Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The application discloses a communication method and device, which can effectively reduce resource waste in data transmission and improve resource utilization. The method comprises the following steps: a second communication device always maintains a first mode for data transmission in a first time period according to a first control frame from a first communication device, the first time period corresponds to multiple TXOPs, or the first time period corresponds to one TXOP, and the end time of the first time period is earlier than the end time of the TXOP. In the case that the first time period corresponds to multiple TXOPs, the data transmission control of the second communication device across the TXOP level can be realized; in the case that the first time period corresponds to one TXOP, and the end time of the first time period is earlier than the end time of the TXOP, the data transmission control of the second communication device smaller than the TXOP level can be realized.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application. The original application has the application number 202411208100.3 and the original application date is August 29, 2024. The contents of the original application are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communications, and more particularly to communication methods and apparatus. Background Technology

[0003] The IEEE 802.11 standard, part of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standards, specifies that information transmitted over the air interface (wireless medium) in a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) exists in the form of Physical Layer Protocol Data Units (PPDUs). PPDUs are transmitted one by one based on a contention-avoidance mechanism. Typically, the length of a single PPDU is insufficient to meet traffic demands; that is, a device needs to transmit multiple PPDUs to complete a single service interaction.

[0004] To improve transmission efficiency and reduce device power consumption, the protocol introduces the concept of transmission opportunity (TXOP). After acquiring a transmission time (TXOP) for a channel through backoff contention, a device can use the channel without backoff within that TXOP. For example, within the TXOP, the device can enter high-performance mode and continuously transmit multiple PPDUs that it needs to transmit using the channel. After completing the PPDU transmission, it can switch back to low-performance mode, saving the time and signaling overhead spent on backoff contention during the transmission of multiple PPDUs through the channel, and reducing device power consumption through mode switching.

[0005] However, there is still a significant waste of resources in the current data transmission mechanism. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a communication method and apparatus that can effectively reduce resource waste during data transmission and improve resource utilization.

[0007] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, which is applied to a second communication device. For example, the method can be executed by the second communication device, by a component (e.g., a processor, circuit, chip, or chip system) applied to the second communication device, or by a logic node, logic module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the second communication device. The method includes: receiving a first control frame from a first communication device, the first control frame including first information and second information; the first information indicating data transmission using a first mode, the transmission mode corresponding to the first mode being a first transmission mode, or the subchannel corresponding to the first mode being a first subchannel; the second information used to determine a first time period, the first time period being a time period for data transmission using the first mode, the first time period corresponding to multiple transmission opportunities (TXOPs), or the first time period corresponding to one TXOP, and the end time of the first time period being earlier than the end time of the TXOP corresponding to the first time period; and sending a second control frame, the second control frame indicating the first time period.

[0008] Based on this scheme, during data transmission, the second communication device enters a first mode based on a first control frame from the first communication device. A first time period, determined by the second information in the first control frame, serves as the basic time unit for maintaining the first mode. This means the second communication device can maintain its data transmission mode in the first time period. When the first time period corresponds to multiple TXOPs (Transmission Optimization Points), if the second communication device successfully acquires multiple TXOPs within that time period, it does not need to exit the first mode at the end of each TXOP and re-enter the first mode at the start of a new TXOP through control frame interaction with the first communication device. This reduces the impact of control frame interaction and mode switching on TXOP duration and resource consumption, increasing the available data transmission time within each TXOP. Through cross-TXOP level data transmission control, resource utilization is improved. When the first time period corresponds to one TXOP, and the end time of the first time period is earlier than the end time of that TXOP, fine-grained control can be achieved over the time the second communication device is in the first mode within a TXOP. This allows for data transmission control at a granular level smaller than the TXOP, improving the flexibility and accuracy of data transmission control and facilitating power consumption control.

[0009] In one possible design, the communication method further includes: switching to a second mode at a first moment, wherein the transmission mode corresponding to the second mode is the second transmission mode, or the sub-channel corresponding to the second mode is the second sub-channel, and the first moment is determined based on at least one of the following: a first time period, the moment when the transmission of the first transmission frame is completed within the first time period, or the end moment when the third sub-channel becomes unavailable; wherein the first transmission frame is the last data frame or control frame transmitted using the first mode within the first time period; or, the first transmission frame is a data frame or control frame received within the first time period and transmitted using the second mode, and the first transmission frame is adjacent to the last transmission frame transmitted using the first mode within the first time period; the third sub-channel is a sub-channel applied before data transmission using the first mode.

[0010] Based on this scheme, the second communication device can accurately determine the moment when it switches from the first mode to the second mode by combining the first time period determined according to the first control frame, the data transmission status within the first time period, or the availability of the second communication device's historical operation channel (third sub-channel), so as to adapt to the data transmission mode switching requirements of the second communication device under different scenarios.

[0011] In one possible design, the communication method further includes: receiving or sending third information, the third information including a first index set and / or a first bit diagram, the first index set and / or the first bit diagram being used to indicate at least one condition satisfied at a first time; or, the first index set and / or the first bit diagram being used to indicate at least one condition satisfied at a first time and the priority of each of the at least one condition.

[0012] Based on this scheme, the second communication device can accurately obtain the constraints for determining the first moment according to the content of the third information (the first index set and / or the first bit diagram), which facilitates the second communication device to accurately determine the first moment.

[0013] Secondly, a communication method is provided, which can be applied to a first communication device. For example, the method can be executed by the first communication device, or by a component applied to the first communication device (e.g., a processor, circuit, chip, or chip system), or by a logic node, logic module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first communication device. The method includes: sending a first control frame to a second communication device, the first control frame including first information and second information; the first information indicating the use of a first mode for data transmission, the transmission mode corresponding to the first mode being a first transmission mode, or the sub-channel corresponding to the first mode being a first sub-channel; the second information used to determine a first time period, the first time period being a time period for data transmission using the first mode, the first time period corresponding to multiple transmission opportunities (TXOPs), or the first time period corresponding to one TXOP, and the end time of the first time period being earlier than the end time of the TXOP corresponding to the first time period; and receiving a second control frame from the second communication device, the second control frame indicating the first time period.

[0014] In one possible design, the communication method further includes: sending or receiving third information, the third information including a first index set and / or a first bit diagram, the first index set and / or the first bit diagram being used to indicate at least one condition satisfied at a first moment, or the first index set and / or the first bit diagram being used to indicate at least one condition satisfied at the first moment and the priority of each of the at least one condition; wherein, the first moment is the moment when the second communication device begins to switch to a second mode, the transmission mode corresponding to the second mode is the second transmission mode, or the sub-channel corresponding to the second mode is the second sub-channel.

[0015] In one possible design, the first moment is determined based on at least one of the following: a first time period, the moment when the transmission of the first transmission frame is completed within the first time period, or the end moment when the third sub-channel becomes unavailable; wherein the first transmission frame is the last data frame or control frame transmitted using the first mode within the first time period; or, the first transmission frame is a data frame or control frame received within the first time period and transmitted using the second mode, and the first transmission frame is adjacent to the last transmission frame transmitted by the second communication device using the first mode within the first time period; the third sub-channel is a sub-channel used before data transmission using the first mode.

[0016] The technical effects of the second aspect and any possible design can be referred to the technical effects of the corresponding or similar designs in the first aspect, and will not be elaborated here.

[0017] In one possible design, combining the first and second aspects, the second information indicates a second time period and / or the amount of data to be transmitted, the first time period being determined based on the second time period and / or the amount of data to be transmitted, and the second time period being the desired time period for data transmission using the first mode.

[0018] In combination with the first and second aspects, in one possible design, the second information includes multiple sub-information, the first sub-information indicates the second time period and / or the amount of data to be transmitted, and the first sub-information is the sub-information associated with the second communication device among the multiple sub-information.

[0019] Based on this scheme, the first communication device can control the data transmission of one or more devices (such as the second communication device) associated with the first communication device by sending a first control frame. This helps to reduce the number of control frames sent by the first communication device in the process of controlling multiple devices, reduce the resource occupation caused by control frames, and improve resource utilization.

[0020] Combining the first and second aspects, in one possible design, the conditions satisfied by the first moment include at least one of the following: the first moment is the end time of the first time period; the first moment is the second moment; the first moment is earlier than the second moment, and the interval between the first moment and the second moment is greater than or equal to the first duration; the first moment is earlier than the third moment, and the interval between the first moment and the third moment is greater than or equal to the first duration; or, the first moment is later than the fourth moment, and the interval between the first moment and the fourth moment is greater than or equal to the second threshold; wherein, the second moment is the end time of the last TXOP corresponding to the first time period, or the second moment is the end time when the third sub-channel is unavailable; the first duration is the duration required to switch from the first mode to the second mode, the interval between the third moment and the second moment is less than or equal to the first threshold; and the fourth moment is the moment when the transmission of the first transmission frame is completed.

[0021] Based on this scheme, the second communication device can select the appropriate condition from multiple conditions to determine the first moment according to the different requirements of the current application scenario for the switching timing. This allows the second communication device to make the most of the TXOP duration corresponding to the first time period while meeting the requirements of different application scenarios, thereby improving resource utilization.

[0022] Combining the first and second aspects, in one possible design, the sub-channel corresponding to the first mode is the first sub-channel, and the first transmission frame is the last data frame or control frame transmitted using the first mode within the first time period.

[0023] Combining the first and second aspects, in one possible design, if the first duration is greater than or equal to the second duration, the first moment is earlier than the second moment; if the first duration is less than the second duration, the first moment is later than or equal to the second moment, and the second duration is the minimum time threshold for triggering the media synchronization delay timer.

[0024] Based on this scheme, the second communication device can combine the relationship between the time required for it to switch from the first mode to the second mode (first duration) and the minimum time threshold of the triggering medium synchronization delay timer (second duration) to filter the conditions that need to be met at the first moment. This allows the first mode to be maintained for as long as possible within the first time period without triggering the medium synchronization delay timer, thereby increasing the total time for data transmission in the TXOP corresponding to the first time period and thus improving resource utilization.

[0025] Combining the first and second aspects, in one possible design, the first threshold is less than or equal to the second duration, which is the minimum time threshold for triggering the media synchronization delay timer.

[0026] Based on this scheme, after determining the first time according to the third time, while ensuring that the media synchronization delay timer is not triggered during the process of the second communication device switching from the first mode to the second mode, the first time is located as late as possible in the last TXOP corresponding to the first time period, so as to extend the duration of the second communication device in the first mode within the first time period as much as possible.

[0027] In conjunction with the first and second aspects, in one possible design, the circumstances under which the media synchronization delay timer can be started include at least one of the following: the second communication device is an access point (AP) or a station (STA) in dynamic energy-saving DPS mode; the second communication device is a STA in dynamic subchannel operation (DSO) mode; the second communication device is a STA in non-main channel access (NPCA) mode, and the NPCA main channel is located outside the STA's operating bandwidth; or, the second communication device is a STA in NPCA mode, and the main channel of the first basic service set (BSS) becomes available before the end of the network allocation vector (NAV) timer, and the second communication device belongs to the first BSS.

[0028] Based on this scheme, during the data transmission control of the second communication device in the first time period, if the media synchronization is lost when the second communication device switches to the second mode, the media access recovery process can be triggered to restore the media synchronization, thereby improving the reliability of data transmission of the second communication device.

[0029] In conjunction with the first aspect, the communication method further includes: sending a fourth message, the fourth message indicating a first duration. In conjunction with the second aspect, the communication method further includes: receiving a fourth message, the fourth message indicating a first duration.

[0030] Based on this scheme, it is beneficial to accurately obtain the time required for the second communication device to switch from the first mode to the second mode, and then select and determine the applicable conditions for the first moment during the capability negotiation phase, which is conducive to improving the accuracy and reliability of the transmission control of the second communication device.

[0031] In conjunction with the first aspect, the communication method further includes: receiving a third control frame, the third control frame being used to update the first time period; and sending a fourth control frame, the fourth control frame indicating the updated first time period. In conjunction with the second aspect, the communication method further includes: sending a third control frame, the third control frame being used to update the first time period; and receiving a fourth control frame, the fourth control frame indicating the updated first time period.

[0032] Based on this scheme, the second communication device can update the first time period through a handshake-like mechanism based on the interaction between the third and fourth control frames, thereby improving the flexibility of the second communication device's data transmission control.

[0033] Combining the first and second aspects, in one possible design, the first sub-channel is the NPCA main channel.

[0034] In conjunction with the first aspect, the communication method further includes: receiving or sending fifth information. In conjunction with the second aspect, the communication method further includes: sending or receiving fifth information. The fifth information indicates at least one of the following: whether cross-TXOP DPS mode is enabled, whether service period SP-based DPS mode is enabled, a first threshold, a second threshold, whether entry into the media access recovery process is allowed, whether media synchronization loss state is allowed, whether cross-TXOP DSO is enabled, whether SP-based DSO is enabled, whether cross-TXOP NPCA is enabled, or whether SP-based NPCA is enabled.

[0035] Thirdly, a communication method is provided, which is applied to a second communication device. For example, the method can be executed by the second communication device, by a component applied to the second communication device (e.g., a processor, circuit, chip, or chip system), or by a logic node, logic module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the second communication device. The method includes: receiving a first control frame from a first communication device, the first control frame indicating data transmission using a first mode, the duration of data transmission using the first mode being at least one TXOP; and starting a switch to a second mode at a first moment, the first moment being earlier than the end moment of the last TXOP in the at least one TXOP.

[0036] Based on this scheme, during data transmission, the second communication device uses a first mode to transmit data for at least one TXOP (Transmission Optimization Period) according to the first control frame from the first communication device, and switches to the second mode before the last TXOP in the at least one TXOP ends (at a first moment). When the at least one TXOP contains only one TXOP, the first control frame can implement transmission control for the second communication device at a granularity smaller than TXOP, improving the flexibility of data transmission control and effectively reducing or even eliminating the duration of media synchronization loss after the TXOP ends. When the at least one TXOP contains multiple TXOPs, the first control frame can implement transmission control across TXOP granularities. If the second communication device successfully competes for multiple TXOPs within the at least one TXOP, it does not need to exit the first mode at the end of each TXOP and re-enter the first mode by interacting with the control frame of the first communication device at the beginning of a new TXOP. This reduces the impact of control frame interaction and mode switching on TXOP duration and resource consumption, increasing the available data transmission time for the second communication device within each TXOP.

[0037] In one possible design, the communication method further includes: receiving or sending first information, the first information including a first index set and / or a first bit diagram, the first index set and / or the first bit diagram being used to indicate at least one condition satisfied at a first moment; or, the first index set and / or the first bit diagram being used to indicate at least one condition satisfied at a first moment and the priority of each of the at least one condition.

[0038] Based on this scheme, the second communication device can accurately obtain the constraints for determining the first moment according to the content of the third information (the first index set and / or the first bit diagram), which facilitates the second communication device to accurately determine the first moment.

[0039] Fourthly, a communication method is provided, which is applied to a first communication device. For example, the method can be executed by the first communication device, by a component applied to the first communication device (e.g., a processor, circuit, chip, or chip system), or by a logic node, logic module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first communication device. The method includes: sending a first control frame to a second communication device, the first control frame indicating data transmission using a first mode, the duration of data transmission using the first mode being at least one TXOP; sending or receiving first information, the first information being used to determine at least one condition satisfied at a first moment, or the first information being used to determine at least one condition satisfied at the first moment and the priority of each of the at least one condition; wherein the first moment is the moment when the second communication device begins to switch to a second mode, and the first moment is earlier than the end time of the last TXOP in the at least one TXOP.

[0040] In one possible design, the first information includes a first index set and / or a first bit diagram, the first index set and / or the first bit diagram being used to indicate at least one condition satisfied at a first time; or, the first index set and / or the first bit diagram being used to indicate at least one condition satisfied at a first time and the priority of each of the at least one condition.

[0041] The technical effects of the fourth aspect and any possible design can be referred to the technical effects of the corresponding or similar designs in the third aspect, and will not be elaborated here.

[0042] In conjunction with the third and fourth aspects, in one possible design, the first moment is determined based on at least one of the following: the end time of the last TXOP in at least one TXOP, the moment when the transmission of the first transmission frame is completed within at least one TXOP, or the end time when the third subchannel is unavailable; wherein the first transmission frame is the last data frame or control frame transmitted in the first mode within at least one TXOP; or, the first transmission frame is a data frame or control frame received in the second mode within at least one TXOP, and the first transmission frame is adjacent to the last transmission frame transmitted in the first mode within at least one TXOP; the third subchannel is a subchannel applied before data transmission using the first mode.

[0043] Combining the third and fourth aspects, in one possible design, the conditions satisfied by the first moment include at least one of the following: the first moment is earlier than the second moment, and the interval between the first moment and the second moment is greater than or equal to the first duration; the first moment is earlier than the third moment, and the interval between the first moment and the third moment is greater than or equal to the first duration; or, the first moment is later than the fourth moment, and the interval between the first moment and the fourth moment is greater than or equal to the second threshold; wherein, the second moment is the end moment of the last TXOP in at least one TXOP, or the second moment is the end moment when the third subchannel is unavailable; the first duration is the duration required to switch from the first mode to the second mode, the interval between the third moment and the second moment is greater than or equal to the first threshold; and the fourth moment is the moment when the transmission of the first transmission frame is completed.

[0044] Based on this scheme, the second communication device can select the appropriate condition from multiple conditions to determine the first moment according to the different requirements of the current application scenario for the switching timing. This allows the second communication device to increase the time occupied by the second communication device in the first mode for data transmission in the last TXOP of at least one TXOP while meeting the requirements of different application scenarios, which is beneficial to improving resource utilization.

[0045] Combining the third and fourth aspects, in one possible design, if the first duration is greater than or equal to the second duration, the first moment is earlier than the second moment; if the first duration is less than the second duration, the first moment is later than or equal to the second moment, and the second duration is the minimum time threshold for triggering the media synchronization delay timer.

[0046] Based on this scheme, the second communication device can combine the relationship between the time required for it to switch from the first mode to the second mode (first duration) and the minimum time threshold of the triggering medium synchronization delay timer (second duration) to filter the conditions that need to be met at the first moment. This allows the second communication device to maintain the first mode for as long as possible without triggering the medium synchronization delay timer.

[0047] Combining the third and fourth aspects, in one possible design, the first threshold is less than or equal to the second duration, which is the minimum time threshold for triggering the media synchronization delay timer.

[0048] Based on this scheme, after determining the first time according to the third time, while ensuring that the media synchronization delay timer is not triggered during the process of the second communication device switching from the first mode to the second mode, the first time is located as far back as possible in the last TXOP in at least one TXOP, so as to extend the duration of the second communication device in the first mode in at least one TXOP as much as possible.

[0049] In conjunction with the third and fourth aspects, in one possible design, the conditions under which the media synchronization delay timer can be initiated include at least one of the following: the second communication device is an access point (AP) or a station (STA) in dynamic energy-saving DPS mode; the second communication device is a STA in dynamic subchannel operation (DSO) mode; the second communication device is a STA in non-main channel access (NPCA) mode, and the NPCA main channel is located outside the STA's operating bandwidth; or, the second communication device is a STA in NPCA mode, and the main channel of the first basic service set (BSS) becomes available before the end of the network allocation vector (NAV) timer, and the second communication device belongs to the first BSS.

[0050] Based on this scheme, if media synchronization is lost during the switching of the second communication device to the second mode, the media access recovery process can be triggered to restore media synchronization, thereby improving the reliability of data transmission of the second communication device.

[0051] Combining the third and fourth aspects, in one possible design, the transmission mode corresponding to the first mode is the first transmission mode, and the transmission mode corresponding to the second mode is the second transmission mode; or, the sub-channel corresponding to the first mode is the first sub-channel, and the sub-channel corresponding to the second mode is the second sub-channel.

[0052] Combining the third and fourth aspects, in one possible design, the first sub-channel is the NPCA main channel.

[0053] Fifthly, a communication device is provided for implementing various methods. The communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the implementation of the methods, which can be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the functions.

[0054] In some possible designs, the communication device may include a processing module and a transceiver module. The processing module can be used to implement the processing functions in any of the above aspects and any possible implementations thereof. The transceiver module may include a receiving module and a transmitting module, respectively used to implement the receiving function and the transmitting function in any of the above aspects and any possible implementations thereof.

[0055] In some possible designs, the transceiver module can consist of transceiver circuits, transceivers, transceivers, or communication interfaces.

[0056] A sixth aspect provides a communication device, comprising: a processor and a memory; the memory being used to store computer instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the communication device to perform the method described in either aspect.

[0057] A seventh aspect provides a communication device, comprising: a processor and a communication interface; the communication interface being used to communicate with a module outside the communication device; the processor being used to execute a computer program or instructions to cause the communication device to perform the method described in any aspect.

[0058] Eighthly, a communication device is provided, comprising: at least one processor; said processor being configured to execute a computer program or instructions stored in a memory to cause the communication device to perform the method described in any of the aspects. The memory may be coupled to the processor, or may be independent of the processor.

[0059] A ninth aspect provides a communication device (e.g., the communication device may be a chip or a chip system), the communication device including a processor for implementing the functions involved in any one of the first to fourth aspects.

[0060] In some possible designs, the communication device includes a memory for storing necessary program instructions and data.

[0061] In some possible designs, when the device is a chip system, it can be composed of chips or contain chips and other discrete components.

[0062] It is understood that the communication device provided in the fifth to ninth aspects may be the second communication device in the first or third aspect, or a module or unit (e.g., a chip, chip system, or circuit) in the second communication device that performs the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the first, third, or fifth aspects, or a module or unit that can be used in conjunction with the second communication device, or a logic node, logic module, or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the second communication device; or the communication device may be the first communication device in the second or fourth aspect, or a module or unit (e.g., a chip, chip system, or circuit) in the first communication device that performs the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the second or fourth aspect, or a module or unit that can be used in conjunction with the first communication device, or a logic node, logic module, or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the first communication device.

[0063] It is understandable that when the communication device provided in any of the fifth to ninth aspects is a chip, the sending action / function of the communication device can be understood as outputting information, and the receiving action / function of the communication device can be understood as inputting information.

[0064] In a tenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a communication device, enable the communication device to perform the method described in any one of the first to fourth aspects.

[0065] Eleventhly, a computer program product containing instructions is provided, which, when run on a communication device, enables the communication device to perform the method described in any one of the first to fourth aspects.

[0066] In a twelfth aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising a first communication device and a second communication device. The second communication device is configured to perform the methods described in the first or third aspect and any possible design thereof, while the first communication device is configured to perform the methods described in the second or fourth aspect and any possible design thereof.

[0067] The technical effects of any of the design methods in aspects five through twelfth can be found in the technical effects of different design methods in aspects one through four, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0068] Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrating the basic service set structure and working principle provided in this application; Figure 2 A schematic diagram illustrating the principle of sub-channel allocation and occupancy provided in this application; Figure 3 A schematic diagram illustrating an initial control frame application method provided in this application; Figure 4 A schematic diagram of another initial control frame application method provided in this application; Figure 5 A schematic diagram illustrating the principle of sub-channel switching and contention provided in this application; Figure 6 A schematic diagram illustrating another principle of sub-channel allocation and occupancy provided in this application; Figure 7 A schematic diagram illustrating the principle of applying the DPS mode provided in this application; Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system provided in this application; Figure 9 A flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in this application; Figure 10 A schematic diagram of a method for determining the first moment provided in this application; Figure 11 A schematic diagram of a DPS element provided in this application; Figure 12A schematic diagram of a DSO element provided in this application; Figure 13 A schematic diagram of an NPCA element provided in this application; Figure 14 A flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in this application; Figures 15-17 A schematic diagram of the communication device provided in this application. Detailed Implementation

[0069] In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, " / " indicates that the objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B can mean A or B. "And / or" in this application is merely a description of the relationship between the related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. A and B can be singular or plural.

[0070] In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "multiple" means two or more. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of a single item or a plurality of items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0071] Furthermore, to facilitate a clear description of the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the terms "first" and "second" are used in the embodiments of this application to distinguish identical or similar items with substantially the same function and effect. Those skilled in the art will understand that the terms "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity or execution order, and the terms "first" and "second" are not necessarily different.

[0072] In the embodiments of this application, the terms "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate that something is an example, illustration, or description. Any embodiment or design that is described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design. Specifically, the use of terms such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner to facilitate understanding.

[0073] It is understood that the term "embodiment" used throughout the specification means that a specific feature, structure, or characteristic related to an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of this application. Therefore, various embodiments throughout the specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, these specific features, structures, or characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. It is understood that in the various embodiments of this application, the sequence number of each process does not imply the order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0074] It is understood that in this application, "...when" and "if" both refer to the corresponding processing that will be carried out under certain objective circumstances, and are not limited to a specific time, nor do they require a judgment action to be performed during implementation, nor do they imply any other limitations.

[0075] It is understood that some optional features in the embodiments of this application can be implemented independently in certain scenarios without relying on other features, such as the current solution on which they are based, to solve the corresponding technical problems and achieve the corresponding effects. Alternatively, they can be combined with other features as needed in certain scenarios. Correspondingly, the apparatus given in the embodiments of this application can also implement these features or functions, which will not be elaborated here.

[0076] In this application, unless otherwise specified, the same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referred to each other. In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be mutually referenced. Technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships. The following descriptions of the embodiments of this application do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application.

[0077] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, a brief introduction to the relevant technologies of this application is given below.

[0078] 1. Basic Service Set (BSS): A Base Service Set (BSS) is a fundamental module of a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) that supports relevant standards of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). It consists of several stations (STAs). Based on the topology of its member STAs and the functions of the BSS, BSSs can be divided into Infrastructure Basic Service Sets (Infrastructure BSSs) and Independent Basic Service Sets (IBSSs).

[0079] refer to Figure 1 In (a) of this document, the Infrastructure BSS includes a special site that acts as an access distribution system (DS). This site is called the access point (AP), and the other sites are called non-AP STAs. All non-AP sites must access the DS through the AP (i.e., non-AP sites need to be associated with the AP), and non-AP sites cannot communicate directly with each other by default. For ease of description, the sites in the Infrastructure BSS mentioned in the following embodiments of this application may refer to either APs or non-AP sites.

[0080] 2. Transmission opportunity (TXOP): The IEEE 802.11 standard specifies that information transmitted in WLAN over the air interface (wireless medium) is in the form of Physical Layer Protocol Data Units (PPDUs). Clearly, the longer the PPDU, the greater the amount of information it carries, but simultaneously, the greater the possibility that the PPDU cannot be accurately received, and the lower its reliability. Due to environmental uncertainties, the bits in the PPDU may err during transmission. The more bits transmitted at once, the more likely erroneous bits are, making correct decomposition more difficult, or even impossible. When a PPDU cannot be correctly decompressed, it means that the longer the PPDU, the more air interface resources are wasted. Therefore, to balance information capacity and reliability for more efficient transmission, the length of the PPDU is limited. Current standards clearly define the maximum length of the PPDU.

[0081] Typically, the length of a single PPDU is insufficient to meet traffic demands; that is, a device needs to transmit multiple PPDUs to complete a single service interaction. If carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) / collision avoidance (CA) is required for each PPDU transmission, transmission efficiency will be low. Therefore, TXOP was introduced to improve transmission efficiency.

[0082] refer to Figure 1In (b), when device (STA1) has a service transmission requirement, it is considered to have obtained a transmission period, i.e., a TXOP, after completing the backoff through the CSMA / CA mechanism. During this period, device (STA1) can transmit multiple PPDUs as needed. The time interval between adjacent PPDUs (received PPDU and transmitted PPDU, or transmitted PPDU and transmitted PPDU) is only a short inter-frame space (SIFS), saving the device time spent on backoff. When other devices (STA3, STA4) detect a TXOP, they will parse the duration of the TXOP and will not compete for the channel during the TXOP duration to avoid interfering with device (STA1) that has obtained the TXOP. This is called "TXOP protection".

[0083] The device that acquires a TXOP by avoiding contention is called the TXOP holder, and the station that communicates with the TXOP holder within the TXOP is called the TXOP responder. The introduction of TXOPs enables devices in need to use the channel reliably and efficiently.

[0084] Currently, devices using the IEEE 802.11 protocol for wireless communication logically divide their large-bandwidth channels into sub-channels, with 20MHz units. For example, an 80MHz channel might have four 20MHz sub-channels, and a 160MHz channel might have eight 20MHz sub-channels. Within these sub-channels, the device determines which sub-channel is the primary channel based on the configuration information of its Basic Service Set (BSS), while the remaining sub-channels are non-primary channels. Figure 2 As shown in (a) in the embodiments of this application. Unless otherwise specified, the main channel mentioned is "main 20MHz channel", the sub-channel mentioned is "a certain 20MHz sub-channel", and the non-main channel mentioned is "a certain 20MHz sub-channel that is not the main 20MHz channel".

[0085] The main channel plays a crucial role in 802.11 protocol communication. In the aforementioned CSMA / CA mechanism, the device needs to determine whether the channel is idle, and this determination largely depends on the status of the main channel. The device needs to perform energy detection (ED) on each sub-channel and preamble detection (PD) on the main channel. ED has lower hardware requirements but lower accuracy. PD detects the presence of wireless fidelity (WiFi) signals more accurately but has higher hardware requirements. PD detects the presence of PPDUs in the air interface based on the characteristics of WiFi signals and decodes them after capture to extract necessary information. This necessary information includes a duration field. The duration field indicates how long it will take for frame interaction to complete after the PPDU. The duration field of the first frame of a TXOP can be used to help indicate the length of the TXOP. A schematic diagram of the duration field in the PPDU physical layer header can be found in [reference needed]. Figure 2 (b) in the middle.

[0086] For example, the "length of TXOP" is the "length of the PPDU containing the first frame of TXOP" plus the "length indicated by the duration field of the first frame of TXOP". The length of PPDU is specified in the physical layer (PHY) header.

[0087] The protocol requires PD (Power Distribution) to be performed on the primary channel, and sets the corresponding network allocation vector (NAV) timer using the duration field decoded from the primary channel. Devices are not allowed to compete for the channel before the NAV timer finishes its countdown, which is the aforementioned "TXOP protection" mechanism. Considering the complexity of PD implementation, the protocol does not require sites to perform PD on channels other than the primary channel or outside the operating bandwidth. Currently, "performing PD on the primary channel" is referred to as "primary channel access."

[0088] 3. Dynamic sub-band operation (DSO): As WiFi technology evolves, the operating bandwidth of devices increases significantly. Based on practical experience, the technological advancement of access points (APs) is faster than that of STAs (Stations). This means that while APs increase their operating bandwidth with technological advancements, STAs retain their limited bandwidth. Furthermore, some network service providers (BSS) connect many low-bandwidth, low-power devices, such as IoT devices. These BSSs are characterized by high-bandwidth (e.g., 160MHz, 320MHz) APs connected to many low-bandwidth (e.g., 20MHz, 40MHz, 80MHz) STAs.

[0089] To improve channel utilization of high-bandwidth access points (APs), the protocol introduces the concept of Distributed Subchannel Allocation (DSO). At the start of a TXOP (Turn-Off-Package), the AP can remove a Station (STA) from its operational channel. Within the TXOP, the AP and STA communicate using the allocated subchannel. At the end of the TXOP, the AP switches the STA back to its previous operational channel. The "dynamic" aspect of DSO indicates that the allocated subchannel is effective only within a single TXOP, allowing the AP greater flexibility in channel allocation.

[0090] Within a TXOP, the AP can indicate a sub-channel to a STA with DSO capability. The AP initiates a transmission to the DSO STA after a sufficient time delay to ensure the DSO device completes the channel handover (center frequency change), as the DSO STA's PLL needs considerable time to generate a new clock frequency and wait for it to lock until the generated clock stabilizes. The AP also ensures the channel is reserved during this handover. At the end of the TXOP, the DSO STA switches back to the primary channel.

[0091] For example, refer to Figure 3 In (a), the AP divides the bandwidth into two resource units (RUs) of 160S and 160P. The AP can reserve the sub-channel during the target STA's (STA1) channel handover by adding a media access control (MAC) padding field to the end of the initial control frame (ICF). Optionally, after receiving the AP's ICF on its original channel (belonging to 160P), the target STA (STA1) completes the channel handover and, after passing through SIFS, replies with an initial control response frame (ICR) indicating that the sub-channel (belonging to 160S) handover is complete. Additionally, STA2 also receives the ICF and, after passing through SIFS, sends an ICR to the AP, indicating that its occupied sub-channel has not changed (still belonging to 160P). After the data transmission delay (delta), STA1 switches back to its original channel (belonging to 160P) after one SIFS.

[0092] refer to Figure 3 In (b) of this section, to initiate subchannel handover before the MAC padding field begins, a new frame check sequence (FCS)2 can be set before the MAC padding field. FCS2 is set in the user information field of the ICF frame. After receiving the ICF frame, the target STA performs FCS2 verification. If the verification passes, subchannel handover begins, and the length of the MAC padding field after FCS2 is used to complete the subchannel handover.

[0093] The above method relies on the newly added FCS2. If FCS2 is not added, a dual control frame solution is proposed as follows: Figure 4 As shown in (a) above, the AP divides the 160MHz bandwidth into two resource units, 160S and 160P. The AP first sends an Initial Control Frame (ICF) with a MAC padding field on the sub-channel corresponding to 160P. The target STA (STA1) is triggered to initiate a sub-channel handover (switching to the sub-channel corresponding to 160S) at the beginning of the MAC padding field of the initial control frame, without performing the FCS check after the MAC padding field. STA1 does not need to reply to the initial control frame. After the initial control frame is sent and a SIFS interval has elapsed, the AP sends a second control frame. The second control frame is used to solicit a response frame from the target STA (STA1) from the new RU after the handover. If the AP receives the response frame, it confirms that the target STA has completed the DSO sub-channel handover. After a delay (delta) due to data transmission, STA1 switches back to its original sub-channel (belonging to 160P) after one SIFS. Furthermore, STA2, which does not perform a sub-channel handover, receives the AP's ICF and second control frame using the sub-channel belonging to 160P and replies to the AP with an ICR indicating that STA2's sub-channel belongs to 160P.

[0094] The above methods all use a MAC padding field to preserve subchannels during subchannel handover. The length of the MAC padding field can cover the handover time, but setting the MAC padding field reduces channel utilization efficiency. Therefore, a new method is proposed to reduce the length of the MAC padding field. This involves classifying target STAs, with the AP first communicating with target STAs with shorter subchannel handover times, and then communicating with target STAs with longer subchannel handover times. For example... Figure 4As shown in (b), the AP sends an ICF with padding to STA1 to STA7. After one SIFS, it receives the ICRs of STA1 to STA4, which have shorter sub-channel handover times. After receiving the ICRs of STA1 to STA4, it receives the ICRs of STA5 to STA7, which have longer sub-channel handover times, after one SIFS. Therefore, when setting the MAC padding field, it is only necessary to ensure that the length of the MAC padding field covers the sub-channel handover time required by the target STA with the shorter sub-channel handover time. The target STA with the shorter sub-channel handover time replies normally with the initial control response frame after completing the sub-channel handover; the target STA with the longer sub-channel handover time does not need to reply with the initial control response frame after completing the sub-channel handover.

[0095] When a station switches to a channel other than its current operating channel, it takes a certain amount of time to stabilize and resume normal transmission and reception on the new channel. This time is called the station's switching delay. In the DSO technology described above, the target STA sends a switching time to the AP to account for the time required for the target STA to switch sub-channels. This time is used by the AP to determine the length of the MAC padding field or to determine the data transmission duration with other STAs that are not switching sub-channels. In other words, the AP prioritizes scheduling stations that do not switch operating channels and then schedules non-AP stations with longer switching delays.

[0096] However, the current reference Figure 5 In (a), during the process of DSO STAs (STA2, STA3 and STA4) switching back to the main channel or the original operating channel at the end of TXOP, there is also a sub-channel switching delay (denoted as switchback delay or return-to-switch delay). In the current DSO mode, each DSO STA switches back to the main channel according to its corresponding return-to-switch delay. Therefore, the time when different DSO STAs stabilize on the main channel may be inconsistent. That is, the time when each DSO STA starts competing for the new TXOP on the main channel is different, which can easily cause fairness issues.

[0097] refer to Figure 5 In (b), if the new TXOP starts before a DSO STA (STA4) switches back to the main channel and stabilizes, the DSO STA will miss the duration information of the TXOP, which will cause the DSO STA to lose synchronization of the air interface (radio medium) and be unable to access the channel normally, while the other DSO STAs (STA2 and STA3) can access the channel normally.

[0098] Currently, a novel channel reservation method has been proposed, avoiding the use of MAC padding fields. Specifically, during the sub-channel handover of the target STA, the AP serves other STAs, transmitting downlink data to those STAs not undergoing sub-channel handover. This new channel reservation method improves channel utilization efficiency during the target STA's sub-channel handover. For example... Figure 5 As shown in (c), after receiving the wake-up notification PPDU1 from the AP, the target STA (STA2) carries the data sent to STA1 in PPDU1. It can reply with an acknowledgment frame (ACK) on the original channel to confirm the valid reception of the wake-up notification. Then, the target STA initiates sub-channel handover, and the AP carries the data sent to STA2 in PPDU2. Alternatively, the step of the target STA replying with the initial control response frame can be omitted from the process. Omitting the acknowledgment step cannot guarantee the valid reception of the initial control frame, which may affect subsequent data transmission. The method by which the AP serves other sites during sub-channel handover both preserves the channel and improves the channel utilization efficiency of other sites.

[0099] 4. Non-primary channel access (NPCA): While the primary channel access mechanism is logically clean and simple to operate, its spectrum utilization frequency decreases as equipment deployments become denser and bandwidths increase. For example, if a 160MHz site detects only its primary 20MHz channel as busy, while all other sub-channels are detected as idle, the primary channel access mechanism would require the device to back off from all channels. However, in reality, the other sub-channels are idle and theoretically usable. Therefore, a new approach has been proposed: when the primary channel is busy, transmission can proceed through an idle non-primary channel (anchor channel) without backoff. In this case, the device switches to the anchor channel and performs PD (Power-On-Demand) on it. This operation is called non-primary channel access (NPCA). The idle non-primary channel can also be called the NPCA primary channel. Channel allocation in NPCA mode can be found in [reference needed]. Figure 6 (a) in the middle.

[0100] The NPCA pattern can be used between Infrastructure BSSs. (See reference) Figure 6In (b), if the AP and STA of BSS1 detect a TXOP across the basic service set (operating TXOP, OBSS TXOP) on the primary channel, such as the TXOP of BSS2, then both the AP and STA of BSS1 will switch to a non-primary channel (also known as the NPCA primary channel) for transmission and reception. Incidentally, for APs and STAs in a structured basic service set, the non-primary channel access mode can only be used when an OBSS TXOP is detected on the primary channel; if a BSS TXOP is detected on the primary channel, it means that the AP of this BSS is participating in the transmission of this BSS site. At this time, even if a site not participating in the transmission switches to a non-primary channel, it cannot communicate with the AP.

[0101] In the currently discussed non-master channel access modes, considering the compatibility of legacy devices (referring to previous generations of WiFi protocol devices) and NAV settings, mainstream designs require that devices only use the anchor channel for transmission when the master channel is detected to be busy, and switch back to the master channel from the non-master channel before the master channel becomes idle again (i.e. before the master channel NAV countdown ends).

[0102] In NPCA mode, the target STA sends a switch time to the AP to account for the time required for the target STA to switch sub-channels. This time is used by the AP and STA to determine whether they need to switch to a non-primary channel for communication.

[0103] 5. Dynamic Power Save (DPS): DPS mode can be understood as an energy-saving mechanism that dynamically adjusts the capability configuration of WiFi devices according to changes in functional requirements, avoiding unnecessary power consumption.

[0104] Typically, the functional requirements of WiFi devices in different application scenarios change dynamically over time. At any given moment, it is sufficient to ensure that the WiFi device's capability configuration meets these functional requirements. If the WiFi device's capability configuration remains constant, in order to consistently meet dynamically changing functional requirements, the WiFi device needs to employ a higher capability configuration, which implies higher power consumption.

[0105] In DPS mode, WiFi devices operate in two modes: low-capability mode / low-power mode / low-power listening mode (low-capability mode) and high-capability mode / high-power mode / data transmission mode (high-capability mode). Low-capability mode uses a lower number of spatial streams (NSS) and modulation and coding scheme (MCS) to reduce power consumption. High-capability mode uses higher NSS and MCS. Based on DPS mode, WiFi devices configure lower NSS and MCS in low-capability mode and then adjust and increase NSS and MCS when switching to high-capability mode.

[0106] For example, the IEEE 802.11be standard reduces the NSS and MCS in the low-capability mode of Enhanced Multi-Link Single Radio (EMLS), using a lower capability configuration; then, it adjusts and increases the NSS and MCS when entering high-capability mode. If the switch from low-capability mode to high-capability mode involves bandwidth adjustment, a phase-locked loop (PLL) needs to generate a new clock and wait for the clock to stabilize, which takes a considerable amount of time. Because the 802.11be standard does not have a design delay to allow the clock switch to complete for bandwidth adjustment, it does not support bandwidth adjustment within the TXOP (Turn-Turn-Out) period.

[0107] To allow the STA to use lower bandwidth in low-capability mode and then increase the bandwidth after switching to high-capability mode, the current solution is to add a MAC padding field to the end of the initial control frame sent by the AP. (See reference...) Figure 7 In (a), the duration of the padding field is used to cover the time required for the phase-locked loop to generate the corresponding clock and wait for the clock to stabilize, i.e., to cover the STA bandwidth switching time (switch delay), and the channel is reserved during the STA bandwidth switching. After the STA completes the bandwidth switching, it performs Clear Channel Assessment (CCA) and replies with the initial control response frame.

[0108] When switching between different capability configuration states or different energy-saving modes, a uniform latency setting may introduce unnecessary handover delays, making dynamic capability configuration adjustments untimely. When considering handover latency settings, it is necessary to ensure the completion of the capability configuration switch while minimizing the latency to achieve low-latency dynamic capability adjustment. Since bandwidth is uncertain and depends on the channel contention situation of the AP, and the handover time required by the site differs significantly between bandwidth changes and no changes, setting a uniform padding duration in the initial control frame will introduce unnecessary handover delays.

[0109] Based on this, the current padding duration setting is dynamically adjusted according to different scenarios of bandwidth switching and no switching. For example, when bandwidth switching is required during the mode switching process of the target STA, the initial control frame corresponds to a longer padding duration; when the target STA does not compete for the channel or does not require bandwidth switching, the padding duration of the initial control frame is 0, i.e., no padding field is set. When switching between different capability configuration states or between different energy-saving modes, the issue of capability parameter switching will be involved. Adjusting the initial control frame according to different values ​​of each parameter, setting different padding durations based on different parameter combinations for parallel adjustment, and setting fine-grained switching delays for parallel adjustment according to actual conditions can all reduce the adjustment latency in DPS mode.

[0110] like Figure 7 As shown in (b), for cases with multiple padding duration settings, each STA must first report a padding duration mapping table containing multiple padding duration mapping relationships to the AP during the dynamic power-saving mode capability reporting period. Then, the AP obtains the channel contention results, selects the padding duration corresponding to the specific bandwidth adjustment as the minimum padding duration of the initial control frame, sets the padding length of the ICF, and sends the ICF. The actual padding duration corresponding to the initial control frame should be greater than or equal to the duration indicated in the mapping relationship, thereby ensuring that the STA can complete the capability parameter switching within the padding duration corresponding to the initial control frame.

[0111] 6. Medium access recovery: Current standards stipulate that when one STA in a non-simultaneous transmit-receive link pair is transmitting data, another station may lose media synchronization (i.e., lose air interface synchronization) under certain circumstances. Similarly, in an enhanced multi-link single-radio mode, when one STA in a link set is transmitting and receiving, other STAs in the same link set may lose media synchronization under certain circumstances. The reason for this loss of media synchronization is that the STA cannot perform CCA (Continuous Access Control) and cannot determine whether other STAs are transmitting on its operating channel. To avoid interfering with potential data transmissions, the STA does not transmit data when CCA is not possible. Current standards stipulate that when the duration of inability to perform CCA / transmit data exceeds the media access recovery threshold (aMediumSyncThreshold), the STA must initiate a media access recovery procedure. aMediumSyncThreshold is 72 microseconds. aMediumSyncThreshold can be understood as the minimum time threshold for triggering media access recovery, or as the minimum time threshold for triggering the media synchronization delay timer.

[0112] Based on the current standard, when the STA enters the media access recovery process, it needs to set the MediumSyncDelay timer according to the AP's most recent relevant instruction and start the countdown. If the STA receives a Media Access Control Protocol Data Unit (MPDU) or a PPDU whose duration field is not unspecified during the countdown, the countdown will be immediately reset to zero.

[0113] While the media synchronization delay timer is at a non-zero value, the threshold for the STA to perform CCA on the main channel must be adjusted to the threshold for contention TXOP. The number of times the STA attempts to initiate TXOP must not exceed the contention TXOP threshold, and each time a TXOP is initiated, it must be initiated through a request to send (RTS) frame. Otherwise, the STA needs to continue performing CCA until the media synchronization delay timer expires before it can initiate transmission.

[0114] In the current DSO, DPS, and NCPA modes, in DPS mode, the TXOP responder switches from a low-capacity mode to a high-capacity mode based on the initial control frame sent by the TXOPholder, and automatically switches back from high-capacity mode to low-capacity mode at the end of the TXOP. In DSO mode, the station switches from its original operating channel to a new sub-channel to interact with the AP based on the control frame received at the beginning of a TXOP, and switches back to the original operating channel after the TXOP ends. In NCPA mode, if the station detects that the TXOP on the main channel is an OBSS TXOP, it switches to the NPCA main channel for PD (Power Distribution) and interacts with the AP on the NPCA main channel based on the TXOP it has won. In other words, in the current DSO, DPS, and NCPA modes, a complete TXOP is used as the basic unit of mode execution. The TXOP responder and TXOP holder need to exchange control frames again for each TXOP to switch operating modes or occupy sub-channels, resulting in significant resource overhead. If the TXOP responder does not need to maintain a high-capacity mode for part of a TXOP, it cannot switch back to a low-capacity mode in advance, thus generating unnecessary power consumption.

[0115] Based on this, this application provides a communication method. During data transmission, the second communication device enters a first mode based on a first control frame from the first communication device. A first time period determined by second information in the first control frame is used as the basic time unit for maintaining the first mode. That is, the second communication device can maintain the data transmission mode in the first time period. When the first time period corresponds to multiple TXOPs, if the second communication device successfully competes for multiple TXOPs within the first time period, the second communication device does not need to exit the first mode at the end of each TXOP and re-enter the first mode by interacting with the control frame of the first communication device at the beginning of a new TXOP. This reduces the impact of control frame interaction and mode switching on TXOP duration and resource consumption, increasing the available data transmission time for the second communication device within each TXOP. Through cross-TXOP level data transmission control, resource utilization is improved. When the first time period corresponds to one TXOP, and the end time of the first time period is earlier than the end time of the TXOP, the time the second communication device is in the first mode within a TXOP can be finely controlled. That is, data transmission of the second communication device can be controlled at a granular level smaller than TXOP, improving the flexibility and accuracy of data transmission control and facilitating power consumption control of the second communication device.

[0116] The technical solutions of this application embodiment can be used for WLANs based on IEEE-related standards. These IEEE-related standards include: 802.11a / b / g standards, 802.11n standards, 802.11ac standards, 802.11ax standards, 802.11be standards, 802.11bn standards / UHR standards / WiFi8 standards, 802.11ad standards, 802.11ay standards, 802.11bf standards / sensing standards, UWB standards / 802.15 standards, etc., and are not limited thereto.

[0117] The technical solutions of this application embodiment can also be used in wireless local area network systems such as Internet of Things (IoT) networks or Vehicle-to-X (V2X) networks. Of course, this application embodiment can also be applied to other possible communication systems, such as Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) communication systems, and Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) communication systems. For example, fourth-generation (4G) systems such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, 5G systems such as New Radio (NR) systems, LTE and 5G hybrid networking systems, non-terrestrial networks (NTN), device-to-device (D2D) communication systems, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication systems, machine-type communication (MTC) systems, or other future communication systems. The communication system can also be a non-3GPP communication system; this is not limited.

[0118] The communication systems described above are merely illustrative examples, and are not limited to those described herein. The communication systems provided in this application do not impose any limitations on the solutions described herein. This will be explained uniformly here and will not be repeated below.

[0119] The following is based on Figure 8 Taking an example, the WLAN communication system provided in the embodiments of this application will be described.

[0120] Figure 8A schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application is shown below. Figure 8 As shown, the communication system may include access point devices and site devices; wherein, one or more access point devices may communicate with one or more site devices, access point devices may also communicate with one or more other access point devices, and site devices may also communicate with one or more other site devices.

[0121] The aforementioned access point device can be an AP, and the aforementioned site device can be a STA.

[0122] For example, an AP can be a device that supports multiple WLAN standards, such as the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards; it can also be a device that supports the 802.11a / b / g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11bn / UHR / WiFi8 standards, without limitation.

[0123] For example, an AP can be a terminal device with a Wi-Fi chip, network device, communication server, router, switch, bridge, computer, etc. An AP can also serve as an access point for mobile users to access a wired network, primarily deployed in homes, buildings, and campuses, with a typical coverage radius of tens to hundreds of meters. Of course, it can also be deployed outdoors. An AP acts as a bridge connecting wired and wireless networks, its main function being to connect various wireless network clients together and then connect the wireless network to the Ethernet.

[0124] For example, the STA can be a device that supports multiple WLAN standards such as the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards; it can also be a device that supports the 802.11a / b / g standard, 802.11n standard, 802.11ac standard, 802.11ax standard, 802.11be standard, 802.11bn standard / UHR standard / WiFi8 standard, without limitation.

[0125] For example, an STA can be a wireless communication chip, wireless sensor, wireless communication terminal, communication server, router, switch, bridge, computer, etc. For example, an STA can be a mobile phone supporting Wi-Fi communication, a tablet computer supporting Wi-Fi communication, a set-top box supporting Wi-Fi communication, a smart TV supporting Wi-Fi communication, a smart wearable device supporting Wi-Fi communication, an in-vehicle communication device supporting Wi-Fi communication, and a computer supporting Wi-Fi communication, etc., without limitation.

[0126] The following is combined Figure 8 The communication system shown is referenced. Figure 9 The communication method provided in the embodiments of this application is described below, wherein the first communication device can be an access point device or a site device, and the second communication device can be an access point device or a site device. For example, the first communication device is an access point device, and the second communication device is a site device; or, the first communication device is a site device, and the second communication device is an access point device. The method may include the following steps: S901, the first communication device sends a first control frame to the second communication device. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the first control frame from the first communication device. The first control frame includes first information and second information. The first information indicates that data transmission is performed using a first mode, and the second information is used to determine a first time period, which is the time period during which data transmission is performed using the first mode.

[0127] Optionally, the first time period may correspond to multiple TXOPs, or the first time period may correspond to one TXOP, and the end time of the first time period may be earlier than the end time of the TXOP corresponding to the first time period.

[0128] For example, the first time period corresponding to multiple TXOPs can be understood as the first time period containing at least one complete TXOP and at least one incomplete TXOP; or, the first time period containing multiple complete TXOPs; or, the first time period containing multiple incomplete TXOPs.

[0129] For example, the first time period may include the start and end times of each of the multiple TXOPs; or, the first time period may include the start time of the TXOP with the latest start time, and the start and end times of the remaining TXOPs; or, the first time period may include the end time of the TXOP with the earliest start time, and the start and end times of the remaining TXOPs; or, the first time period may include the end time of the TXOP with the earliest start time, the start time of the TXOP with the latest start time, and the start and end times of the remaining TXOPs, wherein the remaining TXOPs may or may not exist.

[0130] For example, the first time period corresponds to a TXOP, and the end time of the first time period is earlier than the end time of the TXOP (denoted as TXOP1) corresponding to the first time period. This can be understood as the first time period including part of the duration of TXOP1, and there is no intersection between the first time period and TXOPs other than TXOP1.

[0131] For example, the first time period includes the start time of TXOP1, and the end time of the first time period is located between the start time and the end time of TXOP1 (the end time of the first time period is any time between the start time and the end time of TXOP1); or, the start time and the end time of the first time period are any two different times between the start time and the end time of TXOP1.

[0132] For example, the first control frame can be an initial control frame or a first preset control frame. A preset control frame can be understood as a new control frame other than the initial control frame predefined by the protocol, containing elements for controlling data transmission of the second communication device. Alternatively, the control frame can also be understood as a new control frame pre-defined by the first and second communication devices, containing elements for controlling data transmission of the second communication device. For example, the first control frame can be a preset DPS mode activation frame, DPS mode notification frame, DSO mode activation frame, DSO mode notification frame, NPCA mode activation frame, or NPCA mode notification frame, etc.

[0133] For example, the second information used to determine the first time period can be understood as the second information including the start time and / or end time of the first time period, or it can also be understood as the second information including information used to determine the start time and / or end time of the first time period.

[0134] As one possible implementation, the first information and the second information can be carried through a preset field in the first control frame. The preset field can be predefined by the protocol or predetermined by the first communication device and the second communication device.

[0135] For example, the first information is carried in a first preset bit. The first preset bit is set to 1 to indicate that the first mode is used for data transmission; the first preset bit is set to 0 to indicate that the first mode is exited; or, the first preset bit is set to 0 to indicate that the first mode is used for data transmission; the first preset bit is set to 1 to indicate that the first mode is exited.

[0136] For example, the second information is carried in a first preset field, the first half (several bits) of the first preset field is used to indicate the start time of the first time period, and the second half (several bits) of the first preset field is used to indicate the end time of the first time period; or, the first half (several bits) of the first preset field is used to indicate the end time of the first time period, and the second half (several bits) of the first preset field is used to indicate the start time of the first time period.

[0137] It is worth mentioning that if the second information in the first control frame is an invalid field or does not exist, the first control frame can also be considered as instructing the second communication device to use the first mode for data transmission within a TXOP. If multiple bits carrying the second information in the first control frame are set to a specific state, it can also be considered as instructing the second communication device to use the first mode for data transmission within a TXOP. For example, multiple bits carrying the second information are all set to 0 or all set to 1.

[0138] Wherein, the transmission mode corresponding to the first mode is the first transmission mode, or the sub-channel corresponding to the first mode is the first sub-channel, or the link corresponding to the first mode is the first link.

[0139] For example, the transmission mode corresponding to the first mode can be understood as follows: during data transmission using the first mode, the physical layer capability configuration of the second communication device is the physical layer capability configuration corresponding to the first transmission mode. The physical layer capability configuration may include the bandwidth, spatial stream number (NSS), and modulation and coding scheme (MCS) used during data transmission. The subchannel corresponding to the first mode can be understood as follows: during data transmission using the first mode, the subchannel occupied by the second communication device is the first subchannel. The link corresponding to the first mode can be understood as follows: during data transmission using the first mode, the link used by the second communication device is the first link.

[0140] For example, when the second communication device is an access point (AP) or a non-access point (STA) in DPS mode, the transmission mode corresponding to the first mode is the first transmission mode, which can be understood as the high-capability mode in DSP mode. That is, during the data transmission using the first mode in the first time period, the second communication device updates its physical layer capability configuration to the physical layer capability configuration of the high-capability mode in DPS mode.

[0141] For example, when the second communication device is a STA using DSO mode, the sub-channel corresponding to the first mode is the first sub-channel. The first sub-channel can be understood as a sub-channel other than the current operating channel of the second communication device. That is, during the data transmission using the first mode in the first time period, the second communication device and the first communication device communicate using the new sub-channel indicated by the first control frame.

[0142] For example, when the second communication device is a STA using NPCA mode, the first sub-channel can be understood as the NPCA main channel in NPCA mode. That is, during the data transmission using the first mode in the first time period, the second communication device communicates with the first communication device using the NPCA main channel.

[0143] For example, when the second communication device is a multi-link device using EMLSR mode, the link corresponding to the first mode is the first link. The first link can be understood as the link that is idle among the multiple links configured in the multi-link device, or the link whose current data transmission load is lower than a preset value. The data transmission load can be understood as the ratio between the current data transmission volume of the link and its data transmission capacity. That is to say, during the data transmission process using the first mode in the first time period, the second communication device uses the first link indicated by the first control frame to interact with the first communication device, such as data reception and / or data transmission.

[0144] For example, when the second communication device is a STA using DSO mode or a STA using NPCA mode, if the second communication device has already competed for the first sub-channel, the first control frame can be a control frame containing a padding field. If the second communication device competes for the channel again after being scheduled to the first sub-channel, the first control frame can be a control frame without a padding field. This helps to further reduce the resource consumption caused by the first control frame.

[0145] Step S902: The second communication device sends a second control frame to the first communication device. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the second control frame from the second communication device. The second control frame indicates a first time period.

[0146] Optionally, the second control frame may explicitly indicate the first time period, or the second control frame may implicitly indicate the first time period.

[0147] As one possible implementation, the second control frame displays an indication of a first time period. The second control frame may include the start time and end time of the first time period, or the second control frame may include the start time and duration of the first time period, or the second control frame may include the end time and duration of the first time period.

[0148] As another possible implementation, the second control frame implicitly indicates the first time period. The second control frame may include the duration of the first time period, with the start time of the first time period preset as the end time of the second control frame. Alternatively, the second control frame may include the number of TXOPs or preset time units corresponding to the first time period, with the start time of the first time period preset as the end time of the second control frame, the start time of the first TXOP, or the end time of the first control frame, etc. For example, the duration of a preset time unit (such as 3 milliseconds or 5 milliseconds, etc.) may be predefined by the protocol or predetermined by the first and second communication devices.

[0149] For example, the second control frame can be an initial control response frame, a beacon frame, or a second preset control frame. The meaning of the preset control frame can be referred to the relevant description in the foregoing embodiments. The second preset control frame can be a response frame to the first preset control frame, or the first preset control frame and the second preset control frame can be independent of each other, that is, the first preset control frame and the second preset control frame are not related.

[0150] For example, if the first communication device is an AP, the second control frame can be an initial control response frame or a second preset control frame; if the first communication device is a STA, the second control frame can be an initial control response frame, a beacon frame, or a second preset control frame. For instance, the second control frame can indicate a first time period through a preset field in the second control frame. The preset field can be predefined by the protocol or predetermined by the first and second communication devices.

[0151] Based on the above scheme, during data transmission, the second communication device enters a first mode based on a first control frame from the first communication device. It uses a first time period determined by the second information in the first control frame as the basic time unit for maintaining the first mode, and remains in the first mode throughout this period. When the first time period corresponds to multiple TXOPs, if the second communication device successfully acquires multiple TXOPs within the first time period, it does not need to exit the first mode at the end of each TXOP and re-enter the first mode at the start of a new TXOP by interacting with the control frame of the first communication device. This reduces the impact of control frame interaction and mode switching on TXOP duration and resource consumption, increasing the available data transmission time for the second communication device within each TXOP. Through cross-TXOP level data transmission control, resource utilization is improved. When the first time period corresponds to one TXOP, and the end time of the first time period is earlier than the end time of the TXOP, fine-grained control can be achieved on the time the second communication device is in the first mode within a TXOP. This allows for data transmission control of the second communication device at a granular level smaller than the TXOP, improving the flexibility and accuracy of data transmission control and facilitating power consumption control.

[0152] The overall process of the communication method provided in this application has been described above. The specific implementation of each step is described below.

[0153] In one possible implementation, the second information indicates a second time period and / or the amount of data to be transmitted, the first time period being determined based on the second time period and / or the amount of data to be transmitted, and the second time period being the desired time period for data transmission using the first mode.

[0154] For example, the second time period, which is the expected time period for data transmission using the first mode, can be understood as the time period during which the first communication device expects the second communication device to maintain the first mode, or it can also be understood as the time period during which the first communication device expects to communicate with the second communication device in the first mode. The amount of data to be transmitted indicated by the second information can be understood as the size of the data to be transmitted by the first communication device, or the number of wireless frames to be transmitted by the first communication device.

[0155] Based on the second information, the first time period includes the following three possible implementation methods: Method 1: The second information includes the second time period, and the first time period is determined based on the second time period.

[0156] For example, the second time period can be directly defined as the first time period; or, the start time of the first time period is the same as the start time of the second time period, and the end time of the first time period is earlier or later than the end time of the second time period; or, the start time of the first time period is earlier or later than the same as the start time of the second time period, and the end time of the first time period is the same as the end time of the second time period, etc.

[0157] Method 2: The second information includes a second time period, and the first time period is determined based on the second time period and the amount of data to be transmitted by the second communication device.

[0158] For example, if the amount of data to be transmitted by the second communication device is less than or equal to the first threshold, the second time period can be used as the first time period; if the amount of data to be transmitted by the second communication device is greater than the first threshold, the start time of the first time period is the same as the start time of the second time period, and the end time of the first time period is later than the second time period, or the start time of the first time period is earlier than the same as the start time of the second time period, and the end time of the first time period is the same as the end time of the second time period.

[0159] Method 3: The second information includes the amount of data to be transmitted by the first communication device, and the first time period is determined based on the amount of data to be transmitted by the first communication device.

[0160] For example, the start time of the first time period is the end time of the initial control frame or the initial control response frame, and the duration of the first time period is greater than or equal to the ratio of the amount of data to be transmitted by the first communication device to the data transmission rate of the first communication device.

[0161] Method 4: The second information includes the amount of data to be transmitted by the first communication device, and the first time period is determined based on the amount of data to be transmitted by the first communication device (denoted as N1) and the amount of data to be transmitted by the second communication device (denoted as N2).

[0162] For example, when N1 and N2 are equal, or the ratio of N1 to N2 is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the start time of the first time period is the end time of the initial control frame or the initial control response frame, and the duration of the first time period is equal to the ratio of the amount of data to be transmitted by the first communication device to the data transmission rate of the first communication device; when the ratio of N1 to N2 is less than the second threshold, the start time of the first time period is the end time of the initial control frame or the initial control response frame, and the duration of the first time period is greater than the ratio of the amount of data to be transmitted by the first communication device to the data transmission rate of the first communication device.

[0163] Method 5: The second information includes the amount of data to be transmitted by the first communication device and the second time period. The first time period is determined based on the amount of data to be transmitted by the first communication device (denoted as N1), the second time period, and the amount of data to be transmitted by the second communication device (denoted as N2).

[0164] For example, method five can be seen as any combination of methods one through four, and the specific determination method will not be elaborated here.

[0165] Furthermore, the first time period and the second time period can be the same time period or different time periods. If the first and second time periods are the same time period, it can be understood that the start time of the first time period is the same as the start time of the second time period, and the end time of the first time period is also the same as the end time of the second time period. Similarly, if the first and second time periods are different time periods, it can be understood that the start time of the first time period is different from the start time of the second time period, and / or, the end time of the first time period is different from the end time of the second time period. When the first and second time periods are the same time period, the first and second communication devices essentially perform a time handshake through the first and second control frames, ensuring that both the first and second communication devices can determine that the other has obtained the duration of data transmission using the first mode, thus improving the reliability of data transmission.

[0166] For example, when the second information indicates a second time period, the second information may indicate the start time and end time of the second time period, or the second information may indicate the start time and duration of the second time period, or the second information may indicate the end time and duration of the second time period.

[0167] The specific implementation of the second information indicating the second time period is similar to the way the second control frame indicates the first time period in the aforementioned embodiments. You can refer to the relevant descriptions in the aforementioned embodiments, and they will not be repeated here.

[0168] For example, when the second information indicates the amount of data to be transmitted, the second information can directly contain the amount of data to be transmitted, or the second information indicating the amount of data to be transmitted can be determined based on the buffer status report (BSR). That is, when the second information indicates the amount of data to be transmitted, the amount of data to be transmitted can be reported through the BSR.

[0169] As one possible implementation, the second time period can be determined by the first communication device based on the amount of buffered data to be transmitted and the physical layer capability parameters (such as the bandwidth used, MCS or NSS, etc.) during the communication process between the first communication device and the second communication device in the first mode.

[0170] For example, taking the first communication device as STA, the second communication device as AP applying DPS mode, and the first transmission mode as high-capacity mode in DPS mode as an example. The amount of data to be transmitted by the first communication device is M, and the data transmission rate corresponding to the physical layer capability parameters of the second communication device in high-capacity mode is V. Then, the start time of the second time period can be the current time, the end time of the first control frame, or the start time of the first TXOP after the current time. The duration of the second time period (denoted as t1) can be any value greater than or equal to (M / V).

[0171] As another possible implementation, the second time period can also be determined by the first communication device based on the end time of the current unavailable state of the second communication device's operating channel, or it can be determined by the first communication device based on the end time of the unavailable state of the main channel (the end time of the NAV timer).

[0172] For example, taking the first communication device as the AP, the second communication device as the STA using DSO mode, and the first sub-channel as any channel other than the current operating channel of the second communication device in DSO mode as an example. If the end time of the unavailable state of the current operating channel (main channel or any sub-channel) of the second communication device is t2, then the start time of the second time period can be the current time or the end time of the first control frame. The end time of the second time period can be any time after t2, or it can be t2, or it can be a time earlier than t2.

[0173] In addition, when the first communication device is an AP, the second communication device is a STA using NPCA mode, and the first sub-channel is the NPCA main channel in NPCA mode, the method for determining the second time period is similar to that in DSO mode. The difference is that the end time of the second time period needs to be determined by the end time of the main channel unavailable state or the end time of the NAV timer. The specific method of determination can be referred to the relevant description in DSO mode, and will not be repeated here.

[0174] Based on this scheme, the first communication device can negotiate the first time period with the second communication device by sending a second time period and / or the amount of data to be transmitted to determine the first time period, so as to ensure that the determined first time period can meet the data transmission control requirements of the current scenario of the second communication device; the second communication device makes a decision on the first time period of the application in combination with the amount of data to be transmitted, so as to ensure that the second communication device can maintain the first mode within the first time period.

[0175] In one possible implementation, the second information includes multiple sub-information, the first sub-information indicates the second time period and / or the amount of data to be transmitted, and the first sub-information is the sub-information associated with the second communication device among the multiple sub-information.

[0176] For example, the first communication device is an Access Point (AP), and the second communication device is a STA using DPS mode, DSO mode, or NPCA mode. Since an AP connects to all STAs belonging to the same Basic Service Set (BSS), data transmission between each STA in the BSS and external systems needs to be achieved through the AP. To reduce the number of control frames sent by the AP during interaction with multiple STAs, multiple STAs can be coordinated and controlled by issuing a single first control frame. These multiple STAs can be all STAs in the BSS or only a subset of STAs within the BSS.

[0177] For example, the sub-information included in the second information can be implemented in the form of key-value pairs. For instance, the second information may include the following information elements: {identification information of STA1, the second time period corresponding to STA1 and / or the amount of data to be transmitted}, {identification information of STA2, the second time period corresponding to STA2 and / or the amount of data to be transmitted}, ..., {identification information of STA X, the second time period corresponding to STA X and / or the amount of data to be transmitted}. After receiving the second information, the second communication device obtains the second time period and / or the amount of data to be transmitted indicated in the information element with the same identification information. Here, X is the number of STAs included in the BSS, and in the above embodiment, X is a positive integer greater than or equal to 3.

[0178] Based on this scheme, when the first communication device is controlling the transmission of multiple different devices, including the second communication device, it can use a first control frame to independently control the data transmission of multiple different devices through multicast or broadcast. This significantly reduces the number of control frames sent by the first communication device when controlling multiple devices, reduces the resource consumption caused by control frames and the power consumption of the first communication device, and helps to improve resource utilization.

[0179] In one possible implementation, after step S902, the second communication device begins switching to the second mode at a first instant. Correspondingly, the first communication device begins ceasing data transmission with the second communication device in the first instant.

[0180] Wherein, the transmission mode corresponding to the second mode is the second transmission mode, or the sub-channel corresponding to the second mode is the second sub-channel, or the link corresponding to the second mode is the second link.

[0181] For example, the meaning of "the transmission mode corresponding to the second mode is the second transmission mode" can be referred to the relevant description of "the transmission mode corresponding to the first mode is the first transmission mode" in the previous embodiments, and will not be repeated here; "the sub-channel corresponding to the second mode is the second sub-channel" can be understood as the sub-channel occupied by the second communication device during data transmission using the second mode. "The link corresponding to the second mode is the second link" can be understood as the link used by the second communication device during data transmission using the second mode.

[0182] For example, when the second communication device is an access point (AP) or a non-access point site (STA) using DPS mode, the transmission mode corresponding to the second mode is the second transmission mode, which can be understood as the low-capability mode under DSP mode. That is, the second communication device starts updating its physical layer capability configuration to the physical layer capability configuration of the low-capability mode under DPS mode at the first moment.

[0183] When the second communication device is in low-capacity mode, it may only support receiving functions, or it may support both receiving and sending functions; when the second communication device is in high-capacity mode, it may support both receiving and sending functions.

[0184] For example, when the second communication device is a STA using DSO mode, the sub-channel corresponding to the second mode is the second sub-channel. The second sub-channel can be understood as the original operating channel used by the second communication device before entering the first mode (such as a sub-channel that is the main channel). That is to say, the second communication device starts switching its operating channel to the original operating channel (second sub-channel) used before entering the first mode at the first moment.

[0185] For example, when the second communication device is a multi-link device using ELMSR mode, the link corresponding to the second mode is the second link. The second link can be understood as the link used by the second communication device before entering the first mode (such as one or more links configured by default in the second communication device), or it can be understood as an idle link among the multiple links configured by the second communication device. That is to say, the second communication device starts switching the link it uses from the first link to the link used before entering the first mode, or a new idle link, at the first moment.

[0186] Furthermore, when the second communication device is a STA using NPCA mode, the first sub-channel can be understood as the NPCA main channel. That is, the second communication device starts switching the operating channel from the NPCA main channel to the main channel (second sub-channel) at the first moment.

[0187] The first moment is determined based on at least one of the following: a first time period, the moment when the transmission of the first transmission frame is completed within the first time period, or the end moment when the third sub-channel becomes unavailable.

[0188] Optionally, the first transmission frame may include the following two possible implementations: As one possible implementation, the first transmission frame is the last data frame or control frame transmitted in the first time period (also called a wireless frame) during the communication interaction between the second communication device and the first communication device, using the first mode.

[0189] For example, a transmission frame (data frame or control frame) using the first mode can be understood as follows: during the transmission of this transmission frame, the physical layer capability configuration applied by the second communication device is the physical layer capability configuration corresponding to the first transmission mode (that is, the first transmission frame can be understood as the last transmission frame transmitted by the second communication device using the physical layer capability configuration corresponding to the first transmission mode within a first time period); or, the subchannel occupied by the second communication device is the first subchannel (that is, the first transmission frame can be understood as the last transmission frame transmitted by the second communication device on the first subchannel within a first time period); or, the link used by the second communication device is the first link (that is, the first transmission frame can be understood as the last transmission frame transmitted by the second communication device on the first link within a first time period).

[0190] For example, if the second communication device is an AP or STA using DPS mode (i.e., the transmission mode corresponding to the first mode is the first transmission mode), or if the second communication device is a STA using DSO mode or NPCA mode (i.e., the sub-channel corresponding to the first mode is the first sub-channel), the second communication device may use the last transmission frame transmitted in the first time period using the first mode as the first transmission frame.

[0191] It is worth noting that the last transmission frame transmitted by the second communication device in the first time period using the first mode can be understood as the last transmission frame sent by the second communication device to the first communication device according to the transmission mode or sub-channel corresponding to the first mode; or, it can also be understood as the last transmission frame received by the second communication device from the first communication device according to the transmission mode or sub-channel corresponding to the first mode. When the transmission mode corresponding to the first mode is the first transmission mode, the transmission mode (physical layer capability configuration) applied by the first communication device when sending the transmission frame can be the physical layer capability configuration corresponding to the first transmission mode or not, without restriction.

[0192] As another possible implementation, the first transmission frame is a data frame or control frame received by the second communication device in the first time period using the second mode of transmission, and the first transmission frame is adjacent to the last transmission frame in the first time period using the first mode of transmission.

[0193] The transmission frame using the second mode is similar in meaning to the transmission frame using the first mode. The difference lies in the physical layer capability configuration or sub-channel applied by the second communication device. Please refer to the relevant descriptions in the foregoing embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0194] For example, when the second communication device is an AP or STA using DPS mode (i.e., the transmission mode corresponding to the first mode is the first transmission mode, and the transmission mode corresponding to the second mode is the second transmission mode), the second communication device takes the transmission frame adjacent to the last transmission frame using the first mode that it receives in the first time period as the first transmission frame.

[0195] For example, the second communication device receives transmission frames (A1, A2, and A3) using the second transmission mode within the first time period. A1 arrives earliest and A3 arrives latest. The last transmission frame transmitted by the second communication device using the first transmission mode within the first time period is B1. The arrival time of B1 is between A1 and A2. Therefore, the second communication device can use A2 as the first transmission frame.

[0196] The third sub-channel is the sub-channel used before data transmission in the first mode.

[0197] For example, the third sub-channel can be the main channel provided by the AP, or it can be a non-main channel provided by the AP.

[0198] For example, taking the second communication device as a STA applying DSO mode (i.e., the sub-channel corresponding to the first mode is the first sub-channel), the sub-channels provided by the AP include sub-channels 1 to 8, with sub-channel 1 being the primary channel and sub-channels 2 to 8 being non-primary channels. If the second communication device uses sub-channel 1 before entering the first mode, then the third sub-channel is the primary channel provided by the AP; if the second communication device uses sub-channel 4 before entering the first mode, then the third sub-channel is a non-primary channel provided by the AP.

[0199] Furthermore, if the second communication device is a STA using DSO mode, the third sub-channel can also be a sub-channel in DSO mode with an unavailable indication, or a sub-channel marked as unavailable.

[0200] For example, if the second communication device is a STA using NPCA mode (i.e., the sub-channel corresponding to the first mode is the first sub-channel, and the first sub-channel is the NPCA main channel), since NPCA mode requires that other sub-channels besides the main channel will only be used for transmission when the main channel is busy, the third sub-channel is usually the main channel.

[0201] Optionally, the first moment can be determined using any one of the following five methods: Method 1: The first moment is the end time of the first time period.

[0202] In other words, the second communication device can directly take the end time of the first time period as the first time and switch from the first mode to the second mode starting from the end time of the first time period.

[0203] Based on this scheme, the second communication device can accurately control the duration of the second communication device in the first mode according to the instruction of the first control frame, which facilitates precise control of the data transmission of the second communication device.

[0204] Method 2: The first moment is the second moment.

[0205] Optionally, the second time point can be determined based on the first time period, or the second time point can be determined based on the end time when the third sub-channel becomes unavailable.

[0206] As one possible implementation, the second time can be the end time of the last TXOP corresponding to the first time period, or the second time can be a time with a certain interval from the end time of the last TXOP corresponding to the first time period, such as earlier than the end time of the last TXOP corresponding to the first time period, and the interval between the second time and the end time of the last TXOP corresponding to the first time period is 1 millisecond, 2 milliseconds or 4 milliseconds, etc., without restriction.

[0207] As another possible implementation, the second moment is the end time when the third sub-channel becomes unavailable, or the second moment is a moment that is a certain interval from the end time when the third sub-channel becomes unavailable, such as a moment that is 1 millisecond, 2 milliseconds, or 4 milliseconds earlier than the end time when the third sub-channel becomes unavailable, without restriction.

[0208] For ease of explanation and understanding, in the embodiments of this application, when the second communication device is a device applying DPS mode, the second time is the end time of the last TXOP corresponding to the first time period; when the second communication device is a device applying DSO mode or NPCA mode, the second time is the end time of the third sub-channel being unavailable.

[0209] refer to Figure 10In (a), the second communication device is a STA or AP using DPS mode. If the end time of the first time period is earlier than the second time period, setting the first time period to the second time period is equivalent to extending the total duration of the second communication device in the first transmission mode. This allows the second communication device to occupy as much time as possible in each TXOP corresponding to the first time period for data transmission between itself and the first communication device, thereby improving the resource utilization rate of the first and second communication devices during data transmission.

[0210] Similarly, when the second communication device is a STA using NPCA mode, the first time is set as the second time. Compared to the current NPCA mode, where the STA needs to start switching to the main channel before the second time, this allows the first and second communication devices to exchange more data to be transmitted on the NPCA main channel.

[0211] Method 3: The first moment is earlier than the second moment, and the interval between the first moment and the second moment is greater than or equal to the first duration.

[0212] For example, the meaning of the second moment can be referred to the relevant description in Method 2 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0213] The first duration can be determined based on the time required for the second communication device to switch from the first mode to the second mode (denoted as duration 1). For example, the first duration can be K times duration 1, where K is greater than or equal to 1, such as K being 1, 1.05, 1.15, 1.3, or 1.5, etc. Alternatively, the first duration can be the sum of duration 1 and a preset value, which can be understood as a predefined buffer time, such as 1 millisecond, 2 milliseconds, or 2.5 milliseconds, etc.; the preset value can be predefined by the protocol or pre-agreed upon by the first and second communication devices.

[0214] For example, if the second communication device is a STA or AP using DPS mode, the time required for the second communication device to switch from the first mode to the second mode can be understood as the time required for the second communication device to switch from the physical layer capability configuration corresponding to the first transmission mode to the physical layer capability configuration corresponding to the second transmission mode. If the second communication device is a STA using DSO mode or NPCA mode, the time required for the second communication device to switch from the first mode to the second mode can be understood as the time required for the second communication device to switch from the center frequency corresponding to the first sub-channel to the center frequency corresponding to the second sub-channel.

[0215] Reference Figure 10In examples (b) and (c), taking the second communication device as a STA or AP applying DPS mode, the first duration is the time required for the second communication device to switch from the first transmission mode (high-capability mode) to the second transmission mode (low-capability mode) (denoted as duration 1). In the last TXOP corresponding to the first time period, the time earlier than the second time and with an interval of the first duration between them is denoted as time 1. The first time can be any time earlier than or equal to time 1. For example, the first time is time 1, or the first time is earlier than time 1 and the interval between them is 1 millisecond or 2 milliseconds, etc.

[0216] Based on this scheme, when the second communication device starts switching to the second mode at the first moment, the second communication device can complete the mode switch before the last TXOP corresponding to the first time period ends, avoiding the second communication device from entering a state of media synchronization loss (also known as a blind state) due to the time required for mode switching, thus meeting the requirements of scenarios where the media access recovery process is not allowed to be triggered.

[0217] As one possible implementation, if the first duration is greater than or equal to the second duration, the first moment is earlier than the second moment; if the first duration is less than the second duration, the first moment is later than or equal to the second moment.

[0218] For example, the second duration is either the minimum time threshold for triggering the media access recovery process (aMediumSyncThershold) or the minimum time threshold for triggering the media synchronization delay timer (MediumSyncDelaytimer).

[0219] In other words, during the process of determining the first time based on the second time, the second communication device can compare the relationship between the first duration and the second duration in advance. If the first duration is greater than or equal to the second duration, the first time needs to be earlier than the second time when switching back to the second mode at the second time triggers the media synchronization delay timer. If the first duration is less than the second duration, the media synchronization delay timer will not be triggered when switching back to the second mode at the second time. In this case, the first time can be directly set as the second time, or the first time can be set as a time L later than the second time, where the interval between time L and the second time is less than the difference between the first duration and the minimum time threshold for triggering the media synchronization delay timer.

[0220] Based on this scheme, while ensuring that the media synchronization delay timer is not triggered, the second communication device can make the most of the duration of each TXOP for data transmission, thereby improving the resource utilization rate of the second communication device during data transmission.

[0221] It is worth mentioning that the first moment can be either within the last TXOP corresponding to the first time period or outside the last TXOP corresponding to the first time period. If the first moment is outside the last TXOP corresponding to the first time period, the last TXOP corresponding to the first time period can be used by the first communication device for communication and interaction with other devices, thereby further improving resource utilization.

[0222] Method 4: The first moment is earlier than the third moment, and the interval between the first moment and the third moment is greater than or equal to the first duration.

[0223] For example, if the first moment is earlier than the third moment, and the interval between the first moment and the third moment is greater than or equal to the first duration, it can be understood that if the second communication device starts switching to the second mode at the first moment, the moment it successfully switches to the second mode is earlier than or equal to the third moment. In other words, if the second communication device starts switching to the second mode at the first moment, it can complete the mode switch at the third moment or earlier. The meaning of the first duration can be referred to the relevant description in the foregoing embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0224] Among them, the interval between the third time point and the second time point is less than or equal to the first threshold.

[0225] For example, the third time point is later than the second time point, and the interval between the third time point and the second time point is a first threshold (denoted as Y1), or the interval between the third time point and the second time point is 0.9Y1, 0.85Y1, or 0.5Y1, etc. The meaning of the second time point can be referred to the relevant description in the foregoing embodiments, and will not be repeated here. The first threshold can be predefined by the protocol, or it can be pre-agreed upon by the first communication device and the second communication device, and is not limited thereto.

[0226] refer to Figure 10In example (d), taking the second communication device as a STA or AP applying DPS mode, the first duration is the time required for the second communication device to switch from the first transmission mode (high-capability mode) to the second transmission mode (low-capability mode) (denoted as duration 1). The interval between the third time and the second time (D1) is less than or equal to the first threshold, and the time interval between the third time and the second time is the first duration is denoted as time 2. If the interval between the first time and the third time is greater than or equal to the first duration, the first time is any time earlier than or equal to time 2. In this case, the second communication device starts switching to the second mode from the first time, and the latest time to complete the mode switch is the third time. That is, after the last TXOP corresponding to the first time period ends, the maximum duration for which the second communication device loses media synchronization is D1.

[0227] Based on the above scheme, when the second communication device starts to switch to the second mode at the first moment, it is allowed to have a buffer time of less than or equal to the first threshold after the last TXOP corresponding to the first time period ends. During this buffer time, the second communication device is allowed to be in a state of media synchronization loss, which relaxes the requirements for the media synchronization of the second communication device to a certain extent, thereby enabling the second communication device to make the most of the last TXOP corresponding to the first time period for data transmission and improve resource utilization.

[0228] As one possible implementation, the first threshold is less than or equal to the second duration. The meaning of the second duration can be found in the relevant descriptions in the foregoing embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0229] For example, taking the second communication device as a STA or AP applying DPS mode, the first duration is the time required for the second communication device to switch from the first transmission mode (high-capability mode) to the second transmission mode (low-capability mode) (denoted as duration 1), and the second duration is the minimum time threshold for triggering the media synchronization delay timer. When the first threshold equals the second duration, the second communication device begins switching to the second mode at the first moment. The interval between the moment the mode switch is completed and the second moment will also be less than or equal to the second duration. That is, after the last TXOP corresponding to the first time period ends, the maximum duration of lost media synchronization for the second communication device is less than the minimum time threshold for triggering the media synchronization delay timer. Therefore, the second communication device will not trigger the media synchronization delay timer, or in other words, the second communication device will not trigger the media access recovery process.

[0230] Based on this scheme, after the second communication device switches to the second mode at the first moment, the maximum duration of the possible media synchronization loss state of the second communication device is less than the time required to trigger the media access recovery process. That is, the second communication device can complete the mode switch before triggering the media access recovery process. This avoids the second communication device being subject to TXOP contention during the countdown of the media synchronization delay timer after triggering it, ensuring the fairness of competition for the second communication device after the first time period.

[0231] Optionally, the activation of the media synchronization delay timer is permitted in at least one of the following situations: the second communication device is a STA of a multi-link device (non-AP MLD) operating on a nonsimultaneous transmit and receive (NSTR) link pair; the second communication device is a STA of a multi-link device operating on an EMLSR link; the second communication device is a STA of a multi-link device operating on an enhanced multi-link multiradio (EMLMR) link; the second communication device is an AP of an NSTR mobile multi-link device (AP MLD) operating on a non-primary link of an NSTR link; the second communication device is an access point AP or site STA in dynamic energy-saving DPS mode; the second communication device is a STA in dynamic subchannel operation (DSO) mode; the second communication device is a STA in non-primary channel access (NPCA) mode, and the NPCA primary channel is located outside the STA's operating bandwidth; or, the second communication device is a STA in NPCA mode, and the primary channel of the first basic service set (BSS) becomes available before the end of the network allocation vector (NAV) timer, and the second communication device belongs to the first BSS.

[0232] The first four items are events of the startup medium synchronization delay timer defined in the WiFi standard, while the last four items are events of the startup medium synchronization delay timer newly defined in the protocol or pre-defined by the first and second communication devices.

[0233] Based on this scheme, if the second communication device is an access point (AP) or a station (STA) in dynamic energy-saving DPS mode; the second communication device is a STA in dynamic subchannel operation (DSO) mode; the second communication device is a STA in non-primary channel access (NPCA) mode, and the NPCA primary channel is located outside the STA's operating bandwidth; or, if the second communication device is a STA in NPCA mode, and the primary channel of the first basic service set (BSS) recovers to an available state before the end of the network allocation vector (NAV) timer, and the second communication device belongs to the first BSS, then after a media synchronization loss occurs and the trigger time of the media access recovery process or the trigger time of the media synchronization delay timer has elapsed, the second communication device can promptly trigger the media access recovery process, avoiding the impact of excessively long media synchronization loss on the data transmission of the second communication device and improving the reliability of the second communication device during data transmission.

[0234] Method 5: The first moment is later than the fourth moment, and the interval between the first moment and the fourth moment is greater than or equal to the second threshold.

[0235] The fourth moment refers to the moment when the second communication device completes the transmission of the first transmission frame. The meaning of the first transmission frame can be found in the relevant descriptions in the foregoing embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0236] For example, the fourth moment is the moment when the second communication device completes the reception of the first transmission frame, or the fourth moment is the moment when the second communication device completes the transmission of the first transmission frame.

[0237] The second threshold can be predefined by the protocol or predetermined by the first and second communication devices.

[0238] For example, refer to Figure 10 In example (e), taking a second communication device as a STA using DSO or NPCA mode, or a STA or AP using DPS mode, and the first transmission frame as the last data frame or control frame transmitted by the second communication device in the first time period using the first mode, if the second communication device completes the transmission of a transmission frame at time 3, and after a delay of a duration equal to the second threshold (denoted as time 4) has elapsed since time 3, it can be determined that there is no large amount of data to be transmitted, or no untransmitted data to be transmitted. The second communication device can then use the transmission frame transmitted at time 3 as the first transmission frame, time 3 as the fourth time, and any time later than the fourth time that has an interval greater than or equal to the second threshold (such as time 4) as the first time, and switch to the second mode starting from the first time.

[0239] In other words, after completing the transmission of any data frame or control frame, the second communication device can start a countdown with a duration greater than or equal to the second threshold. It can switch to the second mode at any time from the end of the countdown (such as the end of the countdown). If the second communication device starts transmitting a new transmission frame before the end of the countdown, the countdown will be reset to zero and restarted after the transmission of the new transmission frame is completed.

[0240] Based on this scheme, the second communication device begins switching to the second mode at the first moment. This means that if the second communication device has not performed data transmission within a time period of duration greater than or equal to the second threshold, it will switch to the second mode. If the second communication device is an AP or STA using DPS mode, it can switch to the low-capacity mode in a timely manner when there is no large amount of data to be transmitted within the first time period, significantly reducing the power consumption of the second communication device within the first time period. If the second communication device is a STA using DSO mode or NPCA mode, it can release the occupation of the first sub-channel in a timely manner when there is no large amount of data to be transmitted within the first time period, enabling the first communication device to communicate and interact with other devices through the first sub-channel within the first time period, avoiding meaningless occupation of the first sub-channel and improving resource utilization.

[0241] For example, refer to Figure 10 In example (f), taking the second communication device as an AP or STA applying DPS mode, the second communication device receives data frames or control frames transmitted in the second mode within a first time period, and the first transmission frame is adjacent to the last transmission frame transmitted in the first time period using the first mode. The second communication device completes reception of a transmission frame generated by the physical layer capability configuration corresponding to the first transmission mode at time 5, and completes reception of a transmission frame generated by the physical layer capability configuration corresponding to the second transmission mode at time 6. After a delay of a duration equal to the second threshold (denoted as time 7) following time 5, it does not receive any transmission frames generated by the physical layer capability configuration corresponding to the first transmission mode. In this case, the second communication device can determine that there is no large amount of data to be transmitted subsequently, or that there is no untransmitted data to be transmitted. It will take the transmission frame received at time 5 as the first transmission frame, take time 5 as the fourth time, and then take any time later than the fourth time that has an interval greater than or equal to the second threshold (such as time 7) as the first time, and switch to the second mode starting from the first time.

[0242] In other words, after completing the transmission of any transmission frame generated by the physical layer capability configuration corresponding to the first transmission mode, the second communication device can start a countdown with a duration greater than or equal to the second threshold, and switch to the second mode at any time from the end of the countdown (such as the end of the countdown); if the second communication device starts to execute the transmission of a transmission frame generated by the physical layer capability configuration corresponding to the first transmission mode before the end of the countdown, the countdown will be reset to zero, and the countdown will restart after completing the transmission of a transmission frame generated by the physical layer capability configuration corresponding to the first transmission mode.

[0243] Based on this scheme, if the second communication device using DPS mode completes all or part of the data to be transmitted in high-capacity mode within the first time period (which can also be understood as the transmission frame generated by the physical layer capability configuration corresponding to low-capacity mode reaching the specified duration), the second communication device can start switching to low-capacity mode in advance and transmit subsequent data to be transmitted in low-capacity mode. This avoids the second communication device maintaining high-capacity mode only to transmit a small amount of data to be transmitted or a small amount of data generated in real time, thereby reducing the power consumption of the second communication device within the first time period.

[0244] Furthermore, for the second communication device using DPS mode, the first transmission frame can also be understood as a transmission frame generated by the second communication device within a first time period using the physical layer configuration corresponding to the first transmission mode, and sent to the first communication device on the first bandwidth, wherein the bandwidth used by transmission frames sent later than the first transmission frame is all the first bandwidth. The first bandwidth can be understood as the intersection of the bandwidth corresponding to the first transmission mode and the bandwidth corresponding to the second transmission mode, or it can also be understood as the bandwidth corresponding to the second transmission mode.

[0245] In other words, when the second communication device intends to switch to the second transmission mode, after generating a transmission frame to be sent to the first communication device, it can concentrate the generated transmission frame on the bandwidth corresponding to the second transmission mode for transmission, thereby implicitly requesting or instructing the first communication device that the second communication device is about to switch to the second transmission mode. After the duration of transmitting transmission frames based on the bandwidth corresponding to the second transmission mode reaches a second threshold, the second communication device begins to switch to the second mode.

[0246] For example, starting at time 8, the second communication device completes the transmission of a transmission frame sent to the second communication device on the first bandwidth. And before time 9, when the interval between the second communication device and time 8 is equal to the second threshold, the bandwidth used by the second communication device during the transmission of the transmission frame is always the first bandwidth. Then the second communication device can take the transmission frame that is completed at time 8 as the first transmission frame, take time 8 as the fourth time, and take any time (such as time 9) with an interval greater than or equal to the second threshold as the first time.

[0247] Based on this scheme, when the data to be transmitted can be processed using the first bandwidth, the second communication device can implicitly indicate to the first communication device that it is about to switch modes by continuously transmitting transmission frames to the first communication device on the first bandwidth. After the duration of processing transmission frames based on the first bandwidth reaches the second threshold, the second communication device starts to switch to the second mode, which helps the second communication device to exit the first mode in a timely manner, reducing the power consumption and meaningless bandwidth occupation of the second communication device.

[0248] It is worth mentioning that the above scheme can also be understood as the first communication device implicitly instructing the second communication device to switch to low-capability mode for data transmission by generating a transmission frame using the physical layer capability configuration corresponding to the low-capability mode.

[0249] As one possible implementation, the first moment can also be determined by applying various methods from Method 1 to Method 5 above. Applying multiple methods to determine the first moment can include the following two methods: Method 1: The conditions corresponding to multiple methods are met simultaneously at the first moment.

[0250] For example, the second communication device can simultaneously apply methods three and five during the process of determining the first moment. That is, the second communication device can acquire at least one moment in which the interval between the second moment and the fourth moment is greater than or equal to the first duration, and the interval between the fourth moment and the second threshold is greater than or equal to the second threshold, and take any one of these at least one moments as the first moment, and start switching to the second mode at the first moment.

[0251] For example, the second communication device can simultaneously apply methods four and five during the process of determining the first moment. That is, the second communication device can acquire at least one moment in which the interval between the third moment and the fourth moment is greater than or equal to the first duration, and the interval between the fourth moment and the third moment is greater than or equal to the second threshold. Any one of these at least one moments is taken as the first moment, and the device starts switching to the second mode at the first moment.

[0252] Based on this scheme, it is possible to simultaneously meet the different requirements of multiple scenarios during the mode switching process, such as avoiding triggering the media access recovery process while controlling the overall power consumption, thereby further improving the adaptability of the data transmission control method in the above embodiments to different scenarios.

[0253] Method 2: At the first moment, the conditions corresponding to the highest priority method among multiple methods must be met.

[0254] As one possible implementation, the conditions corresponding to each of the methods from Method 1 to Method 5 have the same priority. That is, Method 1 and Method 5 are the methods with the highest priority. In this case, during the process of the second communication device using at least two of the methods from Method 1 to Method 5 to determine the first moment, the first moment can be the moment when the conditions corresponding to any one or more methods are satisfied.

[0255] For example, if the second communication device applies both modes one to five, then in the process of determining the first moment, the second communication device can directly take the moment that is the earliest on the time axis among the moments that can satisfy the conditions corresponding to at least one of modes one to five as the first moment.

[0256] For example, if the second communication device uses mode one, mode two, and mode five, then in the process of determining the first moment, the second communication device will take the moment that is the earliest on the time axis among the moments that can satisfy the conditions corresponding to at least one of mode one, mode two, and mode five as the first moment.

[0257] As another possible implementation, each of the five methods corresponds to a different priority. That is, in the process of determining the first moment, the second communication device needs to ensure that the conditions corresponding to the higher priority method can be met at least in the first moment, based on the priority of each method among the multiple methods applied.

[0258] For example, the second communication device simultaneously applies Method 1, Method 2, and Method 5 to determine the first moment, with Method 1 having the highest priority and Method 2 having the lowest priority. During the determination of the first moment, if the end time of the first time period is later than or equal to the end time of the last TXOP corresponding to the first time period, the second communication device can directly set the first moment as the end time of the first time period according to Method 1; if the end time of the first time period is earlier than the end time of the last TXOP corresponding to the first time period, the first moment can be set according to Method 1 and Method 5 to the moment in the last TXOP corresponding to the first time period that is later than the fourth moment and whose interval with the fourth moment is greater than or equal to the second threshold; or, according to Method 1, Method 5, and Method 2, if there is no moment in the last TXOP corresponding to the first time period that is later than the fourth moment and whose interval with the fourth moment is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the first moment is set as the second moment.

[0259] Based on this scheme, when the first mode has the highest priority and the second mode has the lowest priority, during the process of switching to the second mode according to the first time, it can ensure that the second communication device maintains the first mode for data transmission before the end of the first time period, thereby ensuring the minimum total time for the second communication device to use the first mode for data transmission. Furthermore, when the second communication device has no data to be transmitted or the amount of data to be transmitted is small, it switches to the second mode in a timely manner to control the overall power consumption of the second communication device.

[0260] For example, the second communication device simultaneously applies Mode 1, Mode 2, and Mode 5 to determine the first mode, with Mode 5 having the highest priority and Mode 2 having the lowest priority. During the determination of the first moment, if, within the first time period, after transmitting the first transmission frame (fourth moment), the second communication device does not transmit a transmission frame or does not transmit a transmission frame generated according to the first mode after a delay of duration greater than or equal to the second threshold, it can directly set the first moment to any moment later than the fourth moment and with an interval greater than or equal to the second threshold (i.e., the first moment is earlier than the end of the first time period) according to Mode 5. If, within the first time period, the second communication device does not detect a moment that satisfies the conditions corresponding to Mode 5, it can set the first moment to the end of the first time period according to Mode 1 and Mode 5. Alternatively, if the end of the first time period is earlier than the end of the last TXOP corresponding to the first time period (second moment), the first moment can be set to the second moment according to Mode 1, Mode 5, and Mode 2.

[0261] Based on this scheme, with mode five having the highest priority and mode two having the lowest priority, during the switching to the second mode at the first moment, the second communication device can switch to the second mode in a timely manner when there is no data to be transmitted or the amount of data to be transmitted is small, effectively controlling the overall power consumption of the second communication device; and ensuring that when there is a lot of data to be transmitted or the transmission is not completed, the second communication device can maintain the first mode for data transmission before the end of the first time period, which is beneficial to ensuring the resource utilization and data transmission capability of the second communication device during the data transmission process.

[0262] It is worth mentioning that the method for determining the application in the first moment and the priority of different methods can be predefined. That is to say, the method for determining the application in the first moment and the priority of different methods can be predefined by the protocol, or it can be pre-negotiated and determined by the first communication device and the second communication device.

[0263] In one possible implementation, the second communication device receives or transmits third information. Correspondingly, the first communication device transmits or receives third information. The third information is used to indicate at least one condition satisfied at a first moment, or, at least one condition satisfied at the first moment and the priority of each of the at least one condition.

[0264] For example, when the second communication device is a STA applying DPS mode, NPCA mode or DSO mode, the second communication device can receive third information from the first communication device (AP); when the second communication device is an AP applying DPS mode, NPCA mode or DSO mode, the second communication device can send third information, and the first communication device receives the third information from the second communication device.

[0265] Optionally, when the second communication device is a STA applying DPS mode, NPCA mode, or DSO mode, the second communication device may send a request message to the first communication device before receiving the third information from the first communication device. The request message indicates the conditions or methods the second communication device intends to use to determine the first moment, or it indicates the conditions or methods the second communication device intends to use to determine the first moment and the priority of each condition or method. Then, the first communication device sends the third information to the second communication device according to the instruction information from the second communication device. The content of the third information may be the same as or different from the content of the instruction information; that is, the AP decides the method for determining the first moment and the priority of different methods.

[0266] Based on this scheme, it is equivalent to the first and second communication devices negotiating the actual scheme for determining the first moment through two-way indication or handshake, ensuring that the first moment determined by the second communication device can meet the needs of different scenarios.

[0267] In addition, when the second communication device is an AP using DPS mode, NPCA mode or DSO mode, the second communication device can send the third information in the form of broadcast, multicast or unicast.

[0268] The third information is used to indicate at least one condition satisfied at the first moment. It can be understood as the third information indicating the method used in determining the first moment (i.e., at least one of the methods one to five in the foregoing embodiments). In other words, each of the at least one conditions indicated by the third information is a condition corresponding to at least one method of determining the first moment in the foregoing embodiments.

[0269] The third information is used to indicate at least one condition satisfied at the first moment and the priority of each of the at least one condition. It can be understood as the third information indicating the method used in determining the first moment and the priority of different methods (i.e., at least one of methods one to five in the foregoing embodiments and the priority of different methods).

[0270] For example, the third information indicating that at least one condition is satisfied at the first moment includes the following two possible implementations: Method 1: The third information includes the first index set.

[0271] For example, the first index set can be understood as a set of identification information containing at least one method of determining the first moment, or it can also be understood as a set of identification information containing at least one condition for determining the first moment.

[0272] For example, if the first index set contains identification information for mode 1 and mode 5, then the second communication device will use mode 1 and mode 5 as the methods for determining the first time when determining the first time (that is, the conditions corresponding to mode 1 and mode 5 will be used as the conditions for determining the first time).

[0273] Method 2, the third information includes the first image.

[0274] For example, the first bit map can be understood as a bitmap containing multiple bits, and each bit corresponds to at least one way of determining the first moment, or to at least one condition for determining the first moment.

[0275] For example, consider a bitmap consisting of 5 bits, where the first bit corresponds to mode 1, the second bit to mode 2, and so on, up to the fifth bit to mode 5. When the first and fifth bits of the first bitmap are set to 1, the second communication device uses mode 1 and mode 5 as the methods for determining the first time moment (i.e., the conditions corresponding to mode 1 and mode 5 are used as the conditions for determining the first time moment). Alternatively, when the first and fifth bits of the first bitmap are set to 0, the second communication device uses mode 1 and mode 5 as the methods for determining the first time moment.

[0276] In addition, the third information may also include the first graph and the first index set. At least one condition corresponding to the first graph and at least one condition corresponding to the first index set can be used to verify each other, thereby improving the reliability of the conditions for determining the first time step determined based on the third information.

[0277] For example, the third information indicating at least one condition satisfied at the first moment and the priority of each of the at least one condition may include the following two possible implementations: Method 1: The third information includes the first index set.

[0278] The way the first index set indicates at least one condition is similar to that in the foregoing embodiments, and can be referred to the relevant descriptions in the foregoing embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0279] As one possible implementation, in the case where the first index set indicates multiple first conditions, the priority of different conditions can be determined by the index number or position of the condition in the first index set.

[0280] For example, the priority of the conditions corresponding to each identifier in the first index set is positively or negatively correlated with the position of the identifier in the first index set. That is, the condition corresponding to the first identifier has the highest priority, and the condition corresponding to the last identifier has the lowest priority; or, the condition corresponding to the first identifier has the lowest priority, and the condition corresponding to the last identifier has the highest priority. In other words, the first identifier in the first index set indicates the highest priority method for determining the first time step, and the last identifier indicates the lowest priority method; or, the first identifier in the first index set indicates the lowest priority method for determining the first time step, and the last identifier indicates the highest priority method.

[0281] As another possible implementation, the first index set is used only to indicate multiple first conditions, where the priority of different conditions is predefined by the protocol or pre-agreed upon by the first and second communication devices. In this case, the first index set does not need to carry additional priority information; the relevant description of the first index set indicating multiple conditions in the foregoing embodiments can be referred to, and will not be repeated here.

[0282] Method 2, the third information includes the first image.

[0283] One possible implementation is that the bitmap contains multiple bits, and these bits are divided into multiple bit groups according to their positions in the bitmap. Each bit group contains multiple bits, and each bit corresponds to a method for determining the first time step, or a condition for determining the first time step. Each bit group is used to indicate a method or condition for determining the first time step with a preset priority.

[0284] For example, consider a bitmap containing 5 bit groups (Z1 to Z5), where Z1 indicates the highest priority condition and Z5 indicates the lowest priority condition. Each bit group contains 5 bits, with the first bit corresponding to mode 1, the second bit to mode 2, and so on, up to the fifth bit to mode 5. If mode 1 is the highest priority condition, the first bit in Z1 is set to 1; if mode 2 is the highest priority condition, the second bit in Z1 is set to 1. When applying multiple conditions, the bit group corresponding to each condition can be determined according to its priority, and the state of each bit in that bit group can be set accordingly. Further details are omitted.

[0285] Based on the above scheme, the second communication device can accurately determine the conditions for determining the first moment and the specific method for determining the first moment through third information interaction with the first communication device, thereby improving the accuracy of determining the first moment.

[0286] Furthermore, the interaction of the third information can be implemented before the first and second communication devices interact with each other in the first and second control frames. That is, the first and second communication devices can interact with the third information during the capability negotiation phase or capability update phase before data transmission. The third information can be carried in the control frames or management frames during the capability negotiation process, such as initial control frames, association request frames, beacon frames, delivery traffic indication message (DTIM) beacon frames or traffic indication map (TIM) frames, preset control frames, reassociation request frames, or other frames containing relevant elements or fields. The meaning of the preset control frame can be referred to the relevant description in the foregoing embodiments.

[0287] For example, when the second communication device is a STA and receives third information, or when the second communication device is an AP and sends third information, the third information can be carried through an initial control frame, a management frame, or a preset control frame. The management frame can be an association request frame, a re-association request frame, or a beacon frame, and the meaning of the preset control frame can be found in the relevant descriptions in the foregoing embodiments.

[0288] For example, when the second communication device is a STA and sends third information, or when the second communication device is an AP and receives third information, the third information can be carried through an initial control frame, a management frame, or a preset control frame. The management frame can be an association request frame or a re-association request frame, and the meaning of the preset control frame can be found in the relevant descriptions in the foregoing embodiments.

[0289] Furthermore, if the second communication device sends a request message to the first communication device before receiving the third information, and the sent request message is carried through an initial control frame, the third information received by the second communication device can also be carried through an initial control response frame.

[0290] For example, if the second communication device is a STA or AP using DPS mode, the third information can be carried in an association request frame, a reassociation request frame, a DPS mode enable frame, or a DPS mode notification frame. The third information can be included in the basic DPS element of the association request frame / reassociation request frame; or it can be included in the DPS parameter update field or other idle fields in the DPS mode enable frame / DPS mode notification frame, without limitation.

[0291] Similarly, when the second communication device is a STA using DSO mode, the third information can be carried in an association request frame, a re-association request frame, a DSO mode enable frame, or a DSO mode notification frame. When the second communication device is a STA using NPCA mode, the third information can also be carried in an association request frame, a re-association request frame, an NPCA mode enable frame, or an NPCA mode notification frame. The specific implementation of the third information in these two cases is similar to that in the aforementioned embodiments, and the relevant descriptions in the aforementioned embodiments can be referred to. The difference lies in the naming of the field containing the third information and the frame, which will not be repeated here.

[0292] In one possible implementation, the second communication device sends a fourth message to the first communication device. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the fourth message from the second communication device. The fourth message indicates a first duration.

[0293] As one possible implementation, the fourth information displays an indication of the first duration. For example, the fourth information may include a specific value for the first duration, such as 10 milliseconds, 8 milliseconds, or 5 milliseconds.

[0294] As another possible implementation, the fourth information implicitly indicates the first duration. For example, the fourth information may include the number of preset time units corresponding to the first duration, the meaning of which can be referred to the relevant description in the foregoing embodiments.

[0295] For example, the fourth information may be carried in the broadcast message of the second communication device, or it may be carried in the initial control frame, management frame, preset control frame, or other frames containing relevant elements or parameters during the capability negotiation process between the first and second communication devices. The method of carrying the fourth information through the initial control frame, management frame, preset control frame, or other frames containing relevant elements or parameters is similar to the method of carrying the third information through the same means. Refer to the relevant descriptions in the foregoing embodiments; further details will not be repeated here.

[0296] In addition, information sent by the first and second communication devices during the capability negotiation process to indicate the time required for the second communication device to switch from the second mode to the first mode can also be used as the fourth information. That is, information indicating the time required for the second communication device to switch from a low capability mode to a high capability mode can be used as the fourth information, or information indicating the time required for the second communication device to switch from the current operating channel to the target sub-channel can be used as the fourth information (such as the time required to switch from the main channel to the NPCA main channel).

[0297] Based on this scheme, the first communication device can accurately obtain the time required for the second communication device to switch from the first mode to the second mode, which facilitates the negotiation between the first and second communication devices on how to determine the first moment, and helps the second communication device to start switching to the second mode at an appropriate time.

[0298] In one possible implementation, after step S902, the first communication device further sends a third control frame to the second communication device and receives a fourth control frame from the second communication device. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the third control frame from the first communication device and sends the fourth control frame to the first communication device.

[0299] The third control frame is used to update the first time period, and the fourth control frame indicates the updated first time period.

[0300] For example, the third control frame may include the end time of the updated first time period, or the duration of the updated first time period, or the number of TXOPs corresponding to the updated first time period, or the updated amount of data to be transmitted, etc.

[0301] For example, the third control frame may include a third time period and / or an updated amount of data to be transmitted. The meaning of the third time period is similar to that of the second time period in the aforementioned embodiments, and can be referred to the relevant descriptions in the aforementioned embodiments. The difference is that the third time period may be a new time period redefined within the first time period, or the third time period may be a new time period that includes the first time period. The meaning of the updated amount of data to be transmitted is similar to that of the amount of data to be transmitted in the second information in the aforementioned embodiments, and can be referred to the relevant descriptions in the aforementioned embodiments. The difference is that the updated amount of data to be transmitted may include all or part of the amount of data to be transmitted indicated in the second information and newly added data to be transmitted, or only part of the amount of data to be transmitted indicated in the second information.

[0302] The way the fourth control frame indicates the updated first time period is similar to the way the second control frame indicates the first time period. You can refer to the relevant description of the second control frame indicating the first time period in the foregoing embodiments. The difference is that the fourth control frame is generated based on the updated first time period, which will not be repeated here.

[0303] Optionally, the third and fourth control frames can be served by the initial control frame / initial control response frame, a preset control frame, or a management frame. The meanings of the management frame and the preset control frame can be found in the relevant descriptions in the foregoing embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0304] For example, when the second communication device is an AP, the management frame that acts as the third control frame does not include a beacon frame; when the second communication device is a STA, the management frame that acts as the third control frame may include a beacon frame. Similarly, when the second communication device is an AP, the management frame that acts as the fourth control frame may include a beacon frame; when the second communication device is a STA, the management frame that acts as the fourth control frame does not include a beacon frame.

[0305] It is worth mentioning that when the third control frame is an initial control frame or a preset control frame, since the second communication device maintains the first mode during the first time period, the third control frame can be a control frame without a padding field, such as an initial control frame or a preset control frame without a padding field; similarly, the fourth control frame can also be a control frame without a padding field, which will not be elaborated further.

[0306] Furthermore, if the second communication device is an AP, the fourth control frame can be sent via broadcast, multicast, or unicast; if the second communication device is a STA, the third control frame can be sent via broadcast, multicast, or unicast.

[0307] Based on this scheme, the first time period can be updated flexibly, and since the third control frame does not contain a padding field, it can effectively control the resource consumption caused by the sending and receiving of the third control frame while effectively improving the flexibility of data transmission control of the second communication device, which is conducive to improving the resource utilization rate during data transmission.

[0308] Furthermore, when the second communication device is an access point (AP), since the second communication device typically sends the second control frame via broadcast, other STAs managed or associated with the second communication device can also obtain the first time period during which the second communication device maintains the first mode. Because the second communication device can interact with every STA connected to the AP, STAs outside the first communication device can also send a third control frame to the second communication device, requesting an update to the first time period during which the second communication device maintains the first mode. In other words, when the second communication device is an AP, the third control frame received by the second communication device can originate from the first communication device or from other STAs managed or associated with the first communication device.

[0309] In one possible implementation, the second communication device also receives or transmits the fifth information. Correspondingly, the first communication device also transmits or receives the fifth information.

[0310] For example, when the second communication device is a STA applying DPS mode, NPCA mode, or DSO mode, the second communication device can receive the fifth information from the first communication device (AP); correspondingly, the first communication device (AP) sends the fifth information to the second communication device. When the second communication device is an AP applying DPS mode, NPCA mode, or DSO mode, the second communication device can send the fifth information; correspondingly, the first communication device (STA applying DPS mode, NPCA mode, or DSO mode) receives the fifth information from the second communication device.

[0311] The fifth information may be included in the management frame, the preset control frame, or other frames containing relevant elements or parameters during the capability negotiation process. The predefined control frame may be a control frame applied during the capability negotiation process that is predefined in the protocol, or a control frame applied during the capability negotiation process that is pre-agreed upon by the first communication device and the second communication device.

[0312] The process by which the first communication device and the second communication device interact with the fifth information is similar to the way the first communication device and the second communication device interact with the third information. Refer to the relevant description in the foregoing embodiments. The difference lies in the content of the interacting information, which will not be repeated here.

[0313] For example, the fifth piece of information may indicate at least one of the following: Whether cross-TXOP DPS mode is enabled, whether service period (SP) based DPS mode is enabled, first threshold, second threshold, whether to allow entry into the media access recovery process, whether to allow media synchronization loss state, whether cross-TXOP DSO is enabled, whether SP-based DSO is enabled, whether cross-TXOP NPCA is enabled or SP-based NPCA is enabled.

[0314] In WiFi 6, SP (Service Point) refers to the periodic active time a device maintains within the target wake time (TWT). In other words, within a TWT, the device remains active during the periodically occurring SP and sleeps at other times. Typically, the length of an SP is greater than or equal to the sum of the durations of multiple TXOPs (Turn-Off Points). Therefore, SP-based DPS (Distributed Power Switching), DSO (Distributed Power Switching), and NPCA (Portable Transaction Ability Control) modes can be understood as data transmission control using SPs as the basic time unit, with each basic time unit corresponding to multiple TXOPs.

[0315] For example, whether cross-TXOP DPS mode is enabled can be understood as a request (or suggestion) or instruction to enable or disable cross-TXOP DPS mode; whether SP-based DPS mode is enabled can be understood as a request or instruction to enable or disable SP-based DPS mode. Similarly, the meanings of whether cross-TXOP DSO and cross-TXOP NPCA are enabled can refer to the relevant descriptions of whether cross-TXOP DPS is enabled, the difference being that the type of cross-TXOP level mode enabled is different, which will not be elaborated further; the meanings of whether SP-based DSO and SP-based NPCA are enabled can refer to the relevant descriptions of whether SP-based DPS is enabled, the difference being that the type of SP-based mode enabled is different, which will not be elaborated further.

[0316] For example, if the second communication device is a STA applying DPS mode, and the second communication device receives a fifth information instruction from the first communication device to enable the DPS mode across TXOPs, the second communication device, after receiving the first control frame, determines a first time period based on the first control frame and maintains the first mode based on the first time period; if the fifth information instruction does not enable the DPS mode across TXOPs, the second communication device, after receiving the first control frame, does not perform the first time period determination step, but applies the DPS mode within one TXOP based on the first control frame.

[0317] For example, if the second communication device is an AP using DPS mode, the second communication device can directly send a fifth message to the first communication device, instructing the second communication device to enable DPS across TXOPs. After receiving the fifth message, the first communication device sends a first control frame to the second communication device, allowing the second communication device to determine a first time period and maintain the first mode according to the first time period. If the fifth message instructs the second communication device not to enable or disable DPS across TXOPs, the first communication device can directly send an initial control frame to the second communication device, causing the second communication device to apply DPS mode within one TXOP. Alternatively, the first communication device can send a first control frame to the second communication device, and the second communication device, upon receiving the first control frame, can skip the first time period determination step and apply DPS mode within one TXOP according to the first control frame.

[0318] The above embodiments are illustrated using a STA or AP that uses DPS mode as the second communication device. The second communication device can also be a STA that uses DSO mode or NPCA mode. When the second communication device is a STA that uses DSO mode or NPCA mode, the content of the fifth information can be adjusted according to the mode applied by the second communication device. For specific implementation methods, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the foregoing embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0319] For example, whether to allow entry into the media access recovery process (or whether to allow triggering the media synchronization delay timer) and whether to allow the media synchronization loss state can be understood as indication information for determining the conditions or methods of the first moment, used to indicate the method of determining the first moment, or to indicate the priority of the method of determining the first moment.

[0320] For example, if the fifth information includes disallowing entry into the media response process, it is equivalent to indicating that the method for determining the first moment in the aforementioned embodiments is method three and method four, or that method three and method four are the highest priority methods for determining the first moment; if the fifth information includes disallowing media synchronization loss, it is equivalent to indicating that the method for determining the first moment in the aforementioned embodiments is method three, or that method three is the highest priority method for determining the first moment.

[0321] Optionally, if the second communication device is a STA using DPS mode, NPCA mode, or DSO mode, the second communication device may send a request message to the first communication device before receiving the fifth message from the first communication device. The request message indicates at least one of the following: the operating mode, a first threshold, a second threshold, whether to allow entry into the media access recovery process, or whether to allow the media synchronization loss state. Then, the first communication device sends the fifth message to the second communication device according to the instruction information from the second communication device. The content of the fifth message may be the same as or different from the content in the instruction information; that is, the AP decides the actual content included in the fifth message.

[0322] As one possible implementation, the fifth piece of information can be achieved through one or more predefined fields.

[0323] For example, the first threshold and the second threshold can be indicated by a predefined threshold field, such as the first 5 bits of the threshold field indicating the first threshold and the 6th to 10th bits indicating the second threshold, or the first 5 bits indicating the second threshold and the 6th to 10th bits indicating the first threshold, etc.

[0324] For example, whether cross-TXOP DPS mode, SP-based DPS mode, cross-TXOP DSO, SP-based DSO, cross-TXOP NPCA, and SP-based NPCA are enabled can be indicated by the status of different bits in a predefined working mode field. For instance, setting the first bit of the working mode field to 1 indicates that cross-TXOP DPS mode is enabled, and setting the first bit to 0 indicates that cross-TXOP DPS mode is disabled; or setting the first bit of the working mode field to 1 indicates that cross-TXOP DPS mode is disabled, and setting the first bit to 0 indicates that cross-TXOP DPS mode is enabled.

[0325] Similarly, the other operating modes can be indicated by the status of other bits in the operating mode field, which will not be elaborated further. Furthermore, this example only uses the first bit to indicate whether the cross-TXOP DPS mode is enabled. In actual applications, when different bits in the operating mode field are set to 0 and 1, the type of mode indicating whether the cross-TXOP mode is enabled can be adjusted as needed and is not restricted.

[0326] Based on this scheme, the first communication device and the second communication device can accurately negotiate capabilities and determine the application mode or working mode of the second communication device through the interaction of the fifth information. This is beneficial for the second communication device to maintain the first mode in the first time period and accurately switch to the second mode at the first moment when the current scenario requirements are met, thereby improving the resource utilization rate of the first communication device and the second communication device in the communication interaction process.

[0327] In one possible implementation, the third, fourth, and fifth information may be contained in the same control or management frame.

[0328] For example, the third, fourth, and fifth information are all contained in the same preset control frame of the capability negotiation phase interaction, or they are all contained in the association request frame or reassociation request frame of the capability negotiation phase interaction.

[0329] As one possible implementation, the fifth information in the first control frame includes a field indicating whether the DPS mode across TXOP is enabled. If the field indicates that the DPS mode across TXOP is disabled or not enabled (e.g., the field is set to 0 or the field is set to 1), the first control frame is only used to instruct the second communication device to enable the DPS mode within a TXOP.

[0330] The above possible implementation takes an example where the fifth information contains a field indicating whether the DPS mode across TXOPs is enabled. If the fifth information contains a field indicating whether other modes or conditions across TXOPs are enabled, the scheme of applying the specified mode according to the first control frame is similar and will not be elaborated further. In other words, if the fifth information indicates that the first mode across TXOPs is not enabled, the second communication device applies the first mode for data transmission within a TXOP.

[0331] In one possible implementation, the second communication device is a device applying DPS mode. Since the second communication device is equivalent to the TXOP responder of at least one TXOP corresponding to the first time period, during the process of the second communication device sending a control frame or management frame containing at least one of the third, fourth, or fifth information to the first communication device, the fields that the DPS element in the control frame or management frame may contain can be referenced. Figure 11 In (a), the DPS element contained in the control frame or management frame includes at least one of the following fields: Whether DPS is supported is used to indicate whether the second communication device supports DPS mode.

[0332] Whether to enable DPS is used to request / suggest enabling or disabling DPS mode to the first communication device.

[0333] Whether to enable cross-TXOP DPS, used to request / suggest enabling or disabling cross-TXOP DPS mode to the first communication device.

[0334] Whether to enable SP-based DPS, used to request / suggest enabling or disabling SP-based DPS mode to the first communication device.

[0335] Supported bandwidth and working bandwidth, including one or more of the following: working bandwidth, current bandwidth, and total bandwidth that can be supported.

[0336] The first handover delay field is used to report the first handover delay to the first communication device. The first handover delay is the delay required to switch from low capability mode to high capability mode.

[0337] The second handover delay field is used to report the second handover delay to the first communication device. The second handover delay is the delay required to switch from high capability mode to low capability mode (i.e., the first duration).

[0338] Preferred bandwidth number, used to indicate to the first communication device the number of preferred bandwidths supported, the number of preferred bandwidths supported is related to the reserved hardware resources.

[0339] Preferred bandwidth information is used to indicate to the first communication device the specific preferred bandwidth supported.

[0340] Whether preferred bandwidth reconfiguration is supported is used to indicate to the first communication device whether the second communication device supports preferred bandwidth reconfiguration.

[0341] The preferred bandwidth configuration delay and preferred bandwidth effective time recommendations are used to report the delay required for preferred bandwidth reconfiguration to the first communication device, and to recommend the effective time after preferred bandwidth configuration.

[0342] The time information field is used to indicate the second information in the aforementioned embodiments. For example, this field can be placed in an ICR frame.

[0343] The threshold field is used to indicate the first threshold and the second threshold involved in the foregoing embodiments.

[0344] The cutback condition (and priority) field is used to indicate the third information in the aforementioned embodiments.

[0345] The field indicating whether to allow access to the media access recovery process is used to indicate the fifth piece of information in the aforementioned embodiments.

[0346] The "Whether Media Synchronization Loss Status Allowed" field indicates the fifth piece of information in the aforementioned embodiments. Alternatively, "Whether to allow entry into the media access recovery process" can be replaced with "Whether to allow triggering the media synchronization delay timer."

[0347] It is worth mentioning that the fields included in the aforementioned DPS element can be contained in the same frame of interaction between the first communication device and the second communication device, or they can be contained in different frames of interaction between the first communication device and the second communication device. The fields contained in the same frame can be arbitrarily combined or split. In addition, among the multiple fields mentioned in the embodiments of this application, some fields can contain multiple subfields. The multiple subfields of a field can be located in different frames or in the same frame; the aforementioned multiple fields can also be combined into a very long field.

[0348] It should be understood that the order of the multiple fields mentioned in the embodiments of this application is only an exemplary illustration, and the index (or the order of the fields) corresponding to each field can be adjusted adaptively during the application process.

[0349] Accordingly, since the first communication device is equivalent to the TXOPholder of at least one TXOP corresponding to the first time period, during the process of the first communication device sending a control frame or management frame containing at least one of the third, fourth, or fifth information to the second communication device, the fields that the DPS element contained in the control frame or management frame may contain can be referred to Figure 11In (b), the DPS element contained in the control frame or management frame includes at least one of the following fields: Whether DPS is supported is used to indicate whether the first communication device supports DPS mode.

[0350] Whether DPS is enabled is used to indicate whether the second communication device has enabled DPS mode.

[0351] Whether cross-TXOP DPS is enabled is used to indicate whether the second communication device enables cross-TXOP DPS mode.

[0352] Whether SP-based DPS is enabled is used to indicate whether the second communication device has enabled SP-based DPS mode.

[0353] A second communication device identifier that supports DPS, used to indicate one or more second communication devices that support DPS mode.

[0354] A second communication device identifier participating in DPS, used to indicate one or more second communication devices participating in DPS.

[0355] Whether to update the preferred bandwidth is used to instruct some or all of the second communication devices to update the preferred bandwidth. For example, if represented by 1 bit, it can be set to 1 to indicate that the preferred bandwidth needs to be updated. Or, in addition to the 1-bit indicator bit, it also includes identification information of the specific second communication device that needs to be updated.

[0356] Preferred bandwidth information is used to indicate the specific preferred bandwidth to the second communication device.

[0357] The preferred bandwidth effective time field is used to indicate the configured preferred bandwidth effective time to the second communication device.

[0358] The time information field is used to indicate the second information in the aforementioned embodiments. For example, this field can be placed in an ICF frame.

[0359] The threshold field is used to indicate the first threshold and the second threshold involved in the foregoing embodiments.

[0360] The cutback condition (and priority) field is used to indicate the third information in the aforementioned embodiments.

[0361] The field indicating whether to allow access to the media access recovery process is used to indicate the fifth piece of information in the aforementioned embodiments.

[0362] The "Whether Media Synchronization Loss Status Allowed" field indicates the fifth piece of information in the aforementioned embodiments. Alternatively, "Whether to allow entry into the media access recovery process" can be replaced with "Whether to allow triggering the media synchronization delay timer."

[0363] Similarly, the fields contained in the aforementioned DPS element can be included in the same frame of interaction between the first communication device and the second communication device, or they can be included in different frames of interaction between the first communication device and the second communication device. The fields contained in the same frame can be arbitrarily combined or split.

[0364] In one possible implementation, the second communication device is a STA applying DSO mode. During communication interaction with the first communication device, when the second communication device sends a control frame or management frame containing DSO elements to the first communication device, the fields included in the DSO elements of the control frame or management frame can be referenced. Figure 12 In (a), correspondingly, the fields included in the DSO element of the control frame or management frame sent by the first communication device to the second communication device can be referred to... Figure 12 (b) in the middle.

[0365] Figure 12 The meanings of the fields in (a) and Figure 11 The meaning of the corresponding field in (a) is similar to that in the previous embodiments, and will not be repeated here. Figure 11 The fields in (a) that have different meanings are as follows: Whether DSO is supported is used to indicate whether the second communication device supports DSO mode.

[0366] Whether to enable DSO is used to request / suggest enabling or disabling DSO mode to the first communication device.

[0367] Whether to enable cross-TXOP DSO is used to request / suggest enabling or disabling cross-TXOP DSO mode to the first communication device.

[0368] Whether to enable SP-based DSO, used to request / suggest enabling or disabling SP-based DSO mode to the first communication device.

[0369] The preferred channel number is used to indicate to the first communication device the number of preferred channels supported. The number of preferred channels supported is related to the reserved hardware resources.

[0370] Preferred channel information is used to indicate to the first communication device the specific preferred channel supported.

[0371] Whether preferred channel reconfiguration is supported is used to indicate to the first communication device whether the second communication device supports preferred channel reconfiguration.

[0372] The preferred channel configuration delay and preferred channel effective time recommendations are used to report the delay required for preferred channel reconfiguration to the first communication device, as well as the recommended effective time after preferred channel configuration.

[0373] Similarly, the fields contained in the aforementioned DSO element can be included in the same frame of interaction between the first communication device and the second communication device, or they can be included in different frames of interaction between the first communication device and the second communication device. The fields contained in the same frame can be arbitrarily combined or split.

[0374] akin, Figure 12 The meanings of the fields in (b) can also be found in [reference]. Figure 11 The meaning of the corresponding field in (b) will not be repeated here. Figure 11 The fields in (b) with different meanings are as follows: Whether DSO is supported is used to indicate whether the first communication device supports DSO mode.

[0375] Whether DSO is enabled is used to indicate whether the second communication device has enabled DSO mode.

[0376] Whether DSO across TXOP is enabled is used to indicate whether the second communication device enables DSO mode across TXOP.

[0377] Whether SP-based DSO is enabled is used to indicate whether the second communication device has enabled SP-based DSO mode.

[0378] A second communication device identifier that supports DSO, used to indicate one or more second communication devices that support DSO mode.

[0379] A second communication device identifier participating in the DSO, used to indicate one or more second communication devices participating in the DSO.

[0380] Whether to update the preferred channel is used to instruct some or all of the second communication devices to update the preferred channel. For example, if represented by 1 bit, setting it to 1 can indicate that the preferred channel needs to be updated. Alternatively, in addition to the 1-bit indicator bit, it may also include identification information of the specific second communication device that needs to be updated.

[0381] Preferred channel information is used to indicate a specific preferred channel to the second communication device.

[0382] The preferred channel activation time field is used to indicate the configured preferred channel activation time to the second communication device.

[0383] The fields contained in the aforementioned DSO element can be included in the same frame of interaction between the first communication device and the second communication device, or they can be included in different frames of interaction between the first communication device and the second communication device. The fields contained in the same frame can be arbitrarily combined or split.

[0384] In one possible implementation, the second communication device is a STA applying NPCA mode. During communication interaction with the first communication device, when the second communication device sends a control frame or management frame containing NPCA elements to the first communication device, the fields included in the NPCA elements of the control frame or management frame can be referenced. Figure 13 In (a), correspondingly, the fields included in the NPCA element contained in the control frame or management frame sent by the first communication device to the second communication device can be referred to... Figure 13 (b) in the middle.

[0385] Figure 13 The meanings of the fields in (a) and Figure 12 The meaning of the corresponding field in (a) is similar to that in the previous embodiments, and will not be repeated here. Figure 12 The fields in (a) that have different meanings are as follows: Whether NPCA is supported is used to indicate whether the second communication device supports NPCA mode.

[0386] Whether to enable NPCA is used to request / suggest enabling or disabling NPCA mode to the first communication device.

[0387] Whether to enable cross-TXOP NPCA, used to request / suggest enabling or disabling cross-TXOP NPCA mode to the first communication device.

[0388] Whether to enable SP-based NPCA, used to request / suggest enabling or disabling SP-based NPCA mode to the first communication device.

[0389] Similarly, the fields contained in the aforementioned NPCA element can be included in the same frame of interaction between the first communication device and the second communication device, or they can be included in different frames of interaction between the first communication device and the second communication device. The fields contained in the same frame can be arbitrarily combined or split.

[0390] akin, Figure 13 The meanings of the fields in (b) can also be found in [reference]. Figure 12 The meaning of the corresponding field in (b) will not be repeated here. Figure 12 The fields in (b) with different meanings are as follows: Whether NPCA is supported is used to indicate whether the first communication device supports NPCA mode.

[0391] Whether NPCA is enabled is used to indicate whether the second communication device has enabled NPCA mode.

[0392] Whether cross-TXOP NPCA is enabled is used to indicate whether the second communication device has enabled cross-TXOP NPCA mode.

[0393] Whether SP-based NPCA is enabled is used to indicate whether the second communication device has enabled SP-based NPCA mode.

[0394] A second communication device identifier that supports NPCA is used to indicate one or more second communication devices that support the NPCA mode.

[0395] A second communication device identifier for participating in the NPCA, used to indicate one or more second communication devices participating in the NPCA.

[0396] The fields contained in the aforementioned NPCA element can be included in the same frame of interaction between the first and second communication devices, or in different frames of interaction between the first and second communication devices. Fields within the same frame can be arbitrarily combined or split. Based on this scheme, during data transmission, the second communication device enters a first mode for data transmission according to the first control frame from the first communication device. The first time period determined by the second information in the first control frame serves as the basic time unit for maintaining the first mode; that is, the second communication device can maintain the data transmission mode in the first time period. When the first time period corresponds to multiple TXOPs, if the second communication device successfully acquires multiple TXOPs within the first time period, the second communication device does not need to exit the first mode at the end of each TXOP and re-enter the first mode at the beginning of a new TXOP through interaction with the control frame of the first communication device. This reduces the impact of control frame interaction and mode switching on TXOP duration and resource consumption, increases the available data transmission time for the second communication device within each TXOP, and improves resource utilization through cross-TXOP level data transmission control. When a first time period corresponds to a TXOP, and the end time of the first time period is earlier than the end time of the TXOP, the time during which the second communication device is in the first mode within a TXOP can be finely controlled. That is, the data transmission of the second communication device can be controlled at a granularity smaller than that of the TXOP, which improves the flexibility and accuracy of the data transmission control of the second communication device and is beneficial to controlling the power consumption of the second communication device.

[0397] This application also provides another communication method, which is described below in conjunction with... Figure 8 The communication system shown is referenced. Figure 14 The communication method provided in the embodiments of this application is described below, wherein the first communication device can be an access point device or a site device, and the second communication device can be an access point device or a site device. For example, the first communication device is an access point device, and the second communication device is a site device; or, the first communication device is a site device, and the second communication device is an access point device. The method may include the following steps: S1401, the first communication device sends a first control frame to the second communication device. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the first control frame from the first communication device. The first control frame indicates that data transmission is performed using a first mode.

[0398] For example, using the first mode for data transmission can be understood as the second communication device using the physical layer capability configuration corresponding to the first mode for data transmission, or the second communication device using the sub-channel corresponding to the first mode for data transmission, or the second communication device using the link corresponding to the first mode for data transmission.

[0399] Optionally, the data transmission duration using the first mode is one TXOP, or the data transmission duration using the first mode is multiple TXOPs.

[0400] For example, the duration of data transmission using the first mode for one TXOP can be understood as data transmission using the first mode within a complete TXOP, or it can also be understood as data transmission using the first mode within a portion of the duration of a TXOP.

[0401] The meaning of the duration of data transmission using the first mode being multiple TXOPs is similar to the meaning of the first time period corresponding to multiple TXOPs in the aforementioned embodiments. Please refer to the relevant descriptions in the aforementioned embodiments, and we will not repeat them here. Similarly, the implementation method of the first control frame (such as the type of the first control frame or the implementation method of the first control frame indicating at least one TXOP, etc.) can also refer to the relevant descriptions in the aforementioned embodiments.

[0402] Optionally, after step S1401, the second communication device sends a second control frame to the first communication device. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the second control frame from the first communication device. The second control frame indicates at least one TXOP.

[0403] For example, the implementation of the second control frame (such as the type of the second control frame or the way the second control frame indicates at least one TXOP) can be referred to the relevant description in the foregoing embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0404] S1402, the second communication device begins switching to the second mode at a first moment. This first moment is earlier than the end time of the last TXOP in at least one TXOP. Correspondingly, the first communication device ceases using the first mode for data transmission with the second communication device at the first moment.

[0405] For example, the transmission mode corresponding to the first mode is the first transmission mode, and the transmission mode corresponding to the second mode is the second transmission mode; or, the sub-channel corresponding to the first mode is the first sub-channel, and the sub-channel corresponding to the second mode is the second sub-channel; or, the link corresponding to the first mode is the first link, and the link corresponding to the second mode is the second link.

[0406] The transmission mode corresponding to the first mode is the first transmission mode, the transmission mode corresponding to the second mode is the second transmission mode, the sub-channel corresponding to the first mode is the first sub-channel, the sub-channel corresponding to the second mode is the second sub-channel, the link corresponding to the first mode is the first link, the link corresponding to the second mode is the second link, and the specific implementation of the second communication device switching to the second mode at the first moment can all be referred to the relevant descriptions in the foregoing embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0407] The first time is determined based on at least one of the following: the end time of the last TXOP in at least one TXOP, the time when the first transmission frame is transmitted within at least one TXOP, or the end time when the third subchannel becomes unavailable. The specific method for determining the first time is described in subsequent embodiments.

[0408] Optionally, the first transmission frame may include the following two possible implementations: As one possible implementation, the first transmission frame is the last data frame or control frame transmitted in at least one TXOP using the first mode.

[0409] In this case, the first transmission frame is similar to the last transmission frame transmitted by the second communication device in the first time period using the first mode in the previous embodiment. Please refer to the relevant description in the previous embodiment, and it will not be repeated here.

[0410] As another possible implementation, the first transmission frame is a data frame or control frame received in at least one TXOP and transmitted in the second mode, and the first transmission frame is adjacent to the last transmission frame in at least one TXOP transmitted in the first mode.

[0411] In this case, the first transmission frame is similar to the data frame or control frame received by the second communication device in the first time period using the second mode in the aforementioned embodiments, and the first transmission frame is adjacent to and similar to the last transmission frame using the first mode in the first time period. Please refer to the relevant description in the aforementioned embodiments, and it will not be repeated here.

[0412] The third sub-channel is the sub-channel used before data transmission in the first mode. The meaning of the third sub-channel can be found in the relevant descriptions in the preceding embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0413] Based on the above scheme, during data transmission, the second communication device enters a first mode based on the first control frame from the first communication device to transmit data. It maintains the first mode for a period including at least one TXOP and begins switching to the second mode at a first moment. When at least one TXOP includes only one TXOP, the second communication device can begin switching to the second mode before the end of the TXOP, allowing the duration of the second communication device maintaining the first mode to be controlled at a granular level smaller than the TXOP, improving the flexibility and accuracy of data transmission control and facilitating power consumption control. When at least one TXOP includes multiple TXOPs, the second communication device does not need to exit the first mode at the end of each TXOP and re-enter the first mode at the beginning of a new TXOP, reducing the impact of control frame interaction and mode switching on TXOP duration and resource usage, improving resource utilization. Furthermore, starting the switch to the second mode before the end of the last TXOP helps reduce the duration of media synchronization loss after the TXOP ends.

[0414] The overall process of the communication method provided in this application has been described above. The specific implementation of each step is described below.

[0415] In one possible implementation, determining the first moment based on the conditions that need to be met at the first moment can include the following three methods: Method 1: The first moment is earlier than the second moment, and the interval between the first moment and the second moment is greater than or equal to the first duration.

[0416] For example, the second time is the end time of the last TXOP in at least one TXOP, or the second time is the end time when the third sub-channel is unavailable; the meaning of the second time can be referred to the relevant description of the second time in the foregoing embodiments, the difference being that the first time period in the foregoing embodiments is replaced with at least one TXOP in the embodiments of this application, which will not be repeated here; similarly, the first duration can also be referred to the relevant description in the foregoing embodiments.

[0417] It is worth mentioning that, as one possible implementation, in determining the first moment based on the second moment and the first duration, if the first duration is greater than or equal to the second duration, the first moment is earlier than the second moment; if the first duration is less than the second duration, the first moment is later than or equal to the second moment. Here, the second duration is the minimum time threshold for triggering the media synchronization delay timer.

[0418] The scheme for determining the first moment based on the relationship between the first duration and the second duration is similar to the scheme in the aforementioned embodiments. Please refer to the relevant descriptions in the aforementioned embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0419] Based on this scheme, when the second communication device starts switching to the second mode at the first moment, the second communication device can complete the mode switch before the last TXOP of maintaining the first mode ends, avoiding the second communication device from entering a state of media synchronization loss (also known as a blind state) due to the time required for mode switching, thus meeting the requirements of scenarios where the media access recovery process is not allowed to be triggered.

[0420] Method 2: The first moment is earlier than the third moment, and the interval between the first moment and the third moment is greater than or equal to the first duration.

[0421] Among them, the interval between the third time point and the second time point is greater than or equal to the first threshold.

[0422] The method for determining the first moment based on the third moment and the first duration is similar to the method for determining the first moment in the previous embodiments. Please refer to the relevant descriptions in the previous embodiments, and they will not be repeated here.

[0423] In one possible implementation, the first threshold is less than or equal to the second duration, which is the minimum time threshold for triggering the media synchronization delay timer, or the second duration is the minimum time threshold for triggering the media access recovery process.

[0424] Similarly, the specific implementation of the first threshold being less than or equal to the second duration can be referred to the relevant description in the foregoing embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0425] Based on this scheme, when the second communication device starts switching to the second mode at the first moment, it is allowed to have a buffer time of less than or equal to the first threshold after the last TXOP of the first mode ends. During this buffer time, the second communication device is allowed to be in a state of media synchronization loss, which relaxes the requirements for the media synchronization of the second communication device to a certain extent. This allows the second communication device to make the most of the last TXOP in at least one TXOP for data transmission and improves resource utilization.

[0426] Optionally, the conditions under which the media synchronization delay timer can be started include at least one of the following: the second communication device is a STA or multi-link device attached to a nonsimultaneous transmit and receive (NSTR) link; the second communication device is a STA or multi-link device attached to an EMLSR link; the second communication device is an NSTR mobile AP or multi-link device operating on a non-primary link attached to an NSTR link; the second communication device is an access point AP or site STA in dynamic energy-saving DPS mode; the second communication device is a STA in dynamic subchannel operation DSO mode; the second communication device is a STA in non-primary channel access NPCA mode, and the NPCA primary channel is located outside the STA's operating bandwidth; or, the second communication device is a STA in NPCA mode, and the primary channel of the first basic service set (BSS) becomes available before the end of the network allocation vector (NAV) timer, and the second communication device belongs to the first BSS.

[0427] The first four items are events of the startup medium synchronization delay timer defined in the WiFi standard, while the last four items are events of the startup medium synchronization delay timer newly defined in the protocol or pre-defined by the first and second communication devices.

[0428] Based on this scheme, if the duration of the lost media synchronization is greater than the trigger time of the media access recovery process or the trigger time of the media synchronization delay timer, the media access recovery process can be triggered in a timely manner, thereby improving the reliability of the second communication device in the data transmission process, provided that the second communication device satisfies any of the above conditions.

[0429] Method 3: The first moment is later than the fourth moment, and the interval between the first moment and the fourth moment is greater than or equal to the second threshold.

[0430] The method for determining the first time based on the fourth time point and the second threshold is similar to the method five for determining the first time point in the aforementioned embodiments. Please refer to the relevant descriptions in the aforementioned embodiments, and they will not be repeated here.

[0431] Based on this scheme, the second communication device can switch to the second mode after completing the transmission of a transmission frame and not performing data transmission for a period of time greater than or equal to the second threshold, or after not performing the transmission frame generated according to the physical layer parameters corresponding to the first mode. This avoids the second communication device from maintaining a high-capacity mode when the total amount of data to be transmitted is too small or there is no data to be transmitted, thereby reducing the power consumption of the second communication device within at least one TXOP.

[0432] As one possible implementation, the first moment can also be determined by applying various methods from Method 1 to Method 3 above. Applying multiple methods to determine the first moment can include the following two methods: Method 1: The conditions corresponding to multiple methods are met simultaneously at the first moment.

[0433] Method 2: At the first moment, the conditions corresponding to the highest priority method among multiple methods must be met.

[0434] The determination of the first moment based on multiple methods from Method 1 to Method 3 is similar to the determination of the first moment based on multiple methods from Method 1 to Method 3 in the previous embodiments. Please refer to the relevant descriptions in the previous embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0435] Based on the scheme in Method 1, it can simultaneously meet the different requirements of the first moment in multiple scenarios. For example, while controlling the overall power consumption, it can avoid triggering the media access recovery process, further improving the adaptability of the data transmission control method in the above embodiments to different scenarios. Based on the scheme in Method 2, it can ensure that when switching to the second mode in the first moment, the second communication device can complete or as much as possible complete the transmission of the data to be transmitted.

[0436] In one possible implementation, the second communication device receives or transmits first information. Correspondingly, the first communication device transmits or receives the first information. The first information indicates at least one condition satisfied at a first moment, or the priority of each of the at least one condition satisfied at the first moment.

[0437] The first communication device and the second communication device determine at least one condition satisfied at a first moment through the interaction of first information, or the priority of at least one condition satisfied at a first moment and each of the at least one condition. This is similar to the previous embodiment, in which the first communication device and the second communication device determine at least one condition satisfied at a first moment through the interaction of third information, or the priority of at least one condition satisfied at a first moment and each of the at least one condition. Please refer to the relevant descriptions in the previous embodiments, and they will not be repeated here.

[0438] In one possible implementation, where at least one TXOP comprises multiple TXOPs, the second communication device is a device applying a DPS mechanism across TXOP levels. The DPS element in the control frame containing first information sent by the second communication device to the first communication device may include fields that can be referenced. Figure 11 (a) in the text; correspondingly, the fields that the DPS element in the control frame sent by the first communication device to the second communication device may contain can be referred to... Figure 11The meaning of each field in (b) can be found in the relevant descriptions in the foregoing embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0439] Furthermore, if at least one TXOP contains only one TXOP, the fields included in the DPS element may not include whether to enable DPS across TXOPs or whether to enable SP-based DPS.

[0440] In one possible implementation, where at least one TXOP comprises multiple TXOPs, the second communication device is a device applying a DSO mechanism across TXOP levels. The fields that the DSO elements in the control frame containing first information sent by the second communication device to the first communication device may include can be referenced. Figure 12 (a) in the text; correspondingly, the fields that the DSO element in the control frame sent by the first communication device to the second communication device may contain can be referred to... Figure 12 The meaning of each field in (b) can be found in the relevant descriptions in the foregoing embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0441] Furthermore, if at least one TXOP contains only one TXOP, the fields included in the DSO element may not include whether to enable DSO across TXOPs or whether to enable SP-based DSO.

[0442] In one possible implementation, where at least one TXOP comprises multiple TXOPs, the second communication device is a device that applies an NPCA mechanism across TXOP levels. The NPCA elements contained in the control frame sent by the second communication device to the first communication device, which includes first information, may contain fields that can be referenced. Figure 13 (a) in the text; correspondingly, the fields that the NPCA element in the control frame sent by the first communication device to the second communication device may contain can be referred to... Figure 13 The meaning of each field in (b) can be found in the relevant descriptions in the foregoing embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0443] Furthermore, if at least one TXOP contains only one TXOP, the fields included in the NPCA element may not include whether to enable NPCA across TXOPs or whether to enable SP-based NPCA.

[0444] Based on the above scheme, during data transmission, the second communication device enters a first mode based on the first control frame from the first communication device to transmit data. It maintains the first mode for a period including at least one TXOP and begins switching to the second mode at a first moment. When at least one TXOP includes only one TXOP, the second communication device can begin switching to the second mode before the end of the TXOP, allowing the duration of the second communication device maintaining the first mode to be controlled at a granular level smaller than the TXOP, improving the flexibility and accuracy of data transmission control and facilitating power consumption control. When at least one TXOP includes multiple TXOPs, the second communication device does not need to exit the first mode at the end of each TXOP and re-enter the first mode at the beginning of a new TXOP, reducing the impact of control frame interaction and mode switching on TXOP duration and resource usage, improving resource utilization. Furthermore, starting the switch to the second mode before the end of the last TXOP helps reduce the duration of media synchronization loss after the TXOP ends.

[0445] The method provided in this application has been described above. In addition, this application also provides a communication device for implementing the functions described in the above method embodiments.

[0446] It is understood that, in order to achieve the aforementioned functions, the communication device includes hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, based on the units and algorithm steps of the examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in 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 application.

[0447] This application embodiment can divide the communication device into functional modules according to the above method embodiment. For example, each function can be divided into a separate functional module, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional module. It should be noted that the module division in this application embodiment is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods.

[0448] Figure 15A schematic diagram of a communication device 150 is shown. The communication device 150 includes a processing module 1501 and a transceiver module 1502. The communication device 150 can be used to implement the functions of the first or second communication device described above.

[0449] In some embodiments, the communication device 150 may further include a storage module ( Figure 15 (not shown in the image) is used to store program instructions and data.

[0450] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 1502, also referred to as a transceiver unit, is used to implement sending and / or receiving functions. The transceiver module 1502 may consist of a transceiver circuit, a transceiver, a transceiver unit, or a communication interface.

[0451] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 1502 may include a receiving module and a sending module, respectively configured to perform receiving and sending steps performed by the first communication device or the second communication device in the above method embodiments, and / or other processes to support the technology described herein; the processing module 1501 may be configured to perform processing steps performed by the first communication device or the second communication device in the above method embodiments, and / or other processes to support the technology described herein.

[0452] When the communication device 150 is used to implement the function of the first communication device, in one possible implementation: the transceiver module 1502 is used to send or receive third information, the third information including a first index set and / or a first bit diagram, the first index set and / or the first bit diagram being used to indicate at least one condition satisfied at a first moment; or, the first index set and / or the first bit diagram being used to indicate at least one condition satisfied at a first moment and the priority of each of the at least one condition.

[0453] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 1502 is used to receive fourth information, which indicates the first duration.

[0454] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 1502 is used to send a third control frame, which is used to update the first time period; and to receive a fourth control frame, which indicates the updated first time period.

[0455] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 1502 is used to send or receive fifth information, the fifth information indicating at least one of the following: whether the DPS mode across TXOP is enabled, whether the DPS mode based on the service period SP is enabled, a first threshold, a second threshold, whether to allow entry into the media access recovery process, whether to allow the media synchronization loss state, whether the DSO across TXOP is enabled, whether the DSO based on SP is enabled, whether the NPCA across TXOP is enabled, or whether the NPCA based on SP is enabled.

[0456] When the communication device 150 is used to implement the function of the second communication device, in one possible implementation: the processing module 1501 is used to start switching to the second mode at a first moment.

[0457] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 1502 is used to receive or send third information, the third information including a first index set and / or a first bit diagram, the first index set and / or the first bit diagram being used to indicate at least one condition satisfied at a first moment; or, the first index set and / or the first bit diagram being used to indicate at least one condition satisfied at a first moment and the priority of each of the at least one condition.

[0458] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 1502 is used to send a fourth message, which indicates the first duration.

[0459] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 1502 is used to receive a third control frame, which is used to update a first time period; and to send a fourth control frame, which indicates the updated first time period.

[0460] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 1502 is used to receive or send fifth information, the fifth information indicating at least one of the following: whether the DPS mode across TXOP is enabled, whether the DPS mode based on the service period SP is enabled, a first threshold, a second threshold, whether to allow entry into the media access recovery process, whether to allow the media synchronization loss state, whether the DSO across TXOP is enabled, whether the DSO based on SP is enabled, whether the NPCA across TXOP is enabled, or whether the NPCA based on SP is enabled.

[0461] All relevant content of each step involved in the above method embodiments can be referenced from the functional description of the corresponding functional module, and will not be repeated here.

[0462] In this application, the communication device 150 can be presented in an integrated manner, divided into various functional modules. Here, "module" can refer to an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a circuit, a processor and memory that executes one or more software or firmware programs, integrated logic circuits, and / or other devices that can provide the above functions.

[0463] In some embodiments, when Figure 15When the communication device 150 is a chip or chip system, the function / implementation process of the transceiver module 1502 can be implemented through the input / output interface (or communication interface) of the chip or chip system, and the function / implementation process of the processing module 1501 can be implemented through the processor (or processing circuit) of the chip or chip system.

[0464] Since the communication device 150 provided in this embodiment can execute the above method, the technical effects it can achieve can be referred to the above method embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0465] As a possible product form, the terminal or RAN node described in the embodiments of this application can be implemented using one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), controllers, state machines, gate logic, discrete hardware components, any other suitable circuits, or any combination of circuits capable of performing the various functions described throughout this application.

[0466] As another possible product form, the first or second communication device described in the embodiments of this application can be implemented using a general bus architecture. For ease of explanation, see [link to documentation]. Figure 16 , Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 1600 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 1600 includes a processor 1601 and a transceiver 1602. The communication device 1600 can be a first communication device, or a chip or chip system therein; or, the communication device 1600 can be a second communication device, or a chip or module therein. Figure 16 Only the main components of the communication device 1600 are shown. In addition to the processor 1601 and transceiver 1602, the communication device may further include a memory 1603 and input / output devices (not shown).

[0467] Optionally, the processor 1601 is mainly used to process communication protocols and communication data, control the entire communication device, execute software programs, and process the data of the software programs, thereby implementing the methods provided in the above-described method embodiments. The memory 1603 is mainly used to store software programs and data. The transceiver 1602 may include a radio frequency (RF) circuit and an antenna. The RF circuit is mainly used for converting baseband signals to RF signals and processing RF signals. The antenna is mainly used for transmitting and receiving RF signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. Input / output devices, such as touch screens, displays, and keyboards, are mainly used to receive user input data and output data to the user.

[0468] Optionally, the processor 1601, transceiver 1602, and memory 1603 can be connected via a communication bus.

[0469] When the communication device is powered on, the processor 1601 can read the software program in the memory 1603, interpret and execute the instructions of the software program, and process the data of the software program. When data needs to be transmitted wirelessly, the processor 1601 performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted and outputs the baseband signal to the radio frequency (RF) circuit. The RF circuit processes the baseband signal and transmits the RF signal outward in the form of electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the communication device, the RF circuit receives the RF signal through the antenna, converts the RF signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor 1601. The processor 1601 converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0470] In another implementation, the radio frequency circuitry and antenna can be set up independently of the processor performing baseband processing. For example, in a distributed scenario, the radio frequency circuitry and antenna can be arranged remotely, independent of the communication device.

[0471] In some embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the above-described communication device 150 can be implemented in hardware using... Figure 16 The communication device shown is in the form of 1600.

[0472] As an example, Figure 15 The function / implementation process of the processing module 1501 can be achieved through... Figure 16 The processor 1601 in the communication device 1600 shown calls computer execution instructions stored in memory 1603 to achieve this. Figure 15 The function / implementation process of the transceiver module 1502 can be obtained through Figure 16 This is achieved through the transceiver 1602 in the communication device 1600 shown.

[0473] As another possible product form, the first or second communication device in this application can be adopted. Figure 17 The shown composition structure, or including Figure 17 The components shown. Figure 17 This application provides a schematic diagram of the composition of a communication device 1700, which may be a first communication device or a chip or system-on-a-chip in the first communication device; or, it may be a second communication device or a module, chip or system-on-a-chip in the second communication device.

[0474] like Figure 17 As shown, the communication device 1700 includes at least one processor 1701 and at least one communication interface (…). Figure 17(This is merely an example illustration, using a communication interface 1704 and a processor 1701 as examples. Optionally, the communication device 1700 may also include a communication bus 1702 and a memory 1703.)

[0475] Processor 1701 can be a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a general-purpose processor, a network processor (NP), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a PLD, or any combination thereof. Processor 1701 can also be other devices with processing capabilities, such as circuits, devices, or software modules, without limitation.

[0476] Communication bus 1702 is used to connect different components in communication device 1700, enabling communication between them. Communication bus 1702 can be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, etc. This bus can be divided into address bus, data bus, control bus, etc. For ease of representation, Figure 17 The bus is represented by a single thick line, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0477] Communication interface 1704 is used for communicating with other devices or communication networks. Exemplarily, communication interface 1704 can be a module, circuit, transceiver, or any device capable of communication. Optionally, the communication interface 1704 can also be an input / output interface located within processor 1701, used to implement signal input and signal output for the processor.

[0478] The memory 1703 may be a device with storage function, used to store instructions and / or data. The instructions may be computer programs.

[0479] For example, memory 1703 may be read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and / or instructions; it may also be random access memory (RAM) or other types of dynamic storage devices that can store information and / or instructions; it may also be electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital universal optical discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, etc., without limitation.

[0480] It should be noted that the memory 1703 can exist independently of the processor 1701, or it can be integrated with the processor 1701. The memory 1703 can be located inside or outside the communication device 1700, without limitation. The processor 1701 can be used to execute the instructions stored in the memory 1703 to implement the methods provided in the following embodiments of this application.

[0481] As an optional implementation, the communication device 1700 may also include an output device 1705 and an input device 1706. The output device 1705 communicates with the processor 1701 and can display information in various ways. For example, the output device 1705 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light-emitting diode (LED) display device, a cathode ray tube (CRT) display device, or a projector, etc. The input device 1706 communicates with the processor 1701 and can receive user input in various ways. For example, the input device 1706 may be a mouse, keyboard, touchscreen device, or sensing device, etc.

[0482] In some embodiments, the hardware implementation will be apparent to those skilled in the art as described above. Figure 15 The communication device 150 shown can be adopted Figure 17 The communication device shown is in the form of 1700.

[0483] As an example, Figure 15 The function / implementation process of the processing module 1501 can be achieved through... Figure 17 The processor 1701 in the communication device 1700 shown calls computer execution instructions stored in memory 1703 to achieve this. Figure 15 The function / implementation process of the transceiver module 1502 can be obtained through Figure 17 This is achieved through the communication interface 1704 in the communication device 1700 shown.

[0484] It should be noted that, Figure 17 The structures shown do not constitute a specific limitation on the first or second communication device. For example, in other embodiments of this application, the first or second communication device may include more or fewer components than illustrated, or combine some components, or split some components, or have different component arrangements. The illustrated components may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0485] In some embodiments, this application also provides a communication device, which includes a processor for implementing the methods in any of the above method embodiments.

[0486] As one possible implementation, the communication device also includes a memory. This memory stores necessary computer programs and data. The computer program may include instructions, which a processor can invoke to instruct the communication device to execute the methods described in any of the above method embodiments. Alternatively, the memory may not be present in the communication device.

[0487] As another possible implementation, the communication device also includes an interface circuit, which is a code / data read / write interface circuit, used to receive computer execution instructions (which are stored in memory and may be read directly from memory or may be transmitted through other devices) and transmit them to the processor.

[0488] As another possible implementation, the communication device also includes a communication interface for communicating with modules outside the communication device.

[0489] It is understood that the communication device can be a chip or a chip system. When the communication device is a chip system, it can be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices. This application does not specifically limit this.

[0490] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program or instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a computer, implements the functions of any of the above-described method embodiments.

[0491] This application also provides a computer program product that, when executed by a computer, implements the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0492] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0493] It is understood that the systems, apparatuses, and methods described in this application can also be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the couplings or direct couplings or communication connections shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; indirect couplings or communication connections between devices or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0494] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment, depending on actual needs.

[0495] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0496] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software programs, implementation can be, in whole or in part, in the form of a computer program product. This computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another 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 containing one or more servers, data centers, etc., that can be integrated with the medium. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., solid-state drive (SSD)). In this embodiment, the computer may include the aforementioned apparatus.

[0497] Although this application has been described herein in conjunction with various embodiments, those skilled in the art, by reviewing the accompanying drawings, disclosure, and appended claims, will understand and implement other variations of the disclosed embodiments in carrying out the claimed application. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other components or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude multiple components. A single processor or other unit can implement several functions listed in the claims. While different dependent claims may recite certain measures, this does not mean that these measures cannot be combined to produce good results.

[0498] Although this application has been described in conjunction with specific features and embodiments, it is obvious that various modifications and combinations can be made thereto without departing from the scope of this application. Accordingly, this specification and drawings are merely illustrative descriptions of the application as defined by the appended claims, and are considered to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations, or equivalents within the scope of this application. Clearly, those skilled in the art can make various alterations and modifications to this application without departing from its scope. Thus, if such modifications and modifications fall within the scope of the claims and their equivalents, this application is also intended to include such modifications and modifications.

Claims

1. A communication method applied to a communication device, characterized in that, The method includes: Data transmission is performed using the NPCA main channel; The switchback from the NPCA main channel to the main channel begins at a first moment, which is earlier than a second moment, and the interval between the first moment and the second moment is greater than or equal to a first duration, where the first duration is the duration required to switch back from the NPCA main channel to the main channel, and the second moment is the end moment when the main channel becomes unavailable.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The NPCA main channel is a sub-channel other than the main channel, or the NPCA main channel is located outside the operating bandwidth of the second communication device.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The end time when the main channel becomes unavailable is the end time of the network allocation vector (NAV) timer for the main channel.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send or receive a first control frame, the first control frame indicating that NPCA mode is enabled.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, NPCA mode is used for data transmission when the main channel is busy.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The method further includes: receiving or sending first information, the first information indicating a condition satisfied at the first moment, wherein the condition satisfied at the first moment is: the first moment is earlier than the second moment, and the interval between the first moment and the second moment is greater than or equal to the first duration.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The method further includes: sending or receiving fourth information, the fourth information indicating the first duration.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The method further includes: sending or receiving fifth information, the fifth information indicating at least one of the following: Whether NPCA is supported, whether NPCA is enabled, whether entry into the media access recovery process is allowed, or whether media synchronization loss status is allowed, whether NPCA across transport opportunities (TXOP) is enabled, or whether NPCA based on the service period SP is enabled.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The communication device is an access point (AP) or a non-AP STA.

10. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-9.

11. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a processor; the processor is configured to run a computer program or instructions to cause the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-9.

12. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, A computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions or programs that, when executed on a computer, cause the method described in any one of claims 1-9 to be performed.

13. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes computer instructions; when some or all of the computer instructions are run on a computer, the method described in any one of claims 1-9 is performed.

Images