Transmission opportunity (txop) sharing method, apparatus, and device

Abstract

This application provides a method, apparatus, and device for sharing a transmission opportunity (TXOP). The method includes: a first access point sending a first frame, the first frame indicating that a portion of a first TXOP should be shared with at least one second access point, wherein the first frame includes transmission parameters for at least one second frame, and the at least one second frame is a response frame of the at least one second access point to the first frame; the first access point receiving the at least one second frame sent by the at least one second access point, wherein the at least one second frame is sent sequentially based on the transmission parameters of the at least one second frame.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communications, and more specifically, to a method, apparatus, and device for sharing transmission opportunities (TXOPs). Background Technology

[0002] In some scenarios, TXOP sharing (TXS) operations are introduced. Access points (APs) can share TXOPs with stations (STAs) within the Basic Service Set (BSS) within the time frame of an acquired TXOP event, thereby optimizing service latency or throughput.

[0003] In multi-AP collaboration scenarios, a sharing AP can share its TXOPs with a shared AP for data transmission between the shared AP and its associated STAs. However, in multi-AP collaboration scenarios, there may be multiple shared APs. In this case, how to improve the TXOP sharing performance is an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a method, apparatus, and device for sharing TXOPs, which helps to improve TXOP sharing performance.

[0005] Firstly, a method for sharing TXOP transmission opportunities is provided, including:

[0006] A first access point sends a first frame, which is used to indicate that a portion of a first TXOP is shared with at least one second access point. The first frame includes transmission parameters for at least one second frame, which is a response frame of the at least one second access point to the first frame.

[0007] The first access point receives the at least one second frame sent by the at least one second access point, wherein the at least one second frame is sent sequentially based on the sending parameters of the at least one second frame.

[0008] Secondly, a method for sharing TXOP transmission opportunities is provided, including:

[0009] The second access point receives a first frame sent by the first access point. The first frame is used to indicate that a portion of the first TXOP is shared with at least one second access point. The first frame includes transmission parameters for at least one second frame. The at least one second frame is a response frame of the at least one second access point to the first frame. The at least one second access point includes the second access point.

[0010] The second access point sends a second frame to the first access point based on the transmission parameters of the at least one second frame.

[0011] In some implementations, the transmission parameters of the at least one second frame include at least one of the following:

[0012] The first indication information is used to indicate whether the at least one second access point serially transmits the at least one second frame;

[0013] The second indication information is used to indicate whether the at least one second access point sends the at least one second frame using a non-high throughput non-HT replication method;

[0014] The identification information of the at least one second access point;

[0015] The order information of the at least one second access point sending the at least one second frame;

[0016] The frame length of the second frame;

[0017] The at least one second access point transmits the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) parameters used in the at least one second frame.

[0018] In some implementations, the first frame includes a public information field, wherein the first indication information is carried in the public information field, and / or the second indication information is carried in the public information field, and / or the frame length of the second frame is carried in the public information field.

[0019] In some implementations, the first frame includes at least one user information field, each user information field corresponding to a second access point, and the order of the at least one user information field is used to indicate the order in which the corresponding second access point sends the second frame.

[0020] In some implementations, the user information field includes a first field and a second field, wherein the first field is used to indicate the identification information of the second access point that triggers the transmission of the second frame, and the second field is used to indicate the MCS parameters used by the second access point to transmit the second frame.

[0021] In some implementations, the time interval between the time when the Kth second access point of the at least one second access point sends the second frame and the end time of the first frame is equal to (K-1)*T. F2 +K*T SIFS Where K is a positive integer, T F2 T represents the frame length of the second frame. SIFS This indicates the duration of the Short Interframe Frame (SIFS).

[0022] In some implementations, the second frame includes status information of the second access point participating in the first TXOP sharing.

[0023] In some implementations, the status information of the second access point participating in TXOP sharing includes at least one of the following:

[0024] The third indication information is used to indicate whether the second access point participates in the sharing of the first TXOP;

[0025] The service type to be transmitted at the second access point;

[0026] The size of the service volume to be transmitted at the second access point;

[0027] The expected sharing duration of the first TXOP by the second access point.

[0028] In some implementations, the second frame is a Buffer Status Report (BSR) frame, which includes a BSR control field, and the status information of the second access point participating in TXOP sharing is carried in the BSR control field; or

[0029] The second frame is a data frame or a control frame, which includes an aggregation control field, and the status information of the second access point participating in TXOP sharing is carried in the aggregation control field; or

[0030] The second frame is an action frame, which includes an action details field, and the status information of the second access point participating in TXOP sharing is carried in the action details field.

[0031] Thirdly, a communication device is provided, which is a first access point, or is disposed in a first access point, the communication device comprising:

[0032] A sending module is configured to send a first frame, the first frame being configured to indicate the sharing of a portion of a first TXOP to at least one second access point, wherein the first frame includes sending parameters for at least one second frame, the at least one second frame being a response frame of the at least one second access point to the first frame;

[0033] A receiving module is configured to receive at least one second frame sent by the at least one second access point, wherein the at least one second frame is sent sequentially based on the transmission parameters of the at least one second frame.

[0034] Fourthly, a communication device is provided, which is a second access point, or is disposed in a second access point, the communication device comprising:

[0035] A receiving module is configured to receive a first frame sent by a first access point, the first frame being used to indicate sharing a portion of a first TXOP with at least one second access point, wherein the first frame includes transmission parameters for at least one second frame, the at least one second frame being a response frame of the at least one second access point to the first frame, and the at least one second access point including the second access point.

[0036] The sending module is used to send a second frame to the first access point based on the sending parameters of the at least one second frame.

[0037] Fifthly, an access point is provided, including a processor and a memory. The memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor is used to call and run the computer program stored in the memory to perform the methods of the first aspect or its implementations described above, or the methods of the second aspect or its implementations described above.

[0038] Sixthly, a chip is provided for implementing the methods of any one of the first to second aspects or their respective implementations. Specifically, the chip includes a processor for calling and running a computer program from a memory, causing a device equipped with the chip to perform the methods of any one of the first to second aspects or their respective implementations.

[0039] In a seventh aspect, a readable storage medium is provided for storing a computer program that causes a computer to perform the methods of any one of the first to second aspects or their respective implementations.

[0040] Eighthly, a computer program product is provided, including computer program instructions that cause a computer to perform the methods of any one of the first to second aspects or their respective implementations.

[0041] Ninthly, a computer program is provided that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods of any one of the first to second aspects or their respective implementations.

[0042] Through the above technical solution, the first AP can simultaneously indicate the transmission parameters of the response frame (i.e., the second frame) of the first frame in the first frame indicating TXOP sharing. Thus, the at least one second access point can reply with the second frame based on the transmission parameters. For example, the second frame can carry the status information of the second access point participating in TXOP sharing. In this way, the first access point can learn the status information of the second access point participating in TXOP through the second frame. Therefore, the first access point can perform appropriate TXOP sharing according to the status information, improve channel resource utilization, reduce service latency, and increase transmission efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0043] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a communication system applicable to embodiments of this application.

[0044] Figure 2 A schematic interactive diagram of multi-AP collaborative TXOP sharing is shown.

[0045] Figure 3 This is a schematic interactive diagram of the TXOP sharing method according to an embodiment of this application.

[0046] Figure 4 This is a schematic interactive diagram of a TXOP sharing method according to a specific embodiment of this application.

[0047] Figure 5 This is a schematic PPDU format diagram of a candidate shared AP sending the second frame in a non-HT duplicate manner, as provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0048] Figure 6 This is a schematic format diagram of the first frame provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0049] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a common info field provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0050] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a User info field provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0051] Figure 9 This is a schematic format diagram of a BSR control field provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0052] Figure 10 This is a schematic format diagram of an A-control field provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0053] Figure 11 This is a schematic format diagram of an action frame provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0054] Figure 12 This is a schematic format diagram of a business type field provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0055] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0056] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0057] Figure 15This is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided according to an embodiment of this application.

[0058] Figure 16 This is a schematic block diagram of a chip provided according to an embodiment of this application.

[0059] Figure 17 This is a schematic block diagram of a communication system provided according to an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0060] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort regarding the embodiments of this application are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0061] It should be noted that, in this document, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second," etc., used herein are used only to distinguish different objects and not to describe a particular order.

[0062] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of this application, "at least one item" refers to one item or more items.

[0063] "Multiple items" refers to two or more items, and "at least two items" refers to two or more items.

[0064] "At least one of the following" or similar expressions may refer to any combination of these items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c may mean: a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a and b and c".

[0065] It should be noted that in the embodiments of this application, "and / or" indicates that the connected objects can have three relationships. For example, "A and / or B" can represent three scenarios: only A exists, only B exists, and both A and B exist simultaneously. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following objects have an "or" relationship.

[0066] It should be understood that the "instruction" mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be a direct instruction or an indirect instruction. For example, A instructing B can mean that A directly instructs B, such as B being obtainable through A; or it can mean that A indirectly instructs B, such as A instructing C, where B is obtainable through C, for example, B and C are related.

[0067] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to wireless local area network (WLAN) systems, and the embodiments of this application are applicable to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) used in WLANs.

[0068] Any protocol in the 802.11 series, such as 802.11a / b / g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, etc.

[0069] The methods provided in this application can be implemented by a communication device in a wireless communication system or by a chip or processor in the communication device, and the communication device supports communication using the IEEE 802.11 series of protocols. Although the embodiments of this application are primarily illustrated using a network deploying IEEE 802.11 as an example, those skilled in the art will readily understand that the various aspects of this application can be extended to other networks employing various standards or protocols, such as Bluetooth, high-performance radio LAN (HIPERLAN) (a wireless standard similar to IEEE 802.11, primarily used in Europe), wide area network (WAN), WLAN, personal area network (PAN), ultra-wideband (UWB) based wireless PAN systems, sensing systems, or other networks now known or to be developed in the future. Therefore, regardless of the coverage area and wireless access protocol used, the various aspects provided in this application can be applied to any suitable wireless network.

[0070] In the WiFi protocol, a station (abbreviated as STA) includes access point stations (abbreviated as AP STA) and non-access point stations (abbreviated as non-AP station). For the sake of simplicity, access point stations are usually called access points (abbreviated as AP), and non-access point stations are called stations (abbreviated as STA).

[0071] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a communication system 100 applicable to embodiments of this application is shown. The communication system 100 may include an access point 110 and a station 120. The station 120 can access the network through the access point 110.

[0072] Access points can support communication or sensing based on WiFi protocols, such as those based on the 802.11b protocol.

[0073] 802.11a protocol, 802.11g protocol, 802.11n protocol, 802.11ac protocol, 802.11ax, 802.11be,

[0074] Communication or sensing is performed using the 802.11bn protocol or next-generation protocols or protocols after that.

[0075] The site can support communication or sensing based on WiFi protocols, for example, it can support protocols based on 802.11b.

[0076] 802.11a protocol, 802.11g protocol, 802.11n protocol, 802.11ac protocol, 802.11ax, 802.11be,

[0077] Communication or sensing is performed using the 802.11bn protocol or next-generation protocols or protocols after that.

[0078] The communication in the communication system 100 can be communication between access points and stations, or communication between stations, or communication between access points.

[0079] An access point acts as a bridge connecting wired and wireless networks. Its main function is to connect various wireless network clients together and then connect the wireless network to the Ethernet.

[0080] In some scenarios, access points and sites can be devices used in vehicle networking, IoT nodes and sensors in the Internet of Things (IoT), smart cameras, smart remote controls, smart water and electricity meters in smart homes, and sensors in smart cities.

[0081] In some scenarios, the access point can be a terminal device with a WiFi chip (such as a mobile phone) or a network device (such as a router).

[0082] In the embodiments of this application, the site may be a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer, virtual reality (VR) device, augmented reality (AR) device, wireless device in industrial control, set-top box, wireless device in self-driving, vehicle communication device, wireless device in remote medical care, wireless device in smart grid, wireless device in transportation safety, wireless device in smart city or smart home, wireless device, wireless communication chip, etc. that support WLAN or WiFi technology.

[0083] It should be understood that Figure 1 Only one access point and two sites are shown in the example. Optionally, the communication system 100 may include multiple access points or other numbers of sites. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0084] Optionally, the communication system 100 may also include other devices, such as network controllers, gateways, and other network entities, which are not limited in this application.

[0085] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, the related technologies of this application will be described.

[0086] In WLAN systems, dense deployment of access points (APs) can cause mutual interference, leading to deterioration in latency and throughput. Coordinating the sharing of channels among multiple APs is a typical optimization approach, and Coordinated Time Division Multiple Access (C-TDMA) is one of the most popular technologies. A common practice is for multiple APs to negotiate and share transmission opportunities (TXOPs), using channel resources in a time-sharing manner to reduce service latency and increase transmission efficiency.

[0087] IEEE 802.11be proposed the Transmission Opportunity Sharing (TXS) operation, which allows an AP to share its acquired TXOP with STAs within its Basic Service Set (BSS) during the TXOP period, thereby optimizing service latency or throughput.

[0088] In multi-AP collaboration based on TXOPs, the AP holder can share time and frequency resources during the TXOP period with another AP. The roles in multi-AP collaborative TXOP sharing include the sharing AP and the shared AP. The AP that initiates the sharing process is called the sharing AP, and the APs coordinated to participate in the sharing are called shared APs. The sharing AP obtains the TXOP through over-the-air contention, and the shared APs participating in the sharing use a segment of the TXOP. Figure 2 A schematic interaction diagram of multi-AP collaborative TXOP sharing is shown, where AP1 belongs to BSS1, AP2 belongs to BSS2, AP1 and AP2 are APs participating in multi-AP collaboration, AP1 is the sharing AP, AP2 is the AP being shared, and AP1 is the holder of the TXOP. Figure 2 As shown, it may include the following steps:

[0089] Step 1: AP1 sends an Initial Control Frame (ICF) to inquire whether AP2 should participate in TXOP sharing.

[0090] Step 2: AP2 sends an Initial Control Response (ICR) frame to AP1.

[0091] Step 3: AP1 transmits data to the STA associated with AP1 in BSS1 based on TXOP.

[0092] Step 4: AP1 sends a TXOP allocation frame to AP2. This TXOP allocation frame is used to share a portion of the TXOP with AP2. It should be noted that this TXOP allocation frame is used to share a portion of the TXOP it has obtained with other APs. This application does not limit the name and frame structure of this TXOP allocation frame. For example, this TXOP allocation frame can also be called a Multiple Access Point Coordination (MAPC or MAP) TXS allocation frame.

[0093] Step 5: AP2 responds to AP1.

[0094] Step 6: The STAs associated with AP2 in AP2 and BSS2 transmit data based on the shared TXOP.

[0095] However, in multi-AP collaboration scenarios, there may be multiple shared APs, and how to improve TXOP sharing performance is an urgent problem to be solved.

[0096] The technical solutions of this application are described in detail below through specific embodiments. The above-mentioned related technologies are optional solutions and can be combined with the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application in any way, all of which fall within the protection scope of the embodiments of this application.

[0097] Figure 3 This is a schematic interactive diagram of the TXOP sharing method 200 according to an embodiment of this application, such as... Figure 3 As shown, the method 200 includes at least the following:

[0098] S201, the first access point sends a first frame, the first frame being used to indicate sharing a portion of the first TXOP with at least one second access point, wherein the first frame includes transmission parameters of at least one second frame;

[0099] S202, the first access point receives the at least one second frame sent by the at least one second access point, the at least one second frame being sent sequentially based on the sending parameters of the at least one second frame.

[0100] In some embodiments, the first access point is the holder of the first TXOP, and the first access point may share a portion of the first TXOP with at least one second access point for data transmission between the second access point and its associated site.

[0101] In some embodiments, the first access point and the second access point may be access points participating in multi-AP collaboration, or in other words, access points in a multi-AP collaboration cluster.

[0102] In some embodiments, the first access point may be a sharing AP, and the second access point may be a shared AP, or a candidate shared AP.

[0103] In some embodiments, the at least one second frame and the at least one second access point correspond one-to-one.

[0104] In some embodiments, the first access point receiving the at least one second frame sent by the at least one second access point may include:

[0105] The first access point receives a second frame sent by each of the at least one second access point.

[0106] In some embodiments, the at least one second frame is a response to the first frame; for example, the second frame includes status information of the second access point participating in the first TXOP sharing.

[0107] That is, in the embodiments of this application, the shared AP can simultaneously carry the transmission parameters of the response frame (i.e., the second frame) of the first frame in the first frame indicating TXOP sharing. Thus, the at least one second access point replies with the second frame based on the transmission parameters, and carries the status information of the second access point participating in TXOP sharing in the second frame. In this way, the first access point can know the status information of the second access point participating in TXOP through the second frame, so that the first access point can perform appropriate TXOP sharing according to the status information, improve channel resource utilization, and reduce service latency and increase transmission efficiency.

[0108] It should be noted that the transmission parameters of the at least one second frame may include, but are not limited to, the transmission format of the at least one second frame, the transmission order of the at least one second frame, and parameters related to the transmission time of the at least one second frame.

[0109] In some embodiments of this application, the transmission parameters of the at least one second frame include at least one of the following:

[0110] The first indication information is used to indicate whether the at least one second access point transmits the at least one second frame serially, or whether the at least one second access point transmits the at least one second frame in a time-division manner;

[0111] The second indication information is used to indicate whether the at least one second access point sends the at least one second frame using a non-HT duplicate method;

[0112] The identification information of the at least one second access point;

[0113] The sequence information of at least one second frame;

[0114] The frame length of the second frame is denoted as T. F2 ;

[0115] The at least one second access point transmits the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) parameters or rate parameters used in the at least one second frame.

[0116] Optionally, the frame length of the second frame sent by each of the at least one second access point can be equal.

[0117] Optionally, the MCS parameters or rate parameters used by each of the at least one second access point to transmit the second frame may be the same or different.

[0118] In some embodiments, the order in which the at least one second access point sends the at least one second frame can be implicitly indicated by the identification information of the at least one second access point in the order of the first frame, or the first access point can also explicitly indicate the order in which the at least one second access point sends the at least one second frame.

[0119] Optionally, the first indication information can be a 1-bit indication. For example, a value of 1 for the 1-bit indicates that the at least one second access point serially transmits the at least one second frame. Optionally, it can also be assumed that the at least one second access point serially transmits the at least one second frame. In this case, the transmission parameters of the at least one second frame may not include the first indication information.

[0120] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of this application, the at least one second access point may send the at least one second frame in the non-HTduplicate Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) format, or it may send the at least one second frame in other Single User (SU) PPDU formats (such as non-HT PPDU format). This application does not limit this.

[0121] For example, if the bandwidth between the first access point and the at least one second access point is misaligned, and / or the main channel between the first access point and the at least one second access point is misaligned, the at least one second access point transmits the at least one second frame in a non-HT duplicate PPDU format. In other cases, the at least one second access point may transmit the at least one second frame in any SU PPDU format, and this application does not limit this.

[0122] Optionally, the second indication information can be a 1-bit indication. For example, a 1-bit value indicates that the at least one second access point transmits the at least one second frame using a non-HT duplicate method, that is, the at least one second access point can transmit the at least one second frame using a non-HT duplicate PPDU format. For example, a 1-bit value of 0 indicates that the at least one second access point transmits the second frame using another SU PPDU format (e.g., a non-HT PPDU format).

[0123] Optionally, the at least one second access point may be defaulted to sending the at least one second frame in a non-HT duplicate manner. In this case, the transmission parameters of the at least one second frame may not include the second indication information. Alternatively, when the first indication information instructs the at least one second access point to send the at least one second frame serially, the at least one second access point is defaulted to sending the at least one second frame in a non-HT duplicate manner.

[0124] Optionally, if the bandwidth between the first access point and the at least one second access point is misaligned, and / or the main channel between the first access point and the at least one second access point is misaligned, the first access point may instruct the at least one second access point to send the at least one second frame in a non-HT duplicate manner to ensure that the first access point can correctly receive the at least one second frame replied by the at least one second access point.

[0125] In some embodiments of this application, the first access point receiving the at least one second frame sent by the at least one second access point includes:

[0126] The first access point receives the at least one second frame, which is sequentially transmitted by the at least one second access point using a non-HT copying method based on the transmission parameters of the at least one second frame.

[0127] For example, if the second indication information indicates that the at least one second access point transmits the at least one second frame in a non-HT duplicate manner, the first access point receives the at least one second frame transmitted sequentially by the at least one second access point in a non-HT duplicate manner based on the transmission parameters of the at least one second frame.

[0128] In some embodiments, the time interval between the time when the Kth second access point in the at least one second access point sends the second frame and the time when the first frame ends is equal to (K-1)*T. F2 +K*T SIFSWhere K is a positive integer, T F2 T represents the frame length of the second frame. SIFS It indicates the duration of the Short Inter-Frame Space (SIFS).

[0129] For example, the time when the first of the at least one second access point sends the second frame can be spaced T apart from the end time of the first frame. SIFS .

[0130] For example, the time at which the second access point in the at least one second access point sends the second frame can be spaced T apart from the end time of the first frame. F2 +2*T SIFS .

[0131] In some embodiments, the status information of the second access point participating in TXOP sharing includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following:

[0132] The third indication information is used to indicate whether the second access point participates in the sharing of the first TXOP;

[0133] The service type to be transmitted at the second access point;

[0134] The size of the service volume to be transmitted at the second access point;

[0135] The expected sharing duration of the first TXOP by the second access point.

[0136] In this application embodiment, the service type is also called the access category.

[0137] In this application embodiment, the business volume size is also referred to as the data volume size, cache size, or queue cache size.

[0138] Optionally, the third indication information can be indicated by 1 bit. For example, a value of 1 indicates that the second access point participates in the sharing of the first TXOP, and a value of 0 indicates that it does not participate in the sharing of the first TXOP.

[0139] In some embodiments, the service type of the service to be transmitted by the second access point may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: best-effort service (AC_BE), background stream service (AC_BK), video service (AC_VI), voice service, or low-latency service (AC_VO).

[0140] Optionally, the first access point can determine which second access point to prioritize sharing the first TXOP with based on the service type of the service to be transmitted by the second access point. For example, prioritizing sharing with the second access point whose service to be transmitted is AC_VO is beneficial to ensuring the timely transmission of AC_VO services, thereby ensuring the transmission requirements of AC_VO services.

[0141] Optionally, the size of the service volume to be transmitted by the second access point can be used by the first access point to determine the duration of the first TXOP shared with the second access point.

[0142] Optionally, the desired sharing duration of the first TXOP by the second access point can be determined by the second access point based on the volume of the service to be transmitted.

[0143] That is, the second access point can determine the sharing duration based on the size of the service volume to be transmitted and report it to the first access point, or it can directly report the size of the service volume to be transmitted to the first access point so that the first access point can determine the sharing duration.

[0144] The following, combined with Figure 4 Taking AP1 as the first access point and AP2, AP3 and AP4 as the at least one second access point, the TXOP sharing method provided in this application embodiment is described. AP1 is the sharing AP, AP2, AP3 and AP4 are the shared APs, AP1 is the AP corresponding to BSS1, and AP2 is the AP corresponding to BSS2.

[0145] like Figure 4 As shown, it may include the following steps:

[0146] Step 1: AP1 sends a first frame to announce the sharing of a portion of the first TXOP to the candidate APs to be shared, namely AP2, AP3, and AP4. The first frame indicates the sending order of AP2, AP3, and AP4 as AP2, AP3, and AP4, respectively.

[0147] Step 2: AP2, AP3, and AP4 send the second frame sequentially according to the sending order indicated in the first frame, carrying their own status information regarding participation in TXOP sharing. For example, AP2 reports participation in TXOP sharing, and the service type to be transmitted by AP2 is AC_VO; AP3 reports non-participation in TXOP sharing; AP4 reports participation in TXOP sharing, and the service type to be transmitted by AP4 is AC_BE.

[0148] Step 3: AP1 transmits data with the associated STA.

[0149] Step 4: AP1 determines the AP that will prioritize sharing the TXOP based on the status information of the candidate APs that participated in the TXOP sharing. Taking the status information fed back by AP2, AP3 and AP4 as an example, if AP1 can determine that it will prioritize sharing the TXOP with AP2, it can send a TXOP allocation frame to AP2 to share a portion of the first TXOP with AP2. For example, the TXOP allocation frame can indicate the duration of sharing the first TXOP.

[0150] Step 5: AP2 responds to the TXOP allocation frame.

[0151] Step 6: AP2 transmits data with the associated STA based on the TXOP shared by AP1.

[0152] Figure 5 This is a schematic PPDU format diagram illustrating a candidate shared AP transmitting the second frame using a non-HT duplicate method, as provided in an embodiment of this application. The bandwidths of AP1 and AP2, and AP3 and AP4 are not aligned, and the primary channels of AP1 and AP2, and AP3 and AP4 are different.

[0153] The frame structure design involved in the embodiments of this application will be described below.

[0154] In some embodiments of this application, the first frame is also called an ICF frame, or it may be replaced with other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0155] In some embodiments, the first frame can be implemented by a trigger frame, such as by using an existing trigger frame (e.g., an extended Multi-User Request To Send (MU-RTS) or Buffer Status Report Poll (BSRP) frame), or a new trigger frame type can be added to implement the function of the first frame.

[0156] In some embodiments, the first frame includes a public information field, wherein the first indication information is carried in the public information field, and / or the second indication information is carried in the public information field, and / or the frame length of the second frame is carried in the public information field.

[0157] In some embodiments, the first frame includes at least one user information field, each user information field corresponding to a second access point, and the order of the at least one user information field is used to indicate the order in which the corresponding second access point sends the second frame.

[0158] In some embodiments, the user information field includes a first field and a second field, wherein the first field is used to indicate the identification information of the second access point that triggers the transmission of the second frame, and the second field is used to indicate the MCS parameters or rate parameters used by the second access point to transmit the second frame.

[0159] In other embodiments, the user information field may not include the second field, and the MCS parameters or rate parameters used by the second access point to send the second frame can be determined based on the frame length of the second frame.

[0160] Figure 6 This is a schematic format diagram of the first frame provided in the embodiments of this application, such as... Figure 6 As shown, the first frame may include a common info field and a user info list field, wherein at least one of the transmission parameters of the second frame may be carried in the common info field and / or the user info list field, wherein the user info list field may include at least one user info field.

[0161] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a common info field provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0162] For example, the first instruction information can be carried through the common info field, such as through a reserved field in the common info field, or a new field can be added to carry the first instruction information.

[0163] For example, the second instruction information can be carried through the common info field, such as through a reserved field in the common info field, or a new field can be added to carry the second instruction information.

[0164] For example, the frame length of the second frame sent by the at least one second access point can be carried by the commoninfo field, for example by an existing field in the commoninfo field (such as a reserved field or an uplink length (ULLength) field), or a new field can be added to indicate the frame length of the second frame.

[0165] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a User info field provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0166] In some embodiments, the identification information of the second access point that triggered the transmission of the second frame may be carried in the User info field. For example, the User info list field may include an AID12 field to indicate the identification information of the second access point that triggered the transmission of the second frame.

[0167] Optionally, the order in which the second access point sends the second frame can be implicitly indicated by the order of the Userinfo field corresponding to the second access point in the first frame, or the User info field can carry an order indication field to explicitly indicate the order in which the second access point corresponding to the AID12 field sends the second frame.

[0168] Optionally, the sequence indicator field can be implemented using existing bits (e.g., reserved bits) in the User info field, or it can be implemented by adding new bits in the User info field; this application does not limit this.

[0169] In some embodiments, the MCS parameters or rate parameters used by the second access point to send the second frame can be carried in the User info field. For example, they can be carried in an existing field in the User info field (such as a reserved field or a ULFEC-MCS field), or they can be carried in a newly added field.

[0170] In some embodiments of this application, the second frame is referred to as an ICR frame, or it may be replaced with other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0171] In some embodiments, the second frame may be implemented by extending the Buffer Status Report (BSR) frame, or by extending the A-Control field in the data frame or control frame, or by extending the action frame; this application does not limit this.

[0172] In some embodiments, the second frame may include at least one of the following fields:

[0173] The Shared Request field indicates whether the second access point participates in TXOP sharing, or whether the second access point has a TXOP sharing request.

[0174] The service type field is used to indicate the service type of the service to be transmitted at the second access point;

[0175] The expected sharing duration field indicates the expected sharing duration of the second access point;

[0176] The traffic volume field indicates the traffic volume of the service to be transmitted at the second access point.

[0177] In some embodiments, the second frame is a BSR frame, which includes a BSR control field, and the status information of the second access point participating in TXOP sharing is carried in the BSR control field.

[0178] In some embodiments, the BSR control field may include at least one of the following fields:

[0179] The Shared Request field indicates whether the second access point participates in TXOP sharing, or whether the second access point has a TXOP sharing request.

[0180] The service type field is used to indicate the service type of the service to be transmitted at the second access point;

[0181] The expected sharing duration field indicates the expected sharing duration of the second access point;

[0182] The traffic volume field indicates the traffic volume of the service to be transmitted at the second access point.

[0183] Figure 9 This is a schematic format diagram of a BSR control field provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0184] Optionally, one bit in B6-B9 can be used to indicate whether the second access point participates in TXOP sharing; that is, one bit in B6-B9 can be redefined as a sharing requirement field.

[0185] Optionally, some or all of the bits in B0 to B5 can be used to indicate the service type of the service to be transmitted at the second access point. That is, some or all of the bits in B0 to B5 can be redefined as the service type field.

[0186] Optionally, some bits in B10 to B25 can be used to indicate the expected sharing duration of the second access point. That is, some or all bits in B10 to B25 can be redefined as the expected sharing duration field.

[0187] Optionally, some bits in B10 to B25 can be used to indicate the amount of service to be transmitted at the second access point. That is, some or all bits in B10 to B25 can be redefined as the service amount field.

[0188] In some embodiments, the second frame is a data frame or a control frame, which includes an A-control field, carrying the status information of the second access point participating in TXOP sharing. The A-control field may include a Control ID field and a Control Information field, with the Control Information field carrying the status information of the second access point participating in TXOP sharing.

[0189] Optionally, when the Control ID field takes the first value (e.g., a reserved value), it indicates that the Control Information field is used to carry the status information of the second access point participating in TXOP sharing.

[0190] Figure 10 This is a schematic format diagram of an A-control field provided in an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 10 As shown, the Control Information field may include the following fields:

[0191] The Shared Request field indicates whether the second access point participates in TXOP sharing, or whether the second access point has a TXOP sharing request.

[0192] The service type field is used to indicate the service type of the service to be transmitted at the second access point;

[0193] The Expected Sharing Duration field indicates the expected sharing duration of the second access point.

[0194] In some embodiments, the second frame is an action frame, which includes an action detail field, carrying the status information of the second access point participating in TXOP sharing. For example, an action category can be added to indicate that the action detail field of this action frame is used to carry the status information of the second access point participating in TXOP sharing.

[0195] Figure 11 This is a schematic format diagram of an action frame provided in an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 11 As shown, the Control Information field may include the following fields:

[0196] The Shared Request field indicates whether the second access point participates in TXOP sharing, or whether the second access point has a TXOP sharing request.

[0197] The service type field is used to indicate the service type of the service to be transmitted at the second access point;

[0198] The Expected Sharing Duration field indicates the expected sharing duration of the second access point.

[0199] Figure 12 This is a schematic format diagram of a business type field provided in an embodiment of this application, such as... Figure 12 As shown, the first access point can use a bit mapping method to indicate the service type of the service to be transmitted by the second access point. For example, the service type field may include the following fields:

[0200] The AC_BE indicator field is used to indicate whether the service to be transmitted at the second access point includes AC_BE service.

[0201] The AC_BK indicator field is used to indicate whether the service to be transmitted at the second access point includes the AC_BK service.

[0202] The AC_VI indicator field is used to indicate whether the service to be transmitted at the second access point includes AC_VI service.

[0203] The AC_VO indicator field is used to indicate whether the service to be transmitted at the second access point includes AC_VO service.

[0204] Optionally, the AC_BE indicator field can be 1 bit. A value of 1 indicates that the service to be transmitted by the second access point includes the AC_BE service, and a value of 0 indicates that the service to be transmitted by the second access point does not include the AC_BE service.

[0205] Optionally, the AC_BK indicator field can be 1 bit. A value of 1 indicates that the service to be transmitted by the second access point includes the AC_BK service, and a value of 0 indicates that the service to be transmitted by the second access point does not include the AC_BK service.

[0206] Optionally, the AC_VI indicator field can be 1 bit. A value of 1 indicates that the service to be transmitted by the second access point includes the AC_VI service, and a value of 0 indicates that the service to be transmitted by the second access point does not include the AC_VI service.

[0207] Optionally, the AC_VO indicator field can be 1 bit. A value of 1 indicates that the service to be transmitted by the second access point includes AC_VO service, and a value of 0 indicates that the service to be transmitted by the second access point does not include AC_VO service.

[0208] In summary, in the embodiments of this application, the shared AP can simultaneously indicate the transmission parameters of the response frame (i.e., the second frame) of the first frame in the first frame announcing TXOP sharing. Thus, the at least one second access point replies with the second frame based on the transmission parameters, and carries the status information of the second access point participating in TXOP sharing in the second frame. In this way, the first access point can learn about the status information of the second access point participating in TXOP through the second frame, so that the first access point can perform appropriate TXOP sharing according to the status information, improve channel resource utilization, and reduce service latency and increase transmission efficiency.

[0209] The above text combined Figures 3 to 12 The method embodiments of this application are described in detail below, in conjunction with... Figures 13 to 17 The present application describes the device embodiments in detail. It should be understood that the device embodiments correspond to the method embodiments, and similar descriptions can be referred to the method embodiments.

[0210] Figure 13 A schematic block diagram of a communication device 500 according to an embodiment of this application is shown. The communication device 500 may be a first access point, or a component within the first access point, such as a chip, circuit, or module.

[0211] like Figure 13 As shown, the communication device 500 includes:

[0212] The sending module 510 is configured to send a first frame, the first frame being configured to indicate the sharing of a portion of a first TXOP to at least one second access point, wherein the first frame includes sending parameters for at least one second frame, and the at least one second frame is a response frame of the at least one second access point to the first frame.

[0213] The receiving module 520 is configured to receive the at least one second frame sent by the at least one second access point, wherein the at least one second frame is sent sequentially based on the sending parameters of the at least one second frame.

[0214] In some embodiments, the transmission parameters of the at least one second frame include at least one of the following:

[0215] The first indication information is used to indicate whether the at least one second access point serially transmits the at least one second frame;

[0216] The second indication information is used to indicate whether the at least one second access point sends the at least one second frame using a non-high throughput non-HT replication method;

[0217] The identification information of the at least one second access point;

[0218] The order information of the at least one second access point sending the at least one second frame;

[0219] The frame length of the second frame;

[0220] The at least one second access point transmits the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) parameters used in the at least one second frame.

[0221] In some embodiments, the first frame includes a public information field, wherein the first indication information is carried in the public information field, and / or the second indication information is carried in the public information field, and / or the frame length of the second frame is carried in the public information field.

[0222] In some embodiments, the first frame includes at least one user information field, each user information field corresponding to a second access point, and the order of the at least one user information field is used to indicate the order in which the corresponding second access point sends the second frame.

[0223] In some embodiments, the user information field includes a first field and a second field, wherein the first field is used to indicate the identification information of the second access point that triggers the transmission of the second frame, and the second field is used to indicate the MCS parameters used by the second access point to transmit the second frame.

[0224] In some embodiments, the time interval between the time when the Kth second access point in the at least one second access point sends the second frame and the time when the first frame ends is equal to (K-1)*T. F2 +K*T SIFS Where K is a positive integer, T F2 T represents the frame length of the second frame. SIFS This indicates the duration of the Short Interframe Frame (SIFS).

[0225] In some embodiments, the receiving module 520 is further configured to:

[0226] Receive the at least one second frame that is sequentially transmitted by the at least one second access point using a non-HT copy method.

[0227] In some embodiments, the second frame includes status information of the second access point participating in the first TXOP sharing.

[0228] In some embodiments, the status information of the second access point participating in TXOP sharing includes at least one of the following:

[0229] The third indication information is used to indicate whether the second access point participates in the sharing of the first TXOP;

[0230] The service type to be transmitted at the second access point;

[0231] The size of the service volume to be transmitted at the second access point;

[0232] The expected sharing duration of the first TXOP by the second access point.

[0233] In some embodiments, the second frame is a Buffer Status Report (BSR) frame, the BSR frame including a BSR control field, and the status information of the second access point participating in TXOP sharing is carried in the BSR control field; or

[0234] The second frame is a data frame or a control frame, which includes an aggregation control field, and the status information of the second access point participating in TXOP sharing is carried in the aggregation control field; or

[0235] The second frame is an action frame, which includes an action details field, and the status information of the second access point participating in TXOP sharing is carried in the action details field.

[0236] Optionally, in some embodiments, the aforementioned transmitting or receiving module unit may be a communication interface or transceiver, or an input / output interface of a communication chip or system-on-a-chip. The aforementioned processing module may be one or more processors.

[0237] It should be understood that the apparatus 500 according to the embodiments of this application may correspond to the first access point in the method embodiments of this application, and the above and other operations and / or functions of each unit in the apparatus 500 are respectively for implementing Figures 3 to 12 The corresponding process of the first access point in the embodiment will not be described in detail here for the sake of simplicity.

[0238] Figure 14 This is a schematic block diagram of another communication device 600 according to an embodiment of this application. The communication device 600 can be a second access point, or a component within the second access point, such as a chip, circuit, or module. Figure 14 The communication device 600 includes:

[0239] The receiving module 610 is configured to receive a first frame sent by a first access point, the first frame being used to indicate sharing a portion of a first TXOP with at least one second access point, wherein the first frame includes transmission parameters of at least one second frame, the at least one second frame being a response frame of the at least one second access point to the first frame, and the at least one second access point including the second access point.

[0240] The sending module 620 is used to send a second frame to the first access point based on the sending parameters of the at least one second frame.

[0241] In some embodiments, the transmission parameters of the at least one second frame include at least one of the following:

[0242] The first indication information is used to indicate whether the at least one second access point serially transmits the at least one second frame;

[0243] The second indication information is used to indicate whether the at least one second access point sends the at least one second frame using a non-high throughput non-HT replication method;

[0244] The identification information of the at least one second access point;

[0245] The order information of the at least one second access point sending the at least one second frame;

[0246] The frame length of the second frame;

[0247] The at least one second access point transmits the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) parameters used in the at least one second frame.

[0248] In some embodiments, the first frame includes a public information field, wherein the first indication information is carried in the public information field, and / or the second indication information is carried in the public information field, and / or the frame length of the second frame is carried in the public information field.

[0249] In some embodiments, the first frame includes at least one user information field, each user information field corresponding to a second access point, and the order of the at least one user information field is used to indicate the order in which the corresponding second access point sends the second frame.

[0250] In some embodiments, the user information field includes a first field and a second field, wherein the first field is used to indicate the identification information of the second access point that triggers the transmission of the second frame, and the second field is used to indicate the MCS parameters used by the second access point to transmit the second frame.

[0251] In some embodiments, the time interval between the time when the Kth second access point in the at least one second access point sends the second frame and the time when the first frame ends is equal to (K-1)*T. F2 +K*T SIFS Where K is a positive integer, T F2 T represents the frame length of the second frame. SIFS This indicates the duration of the Short Interframe Frame (SIFS).

[0252] In some embodiments, the sending module 610 is further configured to:

[0253] Based on the transmission parameters of the at least one second frame, the second frame is transmitted to the first access point using a non-HT replication method.

[0254] In some embodiments, the second frame includes status information of the second access point participating in the first TXOP sharing.

[0255] In some embodiments, the status information of the second access point participating in TXOP sharing includes at least one of the following:

[0256] The third indication information is used to indicate whether the second access point participates in the sharing of the first TXOP;

[0257] The service type to be transmitted at the second access point;

[0258] The size of the service volume to be transmitted at the second access point;

[0259] The expected sharing duration of the first TXOP by the second access point.

[0260] In some embodiments, the second frame is a Buffer Status Report (BSR) frame, the BSR frame including a BSR control field, and the status information of the second access point participating in TXOP sharing is carried in the BSR control field; or

[0261] The second frame is a data frame or a control frame, which includes an aggregation control field, and the status information of the second access point participating in TXOP sharing is carried in the aggregation control field; or

[0262] The second frame is an action frame, which includes an action details field, and the status information of the second access point participating in TXOP sharing is carried in the action details field.

[0263] Optionally, in some embodiments, the aforementioned transmitting or receiving module may be a communication interface or transceiver, or an input / output interface of a communication chip or system-on-a-chip.

[0264] It should be understood that the apparatus 600 according to the embodiments of this application may correspond to the second access point in the method embodiments of this application, and the above and other operations and / or functions of each unit in the apparatus 600 are respectively for implementing Figures 3 to 12 The corresponding process of the second access point in the method embodiment shown will not be described in detail here for the sake of simplicity.

[0265] Figure 15 This is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 700 provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 15The communication device 700 shown includes a processor 710, which can call and run computer programs from memory to implement the methods in the embodiments of this application.

[0266] Optionally, such as Figure 15 As shown, the communication device 700 may further include a memory 720. The processor 710 can call and run a computer program from the memory 720 to implement the methods in the embodiments of this application. For example, when the communication device 700 is a first access point, the processor 710 can call and run a computer program from the memory 720 to implement the various steps of the method embodiments executed by the first access point, achieving the same technical effect. When the communication device 700 is a second access point, the processor 710 can call and run a computer program from the memory 720 to implement the various steps of the method embodiments executed by the second access point, achieving the same technical effect.

[0267] Alternatively, the memory 720 may be a separate device independent of the processor 710, or it may be integrated into the processor 710.

[0268] Optionally, such as Figure 16 As shown, the communication device 700 may also include a transceiver 730, and the processor 710 may control the transceiver 730 to communicate with other devices. Specifically, it may send information or data to other devices or receive information or data sent by other devices.

[0269] Optionally, transceiver 730 may include a transmitter and a receiver. Transceiver 730 may further include antennas, and the number of antennas may be one or more.

[0270] Figure 16 This is a schematic structural diagram of the chip according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 16 The chip 800 shown includes a processor 810, which can call and run computer programs from memory to implement the methods in the embodiments of this application.

[0271] Optionally, such as Figure 16 As shown, chip 800 may further include memory 820. Processor 810 can retrieve and run computer programs from memory 820 to implement the methods described in this embodiment.

[0272] Alternatively, the memory 820 may be a separate device independent of the processor 810, or it may be integrated into the processor 810.

[0273] Optionally, the chip 800 may also include an input interface 830. The processor 810 can control the input interface 830 to communicate with other devices or chips, for example, to acquire information or data sent by other devices or chips.

[0274] Optionally, the chip 800 may also include an output interface 840. The processor 810 can control the output interface 840 to communicate with other devices or chips, for example, to output information or data to other devices or chips.

[0275] Optionally, the chip can be applied to the first access point in the embodiments of this application, and the chip can implement the corresponding processes implemented by the first access point in the various methods of the embodiments of this application. For the sake of brevity, it will not be described in detail here.

[0276] Optionally, the chip can be applied to the second access point in the embodiments of this application, and the chip can implement the corresponding processes implemented by the second access point in the various methods of the embodiments of this application. For the sake of brevity, it will not be described in detail here.

[0277] It should be understood that the chip mentioned in the embodiments of this application may also be referred to as a system-on-a-chip, system chip, chip system, or system-on-a-chip, etc.

[0278] Figure 17 This is a schematic block diagram of a communication system 900 provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 17 As shown, the communication system 900 includes a first access point 910 and a second access point 920.

[0279] The first access point 910 can be used to implement the corresponding functions implemented by the first access point in the above method, and the second access point 920 can be used to implement the corresponding functions implemented by the second access point in the above method. For the sake of brevity, these will not be elaborated here.

[0280] It should be understood that the processor in the embodiments of this application may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. In implementation, the steps of the above method embodiments can be completed by integrated logic circuits in the processor's hardware or by instructions in software form. The processor described above can be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components. It can implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly embodied in the execution of a hardware decoding processor, or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software modules can be located in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art. The storage medium is located in memory, and the processor reads information from the memory and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above method.

[0281] It is understood that the memory in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), Double Data Rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), Enhanced Synchronous DRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and Direct Rambus RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory used in the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0282] It should be understood that the above-described memory is exemplary and not a limiting description. For example, the memory in the embodiments of this application may also be static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct memory bus RAM (DR RAM), etc. That is to say, the memory in the embodiments of this application is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0283] This application also provides a readable storage medium storing a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the various processes of the above method embodiments.

[0284] Optionally, the readable storage medium can be applied to the first access point in the embodiments of this application, and the computer program causes the processor to execute the corresponding process implemented by the first access point in the method embodiments of this application. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0285] Optionally, the readable storage medium can be applied to the second access point in the embodiments of this application, and the computer program causes the processor to execute the corresponding process implemented by the second access point in the method embodiments of this application. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0286] This application also provides a computer program product, including a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the various processes of the above-described method embodiments.

[0287] Optionally, the computer program product can be applied to the first access point in the embodiments of this application, and the computer program causes the processor to execute the corresponding process implemented by the first access point in the method embodiments of this application. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0288] Optionally, the computer program product can be applied to the second access point in the embodiments of this application, and the computer program causes the processor to execute the corresponding process implemented by the second access point in the method embodiments of this application. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0289] This application also provides a computer program. When executed by a processor, this computer program implements the various processes of the above-described method embodiments.

[0290] Optionally, the computer program can be applied to the first access point in the embodiments of this application. The computer program causes the processor to execute the corresponding process implemented by the first access point in the method embodiments of this application. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0291] Optionally, the computer program can be applied to the second access point in the embodiments of this application. The computer program causes the processor to execute the corresponding process implemented by the second access point in the method embodiments of this application. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0292] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software 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.

[0293] 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.

[0294] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0295] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0296] 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.

[0297] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a portion of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0298] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for sharing TXOP transmission opportunities, characterized in that, include: A first access point sends a first frame, which is used to indicate that a portion of a first TXOP is shared with at least one second access point. The first frame includes transmission parameters for at least one second frame, which is a response frame of the at least one second access point to the first frame. The first access point receives the at least one second frame sent by the at least one second access point, wherein the at least one second frame is sent sequentially based on the sending parameters of the at least one second frame.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transmission parameters of at least one second frame include at least one of the following: The first indication information is used to indicate whether the at least one second access point serially transmits the at least one second frame; The second indication information is used to indicate whether the at least one second access point sends the at least one second frame using a non-high throughput non-HT replication method; The identification information of the at least one second access point; The order information of the at least one second access point sending the at least one second frame; The frame length of the second frame; The at least one second access point transmits the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) parameters used in the at least one second frame.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first frame includes a public information field, wherein the first indication information is carried in the public information field, and / or the second indication information is carried in the public information field, and / or the frame length of the second frame is carried in the public information field.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The first frame includes at least one user information field, each user information field corresponding to a second access point, and the order of the at least one user information field is used to indicate the order in which the corresponding second access point sends the second frame.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The user information field includes a first field and a second field. The first field is used to indicate the identification information of the second access point that triggers the transmission of the second frame, and the second field is used to indicate the MCS parameters used by the second access point to transmit the second frame.

6. The method according to any one of claims 2-5, characterized in that, The time interval between the time when the Kth second access point in the at least one second access point sends the second frame and the time when the first frame ends is equal to (K-1)*T. F2 +K*T SIFS Where K is a positive integer, T F2 T represents the frame length of the second frame. SIFS This indicates the duration of the Short Interframe Frame (SIFS).

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The first access point receives the at least one second frame sent by the at least one second access point, including: The first access point receives the at least one second frame sequentially transmitted by the at least one second access point using a non-HT copy method.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The second frame includes status information of the second access point participating in the first TXOP sharing.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The status information of the second access point participating in TXOP sharing includes at least one of the following: The third indication information is used to indicate whether the second access point participates in the sharing of the first TXOP; The service type to be transmitted at the second access point; The size of the service volume to be transmitted at the second access point; The expected sharing duration of the first TXOP by the second access point.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The second frame is a Buffer Status Report (BSR) frame, which includes a BSR control field. The status information of the second access point participating in TXOP sharing is carried in the BSR control field; or The second frame is a data frame or a control frame, which includes an aggregation control field, and the status information of the second access point participating in TXOP sharing is carried in the aggregation control field; or The second frame is an action frame, which includes an action details field, and the status information of the second access point participating in TXOP sharing is carried in the action details field.

11. A method for sharing TXOP transmission opportunities, characterized in that, include: The second access point receives a first frame sent by the first access point. The first frame is used to indicate that a portion of the first TXOP is shared with at least one second access point. The first frame includes transmission parameters for at least one second frame. The at least one second frame is a response frame of the at least one second access point to the first frame. The at least one second access point includes the second access point. The second access point sends a second frame to the first access point based on the transmission parameters of the at least one second frame.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The second access point sends a second frame to the first access point based on the transmission parameters of the at least one second frame, including: The second access point sends the second frame to the first access point using a non-HT copy method based on the transmission parameters of the at least one second frame.

13. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device is a first access point, or is set in a first access point, the communication device comprising: A sending module is configured to send a first frame, the first frame being configured to indicate the sharing of a portion of a first TXOP to at least one second access point, wherein the first frame includes sending parameters for at least one second frame, the at least one second frame being a response frame of the at least one second access point to the first frame; A receiving module is configured to receive at least one second frame sent by the at least one second access point, wherein the at least one second frame is sent sequentially based on the transmission parameters of the at least one second frame.

14. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device is a first access point, or is set in a first access point, the communication device comprising: A receiving module is configured to receive a first frame sent by a first access point, the first frame being used to indicate sharing a portion of a first TXOP with at least one second access point, wherein the first frame includes transmission parameters for at least one second frame, the at least one second frame being a response frame of the at least one second access point to the first frame, and the at least one second access point including the second access point. The sending module is used to send a second frame to the first access point based on the sending parameters of the at least one second frame.

15. An access point, characterized in that, include: A processor and a memory for storing a computer program, the processor for calling and running the computer program stored in the memory to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, or the method as claimed in any one of claims 11-12.

16. A chip, characterized in that, include: A processor for retrieving and running a computer program from memory, causing a device having the chip mounted to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, or the method as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 23.

17. A readable storage medium, characterized in that, Used to store a computer program that causes a computer to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, or the method as claimed in any one of claims 11-12.

Images