]. Figure 4 The communication architecture shown, and the specific structure of the execution entities (such as management nodes and terminal nodes) and the number of each execution entity, are detailed above. Figure 5The methods described are not repeated here. For ease of description, the interaction between the management node and the terminal node will be used as an example in the following description. The order of the steps in the following process is only an example. In actual applications, the execution order of the steps in the following process can be adjusted, and all or part of the steps below can be executed adaptively. See also Figure 6 As shown, the method provided in this application embodiment may include the following steps:

[0217] S601: The management node generates a first broadcast frame; the first broadcast frame includes second information, which is used to indicate the time information of the response window, and the response window includes at least two response sub-windows corresponding to the response frames respectively.

[0218] For example, the first broadcast frame may be an extended broadcast frame.

[0219] In this embodiment of the application, the first broadcast frame includes / carries the second information, which can be implemented using, but is not limited to, one of the following methods:

[0220] Implementation method 1: The second information is located in the preset discovery access resource configuration information, which is located in the first broadcast frame.

[0221] Based on implementation method one, in one possible implementation method, the aforementioned preset discovery access resource configuration information may also include one or more of the following:

[0222] (1) Third indication information; the third indication information is used to indicate the data type of the preset discovery access resource configuration information.

[0223] For example, the third indication information could be a data type index corresponding to a preset discovery access resource configuration information.

[0224] (2) The total number of response sub-windows in the response window.

[0225] (3) Duration information of access request; The duration information of access request is used to indicate the duration from the start time of transmitting the first broadcast frame to the start time of transmitting the access request. For example, the duration from the start time of transmitting the first broadcast frame to the start time of transmitting the access request can be: the duration (or offset) from the start time of the management node sending the first broadcast frame to the start time of the management node receiving the access request.

[0226] (4) Access response duration information; The access response duration information is used to indicate the duration from the start time of transmitting the first broadcast frame to the start time of the response window. For example, the duration from the start time of transmitting the first broadcast frame to the start time of the response window can be: the duration (or offset) from the start time of the management node sending the first broadcast frame to the start time of the response window.

[0227] In one possible implementation, the aforementioned preset discovery access resource configuration information may further include type information for the at least two response frames, wherein the type information for the at least two response frames may respectively indicate the type of the at least two response frames (e.g., the type of the response frame may be an access response frame, a query response frame, or a hybrid response frame, etc.). Alternatively, the aforementioned preset discovery access resource configuration information may further include type information for each response sub-window, wherein the type information for each response sub-window is used to indicate the type of the response frame in the response sub-window (e.g., the type of the response frame may be an access response frame, a query response frame, or a hybrid response frame, etc.).

[0228] In this first implementation method, the management node carries the second information through the preset discovery access resource configuration information in the first broadcast frame, thereby effectively providing the response window time information to the terminal node.

[0229] Furthermore, the aforementioned preset discovery access resource configuration information may also include third indication information (such as the data type index of the preset discovery access resource configuration information). This allows the terminal node to determine whether the first broadcast frame contains the preset discovery access resource configuration information based on whether it receives the third indication information. If the terminal node receives the third indication information, it confirms that subsequent transmitted information contains the preset discovery access resource configuration information, and the terminal node maintains its receiving state and continues to receive the preset discovery access resource configuration information. If the terminal node does not receive the third indication information, it confirms that subsequent transmitted information does not contain the preset discovery access resource configuration information, and the terminal node can cease receiving information to avoid generating additional receiving power consumption.

[0230] The aforementioned preset discovery access resource configuration information may also include the total number of response sub-windows in the response window. This is to ensure that subsequent terminal nodes can effectively and accurately determine the duration information of the response sub-windows based on the time information of the response window and the total number of response sub-windows.

[0231] The aforementioned preset access resource configuration information may also include access request duration information and / or access response duration information, in order to ensure that subsequent terminal nodes can effectively and accurately determine the start time of each response sub-window.

[0232] Implementation Method 2: The second information is located in the preset data type information, which is located in the first broadcast frame.

[0233] Based on implementation method two, in one possible implementation method, the aforementioned preset data type information may also include one or more of the following:

[0234] (1) Fourth indication information; The fourth indication information is used to indicate the data type of the preset data type information.

[0235] For example, the fourth indication information could be the data type index corresponding to the preset data type information.

[0236] (2) Data length information; Data length information is used to indicate the data length carried in the preset data type information.

[0237] (3) The total number of response sub-windows in the response window.

[0238] In one possible implementation, the preset data type information in the first broadcast frame may further include the type information of the at least two response frames. The type of the response frame may include a query response frame, an access response frame, a mixed response frame, etc.

[0239] Through this second implementation method, the management node carries the second information by pre-defined data type information in the first broadcast frame, thereby effectively providing the response window time information to the terminal node.

[0240] Furthermore, the preset data type information may also include fourth indication information (such as the data type index corresponding to the preset data type information). This allows the terminal node to determine whether the first broadcast frame contains the preset data type information based on whether it receives the fourth indication information. If the terminal node receives the fourth indication information, it confirms that the subsequently transmitted information contains the preset data type information, and the terminal node maintains its receiving state and continues to receive the preset data type information. If the terminal node does not receive the fourth indication information, it confirms that the subsequently transmitted information does not contain the preset data type information, and the terminal node can stop receiving to avoid additional receiving power consumption.

[0241] The preset data type information may also include the total number of response sub-windows in the response window. This is to ensure that subsequent terminal nodes can effectively and accurately determine the duration of each response sub-window based on the time information of the response window and the total number of response sub-windows. The preset data type information includes the duration of the access request and / or the duration of the access response, to ensure that subsequent terminal nodes can effectively and accurately determine the start time of each response sub-window.

[0242] In one possible implementation, the time information of the above response window may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following:

[0243] (1) The total duration of the response window.

[0244] (2) Response end time information; This response end time information is used to indicate the duration from the start time of transmitting the first broadcast frame to the end time of the response window.

[0245] For example, the duration from the start of transmitting the first broadcast frame to the end of the response window can be: the duration or offset from the start of the management node sending the first broadcast frame to the time when the management node stops responding.

[0246] (3) Duration information of the response sub-window; the duration information of the response sub-window is used to indicate the duration of the response sub-window.

[0247] With this implementation, the terminal node can accurately and effectively determine the start time of each response sub-window based on the time information of the response window.

[0248] S602: The management node sends the first broadcast frame; correspondingly, the terminal node receives the first broadcast frame.

[0249] S603: The terminal node determines the timing information for receiving the at least two response frames based on the timing information of the response window.

[0250] In this embodiment of the application, the timing information for the terminal node to determine the reception of the at least two response frames may include, but is not limited to, the start time at which the terminal node receives the at least two response frames.

[0251] The following example uses the second information carried in the preset discovery access resource configuration information, which also includes the third indication information (e.g., the index of the data type), the duration information of the access request and the duration information of the access response, as well as the total number of response sub-windows in the response window, to illustrate how the terminal node determines the time information for receiving the at least two response frames based on the time information of the response window.

[0252] Example 1: If the preset discovery access resource configuration information includes second information, and the time information of the response window indicated by the second information includes the total duration of the response window, then the terminal node determines the duration of each response sub-window based on the total duration of the response window and the total number of response frames in the response window. In this embodiment, the example is that the durations of all response sub-windows in the response window are equal.

[0253] Furthermore, the terminal node can determine the start time of the response window based on the actual start time of receiving the first broadcast frame and the duration information of the access response (i.e., the duration from the start time of transmitting the first broadcast frame to the start time of the response window); then, the terminal node can determine the start time of the response sub-windows corresponding to the at least two response frames based on the start time of the response window and the duration of each response sub-window; and then, the start time of the response sub-windows corresponding to the at least two response frames can be used as the start time for receiving the at least two response frames respectively.

[0254] Example 2: If the preset access resource configuration information includes second information, and the response window time information indicated by the second information includes the response end time information (i.e., the duration from the start time of transmitting the first broadcast frame to the end time of the response window), then the terminal node can determine the total duration of the response window based on the response end time information and the access response duration information (i.e., the duration from the start time of transmitting the first broadcast frame to the start time of the response window); then, the terminal node determines the duration of each response sub-window based on the total duration of the response window and the total number of response frames in the response window. In this embodiment, the example uses the fact that the durations of all response sub-windows in the response window are equal.

[0255] Furthermore, the terminal node can determine the start time of the response window based on the actual start time of receiving the first broadcast frame and the duration information of the access response (i.e., the duration from the start time of transmitting the first broadcast frame to the start time of the response window); then, the terminal node can determine the start time of the response sub-windows corresponding to the at least two response frames based on the start time of the response window and the duration of each response sub-window; and then, the start time of the response sub-windows corresponding to the at least two response frames can be used as the start time for receiving the at least two response frames respectively.

[0256] Example 3: If the preset access resource configuration information includes second information, and the time information of the response window indicated by the second information includes the duration information of the response sub-window (i.e., indicating the duration of the response sub-window), then the terminal node can determine the start time of the response window based on the actual start time of receiving the first broadcast frame and the duration information of the access response (i.e., the duration from the start time of transmitting the first broadcast frame to the start time of the response window); then, the terminal node determines the start time of the response sub-windows corresponding to the at least two response frames based on the start time of the response window and the duration of the response sub-window; and then, the start time of the response sub-windows corresponding to the at least two response frames is used as the start time of receiving the at least two response frames respectively.

[0257] In one possible implementation, the method of this application embodiment may further include: the terminal node receiving a response frame sent from the management node according to the start time of receiving the at least two response frames respectively.

[0258] For example, the following example uses the second information to indicate the time information of the response window, assuming the response window includes three sub-windows. After receiving the first broadcast frame, the terminal node determines the start time for receiving the first response frame as time T1, the start time for receiving the second response frame as time T2, and the start time for receiving the third response frame as time T3, based on the time information of the response window indicated by the second information. In the subsequent request and response phases, the management node responds to the terminal node's request by sending one, two, or three response frames.

[0259] If the management node sends a response frame to the terminal node, the terminal node can receive the response frame from the management node at time T1.

[0260] When the management node sends two response frames to the terminal node, the terminal node can receive the two response frames from the management node at time T1 and time T2 respectively.

[0261] When the management node sends three response frames to the terminal node, the terminal node can receive the three response frames from the management node at times T1, T2, and T3 respectively.

[0262] As can be seen from the above examples, the terminal node can determine the time information of the response window based on the first information in the preset discovery access resource configuration information. Based on the time information of the response window, the third indication information (such as the index of the data type) in the preset discovery access resource configuration information, the duration information of the access request and the duration information of the access response, and the total number of response sub-windows in the response window, the start time of each response sub-window can be accurately determined. Since the response sub-window is used to transmit the corresponding response frame, the start time of the response sub-window is the start time of transmitting the response frame. In this way, the terminal node can accurately receive the corresponding response frame at the start time of receiving each response frame.

[0263] In this embodiment of the application, the at least two response frames may include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following response frames:

[0264] (1) Query response frame; the query response frame is used to respond to a query request. (2) Access response frame; the access response frame is used to respond to an access request. (3) Hybrid response frame; the hybrid response frame is used to respond to both query requests and access requests.

[0265] In this application embodiment, a response frame (i.e., a hybrid response frame) is proposed that can be used to respond to both query requests and access requests. That is, the query process and the access process can be implemented through a unified process, thereby avoiding the separate execution of the query process and the access process. This can significantly reduce the response time of query and access, further improve the response efficiency in the network, and also reduce the resource overhead in the network.

[0266] Based on the above, in this application's solution, the management node sends a first broadcast frame, which carries second information. This second information indicates the time information of a response window, which includes response sub-windows corresponding to at least two response frames. Correspondingly, after receiving the first broadcast frame, the terminal node can determine the time information of the response window based on the second information, and then determine the time information for receiving the at least two response frames based on the time information of the response window. This method enables the management node to transmit two or more response frames to the terminal node, thereby improving response efficiency.

[0267] The following is based on Figure 5 and Figure 6 The scheme shown is applied to Figure 4 The communication architecture shown is used as an example to illustrate the above through several specific implementation methods. Figure 5 and Figure 6 The proposed solution will be described in detail.

[0268] The following describes Implementation Method 1 and Implementation Method 2 as examples. Figure 5 The illustrated scheme employs two implementations where the first response frame carries the first information, which indicates the time information for transmitting the second response frame. Embodiments three and four are described below as examples. Figure 6 The illustrated scheme uses two implementations where the second information is carried in the first broadcast frame. The second information indicates the timing information of the response window. Implementation five exemplarily describes an implementation of a hybrid response frame proposed in this application. Implementation six combines implementation five with implementation one or implementation two to exemplarily illustrate... Figure 5 The scheme is shown. In Implementation Seven, Implementation Five is combined with Implementation Three or Implementation Four, as an example. Figure 6 The proposed scheme is shown.

[0269] The specific details of Implementation Method 1 through Implementation Method 7 are described below.

[0270] Implementation Method 1:

[0271] In implementation method one, based on the above... Figure 5In the scheme shown, the first response frame carries the first information, which corresponds to the first implementation method. The "offset of the next response frame" information can be added to the current access response frame to achieve continuous transmission of multiple response frames.

[0272] The following example illustrates how to add "offset of the next access response frame" information to the current access response frame.

[0273] For example, see Figure 7 As shown, terminal nodes 1 to 4 send access request frames to the broadcast node G, corresponding to access request frame #1, access request frame #2, access request frame #3, and access request frame #4, respectively. After receiving the four access request frames, the broadcast node G successfully accepts them.

[0274] Furthermore, in order to respond to the access request frames from nodes 1 to 4, the broadcaster can generate two access response frames, namely the first access response frame (hereinafter referred to as access response frame #1) and the second access response frame (hereinafter referred to as access response frame #2).

[0275] Access response frame #1 includes two access response messages, and access response frame #2 also includes two access response messages. The two access response messages in access response frame #1 can be used to respond to two of the four access request frames, and the two access response messages in access response frame #2 can be used to respond to the other two of the four access request frames.

[0276] In this embodiment, the broadcast node G responds to the four access request frames in any order, either according to the received access request frames or not, without any specific limitation. Furthermore, the fact that access response frames #1 and #2 contain the same amount of access response information is merely an example; in actual applications, different access response frames may contain the same or different amounts of access response information, without any specific limitation.

[0277] For example, the two response information pairs in access response frame #1 are applied to access request frames #1 and #2, and the two response information pairs in access response frame #2 are applied to access request frames #3 and #4. Access response frame #1 (as described above) Figure 5 The example of the first response frame in the scheme shown also includes "offset of the next access response frame" information (as mentioned above). Figure 5(Example of the first information in the scheme shown) The "offset of the next access response frame" information is used to indicate the offset of the next access response frame, that is, the duration from the start time of G node sending access response frame #1 to the start time of G node sending access response frame #2.

[0278] In this embodiment of the application, there is no specific restriction on the order in which the G node generates access response frame #1 and access response frame #2; the above is merely an example.

[0279] Node G can send access response frame #1 first, followed by access response frame #2, in chronological order.

[0280] Accordingly, on the requesting end, terminal nodes 1 through 4 perform the following steps:

[0281] First, terminal nodes 1 to 4 receive access response frame #1 sent by broadcast node G. Then, terminal nodes 1 to 4 determine whether access response frame #1 contains response information of their own access request frame based on the "peer media access layer identifier" carried in access response frame #1.

[0282] If terminal node 1 determines that access response frame #1 includes response information corresponding to terminal node 1, and terminal node 2 determines that access response frame #1 includes response information corresponding to terminal node 2, then terminal node 1 and terminal node 2 will each receive their respective response information. After obtaining the "offset of the next access response frame" information, terminal node 1 and terminal node 2 may not need to receive access response frame #2 again.

[0283] After receiving access response frame #1, terminal nodes 3 and 4 determine that access response frame #1 does not contain their corresponding response information. After obtaining the "offset of the next access response frame" information, they can continue to receive the next access response frame sent by the broadcast terminal G node, i.e., access response frame #2, based on the "offset of the next access response frame" information.

[0284] After receiving the access response frame #2, terminal node 3 and terminal node 4 determine that the access response frame #2 contains their corresponding response information based on the "peer media access layer identifier" carried in the access response frame #2, and then receive the corresponding response information respectively.

[0285] In the preceding text, using access response frames #1 and #2 as examples, it was explained in detail how node G sends the current access response frame #1 to terminal nodes 1 through 4. Access response frame #1 carries the "offset of the next access response frame" information, indicating the offset of the next access response frame #2. Similarly, if node G sends access response frame #3 after sending access response frame #2, it can also carry the "offset of the next access response frame" information in the access response frame #2, indicating the offset of the next access response frame #3, and so on. This enables the access response frame to indicate the next access response frame, allowing for the continuous transmission of multiple access response frames and improving the efficiency of responding to terminal node access requests.

[0286] Furthermore, in practical applications, the access response information of access response frame #1 can carry "offset of the next response frame" information to indicate the offset of the next response frame. The next response frame can be access response frame #2, a query response frame, or a mixed response frame, etc., without limitation, and each case can be implemented with reference to the above examples, which will not be described in detail here. For example, the access response information of access response frame #1 can carry "offset of the next query response frame" information to indicate the offset of the next query response frame, that is, the duration from the start time of G node sending access response frame #1 to the start time of G node sending the next query response frame.

[0287] The following example illustrates the implementation scheme of Implementation Method 1 by including the "offset of the next response frame" information in the current access response frame:

[0288] In the access response information with data type index 0x04, add "offset of the next response frame" information. This access response information is located in the current access response frame sent by the G node (as mentioned above). Figure 5 In the example of the first response frame in the scheme shown, the "offset of the next response frame" information is used to instruct the G node to send the next response frame (as described above). Figure 5 The offset of the second response frame in the example shown in the scheme.

[0289] For example, Figure 8A This illustration shows a structural diagram of an access response information provided in an embodiment of this application. See also... Figure 8A As shown, in the first byte of the "Access Response Information" (such as...) Figure 8A The two reserved bits of byte 0 shown are used, one of which is used (e.g., Figure 8A The byte 0 shown (bits 6 or 7) is used as an indicator bit (as described above). Figure 5The example of the first indication information in the illustrated scheme is used to indicate whether the access response information contains the "offset of the next response frame" information. For example, if the indication bit 6 or 7 of byte 0 is "0", it indicates that the access response information does not contain the "offset of the next response frame" information. If the indication bit 6 or 7 of byte 0 is "1", it indicates that the access response information contains the "offset of the next response frame" information.

[0290] The "offset of the next response frame" information can occupy 2 bytes, such as... Figure 8A The two bytes shown are numbered N+13 and N+14. The "Offset of the Next Response Frame" information indicates the offset of the next response frame, which is the duration between the start time of the G node sending the current access response frame and the start time of the G node sending the next response frame. The next response frame can be an access response frame, a query response frame, or a mixed response frame, etc.

[0291] If the above implementation scheme is applied to the broadcast access process, each access response frame can carry the "offset of the next access response frame" information, indicating the offset of the next access response frame in sequence. This enables the G node to transmit a series of consecutive access response frames, thereby supporting concurrent access between 1 G node and N nodes / devices. The number of nodes / devices is not limited to 3, but can be greater than or equal to 4.

[0292] In one possible implementation, the access response information of the current access response frame may also include "type of the next response frame" information, which is used to indicate the type of the next response frame sent by the G node, such as the next response frame being a query response frame, an access response frame, or a mixed response frame, etc.

[0293] For example, referring to Table 1, if the current response frame #1 sent by node G is an access response frame, the access response information in this access response frame includes the "type of the next response frame #2" information. The "type of the next response frame #2" information is used to indicate that the next response frame #2 is an access response frame, a query response frame, or a mixed response frame. If the current response frame #1 sent by node G is a mixed response frame, the access response information in this mixed response frame includes the "type of the next response frame #2" information. The "type of the next response frame #2" information is used to indicate that the next response frame #2 is an access response frame, a query response frame, or a mixed response frame.

[0294] Table 1

[0295] Classification The type of current response frame #1 The type of the next response frame #2 1 Access response frame Access response frame 2 Access response frame Query response frame 3 Access response frame Hybrid Response Frame 4 Hybrid Response Frame Access response frame 5 Hybrid Response Frame Query response frame 6 Hybrid Response Frame Hybrid Response Frame

[0296] Table 1 above is just an example. In actual applications, the classification may not be limited to this. There may be more or fewer classifications than in Table 1.

[0297] In implementation method one, if node G sends the current response frame, node G will then send M more response frames, where M is an integer greater than 1.

[0298] In one possible implementation, the access response information in each currently transmitted response frame includes offset information for the next transmitted response frame. For example, the access response information in the current response frame includes the offset information for the first subsequently transmitted response frame, the access response information in the first subsequently transmitted response frame includes the offset information for the second subsequently transmitted response frame, and so on, until the access response information in the (M-1)th subsequently transmitted response frame includes the offset information for the Mth subsequently transmitted response frame.

[0299] Optionally, the access response information in each currently sent response frame may also include type information for the next sent response frame.

[0300] For example, after sending the current response frame #1, node G will also send response frames #2 and #3 sequentially. The access response information in the current response frame #1 includes information about the offset of the next transmitted response frame #2. This offset information indicates the duration between the start time of node G sending response frame #1 and the start time of node G sending response frame #2. Similarly, the access response information in response frame #2 includes information about the offset of the next transmitted response frame #3. This offset information indicates the duration between the start time of node G sending response frame #2 and the start time of node G sending response frame #3.

[0301] The specific structure of the access response information in response frame #1 or response frame #2 can be referred to the above. Figure 8A The structural diagram of the access response information shown is not repeated here.

[0302] Optionally, the access response information of response frame #1 may also include the type information of the next transmitted response frame #2, and the access response information of response frame #2 may also include the type information of the next transmitted response frame #3.

[0303] In another possible implementation, the access response information of the current response frame is supplemented with "offset count" information and offset information for M response frames. The "offset count" information indicates the number of offsets of the response frames included in the access response information. The offset information for the M response frames can be used one-to-one to indicate the offsets of the M response frames that the G node will subsequently send, or it can be used one-to-one to determine the start time for receiving these M response frames.

[0304] For example, Figure 8B This diagram illustrates another structural representation of access response information according to an embodiment of this application. Bits 6 or 7 of byte 0 in the access response information serve as indicator bits, used to indicate whether the access response information contains "offset of response frames" information. This access response information includes "number of offsets" information and information on the offsets of M response frames. The "number of offsets" information can occupy one byte, such as... Figure 8B The shown is byte N+13. The offset information for each response frame can occupy 2 bytes, so the offset information for M response frames can occupy 2*M bytes, as shown below. Figure 8B The pairs of bytes N+14 to N+13+(2*M) shown are applied to the offsets indicating M response frames.

[0305] For example, if node G sends the current access response frame #1, and then sends two more access response frames, namely access response frame #3 and access response frame #4, then in the access response information of access response frame #1, bit 6 of byte 0 is used to indicate that the access response information contains "offset of response frame" information. In the access response information of access response frame #1, the "number of offsets" information of byte N+13 is used to indicate that the access response information contains 2 offsets of response frames, the "offset of the first access response frame" information of bytes N+14 and N+15 is used to indicate the offset of the first access response frame #2 that node G will send next, and the "offset of the second access response frame" information of bytes N+16 and N+17 is used to indicate the offset of the access response frame #3 that node G will send next.

[0306] In this context, the offset of the first access response frame #2 sent by node G can refer to the duration between the start time of node G sending access response frame #1 and the start time of node G sending access response frame #2, and the offset of the second access response frame #3 sent by node G can refer to the duration between the start time of node G sending access response frame #1 and the start time of node G sending access response frame #3.

[0307] The above example illustrates an implementation method where, after the G node sends the current access response frame, it then sends M more response frames. These M response frames are not limited to access response frames; they may include one or more of the following: access response frames, query response frames, or mixed response frames.

[0308] In one possible implementation, the access response information of the current access response frame may further include type information of M response frames, which can be used to indicate the type of each of the M response frames.

[0309] For example, Figure 8C This illustration shows a structural diagram of another access response information according to an embodiment of this application, compared to... Figure 8B The access response information shown is as follows: Figure 8C The access response information shown includes not only the "number of offsets" information and the offset information of M response frames, but also the type information of M response frames (i.e., bytes N+14 to bytes N+13+M), where the type information of each response frame can occupy 1 byte.

[0310] For example, the current response frame #1 sent by node G is an access response frame. The access response information of access response frame #1 includes "type of response frame #2" and "type of response frame #3". The "type of response frame #2" information is used to indicate whether the type of response frame #2 is an access response frame, a query response frame, or a mixed response frame. The "type of response frame #3" information is used to indicate whether the type of response frame #3 is an access response frame, a query response frame, or a mixed response frame. The specific combination classification based on the above is shown in Table 2.

[0311] Table 2

[0312]

[0313] Table 2 above is just an example. In actual applications, the classification may not be limited to this. There may be more or fewer classifications than in Table 2.

[0314] In Implementation Method 1, the broadcasting end can add one or more "offset of the next response frame" information to the access response information of the currently sent response frame to indicate the offset of the next one or more response frames, thereby enabling continuous transmission of multiple response frames. In scenarios where multiple nodes / devices request access, this implementation method allows the broadcasting end (G node) to access concurrently with more nodes / devices (e.g., 4 or more nodes / devices), effectively overcoming the limitation on the number of concurrent link establishments and avoiding nodes / devices triggering broadcast events independently. This not only reduces resource overhead but also effectively shortens the waiting time for nodes / devices to respond during link establishment, improving response efficiency.

[0315] Implementation Method Two:

[0316] Compared with the first embodiment described above, the second embodiment differs in that: based on the above... Figure 5 The scheme shown is implemented by carrying the first information in the first response frame. In the second implementation, a new data type index is added to the query response frame (or access response frame or hybrid response frame). The new data type index is used to indicate the offset of the next response frame. As an example, this enables the continuous transmission of multiple response frames.

[0317] In one possible implementation, the G node can add a new "data type index" to the current response frame (such as a query response frame, access response frame, or mixed response frame), for example, information where the "data type index" is 0x8 (as described above). Figure 5 (Example of the preset data type information in the scheme shown) The new "data type index" information includes "offset of the next response frame" information. The "offset of the next response frame" information is used to indicate the offset of the next response frame. The offset of the next response frame can be the duration between the start time of the G node sending the current response frame (such as a query response frame, access response frame, or mixed response frame) and the start time of the G node sending the next response frame.

[0318] For example, Figure 9A This is a structural diagram illustrating the new "data type index" 0x8 in the current response frame (such as a query response frame, access response frame, or hybrid response frame). See [link / reference]. Figure 9A As shown, the 0x8 information may include a data type index (0x8), data length, and "offset of the next response frame" information. The data length indicates that the data carried is 2 bytes long; the data type index and data length can each occupy 1 byte; and the "offset of the next response frame" information can occupy 2 bytes.

[0319] In the above, information about a new data type index is added to the current response frame (such as a query response frame, an access response frame, or a hybrid response frame). The "offset of the next response frame" information in the new data type index information is used to indicate the offset of the next response frame. The embodiments of this application do not impose specific restrictions on the type of the next response frame. The next response frame can be a query response frame, an access response frame, or a hybrid response frame, etc.

[0320] In one possible implementation, the new "data type index" information may also include "type of the next response frame" information, which is used to indicate the type of the next response frame.

[0321] For example, if the current response frame #1 sent by node G is an access response frame, the new "data type index" information in this access response frame includes the "type of the next response frame #2" information, indicating whether the next response frame #2 is an access response frame, a query response frame, or a mixed response frame. Similarly, if the current response frame #1 sent by node G is a query response frame, the new "data type index" information in this query response frame includes the "type of the next response frame #2" information, indicating whether the next response frame #2 is an access response frame, a query response frame, or a mixed response frame. The specific combinations and classifications based on the aforementioned combinations are shown in Table 3.

[0322] Table 3

[0323] Classification The type of current response frame #1 The type of the next response frame #2 1 Access response frame Access response frame 2 Access response frame Query response frame 3 Access response frame Hybrid Response Frame 4 Query response frame Access response frame 5 Query response frame Query response frame 6 Query response frame Hybrid Response Frame Hybrid Response Frame Access response frame Hybrid Response Frame Query response frame Hybrid Response Frame Hybrid Response Frame

[0324] Table 3 above is just an example. In actual applications, the classification may not be limited to this. There may be more or fewer classifications than in Table 3.

[0325] In the second implementation method, if after G node sends the current response frame, G node will send M more response frames, where M is an integer greater than 1.

[0326] In one possible implementation, the G node adds a new "data type index" to each current response frame (such as a query response frame, access response frame, or mixed response frame), for example, a "data type index" of 0x8. This new "data type index" includes information about the offset of the next response frame to be sent. Optionally, the new "data type index" in each currently sent response frame may also include the type information of the next sent response frame.

[0327] For example, after sending the current response frame #1, node G will also send response frames #2 and #3 in sequence. The new "data type index" information in the current response frame #1 includes information about the offset of the next transmitted response frame #2. This offset information indicates the duration between the start time of node G sending response frame #1 and the start time of node G sending response frame #2. Similarly, the new "data type index" information in response frame #2 includes information about the offset of the next transmitted response frame #3. This offset information indicates the duration between the start time of node G sending response frame #2 and the start time of node G sending response frame #3.

[0328] Optionally, the new "data type index" information in response frame #1 may also include the type information of the next transmitted response frame #2, and the new "data type index" information in response frame #2 may also include the type information of the next transmitted response frame #3.

[0329] In another possible implementation, the G node can add a new "data type index" to the current response frame (such as a query response frame, access response frame, or mixed response frame), for example, an index of 0x8. This new "data type index" includes an "offset count" and the offsets of M response frames. The "offset count" indicates the number of response frame offsets contained in the new "data type index" 0x8. The offsets of the M response frames can be used one-to-one to indicate the offsets of the next M response frames to be sent, or they can be used one-to-one to determine the start time of receiving these M response frames.

[0330] For example, Figure 9B This diagram illustrates another structural representation of the new "Data Type Index" 0x8 in the current response frame (such as a query response frame, access response frame, or hybrid response frame). See [link to diagram]. Figure 9B As shown, the 0x8 information may include a data type index (0x8), data length, "offset count" information, and offset information for M response frames. The data length indicates that the data carried is 1 + 2 * M bytes. The "offset count" information indicates the number of offsets of the response frames included in this 0x8 information. The offset information for the M response frames is applied one-to-one to indicate the offsets of the next M response frames to be sent. The data type index, data length, and "offset count" information can each occupy 1 byte, such as... Figure 9BThe data is shown as bytes 1 to node 3. The offset information for each response frame can occupy 2 bytes, so the offset information for M response frames occupies a total of 2*M bytes, as shown below. Figure 9B The bytes shown are 4 to (3+2*M).

[0331] In the above, after sending the current response frame (such as a query response frame, an access response frame, or a mixed response frame), the G node may send M response frames, which are not limited to one or more of the access response frame, query response frame, or mixed response frame.

[0332] In one possible implementation, the information in the new "data type index" may also include type information for M response frames, which can be used to indicate the type of each of the M response frames.

[0333] For example, Figure 9C This diagram illustrates an alternative structure for the new "Data Type Index" 0x8 in the current response frame (such as a query response frame, access response frame, or hybrid response frame). Compared to Figure 9B The information shown is for the new "Data Type Index" 0x8. Figure 9C The information in the new "data type index" 0x8 shown can include not only the data type index (0x8), data length, "offset number" information, and offset information of M response frames, but also information on the types of M response frames.

[0334] Data type index (0x8), data length, and "offset count" information are as follows: Figure 9C The information corresponding to bytes 1 to 3 is shown. Information about the types of the M response frames is as follows: Figure 9C The information corresponding to bytes 4 to byte 3+M is shown below. The offset information for the M response frames is as follows: Figure 9C The information corresponding to bytes 4+M to byte 3+3M is shown.

[0335] In Implementation Method Two, the broadcasting end can use information from a new data type index in the currently transmitted response frame. This new data type index contains one or more "offsets of the next response frame" to indicate the offset of the next or more response frames, thereby enabling continuous transmission of multiple response frames. Similar to Implementation Method One, in scenarios where multiple nodes / devices request access, Implementation Method Two can also enable concurrent access by the broadcasting end (G node) and more nodes / devices (e.g., four or more nodes / devices). This effectively overcomes the limitation on the number of concurrent link establishments and avoids nodes / devices independently triggering broadcast events. This not only reduces resource overhead but also effectively shortens the waiting time for nodes / devices to respond during link establishment, improving response efficiency.

[0336] Implementation Method 3:

[0337] In implementation method three, based on the above... Figure 6 In the scheme shown, the first implementation method corresponding to carrying the second information in the first broadcast frame can carry the information of the "response window" (such as the time information of the "response window" and the total number of response sub-windows in the "response window") in the "discovery access resource configuration information" of the extended broadcast frame, so as to realize the continuous transmission of multiple response frames.

[0338] The following example uses the "Discovery Access Resource Configuration Information" carrying the "Response Window" information in the extended broadcast frame as an example.

[0339] For example, such as Figure 10 As shown, taking the broadcast discovery process as an example, the broadcasting node G sends an extended broadcast frame. The "discovery access resource configuration information" of the extended broadcast frame includes information about the "response window." This "response window" can include response sub-windows corresponding to at least two response frames, meaning that at least two response frames can be transmitted within the "response window." In some embodiments, the "response window" may also contain a response sub-window corresponding to one response frame, which will not be specifically described here. The "discovery access resource configuration information" in the extended broadcast frame here is referred to below as the enhanced "discovery access resource configuration information" or "enhanced information."

[0340] Accordingly, after receiving the "discovery access resource configuration information" of the extended broadcast frame sent by the broadcasting end G node, terminal nodes 1 to 4 respectively obtain the "response window" information.

[0341] Terminal nodes 1 through 4 send request frames to node G, namely request frame #1, request frame #2, request frame #3, and request frame #4. Node G receives these four request frames in its receiving window and successfully accepts them.

[0342] Furthermore, in order to respond to the access request frame to terminal nodes 1 to 4, the broadcaster can generate two response frames, namely the first response frame (hereinafter referred to as response frame #1) and the second response frame (hereinafter referred to as response frame #2).

[0343] Response frame #1 may include two response messages, and response frame #2 may also include two response messages. The two response messages in response frame #1 can be applied to respond to two of the four request frames, and the two response messages in response frame #2 can be applied to respond to the other two request frames.

[0344] In implementation method three, the broadcast terminal G node responds to these four request frames in any order, either according to the received request frames or not, without any specific restriction. Furthermore, the fact that response frames #1 and #2 contain the same amount of response information is merely an example; in actual applications, different response frames may contain the same or different amounts of response information, without any specific restriction.

[0345] In the response window, node G sends response frame #1 in the first sub-window and response frame #2 in the second sub-window.

[0346] Accordingly, on the requesting end, terminal nodes 1 through 4 perform the following steps:

[0347] Terminal nodes 1 to 4 receive response frame #1 in the first sub-window based on the information in the "response window". Then, terminal nodes 1 to 4 determine whether response frame #1 contains response information of their own request frame based on the "peer media access layer identifier" carried in response frame #1.

[0348] If terminal node 1 determines that response frame #1 includes response information corresponding to node 1, and terminal node 2 determines that response frame #1 includes response information corresponding to terminal node 2, then terminal node 1 and terminal node 2 respectively receive their respective response information. In the next sub-window (i.e., the second sub-window), terminal node 1 and terminal node 2 may stop receiving response frame #2 sent by the broadcast terminal G node.

[0349] According to the information in the "response window", after receiving response frame #1 in the first sub-window, terminal node 3 and terminal node 4 determine that response frame #1 does not contain their corresponding response information. Then, in the next sub-window (i.e. the second sub-window), terminal node 3 and terminal node 4 continue to receive response frame #2 sent by broadcast terminal G node.

[0350] After receiving response frame #2, terminal node 3 and terminal node 4 determine that response frame #2 contains their corresponding response information based on the "peer media access layer identifier" carried in response frame #2, and then receive the corresponding response information respectively.

[0351] In the above, the G node can carry "response window" information, such as the time information of the response window and the total number of response sub-windows within it, in the "discovery access resource configuration information" of the extended broadcast frame. This "response window" includes response sub-windows corresponding to at least two response frames. After receiving the "discovery access resource configuration information" from the extended broadcast frame, the terminal node can obtain this "response window" information. Based on this information, the terminal node can effectively and accurately determine the start time information of each response sub-window. In subsequent request and response processes, the terminal node can accurately receive the corresponding response frame based on the start time information of each response sub-window. This method effectively enables the continuous transmission of multiple response frames between the G node and the terminal node, thereby improving the efficiency of responding to terminal node requests.

[0352] The following describes the implementation scheme for the broadcast end G node to carry "response window" information in the extended broadcast frame:

[0353] In extended broadcast frames, a new data type index is added to indicate the enhanced "Discovery Access Resource Configuration Information" (hereinafter referred to as "Enhanced Information"). This means the enhanced "Discovery Access Resource Configuration Information" is included in the extended broadcast frame and can include "Number of Responses" and "Response Window" time information (i.e., "Response Window" information). For example, data type index 0x09x is used to indicate the enhanced information (as described above). Figure 6 The example shown in the scheme illustrates a preset discovery access resource configuration information. The "enhanced information" can include "number of responses" and "response window" time information, as well as information from the current "discovery access resource configuration information." The current "discovery access resource configuration information" can include: request offset, maximum request length, and request-response offset, etc.

[0354] In the above, the "number of responses" information is used to indicate the total number of response sub-windows in the response window. The time information of the "response window" may include, but is not limited to, information on the total duration of the response window and information on the offset of the response end (as described above). Figure 6 Examples of response end time information in the shown scheme), or one or more of the duration information in the response sub-window.

[0355] See Figure 10As shown, the information regarding the total duration of the response window is used to indicate the total duration of the response window, that is, the total duration from the start time of the response window to the end time of the response window. The information regarding the offset at the end of the response is used to indicate the offset at the end of the response, that is, the duration from the start time of the G node sending the extended broadcast frame to the end time of the response window (or the time when the G node stops responding). The duration information of the response sub-windows is used to indicate the duration of the response sub-windows within the response window, that is, the duration from the start time of the response sub-window to the end time of the response sub-window. In this embodiment of the application, an example is taken where the durations of all response sub-windows within the response window are equal.

[0356] The timing information of the "response window" may also include other information that can calculate the start time of each response sub-window, such as the offset of each response sub-window, which will not be listed in detail here.

[0357] Figure 11 The illustration shows a structural diagram of an enhanced version of "discovery access resource configuration information" (i.e., "enhanced information") provided in an embodiment of this application. See also... Figure 11 As shown, this enhanced "Discovery Access Resource Configuration Information" includes: the request offset (bytes 0 and 1), the maximum request length (byte 2), and the request response offset (bytes 3 and 4), as well as information on the total duration of the response window (or the offset at the end of the response, or the duration of the response sub-window) (bytes 5 and 6). In byte 7, some bits can be used to carry "response count" information to indicate the number of responses. This enhanced "Discovery Access Resource Configuration Information" may also include other information currently present in the "Discovery Access Resource Configuration Information," such as request type flags, request carried information indicators, peer media access layer identifier type, identifier indicators, and peer media access layer identifiers, which will not be detailed further.

[0358] On the requesting end, after any of the terminal nodes 1 to 4 receives the enhanced "Discovery Access Resource Configuration Information" (i.e., "Enhanced Information") in the extended broadcast frame, it can perform the following steps:

[0359] The enhanced "Discovery Access Resource Configuration Information" (i.e., "Enhanced Information") includes not only the information in the current "Discovery Access Resource Configuration Information", but also "Number of Responses" and "Response Window" time information.

[0360] If the time information of the "Response Window" includes the total duration of the response window, the "Response Sub-Window Duration" is calculated as follows:

[0361] Response sub-window duration = Total response window duration / Number of responses;

[0362] The start time of each response sub-window is: the offset of the request response + n * the duration of the response sub-window; n is an integer, and 0≤n≤N-1, where N is the total number of response sub-windows.

[0363] If the time information of the "Response Window" includes the offset of the response end, the "Response Sub-Window Time Length" is calculated as follows:

[0364] Response sub-window duration = floor((offset of response end - offset of requested response) / number of responses);

[0365] The start time of each response window is: the offset of the request response + n * the duration of the response sub-window; n is an integer, and 0≤n≤N-1, where N is the total number of response sub-windows.

[0366] If the time information of the "Response Window" includes the duration information of the response sub-window, then the start time of each response window is: the offset of the request response + n * the duration of the response sub-window.

[0367] In the above, n is an integer, and 0≤n≤N-1, where N is the total number of responding child windows; " / " is the division sign, "=" is the equal sign, "*" is the multiplication sign, " / " is the division sign, and "floor()" means round down.

[0368] In one possible implementation, the enhanced "Discovery Access Resource Configuration Information" (i.e., the "Enhanced Information") may further include type information for the response sub-windows. For example, the enhanced "Discovery Access Resource Configuration Information" (i.e., the "Enhanced Information") may also include type information for N response sub-windows, which can be applied one-to-one to indicate the type of response frames sent by the N response sub-windows. The response frames sent by the N response sub-windows may include one or more types of response frames, such as access response frames, query response frames, or mixed response frames; N is the total number of response sub-windows.

[0369] In implementation method three, the extended broadcast frame uses an enhanced version of the "discovery access resource configuration information" (i.e., "enhanced information"). This enhanced information includes information about the "response window," which can contain multiple sub-windows. This enables continuous transmission of multiple response frames, improving the response rate between devices / nodes. In broadcast access scenarios, this supports high-concurrency connection establishment in the network, effectively shortening the time nodes / devices wait for responses and improving the efficiency of establishing connections between devices / nodes.

[0370] Implementation Method Four:

[0371] Compared with the above-described implementation method three, the difference in implementation method four is that: based on the above... Figure 6 The scheme shown is implemented in the second way, which involves carrying the first information in the first broadcast frame. In this second way, new data type index information is added to the extended broadcast frame. The new data type index information is used to indicate the information of the "response window" so as to realize the continuous transmission of multiple response frames.

[0372] In one possible implementation, the G node can add a new "data type index" to the extended broadcast frame, for example, information with a "data type index" of 0x10 (as described above). Figure 6 (Example of preset data type information in the scheme shown) The new "data type index" information includes "number of responses" information and "response window" time information.

[0373] The content corresponding to the "number of responses" information and the "response window" time information can be referred to the description of the "number of responses" information and the "response window" time information in the above-described implementation method three, and will not be repeated here.

[0374] For example, Figure 12A and Figure 12B as well as Figure 12C The diagram illustrates the different time information of the "response window" carried by the "data type index" 0x10.

[0375] like Figure 12A The diagram illustrates a structure of the new "data type index" 0x10 information in an extended broadcast frame. This 0x10 information may include the data type index (0x10), data length, total duration of the response window, and "number of responses" information. The data type index and data length can each occupy one byte. The data type index indicates the data type, and the data length indicates that the data carried in this 0x10 information is three bytes long. The total duration of the response window can occupy two bytes, and the "number of responses" information can occupy a portion of one byte.

[0376] Compared to Figure 12A The information shown is related to the new "Data Type Index" 0x10. Figure 12B The main difference in the new "Data Type Index" 0x10 information shown is that it includes information about the offset at the end of the response. Figure 12C The main difference in the new "Data Type Index" 0x10 information shown is that it includes: the duration information of the response child window. Figure 12B and Figure 12C Other information carried in Figure 12A The same applies; please refer to the above. Figure 12A The details of that will not be repeated here.

[0377] In one possible implementation, the new "data type index" information may also include type information for the response sub-windows. For example, the new "data type index" information may also include type information for N response sub-windows, which can be applied one-to-one to indicate the type of response frames sent by the N response sub-windows. The response frames sent by the N response sub-windows may include one or more types of response frames, such as access response frames, query response frames, or mixed response frames; N is the total number of response sub-windows.

[0378] In Implementation Method Four, a new "data type index" is used in the extended broadcast frame, which includes information about the "response window." Similar to Implementation Method Three, this response window can include multiple sub-windows, enabling continuous transmission of multiple response frames and improving the response rate between devices / nodes. In broadcast access scenarios, it supports high-concurrency connection establishment in the network, effectively shortening the time nodes / devices wait for responses and improving the efficiency of establishing connections between devices / nodes.

[0379] Implementation Method 5:

[0380] In Implementation Method 5, a "hybrid response frame" scheme provided by the embodiments of this application is introduced. The "hybrid response frame" is used to respond to, but is not limited to, query requests and access requests, so as to achieve a unified response to multiple processes (including query process and access process).

[0381] For example, see Figure 13 As shown, terminal nodes 1 to 4 send request frames to broadcast node G, corresponding to query request frame #1, access request frame #2, query request frame #3, and access request frame #4. Correspondingly, broadcast node G successfully accepts these four request frames after receiving them in the mixed reception window.

[0382] Furthermore, in order to respond to the access request frame to terminal nodes 1 to 4, the broadcaster can generate two hybrid response frames, namely the first hybrid response frame (hereinafter referred to as hybrid response frame #1) and the second hybrid response frame (hereinafter referred to as hybrid response frame #2).

[0383] The mixed response frame #1 may include one query response information #1 and one access response information #1 (as well as transmission indication information #1), wherein the query response information #1 is used to respond to the query request frame #1 (or query request frame #3), and the access response information #1 is used to respond to the access request frame #2 (or access request frame #4).

[0384] The mixed response frame #2 may include one query response information #2 and one access response information #2 (as well as transmission indication information #2), wherein the query response information #2 is used to respond to the query request frame #3 (or query request frame #1), and the access response information #2 is used to respond to the access request frame #4 (or access request frame #2).

[0385] In this embodiment, the broadcast node G responds to the four request frames in either the order in which they are received or not; no specific restriction is imposed. Furthermore, the fact that the number of response information items contained in the aforementioned mixed response frame #1 and mixed response frame #2 is merely an example. In actual applications, the number of response information items contained in different mixed response frames may be equal or unequal; no specific restriction is imposed in this regard either.

[0386] For example, in hybrid response frame #1, query response information #1 is used to respond to query request frame #1, and access response information #1 is used to respond to access request frame #2. In hybrid response frame #2, query response information #2 is used to respond to query request frame #3, and access response information #2 is used to respond to access request frame #4.

[0387] The following describes one implementation scheme for "hybrid response frames":

[0388] In one possible implementation, new values ​​(e.g., 6) are used in the physical layer control information A1 (0b00001) and B5 (10101) as identifiers for "hybrid response" and "hybrid response message", respectively, to indicate that the response frame contains both query response information and access response information.

[0389] In this application, the use cases of physical layer control information A1 may include one or more of the following: basic broadcast frame, extended broadcast frame, query request frame, query response frame, access request frame, access response frame, or mixed response frame.

[0390] For example, control information A1 includes a link quality indicator (8 bits), broadcast type (3 bits), packet type (3 bits), data length indicator (8 bits), and cyclic redundancy check (12 bits). Control information A1 also includes 6 bits as reserved bits.

[0391] Table 4 below shows the fields in control information A1 and their corresponding descriptions. For packet type fields, a value of 6 can be used to indicate / indicate a mixed response.

[0392] Table 4

[0393]

[0394]

[0395] Radio frame type 1 and radio frame type 2 use physical layer control information group A1. If radio frame type 1 does not contain a link quality indicator field, the control information is 32 bits long and uncoded. If radio frame type 2 contains a link quality indicator field, the control information is 40 bits long and is coded to 64 bits through the polar channel.

[0396] The values ​​in Table 4 above are just examples. For example, the fields for package types can also take other values ​​to represent / indicate mixed responses, such as positive integers other than 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

[0397] For example, control information B5 includes fields for message type indication (3 bits), accessibility indication (1 bit), queryability indication (1 bit), whether it contains directed content indication (1 bit), whether it contains non-directed content indication (1 bit), data update indication (1 bit), modulation and coding rate indication (4 bits), data length indication (8 bits), and cyclic redundancy check (24 bits). Control information B5 also includes 7 bits as reserved bits for future version feature expansion.

[0398] In this application, the use scenarios of control information B5 may include one or more of the following: basic broadcast frame, extended broadcast frame, query request frame, query response frame, access request frame, access response frame, or mixed response frame.

[0399] Table 5 below shows the fields in control information B5 and their corresponding descriptions. For the field indicating the message type, a value of 6 can be used to indicate / indicate a mixed response message.

[0400] Table 5

[0401]

[0402] The values ​​in Table 5 above are just examples. For example, the field indicating the message type can also take other values ​​to represent / indicate mixed response messages, such as positive integers other than 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

[0403] In Implementation Method Five, a hybrid response scheme proposed in this application is described in detail. The broadcast end can respond to both query and access requests using a single response frame, thereby unifying the query and access processes. In other words, a single process can simultaneously handle both query and access requests. Therefore, this scheme can significantly improve the response efficiency of queries and access requests while effectively reducing resource overhead. Of course, the hybrid response scheme proposed in this application is also applicable to other request scenarios. That is, a single response frame can be used to respond to multiple different requests, unifying multiple request processes, thereby improving network response efficiency and reducing resource overhead.

[0404] Implementation Method Six:

[0405] In Implementation Method Six, we mainly introduce a scheme that combines Implementation Method Five with Implementation Method One (or Implementation Method Two) (i.e.) Figure 5 (Example of the scheme shown). The following example illustrates the interaction between node G and terminal nodes 1 to 6.

[0406] See Figure 14A As shown, the method flow of this sixth embodiment may include the following steps:

[0407] S1401A: Node G broadcasts multiple basic broadcast frames; correspondingly, terminal nodes 1 to 6 receive multiple basic broadcast frames respectively.

[0408] In one possible implementation, node G transmits basic broadcast frames sequentially through broadcast channels A, B, and C in chronological order. The content of the basic broadcast frames can be found in the description of basic broadcast frames in current technology, and will not be detailed here.

[0409] S1402A: Node G broadcasts an extended broadcast frame; correspondingly, terminal nodes 1 to 6 receive the extended broadcast frame, which means they can query and access the network.

[0410] S1403A: Terminal nodes 1 through 6 send request frames to node G respectively; correspondingly, node G receives the request frames from terminal nodes 1 through 6 in the mixed reception window. The request frames from terminal nodes 1 through 6 include query request frames and access request frames.

[0411] The implementation method of this application does not impose specific restrictions on the order in which terminal nodes 1 to 6 send request frames to node G.

[0412] S1404A: The G node responds to the request frames from terminal nodes 1 to 6, generating mixed response frames #1, #2, and #3.

[0413] S1405A: Node G sends a hybrid response frame #1; correspondingly, terminal nodes 1 to 6 receive hybrid response frames #1. Hybrid response frame #1 is used to respond to the request frames from terminal nodes 1 and 2, and also indicates the offset of the next hybrid response frame #2.

[0414] In one possible implementation, the hybrid response frame #1 includes "offset of the next response frame" information, which is used to indicate the offset of the hybrid response frame #2, i.e., the duration / time interval between the start time of G node sending hybrid response frame #1 and the start time of G node sending hybrid response frame #2.

[0415] Regarding how to carry the "offset of the next response frame" information in the mixed response frame #1, please refer to the description in Implementation Method 1 (carrying the "offset of the next response frame" information in the access response information) or Implementation Method 2 (carrying the "offset of the next response frame" information in the information using the new data type), which will not be described in detail here.

[0416] Therefore, each terminal node can determine the start time of receiving the subsequent mixed response frame #2 based on the start time of receiving the mixed response frame #1 and the offset of the mixed response frame #2.

[0417] Optionally, the hybrid response frame #1 may also include "number of offsets" information and / or "type of the next response frame" information. The "number of offsets" information is used to indicate the number of offsets carrying the response frame, and the "type of the next response frame" information can be used to indicate that the next response frame is a hybrid response frame.

[0418] S1406A: Node G sends a hybrid response frame #2; correspondingly, terminal nodes 3 to 6 receive hybrid response frame #2 at the determined start time of receiving hybrid response frame #2. Hybrid response frame #2 is used to respond to the requests from terminal nodes 3 and 4, and also indicates the offset of the next hybrid response frame #3.

[0419] In one possible implementation, the hybrid response frame #2 includes "offset of the next response frame" information, which is used to indicate the offset of the hybrid response frame #3, i.e., the duration / time interval between the start time of G node sending hybrid response frame #2 and the start time of G node sending hybrid response frame #3.

[0420] Regarding how to carry the "offset of the next response frame" information in the hybrid response frame #2, please refer to the description in Implementation Method 1 (carrying the "offset of the next response frame" information in the access response information) or Implementation Method 2 (carrying the "offset of the next response frame" information in the information using the new data type), which will not be described in detail here.

[0421] Furthermore, terminal nodes 3 to 6 can determine the start time of receiving the subsequent mixed response frame #3 based on the start time of receiving the mixed response frame #2 and the offset of the mixed response frame #3.

[0422] Optionally, the hybrid response frame #2 may also include "number of offsets" information and / or "type of the next response frame" information. The "number of offsets" information indicates the number of offsets carrying the response frame, and the "type of the next response frame" information can be used to indicate that the next response frame is a hybrid response frame.

[0423] S1407A: Node G sends a mixed response frame #3; correspondingly, nodes 5 and 6 receive the mixed response frame #3 at the determined start time of receiving the mixed response frame #3. The mixed response frame #2 is used to respond to the requests from terminal nodes 3 and 4.

[0424] For example, based on the above S1401A to S1407A, Figure 14B The diagram illustrates the transmission flow of Implementation Method 5 combined with Implementation Method 1 (or Implementation Method 2). The broadcasting node G can send basic broadcast frames sequentially through three broadcast channels. The terminal nodes (representing multiple terminal nodes 1 to 6) receive these three basic broadcast frames. Then, node G broadcasts extended broadcast frames. Correspondingly, the terminal nodes receive the extended broadcast frames and can initiate either a query or an access request. Next, the terminal nodes initiate mixed requests; for example, terminal nodes 1 to 6 send request frames to node G, corresponding to query request frame #1, access request frame #2, query request frame #3, access request frame #4, query request frame #5, and access request frame #6, respectively. Correspondingly, node G receives these six request frames in the mixed reception window. Furthermore, the G node sends the mixed response frame #1, then the mixed response frame #2, and then the mixed response frame #3 in chronological order. The mixed response frame #1 is used to indicate the offset of the next response frame (i.e., mixed response frame #2), and the mixed response frame #2 is used to indicate the offset of the next response frame (i.e., mixed response frame #3).

[0425] In Implementation Method Six, another possible implementation is also included, namely, in the above-described 1404A and S1405A, the mixed response frame #1 may include the offset of the mixed response frame #2 and the offset of the mixed response frame #3; wherein, the offset of the mixed response frame #2 is the duration between the start time of the G node sending the mixed response frame #1 and the start time of the G node sending the mixed response frame #2, and the offset of the mixed response frame #3 is the duration between the start time of the G node sending the mixed response frame #1 and the start time of the G node sending the mixed response frame #3.

[0426] The aforementioned hybrid response frame #1 may also include "number of offsets" information and / or type information for two response frames. The "number of offsets" information indicates that the number of offsets carrying the response frame is two, and the type information for the two response frames can be applied one-to-one to indicate that it is a hybrid response frame.

[0427] Regarding how to carry offset information of multiple response frames in the mixed response frame #1, please refer to the above description in Implementation Method 1 (carrying offset information of M response frames in the access response information, where M is an integer greater than 1) or Implementation Method 2 (carrying offset information of M response frames in the information of a new data type, where M is an integer greater than 1), which will not be detailed here.

[0428] After receiving the mixed response frame #1, terminal nodes 1 to 6 can determine the start time of receiving the mixed response frame #2 based on the start time of receiving the mixed response frame #1 and the offset of the mixed response frame #2, and determine the start time of receiving the mixed response frame #3 based on the start time of receiving the mixed response frame #1 and the offset of the mixed response frame #3.

[0429] Furthermore, in S1406A, terminal nodes 3 to 6 can receive the mixed response frame #2 at the start of receiving the mixed response frame #2; in S1407A, terminal nodes 5 and 6 can receive the mixed response frame #3 at the start of receiving the mixed response frame #3.

[0430] It should be noted that S1404A to S1407A above are examples illustrating one implementation method by having the G node sequentially send three mixed response frames (mixed response frame #1, mixed response frame #2, and mixed response frame #3). In practical applications, the G node is not limited to sending consecutive mixed response frames to the terminal nodes; it can also send different types of response frames in combination. For example, the G node might first send mixed response frames to terminal nodes 1 through 6, then send query response frames, and then send query response frames again. Or, for another example, the G node might first send query response frames to terminal nodes 1 through 6, then send mixed response frames, and then send access response frames. Regardless of the type of the multiple response frames transmitted, the implementation can refer to the content in S1404A to S1407A above, and will not be detailed here.

[0431] In Implementation Method Six, the scheme of carrying the offset of the next one or more response frames in the response frame is combined with the mixed response scheme. This not only enables the continuous transmission of multiple mixed response frames, but also unifies the query process and access process, thereby significantly improving the response efficiency in the network and reducing resource overhead.

[0432] Implementation Method Seven:

[0433] In Implementation Method Seven, we mainly introduce another scheme combining Implementation Method Five with Implementation Method Three (or Implementation Method Four) (i.e. Figure 6 (Example of the scheme shown). The following example illustrates the interaction between node G and terminal nodes 1 to 6.

[0434] See Figure 15A As shown, the method flow of this embodiment seven may include the following steps:

[0435] S1501A: Node G broadcasts multiple basic broadcast frames. Correspondingly, terminal nodes 1 to 6 each receive multiple basic broadcast frames.

[0436] In one possible implementation, node G transmits basic broadcast frames sequentially through broadcast channels A, B, and C in chronological order. The content of the basic broadcast frames can be found in the description of basic broadcast frames in current technology, and will not be detailed here.

[0437] S1502A: G node broadcasts an extended broadcast frame; correspondingly, terminal nodes 1 to 6 receive the extended broadcast frame respectively, allowing querying and access. The extended broadcast frame includes information about the "response window" (such as the "number of responses" and the time information of the "response window"), and the "response window" includes 4 response sub-windows.

[0438] In one possible implementation, the information of the "response window" includes "number of responses" information and "time information of the response window". The time information of the "response window" may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: the total duration of the response window, the offset at the end of the response, or the duration of the response sub-window.

[0439] Optionally, the information of the "response window" may also include the type information of the "response sub-window", which is used to indicate the type of response frame sent by the response sub-window.

[0440] Regarding how to carry the "response window" information (such as the "response count" information and the "response window" time information) in the extended broadcast frame, please refer to the description in Implementation Method 3 (using the enhanced "discovery access resource configuration information" to carry the "response count" information and the "response window" time information in the extended broadcast frame) or Implementation Method 4 (using the information of the new data type index to carry the "response count" information and the "response window" time information in the extended broadcast frame), which will not be repeated here.

[0441] S1503A: Terminal nodes 1 to 6 determine the start time corresponding to each response sub-window based on the information of the "response window".

[0442] For details on how each terminal node determines / calculates the start time corresponding to these four response sub-windows, please refer to the description in Implementation Method 3 above, which will not be elaborated here.

[0443] S1504A: Terminal nodes 1 through 6 send request frames to node G respectively; correspondingly, node G receives the request frames from terminal nodes 1 through 6 within the mixed reception window. The six request frames sent by terminal nodes 1 through 6 include query request frames and access request frames.

[0444] The implementation method of this application does not impose specific restrictions on the order in which terminal nodes 1 to 6 send request frames to node G.

[0445] S1505A: The G node responds to the request frames from terminal nodes 1 to 6, generating mixed response frames #1, #2, and #3.

[0446] S1506A: Node G sends a mixed response frame #1; correspondingly, terminal nodes 1 to 6 receive the mixed response frame #1 at the start time corresponding to the first response sub-window. The mixed response frame #1 is used to respond to the request frames from terminal nodes 1 and 2.

[0447] S1507A: Node G sends a mixed response frame #2; correspondingly, terminal nodes 3 to 6 receive mixed response frame #2 at the start time corresponding to the second response sub-window. Mixed response frame #2 is used to respond to the request frames from terminal nodes 3 and 4.

[0448] S1508A: Node G sends a mixed response frame #3; correspondingly, terminal nodes 5 and 6 receive mixed response frame #3 at the start time of the third response sub-window. Mixed response frame #3 is used to respond to the request frames of terminal nodes 5 and 6.

[0449] For example, based on the above S1501A to S1508A, Figure 15B The diagram illustrates the transmission flow of Implementation Method 5 combined with Implementation Method 3 (or Implementation Method 4). The broadcasting node G can send basic broadcast frames sequentially through three broadcast channels. The terminal nodes (representing multiple terminal nodes 1 to 6) receive these three basic broadcast frames. Then, node G broadcasts extended broadcast frames. Correspondingly, the terminal nodes receive the extended broadcast frames and can initiate either a query or an access request. The extended broadcast frames carry information about the "response window" (i.e., the number of responses and the time information of the "response window"). The terminal nodes can determine the start time of each response sub-window based on the "response window" information. Next, the terminal nodes initiate mixed requests. For example, terminal nodes 1 to 6 send request frames to node G, corresponding to query request frame #1, access request frame #2, query request frame #3, access request frame #4, query request frame #5, and access request frame #6, respectively. Correspondingly, node G receives these six request frames within the mixed reception window. Furthermore, in chronological order, the G node first sends the mixed response frame #1, and correspondingly, terminal nodes 1 to 6 begin receiving the mixed response frame #1 at the beginning of the first response sub-window; then, the G node sends the mixed response frame #2, and terminal nodes 3 to 6 begin receiving the mixed response frame #2 at the beginning of the second response sub-window; next, the G node sends the mixed response frame #3, and terminal nodes 5 and 6 begin receiving the mixed response frame #3 at the beginning of the third response sub-window.

[0450] It should be noted that S1505A to S1508A described above are examples of using the response window provided by the G node to the terminal node for transmitting multiple mixed response frames. In practical applications, the response window provided by the G node to the terminal node is not limited to sending multiple mixed response frames; it can also be used to transmit multiple different types of response frames (such as one or more of access response frames, query response frames, and mixed response frames). All of these can be implemented with reference to the above content, and will not be detailed here.

[0451] In Implementation Method Seven, the scheme of carrying "response window" information in the extended broadcast frame is combined with the mixed response scheme. This not only enables the continuous transmission of multiple mixed response frames, but also unifies the query process and access process, thereby significantly improving the response efficiency in the network and reducing resource overhead.

[0452] It should be understood that existing technologies may change as technical solutions evolve, and the technical solutions provided in this application are not limited to the existing technologies provided.

[0453] It should be noted that different embodiments or some steps (e.g., any one or more steps) in different embodiments of this application can be combined with each other to form new embodiments. Furthermore, this application does not limit the inclusion of any one or more steps in different embodiments as including optional steps in a certain embodiment, mandatory steps in a certain embodiment, or both optional and mandatory steps in a certain embodiment.

[0454] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions between different implementation methods are consistent and can be referenced from each other.

[0455] It should be noted that the order of the steps in the embodiments of this application is determined by the logic of the scheme, and this application does not limit it.

[0456] It should be noted that the order in which different conditions are judged in the embodiments of this application is not limited by this application.

[0457] It should be noted that the terms "after" and "time" in this application do not strictly limit the specific point in time.

[0458] It should be noted that the nouns and terms used in this application are merely examples and may be other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0459] In the embodiments provided above, the methods provided by the embodiments of this application have been described from the perspective of interaction between various devices. To implement the functions of the methods provided in the embodiments or implementations of this application, the management node or terminal node may include hardware structures and / or software modules, implementing the above functions in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules. Whether a particular function is executed in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0460] The module division in this embodiment is illustrative and represents only one logical functional division; in actual implementation, other division methods may be used. Furthermore, the functional modules in the various embodiments or implementations of this application can be integrated into a single processor, exist as separate physical entities, or be integrated into a single module. The integrated modules described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules.

[0461] Similar to the above concept, such as Figure 16 As shown, this application embodiment also provides a communication device 1600 for implementing the functions of a management node or terminal node in the above method. For example, the communication device 1600 can be a software module or a chip system. In this application embodiment, the chip system can be composed of chips or can include chips and other discrete devices. The communication device 1600 may include: a communication unit 1601 and a processing unit 1602.

[0462] In this embodiment, the communication unit 1601, also known as the transceiver unit, may include a sending unit and / or a receiving unit, respectively used to perform the sending and receiving steps of the management node or terminal node in the above method embodiments. The processing unit 1602 may be used to read instructions and / or data from the storage module so that the communication device 1600 implements the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0463] Optionally, the communication device 1600 may further include a storage unit 1603, which is equivalent to a storage module and can be used to store instructions and / or data.

[0464] The following, combined with Figure 16 and Figure 17 This application provides a detailed description of the communication device provided in its embodiments. It should be understood that the descriptions of the device embodiments correspond to the descriptions of the method embodiments; therefore, any content not described in detail can be found above. Figure 5 and Figure 6 as well as Figure 14A and Figure 15A The method shown is used to achieve this, and for the sake of simplicity, it will not be described in detail here.

[0465] The communication unit 1601 can also be referred to as a transceiver, transceiver, or transceiver device. The processing unit can also be referred to as a processor, processing board, processing module, or processing device. Optionally, the device in the communication unit 1601 used to implement the receiving function can be considered a receiving unit, and the device in the communication unit 1601 used to implement the transmitting function can be considered a transmitting unit; that is, the communication unit 1601 includes both a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. The communication unit can sometimes also be referred to as a transceiver, transceiver circuit, or transceiver unit. The receiving unit can sometimes be referred to as a receiver, receiver, or receiving circuit. The transmitting unit can sometimes be referred to as a transmitter, transmitter, or transmitting circuit.

[0466] When the communication device 1600 is applied in the above embodiment Figure 5 When managing nodes in the process shown: the processing unit 1602 is used to generate a first response frame, which includes first information. The first information is used to indicate the time information for transmitting a second response frame, and the second response frame is transmitted after the first response frame; the communication unit 1601 is used to send the first response frame.

[0467] When the communication device 1600 is applied in the above embodiment Figure 5 In the process shown, at the terminal node: the communication unit 1601 is used to receive a first response frame, the first response frame including first information, the first information being used to indicate the time information for transmitting a second response frame, the second response frame being transmitted after the first response frame; the processing unit 1602 is used to determine the time information for receiving the second response frame based on the first information.

[0468] When the communication device 1600 is applied in the above embodiment Figure 6 When managing nodes in the process shown: the processing unit 1602 is used to generate a first broadcast frame; the first broadcast frame includes second information, which is used to indicate the time information of the response window, and the response window includes at least two response sub-windows corresponding to the response frames respectively; the communication unit 1601 is used to send the first broadcast frame.

[0469] When the communication device 1600 is applied in the above embodiment Figure 6 In the process shown, at the terminal node: the communication unit 1601 is used to receive a first broadcast frame, the first broadcast frame including second information, the second information being used to indicate the time information of the response window, the response window including response sub-windows corresponding to at least two response frames; the processing unit 1602 is used to determine the time information for receiving the at least two response frames based on the time information of the response window.

[0470] The above is just an example. Processing unit 1602 and communication unit 1601 can also perform other functions. For a more detailed description, please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figure 5 and Figure 6 as well as Figure 14A and Figure 15A The relevant descriptions in the method embodiments shown are not repeated here.

[0471] like Figure 17 The image shown is a communication device 1700 provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 17 The communication device shown can be Figure 16 The diagram illustrates one hardware circuit implementation of the communication device. This communication device 1700 can be applied to the flowchart shown above to perform the functions of the first or second device in the method embodiments described. For ease of explanation, Figure 17 Only the main components of the communication device are shown.

[0472] like Figure 17 As shown, the communication device 1700 includes a communication interface 1701 and a processor 1702. The communication interface 1701 and the processor 1702 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the communication interface 1701 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface, or an interface circuit such as a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the communication device 1700 may further include a memory 1703 for storing instructions executed by the processor 1702, or storing input data required by the processor 1702 to execute instructions, or storing data generated after the processor 1702 executes instructions.

[0473] When the communication device 1700 is used to achieve Figure 5 and Figure 6 as well as Figure 14A and Figure 15A In the method shown, the communication interface 1701 is used to implement the functions of the communication unit 1601, and the processor 1702 is used to implement the functions of the processing unit 1602.

[0474] This application embodiment does not limit the specific connection medium between the communication interface 1701, processor 1702, and memory 1703. This application embodiment... Figure 17 The memory 1703, processor 1702, and communication interface 1701 are connected via a communication bus 1704. The communication bus 1704 is in... Figure 17 The connections between other components are shown in bold lines only and are not intended to be limiting. The communication bus 1704 can be divided into address bus, data bus, control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, Figure 17 The bus is represented by a single thick line, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0475] When the aforementioned communication device is a chip. Figure 18A simplified schematic diagram of a chip device structure is shown. The chip 1800 includes an interface circuit 1801 and one or more processors 1802. Optionally, the chip 1800 may also include a bus. The processor 1802 may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. In implementation, each step of the method for determining service node information can be completed by the integrated logic circuitry in the hardware of the processor 1802 or by instructions in software form. The processor 1802 may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components. It can implement or execute the methods and steps disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0476] The interface circuit 1801 can be used to send or receive data, instructions or information. The processor 1802 can use the data, instructions or other information received by the interface circuit 1801 to process the data, instructions or other information, and can send the processed information out through the interface circuit 1801.

[0477] Optionally, chip 1800 also includes memory 1803, which may include read-only memory and random access memory, and provides operation instructions and data to the processor. A portion of memory 1803 may also include non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM).

[0478] Optionally, the memory stores executable software modules or data structures, and the processor can execute corresponding operations by calling the operation instructions stored in the memory (which may be stored in the operating system).

[0479] Optionally, the chip can be used in the management node or terminal node involved in the embodiments of this application. Optionally, the interface circuit 1801 can be used to output the execution result of the processor 1802. For the communication methods provided by one or more embodiments of this application, please refer to the foregoing embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0480] It should be noted that the functions of the interface circuit 1801 and the processor 1802 can be implemented through hardware design, software design, or a combination of hardware and software; no restrictions are imposed here.

[0481] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions for implementing the methods executed by a management node or a terminal node in the above method embodiments.

[0482] For example, when the computer program is executed by a computer, it enables the computer to implement the methods executed by the management node or terminal node in the above method embodiments.

[0483] This application also provides a computer program product containing instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to implement the method executed by the management node or terminal node in the above method embodiments.

[0484] This application also provides a chip, including a processor, for calling computer programs or computer instructions stored in the memory, so that the processor executes the above-mentioned... Figure 5 and Figure 6 as well as Figure 14A and Figure 15A The communication method shown is a specific implementation method.

[0485] In one possible implementation, the input of the chip corresponds to the above. Figure 5 and Figure 6 as well as Figure 14A and Figure 15A The receiving operation shown in the implementation corresponds to the output of the chip described above. Figure 5 and Figure 6 as well as Figure 14A and Figure 15A The sending operation in the implementation shown.

[0486] Optionally, the processor is coupled to the memory via an interface.

[0487] Optionally, the chip also includes a memory that stores computer programs or computer instructions.

[0488] The processor mentioned above can be a general-purpose central processing unit, a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more devices used to control the above. Figure 5 and Figure 6 as well as Figure 14A and Figure 15AThe illustrated embodiment / implementation is an integrated circuit for program execution of a communication method. The memory mentioned above can be read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices capable of storing static information and instructions, such as random access memory (RAM).

[0489] It should be noted that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the explanations and beneficial effects of the relevant content in any of the communication devices provided above can be referred to the corresponding service node information determination method embodiments provided above, and will not be repeated here.

[0490] In this application, the communication devices may further include a hardware layer, an operating system layer running on top of the hardware layer, and an application layer running on the operating system layer. The hardware layer may include hardware such as a central processing unit (CPU), a memory management unit (MMU), and memory (also known as main memory). The operating system layer may be any one or more computer operating systems that implement business processing through processes, such as Linux, Unix, Android, iOS, or Windows. The application layer may include applications such as browsers, address books, word processing software, and instant messaging software.

[0491] The module division in this embodiment is illustrative and represents only one logical functional division. In actual implementation, other division methods may be used. Furthermore, the functional modules in each embodiment of this application can be integrated into a single processor, exist as separate physical entities, or be integrated into a single module. The integrated modules described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules.

[0492] Through the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art will clearly understand that the embodiments of this application can be implemented in hardware, firmware, or a combination thereof. When implemented in software, the above 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 storage media and communication media, wherein communication media include any medium that facilitates the transfer of a computer program from one place to another. Storage media can be any available medium accessible to a computer. For example, but not limited to, computer-readable media can include RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, magnetic disk storage media, or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and accessible to a computer. Furthermore, any connection can suitably be a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of the medium. As used in embodiments of this application, disks and discs include compact discs (CDs), laser discs, optical discs, digital video discs (DVDs), floppy disks, and Blu-ray discs, wherein disks typically magnetically copy data, while discs optically copy data using lasers. The combinations above should also be included within the scope of protection for computer-readable media.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to management nodes, the method includes: A first response frame is generated, the first response frame includes first information, the first information is used to indicate the time information for transmitting a second response frame, and the second response frame is transmitted after the first response frame; Send the first response frame.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The timing information for transmitting the second response frame is any one of the following: The duration from the start time of transmitting the first response frame to the start time of transmitting the second response frame; or; The duration from the end of transmitting the first response frame to the end of transmitting the second response frame.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first information is located in the access response information, which is located in the first response frame.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The access response information also includes first indication information, which is used to indicate that the access response information includes the first information.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first information is located in a predetermined data type information, which is located in the first response frame.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The predetermined data type information also includes one or more of the following: Second instruction information, data length information; Wherein, the second indication information is used to indicate the data type of the predetermined data type information, and the data length information is used to indicate the data length carried in the predetermined data type information.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The first response frame or the second response frame is one of the following: Query response frame, access response frame, or mixed response frame; The query response frame is used to respond to query requests, the access response frame is used to respond to access requests, and the hybrid response frame is used to respond to both query requests and access requests.

8. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to terminal nodes, the method includes: A first response frame is received, the first response frame includes first information, the first information is used to indicate the time information for transmitting a second response frame, and the second response frame is transmitted after the first response frame; Based on the first information, determine the time information for receiving the second response frame.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The time information for transmitting the second response frame is the duration from the start time of transmitting the first response frame to the start time of transmitting the second response frame; The step of determining the time information for receiving the second response frame based on the first information includes: The start time for receiving the second response frame is determined based on the start time of receiving the first response frame and the duration from the start time of transmitting the first response frame to the start time of transmitting the second response frame.

10. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The time information for transmitting the second response frame is the duration from the end time of transmitting the first response frame to the end time of transmitting the second response frame; The step of determining the time information for receiving the second response frame based on the first information includes: The end time of receiving the second response frame is determined based on the end time of receiving the first response frame and the duration from the end time of transmitting the first response frame to the end time of transmitting the second response frame. The start time for receiving the second response frame is determined based on the end time of receiving the second response frame and the duration of the second response frame.

11. The method according to any one of claims 8-10, characterized in that, The first information is located in the access response information, which is located in the first response frame.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The access response information also includes first indication information, which is used to indicate that the access response information includes the first information.

13. The method according to any one of claims 8-10, characterized in that, The first information is located in a predetermined data type information, which is located in the first response frame.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The predetermined data type information also includes one or more of the following: Second instruction information, data length information; Wherein, the second indication information is used to indicate the data type of the predetermined data type information, and the data length information is used to indicate the data length carried in the predetermined data type information.

15. The method according to any one of claims 8-14, characterized in that, The first response frame or the second response frame is one of the following: Query response frame, access response frame, or mixed response frame; The query response frame is used to respond to query requests, the access response frame is used to respond to access requests, and the hybrid response frame is used to respond to both query requests and access requests.

16. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to management nodes, the method includes: A first broadcast frame is generated; the first broadcast frame includes second information, which is used to indicate the time information of the response window, and the response window includes at least two response sub-windows corresponding to the response frames respectively. Send the first broadcast frame.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The second information is located in the preset discovery access resource configuration information, which is located in the first broadcast frame.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The preset discovery access resource configuration information also includes one or more of the following: The third instruction information, the total number of response sub-windows in the response window, the duration of the access request, or the duration of the access response; Wherein, the third indication information is used to indicate the data type of the preset discovery access resource configuration information, the access request duration information is used to indicate the duration from the start time of transmitting the first broadcast frame to the start time of transmitting the access request, and the access response duration information is used to indicate the duration from the start time of transmitting the first broadcast frame to the start time of the response window.

19. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The second information is located in a preset data type information, which is located in the first broadcast frame.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that, The preset data type information also includes one or more of the following: The fourth instruction information, data length information, or the total number of response sub-windows in the response window; The fourth indication information is used to indicate the data type of the preset data type information, and the data length information is used to indicate the data length carried in the preset data type information.

21. The method according to any one of claims 16-20, characterized in that, The timing information of the response window includes one or more of the following: The total duration of the response window, the time information when the response ends, or the duration information of the response sub-window; The response end time information is used to indicate the duration from the start time of transmitting the first broadcast frame to the end time of the response window, and the response sub-window duration information is used to indicate the duration of the response sub-window.

22. The method according to any one of claims 16-21, characterized in that, The at least two response frames include one or more of the following response frames: Query response frame, access response frame, or mixed response frame; The query response frame is used to respond to query requests, the access response frame is used to respond to access requests, and the hybrid response frame is used to respond to both query requests and access requests.

23. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to terminal nodes, the method includes: Receive a first broadcast frame, the first broadcast frame including second information, the second information being used to indicate the time information of the response window, the response window including at least two response sub-windows corresponding to the response frames; Based on the time information of the response window, determine the time information for receiving the at least two response frames.

24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that, The second information is located in the preset discovery access resource configuration information, which is located in the first broadcast frame.

25. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that, The preset discovery access resource configuration information also includes one or more of the following: The third instruction information, the total number of response sub-windows in the response window, the duration of the access request, or the duration of the access response; Wherein, the third indication information is used to indicate the data type of the preset discovery access resource configuration information, the access request duration information is used to indicate the duration from the start time of transmitting the first broadcast frame to the start time of transmitting the access request, and the access response duration information is used to indicate the duration from the start time of transmitting the first broadcast frame to the start time of the response window.

26. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that, The second information is located in a preset data type information, which is located in the first broadcast frame.

27. The method according to claim 26, characterized in that, The preset data type information also includes one or more of the following: The fourth instruction information, data length information, or the total number of response sub-windows in the response window; The fourth indication information is used to indicate the data type of the preset data type information, and the data length information is used to indicate the data length carried in the preset data type information.

28. The method according to any one of claims 23-27, characterized in that, The timing information of the response window includes one or more of the following: The total duration of the response window, the time information when the response ends, or the duration information of the response sub-window; The response end time information is used to indicate the duration from the start time of transmitting the first broadcast frame to the end time of the response window, and the response sub-window duration information is used to indicate the duration of the response sub-window.

29. The method according to any one of claims 23-28, characterized in that, The at least two response frames include any one or more of the following: Query response frame, access response frame, or mixed response frame; The query response frame is used to respond to query requests, the access response frame is used to respond to access requests, and the hybrid response frame is used to respond to both query requests and access requests.

30. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a unit or module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, or includes a unit or module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 8 to 15, or includes a unit or module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 16 to 22, or includes a unit or module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 23 to 29.

31. A communication device, characterized in that, The method includes a processor and a memory, the memory being used to store program instructions, the processor executing the program instructions causing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 7 to be executed, or causing the method as described in any one of claims 8 to 15 to be executed; or causing the method as described in any one of claims 16 to 22 to be executed; or causing the method as described in any one of claims 23 to 29 to be executed.

32. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer-readable program or instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 15 to be performed, or cause the method as described in any one of claims 16 to 29 to be performed.

33. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, or cause the computer to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 29.

34. A chip, characterized in that, The chip is configured to read and execute computer programs or instructions in a memory to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 15, or to implement the method as described in any one of claims 16 to 29.

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