Transmission method on non-primary channel, transmission method and apparatus on primary channel

Abstract

This application discloses a transmission method and apparatus on a non-primary channel, a transmission method on a primary channel, and the method supports IEEE protocols, such as 802.11be / Wi-Fi 7 / Wi-Fi 8, IEEE 802.11bf / sensing protocol, or IEEE 802.15 / UWB protocol; the method can also support the StarFlash protocol. This method can be applied to scenarios where a site can switch between NPCA mode and PCA mode. The method includes: the AP switching to a non-primary channel; determining that the first moment when the backoff counter associated with the non-primary channel decrements to 0 is earlier than the second moment when the first site switches to the non-primary channel; determining that the non-primary channel is idle from the first moment to the second moment; and sending a first data packet to the first site on the non-primary channel at the second moment; to avoid packet loss caused by the first site not yet switching to the non-primary channel when the AP sends the first data packet to the first site.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communications, and more particularly to transmission methods on non-main channels, transmission methods on main channels, and apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Wireless local area network (WLAN) refers to a collective term for wireless networks covering a local area, with Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) being a typical example. Due to its high transmission speed, low cost, and open accessibility, WLAN has received widespread attention from industry and academia. WLAN operates in unlicensed frequency bands, and its most famous and dominant international standard is the IEEE 802.11 standard. Since its first version was released in 1997, the IEEE 802.11 standard has undergone several major evolutions, including 802.11, 802.11a and 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.1n, 802.11ac, and 802.11ax (considered the sixth generation of Wi-Fi, i.e., Wi-Fi 6, also known as high-efficient). The latest generation WLAN standard, IEEE 802.11be (considered the seventh generation of Wi-Fi, i.e., Wi-Fi 7), is expected to be officially released in 2024 or 2025. The next-generation WLAN standard, IEEE 802.11bn (considered the eighth generation of Wi-Fi, i.e., Wi-Fi 8), has also begun research and is planned for release in 2028. WLAN carries more than 50% of global Internet Protocol (IP) traffic and, along with cellular networks, has become a major wireless network both now and in the future.

[0003] In Wi-Fi 8 networks, two channel access modes for WLANs are defined: (1) primary channel access (PCA) mode and (2) non-primary channel access (NPCA). Primary channel access refers to the process by which a node in the network accesses the primary channel and obtains the right to use the channel. Since WLANs operate in unlicensed frequency bands, this means that various wireless systems can use this spectrum resource openly and free of charge, thus requiring contention-based channel access. For example, the IEEE 802.11 standard specifies that nodes in WLANs should use carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA / CA) mechanism. The CSMA / CA mechanism uses a listen before talk (LBT) approach to access the channel, meaning that if a node wants to obtain the right to use the channel for frame interaction, it first needs to listen to the busy / idle status of the channel. Only when the channel is idle and certain rules are met can the right to use the channel be obtained. Non-primary channel access refers to the process where, during the process of a node accessing and acquiring channel access rights on the primary channel, if it detects a Physical-Layer Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) sent by a station (STA) of the Overlapping Basic Service Set (OBSS), it switches to non-primary channel access and acquires channel access rights according to certain rules. On the non-primary channel (also known as the NPCA primary channel), the STA still uses the CSMA / CA channel access mechanism. When the OBSS transmit opportunity (TXOP) ends, the STA returns from the NPCA primary channel to the BSS primary channel and performs BSS primary channel access.

[0004] How to perform backoff access for NPCA STAs (i.e., STAs in NPCA mode) on non-primary channels is still under research and discussion. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application discloses a transmission method on a non-primary channel, a transmission method on a primary channel, and an apparatus, providing a backoff access method for NPCA STAs on non-primary channels and a backoff access method for stations that do not support channel switching on the primary channel, which can reduce the transmission delay of data packets.

[0006] Firstly, this application provides a transmission method on a non-primary channel. This method is applied to an access point (AP) and implemented by the AP or its components. The following description uses an AP implementation as an example. The method includes: the AP switching to a non-primary channel; determining that the first moment when the backoff counter associated with the non-primary channel decrements to 0 is earlier than the second moment when the first site switches to the non-primary channel; determining that the non-primary channel is idle between the first and second moments; and sending a first data packet to the first site on the non-primary channel at the second moment to avoid packet loss caused by the first site not yet switching to the non-primary channel when the AP sends the first data packet. The first site is the destination site of the first data packet. After determining that the non-primary channel is idle between the first and second moments, the AP sends the first data packet to the first site on the non-primary channel at the second moment, which can reduce the transmission delay of the first data packet. In this document, sending a data packet at any moment can mean sending the data packet at a moment with a small time offset from that arbitrary moment, rather than strictly requiring the data packet to be sent at that arbitrary moment. For example, the time offset could be 10µs or 5µs, etc. This time offset can be due to errors caused by the device's own capabilities. In this paper, another description of the moment when the backoff counter value decreases to 0 is: the moment when the backoff counter backs up to 0. In this paper, the non-primary channel can be referred to as the NPCA primary channel, and the primary channel can be referred to as the basic serviceset (BSS) primary channel.

[0007] In one possible implementation, the method is applied to scenarios where only APs are allowed to access the channel and acquire TXOPs via a free contention-backoff access method on non-primary channels, or in other words, the method is applied to scenarios where NPCA STAs are not allowed to access the channel and acquire TXOPs via a free contention-backoff access method on non-primary channels, in order to avoid mutual interference caused by multiple NPCA STAs simultaneously sending data packets to the AP on non-primary channels.

[0008] In one possible implementation, the AP determines that the first moment when the backoff counter associated with the non-primary channel decrements to 0 is earlier than the second moment before the first site switches to the non-primary channel. The method further includes: the AP using the moment of switching to the non-primary channel as a start time to detect (determine) whether the conditions for performing an enhanced distributed channel access function (EDCAF) operation on the non-primary channel are met; when the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are detected (determined), the EDCAF operation is performed, whereby a value is randomly selected as the backoff counter value for backoff. The moment when the backoff counter decrements to 0 is the first moment; thus, the AP can compete for the non-primary channel earlier, i.e., the backoff counter decrements to 0 earlier, allowing data packets to be transmitted on the non-primary channel earlier. In this article, the condition for detecting whether the EDCAF operation is performed on the non-main channel / main channel can be replaced with: determining whether the condition for performing the EDCAF operation on the non-main channel / main channel is met; it can also be replaced with: judging whether the condition for performing the EDCAF operation on the non-main channel / main channel is met; or it can be replaced with other descriptions with the same or similar meaning.

[0009] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the AP determining that the third time when the backoff counter value reaches 0 is earlier than the second time; after the AP detects that the non-primary channel is busy before the second time, it randomly selects a value as the backoff counter value for backoff, and the time when the backoff counter value reaches 0 is the first time; to avoid sending data packets on the non-primary channel when it is busy. In one possible design, after the AP obtains the right to initiate the transmission of a frame of a certain access category (AC) on the link according to the enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA) backoff rule, it can choose not to transmit any frame corresponding to that AC. In this application, the conditions for the AP to send data packets on the non-primary channel include: the value of the backoff counter associated with the non-primary channel reaches 0 and the time when the backoff counter value reaches 0 is not earlier than the second time; thereby avoiding the AP sending data packets "before the second time when the first station switches to the non-primary channel", which would cause an incorrect increase in the number of packet retransmissions due to the first station's lack of response, resulting in an incorrect doubling of the contention window and an increase in backoff access delay.

[0010] In one possible implementation, after the AP detects that the non-primary channel is busy before the second time step, it randomly selects a value as the backoff counter value for backoff. This includes: after the AP detects that the non-primary channel is busy before the second time step, it uses the time when the non-primary channel is detected as busy as the starting time step to check whether the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met; when the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met, it performs EDCAF operation, which involves randomly selecting a value as the backoff counter value for backoff. This allows it to compete for the non-primary channel earlier, i.e., to reduce the backoff counter value to 0 earlier, so as to send data packets on the non-primary channel earlier. The AP's method of using the time when the non-primary channel is detected as busy ...

[0011] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the AP determining that the fourth time the backoff counter value decrements to 0 is no earlier than the second time; and sending a second data packet to the first station on a non-primary channel at the fourth time; to avoid packet loss caused by the first station not having switched to a non-primary channel when the AP sends the second data packet to the first station. Sending the second data packet to the first station on a non-primary channel at the fourth time can reduce the transmission delay of the second data packet.

[0012] Secondly, this application provides another transmission method on a non-primary channel. This method is applied to a station and is implemented by the station or a component on the station side. The following description uses a second station as an example. The method includes: the second station switching to a non-primary channel; on the non-primary channel, using the later of the second station's switching time and a fifth time as the starting time to check whether the conditions for performing EDCAF operation are met. The fifth time is before the second time the first station switches to the non-primary channel and the offset between the fifth time and the second time is a first duration. The first station is the destination station for the data packets to be sent by the second station; this avoids packet loss caused by the first station not having switched to a non-primary channel when the second station sends data packets to the first station. Furthermore, the second station can be an AP that enables (supports) non-primary channel access (NPCA) mode, or a non-AP station (non-AP station, abbreviated as non-AP STA) that enables (supports) NPCA mode, which helps ensure the fairness of the free competition for access between the STA and the AP.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: when the condition for performing an EDCAF operation is detected, performing an EDCAF operation, wherein the EDCAF operation is to randomly select a value as the value of the backoff counter for backoff; and sending a data packet to the first station when the value of the backoff counter is reduced to 0, in order to avoid packet loss caused by the first station not having switched to a non-primary channel when the second station sends a data packet to the first station.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the first duration is determined based on the short interframe space (SIFS), the arbitration interframe space number (AIFSN), the time slot, and the transition time from the receive state to the transmit state. The transition time from the receive state to the transmit state can also be denoted as aRxTxTurnaroundTime. In this paper, the transition time from the receive state to the transmit state can be the maximum value of the transmit / receive transition delay of the transmitting station (e.g., the AP and the second station), that is, the time required for the transmitting station to transition from a receive state (a state aware of channel busy / idle status) to a transmit state (a state transmitting the first symbol of a data packet). The time slot can be denoted as aSlotTime.

[0015] In one possible implementation, the first duration satisfies the following formula:

[0016] time1=SIFS+AIFSN

AC

[0017] Wherein, time1 is the first duration, SIFS is the short interframe space (SIFS), AIFSN[AC] is the AIFSN corresponding to any access category (AC), aSlotTime is the time slot, and aRxTxTurnaroundTime is the transition time from the receive state to the transmit state.

[0018] Thirdly, this application provides another transmission method on a non-primary channel. This method is applied to a site and implemented by the site or a component on the site side. The following description uses a second site as an example. The method includes: the second site switching to a non-primary channel; randomly selecting a first value as the value of a backoff counter for backoff, the backoff counter starting earlier than the second moment when the first site switches to the non-primary channel; determining that the sixth moment when the backoff counter value decreases to 0 is not earlier than the second moment; and sending a data packet to the first site on the non-primary channel at the sixth moment to avoid packet loss caused by the first site not yet switching to the non-primary channel when the second site sends the data packet to the first site. Furthermore, the second site can be an AP that enables (supports) NPCA mode, or a non-AP STA that enables (supports) NPCA mode, which helps ensure the fairness of the free competition for access between the STA and the AP.

[0019] In one possible implementation, the second station randomly selecting a first value as the backoff counter value for backoff includes: the second station using the moment of switching to a non-primary channel as the starting moment to detect whether the conditions for performing an EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met; when the conditions for performing an EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are detected, the EDCAF operation is performed, and the EDCAF operation is to randomly select a first value as the backoff counter value for backoff; thereby, it can compete for the non-primary channel earlier, that is, reduce the backoff counter value to 0 earlier, so as to send data packets on the non-primary channel earlier.

[0020] In one possible implementation, before randomly selecting a first value as the backoff counter value for backoff, the method further includes: the second station randomly selecting a second value as the backoff counter value for backoff; randomly selecting a first value as the backoff counter value for backoff includes: when the second station uses the second value as the backoff counter value for backoff, and the backoff value is 0, randomly selecting the first value as the backoff counter value for backoff; this can prevent the second station from sending data packets before the first station switches to a non-primary channel, thus avoiding errors. In one possible design, after an NPCA STA (i.e., a STA in NPCA mode) obtains the right to initiate the transmission of a frame corresponding to a certain AC on the link according to the EDCA backoff rule, it can choose not to transmit any frame corresponding to that AC. In this application, the conditions for the second station (sending station) to send data packets on a non-primary channel include: the value of the backoff counter associated with the non-primary channel is reduced to 0, and the time when the value of the backoff counter is reduced to 0 is not earlier than the second time. This avoids the second station sending data packets before the first station switches to the non-primary channel at the second time, which would cause an incorrect increase in the number of packet retransmissions due to the first station's lack of response, resulting in a doubling of the contention window error and an increase in backoff access delay. In one possible implementation, the second station backs off using a second value as the value of the backoff counter. When the backoff value is 0, it randomly selects a first value as the value of the backoff counter for backoff. This includes: the second station using the second value as the value of the backoff counter for backoff; determining that the time when the second value is used as the value of the backoff counter for backoff is earlier than the second time; and randomly selecting a first value as the value of the backoff counter when the backoff counter is 0. This can prevent the second station from sending data packets before the first station switches to the non-primary channel, which would cause errors.

[0021] In one possible implementation, the second station randomly selecting a second value as the backoff counter value for backoff includes: the second station using the moment of switching to a non-primary channel as the starting moment to detect whether the conditions for performing an EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met; when the conditions for performing an EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are detected, the EDCAF operation is performed, and the EDCAF operation is to randomly select a second value as the backoff counter value for backoff; thereby, it can compete for the non-primary channel earlier, that is, reduce the backoff counter value to 0 earlier, so as to send data packets on the non-primary channel earlier.

[0022] Fourthly, this application provides another transmission method on a non-primary channel. This method is applied to a station and is implemented by the station or a component on the station side. The following description uses a second station as an example. The method includes: the second station switching to a non-primary channel; using the moment the second station switches to the non-primary channel as a start time to detect whether the conditions for performing an EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met; when the conditions for performing an EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met, performing the EDCAF operation, where the EDCAF operation involves randomly selecting a first value as the value of a backoff counter for backoff, and the moment the second station switches to the non-primary channel is earlier than the second moment the first station switches to the non-primary channel; determining that the first value is used as the value of the backoff counter for backoff, and the sixth moment when the backoff value is 0 is not earlier than the second moment; and sending a data packet to the first station on the non-primary channel at the sixth moment to avoid packet loss caused by the first station not yet switching to a non-primary channel when the second station sends the data packet to the first station. In addition, the second site can be an AP that enables (supports) NPCA mode, or a non-AP STA that enables (supports) NPCA mode, which can help ensure the fairness of the free competition for access between STAs and APs.

[0023] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide another transmission method on a non-main channel. This method is applied to a site and is implemented by the site or a component on the site side. The following description uses the implementation at a second site as an example. The method includes: a second station switching to a non-primary channel; using the moment the second station switches to the non-primary channel as the starting moment to detect whether the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met; if the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met, performing EDCAF operation, wherein the EDCAF operation is to randomly select a second value as the value of a backoff counter for backoff, and the moment the second station switches to the non-primary channel is earlier than the second moment when the first station switches to the non-primary channel; determining that the second value is used as the value of the backoff counter for backoff, and the moment when the backoff reaches 0 is earlier than the second moment; when the second value is used as the value of the backoff counter for backoff, and the moment when the backoff reaches 0, randomly selecting a first value as the value of the backoff counter for backoff; determining that the first value is used as the value of the backoff counter for backoff, and the sixth moment when the backoff reaches 0 is not earlier than the second moment; and at the sixth moment, sending a data packet to the first station on the non-primary channel; to avoid packet loss caused by the first station not having switched to the non-primary channel when the second station sends a data packet to the first station. In addition, the second site can be an AP that enables (supports) NPCA mode, or a non-AP STA that enables (supports) NPCA mode, which can help ensure the fairness of the free competition for access between STAs and APs.

[0024] In any possible implementation of any of the first to fifth aspects, the conditions for performing EDCAF operations on a non-primary channel include: detecting slot boundaries. EDCAF operations shall be performed at slot boundaries. In other words, the AP or the second station performs EDCAF operations on the non-primary channel at those slot boundaries. For a definition of slot boundaries for performing EDCAF operations on a non-primary channel, refer to the relevant standards for definitions of slot boundaries for performing EDCAF operations on a primary channel. As an example, one definition of the time slot boundary for performing EDCAF operation on a non-primary channel is as follows: The time slot boundary for performing EDCAF operation on a non-primary channel is the idle medium following an AIFSN[AC]*aSlotTime - aRxTxTurnaroundTime after a SIFS, following the last busy medium on the antenna that was the result of receiving a frame with a correct FCS or a SIG frame. AIFSN[AC] is the AIFSN corresponding to any AC. aSlotTime is the time slot. aRxTxTurnaroundTime is the transition time from receive to transmit. For example, the time slot boundary for performing EDCAF operation on a non-primary channel is the moment after the time when the AP or a second station detects that the non-primary channel is idle, following an idle medium of AIFSN[AC]*aSlotTime - aRxTxTurnaroundTime. As an example, another definition of the time slot boundary for performing EDCAF operations on a non-primary channel is as follows: after detecting that the non-primary channel is idle (AIFS[AC]). That is, the AP or the second site performs EDCAF operations on the non-primary channel after detecting that the non-primary channel is idle (AIFS[AC]). AIFS[AC] is the AIFS corresponding to any access type.

[0025] Sixthly, embodiments of this application provide a transmission method on a primary channel. This method is applied to a station and implemented by the station or a component on the station side. The following description uses a second station as an example. This method is applied to a station that does not support channel switching, i.e., the second station is a station that does not support channel switching. For example, the second station is a non-AP STA that does not support channel switching. The method includes: the second station receiving an Overlapping Basic Service Set (OBSS) physical-layer protocol data unit (PPDU), where the OBSS PPDU includes indication information indicating the seventh time at which the OBSS TXOP transmission ends on the primary channel; determining that the detected OBSS TXOP transmission end time is earlier than the seventh time; and transmitting a data packet on the primary channel at an eighth time, where the eighth time is not earlier than the seventh time, to avoid packet loss caused by the destination station of the data packet not having switched to the primary channel when the second station transmits the data packet.

[0026] In one possible implementation, at the eighth moment on the main channel, a data packet is transmitted, including: the second station on the main channel using the seventh moment, which is a second time interval earlier than the seventh moment, as the starting moment to check whether the conditions for performing an EDCAF operation are met. The EDCAF operation involves randomly selecting a value as the backoff counter value for backoff. If the conditions for performing an EDCAF operation on the main channel are met, the EDCAF operation is performed. At the eighth moment when the backoff counter value is reduced to 0, a data packet is transmitted on the main channel to avoid packet loss caused by the destination station of the data packet not having switched to the main channel when the second station transmits the data packet.

[0027] In one possible implementation, at the eighth moment on the main channel, a data packet is sent, including: the second station randomly selects a third value as the value of the backoff counter for backoff, the backoff counter starting to back off at a time earlier than the seventh moment; determining that the eighth moment when the value of the backoff counter decreases to 0 is not earlier than the seventh moment; and sending the data packet on the main channel at the eighth moment to avoid packet loss caused by the destination station of the data packet not having switched to the main channel when the second station sends the data packet.

[0028] In one possible implementation, the second station randomly selecting a third value as the backoff counter value for backoff includes: the second station using the detected end time of the OBSS TXOP transmission as the start time to check whether the conditions for performing an EDCAF operation on the main channel are met; when the conditions for performing an EDCAF operation on the main channel are met, the EDCAF operation is performed, and the EDCAF operation is to randomly select a third value as the backoff counter value for backoff; thereby, it can compete for the main channel earlier so as to send data packets on the main channel earlier.

[0029] In one possible implementation, before randomly selecting a third value as the backoff counter value for backoff, the method further includes: the second station randomly selecting a fourth value as the backoff counter value for backoff; randomly selecting a third value as the backoff counter value for backoff includes: when backoff is performed with the fourth value as the backoff counter value and the backoff value is 0, randomly selecting a third value as the backoff counter value for backoff; to avoid packet loss caused by the destination station of the data packet not having switched to the main channel when the second station sends the data packet.

[0030] In one possible implementation, the second station backs off using a fourth value as the backoff counter value. When the backoff value is 0, it randomly selects a third value as the backoff counter value for backoff. This includes: the second station backs off using the fourth value as the backoff counter value; determining that the time when the backoff value is 0 is earlier than the seventh time; and randomly selecting a third value as the backoff counter value when the time when the backoff value is 0 is earlier than the seventh time. This allows the station to compete for the main channel earlier, so that it can send data packets on the main channel earlier.

[0031] In one possible implementation, the second station randomly selecting a fourth value as the backoff counter value for backoff includes: the second station using the detected end time of the OBSS TXOP transmission as the start time to check whether the conditions for performing an EDCAF operation on the main channel are met; when the conditions for performing an EDCAF operation on the main channel are met, the EDCAF operation is performed, and the EDCAF operation is to randomly select a fourth value as the backoff counter value for backoff; thereby, it can compete for the main channel earlier so as to send data packets on the main channel earlier.

[0032] In one possible implementation, the conditions for performing EDCAF operations on the main channel include detecting slot boundaries. EDCAF operations should be performed at slot boundaries. Alternatively, the second station performs EDCAF operations on the main channel at these slot boundaries. The definition of these slot boundaries can be found in relevant standards. As an example, one definition of a slot boundary is as follows: following the last busy medium on the antenna (which is the result of receiving a frame with a correct FCS or a SIG frame) followed by an idle medium of AIFSN[AC]*aSlotTime-aRxTxTurnaroundTime. AIFSN[AC] is the AIFSN corresponding to any AC. aSlotTime is the slot. aRxTxTurnaroundTime is the transition time from the receive state to the transmit state. Another possible definition of the time slot boundary is as follows: after detecting that the main channel is idle (AIFS[AC]). That is, the second station performs the EDCAF operation after detecting that the main channel is idle (AIFS[AC]).

[0033] In one possible implementation, the second duration is determined based on SIFS, AIFSN, time slot, and the transition time from receive state to transmit state.

[0034] In one possible implementation, the second duration satisfies the following formula:

[0035] Time2=SIFS+AIFSN

AC

[0036] Where time2 is the second duration, SIFS is the short inter-frame interval, AIFSN[AC] is the AIFSN corresponding to any type of AC, aSlotTime is the time slot, and aRxTxTurnaroundTime is the transition time from the receive state to the transmit state.

[0037] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication device that has the function of implementing the behavior described in the first aspect method embodiment. The communication device may be a communication equipment, a component of a communication equipment (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the communication equipment. Taking an AP as an example, the communication device can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the aforementioned functions. In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module, wherein: the processing module is used to switch the AP to a non-primary channel; determine that the first moment when the backoff counter associated with the non-primary channel is reduced to 0 is earlier than the second moment when the first station switches to the non-primary channel; determine that the non-primary channel is idle from the first moment to the second moment; and the transceiver module is used to send a first data packet to the first station on the non-primary channel at the second moment.

[0038] In one possible implementation, the processing module is further configured to use the moment when the AP switches to a non-primary channel as the starting moment to detect whether the conditions for performing an EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met; when the conditions for performing an EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are detected, the EDCAF operation is performed, wherein the EDCAF operation randomly selects a value as the value of the backoff counter for backoff. The moment when the value of the backoff counter is reduced to 0 is the first moment.

[0039] In one possible implementation, the processing module is further configured to determine that the third moment when the backoff counter value is reduced to 0 is earlier than the second moment; after detecting that the non-main channel is busy before the second moment, a value is randomly selected as the backoff counter value for backoff, and the moment when the backoff counter value is reduced to 0 is the first moment.

[0040] In one possible implementation, the processing module is specifically used to detect whether the conditions for performing an EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met after detecting that the non-primary channel is busy before the second time. When the conditions for performing an EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met, the EDCAF operation is performed, and the EDCAF operation is to randomly select a value as the value of the backoff counter for backoff.

[0041] In one possible implementation, the processing module is further configured to determine that the fourth moment when the backoff counter value is reduced to 0 is no earlier than the second moment; the transceiver module is further configured to send the second data packet to the first station on a non-main channel at the fourth moment.

[0042] For possible implementations of the communication device in the seventh aspect, please refer to the various possible implementations in the first aspect.

[0043] For the technical effects of the various possible implementations of the seventh aspect, please refer to the introduction of the technical effects of the various possible implementations of the first aspect.

[0044] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device that has the function of implementing the behavior described in the second aspect of the method embodiment. The communication device may be a communication equipment, a component of a communication equipment (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the communication equipment. The following description uses a second station as an example. The function of the communication device can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software, and the hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions. In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module, wherein: the processing module is used to switch the second station to a non-primary channel; on the non-primary channel, the later of the time when the second station switches to the non-primary channel and the fifth time is used as the starting time to detect whether the conditions for performing EDCAF operation are met, the fifth time being before the second time when the first station switches to the non-primary channel and the offset between the fifth time and the second time is a first duration, and the first station is the destination station of the data packet to be sent by the second station.

[0045] In one possible implementation, the processing module is further configured to perform an EDCAF operation when the conditions for performing the EDCAF operation are detected, wherein the EDCAF operation is to randomly select a value as the value of the backoff counter for backoff; and the transceiver module is configured to send a data packet to the first station when the value of the backoff counter is reduced to 0.

[0046] For possible implementations of the communication device in the eighth aspect, please refer to the various possible implementations in the second aspect.

[0047] For the technical effects of the various possible implementations of the eighth aspect, please refer to the introduction of the technical effects of the various possible implementations of the second aspect.

[0048] Ninthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device that has the function of implementing the behavior described in the third aspect of the method embodiment. The communication device may be a communication equipment, a component of a communication equipment (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the communication equipment. Taking a second station as an example, the communication device's function can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the aforementioned functions. In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module, wherein: the processing module is used to switch the second station to a non-main channel; randomly select a first value as the value of a backoff counter for backoff, the backoff counter starting at a time earlier than the second time the first station switches to a non-main channel; determine that the sixth time the backoff counter value decreases to 0 is not earlier than the second time; and the transceiver module is used to send data packets to the first station on the non-main channel at the sixth time.

[0049] In one possible implementation, the processing module is specifically used to detect whether the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met, using the moment when the second station switches to the non-primary channel as the starting moment; when the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are detected, the EDCAF operation is performed, wherein the EDCAF operation is to randomly select a first value as the value of the backoff counter for backoff.

[0050] In one possible implementation, the processing module is further configured to randomly select a second value as the value of the backoff counter for backoff; specifically, the processing module is configured to backoff when the second value is used as the value of the backoff counter, and when the backoff value is 0, randomly select a first value as the value of the backoff counter for backoff.

[0051] In one possible implementation, the processing module is specifically used to back off using a second value as the value of the backoff counter; determine that the second value is used as the value of the backoff counter for backoff, and the time when the backoff counter reaches 0 is earlier than the second time; when the backoff counter reaches 0, randomly select a first value as the value of the backoff counter for backoff.

[0052] In one possible implementation, the processing module is specifically used to detect whether the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met, using the moment when the second station switches to the non-primary channel as the starting moment; when the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are detected, the EDCAF operation is performed, wherein the EDCAF operation is to randomly select a second value as the value of the backoff counter for backoff.

[0053] For possible implementations of the communication device in the ninth aspect, please refer to the various possible implementations in the third aspect.

[0054] For the technical effects of the various possible implementations of the ninth aspect, please refer to the introduction of the technical effects of the various possible implementations of the third aspect.

[0055] Tenthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device that has the function of implementing the behavior described in the fourth aspect of the method embodiments. The communication device may be a communication equipment, a component of a communication equipment (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the communication equipment. The following description uses the communication device as a second station as an example. The functions of the communication device can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software, and the hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the aforementioned functions. In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module, wherein: the processing module is used to switch the second station to a non-primary channel; using the moment when the second station switches to the non-primary channel as the starting moment to detect whether the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met; when the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are detected, the EDCAF operation is performed, wherein the EDCAF operation is to randomly select a first value as the value of the backoff counter for backoff, and the moment when the second station switches to the non-primary channel is earlier than the second moment when the first station switches to the non-primary channel; determining that the first value is used as the value of the backoff counter for backoff, and the sixth moment when the backoff is 0 is not earlier than the second moment; the transceiver module is used to send data packets to the first station on the non-primary channel at the sixth moment.

[0056] For possible implementations of the communication device in the tenth aspect, please refer to the various possible implementations in the fourth aspect.

[0057] For the technical effects of the various possible implementations of the tenth aspect, please refer to the introduction of the technical effects of the various possible implementations of the fourth aspect.

[0058] Eleventhly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device that has the function of implementing the behavior described in the fifth aspect of the method embodiment. The communication device may be a communication equipment, a component of a communication equipment (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the communication equipment. Taking the communication device as a second station as an example, the functions of the communication device can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the aforementioned functions. In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module, wherein: the processing module is used to switch the second station to a non-primary channel; using the moment when the second station switches to the non-primary channel as the starting moment to detect whether the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met; when the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are detected, the EDCAF operation is performed, wherein the EDCAF operation is to randomly select a second value as the value of the backoff counter for backoff, and the moment when the second station switches to the non-primary channel is earlier than the second moment when the first station switches to the non-primary channel; determining that the second value is used as the value of the backoff counter for backoff, and the moment when the backoff reaches 0 is earlier than the second moment; when the second value is used as the value of the backoff counter for backoff, and the moment when the backoff reaches 0, randomly selecting a first value as the value of the backoff counter for backoff; determining that the first value is used as the value of the backoff counter for backoff, and the sixth moment when the backoff reaches 0 is not earlier than the second moment; the transceiver module is used to send data packets to the first station on the non-primary channel at the sixth moment.

[0059] For possible implementations of the communication device in the eleventh aspect, please refer to the various possible implementations in the fifth aspect.

[0060] For the technical effects of the various possible implementations of the eleventh aspect, please refer to the introduction of the technical effects of the various possible implementations of the fifth aspect.

[0061] In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication device that has the function of implementing the behavior described in the sixth aspect method embodiment. The communication device may be a communication equipment, a component of a communication equipment (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the communication equipment. The following description uses the communication device as a second station as an example. The function of the communication device can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software, the hardware or software including one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions. In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module, wherein: the transceiver module is used to receive an OBSS PPDU, the OBSS PPDU including indication information indicating the seventh time at which the OBSS TXOP transmission ends on the main channel; the processing module is used to determine that the detected OBSS TXOP transmission end time is earlier than the seventh time; the transceiver module is also used to send a data packet on the main channel at an eighth time, the eighth time not earlier than the seventh time.

[0062] In one possible implementation, the processing module is further configured to, on the main channel, use the time two time intervals before the seventh time as the starting time to detect whether the conditions for performing an EDCAF operation are met. The EDCAF operation involves randomly selecting a value as the backoff counter value for backoff. When the conditions for performing an EDCAF operation on the main channel are detected, the EDCAF operation is performed. The transceiver module is specifically configured to, on the main channel, send data packets at the eighth time when the backoff counter value is reduced to 0.

[0063] In one possible implementation, the processing module is also configured to randomly select a third value as the value of the backoff counter for backoff, the time when the backoff counter starts backoff is earlier than the seventh time; and to determine that the eighth time when the value of the backoff counter decreases to 0 is not earlier than the seventh time.

[0064] In one possible implementation, the processing module is specifically used to detect whether the conditions for performing an EDCAF operation on the main channel are met, taking the time when the detected OBSS TXOP transmission ends as the start time; when the conditions for performing an EDCAF operation on the main channel are met, the EDCAF operation is performed, wherein the EDCAF operation is to randomly select a third value as the value of the backoff counter for backoff.

[0065] In one possible implementation, the processing module is further configured to randomly select a fourth value as the value of the backoff counter for backoff; specifically, the processing module is configured to randomly select a third value as the value of the backoff counter when backoff is performed with the fourth value as the value of the backoff counter, and when the backoff value is 0.

[0066] In one possible implementation, the processing module is specifically used to back off using the fourth value as the value of the backoff counter; determine that the time when the backoff counter reaches 0 is earlier than the seventh time when the fourth value is used as the value of the backoff counter. When the backoff counter reaches 0, the third value is randomly selected as the value of the backoff counter for backoff.

[0067] In one possible implementation, the processing module is specifically used to detect whether the conditions for performing an EDCAF operation on the main channel are met, taking the time when the detected OBSS TXOP transmission ends as the start time; when the conditions for performing an EDCAF operation on the main channel are met, the EDCAF operation is performed, wherein the EDCAF operation is to randomly select a fourth value as the value of the backoff counter for backoff.

[0068] For possible implementations of the communication device in aspect 12, please refer to the various possible implementations in aspect 6.

[0069] For the technical effects of the various possible implementations of the twelfth aspect, please refer to the introduction of the technical effects of the various possible implementations of the sixth aspect.

[0070] In a thirteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide another communication device, the communication device including one or more processors for processing data and / or signaling, such that the communication device performs the methods as described in any of the first to sixth aspects above.

[0071] Optionally, the communication device further includes a memory that stores computer programs or instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the communication device to perform the methods described in any of the first to sixth aspects above. For example, the communication device may be a chip, the processor may be a processing unit within the chip, and the memory may be a random access memory or cache within the chip.

[0072] In this embodiment of the application, during the execution of the above method, the process of sending information (or signals) can be understood as a process of outputting information based on a computer program or instruction of the processor. When outputting information, the processor outputs the information to the transceiver so that the transceiver can transmit it. After being output by the processor, the information may undergo further processing before reaching the transceiver. Similarly, when the processor receives input information, the transceiver receives the information and inputs it into the processor. Furthermore, after the transceiver receives the information, the information may undergo further processing before being input into the processor.

[0073] Unless otherwise specified, or unless it contradicts its actual function or internal logic in the relevant description, the sending and / or receiving operations involved by the processor can generally be understood as processor-based computer program or instruction output.

[0074] In implementation, the processor described above can be a processor specifically designed to execute these methods, or it can be a processor that executes computer programs or instructions stored in memory to execute these methods, such as a general-purpose processor. For example, the processor can also be used to execute programs stored in memory, which, when executed, cause the communication device to perform the methods as shown in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0075] In one possible implementation, the memory is located outside the aforementioned communication device. In another possible implementation, the memory is located inside the aforementioned communication device.

[0076] In one possible implementation, the processor and memory may be integrated into a single device; that is, the processor and memory may be integrated together.

[0077] In one possible implementation, the communication device further includes a transceiver for receiving or transmitting signals, etc.

[0078] In a fourteenth aspect, this application provides another communication device, which includes a processing circuit and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being used to acquire or output data; the processing circuit being used to perform the methods of any one of the first to sixth aspects described above.

[0079] In a fifteenth aspect, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program that, when executed, causes a computer to perform the methods described in any of the first to sixth aspects above. The computer may be a website.

[0080] In a sixteenth aspect, this application provides a computer program product that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method described in any of the first to sixth aspects above. The computer may be a website.

[0081] In a seventeenth aspect, this application provides a chip including a communication interface and a processor; the communication interface is used for signal transmission and reception of the chip; the processor is used to execute a computer program or instructions, causing a communication device including the chip to perform the method of any one of the first to sixth aspects described above. Attached Figure Description

[0082] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram illustrating an application scenario applicable to an embodiment of this application;

[0083] Figure 2 A schematic diagram illustrating a non-master channel access provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0084] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a DCF backoff access process;

[0085] Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating a transmission method on a non-master channel provided in this application embodiment;

[0086] Figure 5A A schematic diagram of a slot boundary for performing an EDCAF operation, provided as an embodiment of this application;

[0087] Figure 5B A schematic diagram of another slot boundary for performing EDCAF operations provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0088] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a backoff access procedure provided for an embodiment of this application;

[0089] Figure 7 A flowchart illustrating another transmission method on a non-master channel provided in this application embodiment;

[0090] Figure 8 A schematic diagram illustrating another backoff access procedure provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0091] Figure 9 A flowchart illustrating another transmission method on a non-master channel provided in this application embodiment;

[0092] Figure 10 A schematic diagram illustrating another backoff access procedure provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0093] Figure 11 A flowchart illustrating a transmission method on a main channel provided in this application embodiment;

[0094] Figure 12 A schematic diagram of a backoff access procedure for a non-NPCA STA provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0095] Figure 13 A schematic diagram of another non-NPCA STA backoff access procedure provided for an embodiment of this application;

[0096] Figure 14 This is a schematic block diagram of the device 10 provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0097] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of another device 20 provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0098] Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of a chip system 30 provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0099] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of another device 40 provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0100] The terms "first" and "second," etc., used in the specification, claims, and drawings of this application are only used to distinguish different objects and not to describe a specific order. It is understood that the various numerical designations used in the embodiments of this application are merely for descriptive convenience and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the process numbers does not imply the order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and inherent logic. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products, or devices.

[0101] The term "embodiment" as used herein means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a mutually exclusive, independent, or alternative embodiment. Those skilled in the art will understand, explicitly and implicitly, that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments. In this application, message names are used only to distinguish different messages and should not be construed as limiting. That is, any message name in this application can be replaced with other names, and this application does not impose any limitations.

[0102] The terminology used in the following embodiments of this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of this application. As used in the specification and appended claims of this application, the singular expressions “a,” “an,” “the,” “the,” “the,” and “this” are intended to include the plural expressions as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term “and / or” as used in this application refers to and includes any or all possible combinations of one or more of the listed items. For example, “A and / or B” can mean: the presence of only A, the presence of only B, and the presence of both A and B, where A and B can be singular or plural. The term “multiple” as used in this application refers to two or more. In the textual description of this application, the character “ / ” generally indicates that the preceding and following objects are in an “or” relationship.

[0103] It is understood that in the various embodiments of this application, "B corresponding to A" means that there is a correspondence between A and B, and B can be determined based on A. However, it should also be understood that determining (or generating) B based on (or on) A does not mean that B is determined (or generated) solely based on (or on) A; B can also be determined (or generated) based on (or on) A and / or other information.

[0104] It should be understood that in this application, the indication includes direct indication (also known as explicit indication) and implicit indication. Direct indication information A refers to information A being included; implicit indication information A refers to information A being indicated through the correspondence between information A and information B, and through direct indication information B. The correspondence between information A and information B can be predefined, pre-stored, pre-burned, or pre-configured.

[0105] It should be understood that in this application, information C is used to determine information D, including both situations where information D is determined solely based on information C and situations where it is determined based on information C and other information. Furthermore, information C can also be used to determine information D indirectly, for example, where information D is determined based on information E, and information E is determined based on information C.

[0106] In this application, "send" and "receive" indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "send information to XX" can be understood as the destination of the information being XX, which can include direct transmission via the air interface or indirect transmission via the air interface from other units or modules. "Receive information from YY" can be understood as the source of the information being YY, which can include direct reception from YY via the air interface or indirect reception from YY via the air interface from other units or modules. "Send" can also be understood as the "output" of the chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as the "input" of the chip interface. In other words, sending and receiving can occur between devices, such as between a first node and a second node, or within a device, such as between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within the device via a bus, trace, or interface.

[0107] The technical solutions in this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0108] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to wireless local area network (WLAN) scenarios. For example, they support IEEE 802.11 related standards, such as 802.11a / b / g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7), 802.11bn (or Wi-Fi 8, also known as ultra-high reliability (UHR) or next-generation standards of 802.11bn), or standards supporting ambient power (AMP). They also include 802.11ad and 802.11ay standards, and can be applied to ultra-wideband (UWB) standards. Wireless personal area network (WLAN) systems supporting the 802.15 series of standards (UWB, UWB, etc.) can also be used in sensing systems. Systems supporting the 802.11bf series of standards can be used in WLAN systems supporting Wi-Fi artificial intelligence (AI) or millimeter-wave (mmWave) WLAN systems. The 802.11n standard is also known as the high throughput (HT) standard, the 802.11ac standard as the very high throughput (VHT) standard, the 802.11ax standard as the high efficient (HE) standard, and the 802.11be standard as the extremely high throughput (UWB) standard. The 802.11bf standard includes two main categories: low-frequency (e.g., sub7GHz) and high-frequency (e.g., 60GHz) standards. Sub7GHz implementations primarily rely on 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, and next-generation standards, while 60GHz implementations primarily rely on 802.11ad, 802.11ay, integrated mmWave, and next-generation standards. The 802.11ad standard can also be called the directional multi-gigabit (DMG) standard, and the 802.11ay standard can also be called the enhanced directional multi-gigabit (EDMG) standard.

[0109] The technical solutions of this application embodiment can also be applied to various communication systems, such as: WLAN communication systems, Wi-Fi systems, Starlight short-range communication systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, vehicle-to-everything (V2X, where X can represent anything), device-to-device (D2D) communication systems, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication systems, narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) systems, long term evolution (LTE) systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems, universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), world wide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication systems, 5th generation (5G) systems or new radio (NR) systems, 6th generation (6G) systems, and new communication systems that will emerge in the future development of communication.

[0110] The communication systems described above that are applicable to this application are merely illustrative examples, and the application is not limited to these. This description is consistent with the previous one and will not be repeated below. Furthermore, the term "system" can be used interchangeably with "network".

[0111] This application supports IEEE protocols, such as IEEE 802.11be / Wi-Fi 7 / EHT, IEEE 802.11bn / UHR / Wi-Fi 8, IEEE Integrated mmWave / IMMW, IEEE 802.15 / UWB, or IEEE 802.11bf / sensing; this application may also support Spark Link / NearLink standard protocols.

[0112] WLAN systems can provide high-speed, low-latency transmission. As WLAN application scenarios continue to evolve, WLAN systems will be applied to more scenarios or industries, such as the Internet of Things industry, the Internet of Vehicles industry, the banking industry, enterprise offices, stadiums and exhibition halls, concert halls, hotel rooms, dormitories, hospital wards, classrooms, shopping malls, squares, streets, production workshops and warehouses, etc. Of course, devices that support WLAN communication or sensing (such as access points or sites) can be sensor nodes in smart cities (such as smart water meters, smart electricity meters, and smart air monitoring nodes), smart devices in smart homes (such as smart cameras, projectors, displays, televisions, speakers, refrigerators, and washing machines), nodes in the Internet of Things (IoT), entertainment terminals (such as wearable devices for augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), smart devices in smart offices (such as printers, projectors, loudspeakers, and speakers), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) devices, infrastructure in daily life scenarios (such as vending machines, self-service navigation kiosks in supermarkets, self-service checkout machines, and self-service ordering machines), and equipment in large sports and music venues.

[0113] This application primarily uses the deployment of a WLAN network, particularly one employing the IEEE 802.11 system standard, as an example for illustration. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that the various aspects described in this application can be extended to other networks employing various standards or protocols, such as high-performance radio local area networks (HIPERLANs), wireless wide area networks (WWANs), wireless personal area networks (WPANs), or other networks now known or developed in the future. Therefore, regardless of the coverage area and wireless access protocol used, the various aspects provided in this application can be applied to any suitable wireless network.

[0114] In one possible implementation, the method provided in this application embodiment can be implemented by a communication device in a communication system. For example, the communication device can be an access point (AP) or a station (STA).

[0115] Sites can be categorized into non-access point stations (non-AP STAs) and access point stations. For ease of description, this article refers to access point stations as access points (APs) and non-access point stations as stations (STAs) or non-AP stations, i.e., non-AP STAs. An AP is a station that provides network access services. For example, APs are typically implemented in wireless routers, while non-AP STAs are typically implemented in terminal devices such as smartphones. Generally, uplink traffic is sent from a non-AP STA to an AP, and downlink traffic is sent from an AP to a non-AP STA.

[0116] Sites located within the same basic service set (BSS) are referred to as belonging to the same BSS (or cell), while sites located in different BSSs are referred to as belonging to different BSSs (or cells). An AP located in the same BSS as a non-AP STA is called its associated AP, and the non-AP STA is called its associated STA. Communication between non-AP STAs is permitted, known as point-to-point (P2P) communication. In the following text, "site" includes both APs and non-AP STAs.

[0117] An access point is a node used by terminals (e.g., mobile phones) to access wired (or wireless) networks. It is primarily deployed in homes, buildings, and campuses, with a typical coverage radius of tens to hundreds of meters. Access points can also be deployed outdoors. An access point acts as a bridge connecting wired and wireless networks, its main function being to connect clients from various wireless networks together and then connect the wireless network to the Ethernet. An access point is a device with wireless communication capabilities, supporting communication using the WLAN protocol and having the ability to communicate with other devices in the WLAN network (such as non-AP STAs or other access points). Of course, access points can also have the ability to communicate with other devices.

[0118] An access point can be a complete device, or it can be a chip or processing system installed within a complete device. Devices with these chips or processing systems installed can implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application under the control of the chip or processing system (i.e., the AP). The AP in the embodiments of this application is a device that provides services to non-AP STAs, and for example, it can support one or more standards in the IEEE 802.11 series, such as 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11ad, 802.11ay, 802.11bf, and 802.11bn.

[0119] Specifically, the access point can be a terminal or network device with a Wi-Fi chip. This network device can be a server, router, switch, bridge, computer, mobile phone, relay station, vehicle-mounted equipment, wearable device, network device in a 5G network, network device in a 6G network, or network device in a public land mobile network (PLMN), etc., and this application embodiment is not limited to these. Of course, the access point can also be the chip and processing system within these various forms of network devices, thereby implementing the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application. The access point can be a device that supports Wi-Fi standards. For example, the access point can also support one or more standards in the IEEE 802.11 series, such as 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11ad, 802.11ay, 802.11bf, and 802.11bn.

[0120] A non-AP STA is a device with wireless communication capabilities, supporting communication using the WLAN protocol and having the ability to communicate with other non-AP STAs or access points in a WLAN network. For example, a non-AP STA is any communication device that allows a user to communicate with an AP and thus with the WLAN. A non-AP STA can be a complete device, or it can be a chip or processing system installed within a complete device. Devices with these chips or processing systems installed can implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application under the control of the chip or processing system. A non-AP STA can be a wireless communication chip, a wireless sensor, or a wireless communication terminal, and can also be referred to as a user, user equipment (UE), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication equipment, user agent, or user device.

[0121] Non-AP STAs can include tag devices / smart tag devices, mobile phones, mobile stations (MS), tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities (e.g., laptops), virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, self-driving, remote medical, smart grid, transportation safety, smart city, and smart home applications, subscriber units, cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, wireless data cards, personal digital assistant (PDA) computers, tablet computers, laptop computers, and machine-type communication devices. Communication (MTC) terminals, etc. Non-AP STAs can include various handheld devices, in-vehicle devices, wearable devices, computing devices, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, terminal devices in 5G networks, terminal devices in 6G networks, or terminal devices in PLMNs, etc., and this application embodiment is not limited to these. A non-AP STA can be a device that supports WLAN standards. For example, a non-AP STA can support one or more standards in the IEEE 802.11 series, such as 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11ad, 802.11ay, and 802.11bf.

[0122] The aforementioned AP can be a multi-link device (MLD). A non-AP STA can also be an MLD. An MLD is a device that supports (has) multi-link simultaneous transmission. In other words, an MLD has the ability to establish multiple links simultaneously. In this application embodiment, a device that simultaneously supports multiple links and supports the IEEE 802.11 standard is referred to as an MLD. In the IEEE 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7) standard, an MLD can use multiple links simultaneously. An MLD can be an access point MLD (AP MLD) or a non-AP MLD. It should be noted that the names of the multi-link devices mentioned above are merely examples and do not constitute any limitation on the scope of protection of this application. For example, an AP MLD can also be called a multi-link AP. A non-AP MLD can also be called a STA MLD. With the development of communication technology, AP MLDs or non-AP MLDs can also have other names, which will not be listed here.

[0123] A Media Access Detector (MLD) can include multiple affiliated sites. Each affiliated site has its own Media Access Control (MAC) address. Each affiliated site's MAC address can be referred to as a low-level MAC address. The MLD has an upper-level MAC address. In an AP MLD, the affiliated sites are called APs (Access Points). In a non-AP MLD, the affiliated sites are called STAs (Standard Stations). The operating frequency band of the MLD can be, for example, all or part of 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, and the high-frequency 60 GHz band. For instance, different APs in an AP MLD may operate on different frequency bands, and different STAs in a non-AP MLD may operate on different frequency bands.

[0124] AP MLD and non-AP MLD can establish multi-link connections through signaling interaction on any link. In one possible implementation, during multi-link establishment, the non-AP MLD and AP MLD can establish an association through an association process. For example, the association process may include: the non-AP MLD sending an association request frame on link 1, carrying STA-side information for link 1 and STA-side information for link 2. For instance, the association request frame may carry a multi-link element field, which carries information about the non-AP MLD and the stations within it. The AP MLD then sends an association response frame on link 1, carrying AP-side information for link 1 and AP-side information for link 2, thereby enabling STA1 and STA2 of the non-AP MLD to establish (or complete) associations with AP1 and AP2 of the AP MLD, respectively.

[0125] The aforementioned AP or non-AP STA may include a transmitter, a receiver, a memory, a processor, etc., wherein the transmitter and receiver are used for transmitting and receiving packet structures, respectively, the memory is used to store signaling information and pre-agreed preset values, etc., and the processor is used to parse signaling information and process related data, etc.

[0126] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an application scenario to which this application's embodiments apply. For example... Figure 1As shown, the method provided in this application is applicable to scenarios with multiple BSSs (taking BSS1, BSS2, and BSS3 as examples). Each BSS can contain an AP and one or more STAs associated with that AP. For example, BSS1 contains AP1 and STA1 associated with AP1, or STA1 in BSS1 is associated with AP1; BSS2 contains AP2 and STA2 associated with AP1; and BSS3 contains AP3 and STA3 associated with AP3. At least two of the multiple BSSs have overlapping basic service areas (BSAs). For example, any two BSAs of BSS1, BSS2, and BSS3 overlap, or any two BSAs of BSS1, BSS2, and BSS3 form an overlapping coverage relationship. The coverage area where multiple members within a BSS maintain wireless connectivity can be called a BSA. Alternatively, a BSA refers to an area containing members within a BSS, and it may contain members from other BSSs. If a member moves outside its BSA, that member can no longer communicate directly with other members within its BSA. Members within a BSS can be divided into APs and STAs. Since the concept of a BSS is similar to that of a cell, the term BSS in this paper can be replaced with "cell".

[0127] See Figure 1 In BSS1, stations in BSS2 (e.g., STA2) and BSS3 (e.g., STA3) are both within the BSA of BSS2. PPDUs transmitted by stations in BSS2 and BSS3 can be monitored and received by stations in BSS1. These PPDUs can be referred to as Overlapping Basic Service Set (OBSS) PPDUs by stations in BSS1 (e.g., AP1 and STA1). In other words, PPDUs received by a station from stations in other BSSs are OBSS PPDUs. This application applies to scenarios where stations in a BSS can receive PPDUs transmitted by stations in other BSSs, i.e., scenarios where OBSS PPDUs are received. When the BSA of one BSS overlaps with the BSA of another BSS, that BSS can be referred to as the OBSS of the other BSS, and the other BSS can also be referred to as the OBSS of that BSS. Understandably, the overlap here can be a partial overlap between the BSA of one BSS and the BSA of another BSS, or it can be an inclusion relationship, that is, the BSA of one BSS falls within the BSA of another BSS.

[0128] In this application, an external BSS can also be referred to as an OBSS. Members of a site's local BSS include that site itself. For example, BSS1 is STA1's local BSS, and BSS2 is STA2's local BSS. Members of a site's external BSS do not include that site. For example, BSS2 and BSS3 are STA1's external BSSs. A PPDU received by a site from its local BSS can be a PPDU received by that site from other sites within its local BSS. A PPDU received by a site from an external BSS can be a PPDU received by that site from any site within its external BSS. For example, STA1 receives a PPDU transmitted by AP1 from its local BSS, and STA1 receives a PPDU transmitted by AP2 from an external BSS.

[0129] The technical solutions of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. In case of any inconsistency, the meaning set forth in this specification or derived from the content described herein shall prevail. Furthermore, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing embodiments of this application only and is not intended to limit this application.

[0130] To facilitate understanding of the detailed implementation of the embodiments of this application, the technical terms involved in the embodiments of this application are described below. These explanations are intended to make the embodiments of this application easier to understand and should not be regarded as limiting the scope of protection claimed by this application.

[0131] 1) Physical Layer Packet Format and Network Allocation Vector (NAV) Principle: Physical layer packets transmitted by a station (AP or non-AP STA) over the air interface are called PPDUs. In other words, a PPDU refers to a packet sent from the physical layer to the air interface; hereinafter, PPDUs can be understood as air interface data packets. In this article, data packets can refer to physical layer packets transmitted over the air interface. Data packets can be replaced with radio frames, data frames, air interface data packets, etc. Generally, a PPDU includes a preamble and a payload. The preamble or payload of the PPDU may contain a network allocation vector (NAV). NAV is a time length indicating the length of time the sending station of the PPDU needs to continue occupying the channel from the end time of the PPDU. The NAV timer is a countdown timer. When the value of the NAV timer is greater than 0, it indicates that the virtual carrier sensing result of the channel where the NAV timer is located is busy. When the value of the NAV timer is equal to 0, it indicates that the virtual carrier sensing result of the channel where the NAV timer is located is idle.

[0132] 2) Channel Access: WLAN systems operate in unlicensed frequency bands, and their wireless channels are shared. A station needs to access the channel before sending data packets. In one possible implementation, the station listens for the channel before sending a data packet; if the channel is busy, the station's transmission is temporarily suspended until the channel becomes idle. Once the channel is idle, the station performs random backoff before sending data packets to handle collisions between multiple potential transmitting stations. After the random backoff process ends when the channel is idle, the station can send data packets. Optionally, before sending data packets, the station can also interact with the destination station using a short control frame, such as a request-to-send (RTS) frame or a clear-to-send (CTS) frame, to further reduce throughput loss due to collisions. Because after a short frame interaction, the transmitting station can quickly know that a collision has occurred, and it will re-perform random backoff before accessing the channel, avoiding sending long data packets directly during a collision and causing the entire data packet transmission to fail.

[0133] Wi-Fi 8 defines two channel access modes for WLAN: primary channel access (PCA) mode and non-primary channel access (NPCA) mode.

[0134] Primary channel access refers to the process by which a node (e.g., a station) in a WLAN network accesses the primary channel and obtains the right to use it. Since WLANs operate in unlicensed spectrum, this means that various wireless systems can publicly and freely use this spectrum resource, thus requiring contention-based channel access. For example, nodes in a WLAN network use Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance (CSMA / CA) for channel access. The CSMA / CA mechanism uses a listen-before-talk (LBT) approach to access the channel; that is, a station wishing to acquire channel access for frame exchange must first listen to the channel's availability level. Only when the channel is idle and certain rules are met can the station acquire channel access. Upon successful access, the station receives a transmission opportunity (TXOP), and this station is called the holder of the acquired TXOP.

[0135] Non-primary channel access in WLAN refers to the process by which a node (e.g., a site) in a WLAN network, while accessing and acquiring channel access rights on the primary channel, detects a PPDU (Pre-Delivery Processing Unit) sent by a site on the OBSS (On-Board System), and then, according to certain rules, switches to non-primary channel access to acquire channel access rights. For example, on a non-primary channel, the site still uses the CSMA / CA channel access mechanism. Optionally, no later than the end of the OBSS TXOP, the site will return from the non-primary channel to the primary channel and perform primary channel access. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a non-master channel access method provided in an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the dashed line on the left indicates the start time of detecting the OBSS PPDU, the downward arrow indicates the time of switching to a non-primary channel, and the dashed line on the right indicates the end time of the OBSS TXOP, i.e., the end time of the TXOP obtained by the station in the OBSS. The switch delay is the time for the station to switch from the primary channel to a non-primary channel, and the switch back delay is the time for the station to switch from a non-primary channel back to the primary channel. During the process of accessing the primary channel and obtaining channel access rights, after detecting the OBSS PPDU, the station switches from primary channel access to non-primary channel access; no later than the end time of the OBSS TXOP, the station returns from the non-primary channel to the primary channel.

[0136] From the perspective of whether the STA is in NPCA mode, STAs can be divided into NPCA STAs and Non-NPCA STAs. Table 1 shows the meaning of primary channel, non-primary channel, NPCA STA, and Non-NPCA STA.

[0137] Table 1

[0138]

[0139]

[0140] The non-AP STA and AP can optionally enable NPCA mode. For example, by default, the AP enables NPCA mode. Referring to Table 1, NPCA STA refers to the STA with NPCA mode enabled, that is, the STA in NPCA operating mode. non-NPCA STA refers to the STA without NPCA mode enabled, that is, the non-AP STA that is not in (not in) NPCA operating mode.

[0141] The primary channel is the default access channel for all non-AP STAs and APs. On the primary channel, if a STA or AP detects an OBSS PPDU, an NPCA STA or AP can switch to a non-primary channel to compete for the TXOP (Transmission Optimization Point), and switch back to the primary channel at the end of the OBSS TXOP. On the primary channel, if a non-NPCA STA detects an OBSS PPDU, it remains on the primary channel until the OBSS PPDU transmission ends, after which it competes for access to the channel to obtain the TXOP.

[0142] In some possible implementations, before an NPCA STA switches to a non-primary channel, the AP can configure whether these STAs are allowed to access the non-primary channel in a contention-based manner to obtain a TXOP. After an NPCA STA switches to a non-primary channel, if it is not allowed to access the non-primary channel in a contention-based manner, the NPCA STA will remain silent until it receives a data packet from the AP. Then, based on the information in the packet regarding whether the node is scheduled or allowed to send data packets, it will decide whether to send a data packet.

[0143] It should be noted that due to limitations in the equipment hardware (such as crystal oscillators and RF phase-locked loops, which are easily affected by temperature and humidity), each STA requires a certain amount of time to switch from the primary channel to a non-primary channel, or vice versa. The time it takes for an STA to switch from the primary channel to a non-primary channel is called the switch delay. The time it takes for an STA to switch from a non-primary channel to the primary channel is called the switch backdelay.

[0144] Because each STA operates in a different environment and uses different equipment, the handover delays between the NPCA STA and the AP when switching from the primary channel to a non-primary channel may not be equal. In other words, the handover delays between different STAs when switching from the primary channel to a non-primary channel are usually different. In one possible implementation, the NPCA STA reports its handover delay to the AP through a specific signaling process, and the AP also broadcasts its handover delay to all NPCA STAs. This application does not limit the method by which the NPCA STA and AP learn about the handover delay of their respective destination addresses. The NPCA STA and AP can determine their own handover delay through detection. For example, the interval between the start time of the NPCA STA's handover from the primary channel to the non-primary channel and the moment of handover to the non-primary channel can be used as the handover delay. In this application, the symbol... The handover delay of the nth STA is represented by the symbol. This indicates the AP handover latency.

[0145] On the main channel, even if the STA detects in the OBSS PPDU that the channel usage time occupied by the OBSS is OBSSTXOP, the actual time when the OBSS uses the main channel for data transmission may be shortened due to various reasons (such as the early termination of the service transmission). (This is) earlier than the end time of OBSS TXOP (denoted as...) ).

[0146] 3) Distributed Channel Access Function (DCF) Backoff Access: IEEE 802.11 defines a DCF mechanism for contention-based backoff access to the channel, such as... Figure 3 As shown. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a DCF backoff access process. (See attached diagram.) Figure 3When a STA needs to send data, if the channel is busy, it executes a backoff procedure and continuously listens to the channel until the channel is idle for a duration equal to the distributed inter-frame spacing (DIFS), at which point it enters the backoff phase. Before entering the backoff phase, the STA first selects a backoff counter value. If the backoff counter value is 0, the STA first randomly selects a value from [0, CW-1] as the backoff counter value; otherwise, it continues to use the original backoff counter value. CW is called the contention window. After the STA randomly selects a value as the backoff counter value, it enters a backoff phase where the backoff counter decrements. In this phase, if the channel remains idle for a duration equal to aSlotTime, the backoff counter value is decremented by 1. When the backoff counter value reaches 0 and the channel is still idle, the STA accesses the channel and performs frame transmission, i.e., transmits data packets (or data frames).

[0147] If a data packet transmission fails—that is, if no acknowledgment frame is received within a given time period—the STA considers a channel collision to have occurred. To record the number of failed data packet transmissions, each STA maintains a STA short retry count (SSRC) and a STA long retry count (SLRC). When the length of a failed data packet exceeds a certain threshold, the SLRC is incremented by 1; otherwise, the SSRC is incremented by 1. The initial value of the SSRC or SLRC for each data packet is 0, and the maximum value is a constant value defined by IEEE 802.11 or the equipment manufacturer. When the SSRC or SLRC of a data packet reaches its maximum value, it will not be retransmitted regardless of whether the transmission was successful or not.

[0148] To reduce the probability of collisions, STA employs a competitive window adaptive adjustment mechanism. Specifically, whenever a new backoff counter value needs to be selected, CW = CWmin × 2 is set. iWhere CWmin is the minimum value of CW, and i is the value of the counter for retransmission of the currently intended data packet, i.e., the value of SSRC or SLRC. When CW = CWmax, it remains unchanged until it is reset to CWmin. There are two cases in which CW will be reset to CWmin: One is that after the current data packet is successfully transmitted, CW will be calculated using the SSRC or SLRC of the new data packet, and the initial value of the SSRC or SLRC of each data packet is 0, therefore, CW is reset to CWmin. The other is when the SSRC or SLRC of the current data packet reaches its maximum value. Since the data packet will not be retransmitted after transmission regardless of success or failure, CW will be calculated using the SSRC or SLRC of the new data packet, and thus CW is reset to CWmin.

[0149] 4) Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA) Backoff Access: EDCA is an enhanced DCF backoff access mechanism designed by IEEE 802.11 for Quality of Service (QoS) STAs. EDCA defines four ACs: video (VI), voice (VO), best effort (BE), and background (BK). IEEE 802.11 assigns an EDCA access function, called EDCAF[AC], to each AC. Within the STA, the four EDCAFs independently compete for channel access, and the channel access process is similar to DCF. In one possible design, the difference between EDCA backoff access and DCF backoff access is: (1) the waiting time DIFS for each EDCAF[AC] to wait for the channel to be idle is changed to AIFS[AC], where AIFS[AC] is a standard value or a constant value broadcast by the AP; (2) the SSRC or SLRC of the data packets transmitted by the STA is named QSRC[AC] and is no longer distinguished based on the length of the data packets; (3) the minimum and maximum values ​​of the contention window are CWmin[AC] and CWmax[AC], respectively, both of which are standard values ​​or constant values ​​broadcast by the AP. The backoff phase after the waiting time for the EDCAF[AC] to wait for the channel to be idle reaches AIFS[AC] is equivalent to the following description: the EDCAF[AC] detects that the channel is idle after a delay of SIFS, and enters the backoff phase after the waiting time for the channel to be idle reaches AIFSN[AC]*aSlotTime-aRxTxTurnaroundTime. The channel is not required to be idle during the time period corresponding to SIFS.

[0150] Furthermore, when the EDCAF backoff counters of two different ACs backoff to 0 simultaneously, the data packets of the higher priority AC can access the channel and be transmitted, while the values ​​of CW[AC] and QSRC[AC] of the lower priority AC remain unchanged, and backoff restarts after a new random backoff count value is selected.

[0151] Compared to the DCF (Distributed Function) process, EDCA (Easy Access Control) backoff access provides a certain level of Quality of Service (QoS) assurance because it refines the relevant backoff access parameters for different service types. Therefore, it has become the mainstream design scheme for IEEE 802.11 equipment. Some technical solutions provided in this application are based on improvements to the EDCA backoff access mechanism.

[0152] The preceding text introduced some terms, concepts, or processes involved in the embodiments of this application. The following text introduces the technical background involved in the embodiments of this application.

[0153] As described in the background section, how NPCA STAs (i.e., STAs in NPCA mode) should perform backoff access on non-primary channels is still under research and discussion. To address this, this application provides several transmission schemes on non-primary channels, specifically schemes for NPCA STAs to perform backoff access and send data packets on non-primary channels. The various transmission schemes on non-primary channels provided in this application can achieve the following technical effects: reducing or even avoiding packet loss caused by the destination station (e.g., AP and NPCA STA) sending data packets to its destination station before the destination station has switched to a non-primary channel, thereby reducing data packet transmission latency. Some of the transmission schemes on non-primary channels provided in this application are applicable to scenarios where only APs are allowed to access the channel and acquire TXOPs on non-primary channels using a free-competition backoff access method. Other transmission schemes on non-primary channels provided in this application are applicable to scenarios where both APs and NPCA STAs are allowed to access the channel and acquire TXOPs on non-primary channels using a free-competition backoff access method.

[0154] This application provides several transmission schemes on the main channel, specifically schemes for non-NPCA STAs to perform backoff access and send data packets on the main channel. The main channel transmission schemes provided by this application can solve the following problems: when and how to backoff access when the AP switches to a non-NPCA STA on a non-main channel, and when the main channel status changes from busy to idle. The main channel transmission schemes provided by this application can achieve the following technical effects: packet loss caused by the destination station of the data packet not yet switching to the main channel when the non-NPCA STA sends the data packet. The main channel transmission schemes provided by this application are suitable for scenarios where non-NPCA STAs only perform backoff access on the main channel.

[0155] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figure 4 To be continued Figure 10 This application describes the transmission scheme on a non-primary channel.

[0156] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of a transmission method on a non-master channel provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 4 In the method flow, AP is the sending station, i.e., the station that sends data packets, and the first station is the receiving station, i.e., the station that receives data packets. In this application, the operations performed by the sending station (e.g., AP and the second station) can be implemented by the sending station or components within the sending station; the following description uses the sending station implementation as an example. The operations performed by the receiving station (i.e., the first station) can be implemented by the receiving station or components within the receiving station; the following description uses the receiving station implementation as an example. Figure 4 This method is applicable to scenarios where only APs are allowed to access the channel and acquire TXOP via a free-contention backoff access method on a non-primary channel. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the method includes:

[0157] 401. AP switches to a non-primary channel.

[0158] AP switching to a non-primary channel can be as follows: the AP switches from the primary channel to a non-primary channel. In one possible implementation, the AP switches from the primary channel to a non-primary channel when or after detecting an OBSS PPDU on the primary channel.

[0159] 402. The first moment when the AP determines that the backoff counter associated with the non-primary channel is reduced to 0 is earlier than the second moment when the first site switches to the non-primary channel.

[0160] The first site can be the destination site of the first data packet to be sent by the AP. Alternatively, the first site can be the destination site of the first data packet that the AP intends to send. The first site can be one or more APs, or one or more non-AP STAs. The first data packet can be a downlink service data packet. In this text, "time" can be a point in time or a unit of time, such as a time slot. For example, different times refer to different points in time. Or, for example, different times refer to different time slots.

[0161] As an example, the destination station of the first data packet to be sent by the AP can be determined based on any of the following:

[0162] 1) When the AP uses single-user (SU) transmission mode, the AP can only send data packets to one NPCA STA at a time. The destination station is the destination node of the data packet at the head of the AP's downlink transmission traffic queue (i.e., the first data packet). Alternatively, the destination station is the destination node with the smallest handover latency among one or more destination nodes corresponding to the AP's downlink transmission traffic queue.

[0163] 2) When the AP uses multi-user (MU) transmission mode, it can simultaneously send data packets to multiple NPCA STAs. The destination site (e.g., the first site mentioned above) can be multiple NPCA STAs selected by the AP according to the downlink service scheduling algorithm. In this application, when the destination site is multiple NPCA STAs, the AP can use the time when the NPCA STA with the longest handover delay among these multiple NPCA STAs switches to a non-primary channel as the time when the destination site switches to a non-primary channel. The AP can send data packets to the destination site by simultaneously sending data packets to multiple NPCA STAs included in the destination site.

[0164] 3) The destination site is the node selected by the AP based on its downlink service scheduling algorithm. The specific downlink service scheduling algorithm depends on the implementation, and the handover delay of the destination node for downlink services is an input parameter of the algorithm.

[0165] 4) An AP is a member AP in a set of multiple basic service set identifiers (BBSIDs). If the AP uses single-user (SU) transmission mode, the destination site is the one with the smallest handover delay among the destination nodes of the highest priority downlink services of all member APs in the multiple BBSID set. If the AP uses multi-user (MU) transmission mode, the destination sites are multiple NPCA STAs selected by the AP according to the downlink service scheduling algorithm among the destination nodes of multiple downlink services of a member AP in the multiple BBSID set. The specific downlink service scheduling algorithm depends on the implementation, and the input parameters of the algorithm include: (1) the multiple BBSID set, and (2) the handover delay of the destination node of the downlink service of each AP.

[0166] In one possible implementation, before executing step 402, the AP performs the following operation: The AP uses the moment of switching to a non-primary channel as the starting moment to check whether the conditions for performing an EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met; alternatively, the AP uses the moment of switching to a non-primary channel delayed by a preset time as the starting moment to check whether the conditions for performing an EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met. The preset time is not limited, for example, a preset time of 10us, 20us, 50us, etc.; when the conditions for performing an EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are detected, the EDCAF operation is performed. The EDCAF operation involves randomly selecting a value as the value of the backoff counter for backoff. The moment when the backoff counter value decrements to 0 is the first moment; thus, the AP can compete for the non-primary channel earlier, so as to send data packets on the non-primary channel earlier. In this implementation, the first moment is the moment when the backoff counter first decrements to 0 after the AP performs the EDCAF operation. The time from the first moment when the backoff counter associated with the non-primary channel decrements to 0 to the moment... (i.e., the second time point) the AP will continuously monitor the status of the non-primary channel. If from the first time point to the second time point... If the non-primary channel remains idle, then the AP at time... Send the first data packet to the first station, referring to steps 403 to 404 below. The conditions under which the AP performs EDCAF operation on a non-primary channel may be the same as or different from the conditions under which the AP performs EDCAF operation on the primary channel. The conditions under which the AP and NPCA STA perform EDCAF operation on a non-primary channel are the same.

[0167] In one possible design, the condition for performing EDCAF operation on a non-primary channel includes detecting slot boundaries. As an example, one definition of a slot boundary for performing EDCAF operation on a non-primary channel is: after the last busy medium on the antenna (which is the result of receiving a frame with the correct FCS or a SIG frame), after SIFS, and after an idle medium of AIFSN[AC]*aSlotTime - aRxTxTurnaroundTime. For example, the time after the idle medium of AIFSN[AC]*aSlotTime - aRxTxTurnaroundTime following the moment when the AP detects an idle time on the non-primary channel is the slot boundary for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel. Figure 5A This is a schematic diagram of a time slot boundary for performing an EDCAF operation, provided as an embodiment of this application. Figure 5AAs shown, time #10 is the time when the non-primary channel is detected to be idle, time #20 is the time after time #10 delayed by SIFS, and the interval between time #30 and time #20 is the tenth time duration, i.e., AIFSN[AC]*aSlotTime-aRxTxTurnaroundTime. Time #30 is the time slot boundary for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel. The non-primary channel is not required to be idle between time #10 and time #20, but it is required between time #20 and time #30. As an example, another definition of the time slot boundary for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel is as follows: after detecting that the non-primary channel is idle (AIFS[AC]). For example, the AP performs EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel after detecting that the non-primary channel is idle (AIFS[AC]). Figure 5B This is a schematic diagram of another time slot boundary for performing EDCAF operations, provided as an embodiment of this application. Figure 5B As shown, time #40 is the time when the AP detects that the non-primary channel is idle, time #50 is the time when AIFS[AC] is delayed after time #40, and time #50 is the time slot boundary for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel.

[0168] In one possible implementation, before executing step 402, the AP may perform the following operations: the AP determines that the third time when the backoff counter value decrements to 0 is earlier than the second time; after detecting that the non-primary channel is busy before the second time, the AP randomly selects a value as the backoff counter value for backoff, and the time when the backoff counter value decrements to 0 is the first time; this is to avoid sending data packets on the non-primary channel when it is busy. After the AP switches to the non-primary channel, the first time when the backoff counter associated with the non-primary channel decrements to 0 is the third time or a time earlier than the third time. This article describes the situation using the example of the third time when the backoff counter associated with the non-primary channel decrements to 0 after the AP switches to the non-primary channel. Optionally, if the AP determines that the third time when the backoff counter value decrements to 0 is earlier than the second time, it performs the following operations: The AP uses the time of switching to the non-primary channel as the starting time to check whether the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met; if the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met, the AP performs the EDCAF operation, which involves randomly selecting a value as the backoff counter value for backoff. The time when the backoff counter value decrements to 0 is the third time. If the AP detects that the non-primary channel is busy before the second time, it randomly selects a value as the backoff counter value for backoff, including: After the AP detects that the non-primary channel is busy before the second time, it uses the time when the non-primary channel is detected to be busy as the starting time to check whether the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met; if the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met, the AP performs the EDCAF operation, which involves randomly selecting a value as the backoff counter value for backoff. In this implementation, the AP determines that the backoff counter associated with the non-primary channel reaches 0 earlier than the second time point. From the time the backoff counter reaches 0 until the second time point, the AP continuously monitors the status of the non-primary channel. If, during the period from the time the backoff counter reaches 0 until the second time point, the status of the non-primary channel changes from idle to busy, the AP uses the time when it detects that the non-primary channel is busy as the starting time to check whether the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met. When the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met, the EDCAF operation is performed. This avoids sending data packets on the non-primary channel when it is busy.

[0169] 403. The AP determines that the non-primary channel is idle from the first time to the second time.

[0170] 404. At the second moment, the AP sends the first data packet to the first station on a non-primary channel.

[0171] Accordingly, the first station receives the first data packet. In this paper, the time when the second station sends data packets on the non-primary channel is when the non-primary channel is idle, which will not be repeated below; this is to avoid the second station sending data packets on the non-primary channel when the non-primary channel is busy.

[0172] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a backoff access procedure provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 6 As shown, the leftmost dashed line indicates the start time when the AP detects the OBSS PPDU, and the rightmost dashed line indicates the end time of the OBSS TXOP. This refers to the moment when the AP switches to a non-primary channel and the start time when the AP detects whether the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met. Time #0 is the moment when the AP performs EDCAF operation, which is the moment when a value is randomly selected as the value of the backoff counter for backoff, and also the time slot boundary for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel. The moment when the value of the backoff counter decreases to 0 is the first moment. The second time is the moment when the destination station (i.e., the first station) of the first data packet to be sent by the AP switches to a non-primary channel. For example, the moment when the first station detects the OBSS PPDU on the primary channel is recorded as time #0, and the handover delay of the first station to switch to a non-primary channel is... Figure 6 An example is shown where a randomly selected backoff counter value of 2 is used, and after two consecutive aSlotTime durations, the backoff counter value decreases to 0. If the first moment the backoff counter decreases to 0 is earlier than... Then the AP is on the non-primary channel at the first moment. When idle, maintain the backoff counter value at 0 until And in Send data packets. It should be noted that from the first moment the backoff counter decrements to 0... During this process, the AP will continuously monitor the status of the non-primary channel. If the non-primary channel remains idle throughout this process, the AP will... Send data packets. If the state of the non-primary channel changes from idle to busy, the AP will use the moment when it detects that the non-primary channel is busy as the starting moment to check whether the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met; if the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met, the EDCAF operation will be performed.

[0173] Figure 4An example of the procedure is as follows: The AP uses the moment of switching to a non-primary channel as the starting moment to check whether the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met. When the AP detects that the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met, it performs the EDCAF operation. The EDCAF operation involves randomly selecting a value as the backoff counter value for backoff. The first moment when the AP determines that the backoff counter value has decreased to 0 is earlier than the second moment when the first site switches to the non-primary channel. The AP determines that the non-primary channel is idle from the first moment to the second moment, and at the second moment, the AP sends the first data packet to the first site on the non-primary channel. In this example, the AP uses the moment of switching to a non-primary channel as the starting moment to check whether the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met; thus, it can compete for the non-primary channel earlier, that is, start the backoff counter decrement process earlier, so as to send data packets on the non-primary channel earlier.

[0174] Figure 4 Another example of the method flow is as follows: The AP uses the time of switching to a non-primary channel as the starting time to check whether the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met. When the AP detects that the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met, the AP performs the EDCAF operation. The EDCAF operation randomly selects a first value as the backoff counter value for backoff. The AP determines to use the first value as the backoff counter value for backoff, and the third time of backoff 0 is earlier than the second time when the first site switches to the non-primary channel. After the AP detects that the non-primary channel is busy before the second time, it uses the time when the non-primary channel is detected to be busy as the starting time to check whether the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met. When the AP detects that the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met, the AP performs the EDCAF operation. This EDCAF operation randomly selects a second value as the backoff counter value for backoff. The AP determines to use the second value as the backoff counter value for backoff, and the first time of backoff 0 is earlier than the second time when the first site switches to the non-primary channel. The AP determines that the non-primary channel is idle from the first time point to the second time point. At the second time point, the AP sends the first data packet to the first station on the non-primary channel. In this example, the AP uses the time of switching to the non-primary channel as the starting time to check whether the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met; thus, it can compete for the non-primary channel earlier, i.e., start the backoff counter decrement process earlier, so as to send data packets on the non-primary channel earlier.

[0175] Optionally, after the AP sends the first data packet to the first site on a non-primary channel at the second time, it further performs the following operations: the AP determines that the fourth time when the backoff counter value is reduced to 0 is no earlier than the second time; at the fourth time, it sends the second data packet to the first site on a non-primary channel; this is to avoid packet loss caused by the first site not yet switching to a non-primary channel when the AP sends the second data packet. Sending the second data packet to the first site on a non-primary channel at the fourth time can reduce the transmission delay of the second data packet.

[0176] In one possible design, Figure 4 This method is applied to scenarios where only APs are allowed to access the channel and acquire TXOP via a free-contention backoff access method on non-primary channels, or in other words, Figure 4 The method is applied to scenarios where NPCA STAs are not allowed to access the channel and acquire TXOP on a non-primary channel using a free contention backoff access method; in order to avoid mutual interference caused by multiple NPCA STAs simultaneously sending data packets to the AP on a non-primary channel.

[0177] In this embodiment, the AP sends the first data packet to the first station on a non-primary channel at a second time to avoid packet loss caused by the first station not yet switching to a non-primary channel when the AP sends the first data packet. Furthermore, when the backoff counter associated with the non-primary channel decrements to 0, the AP maintains the backoff counter value at 0 until the first station switches to the non-primary channel, at which point the data packet is not sent. Compared to reselecting the backoff counter value, this reduces the data packet transmission delay.

[0178] Figure 7 A flowchart illustrating another transmission method on a non-master channel provided in this application embodiment. Figure 7 In the process flow, the second station is the sending station, that is, the station that sends data packets, and the first station is the receiving station, that is, the station that receives data packets. Figure 7 The method is applicable to scenarios where APs and NPCA STAs are allowed to access channels and acquire TXOPs in a free-competition backoff access manner on non-primary channels. Figure 7 Methods and procedures Figure 4 Compared to other methods, these approaches are applicable to different scenarios, and the start time for detecting whether the conditions for performing EDCAF operations on non-primary channels are met differs. For example... Figure 7 As shown, the method includes:

[0179] 701. The second station switches to a non-primary channel.

[0180] The second site can be either an Access Point (AP) or an NPCA-enabled STA. The second site can be either an AP with NPCA mode enabled or a non-AP STA with NPCA mode enabled, which helps ensure fairness in the competition for access between STAs and APs.

[0181] 702. On a non-primary channel, the second station uses the later of the second station switching to the non-primary channel and the fifth time as the starting time to check whether the conditions for performing EDCAF operation are met.

[0182] The fifth time is the time interval between the first station switching to the non-primary channel and the second time, and the first time interval is the first duration. The first station is the destination station for the data packets to be sent by the second station. The method by which the second station determines the destination station for the data packets to be sent can be the same as... Figure 4 The method by which the AP determines the destination station of the data packet to be sent is the same as in the procedure, and will not be repeated here. The first station can be either the AP or the NPCA STA.

[0183] Optionally, the first duration is the time interval between the start time of detecting whether the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on a non-primary channel are met and the earliest possible time at which the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on a non-primary channel can be detected. For example, if time #1 is the start time for the second station to detect whether the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on a non-primary channel are met, the second station may detect the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on a non-primary channel at time #2, which is a delay of the first duration from time #1. That is, the second station cannot detect the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on a non-primary channel earlier than time #2. This application does not limit the first duration.

[0184] In one possible implementation, the first duration is determined based on SIFS, AIFSN, the time slot, and the transition time from the receive state to the transmit state. As an example, the first duration satisfies the following formula:

[0185] time1=SIFS+AIFSN

AC

[0186] Where time1 is the first duration, SIFS is the short inter-frame interval, AIFSN[AC] is the AIFSN corresponding to any type of AC, aSlotTime is the time slot, and aRxTxTurnaroundTime is the transition time from the receive state to the transmit state.

[0187] In one possible implementation, the first duration is AIFS[AC]. AIFS[AC] can be the channel access parameter of EDCAF[AC] in the second site. Optionally, AIFS can be calculated as the product of AIFSN and a slot time (i.e., aSlotTime) and a SIFS, i.e., AIFS[AC] = AIFSN[AC] * (aSlotTime) + aSIFSTime. Understandably, both AIFS and SIFS are in units of time.

[0188] In one possible implementation, the first duration is 0 ms (or 0 time slots), or in other words, the fifth time slot is the second time slot. An example of the second station using the later of the second time slot (the time it switches to a non-primary channel and the fifth time slot) as the starting time to check whether the conditions for executing EDCAF operation are met is as follows: The second station uses the later of the second time slot (the time it switches to a non-primary channel and the fifth time slot) as the starting time to check whether the conditions for executing EDCAF operation are met.

[0189] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating another backoff access procedure provided in an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 8 As shown, the leftmost dashed line indicates the start time when the second station detects the OBSS PPDU, the rightmost dashed line indicates the end time of the OBSS TXOP, and time #0' is the start time when the second station checks whether the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on a non-primary channel are met. The second time point is the moment when the destination station (i.e., the first station) switches to a non-primary channel for the data packets to be sent by the second station. Time #0 and The interval between them is the first duration. The first duration can be 0 ms, that is, time #0' is... It can also be greater than 0ms, meaning time #0' is earlier than... Figure 8 This shows the case where the first duration is greater than 0 ms.

[0190] 703. When the second station detects that the conditions for performing the EDCAF operation are met, it performs the EDCAF operation.

[0191] The EDCAF operation randomly selects a value as the backoff counter value for backoff.

[0192] 704. When the backoff counter value is reduced to 0, the second station sends a data packet to the first station on a non-main channel.

[0193] Accordingly, the first station receives the data packet. The first station can be one or more APs, or one or more non-AP STAs. Steps 703 to 704 are optional. The second station sends a data packet to the first station when the backoff counter value is reduced to 0 and the non-primary channel is idle.

[0194] In this embodiment, on the non-primary channel, the second station uses the later of the time it switches to the non-primary channel and the fifth time as the starting time to check whether the conditions for performing EDCAF operation are met. This ensures that the starting time of the AP's EDCAF operation (i.e., the time when the backoff counter associated with the non-primary channel begins to back off) is no earlier than the second time, thereby reducing packet loss caused by the first station not yet switching to the non-primary channel when the second station sends data packets to the first station. Furthermore, for NPCA STAs, since they can simultaneously start checking whether the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met at the time the AP switches to the non-primary channel, fairness in channel access competition among multiple STAs can be guaranteed. In other words, since each NPCA STA randomly selects a backoff counter value, those with relatively smaller values ​​can access the channel earlier.

[0195] Figure 9 A flowchart illustrating another transmission method on a non-master channel provided in this application embodiment. Figure 9 In the process flow, the second station is the sending station, that is, the station that sends data packets, and the first station is the receiving station, that is, the station that receives data packets. Figure 9 The method is applicable to scenarios where APs and NPCA STAs are allowed to access channels and acquire TXOPs in a free-competition backoff access manner on non-primary channels. Figure 9 Methods and procedures Figure 4 Compared to other methods and processes, the applicable scenarios differ, and the actions performed by the sending station after the backoff counter reaches 0 are different. For example... Figure 9 As shown, the method includes:

[0196] 901. The second station switches to a non-primary channel.

[0197] The second site can be either an Access Point (AP) or an NPCA-enabled STA. The second site can be either an AP with NPCA mode enabled or a non-AP STA with NPCA mode enabled, which helps ensure fairness in the competition for access between STAs and APs.

[0198] 902. The second station randomly selects the first value as the value of the backoff counter for backoff.

[0199] The backoff counter begins backoff earlier than the second moment when the first station switches to a non-primary channel.

[0200] In one possible implementation, the second station randomly selecting a first value as the backoff counter value for backoff includes: the second station using the moment of switching to a non-primary channel as the starting moment to detect whether the conditions for performing an EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met; when the conditions for performing an EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are detected, the EDCAF operation is performed, and the EDCAF operation is to randomly select a first value as the backoff counter value for backoff; thereby, it can compete for the non-primary channel earlier, that is, start the process of decrementing the backoff counter value earlier, so as to send data packets on the non-primary channel earlier.

[0201] In one possible implementation, before the second station randomly selects a first value as the backoff counter value for backoff, the second station also performs the following operations: the second station randomly selects a second value as the backoff counter value for backoff; randomly selecting a first value as the backoff counter value for backoff includes: when the second station backoffs with the second value as the backoff counter value and the backoff value is 0, it then randomly selects the first value as the backoff counter value again for backoff; this can prevent the second station from sending data packets before the first station switches to a non-primary channel, thus avoiding errors. Optionally, when selecting another backoff counter value, the values ​​of QSRC[AC] and CW[AC] remain unchanged. An example of a second station backing up using the second value as the backoff counter value, and randomly selecting the first value as the backoff counter value when the backoff counter reaches 0, is as follows: The second station backs up using the second value as the backoff counter value; the time when the backoff counter reaches 0 is earlier than the second time slot; when the backoff counter reaches 0, the first value is randomly selected as the backoff counter value for backoff, or in other words, another random value is selected and the backoff counter value continues to decrease. The first value is the value set by the backoff counter in the time slot following the time slot where the backoff counter reaches 0. Alternatively, the first value corresponds to the time slot following the time slot where the backoff counter reaches 0. For example, different times correspond to different time slots; the time slot where the backoff counter reaches 0 is time slot #1, and time slot #2 is the next time slot after time slot #1. The backoff counter value is set to the first value in time slot #2. The second station randomly selects a second value as the backoff counter value for backoff. An example is as follows: The second station uses the time of switching to the non-primary channel as the starting time to check whether the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met; when the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met, the EDCAF operation is performed, and the EDCAF operation is to randomly select a second value as the backoff counter value for backoff.

[0202] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram illustrating another backoff access procedure provided in an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 10As shown, the leftmost dashed line indicates the start time when the second station detects the OBSS PPDU, and the rightmost dashed line indicates the end time of the OBSS TXOP. The time when the second station switches to the non-primary channel and the start time when the second station checks whether the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met are defined. Time #0 is the time when the second station performs EDCAF operation, i.e., a value is randomly selected as the backoff counter value for backoff. The second moment is the moment when the destination station (i.e., the first station) of the data packet to be sent by the second station switches to a non-primary channel. Figure 10 An example is shown where a randomly selected backoff counter value of 2 is used. After two consecutive aSlotTime durations, the backoff counter value decreases to 0. The first time the backoff counter value decreases to 0 is earlier than... The second station determined the moment the backoff counter first decreased to 0 earlier than Then, randomly select the second value (e.g.) Figure 10 As shown in 2), the backoff is performed using the value of the backoff counter. In this embodiment, the second station determines the moment when the value of the backoff counter first decreases to 0 earlier than... Then, a value is randomly selected as the backoff counter value for backoff, and this process continues until the backoff counter value is reduced to 0 no earlier than [the next possible time]. And the value of the backoff counter is reduced to 0 and not earlier than The second station sends data packets at the specified time. The time when the backoff counter value first decreases to 0 is no earlier than [time missing]. Then, when the backoff counter value is reduced to 0 and no earlier than Data packets are sent at specific times.

[0203] 903. The sixth moment when the value of the retreat counter at the second station is determined to be 0 is no earlier than the second moment.

[0204] The second moment is when the first station switches to a non-primary channel.

[0205] 904. At the sixth moment, the second station sends a data packet to the first station on a non-main channel.

[0206] Accordingly, the first station receives the data packets. The first station can be one or more APs, or one or more non-AP STAs.

[0207] Figure 9An example of the method flow is as follows: The second station switches to a non-primary channel; the time when the second station switches to the non-primary channel is used as the starting time to check whether the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met; if the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met, the EDCAF operation is performed. The EDCAF operation is to randomly select a first value as the value of the backoff counter for backoff. The time when the second station switches to the non-primary channel is earlier than the second time when the first station switches to the non-primary channel; it is determined that the first value is used as the value of the backoff counter for backoff, and the sixth time when the backoff is 0 is not earlier than the second time; at the sixth time, a data packet is sent to the first station on the non-primary channel; to avoid packet loss caused by the first station not having switched to the non-primary channel when the second station sends a data packet to the first station.

[0208] Figure 9 Another example of the method flow is as follows: The second station switches to a non-primary channel; the time when the second station switches to the non-primary channel is used as the starting time to check whether the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met: when the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met, the EDCAF operation is performed. The EDCAF operation is to randomly select a second value as the value of the backoff counter for backoff. The time when the second station switches to the non-primary channel is earlier than the second time when the first station switches to the non-primary channel; it is determined that the second value is used as the value of the backoff counter for backoff, and the time when the backoff reaches 0 is earlier than the second time; when the second value is used as the value of the backoff counter for backoff, and the time when the backoff reaches 0 is earlier than the second time; when the second value is used as the value of the backoff counter for backoff, and the time when the backoff reaches 0 is earlier than the second time, a first value is randomly selected as the value of the backoff counter for backoff; it is determined that the first value is used as the value of the backoff counter for backoff, and the sixth time when the backoff reaches 0 is not earlier than the second time; at the sixth time, a data packet is sent to the first station on the non-primary channel; to avoid packet loss caused by the first station not having switched to the non-primary channel when the second station sends a data packet to the first station.

[0209] The preceding section introduced the transmission scheme for non-primary channels provided in this application. Figure 4 , Figure 7 , Figure 9 Three different transmission schemes on non-primary channels are described. The non-primary channel transmission schemes provided in this application are implemented by APs or NPCA STAs. The primary channel transmission schemes provided in this application are suitable for scenarios where non-NPCA STAs only perform backoff access on the primary channel. Alternatively, the primary channel transmission schemes provided in this application are implemented by non-NPCA STAs. The primary channel transmission schemes provided in this application can be implemented in combination with the various non-primary channel transmission schemes provided in this application. As an example, APs and / or NPCA STAs in a WLAN network implement the non-primary channel transmission schemes provided in this application, for example... Figure 4 , Figure 7 ,or Figure 9 The method flow described in the application involves non-NPCA STAs in a WLAN network executing the transmission scheme provided on the main channel. The following section, in conjunction with the appendix... Figure 11 To be continued Figure 13 This application introduces the transmission scheme on the main channel.

[0210] Figure 11 This is a flowchart of a transmission method on a main channel provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 11 In the method flow, the second station is the sending station, i.e., the station that sends the data packets, and the first station is the receiving station, i.e., the station that receives the data packets. For example... Figure 11 As shown, the method includes:

[0211] 1101. The second station receives the OBSS PPDU.

[0212] The OBSS PPDU includes indication information. This indication information is used to indicate the seventh time after the OBSS TXOP ends transmission on the main channel. For example, this indication information is NAV, which indicates the remaining length of time the sending station of the OBSS PPDU needs to occupy the channel from the end time of the OBSS PPDU.

[0213] The second site is a non-AP STA that does not support channel switching. Alternatively, the second site is a non-NPCA STA. In one possible design, after all STAs and APs in the BSS detect the OBSS PPDU on the primary channel, the AP and NPCASTA switch to a non-primary channel to access the channel and acquire the TXOP through a contention-based backoff access method. The non-NPCA STA, however, remains on the primary channel and waits for the AP to switch back to the primary channel at the end of the OBSS TXOP before backoffing to access the channel and acquire the TXOP.

[0214] 1102. The second station determined that the time when the detected OBSS TXOP transmission ended was earlier than the seventh time.

[0215] Optionally, if the second station determines that the detected OBSS TXOP transmission ended earlier than the seventh time, it further performs the following operation: the second station receives a contention-free end (CF-END) frame. The time at which the second station detects the end of the OBSS TXOP transmission is the time when it receives this CF-END frame.

[0216] 1103. The second station sends data packets on the main channel at the eighth moment.

[0217] The eighth time point is no earlier than the seventh time point. The destination station for data packets sent by the second station on the main channel at the eighth time point can be an AP or a non-AP STA. In this paper, the time when the second station sends data packets on the main channel is when the main channel is idle.

[0218] In one possible implementation, the second station transmits a data packet on the main channel at the eighth time, including: the second station on the main channel, using the time from the seventh time forward by a second duration as the starting time, checks whether the conditions for performing an EDCAF operation are met. The EDCAF operation involves randomly selecting a value as the backoff counter value for backoff. If the conditions for performing an EDCAF operation on the main channel are met, the EDCAF operation is performed. At the eighth time, when the backoff counter value is reduced to 0, the data packet is transmitted on the main channel. Optionally, the second duration is the time between the starting time of checking whether the conditions for performing an EDCAF operation on the main channel are met and the earliest time at which the conditions for performing an EDCAF operation on the main channel could be detected. For example, if time #3 is the starting time for the second station to check whether the conditions for performing an EDCAF operation on the main channel are met, the second station could detect the conditions for performing an EDCAF operation on the main channel as early as time #4, which is two durations later than time #3. That is, the second station cannot detect the conditions for performing an EDCAF operation on the main channel earlier than time #4. The second duration can be the same as or different from the first duration mentioned above. In this implementation, using the time when the seventh time is advanced by the second duration as the start time to check whether the conditions for executing EDCAF operation are met ensures that the start time of the second station executing EDCAF operation is no earlier than the seventh time. Furthermore, all non-NPCA STAs can perform EDCAF operation at the time the AP switches back to the main channel. Starting by decrementing the backoff counter can ensure fair competition among nodes and reduce the probability of channel collisions.

[0219] In one possible implementation, the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the main channel include: detecting slot boundaries. The second station performs EDCAF operation on the main channel at these slot boundaries. As an example, one definition of a slot boundary is as follows: after the last busy medium on the antenna (which is the result of receiving a frame with a correct FCS or a SIG frame), after SIFS, and after a period of idle medium of AIFSN[AC]*aSlotTime-aRxTxTurnaroundTime. As another example, another possible definition of a slot boundary is as follows: after detecting an idle AIFS[AC] on the main channel. The second station performs EDCAF operation after detecting an idle AIFS[AC] on the main channel. Optionally, the second duration is determined based on SIFS, AIFSN, the slot, and the transition time from the receive state to the transmit state.

[0220] As an example, the second duration satisfies the following formula:

[0221] Time2=SIFS+AIFSN

AC

[0222] Where time2 is the second duration, SIFS is the short inter-frame interval, AIFSN[AC] is the AIFSN corresponding to any type of AC, aSlotTime is the time slot, and aRxTxTurnaroundTime is the transition time from the receive state to the transmit state.

[0223] As another example, the second duration is AIFS[AC].

[0224] As another example, the second duration is 0ms (or 0 timeslot), or in other words, the second station on the main channel uses the seventh time as the starting time to check whether the conditions for performing EDCAF operation are met.

[0225] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a backoff access procedure for a non-NPCA STA provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 12 As shown, the leftmost dashed line indicates the start time when the AP detects the OBSS PPDU. (i.e., the seventh moment) is the end time of OBSS TXOP. The time when the CF-END frame is received is the time when the detected OBSS TXOP transmission ends. Time #00 is the start time for the second station to detect whether the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the main channel are met. The time after the second duration. The second duration can be 0ms, meaning time #00 is... The second duration can also be greater than 0ms, meaning time #00 is earlier than... Figure 12 This illustrates the case where the second duration is greater than 0 ms. For example... Figure 12 As shown, the second station, although in Even after the end of the OBSS PPDU transmission and the main channel transitioning from busy to idle have been detected, the station does not begin checking whether the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the main channel are met. Instead, the check begins at time #00. Optionally, when the second station detects that the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the main channel are met, it performs the EDCAF operation and sends a data packet when the backoff counter decrements to 0. In other words, the non-NPCA STA will remain silent from the start of the OBSS TXOP detection until time #00, without competing for access to the main channel; this improves energy efficiency.

[0226] In one possible implementation, the second station transmits a data packet on the main channel at the eighth time, including: the second station randomly selects a third value as the value of the backoff counter for backoff, the backoff counter starting to backoff earlier than the seventh time; determining that the eighth time when the backoff counter value is reduced to 0 is not earlier than the seventh time; and the second station transmitting the data packet on the main channel at the eighth time. An example of the second station randomly selecting a third value as the value of the backoff counter for backoff is as follows: the second station uses the detected end time of the OBSS TXOP transmission as the start time to check whether the conditions for performing an EDCAF operation on the main channel are met; when the conditions for performing an EDCAF operation on the main channel are met, the EDCAF operation is performed, whereby the third value is randomly selected as the value of the backoff counter for backoff; thus, it can compete for the main channel earlier, so as to transmit data packets on the main channel earlier.

[0227] Optionally, before the second station randomly selects a third value as the backoff counter value for backoff, the following operations are performed: the second station randomly selects a fourth value as the backoff counter value for backoff; randomly selecting a third value as the backoff counter value for backoff includes: when backoff is performed with the fourth value as the backoff counter value and the backoff value is 0, then randomly selecting a third value as the backoff counter value for backoff; this is to avoid packet loss caused by the destination station of the data packet not having switched to the main channel when the second station sends the data packet. Optionally, when the second station randomly selects a value as the backoff counter value for backoff before the seventh time, QSRC[AC] and CW[AC] remain unchanged. An example of a second station randomly selecting the fourth value as the backoff counter value for backoff is as follows: The second station uses the detected end time of the OBSS TXOP transmission as the start time to check whether the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the main channel are met; if the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the main channel are met, the EDCAF operation is performed, and the EDCAF operation involves randomly selecting the fourth value as the backoff counter value for backoff; this allows the station to compete for the main channel earlier, so as to send data packets on the main channel earlier. An example of a second station randomly selecting the third value as the backoff counter value when the backoff counter value is 0 is as follows: The second station uses the fourth value as the backoff counter value for backoff; the time when the backoff counter value is determined to be 0 is earlier than the seventh time; when the backoff counter value is 0, the third value is randomly selected as the backoff counter value for backoff. Before the seventh time, the number of zeros decremented from the backoff counter value by the second station is not limited.

[0228] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram illustrating another non-NPCA STA backoff access procedure provided in an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 13 As shown, the leftmost dashed line indicates the start time when the second station detected the OBSS PPDU. (i.e., the seventh moment) is the end time of OBSS TXOP. The moment the CF-END frame is received is the start time for the second station to detect whether the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-main channel are met. The moment #00 is the moment when the second station performs EDCAF operation, that is, the moment when a value is randomly selected as the value of the backoff counter for backoff. Figure 13 An example is shown where the initial randomly selected backoff counter value is 2. After two consecutive aSlotTime durations, the backoff counter value decreases to 0. The first time the backoff counter value decreases to 0 is earlier than... Figure 13Examples are also shown where the backoff counter value is 6 in the second random selection and 4 in the third selection. See also Figure 13 When the backoff counter at the second station decrements to 0, the second station determines whether the time when the backoff counter decrements to 0 is earlier than [previous time]. If so, then select the backoff counter value again and continue backoff. It should be noted that when the second station selects the backoff counter value again, the values ​​of QSRC[AC] and CW[AC] remain unchanged. When multiple non-NPCA STAs adopt... Figure 13 During the backoff access procedure shown, all of these non-NPCA STAs are at the moment when the AP switches back to the main channel. By randomly selecting the backoff timer value and independently decrementing the backoff timer value while keeping QSRC[AC] and CW[AC] unchanged, the competition fairness between nodes can be guaranteed and the probability of channel collision can be reduced.

[0229] In this embodiment, the second station sends data packets on the main channel at the eighth time, which is no earlier than the seventh time, in order to avoid packet loss caused by the destination station of the data packet not having switched to the main channel when the second station sends the data packet.

[0230] It should be understood that the sequence number of each process in the above embodiments 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.

[0231] It should also be understood that, in the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships.

[0232] It should also be understood that in some embodiments, the examples are mainly based on devices in existing network architectures, and it should be understood that the specific form of the device is not limited in the embodiments of this application. For example, any device that can achieve the same function in the future is applicable to the embodiments of this application.

[0233] It is understood that, in the various method embodiments, the methods and operations implemented by the device (such as the first station, the second station, etc.) can also be implemented by components (such as chips or circuits) that can be used in the device.

[0234] It is also understood that some optional features in the various embodiments of this application may not depend on other features in some scenarios, or may be combined with other features in some scenarios, without limitation.

[0235] Those skilled in the art will recognize that, based on the units and algorithm steps 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 implemented 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.

[0236] The following, combined with Figures 14 to 16 This application provides a detailed description of the communication device provided in its embodiments. It should be understood that the descriptions of the device embodiments correspond to the descriptions of the method embodiments; therefore, any content not described in detail can be found in the above method embodiments. For brevity, some content is omitted.

[0237] This application embodiment can divide the sending or receiving station into functional modules according to the method example. For example, each function can be divided into its own functional modules, 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. The following description uses the division of functional modules according to each function as an example.

[0238] Figure 14 This is a schematic block diagram of the apparatus 10 provided in an embodiment of this application. The apparatus 10 includes a transceiver module 11 and a processing module 12. The transceiver module 11 can implement corresponding communication functions, and the processing module 12 is used for data processing. In other words, the transceiver module 11 is used to perform operations related to receiving and sending, and the processing module 12 is used to perform other operations besides receiving and sending. The transceiver module 11 can also be referred to as a communication interface or a communication unit.

[0239] Optionally, the device 10 may further include a storage module 13, which can be used to store instructions and / or data. The processing module 12 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage module to enable the device to perform the actions of the stations in the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0240] In one design, the device 10 may correspond to the AP in the above method embodiments, or to a component of the AP (such as a chip).

[0241] The device 10 can implement the steps or processes corresponding to the AP in the above method embodiment. The transceiver module 11 can be used to perform the transceiver-related operations of the AP in the above method embodiment, and the processing module 12 can be used to perform the processing-related operations of the AP in the above method embodiment.

[0242] In one possible implementation, the processing module 12 is used to switch the AP to a non-primary channel; determine that the first moment when the value of the backoff counter associated with the non-primary channel is reduced to 0 is earlier than the second moment when the first site switches to the non-primary channel; and determine that the non-primary channel is idle from the first moment to the second moment.

[0243] The transceiver module 11 is used to send the first data packet to the first station on a non-main channel at a second time.

[0244] In one possible implementation, the processing module 12 is further configured to use the moment when the AP switches to a non-primary channel as the starting moment to detect whether the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met; when the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are detected, the EDCAF operation is performed, wherein the EDCAF operation is to randomly select a value as the value of the backoff counter for backoff. The moment when the value of the backoff counter is reduced to 0 is the first moment.

[0245] In one possible implementation, the processing module 12 is further configured to determine that the third moment when the backoff counter value is reduced to 0 is earlier than the second moment; after detecting that the non-main channel is busy before the second moment, a value is randomly selected as the backoff counter value for backoff, and the moment when the backoff counter value is reduced to 0 is the first moment.

[0246] In one possible implementation, the processing module 12 is specifically configured to, after detecting that the non-primary channel is busy before the second time moment, use the time when the non-primary channel is detected to be busy as the starting time moment to check whether the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met; if the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met, the EDCAF operation is performed, wherein the EDCAF operation randomly selects a value as the value of the backoff counter for backoff. In one design, the device 10 may correspond to the second station in the above method embodiment, or a component of the second station (such as a chip).

[0247] The device 10 can implement the steps or processes corresponding to the second station in the above method embodiment, wherein the transceiver module 11 can be used to perform the transceiver-related operations of the second station in the above method embodiment, and the processing module 12 can be used to perform the processing-related operations of the second station in the above method embodiment.

[0248] In some possible embodiments, the processing module 12 is used to switch the second station to a non-primary channel; on the non-primary channel, the later of the time when the second station switches to the non-primary channel and the fifth time is used as the start time to detect whether the conditions for performing EDCAF operation are met, the fifth time is before the second time when the first station switches to the non-primary channel and the offset between the fifth time and the second time is a first duration, and the first station is the destination station of the data packet to be sent by the second station.

[0249] In one possible implementation, the processing module 12 is further configured to perform an EDCAF operation when the condition for performing the EDCAF operation is detected, wherein the EDCAF operation is to randomly select a value as the value of the backoff counter for backoff.

[0250] The transceiver module 11 is used to send data packets to the first station when the backoff counter value is reduced to 0.

[0251] In some other possible embodiments, the processing module 12 is used to switch the second station to a non-main channel; randomly select a first value as the value of the backoff counter for backoff, the time when the backoff counter starts backoff is earlier than the second time when the first station switches to a non-main channel; and determine that the sixth time when the value of the backoff counter decreases to 0 is not earlier than the second time.

[0252] The transceiver module 11 is used to send data packets to the first station on a non-main channel at the sixth moment.

[0253] In one possible implementation, the processing module is specifically used to detect whether the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met, using the moment when the second station switches to the non-primary channel as the starting moment; when the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are detected, the EDCAF operation is performed, wherein the EDCAF operation is to randomly select a first value as the value of the backoff counter for backoff.

[0254] In some other possible embodiments, the processing module 12 is configured to switch the second station to a non-primary channel; use the time when the second station switches to the non-primary channel as the starting time to detect whether the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met; if the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met, perform EDCAF operation, wherein the EDCAF operation is to randomly select a first value as the value of the backoff counter for backoff, and the time when the second station switches to the non-primary channel is earlier than the second time when the first station switches to the non-primary channel; determine that the first value is used as the value of the backoff counter for backoff, and the sixth time when the backoff is 0 is not earlier than the second time;

[0255] The transceiver module 11 is used to send data packets to the first station on a non-main channel at the sixth moment.

[0256] In some other possible embodiments, the processing module 12 is configured to switch the second station to a non-primary channel; use the moment when the second station switches to the non-primary channel as the starting moment to detect whether the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met: when the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the non-primary channel are met, perform EDCAF operation, wherein the EDCAF operation is to randomly select a second value as the value of the backoff counter for backoff, and the moment when the second station switches to the non-primary channel is earlier than the second moment when the first station switches to the non-primary channel; determine that the second value is used as the value of the backoff counter for backoff, and the moment when the backoff reaches 0 is earlier than the second moment; when the second value is used as the value of the backoff counter for backoff, and the backoff reaches 0, randomly select a first value as the value of the backoff counter for backoff; determine that the first value is used as the value of the backoff counter for backoff, and the sixth moment when the backoff reaches 0 is not earlier than the second moment;

[0257] The transceiver module 11 is used to send data packets to the first station on a non-main channel at the sixth moment.

[0258] In some other possible embodiments, transceiver module 11 is used to receive OBSS PPDU, which includes indication information indicating the seventh moment when the OBSS TXOP transmission ends on the main channel;

[0259] Processing module 12 is used to determine that the time when the detected OBSS TXOP transmission ends is earlier than the seventh time.

[0260] The transceiver module 11 is also used to send data packets on the main channel at the eighth time, which is no earlier than the seventh time.

[0261] In one possible implementation, the processing module 12 is further configured to, on the main channel, use the time two times earlier than the seventh time as the starting time to detect whether the conditions for performing an EDCAF operation are met. The EDCAF operation is to randomly select a value as the value of the backoff counter for backoff. When it is detected that the conditions for performing an EDCAF operation on the main channel are met, the EDCAF operation is performed.

[0262] The transceiver module 11 is specifically used to send data packets on the main channel at the eighth moment when the backoff counter value is reduced to 0.

[0263] In one possible implementation, the processing module 12 is further configured to randomly select a third value as the value of the backoff counter for backoff, the time when the backoff counter starts backoff is earlier than the seventh time; and to determine that the eighth time when the value of the backoff counter is reduced to 0 is not earlier than the seventh time.

[0264] In one possible implementation, the processing module 12 is specifically used to detect whether the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the main channel are met by taking the time when the detected OBSS TXOP transmission ends as the start time; when the conditions for performing EDCAF operation on the main channel are met, the EDCAF operation is performed, and the EDCAF operation is to randomly select a third value as the value of the backoff counter for backoff.

[0265] It should be understood that the specific process of each unit performing the corresponding steps has been described in detail in the method embodiment, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0266] It should also be understood that the device 10 here is embodied in the form of a functional module. The term "module" here may refer to application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), electronic circuits, processors (e.g., shared processors, proprietary processors, or group processors) and memories for executing one or more software or firmware programs, integrated logic circuits, and / or other suitable components that support the described functions.

[0267] The apparatus 10 of each embodiment has the function of implementing the corresponding steps performed by the station (such as the first station) in the method. This function can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the function; for example, the transceiver module can be replaced by a transceiver (e.g., the transmitting unit in the transceiver module can be replaced by a transmitter, and the receiving unit in the transceiver module can be replaced by a receiver), and other units, such as processing modules, can be replaced by processors, which respectively execute the transceiver operations and related processing operations in each method embodiment.

[0268] In addition, the transceiver module 11 can also be a transceiver circuit (for example, it may include a receiving circuit and a transmitting circuit), and the processing module can be a processing circuit.

[0269] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of another device 20 provided in an embodiment of this application. The device 20 includes a processor 21, which is configured to execute computer programs or instructions stored in a memory 22, or to read data / signaling stored in the memory 22, so that a site including the device 20 performs the methods described in the above method embodiments. Optionally, there may be one or more processors 21.

[0270] Optionally, such as Figure 15 As shown, the device 20 also includes a memory 22 for storing computer programs or instructions and / or data. The memory 22 may be integrated with the processor 21 or may be disposed separately. Optionally, there may be one or more memories 22.

[0271] Optionally, such as Figure 15 As shown, the device 20 also includes a transceiver 23 for receiving and / or transmitting signals. For example, the processor 21 controls the transceiver 23 to receive and / or transmit signals.

[0272] As one option, the device 20 is used to implement the operations performed by the AP in the various method embodiments described above.

[0273] As one option, the device 20 is used to implement the operations performed by the second station in the various method embodiments described above.

[0274] It should be understood that the processor mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0275] It should also be understood that the memory mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory and / or non-volatile memory. 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. Volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM). For example, RAM can be used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, RAM includes the following forms: 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 linked dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM).

[0276] It should be noted that when the processor is a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, or discrete hardware component, the memory (storage module) can be integrated into the processor.

[0277] It should also be noted that the memory described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0278] Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of a chip system 30 provided in an embodiment of this application. The chip system 30 (or processing system) includes logic circuitry 31 and an input / output interface 32.

[0279] The logic circuit 31 can be a processing circuit in the chip system 30. The logic circuit 31 can be coupled to a memory unit, calling instructions from the memory unit, enabling the site including the chip system 30 to implement the methods and functions of the various embodiments of this application. The input / output interface 32 can be an input / output circuit in the chip system 30, outputting processed information from the chip system 30, or inputting data or signaling information to be processed into the chip system 30 for processing.

[0280] As one approach, the chip system 30 is used to implement the operations performed by the AP in the various method embodiments described above.

[0281] For example, logic circuit 31 is used to implement the processing-related operations performed by AP in the above method embodiment; input / output interface 32 is used to implement the sending and / or receiving-related operations performed by AP in the above method embodiment.

[0282] As one approach, the chip system 30 is used to implement the operations performed by the second station in the various method embodiments described above.

[0283] For example, logic circuit 31 is used to implement the processing-related operations performed by the second station in the above method embodiment; input / output interface 32 is used to implement the sending and / or receiving-related operations performed by the second station in the above method embodiment.

[0284] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of another device 40 provided in an embodiment of this application. The device includes a processing module, a transmitting unit, and a receiving unit. Figure 17 The device 40 shown can be internal to the AP or to a non-AP STA. For example, the transmitting unit is responsible for transmitting information about the site and can be used to transmit PPDUs (or data packets) on the AP side or on the non-AP STA side. The receiving unit is responsible for receiving information from the air interface and can be used on the AP side to receive PPDUs transmitted by the non-AP STA side or on the non-AP STA side to receive PPDUs transmitted by the AP side. The transmitting and receiving units can be integrated into a transceiver unit.

[0285] The processing module can be used to determine the timing of PPDU transmission during the backoff access process. This timing setting can be used to detect whether the method provided in this application is being used. For example, in a scenario with only one AP and NPCA STA, the saturation service sent by the AP to the NPCA STA can be configured. When an OBSS PPDU is transmitted on the primary channel, the AP and NPCA STA will switch to non-primary channel access. After specifying handover delay values ​​for the AP and NPCA STA respectively, the timing of the AP transmitting downlink services to the NPCA STA on the non-primary channel can be used to identify whether the method provided in this application has been adopted. With the method of this application adopted, the AP always transmits downlink services to the NPCA STA only after the NPCA STA detects the OBSS PPDU plus the NPCA STA's handover delay.

[0286] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the methods of the above embodiments.

[0287] This application also provides a computer program product, which includes instructions or a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the methods in the above embodiments to be executed.

[0288] This application also provides a chip, which includes: a communication interface and a processor; the communication interface is used for signal transmission and reception of the chip; the processor is used to execute computer program instructions, causing a communication device including the chip to perform the methods as described in the above embodiments.

[0289] The explanations and beneficial effects of the relevant contents in any of the devices provided above can be found in the corresponding method embodiments provided above, and will not be repeated here.

[0290] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus 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 mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces, and the indirect coupling or communication connection of apparatus or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0291] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, it can be implemented, in whole or in part, as a computer program product. A 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 flow or function according to the embodiments of this application is generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. For example, the computer can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc. Computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center 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 that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available media can be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., DVDs), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks, SSDs). For example, the aforementioned available media include, but are not limited to, USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks, and other media capable of storing program code.

[0292] 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 transmission method on a non-primary channel, characterized in that, include: Switch to a non-primary channel; The first moment when the backoff counter associated with the non-primary channel is determined to be reduced to 0 is earlier than the second moment when the first station switches to the non-primary channel; It is determined that the non-primary channel is idle from the first time point to the second time point; At the second moment, on the non-primary channel, the first data packet is sent to the first station.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: The third moment when the value of the backoff counter is determined to be reduced to 0 is earlier than the second moment; After detecting that the non-main channel is busy before the second time point, a value is randomly selected as the value of the backoff counter for backoff, and the time when the value of the backoff counter is reduced to 0 is the first time point.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: The fourth moment at which the value of the backoff counter decreases to 0 is no earlier than the second moment; At the fourth moment, a second data packet is sent to the first station on the non-primary channel.

4. A transmission method on a non-primary channel, characterized in that, The method is applied to a second site, and the method includes: Switch to a non-primary channel; On the non-primary channel, the later of the time when the second station switches to the non-primary channel and the fifth time is used as the starting time to detect whether the conditions for performing the Enhanced Distributed Channel Access Function (EDCAF) operation are met. The fifth time is before the second time when the first station switches to the non-primary channel and the offset between the fifth time and the second time is a first duration. The first station is the destination station of the data packet to be sent by the second station.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first duration is determined based on the short inter-frame interval (SIFS), the arbitration inter-frame interval (AIFSN), the time slot, and the transition time from the receive state to the transmit state.

6. A transmission method on a non-primary channel, characterized in that, include: Switch to a non-primary channel; A first value is randomly selected as the value of the backoff counter for backoff, and the time when the backoff counter starts backoff is earlier than the second time when the first station switches to the non-main channel; The sixth moment at which the value of the backoff counter decreases to 0 is no earlier than the second moment; At the sixth moment, a data packet is sent to the first station on the non-primary channel.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, Before randomly selecting a first value as the value of the backoff counter for backoff, the method further includes: Randomly select the second value as the value of the backoff counter for backoff; Randomly select the first value as the value of the backoff counter for backoff, including: When the second value is used as the value of the backoff counter for backoff, and the backoff value is 0, the first value is randomly selected as the value of the backoff counter for backoff.

8. A transmission method on a main channel, characterized in that, The method is applied to sites that do not support channel switching, and the method includes: Receive Overlapping Basic Services Set (OBSS) Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (PPDU), the OBSS PPDU including indication information, the indication information being used to indicate the seventh moment when the OBSS Transmission Opportunity (TXOP) ends transmission on the main channel; It was determined that the time at which the detected OBSS TXOP transmission ended was earlier than the seventh time. At the eighth moment, a data packet is transmitted on the main channel, the eighth moment being no earlier than the seventh moment.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, At the eighth moment, data packets are transmitted on the main channel, including: On the main channel, the time when the seventh time is advanced by the second time is used as the starting time to check whether the conditions for performing the Enhanced Distributed Channel Access Function (EDCAF) operation are met. The EDCAF operation is to randomly select a value as the value of the backoff counter for backoff. At the eighth moment when the backoff counter value decreases to 0, the data packet is transmitted on the main channel.

10. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, At the eighth moment, data packets are transmitted on the main channel, including: A third value is randomly selected as the value of the backoff counter for backoff, and the time when the backoff counter starts backoff is earlier than the seventh time. The eighth moment at which the value of the backoff counter is determined to be 0 is not earlier than the seventh moment; At the eighth moment, the data packet is transmitted on the main channel.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, Before randomly selecting a third value as the value of the backoff counter for backoff, the method further includes: Randomly select the fourth value as the value of the backoff counter for backoff; Randomly select a third value as the value of the backoff counter for backoff, including: When the fourth value is used as the value of the backoff counter for backoff, and the backoff value is 0, the third value is randomly selected as the value of the backoff counter for backoff.

12. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-3, or it includes a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 4-11.

13. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes a processor coupled to a memory for storing computer programs or instructions, and the processor is configured to execute the computer programs or instructions in the memory, causing the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 11.

14. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 11.

15. A chip, characterized in that, include: A communication interface and a processor; the communication interface is used for signal transmission and reception of the chip; the processor is used to execute a computer program or instructions, causing the communication device including the chip to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 11.

16. A computer program product, characterized in that, When the computer program product is run on a computer, it causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 11.

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