State switching method and apparatus, device

Abstract

The application discloses a state switching method and device and equipment, and relates to the technical field of communication. The first device can support switching from a first working state to a second working state, so as to perform transmission with a second device in the second working state and guarantee transmission performance. Since the energy consumption of the first device in WLAN communication in the first working state is smaller than that in the second working state, the first device can support switching from the second working state back to the first working state, so as to reduce the energy consumption of the first device and realize efficient energy saving. In this way, the balance between energy saving and transmission performance is realized by switching between the first working state and the second working state.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In the IEEE 802.11 protocol family, non-access point stations (non-APSTA, or simply STA or station) primarily rely on battery power to meet mobility requirements, while access point stations (AP STA, or simply AP or access point) are also gradually adopting battery power to avoid the limitations of traditional wired power supply.

[0003] However, due to limitations in battery size and capacity, the battery life of stations and access points has become a significant factor restricting the sustainability and reliability of wireless local access network (WLAN) systems. Therefore, to further improve the sustainability and reliability of WLAN systems, the IEEE 802.11 protocol family needs to introduce more efficient power-saving modes or mechanisms to extend the battery life of stations and access points and optimize the energy efficiency of WLAN systems. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a state switching method, apparatus, and device to achieve a balance between energy saving and transmission performance.

[0005] Firstly, a state switching method according to this application includes:

[0006] After the first device switches from the first working state to the second working state, the first transmission is performed; wherein, the energy consumption of the first device in the first working state for WLAN communication is less than the energy consumption of the first device in the second working state for WLAN communication, and the first transmission is the transmission between the first device and the second device.

[0007] The system switches back to the first working state from the second working state based on the first transmission.

[0008] As can be seen, the first device can support switching from a first operating state to a second operating state to enable transmission with the second device in the second operating state, ensuring transmission performance. Since the first device consumes less energy for WLAN communication in the first operating state than in the second operating state, it can switch back from the second operating state to reduce its energy consumption and achieve high energy efficiency. Thus, by switching between the first and second operating states, a balance is achieved between energy saving and transmission performance.

[0009] In one possible example of the first aspect, switching back from the second operating state to the first operating state based on the first transmission includes:

[0010] In response to the completion of all data transmissions in the first transmission, switch back from the second operating state to the first operating state.

[0011] As can be seen, after all data transmissions in the first transmission are completed, since the second device has no more cached data to transmit to the first device, or the first device has no more cached data to transmit to the second device, the first device can switch back from the second operating state to the first operating state, which helps to reduce the power consumption of the first device and achieve the purpose of energy saving.

[0012] In one possible example of the first aspect, switching back from the second operating state to the first operating state based on the first transmission includes:

[0013] In response to the completion of the last data transmission in the first transmission and the second device having no more cached data to transmit to the first device, and / or the completion of the last data transmission in the first transmission and the first device having no more cached data to transmit to the second device, the device switches back from the second operating state to the first operating state.

[0014] As can be seen, since the second device has no more cached data to transmit to the first device, the first device can switch back from the second working state to the first working state, which helps to reduce the power consumption of the first device and achieve the purpose of energy saving.

[0015] In one possible example of the first aspect, switching back from the second operating state to the first operating state based on the first transmission includes:

[0016] In response to the fact that the number of retransmissions of all failed new data in the first transmission exceeds the first retransmission threshold, the system switches back from the second working state to the first working state.

[0017] As can be seen, when data transmission fails during the first transmission, the failed data will be retransmitted. When the number of retransmissions of all failed data exceeds the first retransmission threshold, it indicates that the first device and the second device may be unable to continue transmission for a period of time. Therefore, the first device can switch back from the second operating state to the first operating state, thereby reducing the power consumption of the first device and achieving energy saving.

[0018] In one possible example of the first aspect, switching back from the second operating state to the first operating state based on the first transmission includes:

[0019] In response to the failure of one or more new data transmissions in the first transmission, and the number of retransmissions of the one or more data exceeding the first retransmission threshold, the system switches back from the second working state to the first working state.

[0020] As can be seen, when one or more data transmissions fail during the first transmission, these data will be retransmitted. When the number of retransmissions for these data exceeds the first retransmission threshold, it indicates that the remaining data following these data may also fail to be transmitted, potentially preventing the first and second devices from continuing transmission for a period of time. Therefore, the first device can switch back from the second operating state to the first operating state, thereby reducing its power consumption and achieving energy saving.

[0021] In one possible example of the first aspect, switching back from the second operating state to the first operating state based on the first transmission includes:

[0022] After the first transmission is completed, first information is sent; wherein, the first information is used to poll whether the device associated with the first device has a transmission request with the first device.

[0023] Upon receiving the second information, and in response to the second information indicating that none of the devices associated with the first device have a transmission requirement with the first device, the device switches back from the second operating state to the first operating state.

[0024] As can be seen, after the first transmission is completed, the first device can actively poll its associated devices for any transmission requests. If none of the associated devices have any transmission requests, the first device can switch back from the second operating state to the first operating state, thereby reducing its power consumption and achieving energy saving.

[0025] In one possible example of the first aspect, switching back from the second operating state to the first operating state based on the first transmission includes:

[0026] After the first transmission is completed, first information is sent; wherein, the first information is used to poll the existence of devices associated with the first device and the transmission needs of the first device;

[0027] In response to the absence of a third message and the third message indicating that the device associated with the first device has a transmission requirement with the first device, the device switches back from the second operating state to the first operating state.

[0028] As can be seen, after the first transmission is completed, the first device can actively poll the devices associated with it using the first information to see if there is a transmission need with it. If none of the devices associated with the first device have a transmission need with it, the first device will not receive the third information, causing it to switch back from the second working state to the first working state. This helps reduce the power consumption of the first device and achieves energy saving.

[0029] In one possible example of the first aspect, sending the first message includes:

[0030] In response to the first device continuously listening to a channel that is idle for a first duration, the first information is transmitted.

[0031] As can be seen, after the first transmission is completed, the first device will continue to operate in the second working state and continuously listen to the channel. When the channel continuously listened to by the first device is idle during the first duration, it means that no device associated with the first device has a transmission need with the first device during the first duration. At this time, the first device can actively poll with the devices associated with it to see if there is a transmission need with it, thus avoiding the first device remaining in the second working state indefinitely.

[0032] In one possible example of the first aspect, the first information is carried by the buffer status report polling BSRP frame, and the second or third information is carried by the buffer status report BSR frame.

[0033] As can be seen, after the first transmission is completed, the first device can poll the BSR through the BSRP frame to see if there is a need for transmission with the device associated with it through the BSR.

[0034] In one possible example of the first aspect, the first information is carried by an empty packet feedback report polling NFRP frame, and the second or third information is carried by an empty packet feedback report NFR frame.

[0035] As can be seen, after the first transmission is completed, the first device can poll the NFR through NFRP frames to see if any devices associated with it through the NFR have a need to transmit with it.

[0036] In one possible example of the first aspect, switching back from the second operating state to the first operating state based on the first transmission includes:

[0037] After the first transmission is completed, a fourth message is sent; wherein the fourth message is used to announce to the device associated with the first device that the first device is ready to switch back from the second working state to the first working state.

[0038] Upon receiving the fifth message, and in response to the fifth message indicating that the devices associated with the first device acknowledge the fourth message, the device switches back from the second operating state to the first operating state.

[0039] As can be seen, after the first transmission is completed, the first device can proactively announce to its associated devices that it is ready to switch back from the second operating state to the first operating state via the fourth information. If all the devices associated with the first device have confirmed that the first device is ready to switch back from the second operating state to the first operating state, the first device can switch back from the second operating state to the first operating state, thereby helping to reduce the power consumption of the first device and achieving energy saving.

[0040] In one possible example of the first aspect, switching back from the second operating state to the first operating state based on the first transmission includes:

[0041] After the first transmission is completed, a fourth message is sent; wherein the fourth message is used to announce to the device associated with the first device that the first device is ready to switch back from the second working state to the first working state;

[0042] In response to the failure to receive the sixth message and the sixth message indicating that the device associated with the first device expects the first device to remain in the second operating state, the device switches back to the first operating state from the second operating state.

[0043] As can be seen, after the first transmission is completed, the first device can proactively announce to its associated devices via the fourth information that it is ready to switch back from the second operating state to the first operating state. If none of the devices associated with the first device want the first device to remain in the second operating state, the first device can switch back from the second operating state, thereby reducing the power consumption of the first device and achieving energy saving.

[0044] In one possible example of the first aspect, a fourth message is sent, including:

[0045] In response to the first device continuously listening to a channel that is idle for a first duration, the fourth message is sent.

[0046] As can be seen, after the first transmission is completed, the first device will continue to operate in the second state and continuously listen to the channel. When the channel continuously listened to by the first device is idle during the first duration, it indicates that no device associated with the first device has a transmission requirement with the first device during the first duration. At this time, the first device can proactively announce to its associated devices that it is ready to switch back from the second state to the first state, thus avoiding the first device remaining in the second state indefinitely.

[0047] In one possible example of the first aspect, switching back from the second operating state to the first operating state based on the first transmission includes:

[0048] After the first transmission is completed, in response to the first device detecting a second transmission on the channel, the length of the second transmission being greater than the first length threshold, and the recipient of the second transmission not being the first device, the device switches back from the second operating state to the first operating state.

[0049] As can be seen, after the first transmission is completed, since there are no other WLAN devices that need to transmit with the first device for a relatively long period of time, the first device can switch back from the second working state to the first working state, which helps to reduce the power consumption of the first device and achieve the purpose of energy saving.

[0050] In one possible example of the first aspect, the method further includes, prior to the first transmission:

[0051] Receive trigger information, which is used to trigger the first device to switch from the first working state to the second working state.

[0052] As can be seen, this application triggers the first device to switch from the first working state to the second working state by triggering information.

[0053] In one possible example of the first aspect, the method further includes, prior to the first transmission:

[0054] Send first capability information, which is used to indicate that the first device supports switching between a first operating state and a second operating state;

[0055] Receive second capability information, which indicates that the second device has the capability to serve the first device.

[0056] As can be seen, this application can use the first capability information to provide feedback to the second device that the first device has the capability to support switching between the first working state and the second working state, and use the second capability information to provide feedback to the first device that the second device has the capability to serve the first device.

[0057] In one possible example of the first aspect, the method further includes, prior to the first transmission:

[0058] Receive configuration information, which includes at least one of the following: first configuration information, second configuration information, third configuration information, fourth configuration information, fifth configuration information, sixth configuration information, seventh configuration information, eighth configuration information, or ninth configuration information;

[0059] The first configuration information is used to configure whether the energy-saving mode is enabled or disabled. When the energy-saving mode is enabled, the first device can switch between the first working state and the second working state.

[0060] The second configuration information is used to configure the type of media access control MAC frames that the first device can normally parse in the first working state;

[0061] The third configuration information is used to configure the time for switching from the first working state to the second working state;

[0062] The fourth configuration information is used to configure the time for switching from the second working state to the first working state;

[0063] The fifth configuration information is used to configure the parameters used by the first device for WLAN communication in the first working state;

[0064] The sixth configuration information is used to configure the parameters used by the first device for WLAN communication in the second working state;

[0065] The seventh configuration information is used to configure the physical layer data protocol unit (PPDU) format supported by the first device in the first working state;

[0066] The eighth configuration information is used to configure the PPDU format supported by the first device in the second working state;

[0067] The ninth configuration information is used to configure at least one of the following: first duration, first retransmission count threshold, or first length threshold.

[0068] As can be seen, this application configures relevant operating information in energy-saving mode to the first device so that the first device can switch between the first working state and the second working state according to this relevant operating information.

[0069] In one possible example of the first aspect, the configuration information is carried by the action frame.

[0070] As can be seen, the relevant operation information for configuring the first device in energy-saving mode is implemented through action frames.

[0071] In one possible example of the first aspect, the first operating state is a state in which the first device performs WLAN communication using at least one of the first modulation and coding scheme MCS, the first operating bandwidth, or the first number of spatial streams;

[0072] The second operating state is the state in which the first device uses at least one of the second MCS, the second operating bandwidth, or the second number of spatial streams to perform WLAN communication.

[0073] The first MCS is less than or equal to the second MCS, the first working bandwidth is less than or equal to the second working bandwidth, and the first number of spatial streams is less than or equal to the second number of spatial streams.

[0074] It is evident that when the first MCS is smaller than the second MCS, the first device uses the smaller MCS for WLAN communication in the first operating state to achieve higher reliability and anti-interference performance, while in the second operating state, the first device uses the larger MCS for WLAN communication to achieve a higher data transmission rate. When the first MCS is equal to the second MCS, the first device uses other parameters to ensure that the energy consumption of the first device for WLAN communication in the first operating state is lower than the energy consumption for WLAN communication in the second operating state.

[0075] When the first operating bandwidth is less than the second operating bandwidth, the first device uses the smaller operating bandwidth for WLAN communication in the first operating state to reduce resource consumption, while in the second operating state, the first device uses the larger operating bandwidth for WLAN communication to achieve higher data transmission performance. When the first operating bandwidth is equal to the second operating bandwidth, the first device uses other parameters to make the energy consumption of WLAN communication in the first operating state lower than the energy consumption of WLAN communication in the second operating state.

[0076] When the number of first spatial streams is less than the number of second spatial streams, the first device uses a smaller number of spatial streams for communication in the first operating state to reduce power consumption, while the first device uses a larger number of spatial streams for communication in the first operating state to achieve higher transmission performance. When the number of first spatial streams is equal to the number of second spatial streams, the first device uses other parameters to make the power consumption of WLAN communication in the first operating state lower than the power consumption of WLAN communication in the second operating state.

[0077] Secondly, this application provides a state switching method, including:

[0078] After the first device switches from the first working state to the second working state, a first transmission is performed; wherein, the energy consumption of the first device performing WLAN communication in the first working state is less than the energy consumption of performing WLAN communication in the second working state, the first transmission is the transmission between the first device and the second device, and the first transmission can be used to determine that the first device switches back from the second working state to the first working state.

[0079] In one possible example of the second aspect, after the first transmission, the method further includes:

[0080] After the first transmission is completed, first information is received. The first information is used to poll whether the device associated with the first device has a transmission request with the first device.

[0081] Send a second message indicating that the second device has no transmission requirement with the first device.

[0082] In one possible example of the second aspect, the first information is carried by the buffer status report polling BSRP frame, and the second information is carried by the buffer status report BSR frame; or...

[0083] The first information is carried by the empty packet feedback report polling NFRP frame, and the second information is carried by the empty packet feedback report NFR frame.

[0084] In one possible example of the second aspect, after the first transmission, the method further includes:

[0085] After the first transmission is completed, a fourth message is received, which is used to announce to the device associated with the first device that the first device is ready to switch back from the second working state to the first working state.

[0086] Send the fifth message, which is used to instruct the second device to confirm the fourth message.

[0087] In one possible example of the second aspect, the method further includes, prior to the first transmission:

[0088] Send a trigger message, which is used to trigger the first device to switch from the first working state to the second working state.

[0089] In one possible example of the second aspect, the method further includes, prior to the first transmission:

[0090] Receive first capability information, which is used to indicate that the first device supports switching between a first operating state and a second operating state;

[0091] Send second capability information, which indicates that the second device has the capability to serve the first device.

[0092] In one possible example of the second aspect, the method further includes, prior to the first transmission:

[0093] Send configuration information, which includes at least one of the following: first configuration information, second configuration information, third configuration information, fourth configuration information, fifth configuration information, sixth configuration information, seventh configuration information, eighth configuration information, or ninth configuration information;

[0094] The first configuration information is used to configure whether the energy-saving mode is enabled or disabled. When the energy-saving mode is enabled, the first device can switch between the first working state and the second working state.

[0095] The second configuration information is used to configure the type of media access control MAC frames that the first device can normally parse in the first working state;

[0096] The third configuration information is used to configure the time for switching from the first working state to the second working state;

[0097] The fourth configuration information is used to configure the time for switching from the second working state to the first working state;

[0098] The fifth configuration information is used to configure the parameters used by the first device for WLAN communication in the first working state;

[0099] The sixth configuration information is used to configure the parameters used by the first device for WLAN communication in the second working state;

[0100] The seventh configuration information is used to configure the physical layer data protocol unit (PPDU) format supported by the first device in the first working state;

[0101] The eighth configuration information is used to configure the PPDU format supported by the first device in the second working state;

[0102] The ninth configuration information is used to configure at least one of the following: first duration, first retransmission count threshold, or first length threshold.

[0103] In one possible example of the second aspect, the configuration information is carried by the action frame.

[0104] In one possible example of the second aspect, the first operating state is the state in which the first device performs WLAN communication using at least one of the first modulation and coding scheme MCS, the first operating bandwidth, or the first number of spatial streams;

[0105] The second operating state is the state in which the first device uses at least one of the second MCS, the second operating bandwidth, or the second number of spatial streams to perform WLAN communication.

[0106] The first MCS is less than or equal to the second MCS, the first working bandwidth is less than or equal to the second working bandwidth, and the first number of spatial streams is less than or equal to the second number of spatial streams.

[0107] Thirdly, a state switching device according to this application includes:

[0108] A communication unit is used to perform a first transmission after the first device switches from a first working state to a second working state; wherein the energy consumption of the first device performing WLAN communication in the first working state is less than the energy consumption of performing WLAN communication in the second working state, and the first transmission is a transmission between the first device and the second device.

[0109] A switching unit is used to switch from a second working state back to the first working state based on a first transmission.

[0110] In one possible example of the third aspect, regarding the switch back to the first operating state based on the first transmission:

[0111] The switching unit is used to switch back from the second working state to the first working state in response to the completion of all data transmissions in the first transmission.

[0112] In one possible example of the third aspect, regarding the switch back to the first operating state based on the first transmission:

[0113] The switching unit is configured to switch from the second operating state back to the first operating state in response to the completion of the last data transmission in the first transmission, when the second device has no more cached data to transmit to the first device, and / or the first device has no more cached data to transmit to the second device after the completion of the last data transmission in the first transmission.

[0114] In one possible example of the third aspect, regarding the switch back to the first operating state based on the first transmission:

[0115] The switching unit is used to switch back from the second working state to the first working state in response to the fact that the number of retransmissions of all newly transmitted failed data in the first transmission exceeds the first retransmission number threshold.

[0116] In one possible example of the third aspect, regarding the switch back to the first operating state based on the first transmission:

[0117] The switching unit is used to switch back from the second working state to the first working state in response to the failure of new transmission of one or more data in the first transmission and the retransmission number of the one or more data exceeding the first retransmission number threshold.

[0118] In one possible example of the third aspect, regarding the switch back to the first operating state based on the first transmission:

[0119] The communication unit is also configured to send first information after the first transmission is completed; wherein the first information is used to poll whether the device associated with the first device has a transmission request with the first device.

[0120] The communication unit is also used to receive second information;

[0121] The switching unit is used to switch from the second operating state back to the first operating state in response to a second information indication that none of the devices associated with the first device have a transmission requirement with the first device.

[0122] In one possible example of the third aspect, regarding the switch back to the first operating state based on the first transmission:

[0123] The communication unit is also configured to send first information after the first transmission is completed; wherein the first information is used to poll the existence of devices associated with the first device and the transmission needs of the first device;

[0124] The switching unit is used to switch from the second operating state back to the first operating state in response to the absence of a third message and the third message indicating the presence of a device associated with the first device and a transmission request from the first device.

[0125] In one possible example of the third aspect, regarding the sending of the first message:

[0126] A communication unit is configured to transmit first information in response to the channel being continuously monitored by the first device being idle for a first duration.

[0127] In one possible example of the third aspect, the first information is carried by the buffer status report polling BSRP frame, and the second or third information is carried by the buffer status report BSR frame.

[0128] In one possible example of the third aspect, the first information is carried by an empty packet feedback report polling NFRP frame, and the second or third information is carried by an empty packet feedback report NFR frame.

[0129] In one possible example of the third aspect, regarding the switch back to the first operating state based on the first transmission:

[0130] The communication unit is also configured to send a fourth message after the first transmission is completed; wherein the fourth message is used to announce to the device associated with the first device that the first device is ready to switch back from the second operating state to the first operating state.

[0131] The communication unit is also used to receive the fifth message;

[0132] The switching unit is used to switch back from the second operating state to the first operating state in response to the fifth information indicating that all devices associated with the first device have confirmed the fourth information.

[0133] In one possible example of the third aspect, regarding the switch back to the first operating state based on the first transmission:

[0134] The communication unit is also configured to send a fourth message after the first transmission is completed; wherein the fourth message is used to announce to the device associated with the first device that the first device is ready to switch back from the second operating state to the first operating state.

[0135] The switching unit is configured to switch back to the first operating state in response to the absence of a sixth message and the sixth message indicating that the device associated with the first device expects the first device to remain in the second operating state.

[0136] In one possible example of the third aspect, regarding the sending of the fourth message:

[0137] The communication unit is also configured to send a fourth message in response to the channel being idle for a first duration while being continuously monitored by the first device.

[0138] In one possible example of the third aspect, regarding the switch back to the first operating state based on the first transmission:

[0139] The switching unit is configured to switch back from the second operating state to the first operating state after the first transmission is completed, in response to the first device detecting the second transmission on the channel, the length of the second transmission being greater than the first length threshold, and the receiving object of the second transmission being the first device.

[0140] In one possible example of the third aspect, before the first transmission:

[0141] The communication unit is also used to receive trigger information, which is used to trigger the first device to switch from the first working state to the second working state.

[0142] In one possible example of the third aspect, before the first transmission:

[0143] The communication unit is also used to send first capability information, which is used to indicate that the first device supports switching between a first operating state and a second operating state.

[0144] The communication unit is also used to receive second capability information, which indicates that the second device has the capability to serve the first device.

[0145] In one possible example of the third aspect, before the first transmission:

[0146] The communication unit is also used to receive configuration information, which includes at least one of the following: first configuration information, second configuration information, third configuration information, fourth configuration information, fifth configuration information, sixth configuration information, seventh configuration information, eighth configuration information, or ninth configuration information;

[0147] The first configuration information is used to configure whether the energy-saving mode is enabled or disabled. When the energy-saving mode is enabled, the first device can switch between the first working state and the second working state.

[0148] The second configuration information is used to configure the type of media access control MAC frames that the first device can normally parse in the first working state;

[0149] The third configuration information is used to configure the time for switching from the first working state to the second working state;

[0150] The fourth configuration information is used to configure the time for switching from the second working state to the first working state;

[0151] The fifth configuration information is used to configure the parameters used by the first device for WLAN communication in the first working state;

[0152] The sixth configuration information is used to configure the parameters used by the first device for WLAN communication in the second working state;

[0153] The seventh configuration information is used to configure the physical layer data protocol unit (PPDU) format supported by the first device in the first working state;

[0154] The eighth configuration information is used to configure the PPDU format supported by the first device in the second working state;

[0155] The ninth configuration information is used to configure at least one of the following: first duration, first retransmission count threshold, or first length threshold.

[0156] In one possible example of the third aspect, configuration information is carried by the action frame.

[0157] In one possible example of the third aspect, the first operating state is the state in which the first device performs WLAN communication using at least one of the first modulation and coding scheme MCS, the first operating bandwidth, or the first number of spatial streams;

[0158] The second operating state is the state in which the first device uses at least one of the second MCS, the second operating bandwidth, or the second number of spatial streams to perform WLAN communication.

[0159] The first MCS is less than or equal to the second MCS, the first working bandwidth is less than or equal to the second working bandwidth, and the first number of spatial streams is less than or equal to the second number of spatial streams.

[0160] Fourthly, a state switching device according to this application includes:

[0161] The communication unit is used to perform a first transmission after the first device switches from a first operating state to a second operating state; wherein the energy consumption of the first device performing WLAN communication in the first operating state is less than the energy consumption of performing WLAN communication in the second operating state, the first transmission is a transmission between the first device and the second device, and the first transmission can be used to determine that the first device switches back from the second operating state to the first operating state.

[0162] In one possible example of the fourth aspect, after the first transmission:

[0163] The communication unit is also configured to receive first information after the first transmission is completed, the first information being used to poll whether a device associated with the first device has a transmission request to the first device;

[0164] The communication unit is also used to send a second message indicating that the second device does not have a transmission requirement with the first device.

[0165] In one possible example of the fourth aspect, the first information is carried by the buffer status report polling BSRP frame, and the second information is carried by the buffer status report BSR frame; or...

[0166] The first information is carried by the empty packet feedback report polling NFRP frame, and the second information is carried by the empty packet feedback report NFR frame.

[0167] In one possible example of the fourth aspect, after the first transmission:

[0168] The communication unit is also configured to receive fourth information after the first transmission is completed, the fourth information being used to announce to the device associated with the first device that the first device is ready to switch back from the second working state to the first working state.

[0169] The communication unit is also used to send a fifth message, which is used to instruct the second device to confirm the fourth message.

[0170] In one possible example of the fourth aspect, before the first transmission:

[0171] The communication unit is also used to send trigger information, which is used to trigger the first device to switch from the first working state to the second working state.

[0172] In one possible example of the fourth aspect, before the first transmission:

[0173] The communication unit is also used to receive first capability information, which is used to indicate that the first device supports switching between a first operating state and a second operating state.

[0174] The communication unit is also used to transmit second capability information, which indicates that the second device has the capability to serve the first device.

[0175] In one possible example of the fourth aspect, before the first transmission:

[0176] The communication unit is also used to send configuration information, which includes at least one of the following: first configuration information, second configuration information, third configuration information, fourth configuration information, fifth configuration information, sixth configuration information, seventh configuration information, eighth configuration information, or ninth configuration information;

[0177] The first configuration information is used to configure whether the energy-saving mode is enabled or disabled. When the energy-saving mode is enabled, the first device can switch between the first working state and the second working state.

[0178] The second configuration information is used to configure the type of media access control MAC frames that the first device can normally parse in the first working state;

[0179] The third configuration information is used to configure the time for switching from the first working state to the second working state;

[0180] The fourth configuration information is used to configure the time for switching from the second working state to the first working state;

[0181] The fifth configuration information is used to configure the parameters used by the first device for WLAN communication in the first working state;

[0182] The sixth configuration information is used to configure the parameters used by the first device for WLAN communication in the second working state;

[0183] The seventh configuration information is used to configure the physical layer data protocol unit (PPDU) format supported by the first device in the first working state;

[0184] The eighth configuration information is used to configure the PPDU format supported by the first device in the second working state;

[0185] The ninth configuration information is used to configure at least one of the following: first duration, first retransmission count threshold, or first length threshold.

[0186] In one possible example of the fourth aspect, the configuration information is carried by the action frame.

[0187] In one possible example of the fourth aspect, the first operating state is the state in which the first device performs WLAN communication using at least one of the first modulation and coding scheme MCS, the first operating bandwidth, or the first number of spatial streams.

[0188] The second operating state is the state in which the first device uses at least one of the second MCS, the second operating bandwidth, or the second number of spatial streams to perform WLAN communication.

[0189] The first MCS is less than or equal to the second MCS, the first working bandwidth is less than or equal to the second working bandwidth, and the first number of spatial streams is less than or equal to the second number of spatial streams.

[0190] Fifthly, the method described in the first aspect is applied to the first device.

[0191] Sixthly, the method described in the second aspect above is applied to the second device.

[0192] A seventh aspect is an apparatus according to this application, comprising a processor, a memory, and a computer program or instructions stored in the memory, wherein the processor executes the computer program or instructions to implement the method described in the first aspect above.

[0193] Eighthly, an apparatus according to this application includes a processor, a memory, and a computer program or instructions stored in the memory, wherein the processor executes the computer program or instructions to implement the method described in the second aspect above.

[0194] A ninth aspect is a chip according to this application, comprising a processor, wherein the processor performs the method described in any one of the first or second aspects above.

[0195] A tenth aspect is a chip module according to this application, including a transceiver component and a chip, wherein the chip includes a processor, and the processor performs the method described in any one of the first or second aspects above.

[0196] Eleventhly, there is a computer-readable storage medium according to this application, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, which, when executed, implement the method described in any one of the first or second aspects above.

[0197] The twelfth aspect is a computer program product of this application, comprising a computer program or instructions, wherein the computer program or instructions, when executed, implement the method described in any one of the first or second aspects above. The computer program product may be a software installation package.

[0198] It is worth noting that the beneficial effects of the technical solutions in the second to twelfth aspects can be found in the technical effects of the technical solutions in the first aspect mentioned above, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0199] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of this application;

[0200] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating a state switching method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0201] Figures 3 to 7 This is a timing diagram of a second device switching back to a first working state according to an embodiment of this application;

[0202] Figures 8 to 12 This is a flowchart illustrating another state switching method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0203] Figure 13 This is a timing diagram of another embodiment of the present application of a second device switching back to a first working state;

[0204] Figures 14 to 15 This is a flowchart illustrating another state switching method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0205] Figure 16 This is a functional unit block diagram of a state switching device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0206] Figure 17 This is a functional unit block diagram of another state switching device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0207] Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0208] Figure 19 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of another device according to an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0209] It should be understood that the terms "first," "second," etc., used in the embodiments of this application are used to distinguish different objects, rather than to describe a specific order. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, software, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may also include steps or units not listed, or may also include other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products, or devices.

[0210] The term "embodiment" as used in the embodiments of this application means that a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a mutually exclusive, independent, or alternative embodiment. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0211] In the embodiments of this application, "at least one" or "at least one item" refers to one or more, and "multiple" refers to two or more.

[0212] In the embodiments of this application, "and / or" describes the association relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent the following three situations: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. Among them, A and B can be singular or plural.

[0213] In the embodiments of this application, "at least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent the following seven cases: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, a, b, and c. Each of a, b, and c can be an element or a set containing one or more elements.

[0214] In this application's embodiments, "equal to" can be used with "greater than" and is applicable to technical solutions where the value is greater than, or it can be used with "less than" and is applicable to technical solutions where the value is less than. When "equal to" is used with "greater than," it is not used with "less than"; when "equal to" is used with "less than," it is not used with "greater than."

[0215] In the embodiments of this application, the terms "of," "corresponding (relevant)," "corresponding," "associated (related)," and "mapped" may sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that when no distinction is emphasized, the concepts or meanings expressed are consistent.

[0216] In the embodiments of this application, "network" can be expressed as the same concept as "system," and a communication system is a communication network.

[0217] In this application, "connection" refers to various connection methods, such as direct connection or indirect connection, to achieve communication between devices, and is not specifically limited thereto.

[0218] The communication system of this embodiment will be described below as an example.

[0219] The communication system in this application embodiment can be a WLAN system.

[0220] In one possible example, the WLAN system may employ the IEEE 802.11 protocol family. The WLAN system may include one or more basic service sets (BSSs), and the WLAN devices in each BSS may include access point stations (AP STAs, or simply APs) and non-access point stations (non-AP STAs, or simply STAs). That is, each BSS may include one access point and at least one station.

[0221] Exemplary, an embodiment of the network architecture of a communication system in this application, such as Figure 1 As shown. In Figure 1 In the communication system 10, there are access point 110, site 120 and site 130. Access point 110 can provide communication coverage for a specific geographical area and can communicate with site 120 and site 130 located within the communication coverage area.

[0222] It is worth noting that the communication between the access point and the site in the communication system 10 can be wireless or wired communication, without specific restrictions. Additionally, Figure 1 This is merely an example of a network architecture for a communication system and does not constitute a limitation on the network architecture of the communication systems in the embodiments of this application.

[0223] For example, the communication system 10 may also include other access points besides access point 110, and each access point may include a certain number of sites within its communication coverage area.

[0224] For example, the communication system 10 may also include other stations besides station 120 and station 130.

[0225] For example, the communication system 10 may also include other network entities such as radio access network (RAN) equipment, core network (CN) equipment, network controller, or mobility management entity.

[0226] The access points mentioned in this embodiment are illustrated below.

[0227] An access point can be a WLAN device in a WLAN system or an entity that provides network access to its associated sites via wireless media.

[0228] In one possible example, the access point can be used to connect various wireless network clients (such as sites) to the Ethernet. It can be a network device with a Wi-Fi chip or a device that supports the IEEE 802.11 protocol family, without any specific restrictions.

[0229] For example, the access point can be a device that supports IEEE 802.11ac, IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11ax, IEEE 802.11be, IEEE 802.11bn, or next-generation WLAN protocol standards.

[0230] In one possible example, the access point can be, but is not limited to, a centralized controller, a base station (BS), a base transceiver station (BTS), a site controller, or a switch.

[0231] In one possible example, the access point can be, but is not limited to, an ultra-high reliability access point (UHR AP).

[0232] In one possible example, the access point can be, but is not limited to, a dynamic powersave AP (DPS AP).

[0233] In one possible example, the access point can be, but is not limited to, a device with wireless communication capabilities (or a device with transceiver capabilities), such as a chip system, a chip, or a chip module. The chip system may include chips, but may also include other discrete devices, such as transceivers.

[0234] In one possible example, the access point could communicate with an Internet Protocol (IP) network, such as the Internet, a private IP network, or other data networks.

[0235] The following provides an example of the sites mentioned in this embodiment.

[0236] A site can be a wireless communication chip, a wireless sensor, or a wireless communication terminal; it can also be a WLAN device within a WLAN system.

[0237] For example, a site can be user equipment (UE) supporting Wi-Fi communication, a remote UE, an access terminal, a user unit, a user station, a mobile device, a user terminal, a smart terminal, a wireless communication device, a user agent or user device / cellular phone, a relay UE, an access terminal device, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, a terminal device in a public land mobile network (PLMN), a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in autonomous driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical care, or a smart grid. Wireless terminal devices in the context of grids, transportation safety, smart cities, or smart homes are not specifically limited to these categories.

[0238] In one possible example, the site can be, but is not limited to, an ultra-high reliability STA (UHR STA).

[0239] In one possible example, the site can be, but is not limited to, a dynamic power saveSTA (DPS STA).

[0240] In one possible example, the station can be, but is not limited to, a device with wireless communication capabilities (or a device with transceiver capabilities), such as a chip system, a chip, or a chip module. The chip system may include chips, and may also include other discrete components, such as transceivers.

[0241] In some possible examples, the site can be deployed on land (e.g., indoors or outdoors, handheld, wearable or vehicle-mounted), on water (e.g., on a ship), or in the air (e.g., by an airplane, balloon or satellite).

[0242] The communication system of this embodiment has been described above. The technical solution of this embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0243] Compared to traditional power-saving modes or mechanisms, such as baseline power save mode, automatic power save delivery (APSD), target wake time (TWT), intra-physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) power save, or spatial multiplex power save (SMPM), the IEEE 802.11 protocol family needs to introduce more efficient power-saving modes or mechanisms to further improve the sustainability and reliability of WLAN systems, thereby extending the battery life of sites and access points and optimizing the energy efficiency of WLAN systems.

[0244] Based on this, this embodiment considers a new energy-saving mode to achieve more efficient energy saving. The new energy-saving mode can also be replaced by a new energy-saving mechanism.

[0245] For example, this new power-saving mode could be the dynamic power save (DPS) mode within IEEE 802.11bn's ultra-high reliability (UHR). The DPS mode allows WLAN devices (such as access points or sites) that support DPS functionality to listen for channels in a low-capabilities (LC) state and then communicate via frames (such as data frames, management frames, or control frames) after switching from LC to high-capabilities (HC) state. Frame communication includes frame interaction, frame transmission, or frame reception. Of course, the new power-saving mode discussed in this embodiment is not limited to the DPS mode.

[0246] It should be noted that frame interaction can be understood as the exchange of medium access control (MAC) frames between two WLAN devices. MAC frames can include data frames, management frames, or control frames. For example, one WLAN device sends a data frame to another, and the other WLAN device acknowledges (ACK) the data frame; or, one WLAN device sends a management frame to another, and the other WLAN device responds to the management frame.

[0247] For example, an access point sends a data frame (such as a Media Access Control Protocol Data Unit (MPDU)) to a site; correspondingly, the site sends an ACK frame corresponding to that data frame to the access point. The MPDU can be a data unit exchanged between two peer MAC entities using PHY layer services, or it can be a MAC Service Data Unit (MSDU) formed after adding CRC checksums, MAC headers, etc., or it can be a data frame encapsulated using the 802.11 protocol suite.

[0248] For example, a site sends an association request frame to an access point; correspondingly, the access point sends an association response frame to the site.

[0249] Frame transmission can be understood as one WLAN device sending a MAC frame to another WLAN device.

[0250] Frame reception can be understood as one WLAN device receiving MAC frames from another WLAN device.

[0251] The following embodiment uses the communication interaction between the first device and the second device as an example to illustrate the state switching method in the new energy-saving mode.

[0252] It should be noted that the first device and the second device are both WLAN devices in the WLAN system that support this new energy-saving mode. For example, the first device may be a site and the second device may be an access point; or, the first device may be an access point and the second device may be a site; or, both the first device and the second device may be sites; or, both the first device and the second device may be access points. Furthermore, the first device and the second device can be associated through an association process (such as the interaction between association request frames and association response frames).

[0253] like Figure 2 As shown, Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating a state switching method according to an embodiment of this application, specifically including the following steps:

[0254] S210. After the first device switches from the first operating state to the second operating state, the first device and the second device perform a first transmission.

[0255] In this context, the energy consumption of the first device performing WLAN communication in the first working state is less than that of performing WLAN communication in the second working state, and the first transmission is the transmission between the first device and the second device.

[0256] S220. The first device switches back from the second operating state to the first operating state based on the first transmission. It should be noted that the second device can determine the switch from the second operating state to the first operating state based on the first transmission; that is, the first transmission can be used to determine the switch from the second operating state to the first operating state. The method by which the second device determines the switch from the second operating state to the first operating state based on the first transmission can be similar to the method by which the first device switches back from the second operating state to the first operating state based on the first transmission.

[0257] As can be seen, the first device can support switching from a first operating state to a second operating state to enable transmission with the second device in the second operating state, ensuring transmission performance. Since the first device consumes less energy for WLAN communication in the first operating state than in the second operating state, it can switch back from the second operating state to reduce its energy consumption and achieve high energy efficiency. Thus, by switching between the first and second operating states, a balance is achieved between energy saving and transmission performance.

[0258] The first and second operating states of this new energy-saving mode are explained in detail below.

[0259] The first working state can be a working state in which the first device is in the new energy-saving mode after the first device and the second device are associated.

[0260] The second operating state can be another operating state in which the first device is in this new energy-saving mode after the first device and the second device are associated. The first operating state and the second operating state are different operating states.

[0261] It should be noted that the first device can perform WLAN communication in both the first and second operating states, and the communication capabilities of the first device differ in the first and second operating states. Furthermore, the energy consumption of the first device performing WLAN communication in the first operating state is lower than that in the second operating state.

[0262] In one possible example, the first device performs channel listening in a first operating state, and performs both channel listening and frame communication in a second operating state. Frame communication includes frame interaction, frame transmission, or frame reception.

[0263] For example, when the first device is in a first operating state, it can detect whether a MAC frame is being transmitted to it by listening on the channel. When the first device is in a second operating state, the second device can send an aggregated MAC protocol data unit (A-MPDU) to the first device; correspondingly, the first device detects an A-MPDU being transmitted to it on the channel, parses the A-MPDU, and sends a block acknowledgement (BA) frame corresponding to the A-MPDU to the second device. The A-MPDU may contain one or more MPDUs.

[0264] In one possible example, the first operating state is the LC state in DPS mode, and the second operating state is the HC state in DPS mode. Therefore, the first device can support DPS mode, and DPS mode allows the first device supporting DPS functionality to switch between the LC and HC states.

[0265] In one possible example, the first device performs WLAN communication using at least one of a first modulation and coding scheme (MCS), a first operating bandwidth, or a first number of spatial streams in a first operating state, and performs WLAN communication using at least one of a second MCS, a second operating bandwidth, or a second number of spatial streams in a second operating state.

[0266] In other words, the first working state can be the state in which the first device uses the first MCS, the first working bandwidth, or the first number of spatial streams for WLAN communication, and the second working state can be the state in which the first device uses the second MCS, the second working bandwidth, or the second number of spatial streams for WLAN communication.

[0267] For the first MCS and the second MCS, the first MCS can be less than or equal to the second MCS.

[0268] It should be noted that the MCS (Multi-Size Control) of a WLAN system can be determined through network configuration, predefinition, etc., and different MCSs can correspond to different MCS index values, such as a one-to-one correspondence between MCSs and MCS indices. Specifically, when using a lower MCS for WLAN communication, the WLAN system can have higher reliability and interference resistance. When using a higher MCS for WLAN communication, the WLAN system can have a higher data transmission rate.

[0269] It is evident that when the first MCS is smaller than the second MCS, the first device uses the smaller MCS for WLAN communication in the first operating state to achieve higher reliability and anti-interference performance, while in the second operating state, the first device uses the larger MCS for WLAN communication to achieve a higher data transmission rate. When the first MCS is equal to the second MCS, the first device uses other parameters to ensure that the energy consumption of the first device for WLAN communication in the first operating state is lower than the energy consumption for WLAN communication in the second operating state.

[0270] For the first operating bandwidth and the second operating bandwidth, the first operating bandwidth can be less than or equal to the second operating bandwidth.

[0271] It should be noted that operating bandwidth, also known as working bandwidth, refers to the frequency range used by WLAN devices for communication. WLAN systems can support a maximum operating bandwidth of 320MHz. Due to factors such as cost and hardware complexity, different WLAN devices support different maximum operating bandwidths. Furthermore, WLAN devices can adjust their operating bandwidth based on their operating status, resource consumption, or other reasons.

[0272] It is evident that when the first operating bandwidth is less than the second operating bandwidth, the first device uses the smaller operating bandwidth for WLAN communication in the first operating state to reduce resource consumption, while in the second operating state, the first device uses the larger operating bandwidth for WLAN communication to achieve higher data transmission performance. When the first operating bandwidth is equal to the second operating bandwidth, the first device uses other parameters to ensure that the energy consumption of the first device for WLAN communication in the first operating state is less than the energy consumption for WLAN communication in the second operating state.

[0273] For the first number of spatial flows and the second number of spatial flows, the first number of spatial flows can be less than or equal to the second number of spatial flows.

[0274] It should be noted that, to support higher throughput rates and provide diversity gain, WLAN devices can include multiple RF chains and multiple antennas. Each RF chain can be independently enabled for higher transmission performance or independently disabled to reduce power consumption. WLAN devices can use multiple RF chains and multiple antennas to simultaneously transmit a specific number of data streams, referred to as spatial streams. A WLAN system can support a maximum of eight spatial streams.

[0275] It is evident that when the number of first spatial streams is less than the number of second spatial streams, the first device uses a smaller number of spatial streams for communication in the first operating state to reduce power consumption, while the first device uses a larger number of spatial streams for communication in the first operating state to achieve higher transmission performance. When the number of first spatial streams equals the number of second spatial streams, the first device uses other parameters to ensure that the power consumption of the first device for WLAN communication in the first operating state is lower than the power consumption for WLAN communication in the second operating state.

[0276] The first transmission will be described in detail below.

[0277] The first transmission, which is a transmission between a first device and a second device, may include at least one frame communication within a transmission opportunity (TXOP). Frame communication includes frame interaction, frame transmission, or frame reception. In other words, the two parties in the first transmission are the first device and the second device, or the first device participates in the first transmission.

[0278] It's important to note that a TXOP (Turn-Only Opportunity) is an opportunity for a WLAN device to continuously transmit data, occupying a time window or period in the time domain. When a WLAN device needs to transmit data, it can acquire a TXOP through channel contention and transmit data within that TXOP. After the previous TXOP ends, if the WLAN device needs to transmit data again, it can continue to acquire the next TXOP through channel contention.

[0279] Based on this, the first transmission between the first device and the second device can have the following three meanings:

[0280] The first interpretation is: when the second device has cached data from the first device, the second device sends data to the first device; correspondingly, the first device receives the data. In this case, the data in the first transmission is the data from the first device cached by the second device. For example, the second device communicates with the first device at least once within a TXOP obtained through channel contention, and in each frame communication, the second device acts as the data sender, while the first device acts as the data receiver.

[0281] Optionally, the data sent by the second device may include MAC frames, MPDUs, A-MPDUs, or physical protocol data units (PPDUs). In other words, the data in the first transmission may include MAC frames, MPDUs, A-MPDUs, or PPDUs.

[0282] Optionally, the second device has cached data from the first device, or it can be replaced with the following statement: the second device has cached data to be transmitted to the first device, the second device has a transmission requirement aimed at the first device, or the second device contains cached data that needs to be transmitted to the first device, etc.

[0283] Optionally, the first device can send an acknowledgment (ACK) response to the data sent by the second device.

[0284] Optionally, when the first device acknowledges data sent by the second device, additional information can be added to the acknowledgment feedback (e.g., this information can be carried in a more data field). This information can indicate whether the first device has cached data from the second device. For example, this information is 1 bit. If the value of this 1 bit is 1, it indicates that the first device has cached data from the second device; if the value of this 1 bit is 0, it indicates that the first device has not cached data from the second device, and vice versa. In this way, when the first device has cached data from the second device, the first device continues to maintain the second operating state, and can obtain a TXOP through channel contention, and send data to the second device in that TXOP.

[0285] The following example illustrates the first transmission process under the first meaning, such as... Figure 3 As shown, when the second device has cached data from the first device, after the first device switches from the first working state to the second working state, the first device and the second device perform the first transmission.

[0286] exist Figure 3 In the first frame interaction of the first transmission, the second device sends A-MPDU 311 to the first device in a TXOP obtained through channel contention; correspondingly, the first device sends BA frame 312 corresponding to A-MPDU 311 to the second device, and BA frame 312 indicates that A-MPDU 311 was successfully received.

[0287] exist Figure 3In the second frame interaction of the first transmission, the second device sends A-MPDU 321 to the first device in the TXOP; correspondingly, the first device sends a BA frame 322 corresponding to A-MPDU 321 to the second device, and the BA frame 322 indicates that A-MPDU 321 was successfully received. At this time, the second device has completed the transmission of all the buffered data of the first device. After the first device sends the BA frame 322, the first device switches back from the second operating state to the first operating state.

[0288] It is worth noting that, Figure 3 This only illustrates that the first device switches back to the first operating state from the second operating state before the end of the TXOP. Of course, the first device can also switch back to the first operating state at the end of the transmission of BA frame 322, the end of the TXOP, or after the end of the TXOP; there are no specific restrictions on this.

[0289] The second meaning is: when the first device has cached data from the second device, the first device sends data to the second device; correspondingly, the second device receives the data. In this case, the data in the first transmission is the data from the second device cached by the first device. For example, the first device communicates with the second device at least once in a TXOP obtained through channel contention, and in each frame communication, the first device acts as the data sender, while the second device acts as the data receiver.

[0290] Optionally, the data sent by the first device may include MPDU, A-MPDU, or PPDU, etc.

[0291] Optionally, the statement that the first device has cached data for the second device can be replaced with the following: the first device has cached data to be transmitted to the second device, the first device has a transmission requirement for the second device, or the first device contains cached data that needs to be transmitted to the second device.

[0292] Optionally, when the second device acknowledges the data sent by the first device, additional information can be added to the acknowledgment feedback. This information can indicate whether the second device has cached the data from the first device. For example, this information could be a single bit. If the value of this single bit is 1, it indicates that the second device has cached the data from the first device; if the value of this single bit is 0, it indicates that the second device has not cached the data from the first device, and vice versa. In this way, when the second device has cached the data from the first device, the first device continues to operate in the second operating state and waits for subsequent transmissions from the second device. The second device can obtain a TXOP through channel contention and send data to the first device within that TXOP.

[0293] The third meaning is: when the second device has cached data from the first device, and the first device also has cached data from the second device, the first device will send data to the second device and also receive data from the second device; the second device will send data to the first device and also receive data from the first device.

[0294] The following describes one or more first transmissions between the first device and the second device.

[0295] For a first transmission between the first device and the second device, if the sending party is able to transmit all the buffered data of the other party within one TXOP, this indicates that the first device and the second device have performed a first transmission. If the sending party is unable to transmit all the buffered data of the other party within one TXOP, the sending party can continue to compete for the next TXOP through channel contention, and continue to send data in the next TXOP. Transmitting all the buffered data of the other party through multiple TXOPs indicates that the first device and the second device have performed multiple first transmissions.

[0296] In other words, the first device and the second device can perform a single first transmission. In this case, the sending party can transmit all the buffered data of the other party within one TXOP, meaning the first transmission is completed on one TXOP. Alternatively, the first device and the second device can perform multiple first transmissions. In this case, the sending party transmits all the buffered data of the other party through multiple TXOPs, meaning the multiple first transmissions are completed on multiple TXOPs respectively.

[0297] For example, such as Figure 4 As shown, when the second device has cached data from the first device, after the first device switches from the first working state to the second working state, the first device and the second device perform multiple first transmissions.

[0298] exist Figure 4 In the first frame interaction of the first transmission, the second device sends A-MPDU 411 to the first device in TXOP 410 obtained through channel contention; correspondingly, the first device sends BA frame 412 corresponding to A-MPDU 411 to the second device, and BA frame 412 indicates that A-MPDU 411 was successfully received. In the second frame interaction of the first transmission, the second device sends A-MPDU 413 to the first device in TXOP 410; correspondingly, the first device sends BA frame 414 corresponding to A-MPDU 413 to the second device, and BA frame 414 indicates that A-MPDU 413 was successfully received.

[0299] exist Figure 4In the process, when the second device is unable to transmit all the buffered data from the first device in TXOP 410, the second device continues to compete for TXOP 420. During the first frame interaction of the second first transmission, the second device sends A-MPDU 421 to the first device in TXOP 420; correspondingly, the first device sends a BA frame 422 corresponding to A-MPDU 421 to the second device, along with BA frame 422 indicating successful reception of A-MPDU 421. At this point, the second device transmits all the buffered data from the first device. After the first device sends BA frame 422, the first device switches back from the second operating state to the first operating state.

[0300] It is worth noting that, Figure 4 This only illustrates that the first device switches back to the first operating state from the second operating state before the end of TXOP 420. Of course, the first device can also switch back to the first operating state at the end of BA frame 422, the end of TXOP 420, or after the end of TXOP 420; there are no specific restrictions on this.

[0301] The following example illustrates the switching back to the first operating state from the second operating state based on the first transmission in S220.

[0302] Method 1

[0303] In "Method 1", for the switch from the second working state back to the first working state based on the first transmission in S220, one possible implementation is as follows:

[0304] In response to the completion of all data transmissions in the first transmission, the first device switches back from the second operating state to the first operating state.

[0305] It should be noted that when the first device and the second device perform one or more first transmissions, the completion of all data transmissions in the first transmission can be understood as the completion of all data transmissions of the first device that are cached by the second device, or the completion of all data transmissions of the second device that are cached by the first device.

[0306] In other words, in response to the completion of all data transmissions of the first device cached by the second device or the completion of all data transmissions of the second device cached by the first device, the first device switches back from the second working state to the first working state.

[0307] After all data transmissions in the first transmission are completed, the second device has no more cached data to transmit to the first device, or the first device has no more cached data to transmit to the second device. Before all data transmissions in the first transmission are completed, the first device continues to be in the second working state.

[0308] For example, in Figure 3 In the process, the first device remains in the second operating state until the A-MPDU 321 is successfully transmitted. When BA frame 322 indicates that the A-MPDU 321 has been successfully received, and the second device has no more buffered data to transmit to the first device after the A-MPDU 321, the first device can switch back from the second operating state to the first operating state.

[0309] As can be seen, after all data transmissions in the first transmission are completed, since the second device has no more cached data to transmit to the first device, or the first device has no more cached data to transmit to the second device, the first device can switch back from the second operating state to the first operating state, which helps to reduce the power consumption of the first device and achieve the purpose of energy saving.

[0310] Optionally, if a data transmission fails during the first transmission, the failed data will be retransmitted, and will be successfully transmitted after one or more retransmissions. Therefore, when all data transmissions in the first transmission are completed, it indicates that all data transmissions in the first transmission were successful.

[0311] The data in the first transmission may include MAC frames, MPDU, A-MPDU, or PPDU, etc.

[0312] It's important to note that to mitigate errors in wireless transmission, the protocol defines a link-level retransmission mechanism. In this mechanism, successful data reception is indicated when data (such as MAC frames) can be correctly demodulated or parsed by the receiver. Conversely, failure to demodulate or parse data indicates reception failure, necessitating retransmission. The receiver can acknowledge successful or failed data reception. For example, it can send an acknowledgment to the sender, which can be carried in an ACK or BA frame. The ACK frame confirms successful reception, while the BA frame can acknowledge the reception status (success or failure) of multiple data streams (such as multiple MAC frames). If the sender does not receive this acknowledgment in a timely manner, it can assume reception failure and retransmit.

[0313] For example, such as Figure 5 As shown, when the second device has cached data from the first device, after the first device switches from the first working state to the second working state, the first device and the second device perform the first transmission.

[0314] exist Figure 5In the first frame interaction of the first transmission, the second device sends A-MPDU 511 to the first device in a TXOP obtained through channel contention; correspondingly, the first device sends BA frame 512 corresponding to A-MPDU 511 to the second device, and BA frame 512 indicates that A-MPDU 511 was successfully received.

[0315] exist Figure 5 In the second frame interaction of the first transmission, the second device sends A-MPDU 521 to the first device in the TXOP; correspondingly, the first device sends BA frame 522 corresponding to A-MPDU 521 to the second device, and BA frame 522 indicates that the m-th MPDU in A-MPDU 521 has failed to be received, where m is a positive integer.

[0316] exist Figure 5 In the third frame interaction of the first transmission, the second device retransmits the m-th MPDU to the first device in the TXOP; correspondingly, the first device sends an ACK frame 531 corresponding to the m-th MPDU to the second device, and the ACK frame 531 indicates that the m-th MPDU was successfully received. At this time, the second device successfully transmits all the data of the first device. After the first device sends the ACK frame 531, the first device switches from the second operating state back to the first operating state; before this, the first device was always in the second operating state.

[0317] It is worth noting that, Figure 5 This only illustrates that the first device switches back to the first operating state from the second operating state before the end of the TXOP. Of course, the first device can also switch back to the first operating state at the end of the ACK frame 531 transmission, the end of the TXOP, or after the end of the TXOP; there are no specific restrictions on this.

[0318] Method 2

[0319] In "Method 2", for the switch from the second working state back to the first working state based on the first transmission in S220, one possible implementation is as follows:

[0320] In response to the completion of the last data transmission in the first transmission, and the second device having no more buffered data to transmit to the first device, the first device switches back from the second operating state to the first operating state.

[0321] The data in the first transmission may include MAC frames, MPDU, A-MPDU, or PPDU, etc.

[0322] It should be noted that when the first device and the second device perform one or more first transmissions, if the second device has no more buffered data to transmit to the first device after the last data transmission in the first transmission is completed, this indicates that all data transmissions of the first device buffered by the second device have been completed. Until all data transmissions of the first device buffered by the second device are completed, the first device continues to operate in the second working state.

[0323] For example, in Figure 4 In the process, the first device remains in the second operating state until the A-MPDU 421 is successfully transmitted. When BA frame 422 indicates that the A-MPDU 421 has been successfully received, and the second device has no more buffered data to transmit to the first device after A-MPDU 421, the first device can switch back from the second operating state to the first operating state.

[0324] As can be seen, since the second device has no more cached data to transmit to the first device, the first device can switch back from the second working state to the first working state, which helps to reduce the power consumption of the first device and achieve the purpose of energy saving.

[0325] Optionally, when a new data transmission fails during the first transmission, the failed data will be retransmitted and successfully transmitted after one or more retransmissions, until the last data transmission in the first transmission is completed and the second device has no more buffered data to transmit to the first device.

[0326] For example, such as Figure 6 As shown, when the second device has cached data from the first device, after the first device switches from the first working state to the second working state, the first device and the second device perform multiple first transmissions.

[0327] exist Figure 6 In the first frame interaction of the first transmission, the second device sends A-MPDU 611 to the first device in TXOP 610 obtained through channel contention; correspondingly, the first device sends BA frame 612 corresponding to A-MPDU 611 to the second device, and BA frame 612 indicates that A-MPDU 611 was successfully received.

[0328] exist Figure 6 In the second frame interaction of the first transmission, the second device sends A-MPDU 613 to the first device in TXOP 610; correspondingly, the first device sends BA frame 614 corresponding to A-MPDU 613 to the second device. BA frame 614 indicates that the nth MPDU in A-MPDU 613 failed to be received, where n is a positive integer.

[0329] exist Figure 6In the process, when the second device cannot retransmit the nth MPDU in TXOP 610, the second device continues to compete for TXOP 620. During the first frame interaction of the second first transmission, the second device retransmits the nth MPDU to the first device in TXOP 620; correspondingly, the first device sends an ACK frame 621 to the second device for the retransmitted nth MPDU, and the ACK frame 621 indicates that the nth MPDU was successfully received. At this time, the second device completes the transmission of all buffered data from the first device. After the first device sends the ACK frame 621, the first device switches back from the second operating state to the first operating state.

[0330] It is worth noting that, Figure 6 This only illustrates that the first device switches back to the first operating state from the second operating state before the end of TXOP 620. Of course, the first device can also switch back to the first operating state at the end of the transmission of ACK frame 621, the end of TXOP 620, or after the end of TXOP 620; there is no specific restriction on this.

[0331] Optionally, each data item in the first transmission includes indication information, which indicates whether the second device has any buffered data to be transmitted to the first device after its own data. For example, this indication information is 1 bit. If the value of this 1 bit is 1, it indicates that the second device has buffered data to be transmitted to the first device; if the value of this 1 bit is 0, it indicates that the second device has no buffered data to be transmitted to the first device, and vice versa. In this way, the first device can know whether the second device has any buffered data to be transmitted to it based on this indication information.

[0332] Alternatively, this indication information can be carried by a more data field. For example, in Figure 4 In A-MPDU 411, the value of the "More Data" field is 1, indicating that the second device has buffered data to be transmitted to the first device after A-MPDU 411. Similarly, the value of the "More Data" field in A-MPDU 413 is 1, indicating that the second device has buffered data to be transmitted to the first device after A-MPDU 413. Finally, the value of the "More Data" field in A-MPDU 421 is 0, indicating that the second device has no more buffered data to be transmitted to the first device after A-MPDU 421.

[0333] Optionally, when the first device acknowledges data sent by the second device, additional information can be added to the acknowledgment feedback. This information can indicate whether the first device has cached data from the second device. For example, this information could be a single bit. If the value of this single bit is 1, it indicates that the first device has cached data from the second device; if the value of this single bit is 0, it indicates that the first device has not cached data from the second device, and vice versa. In this way, when the first device has cached data from the second device, the first device continues to operate in the second working state, and can obtain a TXOP through channel contention, and send the device data to the second device within that TXOP.

[0334] Method 3

[0335] In “Method 3”, for the switch from the second working state back to the first working state based on the first transmission in S220, one possible implementation is as follows:

[0336] In response to the completion of the last data transmission in the first transmission, the first device has no more buffered data to transmit to the second device, and the first device switches back from the second operating state to the first operating state.

[0337] The data in the first transmission may include MAC frames, MPDU, A-MPDU, or PPDU, etc.

[0338] It should be noted that when the first device and the second device perform one or more first transmissions, if the first device has no more buffered data to transmit to the second device after the last data transmission in the first transmission is completed, this indicates that all data transmissions of the second device buffered by the first device have been completed. Furthermore, the first device continues to operate in the second working state until all data transmissions of the second device buffered by the first device are completed.

[0339] In this way, since the first device has no more cached data to transmit to the second device, the first device can switch back from the second working state to the first working state, which helps to reduce the power consumption of the first device and achieve the purpose of energy saving.

[0340] Optionally, if a data transmission fails during the first transmission, the failed data will be retransmitted and successfully transmitted after one or more retransmissions. In this way, the completion of all data transmissions in the first transmission can result in all data transmissions being successful.

[0341] Optionally, each data item in the first transmission includes indication information, which indicates whether the first device has any buffered data to be transmitted to the second device after its current data item. For example, this indication information is one bit. If the value of this one bit is 1, it indicates that the first device has buffered data to be transmitted to the second device; if the value of this one bit is 0, it indicates that the first device has no buffered data to be transmitted to the second device, and vice versa. In this way, the second device can know whether the first device has any buffered data to be transmitted to it based on this indication information.

[0342] Alternatively, the indication information can be further specified by additional data fields.

[0343] Optionally, when the second device acknowledges the data sent by the first device, additional information can be added to the acknowledgment feedback. This additional information can indicate whether the second device has cached the data from the first device. For example, this added information is one bit. If the value of this one bit is 1, it indicates that the second device has cached the data from the first device; if the value of this one bit is 0, it indicates that the second device has not cached the data from the first device, and vice versa. In this way, when the second device has cached the data from the first device, the first device continues to remain in the second operating state and waits for subsequent transmissions from the second device. The second device can obtain a TXOP through channel contention and send data to the first device within that TXOP.

[0344] Method 4

[0345] In “Method 4”, for the switch from the second working state back to the first working state based on the first transmission in S220, one possible implementation is as follows:

[0346] In response to the completion of the last data transmission in the first transmission and the fact that the second device has no more buffered data to transmit to the first device, and the completion of the last data transmission in the first transmission and the fact that the first device has no more buffered data to transmit to the second device, the first device switches back from the second operating state to the first operating state.

[0347] The data in the first transmission may include MAC frames, MPDU, A-MPDU, or PPDU, etc.

[0348] It should be noted that when the first device and the second device perform one or more first transmissions, if the second device has no more buffered data to transmit to the first device after the completion of the last data transmission in the first transmission, and the first device has no more buffered data to transmit to the second device after the completion of the last data transmission in the first transmission, this indicates that all data transmissions of the first device buffered by the second device have been completed, and all data transmissions of the second device buffered by the first device have been completed. Furthermore, until all data transmissions of the first device buffered by the second device have been completed, and until all data transmissions of the second device buffered by the first device have been completed, the first device continues to be in the second operating state.

[0349] In this way, since the second device has no more cached data to transmit to the first device, and the first device has no more cached data to transmit to the second device, the first device can switch back from the second working state to the first working state, which helps to reduce the power consumption of the first device and achieve the purpose of energy saving.

[0350] Optionally, when a new data transmission fails during the first transmission, the failed data will be retransmitted and successfully transmitted after one or more retransmissions, until the last data transmission in the first transmission is completed and the second device has no more cached data to transmit to the first device and the first device has no more cached data to transmit to the second device.

[0351] Optionally, each piece of data sent by the first device in the first transmission includes indication information, which indicates whether the first device has any buffered data to be transmitted to the second device after its own data.

[0352] Optionally, each piece of data sent by the second device in the first transmission includes indication information, which indicates whether the second device has any buffered data to be transmitted to the first device after its own data.

[0353] Alternatively, the indication information can be further specified by additional data fields.

[0354] Method 5

[0355] In “Method 5”, for the switch from the second working state back to the first working state based on the first transmission in S220, one possible implementation is as follows:

[0356] In response to the fact that the number of retransmissions of all failed new data in the first transmission exceeds the first retransmission threshold, the system switches back from the second working state to the first working state.

[0357] The data in the first transmission may include MAC frames, MPDU, A-MPDU, or PPDU, etc.

[0358] It should be noted that when data transmission fails during the first transmission, the failed data will be retransmitted. When the number of retransmissions for all failed data exceeds the first retransmission threshold, it indicates that the first device and the second device may be unable to continue transmission for a period of time. Therefore, the first device can switch back from the second operating state to the first operating state, thereby reducing the power consumption of the first device and achieving energy saving.

[0359] For example, taking a threshold of 2 for the first retransmission count as an example, Figure 7 As shown, when the second device has cached data from the first device, after the first device switches from the first working state to the second working state, the first device and the second device perform the first transmission.

[0360] exist Figure 7 In the first frame interaction of the first transmission, the second device sends A-MPDU 711 to the first device in a TXOP obtained through channel contention; correspondingly, the first device sends BA frame 712 corresponding to A-MPDU 711 to the second device, and BA frame 712 indicates that the k-th MPDU in A-MPDU 711 has failed to be received, where k is a positive integer.

[0361] exist Figure 7 In the second frame interaction of the first transmission, the second device transmits the kth MPDU to the first device in the TXOP; correspondingly, the first device sends the BA frame 713 corresponding to the retransmitted kth MPDU to the second device, and the BA frame 713 indicates that the retransmitted kth MPDU failed to be received.

[0362] exist Figure 7 In the third frame interaction of the first transmission, the second device continues to retransmit the k-th MPDU to the first device in the TXOP; correspondingly, the first device sends the BA frame 713 corresponding to the retransmitted k-th MPDU to the second device, and the BA frame 713 indicates that the k-th MPDU reception failed. At this time, after the first device sends the BA frame 713, the first device switches from the second working state back to the first working state, whereas before this, the first device was always in the second working state.

[0363] It is worth noting that, Figure 7 This only illustrates that the first device switches back to the first operating state from the second operating state before the end of the TXOP. Of course, the first device can also switch back to the first operating state at the end of the transmission of BA frame 713, the end of the TXOP, or after the end of the TXOP; there are no specific restrictions on this.

[0364] Optionally, the first retransmission threshold can be a default value, a standard protocol specification, a network configuration, or a pre-configured value.

[0365] Method 6

[0366] In “Method 6”, for the switch from the second working state back to the first working state based on the first transmission in S220, one possible implementation is as follows:

[0367] In response to the failure of new transmission of one or more data (hereinafter referred to as "first data" for convenience) in the first transmission, and the number of retransmissions of the first data exceeding the first retransmission threshold, the first device switches back from the second operating state to the first operating state.

[0368] For example, in response to at least X data points (i.e., the X data points are the first data points, where X is a positive integer) failing to be newly transmitted in the first transmission, and the number of retransmissions of the X data points exceeding a first retransmission threshold, the first device switches back from the second operating state to the first operating state. In other words, when at least X data points fail to be newly transmitted in the first transmission, and the number of retransmissions of the X data points exceeds the first retransmission threshold, it indicates that the communication quality is poor, and the first device can switch back from the second operating state to the first operating state.

[0369] The data in the first transmission may include MAC frames, MPDUs, A-MPDUs, or PPDUs, etc. The first data may be one or more data types. For example, the first data may include one or more MPDUs, etc.

[0370] It should be noted that when the first data transmission fails, or when the first data consists of one or more data items, the first data will be retransmitted. If the number of retransmissions of the first data exceeds the first retransmission threshold, it indicates that the remaining data after the first data may also fail to be transmitted, potentially preventing the first and second devices from continuing transmission for a period of time. Therefore, the first device can switch back from the second operating state to the first operating state, thereby reducing the power consumption of the first device and achieving energy saving.

[0371] Optionally, the first retransmission threshold can be a default value, a standard protocol specification, a network configuration, or a pre-configured value.

[0372] Optionally, the number of data in the first data (i.e., the value of X) can be the default, specified by the standard protocol, network configuration, or pre-configured.

[0373] Method 7

[0374] In "Method 7", for the switch from the second working state back to the first working state based on the first transmission in S220, one possible implementation is as follows: Figure 8 S820 and S840 are shown in the diagram. Among them, Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating another state switching method according to an embodiment of this application, which specifically includes the following steps:

[0375] S810 is the same as S210, so it will not be described again.

[0376] S820. After the first transmission is completed, the first device sends first information; wherein the first information is used to poll whether the device associated with the first device has a transmission request with the first device.

[0377] Correspondingly, the device associated with the first device (including the second device) receives the first information.

[0378] It should be noted that "first transmission complete" can be understood as the completion of all data transmissions in the first transmission, or the completion of all data transmissions of the first device cached by the second device, or the completion of all data transmissions of the second device cached by the first device.

[0379] The device associated with the first device can be one or more. For example, there can be only a second device, or there can be a third device in addition to the second device. The third device includes one or more WLAN devices. When the device associated with the first device is only the second device, the second device will receive the first information. When the devices associated with the first device include both the second and third devices, both the second and third devices will receive the first information.

[0380] The device associated with the first device has a transmission requirement with the first device, which can be understood as the device associated with the first device having cached data to transmit to the first device.

[0381] The device associated with the first device has no transmission requirement to the first device, which can be understood as the device associated with the first device not transmitting cached data to the first device.

[0382] S830. The second device sends a second message indicating that the second device has no transmission requirement with the first device.

[0383] Correspondingly, the first device receives the second information.

[0384] It should be noted that when the devices associated with the first device include the second device and the third device, in addition to the second device needing to send the second information to the first device, the third device also needs to send the second information to the first device. The second information sent by the third device indicates that the third device has no transmission needs with the first device.

[0385] S840. In response to the second information indicating that none of the devices associated with the first device have a transmission requirement with the first device, the first device switches back from the second operating state to the first operating state.

[0386] It should be noted that the first device can receive second information sent by any device associated with it, and determine whether the device associated with it has a transmission requirement based on this second information.

[0387] As can be seen, after the first transmission is completed, the first device can actively poll its associated devices for any transmission requests. If none of the associated devices have any transmission requests, the first device can switch back from the second operating state to the first operating state, thereby reducing its power consumption and achieving energy saving.

[0388] Optionally, the first device in S820 sends first information, including: the first device broadcasting the first information.

[0389] For the first device in S820 to send the first information, one possible implementation is as follows:

[0390] In response to the first device continuously listening to a channel being idle for a first duration, the first device sends a first message.

[0391] It should be noted that after the first transmission is completed, the first device will remain in the second operating state, continuously listening to the channel and continuously detecting when the channel is idle for the first duration. This indicates that after the first transmission is completed, no device associated with the first device has a transmission request to the first device within the first duration. Afterward, the first device can proactively poll its associated devices for any transmission requests, preventing the first device from remaining in the second operating state indefinitely.

[0392] Optionally, the first information is transmitted within a TXOP acquired by the first device through channel contention. It is understood that the first device can acquire a TXOP through channel contention and transmit the first information within that TXOP.

[0393] Optionally, the first duration can be the default, the one specified by the standard protocol, the one configured by the network, or a pre-configured one.

[0394] Optionally, the first information is carried in a Buffer Status Report Poll (BSRP) frame, and the second information is carried in a Buffer Status Report (BSR) frame. Thus, after the first transmission is complete, the first device can poll the BSR via the BSRP frame to determine whether any devices associated with it have a transmission need with it.

[0395] Optionally, the first information is carried by a Null Data Packet Feedback Report Poll (NFRP) frame, and the second information is carried by a Null Data Packet Feedback Report (NFR) frame. Thus, after the first transmission is complete, the first device can poll the NFR via NFRP frames to determine whether any devices associated with it have a transmission need with it.

[0396] Method 8

[0397] In "Method 8", for the switch from the second working state back to the first working state based on the first transmission in S220, one possible implementation is as follows: Figure 9 The S920 and S930. Among them, Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating another state switching method according to an embodiment of this application, which specifically includes the following steps:

[0398] S910 is the same as S210, so it will not be described again.

[0399] S920. After the first transmission is completed, the first device sends first information; wherein the first information is used to poll the devices associated with the first device for the existence of transmission requests of the first device.

[0400] Correspondingly, the device associated with the first device (including the second device) receives the first information.

[0401] S930. In response to not receiving a third message and the third message indicating that the device associated with the first device has a transmission requirement with the first device, the first device switches from the second operating state back to the first operating state.

[0402] It should be noted that the failure to receive the third message is explained as follows: When the second device has no transmission need with the first device, the second device will not send the third message to the first device. The third message indicates that the second device has a transmission need with the first device, preventing the first device from receiving the third message sent by the second device. When the second device has a transmission need with the first device, the second device will send the third message to the first device, enabling the first device to receive the third message sent by the second device.

[0403] Similarly, when the third device has no transmission need with the first device, the third device will not send third information to the first device. The third information indicates that the third device has a transmission need with the first device, preventing the first device from receiving the third information sent by the third device. When the third device has a transmission need with the first device, the third device will send third information to the first device, allowing the first device to receive the third information sent by the third device.

[0404] Optionally, after sending the first information, the first device can determine a specific time period or a specific time point. If it does not receive any third information from any device within the specific time period or before the specific time point, it is assumed that it will not receive any more third information, meaning that it is assumed that no device associated with the first device has sent any third information. The start time of the specific time period can be the end time of sending the first information (e.g., the end position of the communication resources used to send the first information), and the length of the specific time period can be specified by a protocol, preset in the first device, configured by the network, or set by the first device itself. The specific time point can be determined by the first device itself.

[0405] Therefore, the first device can determine whether any of its associated devices have a transmission requirement based on whether it receives any third information from any of its associated devices. If the first device does not receive any third information from any of its associated devices, it means that none of its associated devices have a transmission requirement. If the first device receives third information from one of its associated devices, it means that that device has a transmission requirement, and the first device may continue to operate in the second working state.

[0406] As can be seen, after the first transmission is completed, the first device can actively poll the devices associated with it using the first information to see if there is a transmission need with it. If none of the devices associated with the first device have a transmission need with it, the first device will not receive the third information, causing it to switch back from the second working state to the first working state. This helps reduce the power consumption of the first device and achieves energy saving.

[0407] For the first device in S920 to send the first information, one possible implementation is as follows:

[0408] In response to the first device continuously listening to a channel being idle for a first duration, the first device sends a first message.

[0409] It should be noted that after the first transmission is completed, the first device will remain in the second operating state, continuously listening to the channel and continuously detecting when the channel is idle for the first duration. This indicates that after the first transmission is completed, no device associated with the first device has a transmission request to the first device within the first duration. Afterward, the first device can proactively poll its associated devices for any transmission requests, preventing the first device from remaining in the second operating state indefinitely.

[0410] Optionally, the first information is transmitted within a TXOP acquired by the first device through channel contention. It is understood that the first device can acquire a TXOP through channel contention and transmit the first information within that TXOP.

[0411] Optionally, the first duration can be the default, the one specified by the standard protocol, the one configured by the network, or a pre-configured one.

[0412] Optionally, the first information is carried in the BSRP frame, and the third information is carried in the BSR frame. Thus, after the first transmission is complete, the first device can poll the BSR via the BSRP frame to determine whether any devices associated with it have a transmission need with it.

[0413] Optionally, the first information is carried in the NFRP frame, and the third information is carried in the NFR frame. Thus, after the first transmission is complete, the first device can poll the NFR using the NFRP frame to determine whether any devices associated with it require transmission.

[0414] Method 9

[0415] In "Method 9", for the switch from the second working state back to the first working state based on the first transmission in S220, one possible implementation is as follows: Figure 10 S1020 and S1040 in the example. Among them, Figure 10This is a flowchart illustrating another state switching method according to an embodiment of this application, which specifically includes the following steps:

[0416] S1010 is the same as S210, so it will not be described again.

[0417] S1020. After the first transmission is completed, the first device sends a fourth message; wherein the fourth message is used to announce to the device associated with the first device that the first device is ready to switch back from the second working state to the first working state.

[0418] Correspondingly, the device associated with the first device (including the second device) receives the fourth information.

[0419] S1030. The second device sends the fifth message, which instructs the second device to confirm the fourth message.

[0420] Correspondingly, the first device receives the fifth message.

[0421] It should be noted that when a device associated with the first device has no transmission requirement with the first device, after that device learns through the fourth information that the first device is preparing to switch back from the second operating state to the first operating state, the device can confirm the fourth information. In other words, the device's confirmation of the fourth information can be understood as the device having learned or confirmed that the first device is preparing to switch back from the second operating state to the first operating state.

[0422] When a device associated with the first device has a transmission requirement with the first device, after the device learns through the fourth information that the first device is preparing to switch back to the first working state from the second working state, the device can report to the first device that it has a transmission requirement with the first device, or the device can report to the first device that it expects the first device to remain in the second working state, so that the first device continues to be in the second working state after receiving the feedback.

[0423] When the devices associated with the first device include the second device and the third device, in addition to the second device needing to send the fifth information to the first device, the third device also needs to send the fifth information to the first device. The fifth information sent by the third device instructs the third device to determine the fourth information.

[0424] S1040. In response to the fifth information indicating that all devices associated with the first device have confirmed the fourth information, the first device switches back from the second operating state to the first operating state.

[0425] For example, if each device associated with the first device sends a fifth message to the first device, and each fifth message determines the fourth message, then the first device can switch back from the second working state to the first working state.

[0426] It should be noted that the first device can receive the fifth information sent by any device associated with it, and determine whether the device associated with it has confirmed that the first device is ready to switch back from the second working state to the first working state based on this fifth information.

[0427] As can be seen, after the first transmission is completed, the first device can proactively announce to its associated devices that it is ready to switch back from the second operating state to the first operating state via the fourth information. If all the devices associated with the first device have confirmed that the first device is ready to switch back from the second operating state to the first operating state, the first device can switch back from the second operating state to the first operating state, thereby helping to reduce the power consumption of the first device and achieving energy saving.

[0428] For the first device in S1020 to send the fourth information, one possible implementation is as follows:

[0429] In response to the first device continuously listening to a channel that is idle for a first duration, the first device sends a fourth message.

[0430] It should be noted that after the first transmission is completed, the first device will remain in the second operating state, continuously listening to the channel and continuously detecting that the channel is idle for the first duration. This indicates that after the first transmission is completed, no device associated with the first device has a transmission requirement with the first device during the first duration. After this, the first device can proactively announce to its associated devices that it is ready to switch back from the second operating state to the first operating state, thus preventing the first device from remaining in the second operating state indefinitely.

[0431] Optionally, the fourth information is sent within a TXOP acquired by the first device through channel contention. That is, the first device can acquire a TXOP through channel contention and send the fourth information within that TXOP.

[0432] Optionally, the first duration can be the default, the one specified by the standard protocol, the one configured by the network, or a pre-configured one.

[0433] Method 10

[0434] In "Method 10", for the switch from the second working state back to the first working state based on the first transmission in S220, one possible implementation is as follows: Figure 11 S1120 and S1130 in the example. Among them, Figure 11 This is a flowchart illustrating another state switching method according to an embodiment of this application, which specifically includes the following steps:

[0435] S1110 is the same as S210, so it will not be described again.

[0436] S1120. After the first transmission is completed, the first device sends a fourth message; wherein the fourth message is used to announce to the device associated with the first device that the first device is ready to switch back from the second working state to the first working state.

[0437] Correspondingly, the device associated with the first device (including the second device) receives the fourth information.

[0438] It should be noted that when a device associated with the first device has a transmission requirement with the first device, after the device learns through the fourth information that the first device is preparing to switch back to the first working state from the second working state, the device can provide feedback to the first device that it expects the first device to remain in the second working state, so that the first device continues to be in the second working state after receiving the feedback.

[0439] When a device associated with the first device does not have a transmission requirement with the first device, after the device learns through the fourth information that the first device is preparing to switch back from the second working state to the first working state, the device will not send feedback to the first device that it expects the first device to remain in the second working state, so that the first device cannot receive such feedback.

[0440] S1130. In response to not receiving the sixth message and the sixth message indicating that the device associated with the first device expects the first device to remain in the second operating state, the first device switches back to the first operating state from the second operating state.

[0441] It should be noted that the failure to receive the sixth message is explained as follows: After each device associated with the first device receives the fourth message, it does not send the sixth message to the first device, or does not send the sixth message to the first device within a specific time period, or does not send the sixth message to the first device before a specific time point, so that the first device does not receive the sixth message and switches back from the second working state to the first working state.

[0442] Optionally, after sending the fourth message, the first device can determine a specific time period or a specific time point. If it does not receive the sixth message from any device within the specific time period or before the specific time point, it is assumed that it will not receive the sixth message again, meaning that it is assumed that no device associated with the first device has sent the sixth message. The start time of this specific time period can be the end time of sending the fourth message (e.g., the end position of the communication resources used to send the fourth message), and the length of this specific time period can be specified by the protocol, preset in the first device, configured by the network, or set by the first device itself. The specific time point can be determined by the first device itself.

[0443] Therefore, the first device can determine whether it expects itself to remain in the second operating state based on whether it receives a sixth message from any device associated with it. If the first device does not receive any sixth message from any device associated with it, it means that none of the devices associated with it expect the first device to remain in the second operating state. If the first device receives a sixth message from one of its associated devices, it means that the device expects the first device to remain in the second operating state, and in this case, the first device may remain in the second operating state.

[0444] As can be seen, after the first transmission is completed, the first device can proactively announce to its associated devices via the fourth information that it is ready to switch back from the second operating state to the first operating state. If none of the devices associated with the first device want the first device to remain in the second operating state, the first device can switch back from the second operating state, thereby reducing the power consumption of the first device and achieving energy saving.

[0445] For the first device in S1120 to send the fourth information, one possible implementation is as follows:

[0446] In response to the first device continuously listening to a channel that is idle for a first duration, the first device sends a fourth message.

[0447] It should be noted that after the first transmission is completed, the first device will remain in the second operating state, continuously listening to the channel and continuously detecting that the channel is idle for the first duration. This indicates that after the first transmission is completed, no device associated with the first device has a transmission requirement with the first device during the first duration. At this time, the first device can proactively announce to its associated devices that it is ready to switch back from the second operating state to the first operating state, avoiding the first device remaining in the second operating state indefinitely.

[0448] Optionally, the fourth information is transmitted within a TXOP acquired by the first device through channel contention. It is understood that the first device can acquire a TXOP through channel contention and transmit the fourth information within that TXOP.

[0449] Optionally, the first duration can be the default, the one specified by the standard protocol, the one configured by the network, or a pre-configured one.

[0450]

Method 11

[0451] In “Method 11”, for the switch from the second working state back to the first working state based on the first transmission in S220, one possible implementation is as follows:

[0452] After the first transmission is completed, in response to the first device detecting a second transmission on the channel, the length of the second transmission being greater than the first length threshold, and the recipient of the second transmission not being the first device, the first device switches back from the second operating state to the first operating state.

[0453] It should be noted that after the first transmission is completed, the first device will continue to operate in the second state and continuously listen to the channel until the first device detects the second transmission on the channel. Specifically, the length of the second transmission must exceed the first length threshold, and the recipient of the second transmission must not be the first device.

[0454] The second transmission may include at least one frame communication within a TXOP.

[0455] The receiving target of the second transmission is not the first device. This can be understood as the first device not participating in the second transmission on the current channel, which is already occupied by other WLAN devices besides the first device for transmission. In other words, the second transmission is a transmission between other WLAN devices besides the first device.

[0456] The length of the second transmission is greater than the first length threshold, which can be understood as the current channel being occupied by other WLAN devices besides the first device for transmission for a relatively long period of time.

[0457] In this way, after the first transmission is completed, since there are no other WLAN devices that need to transmit with the first device for a relatively long period of time, the first device can switch back from the second working state to the first working state, which helps to reduce the power consumption of the first device and achieve the purpose of energy saving.

[0458] Optionally, the data in the second transmission indicates the length of the second transmission and the recipient of the second transmission. For example, the header or body of the MAC frame in the second transmission includes information indicating the length of the second transmission and the recipient of the second transmission. Thus, when the first device detects the second transmission on the channel, the first device can determine the length of the second transmission and the recipient of the second transmission based on this information.

[0459] Optionally, the length of the second transmission includes one or more of the following: the length of the TXOP in the second transmission, and the length of the PPDU in the second transmission. It is understood that after the first transmission is completed, other WLAN devices besides the first device compete for the TXOP through channel contention and then perform the second transmission. The length of the TXOP or the length of the PPDU in the second transmission is greater than the first length threshold.

[0460] Optionally, the first length threshold can be a default value, a value specified by a standard protocol, a network configuration value, or a pre-configured value.

[0461] The following example illustrates how the second device determines the first device's switchback from the second operating state to the first operating state based on the first transmission.

[0462] In one possible example, the way the second device determines whether the first device switches back to the first operating state based on the first transmission can be similar to the way the first device switches back to the first operating state based on the first transmission. That is, the second device can determine whether the first device switches back to the first operating state based on any of the above-mentioned "method 1" to "method 11", which will not be elaborated further.

[0463] The following example illustrates how the first device is triggered to switch from the first working state to the second working state in this new energy-saving mode.

[0464] In one possible example, before the first transmission is performed, the second device can trigger the first device to switch from the first operating state to the second operating state via signaling.

[0465] For example, such as Figure 12 As shown, Figure 12 This is a flowchart illustrating another state switching method according to an embodiment of this application, which specifically includes the following steps:

[0466] S1210. The second device sends a trigger message, which is used to trigger the first device to switch from the first working state to the second working state.

[0467] Correspondingly, the first device receives the trigger information.

[0468] S1220 is the same as S210, so it will not be described again.

[0469] S1230 is the same as S220, so it will not be described again.

[0470] It is evident that the second device can trigger the first device to switch from the first working state to the second working state through trigger information.

[0471] For the second device in S1210 to send trigger information, one possible implementation is as follows:

[0472] In response to the second device having cached data to be transmitted to the first device, or in response to the first device having cached data to be transmitted to the second device, the second device sends a trigger message.

[0473] It can be seen that when the second device has cached data to be transmitted to the first device, or when the first device has cached data to be transmitted to the second device, the second device can trigger the first device to switch from the first working state to the second working state through trigger information.

[0474] Optionally, the trigger information is carried by control frames, trigger frames, management frames, or initial trigger frames (ICF). Therefore, the second device can trigger the first device to switch from the first operating state to the second operating state via control frames, trigger frames, management frames, or ICF.

[0475] For example, taking ICF as an example, such as Figure 13 As shown, when the second device has buffered data to be transmitted to the first device, the second device sends an ICF (Initial Control Response) to the first device within a TXOP (Turn-Only Request) acquired through channel contention. The ICF triggers the first device to switch from the first operating state to the second operating state. Correspondingly, the first device sends an Initial Control Response (ICR) to the second device, instructing the second device to complete the switch from the first operating state to the second operating state. After the first device switches from the first operating state to the second operating state, the first device and the second device perform the first transmission.

[0476] Optionally, the trigger information may include padding information, such as padding bits. This is because, since the first device needs processing time to switch from the first operating state to the second operating state, the second device can add padding information to the trigger information to delay its duration, so as to continuously occupy the channel and thus help avoid the channel being preempted by other WLAN devices.

[0477] The following example illustrates the energy-saving capabilities between the first and second devices in this new energy-saving mode.

[0478] In one possible example, before the first device switches from a first operating state to a second operating state, the first device and the second device can interact regarding the capability of the new energy-saving mode. Specifically, the first device can inform the second device that it has the capability to support the new energy-saving mode; correspondingly, the second device can inform the first device that it has the capability to serve the first device within the new energy-saving mode.

[0479] For example, such as Figure 14 As shown, Figure 14 This is a flowchart illustrating another state switching method according to an embodiment of this application, which specifically includes the following steps:

[0480] S1410. The first device sends first capability information, which is used to indicate that the first device supports switching between a first operating state and a second operating state.

[0481] Correspondingly, the second device receives the first capability information.

[0482] S1420. The second device sends second capability information, which indicates that the second device has the capability to serve the first device.

[0483] S1430 is the same as S210, so it will not be described again.

[0484] S1440 is the same as S220, so it will not be described again.

[0485] It is evident that the first device can use the first capability information to provide feedback to the second device that it has the capability to switch between the first working state and the second working state, while the second device can use the second capability information to provide feedback to the first device that it has the capability to serve the first device.

[0486] Optionally, the first capability information is carried in the probe request frame, and the second capability information is carried in the probe response frame. Thus, the first and second devices can interact regarding the energy-saving capabilities of this new energy-saving mode during the probe phase.

[0487] Optionally, the first capability information is carried in the association request frame, and the second capability information is carried in the association response frame. Therefore, the first device and the second device can interact regarding the energy-saving capabilities of this new energy-saving mode during the association phase.

[0488] For example, the first capability information may include UHR capability element information or power save capability element information in the associated request frame, and the second capability information may include UHR capability element information or power save capability element information in the associated response frame.

[0489] Optionally, the first capability information is carried in the reassociation request frame, and the second capability information is carried in the reassociation response frame. Therefore, the first device and the second device can interact regarding the energy-saving capabilities of this new energy-saving mode during the reassociation phase.

[0490] Optionally, the second device having the ability to serve the first device means that the second device has the ability to use triggering information to trigger the first device to switch from a first operating state to a second operating state, and / or, the second device has the ability to configure relevant operating parameters in the new energy-saving mode to the first device.

[0491] The following example illustrates the relevant operational information for configuring the second device to the first device in this new energy-saving mode.

[0492] In one possible example, when the second device has the ability to serve the first device, the second device can configure relevant operating information in the new energy-saving mode to the first device via signaling, so that the first device can switch between the first operating state and the second operating state according to this relevant operating information.

[0493] The following example illustrates how a second device configures relevant operational information to a first device using configuration information. For instance... Figure 15 As shown, Figure 15 This is a flowchart illustrating another state switching method according to an embodiment of this application, which specifically includes the following steps:

[0494] S1510. The second device sends configuration information, which includes at least one of the following: first configuration information, second configuration information, third configuration information, fourth configuration information, fifth configuration information, sixth configuration information, seventh configuration information, eighth configuration information, or ninth configuration information.

[0495] Correspondingly, the first device receives the configuration information.

[0496] It should be noted that the first configuration information can be used to enable or disable the new energy-saving mode (for ease of description and distinction, "the new energy-saving mode" will be used as an example below). When the energy-saving mode is enabled, the first device can switch between a first operating state and a second operating state. That is, when the energy-saving mode is enabled, the first device can switch between the first and second operating states; when the energy-saving mode is disabled, the first device cannot perform WLAN communication according to the relevant operating parameters in the energy-saving mode.

[0497] The second configuration information can be used to configure the types of MAC frames that the first device can normally parse in the first operating state. For example, the first device in the first operating state can only parse ICF frames, and can only parse other types of MAC frames normally after switching to the second operating state.

[0498] The third configuration information can be used to configure the time for switching from the first working state to the second working state.

[0499] The fourth configuration information can be used to configure the time for switching from the second operating state to the first operating state. The time for switching from the first operating state to the second operating state can be the same as or different from the time for switching from the second operating state to the first operating state. When they are the same, the second device only needs to send one of the third or fourth configuration information.

[0500] The fifth configuration information can be used to configure the parameters used by the first device for WLAN communication in the first operating state. The parameters used by the first device for WLAN communication in the first operating state include at least one of the following: first MCS, first operating bandwidth, or first number of spatial streams.

[0501] The sixth configuration information can be used to configure the parameters used by the first device for WLAN communication in the second operating state. The parameters used by the first device for WLAN communication in the second operating state include at least one of the following: second MCS, second operating bandwidth, or second number of spatial streams.

[0502] The seventh configuration information can be used to configure the PPDU format supported by the first device in the first working state.

[0503] The eighth configuration information can be used to configure the PPDU format supported by the first device in the second operating state.

[0504] The ninth configuration information can be used to configure at least one of the following: first duration, first retransmission count threshold, or first length threshold.

[0505] S1520 is the same as S210, so it will not be described again.

[0506] S1530 is the same as S220, so it will not be described again.

[0507] As can be seen, the second device can configure the first device with relevant operating information in the energy-saving mode, so that the first device can switch between the first working state and the second working state according to this relevant operating information.

[0508] Optionally, configuration information can be carried by action frames. In this way, action frames can be used to configure the relevant operational information for the first device in power-saving mode.

[0509] For example, taking the DPS mode as the power-saving mode as an example, the configuration information in this action frame is illustrated in Table 1. In Table 1, the action field in this action frame includes at least one of the following: Category field, Protected UHR Action field, Dialog Token field, DPS Control field, or DPS Parameter field.

[0510] The category field is used to configure the UHR action for protection.

[0511] The dialogue token field is used to configure interaction matching.

[0512] The protected UHR action field is used to configure the action frame as a DPS Operating Parameter Notification (DPS OPN) frame.

[0513] The DPS control field is used to configure relevant control information in DPS mode.

[0514] The DPS parameter field is used to configure relevant parameter information in DPS mode.

[0515] Table 1

[0516]

[0517] As shown in Table 2, the DPS control fields include at least one of the following: DPS Mode Enable subfield, DPS Parameter Present subfield, or DPS Limit subfield.

[0518] The DPS mode enable subfield is used to configure whether DPS mode is enabled or disabled. If the value of the DPS mode enable subfield is 0, it indicates that DPS mode is disabled; if the value of the DPS mode enable subfield is 1, it indicates that DPS mode is enabled.

[0519] The DPS parameter field has a subfield, which is used to configure whether the DPS parameter field exists. A value of 0 indicates that the DPS parameter field does not exist, and a value of 1 indicates that the DPS parameter field exists.

[0520] The DPS limit subfield is used to configure the types of MAC frames that the first device can normally parse in the first working state.

[0521] As shown in Table 3, the DPS parameter fields include at least one of the following: LC supported working bandwidth subfield, HC supported working bandwidth subfield, DPS padding delay subfield, DPS transmission delay subfield, LC supported MCS subfield, HC supported MCS subfield, LC supported spatial stream number subfield, HC supported spatial stream number subfield, channel listening time subfield, retransmission count subfield, or transmission length subfield.

[0522] The LC supports a working bandwidth subfield, which is used to configure the first working bandwidth used for WLAN communication in LC state.

[0523] The HC supports a working bandwidth subfield, which is used to configure the second working bandwidth used for WLAN communication in HC state.

[0524] DPS fills the delay subfield, which is used to configure the time to switch from LC state to HC state.

[0525] The DPS transmission delay subfield is used to configure the time for switching from HC state to LC state.

[0526] LC supports the MCS subfield, which is used to configure the first MCS used for WLAN communication in LC state.

[0527] HC supports the MCS subfield, which is used to configure the second MCS used for WLAN communication in HC state.

[0528] The LC supports a spatial stream number subfield, which is used to configure the first number of spatial streams used for WLAN communication in LC state.

[0529] The HC supports a spatial stream number subfield, which is used to configure the second number of spatial streams used for WLAN communication in HC state.

[0530] The Channel Listening Time subfield is used to configure the first duration.

[0531] The retransmission count subfield is used to configure the first retransmission count threshold.

[0532] The transmission length subfield is used to configure the first length threshold.

[0533] Table 2

[0534]

[0535] Table 3

[0536]

[0537] The state switching device of this embodiment will be described in the following example.

[0538] The above mainly describes the solution of the embodiments of this application from the perspective of the method. The functional units of the state switching device of this embodiment are illustrated below. It is understood that, in order to achieve the above functions, the WLAN device includes hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, in conjunction with the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in the embodiments disclosed herein, this embodiment can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a certain function is executed by hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this embodiment.

[0539] This application embodiment can divide the WLA device into functional units according to the above method example. For example, each function can be divided into a separate functional unit, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing unit. The integrated unit can be implemented in hardware or as a software program module. It should be noted that the unit division in this application embodiment is illustrative and only represents a logical functional division, while other division methods may be used in actual implementation.

[0540] When using integrated units, Figure 16 This is a functional unit block diagram of a state switching device according to an embodiment of this application. The state switching device 1600 includes a communication unit 1601 and a switching unit 1602.

[0541] Optionally, the communication unit 1601 may be a communication interface, transceiver, transceiver circuit, etc. Additionally, the communication unit 1601 may include a transmitting unit and / or a receiving unit.

[0542] Optionally, the state switching device 1600 may further include a storage unit for storing computer program code or instructions executed by the state switching device 1600. The storage unit may be a memory.

[0543] Optionally, the state switching device 1600 can be a chip or a chip module.

[0544] Optionally, the switching unit 1602 can be integrated into the processing unit.

[0545] It should be noted that the processing unit can be a processor or controller, such as a baseband processor, baseband chip, central processing unit (CPU), general-purpose processor, digital signal processor (DSP), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, transistor logic device, hardware component, or any combination thereof. It can implement or execute the various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the disclosure of this embodiment. The processing unit can also be a combination that implements computing functions, such as including one or more microprocessor combinations, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, etc.

[0546] Optionally, the state switching device 1600 is used to perform any of the steps performed by the WLAN device / chip / chip module, etc., as described in the above method embodiments.

[0547] In specific implementation, the communication unit 1601 and the switching unit 1602 are used to perform any of the steps in the above method embodiments, and when performing actions such as sending, other units can be selectively invoked to complete the corresponding operation. A detailed description follows.

[0548] The communication unit 1601 is used to perform a first transmission after the first device switches from a first working state to a second working state; wherein the energy consumption of the first device performing WLAN communication in the first working state is less than the energy consumption of performing WLAN communication in the second working state, and the first transmission is a transmission between the first device and the second device.

[0549] The switching unit 1602 is used to switch from the second working state back to the first working state based on the first transmission.

[0550] As can be seen, the first device can support switching from a first operating state to a second operating state to enable transmission with the second device in the second operating state, ensuring transmission performance. Since the first device consumes less energy for WLAN communication in the first operating state than in the second operating state, it can switch back from the second operating state to reduce its energy consumption and achieve high energy efficiency. Thus, by switching between the first and second operating states, a balance is achieved between energy saving and transmission performance.

[0551] In one possible example, regarding the switch back to the first operating state based on the first transmission:

[0552] The switching unit 1602 is used to switch back from the second working state to the first working state in response to the completion of all data transmissions in the first transmission.

[0553] In one possible example, regarding the switch back to the first operating state based on the first transmission:

[0554] The switching unit 1602 is configured to switch from the second operating state back to the first operating state in response to the fact that the second device has no more cached data to be transmitted to the first device after the last data transmission in the first transmission is completed, and / or the first device has no more cached data to be transmitted to the second device after the last data transmission in the first transmission is completed.

[0555] In one possible example, regarding the switch back to the first operating state based on the first transmission:

[0556] The switching unit 1602 is used to switch back from the second working state to the first working state in response to the fact that the number of retransmissions of all failed new transmissions in the first transmission exceeds the first retransmission number threshold.

[0557] In one possible example, regarding the switch back to the first operating state based on the first transmission:

[0558] The switching unit 1602 is used to switch from the second working state back to the first working state in response to the failure of new transmission of one or more data in the first transmission and the retransmission number of the one or more data exceeding the first retransmission number threshold.

[0559] In one possible example, regarding the switch back to the first operating state based on the first transmission:

[0560] The communication unit 1601 is further configured to send first information after the first transmission is completed; wherein the first information is used to poll whether the device associated with the first device has a transmission request with the first device.

[0561] The communication unit 1601 is also used to receive second information;

[0562] The switching unit 1602 is used to switch from the second working state back to the first working state in response to a second information indication that none of the devices associated with the first device have a transmission requirement with the first device.

[0563] In one possible example, regarding the switch back to the first operating state based on the first transmission:

[0564] The communication unit 1601 is further configured to send first information after the first transmission is completed; wherein the first information is used to poll the existence of devices associated with the first device and the transmission needs of the first device;

[0565] The switching unit 1602 is configured to switch from the second operating state back to the first operating state in response to the absence of a third message and the third message indicating the presence of a device associated with the first device and a transmission request from the first device.

[0566] In one possible example, regarding the sending of the first message:

[0567] The communication unit 1601 is used to send first information in response to the channel being idle for a first duration while being continuously monitored by the first device.

[0568] In one possible example, the first information is carried by the BSRP frame, and the second or third information is carried by the BSR frame.

[0569] In one possible example, the first information is carried by the NFRP frame, and the second or third information is carried by the NFR frame.

[0570] In one possible example, regarding the switch back to the first operating state based on the first transmission:

[0571] The communication unit 1601 is further configured to send a fourth message after the first transmission is completed; wherein the fourth message is used to announce to the device associated with the first device that the first device is ready to switch back from the second working state to the first working state.

[0572] The communication unit 1601 is also used to receive the fifth message;

[0573] The switching unit 1602 is used to switch back from the second operating state to the first operating state in response to the fifth information indicating that all devices associated with the first device have confirmed the fourth information.

[0574] In one possible example, regarding the switch back to the first operating state based on the first transmission:

[0575] The communication unit 1601 is further configured to send a fourth message after the first transmission is completed; wherein the fourth message is used to announce to the device associated with the first device that the first device is ready to switch back from the second working state to the first working state.

[0576] The switching unit 1602 is configured to switch back to the first operating state in response to the absence of a sixth message and the sixth message indicating that the device associated with the first device expects the first device to remain in the second operating state.

[0577] In one possible example, regarding the sending of the fourth message:

[0578] The communication unit 1601 is also configured to send a fourth message in response to the channel being idle for a first duration while being continuously monitored by the first device.

[0579] In one possible example, regarding the switch back to the first operating state based on the first transmission:

[0580] The switching unit 1602 is configured to switch back from the second operating state to the first operating state after the first transmission is completed, in response to the first device detecting the second transmission on the channel, the length of the second transmission being greater than the first length threshold, and the receiving object of the second transmission being the first device.

[0581] In one possible example, before the first transmission:

[0582] The communication unit 1601 is also used to receive trigger information, which is used to trigger the first device to switch from the first working state to the second working state.

[0583] In one possible example, before the first transmission:

[0584] The communication unit 1601 is also used to send first capability information, which is used to indicate that the first device supports switching between a first operating state and a second operating state.

[0585] The communication unit 1601 is also used to receive second capability information, which indicates that the second device has the capability to serve the first device.

[0586] In one possible example, before the first transmission:

[0587] The communication unit 1601 is also used to receive configuration information, which includes at least one of first configuration information, second configuration information, third configuration information, fourth configuration information, fifth configuration information, sixth configuration information, seventh configuration information, eighth configuration information, or ninth configuration information;

[0588] The first configuration information is used to configure whether the energy-saving mode is enabled or disabled. When the energy-saving mode is enabled, the first device can switch between the first working state and the second working state.

[0589] The second configuration information is used to configure the type of media access control MAC frames that the first device can normally parse in the first working state;

[0590] The third configuration information is used to configure the time for switching from the first working state to the second working state;

[0591] The fourth configuration information is used to configure the time for switching from the second working state to the first working state;

[0592] The fifth configuration information is used to configure the parameters used by the first device for WLAN communication in the first working state;

[0593] The sixth configuration information is used to configure the parameters used by the first device for WLAN communication in the second working state;

[0594] The seventh configuration information is used to configure the physical layer data protocol unit (PPDU) format supported by the first device in the first working state;

[0595] The eighth configuration information is used to configure the PPDU format supported by the first device in the second working state;

[0596] The ninth configuration information is used to configure at least one of the following: first duration, first retransmission count threshold, or first length threshold.

[0597] In one possible example, the configuration information is carried by the action frame.

[0598] In one possible example, the first operating state is the state in which the first device performs WLAN communication using at least one of the first modulation and coding scheme MCS, the first operating bandwidth, or the first number of spatial streams;

[0599] The second operating state is the state in which the first device uses at least one of the second MCS, the second operating bandwidth, or the second number of spatial streams to perform WLAN communication.

[0600] The first MCS is less than or equal to the second MCS, the first working bandwidth is less than or equal to the second working bandwidth, and the first number of spatial streams is less than or equal to the second number of spatial streams.

[0601] When using integrated units, Figure 17 This is a functional unit block diagram of another state switching device according to an embodiment of this application. The state switching device 1700 includes a communication unit 1701.

[0602] Optionally, the communication unit 1701 can be a module unit for sending and / or receiving relevant information, without specific limitations. The communication unit 1701 can be a communication interface, transceiver, transceiver circuit, etc.

[0603] Optionally, the state switching device 1700 may further include a storage unit for storing computer program code or instructions executed by the state switching device 1700. The storage unit may be a memory.

[0604] Optionally, the state switching device 1700 can be a chip or a chip module.

[0605] Optionally, the state switching device 1700 may also include a processing unit.

[0606] It should be noted that the processing unit can be a processor or controller, such as a baseband processor, baseband chip, central processing unit (CPU), general-purpose processor, digital signal processor (DSP), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, transistor logic device, hardware component, or any combination thereof. It can implement or execute the various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the disclosure of this embodiment. The processing unit can also be a combination that implements computing functions, such as including one or more microprocessor combinations, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, etc.

[0607] Optionally, the state switching device 1700 is used to perform any of the steps performed by the WLAN device / chip / chip module, etc., as described in the above method embodiments.

[0608] In specific implementation, the communication unit 1701 is used to perform any of the steps in the above method embodiments, and when performing actions such as receiving, it can selectively call other units to complete the corresponding operation. A detailed description follows.

[0609] The communication unit 1701 is used to perform a first transmission after the first device switches from a first working state to a second working state; wherein the energy consumption of the first device performing WLAN communication in the first working state is less than the energy consumption of performing WLAN communication in the second working state, the first transmission is a transmission between the first device and the second device, and the first transmission can be used to determine that the first device switches back from the second working state to the first working state.

[0610] As can be seen, the first device can support switching from a first operating state to a second operating state to enable transmission with the second device in the second operating state, ensuring transmission performance. Since the first device consumes less energy for WLAN communication in the first operating state than in the second operating state, it can switch back from the second operating state to reduce its energy consumption and achieve high energy efficiency. Thus, by switching between the first and second operating states, a balance is achieved between energy saving and transmission performance.

[0611] In one possible example, after the first transmission:

[0612] The communication unit 1701 is also configured to receive first information after the first transmission is completed, the first information being used to poll whether the device associated with the first device has a transmission request with the first device;

[0613] The communication unit 1701 is also used to send a second message indicating that the second device does not have a transmission requirement with the first device.

[0614] In one possible example, the first information is carried by the BSRP frame, and the second information is carried by the BSR frame; or...

[0615] The first information is carried by the NFRP frame, and the second information is carried by the NFR frame.

[0616] In one possible example, after the first transmission:

[0617] The communication unit 1701 is also configured to receive fourth information after the first transmission is completed, the fourth information being used to announce to the device associated with the first device that the first device is ready to switch back from the second working state to the first working state.

[0618] The communication unit 1701 is also used to send a fifth message, which is used to instruct the second device to confirm the fourth message.

[0619] In one possible example, before the first transmission:

[0620] The communication unit 1701 is also used to send trigger information, which is used to trigger the first device to switch from the first working state to the second working state.

[0621] In one possible example, before the first transmission:

[0622] The communication unit 1701 is also used to receive first capability information, which is used to indicate that the first device supports switching between a first operating state and a second operating state.

[0623] The communication unit 1701 is also used to send second capability information, which indicates that the second device has the capability to serve the first device.

[0624] In one possible example, before the first transmission:

[0625] The communication unit 1701 is also used to send configuration information, which includes at least one of the following: first configuration information, second configuration information, third configuration information, fourth configuration information, fifth configuration information, sixth configuration information, seventh configuration information, eighth configuration information, or ninth configuration information;

[0626] The first configuration information is used to configure whether the energy-saving mode is enabled or disabled. When the energy-saving mode is enabled, the first device can switch between the first working state and the second working state.

[0627] The second configuration information is used to configure the type of media access control MAC frames that the first device can normally parse in the first working state;

[0628] The third configuration information is used to configure the time for switching from the first working state to the second working state;

[0629] The fourth configuration information is used to configure the time for switching from the second working state to the first working state;

[0630] The fifth configuration information is used to configure the parameters used by the first device for WLAN communication in the first working state;

[0631] The sixth configuration information is used to configure the parameters used by the first device for WLAN communication in the second working state;

[0632] The seventh configuration information is used to configure the physical layer data protocol unit (PPDU) format supported by the first device in the first working state;

[0633] The eighth configuration information is used to configure the PPDU format supported by the first device in the second working state;

[0634] The ninth configuration information is used to configure at least one of the following: first duration, first retransmission count threshold, or first length threshold.

[0635] In one possible example, the configuration information is carried by the action frame.

[0636] In one possible example, the first operating state is the state in which the first device performs WLAN communication using at least one of the first modulation and coding scheme MCS, the first operating bandwidth, or the first number of spatial streams;

[0637] The second operating state is the state in which the first device uses at least one of the second MCS, the second operating bandwidth, or the second number of spatial streams to perform WLAN communication.

[0638] The first MCS is less than or equal to the second MCS, the first working bandwidth is less than or equal to the second working bandwidth, and the first number of spatial streams is less than or equal to the second number of spatial streams.

[0639] The structure of one device in this embodiment is illustrated below.

[0640] Please see Figure 18 , Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a device according to an embodiment of this application. The device 1800 may include a processor 1810, a memory 1820, and a communication bus for connecting the processor 1810 and the memory 1820.

[0641] Optionally, the memory 1820 may include, but is not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), and the memory 1820 is used to store program code executed by the device 1800 and data transmitted therefrom.

[0642] Optionally, the device 1800 also includes a communication interface for receiving and sending data.

[0643] Optionally, device 1800 can be the device described above.

[0644] Optionally, the processor 1810 can be one or more CPUs. If the processor 1810 is a CPU, the CPU can be a single-core CPU or a multi-core CPU.

[0645] Optionally, the processor 1810 can be a baseband chip, a chip, a CPU, a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA, or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof.

[0646] In some possible examples, the processor 1810 in device 1800 is used to execute a computer program or instruction 1821 stored in memory 1820 to perform the following operations:

[0647] After the first device switches from the first working state to the second working state, the first transmission is performed; wherein, the energy consumption of the first device in the first working state for WLAN communication is less than the energy consumption of the first device in the second working state for WLAN communication, and the first transmission is the transmission between the first device and the second device.

[0648] The system switches back to the first working state from the second working state based on the first transmission.

[0649] As can be seen, device 1800 can support switching from a first operating state to a second operating state to enable transmission with a second device in the second operating state, ensuring transmission performance. Since the energy consumption of device 1800 for WLAN communication in the first operating state is lower than that in the second operating state, device 1800 can support switching back from the second operating state to reduce its energy consumption and achieve high energy efficiency. Thus, by switching between the first and second operating states, a balance is achieved between energy saving and transmission performance.

[0650] Optionally, device 1800 is the first device.

[0651] It should be noted that the specific implementation of each operation can adopt the corresponding description of the method embodiment shown above. The device 1800 can be used to execute the method embodiment described above in this embodiment, and will not be described again here.

[0652] The structure of one device in this embodiment is illustrated below.

[0653] Please see Figure 19 , Figure 19 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a device according to an embodiment of this application. The device 1900 may include a processor 1910, a memory 1920, and a communication bus for connecting the processor 1910 and the memory 1920.

[0654] Optionally, the memory 1920 may include, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EPROM or CD-ROM, and the memory 1920 may be used to store program code executed by the device 1900 and data transmitted therefrom.

[0655] Optionally, the device 1900 also includes a communication interface for receiving and sending data.

[0656] Optionally, device 1900 can be the device described above.

[0657] Optionally, the processor 1910 can be one or more CPUs. If the processor 1910 is a CPU, the CPU can be a single-core CPU or a multi-core CPU.

[0658] Optionally, the processor 1910 can be a baseband chip, chip, CPU, general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA or other programmable logic device, transistor logic device, hardware component or any combination thereof.

[0659] In some possible examples, the processor 1910 in device 1900 is used to execute a computer program or instruction 1921 stored in memory 1920 to perform the following operations:

[0660] After the first device switches from the first working state to the second working state, a first transmission is performed; wherein, the energy consumption of the first device performing WLAN communication in the first working state is less than the energy consumption of performing WLAN communication in the second working state, the first transmission is the transmission between the first device and the second device, and the first transmission can be used to determine that the first device switches back from the second working state to the first working state.

[0661] As can be seen, the first device can support switching from a first operating state to a second operating state to transmit data with device 1900 in the second operating state, ensuring transmission performance. Since the first device consumes less energy for WLAN communication in the first operating state than in the second operating state, it can switch back from the second operating state to reduce its energy consumption and achieve high energy efficiency. Thus, by switching between the first and second operating states, a balance is achieved between energy saving and transmission performance.

[0662] Optionally, device 1900 is a second device.

[0663] It should be noted that the specific implementation of each operation can adopt the corresponding description of the method embodiment shown above. The device 1900 can be used to execute the method embodiment described above in this embodiment, and will not be described again here.

[0664] The following provides examples illustrating other relevant aspects of this embodiment.

[0665] Optionally, the above method embodiments can be applied to either the first device or the second device. That is, the executing entity of the above method embodiments can be a WLAN device, a chip, a chip module, or a module, etc., without specific limitations.

[0666] This application also provides a communication system, including a first device and a second device.

[0667] This application also provides a chip, including a processor, a memory, and a computer program or instructions stored in the memory, wherein the processor executes the computer program or instructions to implement the steps described in the above method embodiments.

[0668] This application also provides a chip module, including a transceiver component and a chip. The chip includes a processor, a memory, and a computer program or instructions stored in the memory, wherein the processor executes the computer program or instructions to implement the steps described in the above method embodiments.

[0669] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed, implement the steps described in the above method embodiments.

[0670] This application also provides a computer program product, including a computer program or instructions that, when executed, implement the steps described in the above method embodiments.

[0671] It should be noted that, for the sake of simplicity, the above embodiments are all described as a series of actions. Those skilled in the art should understand that this application is not limited to the described order of actions, as some steps in the embodiments of this application can be performed in other orders or simultaneously. Furthermore, those skilled in the art should also understand that the embodiments described in the specification are preferred embodiments, and the actions, steps, modules, or units involved are not necessarily essential to the embodiments of this application.

[0672] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of each embodiment in this application have different focuses. For parts not described in detail in a certain embodiment, please refer to the relevant descriptions in other embodiments.

[0673] The steps of the methods or algorithms described in the embodiments of this application can be implemented in hardware or by a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions can consist of corresponding software modules, which can be stored in RAM, flash memory, ROM, EPROM, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), registers, hard disk, portable hard disk, read-only optical disk (CD-ROM), or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to a processor, enabling the processor to read information from and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium can also be a component of the processor. The processor and storage medium can reside in an ASIC. Furthermore, the ASIC can reside in a terminal device or management device. Alternatively, the processor and storage medium can exist as discrete components in the terminal device or management device.

[0674] Those skilled in the art will recognize that, in one or more of the examples above, the functions described in the embodiments of this application can be implemented, in whole or in part, by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, it can be implemented, in whole or in part, in the form of a computer program product. This computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When these computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible to a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available media can be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., digital video discs (DVDs)), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks (SSDs)).

[0675] The modules or units included in the various devices and products described in the above embodiments can be software modules or units, hardware modules or units, or a combination of both. For example, for devices and products applied to or integrated into a chip, all modules or units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits, or at least some modules or units can be implemented using software programs that run on a processor integrated within the chip, while the remaining (if any) modules or units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. For devices and products applied to or integrated into a chip module, all modules or units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. Different modules or units can be located in the same component (e.g., chip, circuit module, etc.) or different components of the chip module, or at least some modules or units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. The implementation is achieved through a software program that runs on a processor integrated within the chip module. The remaining modules or units (if any) can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. For various devices or products applied to or integrated into terminal equipment, each of its modules or units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. Different modules or units can be located in the same component (e.g., chip, circuit module, etc.) or different components within the terminal equipment. Alternatively, at least some modules or units can be implemented using a software program that runs on a processor integrated within the terminal equipment, while the remaining modules or units (if any) can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits.

[0676] The specific embodiments described above further illustrate the purpose, technical solution, and beneficial effects of the embodiments of this application. It should be understood that the above descriptions are merely specific embodiments of the embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit the protection scope of the embodiments of this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made on the basis of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application should be included within the protection scope of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A state switching method, characterized in that, Applied to a first device; the method includes: After the first device switches from the first working state to the second working state, a first transmission is performed; wherein, the energy consumption of the first device performing wireless local area network (WLAN) communication in the first working state is less than the energy consumption of performing WLAN communication in the second working state, and the first transmission is the transmission between the first device and the second device. Based on the first transmission, the system switches back from the second working state to the first working state.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The switching back from the second working state to the first working state based on the first transmission includes: In response to the completion of all data transmissions in the first transmission, switch back from the second operating state to the first operating state.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The switching back from the second working state to the first working state based on the first transmission includes: In response to the completion of the last data transmission in the first transmission and the second device having no more cached data to transmit to the first device, and / or the completion of the last data transmission in the first transmission and the first device having no more cached data to transmit to the second device, the device switches back from the second operating state to the first operating state.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The switching back from the second working state to the first working state based on the first transmission includes: In response to the fact that the number of retransmissions of all failed new data in the first transmission exceeds the first retransmission threshold, the system switches back from the second operating state to the first operating state; or, In response to the failure of one or more new data transmissions in the first transmission, and the number of retransmissions of the one or more data exceeding a first retransmission threshold, the system switches back from the second working state to the first working state.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The switching back from the second working state to the first working state based on the first transmission includes: After the first transmission is completed, first information is sent; wherein, the first information is used to poll whether the device associated with the first device has a transmission request with the first device. Upon receiving the second information, and in response to the second information indicating that none of the devices associated with the first device have a transmission requirement with the first device, the device switches back from the second operating state to the first operating state. Alternatively, in response to the absence of a third message and the third message indicating that a device associated with the first device has a transmission requirement with the first device, the system switches back from the second operating state to the first operating state.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The sending of the first information includes: In response to the first device continuously listening to a channel being idle for a first duration, the first information is transmitted.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The first information is carried in the Buffer Status Report Polling (BSRP) frame, and the second or the third information is carried in the Buffer Status Report (BSR) frame; or, The first information is carried by the empty packet feedback report polling NFRP frame, and the second or the third information is carried by the empty packet feedback report NFR frame.

8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The switching back from the second working state to the first working state based on the first transmission includes: After the first transmission is completed, a fourth message is sent; wherein the fourth message is used to announce to the device associated with the first device that the first device is ready to switch back from the second working state to the first working state; Upon receiving the fifth message, and in response to the fifth message indicating that all devices associated with the first device acknowledge the fourth message, the system switches back from the second operating state to the first operating state; or, In response to the absence of a sixth message, and the sixth message indicating that the device associated with the first device expects the first device to remain in the second operating state, the device switches back from the second operating state to the first operating state.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The sending of the fourth information includes: In response to the first device continuously listening to a channel that is idle for a first duration, a fourth message is sent.

10. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The switching back from the second working state to the first working state based on the first transmission includes: After the first transmission is completed, in response to the first device detecting a second transmission on the channel, the length of the second transmission being greater than a first length threshold, and the recipient of the second transmission not being the first device, the device switches back from the second operating state to the first operating state.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that, Prior to performing the first transmission, the method further includes: Receive trigger information, the trigger information being used to trigger the first device to switch from the first working state to the second working state.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1-11, characterized in that, Prior to performing the first transmission, the method further includes: Send first capability information, the first capability information being used to indicate that the first device supports switching between the first operating state and the second operating state; Receive second capability information, which indicates that the second device has the capability to serve the first device.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1-12, characterized in that, Prior to performing the first transmission, the method further includes: Receive configuration information, wherein the configuration information includes at least one of the following: first configuration information, second configuration information, third configuration information, fourth configuration information, fifth configuration information, sixth configuration information, seventh configuration information, eighth configuration information, or ninth configuration information; The first configuration information is used to configure the enabling or disabling of the energy-saving mode. When the energy-saving mode is enabled, the first device can switch between the first working state and the second working state. The second configuration information is used to configure the type of Media Access Control (MAC) frames that the first device can normally parse in the first working state; The third configuration information is used to configure the time for switching from the first working state to the second working state; The fourth configuration information is used to configure the time for switching from the second working state to the first working state; The fifth configuration information is used to configure the parameters used by the first device for WLAN communication in the first working state. The sixth configuration information is used to configure the parameters used by the first device for WLAN communication in the second working state. The seventh configuration information is used to configure the Physical Layer Data Protocol Unit (PPDU) format supported by the first device in the first working state. The eighth configuration information is used to configure the PPDU format supported by the first device in the second working state; The ninth configuration information is used to configure at least one of the following: first duration, first retransmission number threshold, or first length threshold.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The configuration information is carried by the action frame.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1-14, characterized in that, The first working state is the state in which the first device uses at least one of the first modulation and coding scheme MCS, the first working bandwidth, or the first number of spatial streams to perform WLAN communication; The second operating state is the state in which the first device uses at least one of the second MCS, the second operating bandwidth, or the second number of spatial streams for WLAN communication; The first MCS is less than or equal to the second MCS, the first working bandwidth is less than or equal to the second working bandwidth, and the first number of spatial streams is less than or equal to the second number of spatial streams.

16. A state switching method, characterized in that, Applied to a second device; the method includes: After the first device switches from a first operating state to a second operating state, a first transmission is performed; wherein, the energy consumption of the first device performing wireless local area network (WLAN) communication in the first operating state is less than the energy consumption of performing WLAN communication in the second operating state, the first transmission is a transmission between the first device and the second device, and the first transmission can be used to determine that the first device switches back from the second operating state to the first operating state.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, After the first transmission is performed, the method further includes: After the first transmission is completed, first information is received, which is used to poll whether the device associated with the first device has a transmission requirement with the first device. The second information is sent, indicating that the second device has no transmission requirement with the first device.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The first information is carried in the Buffer Status Report Polling (BSRP) frame, and the second information is carried in the Buffer Status Report (BSR) frame; or, The first information is carried by the empty packet feedback report polling NFRP frame, and the second information is carried by the empty packet feedback report NFR frame.

19. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, After the first transmission is performed, the method further includes: After the first transmission is completed, a fourth message is received, which is used to announce to the device associated with the first device that the first device is ready to switch back from the second working state to the first working state. A fifth message is sent, which is used to instruct the second device to confirm the fourth message.

20. The method according to any one of claims 16-19, characterized in that, Prior to performing the first transmission, the method further includes: Send trigger information, the trigger information being used to trigger the first device to switch from the first working state to the second working state.

21. The method according to any one of claims 16-20, characterized in that, Prior to performing the first transmission, the method further includes: Receive first capability information, the first capability information being used to indicate that the first device supports switching between the first operating state and the second operating state; Send second capability information, which indicates that the second device has the capability to serve the first device.

22. The method according to any one of claims 16-21, characterized in that, Prior to performing the first transmission, the method further includes: Send configuration information, which includes at least one of the following: first configuration information, second configuration information, third configuration information, fourth configuration information, fifth configuration information, sixth configuration information, seventh configuration information, eighth configuration information, or ninth configuration information; The first configuration information is used to configure the enabling or disabling of the energy-saving mode. When the energy-saving mode is enabled, the first device can switch between the first working state and the second working state. The second configuration information is used to configure the type of Media Access Control (MAC) frames that the first device can normally parse in the first working state; The third configuration information is used to configure the time for switching from the first working state to the second working state; The fourth configuration information is used to configure the time for switching from the second working state to the first working state; The fifth configuration information is used to configure the parameters used by the first device for WLAN communication in the first working state. The sixth configuration information is used to configure the parameters used by the first device for WLAN communication in the second working state. The seventh configuration information is used to configure the Physical Layer Data Protocol Unit (PPDU) format supported by the first device in the first working state. The eighth configuration information is used to configure the PPDU format supported by the first device in the second working state; The ninth configuration information is used to configure at least one of the following: first duration, first retransmission number threshold, or first length threshold.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that, The configuration information is carried by the action frame.

24. The method according to any one of claims 15-23, characterized in that, The first working state is the state in which the first device uses at least one of the first modulation and coding scheme MCS, the first working bandwidth, or the first number of spatial streams to perform WLAN communication; The second operating state is the state in which the first device uses at least one of the second MCS, the second operating bandwidth, or the second number of spatial streams for WLAN communication; The first MCS is less than or equal to the second MCS, the first working bandwidth is less than or equal to the second working bandwidth, and the first number of spatial streams is less than or equal to the second number of spatial streams.

25. A state switching device, characterized in that, include: A communication unit is configured to perform a first transmission after the first device switches from a first operating state to a second operating state; wherein the energy consumption of the first device performing wireless local area network (WLAN) communication in the first operating state is less than the energy consumption of performing WLAN communication in the second operating state, and the first transmission is a transmission between the first device and the second device. A switching unit is used to switch from the second working state back to the first working state based on the first transmission.

26. A state switching device, characterized in that, include: A communication unit is configured to perform a first transmission after the first device switches from a first operating state to a second operating state; wherein the energy consumption of the first device performing wireless local area network (WLAN) communication in the first operating state is less than the energy consumption of performing WLAN communication in the second operating state, the first transmission is a transmission between the first device and the second device, and the first transmission can be used to determine whether the first device switches back from the second operating state to the first operating state.

27. An apparatus comprising a processor, a memory, and a computer program or instructions stored in the memory, characterized in that, The processor executes the computer program or instructions to implement the method of any one of claims 1-15.

28. An apparatus comprising a processor, a memory, and a computer program or instructions stored in the memory, characterized in that, The processor executes the computer program or instructions to implement the method of any one of claims 16-24.

29. A chip comprising a processor and a transceiver, characterized in that, The transceiver is used to send and receive information, and the processor is used to implement the method of any one of claims 1-24.

30. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, It stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-24.

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