Communication method, apparatus, and access point

Abstract

The application discloses a communication method, device and access point, and belongs to the technical field of communication. The communication method comprises the following steps: a first access point sends a cooperative beam forming (Co-BF) detection invitation frame to a second access point; and the first access point receives a Co-BF detection response frame from the second access point. The Co-BF detection invitation frame is used to start an ultra-high reliability (UHR) Co-BF detection sequence. The Co-BF detection invitation frame carries at least one of the following pieces of information: a first LTF symbol number; or a first spatial stream number. The Co-BF detection response frame carries at least one of the following pieces of information: whether the second access point accepts or rejects participating in the UHR Co-BF detection sequence; a second LTF symbol number; a second spatial stream number; or a first Co-BF user number.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] The goal of Coordinated Beamforming (Co-BF) is to allow two APs with multiple transmit links to transmit concurrently to their associated stations (STAs), while minimizing interference to Overlapping Basic Service Set (OBSS) stations by utilizing Channel State Information (CSI) between each AP and the target station of the other AP in the cooperative transmission, thereby achieving more efficient media utilization. Specifically, the Ultra-High Reliability (UHR) Co-BF beamformer, which initiates the UHR Co-BF sounding invitation frame, is the initiating AP. The UHR Co-BF beamformer, which responds to the Co-BF sounding invitation frame sent by the initiating AP, is the responding AP. There is limited content related to Co-BF Sounding Invite frames and Co-BFS Sounding Response frames in the relevant technologies, which may affect the performance of Co-BF Sounding. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a communication method, apparatus, and access point.

[0004] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, executed by a first access point, the method comprising:

[0005] The first access point sends a Cooperative Beamforming (Co-BF) probe invitation frame to the second access point;

[0006] The first access point receives a Co-BF probe response frame from the second access point;

[0007] The Co-BF probe invitation frame is used to initiate an ultra-high reliability UHR Co-BF probe sequence; the Co-BF probe invitation frame carries at least one of the following information: a first LTF symbol number; or, a first spatial stream number;

[0008] The Co-BF probe response frame carries at least one of the following information: whether the second access point accepts or refuses to participate in the UHR Co-BF probe sequence; the second LTF symbol count; the second spatial stream count; or the first Co-BF user count.

[0009] Secondly, a communication method is provided, executed by a second access point, the method comprising:

[0010] The second access point receives a Cooperative Beamforming (Co-BF) probe invitation frame from the first access point;

[0011] The second access point sends a Co-BF probe response frame to the first access point;

[0012] The Co-BF probe invitation frame is used to initiate an ultra-high reliability UHR Co-BF probe sequence; the Co-BF probe invitation frame carries at least one of the following information: a first LTF symbol number; or, a first spatial stream number;

[0013] The Co-BF probe response frame carries at least one of the following information: whether the second access point accepts or refuses to participate in the UHR Co-BF probe sequence; the second LTF symbol count; the second spatial stream count; or the first Co-BF user count.

[0014] Thirdly, a communication device is provided, comprising:

[0015] The first transceiver module is used to send a Cooperative Beamforming (Co-BF) probe invitation frame to the second access point;

[0016] The first transceiver module is further configured to receive a Co-BF probe response frame from the second access point;

[0017] The Co-BF probe invitation frame is used to initiate an ultra-high reliability UHR Co-BF probe sequence; the Co-BF probe invitation frame carries at least one of the following information: a first LTF symbol number; or, a first spatial stream number;

[0018] The Co-BF probe response frame carries at least one of the following information: whether the second access point accepts or refuses to participate in the UHR Co-BF probe sequence; the second LTF symbol count; the second spatial stream count; or the first Co-BF user count.

[0019] Fourthly, a communication device is provided, comprising:

[0020] The second transceiver module is used to receive Co-BF probe invitation frames from the first access point;

[0021] The second transceiver module is also used to send a Co-BF probe response frame to the first access point;

[0022] The Co-BF probe invitation frame is used to initiate an ultra-high reliability UHR Co-BF probe sequence; the Co-BF probe invitation frame carries at least one of the following information: a first LTF symbol number; or, a first spatial stream number;

[0023] The Co-BF probe response frame carries at least one of the following information: whether the second access point accepts or refuses to participate in the UHR Co-BF probe sequence; the second LTF symbol count; the second spatial stream count; or the first Co-BF user count.

[0024] Fifthly, a communication device is provided, the device being configured to perform the steps of the method described in the first aspect, or to implement the steps of the method described in the second aspect.

[0025] In a sixth aspect, an access point is provided, the access point including a processor and a memory, the memory storing a program or instructions executable on the processor, the program or instructions, when executed by the processor, implementing the steps of the method as described in the first aspect, or implementing the steps of the method as described in the second aspect.

[0026] In a seventh aspect, an access point is provided, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is used to send a Co-BF (Cooperative Beamforming) probe invitation frame to a second access point; the communication interface is also used to receive a Co-BF probe response frame from the second access point; or,

[0027] The communication interface is used to receive a Co-BF probe invitation frame from the first access point; the communication interface is also used to send a Co-BF probe response frame to the first access point.

[0028] Eighthly, a readable storage medium is provided, on which a program or instructions are stored, which, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the method described in the first aspect, or implement the steps of the method described in the second aspect.

[0029] A ninth aspect provides a wireless communication system, comprising: a first access point and a second access point, wherein the first access point is configured to perform the steps of the method described in the first aspect, and the second access point is configured to perform the steps of the method described in the second aspect.

[0030] In a tenth aspect, a chip is provided, the chip including a processor and a communication interface coupled to the processor, the processor being configured to run a program or instructions to implement the steps of the method described in the first aspect, or to implement the steps of the method described in the second aspect.

[0031] Eleventhly, a computer program / program product is provided, which is stored in a storage medium and is executed by at least one processor to implement the steps of the method as described in the first aspect, or to implement the steps of the method as described in the second aspect.

[0032] In this embodiment, by adding at least one of the first LTF symbol count or the first spatial stream count to the Co-BF probe invitation frame, the second access point can obtain at least one of the UHR-LTF symbol count or the spatial stream count corresponding to the site associated with the first access point by receiving the Co-BF probe invitation frame. By adding at least one of the second LTF symbol count, the second spatial stream count, or the first Co-BF user count to the Co-BF probe response frame, the first access point can obtain at least one of the allowed additional LTF symbol count, the spatial stream count corresponding to the site associated with the second access point, or the number of sites associated with the second access point by receiving the Co-BF probe response frame. This achieves Co-BF parameter negotiation, enabling the first and second access points to perform more accurate cooperative beamforming detection, thereby improving the performance (including reliability) of cooperative beamforming detection. Attached Figure Description

[0033] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0034] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a network architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0035] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a process provided in this application embodiment, in which AP1 acts as the initiating AP to start a UHR Co-BF sequential NDP probe sequence;

[0036] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a process provided in this application embodiment, in which AP2 acts as the initiating AP to start a UHR Co-BF sequential NDP probe sequence;

[0037] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a process provided in this application embodiment, in which AP1 initiates a UHR Co-BF joint NDP detection sequence.

[0038] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a process provided in this application embodiment, in which AP2 initiates a UHR Co-BF joint NDP detection sequence as the initiating AP;

[0039] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0040] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first STA information field in a UHR NDP Announcement frame provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0041] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of the second STA information field in a UHR NDP Announcement frame provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0042] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of an EHT detector for NDP provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0043] Figure 10 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0044] Figure 11 This is a second schematic diagram of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0045] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0046] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0047] The terms "first," "second," etc., used in the specification and claims of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and not to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such use of data can be interchanged where appropriate so that embodiments of this application can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein, and the objects distinguished by "first," "second," etc., are generally of the same class and the number of objects is not limited; for example, a first object can be one or more. Furthermore, in the specification and claims, "and / or" indicates at least one of the connected objects, and the character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0048] The term "instruction" in this application can be either a direct instruction (or explicit instruction) or an indirect instruction (or implicit instruction). A direct instruction can be understood as one in which the sender explicitly informs the receiver of specific information, the operation to be performed, or the requested result, etc., in the instruction sent. An indirect instruction can be understood as one in which the receiver determines the corresponding information based on the instruction sent by the sender, or makes a judgment and determines the operation to be performed or the requested result, etc., based on the judgment result.

[0049] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to wireless local area network (WLAN) systems, and are applicable to any of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series protocols used in WLANs, such as 802.11a / b / g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11bn, and future 802.11 protocols. The methods provided in this application can be implemented by communication devices in a wireless communication system or by chips or processors within those devices. Accordingly, the communication device supports communication using the IEEE 802.11 series protocols. Although the embodiments of this application are mainly illustrated using a network deploying IEEE 802.11 as an example, those skilled in the art will readily understand that the various aspects involved in this application can be extended to other networks employing various standards or protocols, such as Bluetooth, high-performance radio LAN (HIPERLAN) (a wireless standard similar to IEEE 802.11, mainly used in Europe), wide area network (WAN), WLAN, personal area network (PAN), wireless personal area network systems based on ultra-wideband (UWB), sensing systems, or other networks now known or to be developed in the future. The methods provided in the embodiments of this application can be applied to the IEEE 802.15 series protocols, such as the 802.15.4a protocol, the 802.15.4z protocol, or the 802.15.4ab protocol, or a future generation of UWB WPAN protocol, etc., which will not be listed one by one.The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to the following communication systems, such as Internet of Things (IoT) systems, Vehicle-to-X (V2X) systems, narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) systems, devices used in V2X systems, IoT nodes and sensors in IoT systems, smart cameras, smart remote controls, smart water and electricity meters in smart homes, and sensors in smart cities. Alternatively, they can also be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, 5th-generation (5G) communication systems, and new communication systems that will emerge in future communication developments. 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.

[0050] In the Wi-Fi protocol, a station (abbreviated as STA) includes access point stations (abbreviated as AP STA) and non-access point stations (abbreviated as non-AP station). For the sake of simplicity, access point stations are usually called access points (abbreviated as AP), and non-access point stations are called stations (abbreviated as STA).

[0051] For example, please refer to Figure 1 This illustration shows a schematic diagram of the network architecture of a communication system 100 provided in some embodiments of this application. The communication system 100 may include an access point AP 110 and a station STA 120 that accesses the network through the access point 110.

[0052] In this application embodiment, the access point can also be referred to as an access point device, and the site can also be referred to as a site device.

[0053] The communication in the communication system 100 can be communication between an AP and a non-AP STA, communication between two non-AP STAs, or communication between a STA and a peer STA. Here, a peer STA can refer to a device that communicates with a STA on an equal footing. For example, a peer STA may be an AP or a non-AP STA.

[0054] An access point (AP) acts as a bridge connecting wired and wireless networks. Its main function is to connect various wireless network clients together and then connect the wireless network to the Ethernet. AP devices can be terminal devices with Wi-Fi chips (such as mobile phones) or network devices (such as wireless routers, wireless switches, or wireless repeaters).

[0055] It should be understood that the role of a STA in a communication system is not absolute. For example, in some scenarios, when a mobile phone connects to a router, it is a non-AP STA; when the mobile phone acts as a hotspot for other mobile phones, it plays the role of an AP.

[0056] Access points can support communication or sensing based on Wi-Fi protocols, such as 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11bn, or next-generation or later protocols.

[0057] The site can support communication or sensing based on Wi-Fi protocols, such as 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11bn, or next-generation or later protocols.

[0058] 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.

[0059] In this embodiment, an access point is a device with wireless communication capabilities, supporting communication or sensing using the WLAN protocol. It has the function of communicating or sensing with other devices in the WLAN network (such as non-AP STAs or other access points), and can also have the function of communicating or sensing with other devices. Alternatively, an access point acts as a bridge connecting wired and wireless networks, primarily connecting various wireless network clients together and then connecting the wireless network to the Ethernet. This wireless communication device can be a complete device, or a chip, processing system, or functional module installed within a complete device. Devices with these chips, processing systems, or functional modules can implement the methods and functions of this embodiment under the control of the chips, processing systems, or functional modules. The AP in this embodiment is a device providing services to non-AP STAs and can support 802.11 series protocols or subsequent protocols. For example, an access point can be an access point for terminals (such as mobile phones) to enter a wired (or wireless) network, mainly deployed in homes, buildings, and parks, with a typical coverage radius of tens to hundreds of meters; it can also be deployed outdoors. For example, an AP can be a communication server, router, switch, bridge, or other communication entity; APs can include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, repeater stations, etc.

[0060] In the embodiments of this application, the site can be a user terminal device supporting WLAN or Wi-Fi technology, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a computer, a virtual reality (VR) device, an augmented reality (AR) device, a wireless device in industrial control, a set-top box, a wireless device in autonomous driving, a vehicle communication device, a wireless device in remote medical care, a wireless device in a smart grid, a wireless device in transportation safety, a wireless device in a smart city or a wireless device in a smart home, a wireless communication chip / application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) / system on chip (SOC), etc.

[0061] WLAN technology can support frequency bands including but not limited to: low frequency bands (e.g., 2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz) and high frequency bands (e.g., 45GHz or 60GHz).

[0062] Figure 1 An exemplary embodiment shows one AP 110 and two non-AP STAs 120. Optionally, the communication system 100 may include multiple AP STAs and other numbers of non-AP STAs, which is not limited in this application embodiment.

[0063] It should be understood that devices with communication functions in the network / system of this application embodiment can be referred to as communication devices. Figure 1 Taking the communication system 100 shown as an example, the communication equipment may include an access point 110 and a station 120 with communication functions. The access point 110 and the station 120 may be the specific equipment mentioned above, which will not be repeated here. The communication equipment may also include other equipment in the communication system 100, such as network controllers, gateways and other network entities. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0064] It should be understood that the terms “system” and “network” used in this application are often used interchangeably herein.

[0065] In the description of the embodiments of this application, the term "correspondence" may indicate that there is a direct or indirect correspondence between two things, or that there is an association between two things, or that there is a relationship of instruction and being instructed, configuration and being configured, etc.

[0066] In this application embodiment, "predefined" can be implemented by pre-storing corresponding codes, tables, or other means that can be used to indicate relevant information in the device (e.g., including access points and sites). This application does not limit the specific implementation method. For example, predefined can refer to what is defined in the protocol.

[0067] In this application embodiment, "protocol" may refer to standard protocols in the field of communication, such as Wi-Fi protocols and related protocols applied in future Wi-Fi communication systems, and this application does not limit it.

[0068] Access point 110 and site 120 can associate and communicate via wireless LAN technology. Association refers to the process of negotiating wireless link services between the STA and AP to establish a wireless link between them.

[0069] Coordinated Beamforming (Co-BF) aims to achieve higher media utilization by allowing two APs with multiple transmit links to transmit concurrently to their associated STAs, while minimizing interference to Overlapping Basic Service Set (OBSS) sites by utilizing Channel State Information (CSI) between each AP and its own target STA. Specifically, each AP transmits data to its associated non-AP STAs within its Basic Service Set (BSS), while using CSI between the other AP and its own target STA to minimize interference to the other AP's associated non-AP STAs. This CSI includes information about each AP and its corresponding associated non-AP STAs. The number of participating APs in the cooperative beamforming transmission should be 2, and the maximum number of spatial streams supported by each receiving STA corresponding to the cooperative beamforming transmission is 2.

[0070] For non-Co-BF beamforming transmissions, Ultra-High Reliability (UHR) sites employ Extremely High Throughput (EHT) probing protocols to acquire channel state information; for Co-BF transmissions, UHR sites employ UHR probing protocols. In Co-BF, the UHR probing protocol provides an explicit feedback mechanism, known as the UHR Co-BF probing sequence. In this sequence, the UHR Co-BF beamformer measures the channel using training signals transmitted by one or two UHR cooperative beamformers and returns a channel state estimate in a multi-user (MU) feedback type via EHT Compressed Beamforming / CQI; the UHR Co-BF beamformer then uses this channel state estimate to calculate the steering matrix. Among them, UHR Cooperative Beamforming Beamformer refers to the UHR AP that operates as the MU beamformer; UHR Co-BF Beamformer refers to the UHR non-AP STA that operates as the MU beamformee.

[0071] UHR Co-BF detection reuses the EHT detection process and the retransmission mechanism of the 11be feedback segment rules.

[0072] The initiating AP refers to the UHR Co-BF beamformer that initiates the UHR Co-BF sounding sequence via a Co-BF sounding invitation frame. The responding AP refers to the UHR Co-BF beamformer that responds to the initiating AP's Co-BF sounding invitation frame via a Co-BF sounding response frame. The UHR Co-BF sounding sequence includes: a UHR Co-BF sequential NPD sounding sequence and a UHR Co-BF joint NPD sounding sequence. The UHR Co-BF beamformer must support the UHR Co-BF sequential NPD sounding sequence and may optionally support the UHR Co-BF joint NPD sounding sequence.

[0073] To perform UHRCo-BF probes, the initiating AP sends a UHRNDP Announcement frame to trigger the responding AP to send an EHT probe NDP. After this frame is sent, following a Short Interframe Space (SIFS), in the UHR Co-BF sequential NDP probe sequence, the responding AP sends an EHT probe NDP; in the UHR Co-BF joint NDP probe sequence, both the initiating and responding APs send EHT probe NDPs simultaneously. Subsequently, after another SIFS, the initiating AP sends a Beamforming Report Poll Trigger Frame (BFRP Trigger). The responding AP receives an EHT TB PPDU sent by a non-AP STA associated with the initiating AP; this EHT TB PPDU carries an EHT compressed beamforming / channel quality indicator. If there are subsequent BFRP Trigger frames in the UHR Co-BF probe sequence, each frame should be sent via SIFS after the EHT TB PPDU triggered by the previous BFRP Trigger frame has been sent.

[0074] The UHR NDP Announcement frame, designed to be received by non-AP STAs associated with the initiating AP and by the responding station, contains three or more STA Info fields, and its Receiver Address (RA) field is set to the broadcast address. The STA Info field contains the Access Point Identifier (APID) and the associated Site Identifier (AID) values, corresponding to the responding AP and the non-AP UHR STA associated with the initiating AP, respectively. The EHT Probe NDP is used by subsequent stations to perform channel state measurements between the station and the sending AP. The UHR Co-BF beamforming receiver (i.e., the station) addressed by the BFRP Trigger frame responds with an EHT TBPPDU after SIFS. The EHT TBPPDU carries an EHT Compressed Beamforming / Channel Quality Indicator, which in turn carries channel state estimates between the station and the sending AP. The BFRPTrigger frame is used to enable the responding AP to receive the EHT TBPPDU sent by a non-AP STA associated with the initiating AP, based on the information carried in the frame.

[0075] Figure 2This is a schematic diagram illustrating a process where AP1 initiates a UHR Co-BF sequential NDP probe sequence, as provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 2 As shown, AP1, as the initiating AP, performs the operations related to the initiating AP described above. It should be noted that in the UHR Co-BF sequential NDP probe sequence, in order to collect all the channel states required to calculate the Co-BF transmission steering matrix, both UHR Co-BF beamformers must each initiate a UHR Co-BF sequential NDP probe sequence to obtain the channel states of their associated non-APSTAs.

[0076] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a process where AP2 initiates a UHR Co-BF sequential NDP probe sequence, as provided in an embodiment of this application. The UHR Co-BF sequential NDP probe sequence consists of an EHT TB probe sequence and a UHRCo-BF probe sequence spanning the BSS. Figure 3 As shown, AP2, acting as the initiating AP, performs the aforementioned operations related to the initiating AP. According to the aforementioned UHR Co-BF sequential NDP probe sequence procedure, the UHR cooperative beamforming sequential probe procedure is as follows: Before the cross-BSS UHR cooperative beamforming probe sequence is initiated, the initiating AP and the responding AP should exchange Co-BF Sounding Invite frames and Co-BF Sounding Response frames. The responding AP can declare in the Co-BF Sounding Response frame whether it accepts or refuses to participate in the cross-BSS UHR cooperative beamforming probe sequence, as well as the minimum number of spatial streams (NSS) required for participating non-AP STAs, and will interact with the aforementioned probe invitation frame and probe response frame.

[0077] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a process where AP1 initiates a UHR Co-BF joint NDP detection sequence, as provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 4As shown, this sequence is procedurally similar to the UHR Co-BF sequential NDP probe sequence, with the difference being: after the initiating AP sends the UHR NDP Announcement frame, after SIFS, both the initiating AP and the responding AP simultaneously send their respective EHT probe NDPs. This UHR NDP Announcement frame is only sent to the responding AP and all non-AP UHR STAs associated with the initiating AP. For the UHR Co-BF joint NDP probe sequence, the responding APs all receive the EHT TB PPDU subsequently sent by the non-AP STAs associated with the initiating AP based on the information carried in the BFRPTrigger frame.

[0078] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a process where AP2 initiates a UHR Co-BF joint NDP probe sequence as the initiating AP, according to an embodiment of this application. It can be understood that AP2 acts as the initiating AP, AP1 acts as the responding AP performing corresponding operations, and the STA associated with AP2 (the initiating AP) performs channel state measurements. Figure 4 and Figure 5 The method shown yields all the channel states required for calculating the Co-BF transmission steering matrix.

[0079] Based on the aforementioned UHR Co-BF joint NDP probe sequence procedure, the procedure for this UHR cooperative beamforming joint probe is as follows: Before initiating the UHR cooperative beamforming joint null packet probe sequence, the initiating AP and the responding AP must exchange a Co-BF Sounding Invite frame and a Co-BF Sounding Response frame. The responding AP can declare in the probe response frame whether it accepts or refuses to participate in the UHR cooperative beamforming joint null packet probe sequence; the minimum probe spatial stream number (NSS) capability information required by participating non-AP STAs will be exchanged through the aforementioned two types of frames.

[0080] The latest developments regarding the Co-BF Sounding Invite frame and Co-BF Sounding Response frame are as follows. The currently defined content in the standard is as follows:

[0081] The Co-Bridgeform Sounding Invite frame only specifies three pieces of information: bandwidth, punched channel information, and minimum sounding NSS capability.

[0082] The Co-BF Sounding Response frame only identifies three pieces of information: minimum sounding NSS capability, unavailability / decline indication, and reasons for rejecting a Co-BF Sounding Invitation (to be determined).

[0083] There is limited content related to Co-BF Sounding Invite and Co-BF Sounding Response frames in the relevant technologies, which may affect the performance of Co-BF Sounding.

[0084] To address, or at least partially address, the above-mentioned problems, embodiments of this application provide a communication method. The communication method provided by these embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, through some examples and application scenarios.

[0085] It is worth noting that the various solutions provided in the embodiments of this application may be described individually or separately below, but in actual implementation, some or all of the proposed solutions may be used in combination or implemented in other ways. Of course, each proposed solution can be used individually or separately or implemented in other ways.

[0086] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 6 As shown, the communication method includes at least one of steps 600 to 603.

[0087] It should be understood that the communication method involved in the embodiments of this application may include at least one of steps 600 to 603. Figure 6 Each step can be implemented as a separate embodiment, and Figure 6 The combination of any two steps can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0088] Step 600: The first access point sends a Cooperative Beamforming (Co-BF) probe invitation frame to the second access point;

[0089] Step 601: The second access point receives a Cooperative Beamforming (Co-BF) probe invitation frame from the first access point;

[0090] The Co-BF probe invitation frame is used to initiate the UHR Co-BF probe sequence; the Co-BF probe invitation frame carries at least one of the following information: the first LTF symbol number; or, the first spatial stream number;

[0091] The first access point is the UHR Co-BF beamformer, which initiates the UHR Co-BF beamformer sequence via a Co-BF Sounding Invite frame. This can be referred to as the initiating AP, or simply the initiating AP. The second access point is the UHR Co-BF beamformer that responds to the Co-BF Sounding Invite frame. This can be referred to as the responding AP, or simply the responding AP.

[0092] Optionally, the UHR Co-BF detection sequence includes at least one of the following:

[0093] UHR Co-BF sequential NDP probe sequence;

[0094] UHR Co-BF detection sequences across BSS; or,

[0095] UHR Co-BF combined NDP detection sequence.

[0096] It is understood that the UHR Co-BF probe sequence includes the UHR Co-BF sequential NDP probe sequence and / or the UHR Co-BF joint empty packet probe sequence. The UHR Co-BF sequential NDP probe sequence consists of an EHT TB probe sequence and a cross-BSS UHR Co-BF probe sequence. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the EHT TB probe sequence and the UHR Co-BF probe sequence across BSS have different methods and functions.

[0097] The first access point, acting as the initiator, sends a Co-BF probe invitation frame to the second access point, acting as the responding access point (AP). The Co-BF probe invitation frame may include relevant Co-BF parameters and is negotiated with the second access point.

[0098] In some embodiments, the first LTF symbol number is the UHR-LTF symbol number.

[0099] The Long Training Field (LTF) symbol count is a long training field used for channel estimation, ensuring that the receiver can accurately demodulate data. The UHR-LTF field provides the receiver with a method to estimate the Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) channel from the constellation mapper output to the receiver chain. The UHR-LTF symbol count refers to the number of LTFs contained in the NDP within the Cooperative Beamforming Sounding Sequence (Co-BF sounding sequence).

[0100] Optionally, the first LTF symbol number is indicated by 1 bit.

[0101] That is, the number of UHR-LTF symbols can be indicated by 1 bit, which indicates the number of LTFs contained in the NDP in the cooperative beamforming detection sequence.

[0102] Table 1. Number of UHR-LTF Symbols

[0103] Number of UHR-LTF Symbols 1-bit indication 4 0 8 1

[0104] This application provides a standardized implementation of the number of UHR-LTF symbols, as shown in Table 1: a value of 0 for Number of UHR-LTF Symbols indicates 4 UHR-LTF symbols; a value of 1 for Number of UHR-LTF Symbols indicates 8 UHR-LTF symbols. The number of UHR-LTF Symbols primarily depends on the number of spatial streams. Typically, the minimum required number of UHR-LTF symbols is greater than or equal to the number of spatial streams. For example, 4 spatial streams require at least 4 UHR-LTF symbols. The Number of UHR-LTF Symbols is mainly determined by the number of spatial streams and can be increased to improve performance or support multiple users. This parameter can be dynamically adjusted to balance reliability and efficiency.

[0105] In some embodiments, the number of spatial streams (NSS) is the number of spatial streams corresponding to each Co-BF user in the first BSS; wherein, the Co-BF users in the first BSS are sites associated with the first access point.

[0106] Spatial Stream Number (NSS) is a key parameter in communications, describing the number of independent data streams and directly determining the potential speed and capacity of wireless communication. Achieving more spatial streams relies on MIMO (Multiple-Input Multiple-Output) technology. For example, MIMO can be used by a transmitter (such as a router) and a receiver (such as a mobile phone) to transmit different data streams simultaneously using multiple antennas.

[0107] In this embodiment, NSS represents the number of spatial flows corresponding to each Co-BF user in the first BSS. The first BSS is the BSS corresponding to the Co-BF probe initiating AP (initiating AP), where the initiating AP is also the first AP (Co-BF probe initiating AP), and the first BSS can also be called the initiating BSS. It can be understood that this NSS indicates the NSS corresponding to each Co-BF user in the BSS of the first AP (Co-BF probe initiating AP), that is, the NSS corresponding to each non-AP STA associated with the first AP (Co-BF probe initiating AP).

[0108] Optionally, the first spatial stream number is indicated by a 1-bit indicator.

[0109] The first spatial stream number (NSS) is the spatial stream number corresponding to each Co-BF user (user in initiating BSS) in the first BSS, and can be indicated by 1 bit.

[0110] Table 2 First Space Flow Count

[0111] NSS 1-bit indication 1 0 2 1

[0112] This application provides a standardized implementation of the first spatial stream count, as shown in Table 2: a value of 0 for Number of Spatial Streams indicates that the spatial stream count is 1; a value of 1 for Number of UHR-LTF Symbols indicates that the spatial stream count is 2. In Co-BF, the spatial stream count for each STA is less than or equal to 2, and there is at least one NSS for each non-AP STA. It is understood that the NSS corresponding to each Co-BF user (non-AP STA) in the first BSS should be 1 or 2.

[0113] In this embodiment, by adding at least one of the first LTF symbol number or the first spatial stream number to the Co-BF probe invitation frame, the second access point can obtain the UHR-LTF symbol number and / or the spatial stream number corresponding to the site associated with the first access point by receiving the Co-BF probe invitation frame. This enables Co-BF parameter negotiation, allowing the first and second access points to perform more accurate cooperative beamforming detection, thereby improving the performance (including reliability) of cooperative beamforming detection.

[0114] In some embodiments, the Co-BF probe invitation frame also includes at least one of the following:

[0115] Guard interval (GI) and long training field (LTF) length;

[0116] The maximum allowed total number of spatial flows at the Co-BF probe response access point;

[0117] The number of second Co-BF users is the same as the number of Co-BF users in the first BSS.

[0118] The site identifier corresponding to each Co-BF user in the first BSS.

[0119] In this embodiment, the guard interval (GI) and the long training field (LTF) length together indicate the GI+LTF combination configuration in Co-BF.

[0120] Guard interval (GI) primarily concerns the time domain and is used to combat multipath interference, ensuring that data symbols do not crosstalk each other. Long training field length (LTF Size) primarily concerns the frequency domain and is used for accurate estimation of channel characteristics. GI+LTF is a combined configuration item that specifies how many OFDM symbols each spatial stream needs to occupy during the sounding process in Co-Brightening (Co-BF), and which guard interval is used for these symbols. This refers to the GI+LTF combined configuration included in the NDP within the Co-BF sounding sequence. GI+LTF work together to achieve a trade-off between transmission reliability and data rate.

[0121] Optionally, the guard interval (GI) and the length of the long training field (LTF) are indicated using a 1-bit instruction.

[0122] That is, the guard interval and long training field length (GI+LTF Size) can be configured using 1 bit to indicate the GI+LTF combination configuration contained in the NDP in the cooperative beamforming probe sequence.

[0123] Table 3 GI+LTF Size

[0124] GI+LTF Size 1-bit indication 2×UHR-LTF+0.8μs GI 0 2×UHR-LTF+1.6μs GI 1

[0125] This application provides a standardized implementation of the GI+LTF Size, as shown in Table 3: a GI+LTF Size value of 0 indicates that the GI+LTF combination is configured as "2×UHR-LTF+0.8μs GI"; a Number of GI+LTF Size value of 1 indicates that the GI+LTF combination is configured as "2×UHR-LTF+1.6μs GI".

[0126] In some embodiments, the Maximum Total NSS Allowed for responding AP indicates the maximum total number of spatial flows allowed for the second access point (Co-BF probe response AP).

[0127] Optionally, a 1-bit indication is used to specify the maximum number of spatial streams allowed at the Co-BF probe response access point.

[0128] The maximum total number of spatial streams allowed for the second access point (Co-BF probe-responding access point) can be indicated by 1 bit.

[0129] Table 4Maximum Total NSS Allowed for respondingAP

[0130]

[0131]

[0132] This application provides a standardized implementation of the Maximum Total NSS Allowed for responding AP, as shown in Table 4: a value of 0 for Maximum Total NSS Allowed for responding AP indicates that the maximum number of allowed spatial flows is 1; a value of 1 for Maximum Total NSS Allowed for responding AP indicates that the maximum number of allowed spatial flows is 2.

[0133] In some embodiments, the number of second Co-BF users is the number of Co-BF users in the first BSS (initiating BSS).

[0134] The "Number of Co-BF Users in initiating BSS" indicates the number of Co-BF users supported in the initiating BSS. This can be understood as representing the number of non-AP STAs supported in the BSS identified by the MAC address of the first AP (Co-BF probe initiating AP), i.e., the number of non-AP STAs associated with each first AP (Co-BF probe initiating AP).

[0135] Optionally, the number of second Co-BF users is indicated using 2 bits.

[0136] The number of Co-BF users in the initiating BSS can be indicated using 2 bits.

[0137] Table 5Number of Co-BF Users in initiating BSS

[0138]

[0139] This application provides a standardized implementation of the Number of Co-BF Users in initiating BSS, as shown in Table 5: a value of 00 for the Number of Co-BF Users in initiating BSS indicates that the number of Co-BF users in the first BSS is 1; a value of 01 for the Number of Co-BF Users in initiating BSS indicates that the number of Co-BF users in the first BSS is 2; a value of 10 for the Number of Co-BF Users in initiating BSS indicates that the number of Co-BF users in the first BSS is 3; and a value of 11 for the Number of Co-BF Users in initiating BSS indicates that it is a reserved field.

[0140] The protocol stipulates that the maximum number of users (non-AP STAs) in a Co-BF is 4, because a Co-BF includes at least two APs, which means it includes at least two BSSs. Understandably, within a Co-BF, a BSS can support a maximum of 3 users, meaning the number of Co-BF users in the initiating BSS is less than or equal to 3.

[0141] In some embodiments, the site identifier corresponding to each Co-BF user (user in initiating BSS) in the first BSS is represented by STA ID (Station Identifier).

[0142] A STA ID is a temporary, unique identifier assigned to each wireless access point (AP) to efficiently manage all connected wireless client devices (such as mobile phones, computers, and tablets). In essence, this parameter represents the STA ID of the non-AP STAs supported in the BSS identified by the MAC address of the first AP (Co-BF probe initiating AP), specifically the STA ID of each non-AP STA associated with a Co-BF. The AP uses the STA ID to accurately address and schedule non-AP STAs associated with the first AP's Co-BF, efficiently allocating Resource Units (RUs).

[0143] Optionally, the site identifier corresponding to each Co-BF user in the first BSS is indicated using 11 bits.

[0144] The STAID (Site Identifier) ​​indicates the site identifier corresponding to each Co-BF user (user in initiating BSS) in the first BSS. That is, the STA ID corresponding to each non-AP STA of Co-BF associated with the first AP (Co-BF probe initiating AP), which can be indicated by 11 bits.

[0145] Table 6 STA ID of users in initiating BSS

[0146]

[0147]

[0148] This application provides a standardized implementation of the STA ID, as shown in Table 6: B0-B10 in the STA ID represent the STA ID corresponding to each non-AP STA of the Co-BF associated with the first AP (Co-BF probe initiating AP).

[0149] In this application embodiment, there are no restrictions on the combination of the above information carried in the Co-BF Sounding Invite frame.

[0150] For example, a Co-BF Sounding Invite frame contains at least one of the following combinations:

[0151] Combination 1:

[0152] The cooperative beamforming detection invitation frame includes the following information:

[0153] Guard interval and long training field length (GI+LTF Size);

[0154] The first LTF symbol number is the UHR-LTF symbol number (Number of UHR-LTFSymbols);

[0155] Maximum Total NSS Allowed for responding AP.

[0156] Combination 2:

[0157] The cooperative beamforming detection invitation frame includes the following information:

[0158] Guard interval and long training field length (GI+LTF Size);

[0159] The first LTF symbol number is the UHR-LTF symbol number (Number of UHR-LTFSymbols);

[0160] Maximum Total NSS Allowed for responding AP;

[0161] The second Co-BF user count is the same as the Co-BF user count in the first BSS.

[0162] Combination 3:

[0163] The cooperative beamforming detection invitation frame includes the following information:

[0164] The site identifier corresponding to each Co-BF user in the first BSS;

[0165] The first spatial stream count is the spatial stream count corresponding to each Co-BF user in the first BSS.

[0166] Combination 4:

[0167] The cooperative beamforming detection invitation frame contains the following information:

[0168] Guard interval and long training field length (GI+LTF Size);

[0169] The first LTF symbol number is the UHR-LTF symbol number (Number of UHR-LTFSymbols);

[0170] Maximum Total NSS Allowed for responding AP;

[0171] The second number of Co-BF users is the number of Co-BF users in the first BSS.

[0172] The site identifier corresponding to each Co-BF user in the first BSS;

[0173] The first spatial stream count is the spatial stream count corresponding to each Co-BF user in the first BSS.

[0174] In this embodiment, by adding at least one of the following to the Co-BF probe invitation frame: the number of first LTF symbols, the number of first spatial streams, the guard interval GI and the length of the long training field LTF, the maximum value of the total number of spatial streams allowed for the Co-BF probe response access point, the number of second Co-BF users, or the site identifier corresponding to each Co-BF user in the first BSS, the second access point can obtain the above Co-BF parameters by receiving the Co-BF probe invitation frame. This achieves Co-BF parameter negotiation, enabling the first and second access points to perform more accurate cooperative beamforming detection, thereby improving the performance (including reliability) of cooperative beamforming detection.

[0175] Step 602: The second access point sends a Co-BF probe response frame to the first access point;

[0176] Step 603: The first access point receives a Co-BF probe response frame from the second access point;

[0177] The Co-BF probe response frame carries at least one of the following information: whether the second access point accepts or refuses to participate in the UHRCo-BF probe sequence; the number of second LTF symbols; the number of second spatial streams; or the number of first Co-BF users.

[0178] The second access point can respond to the Co-BF Sounding Invite frame sent by the initiating AP via a Co-BF Sounding Response frame.

[0179] In some embodiments, the second LTF symbol number is the allowed additional LTF symbols.

[0180] The "Extra LTF Allowed" option indicates whether an additional number of LTF symbols is allowed.

[0181] Optionally, the second LTF symbol number is indicated by 1 bit.

[0182] The protocol specifies that the number of UHR-LTF symbols is 4 or 8, meaning that the extra LTF allowed number can be 1 bit.

[0183] Table 7 Extra LTF Allowed

[0184] Extra LTF Allowed 1-bit indication 4 0 8 1

[0185] This application provides a standardized implementation of Extra LTF Allowed, as shown in Table 7: an Extra LTF Allowed value of 0 indicates that no additional LTF symbols are allowed, i.e., the number of UHR-LTF symbols is 4; an Extra LTF Allowed value of 1 indicates that an additional LTF symbol is allowed, i.e., the number of UHR-LTF symbols is 8.

[0186] In some embodiments, the second spatial stream count is the spatial stream count corresponding to each Co-BF user in the second BSS.

[0187] The second BSS is the BSS corresponding to the Co-BF probe response AP (responding AP), where the Co-BF probe response AP is the second AP, and the second BSS can also be called the responding BSS. It can be understood that this second spatial flow number indicates the NSS corresponding to each Co-BF user in the BSS of the second AP (Co-BF probe response AP), that is, the NSS corresponding to each non-AP STA associated with the second AP (Co-BF probe response AP).

[0188] The second spatial stream count is the spatial stream count corresponding to each Co-BF user (user in responding BSS) in the second BSS, which can be indicated by 1 bit.

[0189] Table 8. Second Space Stream Numbers

[0190] NSS 1-bit indication 1 0 2 1

[0191] This application provides a standardized implementation of the NSS (Second Spatial Stream Count), as shown in Table 8: a value of 0 for the second spatial stream number field indicates that the spatial stream count corresponding to the station associated with the Co-BF probe response AP is 1; a value of 1 for the second spatial stream number field indicates that the spatial stream count corresponding to the station associated with the Co-BF probe response AP is 2. In Co-BF, the spatial stream count of each STA is less than or equal to 2, and there is at least one NSS for each non-AP STA. It is understood that the NSS corresponding to each Co-BF user (non-AP STA) in the second BSS should be 1 or 2.

[0192] In this embodiment, by adding at least one of the following to the Co-BF probe response frame: a second LTF symbol count, a second spatial stream count, or a first Co-BF user count, the first access point can obtain at least one of the following: an allowed additional LTF symbol count, a spatial stream count corresponding to a site associated with the second access point, or a number of sites associated with the second access point. This enables Co-BF parameter negotiation, allowing the first and second access points to perform more accurate cooperative beamforming detection, thereby improving the performance (including reliability) of cooperative beamforming detection.

[0193] Optionally, the total number of spatial flows in the first BSS (NSS in initiating BSS), the total number of spatial flows in the second BSS (NSS in responding BSS), the total number of spatial flows (NSS total), the number of first LTF symbols (Number of UHR-LTF Symbols), and the number of second LTF symbols (Extra LTF) have the relationship shown in Table 9:

[0194] Table 9 Relationship between Spatial Stream Number and LTF Symbol Number

[0195]

[0196]

[0197] It is understood that the total number of spatial flows is the sum of the total number of spatial flows in the first BSS and the total number of spatial flows in the second BSS. There should be two access points in a Co-BF, and correspondingly, there should be two BSSs in the Co-BF. The total number of spatial flows (NSS total) in the Co-BF is less than or equal to 4, and there must be at least two BSSs in the Co-BF, with at least one BSS having an NSS of at least 1. That is, the NSS of each BSS in the Co-BF should be greater than or equal to 1, and this parameter should be less than or equal to 3. The number of UHR-LTF symbols is 4 or 8. Therefore, as shown in the table above, the number of UHR-LTF symbols can be 4, and the number of Extra LTF symbols can be 8. It is understood that the above parameters can also be other values, as long as the aforementioned standardized design and corresponding relationships are maintained.

[0198] In some embodiments, the number of first Co-BF users is the number of Co-BF users in the second BSS;

[0199] In this context, the Co-BF users in the second BSS are the sites associated with the second access point.

[0200] Optionally, the first Co-BF user count is the number of Co-BF users in the responding BSS, which represents the number of Co-BF users supported in the responding BSS. It can be understood that this parameter represents the number of non-AP STAs supported in the BSS identified by the MAC address of the second AP (Co-BF probe responding AP), i.e., the number of non-AP STAs associated with each Co-BF in the second AP (Co-BF probe responding AP).

[0201] Optionally, the number of the first Co-BF users is indicated using 2 bits.

[0202] The number of Co-BF users in the first BSS is the number of Co-BF users in the responding BSS, which can be indicated using 2 bits.

[0203] Table 10Number of Co-BF Users in responding BSS

[0204]

[0205] This application provides a standardized implementation of the Number of Co-BF Users in responding BSS, as follows: a Number of Co-BF Users in responding BSS value of 00 indicates that the number of Co-BF users in the first BSS is 1; a Number of Co-BF Users in responding BSS value of 01 indicates that the number of Co-BF users in the first BSS is 2; a Number of Co-BF Users in responding BSS value of 10 indicates that the number of Co-BF users in the first BSS is 3; and a Number of Co-BF Users in responding BSS value of 11 indicates that it is a reserved field.

[0206] The maximum number of users (non-AP STAs) in a Co-BF is 4, because a Co-BF includes at least two APs, which means it includes at least two BSSs. Therefore, in a Co-BF, a BSS can support a maximum of 3 users, meaning the number of Co-BF users in the responding BSS in the second BSS is less than or equal to 3.

[0207] In some embodiments, the Co-BF probe response frame also carries: the site identifier corresponding to each Co-BF user in the second BSS.

[0208] Understandably, the site identifier corresponding to each Co-BF user (user in responding BSS) in the second BSS is also represented by a site identifier (STA ID). This parameter represents the STA ID corresponding to the non-AP STA supported in the BSS identified by the MAC address of the second AP (Co-BF probe responding AP), i.e., the STA ID corresponding to each non-AP STA associated with the second AP (Co-BF probe responding AP). The AP uses this STA ID to accurately address and schedule the STA IDs corresponding to the non-AP STAs associated with the second AP in the Co-BF, efficiently allocating resource units (RUs).

[0209] Optionally, the site identifier corresponding to each Co-BF user in the second BSS is indicated by 11 bits.

[0210] The STAID (Site Identifier) ​​indicates the site identifier corresponding to each Co-BF user (user in responding BSS) in the second BSS. That is, the STA ID corresponding to each non-AP STA of Co-BF associated with the second AP (Co-BF probe response AP), which can be indicated by 11 bits.

[0211] Table 11 User STA ID in responding BSS

[0212]

[0213] This application provides a standardized implementation of the site identifier corresponding to each Co-BF user in the second BSS, as shown in Table 11: B0-B10 in STA ID represent the STA ID corresponding to each non-AP STA of the Co-BF associated with the first AP (Co-BF detection initiating AP).

[0214] In this application embodiment, there are no restrictions on the combination of the above information carried in the Co-BF Sounding Response frame.

[0215] Combination 5:

[0216] The cooperative beamforming detection response frame includes the following information:

[0217] The second LTF symbol count is the number of extra LTF symbols allowed.

[0218] The first Co-BF user count is the number of Co-BF users in the responding BSS. The Co-BF users in the second BSS are the sites associated with the second access point.

[0219] Combination Six:

[0220] The cooperative beamforming detection response frame includes the following information:

[0221] The site identifier corresponding to each Co-BF user in the second BSS is represented by a site identifier (STA ID);

[0222] The second spatial stream count (NSS) is the spatial stream count corresponding to each Co-BF user in the second BSS.

[0223] Combination 7:

[0224] The cooperative beamforming detection response frame includes the following information:

[0225] The second LTF symbol count is the number of extra LTF symbols allowed.

[0226] The first Co-BF user count is the number of Co-BF users in the responding BSS. The Co-BF users in the second BSS are the sites associated with the second access point.

[0227] The site identifier corresponding to each Co-BF user in the second BSS is represented by the site identifier (STAID); the second spatial stream count, the second spatial stream count (NSS) is the spatial stream count corresponding to each Co-BF user in the second BSS.

[0228] In this embodiment, by adding at least one of the following to the Co-BF probe response frame: the second LTF symbol count, the second spatial stream count, the first Co-BF user count, or the site identifier corresponding to each Co-BF user in the second BSS, the first access point can obtain the aforementioned Co-BF parameters by receiving the Co-BF probe response frame. This achieves Co-BF parameter negotiation, enabling the first access point and the second access point to perform more accurate cooperative beamforming detection, thereby improving the performance (including reliability) of cooperative beamforming detection.

[0229] In some embodiments, the Co-BF detection response frame also carries a reason for rejecting the Co-BF detection invitation;

[0230] The reasons for inviting Co-BF exploration include at least one of the following:

[0231] Protocol and capability mismatch information;

[0232] Information about timing and synchronization failures;

[0233] Resource restriction information;

[0234] Site-specific information;

[0235] Security policy conflict information;

[0236] Physical layer damage information; or,

[0237] The signaling failed.

[0238] Optionally, Protocol & Capability Mismatches information includes at least one of the following:

[0239] Unsupported Coordination Protocol Version, for example, is incompatibility between access point (AP) coordination protocol versions (e.g., 802.11be feature mismatch);

[0240] Missing Multi-AP Agreement, for example, means failing to negotiate roles (e.g., initiating access point and responding access point) or coordination mode (cooperative beamforming, joint transmission); or,

[0241] Incompatible physical layer / media access control layer capabilities, for example, are bandwidth mismatch (160MHz vs. 320MHz), spatial stream or modulation scheme mismatch.

[0242] Understandably, the presence of incompatible physical layer / media access control layer capabilities can be indicated by pointing to spatial stream or modulation scheme mismatches, which can be reduced to protocol and capability mismatches.

[0243] Optionally, timing and synchronization failure information includes at least one of the following:

[0244] Target Wake Time (TWT) misalignment, for example, means that the wake time of the STA cannot be adjusted and coordinated;

[0245] Beacon timing drift, for example, is the loss of synchronization of a timing synchronization function (TSF) timer across access points (APs); or,

[0246] Short Inter-Frame Spacing / Idle Inter-Frame Spacing Boundary Violation (SIFS / AIFS Boundary Violation), exemplified by, is the failure to meet inter-frame spacing requirements during a coordination sequence.

[0247] Understandably, the inability to adjust the wake-up time of the STA can be used to indicate a target wake-up time misalignment (TWTMisalignment) problem, which can be attributed to timing and synchronization failures.

[0248] Optionally, resource constraints information includes at least one of the following:

[0249] Insufficient TXOP Duration, for example, means that the remaining transmission opportunities are too short to coordinate transmission.

[0250] Channel access failure, for example, means that one or more access points cannot guarantee channel access (e.g., medium busy, contention for channel access failure); or,

[0251] A buffer overflow at a responding AP, for example, occurs when resources (e.g., memory, processing power) are exhausted, preventing participation.

[0252] Understandably, an Insufficient TXOP Duration problem can be indicated by suggesting that the remaining transmission opportunities are too short to coordinate transmission, and this problem can be attributed to resource constraints.

[0253] Optionally, site-specific information includes at least one of the following:

[0254] STA Power Save State Mismatch, for example, occurs when the target STA is in a deep sleep state during coordination (e.g., unplanned APSD).

[0255] A STA Channel Switch Announcement (STA CSA) is, for example, an announcement made by a STA during a coordination process to switch channels; or,

[0256] Unsupported STA Feedback Type, for example, is a type of STA that lacks the ability to provide the required feedback (e.g., compressed vs. uncompressed beamforming matrices).

[0257] Understandably, a problem indicating a STA power save state mismatch can be identified by indicating that the target STA is in a deep sleep state during coordination, and this problem can be attributed to STA-specific issues.

[0258] Optionally, the Security & Policy Conflicts information includes at least one of the following:

[0259] An authentication / encryption mismatch, for example, occurs between access points / sites on different security domains (e.g., WPA3 vs. OWE); or,

[0260] The Administrative Policy Block, for example, disables coordination for network policies (e.g., SCS rules, MBO constraints).

[0261] Understandably, an authentication / encryption mismatch can be indicated by pointing out problems with access points / sites on different security domains, which can be attributed to security policy conflicts.

[0262] Optionally, information on physical layer impairments includes at least one of the following:

[0263] Sudden channel degradation, for example, is path loss, interference, or fading that disrupts link reliability midway; or,

[0264] Doppler shift in mobile scenarios, for example, renders previous channel measurements invalid due to high mobility.

[0265] Understandably, the presence of sudden channel degradation can be indicated by the path loss problem, which can be attributed to physical layer impairments.

[0266] Optionally, feedback and signaling failure information includes at least one of the following:

[0267] Corrupted NDP / CSI feedback, for example, is the detection of CRC errors (NDP / BRP) in the feedback frame; or,

[0268] A missing trigger frame, for example, is a trigger frame that fails to receive a start-up feedback.

[0269] Understandably, a problem with corrupted NDP / CSI feedback can be indicated by a CRC error in the probe feedback frame (NDP / BRP), which can be attributed to feedback and signaling failures.

[0270] In the embodiments of this application, the various combinations described above can cooperate to make the Co-BF detection response frame carry reasons for rejecting the Co-BF detection invitation, thereby making the Co-BF detection parameters more complete and improving the cooperative beamforming detection performance.

[0271] It should be noted that the parameters of Co-BF Sounding, which are exchanged / negotiated in the Co-BF Sounding Invite and Co-BF Sounding Response frames mentioned above, will be sent in subsequent NPDA or NDP.

[0272] Figure 7This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first STA information field in a UHR NDPAnnouncement frame provided in an embodiment of this application. This field includes fields such as AID11, NDPA Version, BSS Color, TXOP, Disambiguation, Bandwidth, and Reserved.

[0273] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of the second STA information field in a UHR NDPAnnouncement frame provided in an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 8 As shown, this field includes the AID11 field, Punctured Channel Information field, Number of EHT-LTF Symbols field, Starting Spatial Streams field, Number of Spatial Streams field, LTF+GISize field, and Recommended MCS for CSI Feedback field. This field also includes Disambiguation and Reserved fields. Specifically, the Number of EHT-LTF Symbols field indicates the number of EHT-LTF symbols in subsequent EHT probe NDP transmissions; a value of 0 indicates 4 EHT-LTF symbols, and a value of 1 indicates 8 EHT-LTF symbols. The Number of Spatial Streams field indicates the number of spatial streams in subsequent EHT probe NDP transmissions by the responding AP; a value of 0 indicates 4 spatial streams, and a value of 1 indicates 8 spatial streams. The LTF+GI Size field indicates the GI duration and EHT-LTF size; a value of 0 indicates "2×EHT-LTF+0.8μs GI"; a value of 1 indicates "2×EHT-LTF+1.6μs GI".

[0274] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of an EHT detector for NDP provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 9 As shown, this frame includes fields such as L-STF, L-LTF, L-SIG, RL-SIG, U-SIG, EHT-SIG, EHT-STF, EHT-LTFs, and PE. It is understandable that... Figure 7, Figure 8 , Figure 9 The diagram shows the structure of NPDA or NDP frames transmitted via Co-BF. In this embodiment, the cooperative beamforming detection parameters agreed upon by the first access point and the second access point through Co-BF probe invitation frames and Co-BF probe response frames can be used in the subsequent NPDA or NDP transmission process.

[0275] The communication method provided in this application can be executed by a communication device. This application uses the example of a communication device executing the communication method to illustrate the communication device provided in this application.

[0276] This application provides a communication device. As an example, a communication device may be a communication equipment or a component within a communication equipment, such as a chip. The communication equipment may be an access point, a station, etc. Exemplarily, the access point may include, but is not limited to, the type of access point 110 listed above, and the station may include, but is not limited to, the type of station 120 listed above. This application does not impose specific limitations.

[0277] The communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module. These modules can be implemented in software or hardware. When implemented in hardware, the processing module can be implemented by a processor. For example, the processor can include general-purpose processors, special-purpose processors, etc., such as central processing units (CPUs), microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), artificial intelligence (AI) processors, graphics processing units (GPUs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), network processors (NPs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, gate circuits, transistors, discrete hardware components, etc. The transceiver module can be implemented by a communication interface, which can include one or more of the following: transceivers, pins, circuits, buses, radio frequency units, etc.

[0278] Figure 10 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application. For details, see [link to specific diagram]. Figure 10 When the communication device is a first access point or a component of the first access point, the communication device 1000 includes a first transceiver module 1001.

[0279] The first transceiver module 1001 is used to send a Cooperative Beamforming (Co-BF) probe invitation frame to the second access point;

[0280] The first transceiver module 1001 is also used to receive Co-BF probe response frames from the second access point;

[0281] The Co-BF probe invitation frame is used to initiate the UHR Co-BF probe sequence; the Co-BF probe invitation frame carries at least one of the following information: the first LTF symbol number; or, the first spatial stream number;

[0282] The Co-BF probe response frame carries at least one of the following information: whether the second access point accepts or refuses to participate in the UHRCo-BF probe sequence; the number of second LTF symbols; the number of second spatial streams; or the number of first Co-BF users.

[0283] Optionally, the first LTF symbol count is the UHR-LTF symbol count; and / or,

[0284] The first spatial stream count is the spatial stream count corresponding to each Co-BF user in the first BSS;

[0285] Among them, the Co-BF users in the first BSS are the sites associated with the first access point.

[0286] Optionally, the Co-BF probe invitation frame may also include at least one of the following:

[0287] Guard interval (GI) and long training field (LTF) length;

[0288] The maximum allowed total number of spatial flows at the Co-BF probe response access point;

[0289] The second Co-BF user count is the same as the Co-BF user count in the first BSS; or...

[0290] The site identifier corresponding to each Co-BF user in the first BSS.

[0291] Optionally, the first LTF symbol number is indicated by 1 bit, and / or the first spatial stream number is indicated by 1 bit.

[0292] Optionally, the guard interval GI and the length of the long training field LTF are indicated by 1 bit, the maximum number of spatial flows allowed at the Co-BF probe response access point is indicated by 1 bit, the number of second Co-BF users is indicated by 2 bits, and / or, the site identifier corresponding to each Co-BF user in the first BSS is indicated by 11 bits.

[0293] Optionally, the second LTF symbol count is the allowed additional LTF symbols;

[0294] The second spatial stream count is the spatial stream count corresponding to each Co-BF user in the second BSS; and / or,

[0295] The number of Co-BF users in the first BSS is the number of Co-BF users in the second BSS.

[0296] In this context, the Co-BF users in the second BSS are the sites associated with the second access point.

[0297] Optionally, the Co-BF detection response frame also carries:

[0298] The site identifier corresponding to each Co-BF user in the second BSS.

[0299] Optionally, the second LTF symbol count is indicated by 1 bit, the second spatial stream count is indicated by 1 bit, and / or the first Co-BF user count is indicated by 2 bits.

[0300] Optionally, the site identifier corresponding to each Co-BF user in the second BSS is indicated by 11 bits.

[0301] Optionally, the Co-BF detection response frame also carries a reason for rejecting the Co-BF detection invitation;

[0302] The reasons for inviting Co-BF exploration include at least one of the following:

[0303] Protocol and capability mismatch information;

[0304] Information about timing and synchronization failures;

[0305] Resource restriction information;

[0306] Site-specific information;

[0307] Security policy conflict information;

[0308] Physical layer damage information; or,

[0309] The signaling failed.

[0310] The communication device provided in this application embodiment can achieve... Figure 6 The communication method embodiments include at least one step and at least one of the embodiments, and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, they will not be described again here.

[0311] Figure 11 This is a second schematic diagram of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application. For details, see [link to specific diagram]. Figure 11When the communication device is a second access point or a component of a second access point, the communication device 1100 includes a second transceiver module 1101.

[0312] The second transceiver module 1101 is used to receive a Cooperative Beamforming (Co-BF) probe invitation frame from the first access point;

[0313] The second transceiver module 1101 is also used to send a Co-BF probe response frame to the first access point;

[0314] The Co-BF probe invitation frame is used to initiate the UHR Co-BF probe sequence; the Co-BF probe invitation frame carries at least one of the following information: the first LTF symbol number; or, the first spatial stream number;

[0315] The Co-BF probe response frame carries at least one of the following information: whether the second access point accepts or refuses to participate in the UHRCo-BF probe sequence; the number of second LTF symbols; the number of second spatial streams; or the number of first Co-BF users.

[0316] Optionally, the first LTF symbol count is the UHR-LTF symbol count; and / or,

[0317] The first spatial stream count is the spatial stream count corresponding to each Co-BF user in the first BSS;

[0318] Among them, the Co-BF users in the first BSS are the sites associated with the first access point.

[0319] Optionally, the Co-BF probe invitation frame may also include at least one of the following:

[0320] Guard interval (GI) and long training field (LTF) length;

[0321] The maximum allowed total number of spatial flows at the Co-BF probe response access point;

[0322] The second Co-BF user count is the same as the Co-BF user count in the first BSS; or...

[0323] The site identifier corresponding to each Co-BF user in the first BSS.

[0324] Optionally, the first LTF symbol number is indicated by 1 bit, and / or the first spatial stream number is indicated by 1 bit.

[0325] Optionally, the guard interval GI and the length of the long training field LTF are indicated by 1 bit, the maximum number of spatial flows allowed at the Co-BF probe response access point is indicated by 1 bit, and / or, the number of second Co-BF users is indicated by 2 bits, and the site identifier corresponding to each Co-BF user in the first BSS is indicated by 11 bits.

[0326] Optionally, the second LTF symbol count is the allowed additional LTF symbols;

[0327] The second spatial stream count is the spatial stream count corresponding to each Co-BF user in the second BSS; and / or,

[0328] The number of Co-BF users in the first BSS is the number of Co-BF users in the second BSS.

[0329] In this context, the Co-BF users in the second BSS are the sites associated with the second access point.

[0330] Optionally, the Co-BF detection response frame also carries:

[0331] The site identifier corresponding to each Co-BF user in the second BSS.

[0332] Optionally, the second LTF symbol count is indicated by 1 bit, the second spatial stream count is indicated by 1 bit, and / or the first Co-BF user count is indicated by 2 bits.

[0333] Optionally, the site identifier corresponding to each Co-BF user in the second BSS is indicated by 11 bits.

[0334] Optionally, the Co-BF detection response frame also carries a reason for rejecting the Co-BF detection invitation;

[0335] The reasons for inviting Co-BF exploration include at least one of the following:

[0336] Protocol and capability mismatch information;

[0337] Information about timing and synchronization failures;

[0338] Resource restriction information;

[0339] Site-specific information;

[0340] Security policy conflict information;

[0341] Physical layer damage information; or,

[0342] The signaling failed.

[0343] The communication device provided in this application embodiment can achieve... Figure 6The communication method embodiments include at least one step and at least one of the embodiments, and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, they will not be described again here.

[0344] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 12 As shown, this application embodiment also provides a communication device 1200, including a processor 1201 and a memory 1202. The memory 1202 stores a program or instructions that can run on the processor 1201. For example, when the communication device 1200 is an access point, when the program or instructions are executed by the processor 1201, they implement the various steps of the communication method embodiment on the access point side described above, and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0345] In some embodiments, the communication device 1200 may further include a transceiver, and the processor 1201 may control the transceiver to communicate with other devices. Specifically, it may send information or data to other devices or receive information or data sent by other devices.

[0346] The transceiver may include a transmitter and a receiver. The transceiver may further include antennas, which may be one or more.

[0347] This application embodiment also provides an access point, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface and the processor are coupled, and the processor is used to run programs or instructions to implement, for example... Figure 6 The corresponding steps in the method embodiment shown are illustrated. This access point embodiment corresponds to the above-described access point-side method embodiment. All implementation processes and methods of the above-described method embodiments can be applied to this access point embodiment and achieve the same technical effect. The access point can be... Figure 10 The communication device shown, or the access point, may be Figure 11 The communication device shown.

[0348] This application also provides a readable storage medium storing a program or instructions. When the program or instructions are executed by a processor, they implement the various processes of the above-described communication method embodiments and achieve the same technical effects. To avoid repetition, they will not be described again here.

[0349] The processor is either the processor in the access point or the processor in the site in the above embodiments. The readable storage medium includes computer-readable storage media, such as computer read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk, or optical disk. In some examples, the readable storage medium may be a non-transient readable storage medium.

[0350] This application also provides a chip, which includes a processor and a communication interface. The communication interface and the processor are coupled. The processor is used to run programs or instructions to implement the various processes of the above-described communication method embodiments and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0351] It should be understood that the chip mentioned in the embodiments of this application may also be referred to as a system-on-a-chip, system chip, chip system, or system-on-a-chip, etc.

[0352] This application also provides a computer program / program product, which is stored in a storage medium and executed by at least one processor to implement the various processes of the above-described communication method embodiments, and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0353] This application also provides a communication system, including a first access point and a second access point. The first access point can be used to execute the steps of the communication method described above, and the second access point can also be used to execute the steps of the communication method described above. The communication system implements the various processes of the above communication method embodiments and achieves the same technical effects; therefore, to avoid repetition, further details are omitted here.

[0354] It should be noted that, in this document, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes that element. Furthermore, it should be noted that the scope of the methods and apparatuses in the embodiments of this application is not limited to performing functions in the order shown or discussed, but may also include performing functions substantially simultaneously or in the reverse order, depending on the functions involved. For example, the described methods may be performed in a different order than described, and various steps may be added, omitted, or combined. Additionally, features described with reference to certain examples may be combined in other examples.

[0355] From the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the methods of the above embodiments can be implemented by means of computer software products plus necessary general-purpose hardware platforms, and of course, they can also be implemented by hardware. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium (such as ROM, RAM, magnetic disk, optical disk, etc.), and the computer software product includes several instructions to cause a terminal or network-side device to execute the methods of the various embodiments of this application.

[0356] The embodiments of this application have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this application is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. The specific embodiments described above are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art can make many other implementations under the guidance of this application without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. All of these implementations are within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, include: The first access point sends a Cooperative Beamforming (Co-BF) probe invitation frame to the second access point; The first access point receives a Co-BF probe response frame from the second access point; The Co-BF probe invitation frame is used to initiate an ultra-high reliability UHR Co-BF probe sequence; the Co-BF probe invitation frame carries at least one of the following information: a first LTF symbol number; or, a first spatial stream number; The Co-BF probe response frame carries at least one of the following information: whether the second access point accepts or refuses to participate in the UHR Co-BF probe sequence; the second LTF symbol count; the second spatial stream count; or the first Co-BF user count.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first LTF symbol count is the UHR-LTF symbol count; and / or, The first spatial stream count is the spatial stream count corresponding to each Co-BF user in the first BSS; In this context, the Co-BF users in the first BSS are the sites associated with the first access point.

3. The method according to any one of claims 1-2, characterized in that, The Co-BF detection invitation frame also includes at least one of the following information: Guard interval (GI) and long training field (LTF) length; The maximum allowed total number of spatial flows at the Co-BF probe response access point; The second Co-BF user count is the same as the Co-BF user count in the first BSS; or... The site identifier corresponding to each Co-BF user in the first BSS.

4. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first LTF symbol number is indicated by 1 bit, and / or the first spatial stream number is indicated by 1 bit.

5. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The length of the guard interval GI and the long training field LTF is indicated by 1 bit, the maximum number of spatial flows allowed by the Co-BF probe response terminal access point is indicated by 1 bit, the number of the second Co-BF users is indicated by 2 bits, and / or, the site identifier corresponding to each Co-BF user in the first BSS is indicated by 11 bits.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The second LTF symbol count is the allowed additional LTF symbols; The second spatial stream count is the spatial stream count corresponding to each Co-BF user in the second BSS; and / or, The number of the first Co-BF users is the number of Co-BF users in the second BSS; In this context, the Co-BF user in the second BSS is a site associated with the second access point.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The Co-BF detection response frame also carries: The site identifier corresponding to each Co-BF user in the second BSS.

8. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The second LTF symbol count is indicated by 1 bit, the second spatial stream count is indicated by 1 bit, and / or the first Co-BF user count is indicated by 2 bits.

9. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The site identifier corresponding to each Co-BF user in the second BSS is indicated by 11 bits.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, The Co-BF detection response frame also carries a reason for rejecting the Co-BF detection invitation; The reasons for the Co-BF detection invitation include at least one of the following: Protocol and capability mismatch information; Information on timing and synchronization failures; Resource restriction information; Site-specific information; Security policy conflict information; Physical layer damage information; or, Feedback signaling failure message.

11. A communication method, characterized in that, include: The second access point receives a Cooperative Beamforming (Co-BF) probe invitation frame from the first access point; The second access point sends a Co-BF probe response frame to the first access point; The Co-BF probe invitation frame is used to initiate an ultra-high reliability UHR Co-BF probe sequence; the Co-BF probe invitation frame carries at least one of the following information: a first LTF symbol number; or, a first spatial stream number; The Co-BF probe response frame carries at least one of the following information: whether the second access point accepts or refuses to participate in the UHR Co-BF probe sequence; the second LTF symbol count; the second spatial stream count; or the first Co-BF user count.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The first LTF symbol count is the UHR-LTF symbol count; and / or, The first spatial stream count is the spatial stream count corresponding to each Co-BF user in the first BSS; In this context, the Co-BF users in the first BSS are the sites associated with the first access point.

13. The method according to any one of claims 11-12, characterized in that, The Co-BF detection invitation frame also includes at least one of the following information: Guard interval (GI) and long training field (LTF) length; The maximum allowed total number of spatial flows at the Co-BF probe response access point; The second Co-BF user count is the same as the Co-BF user count in the first BSS; or... The site identifier corresponding to each Co-BF user in the first BSS.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11-13, characterized in that, The second LTF symbol count is the allowed additional LTF symbols; The second spatial stream count is the spatial stream count corresponding to each Co-BF user in the second BSS; and / or, The number of the first Co-BF users is the number of Co-BF users in the second BSS; In this context, the Co-BF user in the second BSS is a site associated with the second access point.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The Co-BF detection response frame also carries: The site identifier corresponding to each Co-BF user in the second BSS.

16. The method according to any one of claims 11-15, characterized in that, The Co-BF detection response frame also carries a reason for rejecting the Co-BF detection invitation; The reasons for the Co-BF detection invitation include at least one of the following: Protocol and capability mismatch information; Information on timing and synchronization failures; Resource restriction information; Site-specific information; Security policy conflict information; Physical layer damage information; or, Feedback signaling failure message.

17. A communication device, characterized in that, include: The first transceiver module is used to send a Cooperative Beamforming (Co-BF) probe invitation frame to the second access point; The first transceiver module is further configured to receive a Co-BF probe response frame from the second access point; The Co-BF probe invitation frame is used to initiate an ultra-high reliability UHR Co-BF probe sequence; the Co-BF probe invitation frame carries at least one of the following information: a first LTF symbol number; or, a first spatial stream number; The Co-BF probe response frame carries at least one of the following information: whether the second access point accepts or refuses to participate in the UHR Co-BF probe sequence; the second LTF symbol count; the second spatial stream count; or the first Co-BF user count.

18. A communication device, characterized in that, include: The second transceiver module is used to receive Co-BF probe invitation frames from the first access point; The second transceiver module is also used to send a Co-BF probe response frame to the first access point; The Co-BF probe invitation frame is used to initiate an ultra-high reliability UHR Co-BF probe sequence; the Co-BF probe invitation frame carries at least one of the following information: a first LTF symbol number; or, a first spatial stream number; The Co-BF probe response frame carries at least one of the following information: acceptance or rejection of participation in the UHR Co-BF probe sequence; second LTF symbol count; second spatial stream count; or, first Co-BF user count.

19. An access point, characterized in that, It includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing a program or instructions that can run on the processor, the program or instructions being executed by the processor to implement the steps of the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, or to implement the steps of the communication method as described in any one of claims 11 to 16.

20. A readable storage medium, characterized in that, The readable storage medium stores a program or instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, or implement the steps of the communication method as described in any one of claims 11 to 16.

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