Wireless communication method, apparatus, device, and readable storage medium

Abstract

The application provides a wireless communication method, device and equipment and readable storage medium, the method comprises the following steps: a station sends a first request frame to an access point, wherein the first request frame comprises first request information, and the first request information is used for requesting to enable or disable a dynamic unavailability operation (DUO) mode; the station receives a first response frame sent by the access point, wherein the first response frame comprises first response information, and the first response information is a response to the first request information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communications, and more specifically, to a wireless communication method, apparatus, device, and readable storage medium. Background Technology

[0002] In related technologies, to address issues such as data loss, increased latency, and reduced reliability caused by in-device coexistence (IDC), a Dynamic Unavailability Operation (DUO) mode has been introduced. Stations can notify access points of their unavailability periods by reporting unavailability reports. For example, a station can send an unavailability report via an Initial Control Frame (ICF), and the access point can reply with an Initial Control Response (ICR) frame. Based on the station's unavailability report, the access point can schedule data transmission between conflicting time periods. However, in some cases, the access point may prohibit a station from using DUO mode, but the station is unaware of this prohibition, leading to frequent ICF frame transmissions of unavailability reports and increased channel load. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a wireless communication method, apparatus, device, and readable storage medium, which helps prevent stations from sending control frames used to report unavailability and reduces channel load.

[0004] Firstly, a wireless communication method is provided, comprising:

[0005] The site sends a first request frame to the access point. The first request frame includes first request information, which is used to request the activation or deactivation of the Dynamic Unavailable Operation (DUO) mode.

[0006] The site receives a first response frame sent by the access point. The first response frame includes first response information, which is a response to the first request information.

[0007] In some implementations, the method further includes:

[0008] The station sends an acknowledgment frame to the access point, the acknowledgment frame being used to indicate that the first response frame has been received.

[0009] In some implementations, the method further includes:

[0010] If the first response frame is not received, the station retransmits the first request frame based on the first retransmission count and / or the first backoff time.

[0011] In some implementations, the first retransmission count is predefined, or indicated by the access point.

[0012] In some implementations, the first backoff time is predefined, or is a random value, or is determined based on the number of retransmissions of the first request frame.

[0013] In some implementations, the method further includes:

[0014] After sending the confirmation frame, start the first timer;

[0015] If the station does not receive the trigger frame when the first timer expires, the station retransmits the acknowledgment frame, wherein the trigger frame is used to trigger the station to report that the station is unavailable.

[0016] In some implementations, the station receives a first response frame sent by the access point, including:

[0017] The site receives the first response frame sent by the access point through the main link among the multiple links. The first response frame is used to indicate whether the request of the site is accepted.

[0018] In some implementations, the first response frame includes first response information corresponding to each of the at least one link, wherein the first response information corresponding to each link is used to indicate whether to receive the request for the first request information corresponding to each link.

[0019] In some implementations, there are multiple links between the site and the access point, and the method further includes:

[0020] The station sends a third frame to the access point through the main link among the multiple links, and the third frame includes information about the unavailability of at least one link of the station;

[0021] The station receives a fourth frame sent by the access point through the main link among the multiple links, the fourth frame being a response frame to the third frame.

[0022] In some implementations, the method further includes:

[0023] The station sends first capability information to the access point, the first capability information being used to indicate that the station supports DUO mode;

[0024] The site receives second capability information sent by the access point, the second capability information being used to indicate that the access point supports DUO mode.

[0025] Secondly, a wireless communication method is provided, including:

[0026] The access point receives a first request frame sent by the site. The first request frame includes first request information, which is used to request the activation or deactivation of the Dynamic Unavailable Operation (DUO) mode.

[0027] The access point sends a first response frame to the site. The first response frame includes first response information, which is a response to the first request information.

[0028] In some implementations, the method further includes:

[0029] The access point receives an acknowledgment frame sent by the site, the acknowledgment frame being used to indicate that the first response frame has been received.

[0030] In some implementations, the access point sends a first response frame to the site, including:

[0031] The access point sends a first response frame to the site through the main link among the multiple links. The first response frame is used to indicate whether the request from the site is accepted.

[0032] In some implementations, the first response frame includes first response information corresponding to each of the at least one link, wherein the first response information corresponding to each link is used to indicate whether to receive the request for the first request information corresponding to each link.

[0033] In some implementations, there are multiple links between the site and the access point, and the method further includes:

[0034] The access point receives a third frame sent by the site through the main link among the multiple links, the third frame including information about the unavailability of at least one link of the site;

[0035] The access point sends a fourth frame to the site through the main link among the multiple links. The fourth frame is a response frame to the third frame.

[0036] In some implementations, the site includes multiple links, the access point includes one link, and the method further includes:

[0037] The access point receives a third frame sent by the site through the main link among the multiple links, the third frame being used to indicate the unavailability of at least one link of the site;

[0038] The access point ignores the third frame.

[0039] In some implementations, the method further includes:

[0040] The access point receives first capability information sent by the site, the first capability information being used to indicate that the site supports DUO mode;

[0041] The access point sends second capability information to the site, the second capability information being used to indicate that the access point supports DUO mode.

[0042] In some implementations, the method further includes:

[0043] After sending the first response frame, the access point starts the second timer;

[0044] If the acknowledgment frame is not received when the second timer expires, the first response frame is retransmitted.

[0045] Thirdly, a communication device is provided, comprising:

[0046] The transceiver module is configured to send a first request frame to the access point, the first request frame including first request information, the first request information being used to request enabling or disabling the Dynamic Unavailable Operation (DUO) mode; and

[0047] The system receives a first response frame sent by the access point, the first response frame including first response information, the first response information being a response to the first request information.

[0048] Fourthly, a communication device is provided, comprising:

[0049] The transceiver module is configured to receive a first request frame sent by a station, the first request frame including first request information, the first request information being used to request enabling or disabling the Dynamic Unavailable Operation (DUO) mode; and

[0050] Send a first response frame to the site, the first response frame including first response information, the first response information being a response to the first request information.

[0051] Fifthly, a site is provided, including a processor and a memory. The memory is used to store computer programs, and the processor is used to invoke and run the computer programs stored in the memory, performing the methods described in the first aspect or its various implementations.

[0052] Sixthly, an access point is provided, including a processor and a memory. The memory is used to store computer programs, and the processor is used to call and run the computer programs stored in the memory, performing the methods in the second aspect or its implementations described above.

[0053] In a seventh aspect, a chip is provided for implementing the methods of any one of the first to second aspects or their respective implementations. Specifically, the chip includes: a processor for calling and running a computer program from a memory, causing a device on which the chip is installed to perform the methods of any one of the first to second aspects or their respective implementations.

[0054] Eighthly, a readable storage medium is provided for storing a computer program that causes a computer to perform the methods of any one of the first to second aspects or their respective implementations.

[0055] Ninthly, a computer program product is provided, including computer program instructions that cause a computer to perform the methods of any one of the first to second aspects or their respective implementations.

[0056] In a tenth aspect, a computer program is provided that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods of any one of the first to second aspects or their respective implementations.

[0057] Through the above technical solution, the station and the access point can enable or disable the DUO mode through the interaction of the first request frame and the first response frame, thereby ensuring that the station and the access point have a consistent understanding of the DUO mode status. Furthermore, the station only needs to report the unavailability when the DUO mode is enabled, and does not need to send unavailability reports frequently when the DUO mode is disabled, which can reduce the frequent transmission of control frames by the station and reduce the channel load. Attached Figure Description

[0058] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of a communication system 100 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0059] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0060] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the coexistence relationship between a site and a non-WiFi device, as provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0061] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the enabling and disabling of a DUO mode based on active feedback, provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0062] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the enabling and disabling of a DUO mode based on passive feedback, provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0063] Figure 6 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating a forced coverage site unavailability report provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0064] Figure 7 This is a schematic format diagram of an action frame provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0065] Figure 8 This is a schematic format diagram of the DUO element in the first response frame provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0066] Figure 9 This is a schematic format diagram of the second request frame provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0067] Figure 10 This is a schematic format diagram of the first frame provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0068] Figure 11 This is a schematic format diagram of the second frame provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0069] Figure 12 This is a schematic block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of this application.

[0070] Figure 13 This is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0071] Figure 14 This is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 700 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0072] Figure 15 This is a schematic structural diagram of the chip according to an embodiment of this application.

[0073] Figure 16 This is a schematic block diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0074] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort regarding the embodiments of this application are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0075] It should be noted that, in this document, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second," etc., used herein are used only to distinguish different objects and not to describe a particular order.

[0076] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of this application, "at least one item" refers to one item or more items, "more items" refers to two items or more, and "at least two items" refers to two items or more. "At least one of the following items" or similar expressions can refer to any combination of these items. For example, at least one item of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a and b and c".

[0077] It should be noted that in the embodiments of this application, "and / or" indicates that the connected objects can have three relationships. For example, "A and / or B" can represent three scenarios: only A exists, only B exists, and both A and B exist simultaneously. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following objects have an "or" relationship.

[0078] It should be understood that the "instruction" mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be a direct instruction or an indirect instruction. For example, A instructing B can mean that A directly instructs B, such as B being obtainable through A; or it can mean that A indirectly instructs B, such as A instructing C, where B is obtainable through C, for example, B and C are related.

[0079] 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.

[0080] In the WiFi protocol, a station (abbreviated as STA) includes access point stations (abbreviated as AP STA) and non-access point stations (abbreviated as non-AP station). For the sake of simplicity, access point stations are usually called access points (abbreviated as AP), and non-access point stations are called stations (abbreviated as STA).

[0081] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of a communication system 100 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication system 100 may include an access point 110 and a station 120. The station 120 can access the network through the access point 110.

[0082] Access points can support communication or sensing based on WiFi 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.

[0083] The site can support communication or sensing based on WiFi 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.

[0084] The communication in the communication system 100 can be communication between access points and stations, or communication between stations, or communication between access points.

[0085] 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.

[0086] 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.

[0087] In the embodiments of this application, the site may be a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer, virtual reality (VR) device, augmented reality (AR) device, wireless device in industrial control, set-top box, wireless device in self-driving, vehicle communication device, wireless device in remote medical care, wireless device in smart grid, wireless device in transportation safety, wireless device in smart city or smart home, wireless device, wireless communication chip, etc. that support WLAN or WiFi technology.

[0088] It should be understood that Figure 1 Only one access point and two sites are shown in the example. Optionally, the communication system 100 may include multiple access points or other numbers of sites. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0089] Optionally, the communication system 100 may also include other devices, such as network controllers, gateways, and other network entities, which are not limited in this application.

[0090] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, the Dynamic Unavailability Operation (DUO) mode related to this application will be described.

[0091] In wireless communication networks, especially in high-density WiFi network deployments such as large stadiums, conference centers, industrial automation environments, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications, communication between STAs and APs requires precise scheduling and coordination to ensure efficient network operation, low latency, and high throughput. Efficiently managing and optimizing wireless resources is a key issue. Therefore, In-Device Coexistence (IDC) technology has been introduced. In-Device Coexistence (IDC) refers to a device supporting multiple wireless technologies, including both WiFi and non-WiFi technologies. Non-WiFi technologies may include, but are not limited to, BitTorrent, UltraWave, Zigbee, and 5G New Radio in Unlicensed Spectrum (5G NR-U), which operates on unlicensed spectrum.

[0092] Devices supporting Internet Data Centers (IDCs) commonly suffer from coexistence issues. For example, data transmission based on WiFi technology (WiFi data transmission) and data transmission based on non-WiFi technology (non-WiFi data transmission) can share radio frequency resources. This can lead to conflicts in time or frequency resources between WiFi and non-WiFi data transmission, potentially causing interference and resulting in data loss, increased latency, and reduced reliability. Therefore, the DUO mode was introduced. In DUO mode, the STA can notify the AP of its unavailability periods by reporting an Unavailability Report, preventing the AP from scheduling data transmission during conflicting time periods. Specifically, the STA can send an Unavailability Report via an Initial Control Frame (ICF), and the AP can reply with an Initial Control Response (ICR) frame. Alternatively, the AP can trigger the STA to send an Unavailability Report via an ICF frame, and the STA can then send an ICR frame to report the unavailability.

[0093] However, the DUO mode described above has some problems:

[0094] 1. The STA may not know that the AP has prohibited it from using DUO mode, which causes the STA to frequently send ICF frames to report unavailability, increasing the channel load;

[0095] 2. Inconsistent states may occur between the AP and STA due to frame loss or clock drift. For example, the AP may believe that DUO mode is enabled, but the STA may not confirm it.

[0096] 3. In the Multi-Link Device (MLD) scenario, the link status on the AP and STA sides is not synchronized, resulting in scheduling conflicts.

[0097] 4. In high-density WiFi network scenarios, a large number of unavailability reports from STAs may cause the status table on the AP side to expand, affecting scheduling efficiency.

[0098] The technical solutions of this application are described in detail below through specific embodiments. The above-mentioned related technologies are optional solutions and can be combined with the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application in any way, all of which fall within the protection scope of the embodiments of this application.

[0099] Figure 2 This is a schematic interactive diagram of a wireless communication method 200 according to an embodiment of this application, such as... Figure 2 As shown, the method 200 includes at least the following:

[0100] S210, the station sends a first request frame to the access point. The first request frame includes first request information, which is used to request the activation or deactivation of the Dynamic Unavailable Operation (DUO) mode.

[0101] Correspondingly, the access point receives the first request frame sent by the site.

[0102] S220, the access point sends the first response frame to the site;

[0103] Correspondingly, the site receives the first response frame sent by the access point. The first response frame includes first response information, which is a response to the first request information.

[0104] In the embodiments of this application, the access point can be a non-multi-link device (Non-MLD) or an access point multi-link device (AP MLD).

[0105] In the embodiments of this application, the site can be a Non-MLD, or it can be a Station Multi-Link Device (STA MLD), or a Non-AP Multi-Link Device (Non-AP MLD).

[0106] In this embodiment of the application, the site supports IDC, for example, the site can share radio frequency resources with non-WiFi devices. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the coexistence relationship between a site and non-WiFi devices, as provided in an embodiment of this application. The non-WiFi devices may include devices supporting technologies such as BT, UWB, Zigbee, and 5G NR-U.

[0107] In this embodiment of the application, the DUO mode is used to report its own unavailability report when there is an IDC problem at the site, so as to notify the access point of its unavailability period and avoid the access point scheduling it for data transmission during conflicting time periods.

[0108] In this embodiment of the application, when DUO mode is disabled, the site does not need to report unavailability to the access point, and the access point does not need to consider whether the site is in an unavailable period when scheduling the site.

[0109] In this embodiment, when DUO mode is enabled, a site can report an unavailability report to the access point. This unavailability report may include unavailability information, such as, but not limited to, unavailability time information (e.g., start time and duration of unavailability) and / or unavailability bandwidth information. The access point can update the site's unavailability status table based on the site's unavailability report. This unavailability status table records the site's unavailability information. The access point can determine a scheduling strategy for the site based on the site's unavailability status table, for example, avoiding scheduling the site during its unavailability period and delaying scheduling until the site's available time period.

[0110] Therefore, in this embodiment, the station and the access point can enable or disable the DUO mode through the interaction of the first request frame and the first response frame, thereby ensuring that the station and the access point have a consistent understanding of the DUO mode status. Furthermore, the station only needs to report the unavailability when the DUO mode is enabled, and does not need to send unavailability reports frequently when the DUO mode is disabled, which can reduce the frequent transmission of control frames by the station and reduce the channel load.

[0111] In some embodiments of this application, the method 200 further includes:

[0112] The site sends first capability information to the access point, which indicates that the site supports DUO mode.

[0113] The site receives second capability information sent by the access point, which indicates that the access point supports DUO mode.

[0114] Optionally, the first capability information is carried in the fifth frame, which may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following:

[0115] Probe request frame, associate request frame, reassociation request frame.

[0116] Optionally, the second capability information is carried in a sixth frame, which may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following:

[0117] Beacon frame, probe response frame, association response frame, reassociation response frame.

[0118] Optionally, the fifth frame may include an Ultra-High Reliability (UHR) capability element. This first capability information can be carried within the UHR capability element. For example, the UHR capability element may include a DUO Supported field to indicate whether the site supports DUO mode; for example, a value of 1 indicates support, and a value of 0 indicates no support. Optionally, this DUO Supported field, also known as the dot11UHRDUOSupported field, indicates that when the site supports DUO mode and DUO mode is enabled, the site may be referred to as a UHR non-AP STA.

[0119] Optionally, the sixth frame may include a UHR capability element, and the second capability information can be carried within the UHR capability element. For example, the UHR capability element may include a DUO Supported field to indicate whether the access point supports DUO mode; for example, a value of 1 indicates support, and a value of 0 indicates no support. Optionally, this DUO Supported field may also be referred to as...

[0120] The dot11UHRDUOAssistingSupported field indicates that when an access point supports DUO mode, it is also called a DUO Assisting AP.

[0121] In some embodiments, a site may request to enable DUO mode via a first request frame, provided that both the site itself and the associated access point support DUO mode. Correspondingly, when the access point determines that it will provide DUO mode service to the site, the access point may reply with a first response frame, accepting the site's request.

[0122] In the embodiments of this application, the first request frame is also called a DUO request frame, or a DUO mode request frame, or it may be replaced with other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0123] In the embodiments of this application, the first response frame is also called a DUO response frame, or a DUO mode response frame, or it may be replaced with other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0124] In some embodiments, the first request frame includes first request information for requesting to enable (or activate) DUO mode or disable (or deactivate) DUO mode.

[0125] Optionally, the first request frame may include a first request field, used to indicate whether to enable or disable DUO mode. That is, the first request field can be used to carry first request information.

[0126] Optionally, the first request field may be called the DUO request field, or the DUO pattern request field, or the pattern request field, or may be replaced with other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0127] Optionally, the first request field can be 1 bit, and different values ​​of this 1 bit are used to indicate whether the site requests to enable DUO mode or requests to disable DUO mode. For example, a value of 1 indicates that DUO mode is requested to be enabled, and a value of 0 indicates that DUO mode is requested to be disabled. Alternatively, the reverse can also be indicated. This application does not limit this.

[0128] Optionally, this first request field is referred to as the Mode field. A value of 1 in the Mode field indicates that DUO mode is requested to be enabled, and a value of 0 indicates that DUO mode is requested to be disabled.

[0129] In some embodiments of this application, the method 200 further includes:

[0130] If the first response frame is not received, the site may retransmit the first request frame, for example, based on the first retransmission count and / or the first backoff time.

[0131] For example, after sending the first request frame, the site can start a first timer. If no first response frame is received after the first timer expires, the first request frame is retransmitted. For example, the first request frame can be retransmitted based on a first retransmission count and / or a first backoff time.

[0132] Optionally, the first retransmission count can be predefined, indicated by the access point, or determined by the site. For example, the first retransmission count can be 3 times. If the first response frame is not received and the retransmission count of the first request frame has not reached 3 times, the site can retransmit the first request frame.

[0133] Optionally, the first backoff time is predefined, or a random value, or determined based on the number of retransmissions of the first request frame. For example, the first backoff time is determined according to the following formula: 2 n × base time slot, where n represents the number of retransmissions for the first request frame. Optionally, the base time slot can be 20ms. Optionally, the first backoff time can be 20ms, 40ms, or 80ms.

[0134] Therefore, in this embodiment of the application, the station can retransmit the first request frame based on a certain number of retransmissions and / or backoff time. On the one hand, this can avoid the problem of the station waiting for too long when it does not receive the first response frame. On the other hand, retransmitting the first request frame based on a specially designed backoff time can help improve the probability of successful transmission of the first request frame and ensure the normal execution of the DUO mode enabling or disabling process.

[0135] In some embodiments, the first response frame includes first response information, which is the access point's response to the first request information. For example, the first response information is used to indicate whether the access point accepts the request indicated by the first request information.

[0136] In some embodiments, the first response information includes at least one of the following:

[0137] The first indication information is used to indicate the reason code, or rejection reason code, for the access point to reject the site's request;

[0138] The second indication information is used to indicate the time interval, or retry interval, for which the access point suggests that the site retransmit the first request frame.

[0139] The third instruction information is used to indicate whether a site reply confirmation frame is required;

[0140] The fourth indication information is used to indicate whether the access point accepts the request of the first request information, or to indicate whether DUO mode is enabled or disabled, that is, the status of DUO mode.

[0141] In some embodiments, if the third indication information indicates that a site response confirmation frame is not required, the access point defaults to DUO mode taking effect after sending the first response frame. For example, if a site requests to enable DUO mode via a first request frame, and the access point indicates agreement to the site's request or DUO mode activation via a first response frame, then the site defaults to DUO mode activation after the access point sends the first response frame. As another example, if a site requests to disable DUO mode via a first request frame, and the access point indicates agreement to the site's request or DUO mode activation via a first response frame, then the site defaults to disabling DUO mode after the access point sends the first response frame.

[0142] In some embodiments, upon detecting a high-risk operation, the access point indicates through third indication information that the site needs to reply with an acknowledgment frame, which helps ensure that the site and the access point have a consistent understanding of the DUO mode state. Optionally, the high-risk operation may include, but is not limited to: the site requesting to enable DUO mode, or the site reporting unavailability based on the access point's trigger frame (i.e., the site passively reporting unavailability).

[0143] In some embodiments, the first indication information may be used to indicate at least one of the following reason codes:

[0144] The first reason code is used to indicate that the access point has insufficient resources;

[0145] The second reason code is used to instruct the access point to prohibit the site from requesting to enable or disable DUO mode;

[0146] The third reason code is used to indicate that the request indicated by the first request information (or the first request frame) is an invalid request;

[0147] The fourth reason code is used to indicate a conflict between a high-priority service to be transmitted and a first request frame requesting the activation of DUO mode between the site and the access point.

[0148] Optionally, insufficient access point resources may include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following:

[0149] The access point's cache resources are insufficient, for example, the cache utilization rate is greater than the first threshold, such as 80% or 85%;

[0150] Channel congestion, for example, channel utilization exceeding a second threshold, such as 80% or 85%;

[0151] Insufficient processing resources, such as CPU utilization exceeding the third threshold, such as 80% or 85%.

[0152] Optionally, the access point may prohibit sites from requesting to enable or disable DUO mode, including but not limited to:

[0153] The access point does not support DUO mode;

[0154] Access points do not support sites requesting to enable or disable DUO mode via DUO request frames;

[0155] Access points do not expect sites to request to enable or disable DUO mode via DUO request frames.

[0156] Optionally, the invalid request indicated by the first request information may include, but is not limited to, the parameter value indicated by the first request information being invalid. For example, a value of 1 in the first request field indicates that the request is to enable DUO mode, and a value of 0 indicates that the request is to disable DUO mode. If the first request field takes other values, it can be understood as an invalid value. In this case, the request indicated by the first request information can be considered an invalid request, or the request corresponding to the first request frame is an invalid request.

[0157] In some embodiments, when there is a high-priority service that needs to be transmitted between a site and an access point, the access point expects the site to disable DUO mode, delay enabling DUO mode, or ignore (or cover up) the site's unavailability report. However, if the site requests to enable DUO mode through a first request frame, the access point can refuse the site's request by indicating a fourth reason code to the site through a first response frame. In this way, the site can disable DUO mode, delay enabling DUO mode, or ignore (or cover up) the site's unavailability report, thus ensuring the transmission of high-priority services.

[0158] Optionally, high-priority services may include, but are not limited to, emergency services and low-latency services, such as services with a Traffic Identifier (TID) of 6 or 7, where TID=6 corresponds to VoIP / video conferencing and TID=7 corresponds to emergency control signals.

[0159] Therefore, in this embodiment of the application, by designing a reason code for the access point to reject the site's request, the site can perform appropriate subsequent operations based on the reason code to ensure the normal execution of the DUO mode enabling or disabling process.

[0160] In some embodiments of this application, the method 200 further includes at least one of the following:

[0161] If the first indication information indicates the first reason code, the site retransmits the first request frame;

[0162] If the first indication information indicates the second reason code, the site stops sending the first request frame;

[0163] If the first indication information indicates the third reason code, the site adjusts the parameter settings in the first request frame and retransmits the first request frame;

[0164] If the first indication information indicates the fourth reason code, the site waits for the access point's second request frame or disables DUO mode, wherein the second request frame is used to request the site to disable DUO mode, or to delay enabling DUO mode, or to override or ignore the site's unavailability report.

[0165] Optionally, if an access point refuses to enable DUO mode (i.e., the first reason code) due to insufficient resources, the site can retransmit the first request frame. For example, it can retransmit the first request frame after the time interval indicated by the second indication information, or retransmit the first request frame based on a randomly determined backoff time, or retransmit the first request frame based on a predefined backoff time, or determine the backoff time based on the number of retransmissions of the first request frame (refer to the method for determining the first backoff time), and retransmit the first request frame based on that backoff time. Using a backoff mechanism to retransmit the first request frame helps increase the probability of successful transmission of the first request frame, ensures the normal execution of the DUO mode activation process, prevents a single site from monopolizing resources, ensures that other sites also have access opportunities, and guarantees network fairness.

[0166] For example, if the access point's channel utilization reaches 85% and buffer utilization reaches 90%, the station sends a first request frame to request the activation of DUO mode. The access point refuses to activate DUO mode due to insufficient resources. The first response frame carries a first reason code. Optionally, the first frame may also carry the access point's load value, such as 90%. After receiving the first reason code, the station can execute the following procedure:

[0167] 1. Upon initial rejection (at which point the access point's load is 90%), the site calculates the backoff time based on the number of retransmissions of the first request frame: 20ms × 2 0 =20ms, wait 20ms and then resend the first request frame.

[0168] 2. If the request is rejected a second time (the access point's load is 88%, and the site's request is rejected again), the site adjusts the backoff time, for example, backoff time = 20ms × 2. 1 =40ms, wait 40ms and then resend the first request frame.

[0169] 3. When the first request frame is sent for the third time, the access point's load value is 50%. The access point accepts the site's request and enables DUO mode.

[0170] In some embodiments, the site may also use the retry interval indicated by the second indication information as the backoff time for retransmitting the first request frame. Optionally, the retry interval can be flexibly adjusted by the access point according to its own load conditions. For example, the access point can monitor its own load conditions in real time (such as channel occupancy or buffer utilization) to determine the size of the retry interval indicated by the second indication information. For example, when the channel occupancy is high, a larger retry interval is determined, and when the channel occupancy is low, a smaller retry interval is determined, ensuring that the site sends the first request frame with an appropriate retry interval, thereby increasing the probability of successful transmission of the first request frame.

[0171] Optionally, if the access point refuses to allow a site to enable or disable DUO mode due to the prohibition of the site's request to enable or disable DUO mode (i.e., the second reason code), it can be understood that the access point does not allow or expects the site to request to enable or disable DUO mode via DUO request frames, or the access point does not support the site requesting to enable or disable DUO mode via DUO request frames, or the access point does not support DUO mode. In this case, if the site continues to send the first request frame to request to enable DUO mode, it will result in additional signaling overhead. Therefore, when the second reason code is carried in the first response frame, the site can stop sending the first request frame.

[0172] Optionally, if the access point refuses to enable DUO mode (i.e., third reason code) because the request indicated by the first request frame is invalid, the site can adjust the parameter settings in the first request frame to ensure that the request indicated by the first request frame is valid, and resend the first request frame to ensure that the access point can correctly parse the content requested by the site.

[0173] Optionally, if a high-priority service needs to be transmitted between a site and an access point, causing the access point to reject the site's request to enable DUO mode, it can be understood that the access point expects the site to disable DUO mode, delay enabling DUO mode, or ignore (or cover up) the site's unavailability report to ensure the transmission of high-priority services. In this case, the site can wait for the access point's second request frame, or it can directly disable DUO mode, delay enabling DUO mode, or ignore (or cover up) the site's unavailability report.

[0174] It should be understood that the reason codes in the above examples and the subsequent actions of the site based on different reason codes are merely examples. Access points may also reject the site's request for other reasons, and this application does not limit this.

[0175] In some embodiments, the first response frame may include at least one of the following fields:

[0176] The first indication field is used to indicate the reason code for the access point to reject the site's request, that is, it is used to carry the first indication information;

[0177] The second indication field is used to indicate the time interval at which the access point suggests the site retransmit the first request frame, that is, to carry the second indication information;

[0178] The third indication field is used to indicate whether a site reply confirmation frame is required; that is, it is used to carry the third indication information.

[0179] The fourth indication field is used to indicate whether the access point accepts the request of the first request information, or to indicate whether DUO mode is enabled or disabled, that is, to carry the fourth indication information.

[0180] Optionally, the first indication field, also known as the Reason Code field, or the Rejection Reason Code field, or other names may be used, which are not limited in this application.

[0181] Optionally, the second indication field may be called the retry interval field, the retransmission interval field, or other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0182] Optionally, the third indication field, also known as the Confirmation Required field, or the Confirmation Control field, or any other name, may be used, which is not limited in this application.

[0183] Optionally, the third indication field can be 1 bit, and different values ​​of this 1 bit are used to indicate whether the site replies with an acknowledgment frame or does not require the site to reply with an acknowledgment frame.

[0184] Optionally, the fourth indicator field may be called the DUO mode status field, the DUO status field, or other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0185] Optionally, the fourth indication field can be 1 bit, and different values ​​of this 1 bit are used to indicate whether DUO mode is enabled or whether DUO mode is requested to be disabled. For example, a value of 1 indicates that DUO mode is enabled, and a value of 0 indicates that DUO mode is disabled. Alternatively, the reverse can also be used. This application does not limit this.

[0186] Optionally, this fourth indicator field is referred to as the Status field. A value of 1 in the Status field indicates that DUO mode is enabled, and a value of 0 indicates that DUO mode is disabled.

[0187] In some embodiments of this application, the method 200 further includes:

[0188] The site sends an acknowledgment frame to the access point, which is used to indicate that the first response frame has been received.

[0189] Correspondingly, the access point receives the confirmation frame sent by the site.

[0190] For example, if the third indication information in the first response frame indicates that a site needs to reply with an acknowledgment frame, the site replies with an acknowledgment frame to the access point. Upon receiving the acknowledgment frame, the access point determines that the DUO mode state is active. If no acknowledgment frame is received, the access point determines that the DUO mode state is the same as before the first request frame was received, i.e., it rolls back the DUO mode state to the previous state. If the third indication information in the first response frame indicates that a site does not need to reply with an acknowledgment frame, the access point defaults to the DUO mode state being active after sending the first response frame. Introducing acknowledgment frames helps ensure consistency in the understanding of the site's DUO mode state between the site and the access point, avoiding the reporting overhead of unavailability reports when DUO mode is disabled. Furthermore, by introducing a dynamic acknowledgment mechanism—that is, the access point can control whether the site replies with an acknowledgment frame through the third indication information—unnecessary acknowledgment frame overhead is reduced, improving network implementation flexibility and ensuring fairness.

[0191] In some embodiments, acknowledgment frames can be sent via uplink Physical Layer Protocol Data Units (PPDUs), which helps reduce the overhead associated with acknowledgment frames. For example, an access point can trigger multiple sites to send uplink PPDUs via a trigger frame, which is used to allocate Resource Units (RUs) to multiple sites. These multiple sites can then aggregate acknowledgment frames into a single PPDU for transmission.

[0192] In some embodiments, the confirmation frame is also called a DUO Confirm frame, a DUO status confirmation frame, or other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0193] In some embodiments of this application, the method 200 further includes:

[0194] After the access point sends the first response frame, the second timer is started;

[0195] If the access point does not receive an acknowledgment frame when the second timer expires, the access point will retransmit the first response frame.

[0196] In other words, the embodiments of this application can support the retransmission mechanism of the first response frame, which helps to avoid the problem that the station rolls back the state of DUO mode to the previous state because it has not received the first response frame, resulting in the station and the access point having the same understanding of the state of DUO mode of the station.

[0197] For example, after sending the first response frame, the access point can start a second timer. During the second timer's operation, the access point can temporarily store the DUO mode state of the site (this stored state can be the DUO mode state requested by the first request frame, or the DUO mode state agreed to by the first response frame). If no acknowledgment frame is received before the second timer expires, the first response frame is retransmitted. If the retransmission fails, the DUO mode state of the site is rolled back to the previous state (i.e., the state before receiving the first request frame) or a preset state (e.g., the disabled state).

[0198] Optionally, the access point may retransmit the first response frame based on the second retransmission count and / or the second backoff time.

[0199] Optionally, the second retransmission count is predefined or determined by the access point. For example, the second retransmission count can be 3 times. If no acknowledgment frame is received and the retransmission count of the first response frame has not reached 3 times, the access point can retransmit the first response frame.

[0200] Optionally, the second backoff time is predefined, or a random value, or determined based on the number of retransmissions of the first response frame. For example, the second backoff time is determined according to the following formula: 2 k × base time slot, k represents the number of retransmissions of the first response frame. Optionally, the second backoff time can be 20ms, 40ms, or 80ms.

[0201] Therefore, in this embodiment of the application, the access point can retransmit the first response frame based on a certain number of retransmissions and / or backoff time. On the one hand, this can avoid the problem of the access point waiting for too long when it does not receive the acknowledgment frame. On the other hand, retransmitting the first response frame based on a specially designed backoff time can help improve the probability of successful transmission of the first response frame and ensure the normal execution of the DUO mode enable or disable process.

[0202] In some embodiments of this application, the method 200 further includes:

[0203] After the site sends the confirmation frame, start the third timer;

[0204] If the station does not receive the trigger frame when the third timer expires, the station retransmits the acknowledgment frame. The trigger frame is used to trigger the station to report that the station is unavailable.

[0205] In other words, the embodiments of this application can support the retransmission mechanism of the acknowledgment frame, which helps to avoid the access point rolling back the DUO mode state to the previous state due to not receiving the acknowledgment frame, resulting in the site and the access point having the same understanding of the DUO mode state of the site.

[0206] Optionally, the triggering frame can be an ICF frame, such as a Buffer Status Report Poll (BSRP) frame.

[0207] Optionally, the station may retransmit the acknowledgment frame based on the third retransmission count and / or the third backoff time.

[0208] Optionally, the number of third retransmissions can be predefined, indicated by the access point, or determined by the station. For example, the number of third retransmissions can be 3. If no trigger frame is received and the number of retransmissions of the acknowledgment frame has not reached 3, the station can retransmit the acknowledgment frame.

[0209] Optionally, the third backoff time can be predefined, a random value, or determined based on the number of retransmissions of the acknowledgment frame. For example, the third backoff time can be determined according to the following formula: 2 m × base time slot, m represents the number of retransmissions of the acknowledgment frame. Optionally, the third backoff time can be 20ms, 40ms, or 80ms.

[0210] Therefore, in this embodiment of the application, the station can retransmit the acknowledgment frame based on a certain number of retransmissions and / or backoff time. On the one hand, this can avoid the problem of the station waiting for too long if it does not receive the trigger frame. On the other hand, retransmitting the acknowledgment frame based on the specially designed backoff time can help improve the probability of successful transmission of the acknowledgment frame and ensure the normal execution of the DUO mode enabling or disabling process.

[0211] In some embodiments, when DUO mode is enabled, the site may send an unavailability report to the access point using either active or passive feedback.

[0212] In some embodiments, for an active feedback method, the method 200 may further include:

[0213] A site can send an ICF frame to an access point, which includes an unavailability report, wherein the unavailability report includes unavailability information of the site, such as unavailability time information and / or unavailability bandwidth information;

[0214] The access point replies with an ICR frame to the site.

[0215] In this active feedback method, the ICF frame can be a BSRP frame, and the ICR frame can be an M-BA frame.

[0216] In some embodiments, for a passive feedback method, the method 200 may further include:

[0217] The access point sends an ICF frame to the site, which is used to trigger the site to send an unavailability report;

[0218] A site can send an ICR frame to an access point, which includes an unavailability report, wherein the unavailability report includes unavailability information of the site, such as unavailability time information and / or unavailability bandwidth information.

[0219] In this passive feedback method, the ICF frame can be a BSRP frame, and the ICR frame can be an M-BA frame.

[0220] Optionally, for the active feedback method, enabling or disabling DUO mode can employ a two-way handshake, meaning no acknowledgment frame is required from the station. In this case, the ICF frame can be considered to function as an acknowledgment frame. Optionally, for the passive feedback method, enabling or disabling DUO mode can employ a three-way handshake, meaning an acknowledgment frame is required from the station. In this case, the acknowledgment frame ensures the reliability of state transitions, and the station can apply the new DUO mode state after sending the acknowledgment frame.

[0221] Figure 4 This application provides a flowchart for enabling and disabling a DUO mode based on active feedback, as illustrated in the embodiments of this application. Figure 4 As shown, it may include the following steps:

[0222] Step 1: The site sends a DUO request frame to the access point to request that DUO mode be enabled.

[0223] The DUO request frame includes a Mode field, which, when set to 1, indicates that the site requests to enable DUO mode.

[0224] Step 2: The access point sends a DUO response frame to the site to indicate whether it accepts the site's request.

[0225] The DUO response frame includes a Status field. Setting the Status field to 0 indicates that DUO mode is enabled, which means that the site's request is accepted.

[0226] When a site needs to coordinate with an access point for IDC, the loop steps in steps 3-6 can be executed.

[0227] Step 3: The site sends an ICF frame to the access point, which carries the site's unavailability report, including information on the time period during which the site is unavailable and / or the unavailable bandwidth.

[0228] Step 4: The access point updates the site's unavailability status table based on the site's unavailability report. This unavailability status table records the site's unavailability information, such as the unavailability period and / or unavailability bandwidth information.

[0229] Step 5: The access point replies with an ICR frame to the site.

[0230] Step 6: The access point generates a scheduling policy for the site based on the site's unavailability status table, avoiding scheduling the site during its unavailability period and delaying the scheduling of the site until the site's available time period.

[0231] Step 7: When it is necessary to stop DUO mode, the site can send a DUO request frame to the access point to request that DUO mode be disabled. This DUO request frame includes a Mode field, which, when set to 0, indicates that the site is requesting that DUO mode be disabled.

[0232] Step 8: The access point sends a DUO response frame to the site to indicate whether it accepts the site's request.

[0233] The DUO response frame includes a Status field. Setting the Status field to 1 indicates that DUO mode has been stopped, meaning that the access point accepts the site's request.

[0234] Step 9: Stop the DUO mode service at the access point.

[0235] In this case, if the site does not declare an unavailability report, the access point can schedule the site to send or receive data frames.

[0236] Figure 5 This application provides a flowchart for enabling and disabling a DUO mode based on passive feedback, as illustrated in the embodiments of this application. Figure 5 As shown, it may include the following steps:

[0237] Step 1: The site sends a DUO request frame to the access point to request that DUO mode be enabled.

[0238] The DUO request frame includes a Mode field, which is set to 1 to indicate that the site requests to enable DUO mode.

[0239] Step 2: The access point sends a DUO response frame to the site to indicate whether it accepts the site's request.

[0240] The DUO response frame includes a Status field, which is set to 0 to enable DUO mode, that is, to accept the site's request.

[0241] When a site needs to coordinate with an access point for IDC, the loop steps in steps 3-6 can be executed.

[0242] Step 3: When DUO mode is enabled, the site sends an ICF frame to the access point, which carries the site's unavailability report, including information on the unavailability period and / or unavailability bandwidth.

[0243] Step 4: The access point updates the site's unavailability status table based on the site's unavailability report. This unavailability status table records the site's unavailability information, such as the unavailability period and / or unavailability bandwidth information.

[0244] Step 5: The access point replies with an ICR frame to the site.

[0245] Step 6: The access point generates a scheduling policy for the site based on the site's unavailability status table, avoiding scheduling the site during its unavailability period and delaying the scheduling of the site until the site's available time period.

[0246] Step 7: When it is necessary to stop DUO mode, the site can send a DUO request frame to the access point to request the DUO mode to be stopped. This DUO request frame includes a Mode field, which, when set to 0, indicates that the site requests to disable DUO mode.

[0247] Step 8: The access point sends a DUO response frame to the site to indicate whether it accepts the site's request.

[0248] The DUO response frame includes a Status field, which is set to 1 to indicate that DUO mode is disabled, meaning that the site's request is accepted.

[0249] Step 9: Stop the DUO mode service at the access point.

[0250] In this case, if the site does not declare an unavailability report, the access point can schedule the site to send or receive data frames.

[0251] In some embodiments, when a site requests to disable DUO mode and the access point accepts the site's request, the access point may stop maintaining the site's unavailability state table, or clear the site's unavailability state table, thereby releasing the resources occupied by the site's unavailability state table and improving the access point's available resources.

[0252] In some embodiments of this application, there are multiple links between the site and the access point. For example, if the site is a STA MLD and the access point is an AP MLD, then S210 may include:

[0253] The site sends a first request frame to the access point through the main link among multiple links. The first request frame is used to request that DUO mode be enabled or disabled for at least one of the multiple links.

[0254] The S220 may include:

[0255] The site receives the first response frame sent by the access point through the main link among multiple links. The first response frame is a response to the first request frame.

[0256] In other words, in multi-link scenarios, it can support enabling or disabling DUO mode at the link level, so that STA MLD can independently enable or disable DUO mode for a single link. In this way, when a single link is unavailable, only the DUO mode needs to be enabled for that single link, instead of enabling DUO mode for all links, which can improve channel utilization.

[0257] Optionally, the at least one link may be an unavailable link among the plurality of links.

[0258] Optionally, the unavailability of at least one link may include, but is not limited to:

[0259] The data transmission on at least one link conflicts with the time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources used by data transmission on other links in the plurality of links; and / or

[0260] The data transmission on at least one link conflicts with the time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources used for non-WiFi data transmission.

[0261] In some embodiments, the first request frame includes first request information corresponding to each of the at least one link, and the first request information corresponding to each link is used to indicate whether to enable or disable DUO mode for each link.

[0262] Optionally, the first request frame may also include first link information to indicate the at least one link.

[0263] In other words, the site requests to enable or disable DUO mode for which link site.

[0264] Optionally, the first link information may include the link identification information of the target link, or it may indicate the at least one link through a bitmap. For example, if the multiple links include K links, the first link information may include K bits, where K is a positive integer greater than 1, each bit corresponds to one link in the STA MLD, and different values ​​of each bit are used to indicate whether to request to enable or disable the DUO mode of the corresponding link (that is, whether the at least one link includes the link corresponding to the bit).

[0265] In some embodiments, the first response frame includes first response information corresponding to each of at least one link, wherein the first response information corresponding to each link is used to indicate whether to receive the request for the first request information corresponding to each link.

[0266] Optionally, the first response information for each link may include at least one of the following:

[0267] The first indication information is used to indicate the reason code for rejecting the site's request for that link access point;

[0268] The second instruction information is used to indicate the time interval for the suggested site to retransmit the first request frame for the link access point;

[0269] The third instruction information is used to indicate whether a site needs to reply with an acknowledgment frame for this link;

[0270] The fourth indication information is used to indicate whether the request for the first request information is accepted for the link access point, or to indicate whether DUO mode is enabled or disabled.

[0271] The specific implementation of each of the above information items is described in the relevant descriptions of the foregoing embodiments, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0272] In some embodiments, the station can select a primary link based on the signal quality of the multiple links, for example, selecting the one with the best signal quality as the primary link. Optionally, the station can periodically monitor the status of each link, for example, periodically sending heartbeat frames through each link to determine whether any link has failed. Optionally, when the number of lost heartbeat frames on the primary link exceeds a first threshold (e.g., 3 times), the station can reselect a primary link from the multiple links. Therefore, embodiments of this application can support dynamic switching when the primary link fails, which helps ensure the reliability of the station sending the first request frame through the primary link.

[0273] In some embodiments of this application, the method 200 further includes:

[0274] The site sends a third frame to the access point through the main link among multiple links. The third frame includes information about the unavailability of at least one of the site's links.

[0275] The site receives the fourth frame sent by the access point through the main link among multiple links. The fourth frame is a response frame to the third frame.

[0276] Optionally, if the site detects that at least one of the multiple links is unavailable, it may send a third frame to the access point via the main link.

[0277] In other words, when at least one link of a site is unavailable, the site can send an unavailability message for at least one link through the main link. This enables centralized management of multiple links of the site through the main link, and allows the site and access point to synchronize the unavailability status of the at least one link. This minimizes the communication overhead and response time of cross-link coordination, and avoids the problem of transmission failure caused by the access point transmitting data to the site through an unavailable link.

[0278] Optionally, the third frame can be an ICF frame, such as a BSRP frame.

[0279] Optionally, the fourth frame can be an ICR frame, such as an M-BA frame.

[0280] In some embodiments, when the site is a STA MLD and the access point is a Non-MLD, and the site and access point are associated through a first link, the site can request to enable or disable the DUO mode of the first link, but not request to enable or disable the DUO mode of other links. Optionally, the site may also choose not to report unavailability information of other links besides the first link to the access point; that is, unavailability information of other links does not need to be synchronized to the access point. Optionally, if the site sends unavailability information of other links to the access point, the access point may ignore the unavailability information of other links.

[0281] Therefore, the DUO mode enabling or disabling scheme and the unavailable information feedback scheme provided in the embodiments of this application can be compatible with the interaction scenarios of STA MLD and AP MLD, as well as the interaction scenarios of STA MLD and AP Non-MLD.

[0282] In some embodiments of this application, the method 200 further includes:

[0283] The access point sends a second request frame to the site. This second request frame is used to request the site to disable DUO mode, or delay enabling DUO mode, or override or ignore the site's unavailability report.

[0284] Correspondingly, the site receives the second request frame sent by the access point;

[0285] The site sends a second response frame to the access point, which indicates whether the access point's request is accepted.

[0286] Correspondingly, the access point receives the second response frame from the site.

[0287] Furthermore, upon receiving a request from an access point, the site may, based on the second request frame, disable DUO mode, delay enabling DUO mode, or override the site's unavailability report.

[0288] In some embodiments, sending a second request frame from an access point to a site may include:

[0289] When the access point rejects the site's request to enable DUO mode due to high-priority service transmission needs between the site and the access point (e.g., the first response frame carries a fourth reason code), the access point sends a second request frame to the site.

[0290] Furthermore, the site can disable DUO mode based on the second request frame, or delay enabling DUO mode, or override the site's unavailability report. In this way, the site can transmit high-priority services during the unavailability period, which helps to ensure the reliable transmission of high-priority services.

[0291] Optionally, the access point can determine whether to send a second request frame based on the type of service to be transmitted, forcibly overriding the site's unavailability report, and ensuring that the transmission of high-priority services is not restricted by DUO mode.

[0292] For example, when an access point can monitor the priority queue in real time and count the proportion of each priority service, when the proportion of high-priority services exceeds a certain threshold (e.g., 20%), or when the latency of high-priority services exceeds a certain threshold (e.g., 50ms), the access point can determine to send a second request frame to trigger a forced coverage site unavailability report.

[0293] Optionally, the second request frame may be called a DUO Priority Override frame, an unavailable report ignore frame, a DUO mode delayed enable request frame, or a DUO mode disabled request frame, or may be replaced with other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0294] In some embodiments, the second request frame includes at least one of the following:

[0295] The service priority information to be transmitted between the site and the access point, such as priority 6 or 7;

[0296] The access point expects the site to disable DUO mode or delay enabling DUO mode or cover the unavailability report of the site for a certain duration, also known as the coverage time, ignore time, or delay time.

[0297] The access point is the site-compensated transmission opportunity (TXOP) duration, where the TXOP duration is used to transmit non-WiFi data;

[0298] The access point is the site compensation sleep duration.

[0299] Optionally, the duration for which the access point expects the site to disable DUO mode, delay enabling DUO mode, or cover the site's unavailability report can be the duration of high-priority services between the transport site and the access point. During this duration, the access point expects the site to disable DUO mode, or ignore the site's unavailability report, thereby ensuring reliable transmission of high-priority services.

[0300] In this embodiment, since the site ignores its own unavailability report and transmits WiFi data during the unavailability period, it is equivalent to occupying the time for non-WiFi data transmission. Therefore, the access point can compensate for the time used for non-WiFi data transmission, for example, by supplementing the site with TXOP time.

[0301] In this embodiment, since the site ignores its own unavailability report and transmits WiFi data during the unavailability period, it is equivalent to sacrificing the sleep time for WiFi data transmission. Therefore, the access point can compensate the site for the sleep time used for WiFi data transmission.

[0302] Figure 6 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating a forced coverage site unavailability report provided in an embodiment of this application, such as... Figure 6 As shown, the method includes the following steps:

[0303] Step 1: The access point sends a second request frame to the site, which requests the site to disable DUO mode, or delay enabling DUO mode, or override or ignore the site's unavailability report.

[0304] Step 2: The site sends a second response frame to the access point, indicating acceptance of the access point's request. Further, the site may disable DUO mode, delay enabling DUO mode, or override or ignore the site's unavailability report to resume data transmission.

[0305] Step 3: The site receives a data frame sent by the access point, which includes high-priority data.

[0306] Step 4: The site replies with an Acknowledgement (ACK) frame to the access point.

[0307] Step 5: After the ignore time expires, the site returns to DUO mode, that is, it returns to DUO mode enabled.

[0308] In some embodiments of this application, to ensure consistent understanding of the DUO mode state between the site and the access point, the access point can periodically send broadcast frames. These broadcast frames can include the DUO mode states of multiple sites, which may include all associated sites of the access point. Correspondingly, a site can verify its own DUO mode state based on the broadcast frame. For example, if the two are inconsistent, the site updates its own DUO mode state according to the DUO mode state in the broadcast frame. Optionally, this broadcast frame may be called a DUO state summary frame, or it may be replaced with other names; this application does not limit this.

[0309] In other embodiments of this application, the method 200 further includes:

[0310] The site sends the first frame to the access point. The first frame is used to query the status of the site's DUO mode stored in the access point.

[0311] The site receives a second frame sent by the access point. The second frame is used to indicate the status of the site's DUO mode.

[0312] In some embodiments, a station can periodically send a first frame to query the status of the station's DUO mode stored by the access point. The access point can respond with a second frame to inform the station of the status of the DUO mode of the station it stores, thereby ensuring that the station and the access point have a consistent understanding of the status of the station's DUO mode.

[0313] Optionally, the station can periodically send the first frame based on the fourth timer. For example, after sending the first frame, the fourth timer is started, and the second frame from the access point is received during the operation of the fourth timer. If the second frame is not received when the fourth timer expires, it is considered that the station's DUO mode is not synchronized. The station can then roll back the state of the DUO mode to a preset state (e.g., the disabled state) or the previous state.

[0314] In some embodiments, the first frame includes at least one of the following:

[0315] The current state of the site's DUO mode;

[0316] The DUO event number (e.g., sequence number), which includes enable or disable events for this DUO mode. This DUO event number can be the number of the DUO event for which the site wants to query the status, or the number of the DUO event corresponding to the current status of the DUO mode.

[0317] In other embodiments, the second frame includes at least one of the following:

[0318] The current state of the DUO mode of the site stored at the access point;

[0319] The number (e.g., sequence number) of the DUO event corresponding to the current state of the DUO mode, which includes the enable or disable event of the DUO mode.

[0320] Optionally, the DUO event may include the transmission of a first request frame and a first response frame.

[0321] Optionally, the DUO event may include the transmission of a first request frame, a first response frame, and an acknowledgment frame.

[0322] For example, if the first request frame is used to request the activation of DUO mode and the first response frame is used to indicate the acceptance site's request, this DUO event can be considered as an activation event for DUO mode.

[0323] For example, if the first request frame is used to request the DUO mode to be disabled, and the first response frame is used to indicate the request from the accepting site, this DUO event can be considered a DUO mode disabling event.

[0324] Optionally, each DUO event can be associated with a unique number, which helps prevent replay attacks.

[0325] In the embodiments of this application, the first frame is also called the DUO Status Query frame, or, it can be replaced with other names, and this application does not limit it.

[0326] In the embodiments of this application, the second frame is also called the DUO Status Report frame, or, it can be replaced with other names, and this application does not limit it.

[0327] The following describes the frame format design of the first request frame, first response frame, confirmation frame, second request frame, first frame, and second frame provided in the embodiments of this application, with reference to specific embodiments.

[0328] In some embodiments, at least one of a first request frame, a first response frame, an acknowledgment frame, a second request frame, a first frame, and a second frame can be designed using an action frame.

[0329] Optionally, the action frame can reuse an existing action category, such as 0x7F, or a new action category can be added to indicate that the action frame is a DUO mode-related action frame, referred to as a DUO action frame. The first request frame, the first response frame, the acknowledgment frame, the second request frame, the first frame, and the second frame can be considered as DUO model-related frames.

[0330] For example, an Action frame may include a DUO Action field, where the first request frame, the first response frame, the confirmation frame, the second request frame, the first frame, and the second frame may correspond to different DUO Action types.

[0331] Table 1 shows the relationship between DUO action fields and their corresponding meanings.

[0332] DUO Action meaning 0 DUO Request, also known as the first request frame 1 DUO Response, also known as the first response frame 2 DUO Confirm, also known as a confirmation frame 3 DUO Status Query, also known as the first frame 4 DUO Status Report, also known as the second frame 5 DUO Priority Override, also known as the second request frame 6-255 reserve

[0333] It should be noted that the relationship between the values ​​and corresponding meanings of the above DUO Action is only an example. In actual applications, it may only include part of the correspondence in Table 1, such as only the first request frame and the first response frame, or only the first request frame, the first response frame, and the acknowledgment frame. Furthermore, the number of bits occupied by the DUO Action field, the value of the DUO Action field, and the corresponding DUO Action type may also be adjusted according to actual needs. This application is not limited to this.

[0334] In some embodiments, the Action frame may include a DUO element to indicate the DUO behavior corresponding to the Action frame. For different DUO Action types, the DUO element may indicate different DUO behavior information.

[0335] Figure 7 This is a schematic format diagram of an action frame provided in an embodiment of this application, such as... Figure 6 As shown, the action frame may include the following fields:

[0336] The Category field indicates the type of action frame, such as a DUO action frame;

[0337] The DUO Action field is used to indicate the type of DUO action frame, such as some or all of the DUO action frame types in Table 1;

[0338] The DUO element is used to indicate the DUO behavior information corresponding to the DUO action frame type.

[0339] For example, in a DUO Request frame, the DUO element can carry first request information to instruct the site to enable or disable DUO mode.

[0340] For example, in a DUO Response frame, the DUO element can carry first response information to indicate the access point's response to the first request information.

[0341] Optional, such as Figure 7 As shown, the action frame also includes a link bitmap field, used to indicate at least one link corresponding to the DUO element in the action frame. For example, when the link bitmap field indicates a link, the action frame may include one DUO element corresponding to that link; or, if the link bitmap field indicates multiple links, the action frame may include multiple DUO elements, each DUO element corresponding to one of the multiple links, and each DUO element is used to indicate the DUO behavior information of the corresponding link.

[0342] In the embodiments of this application, the link indication field is also called the link bitmap field, or may be replaced with other names, and this application does not limit it.

[0343] The following, combined with Figures 8 to 11 This describes the frame format design of the first request frame, first response frame, first frame, second frame, and second request frame provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0344] Example 1: Frame format design of the first request frame

[0345] In some embodiments, the first request frame may include the following fields:

[0346] The Category field indicates the type of action frame, such as a DUO action frame;

[0347] The DUO Action field indicates that the type of the DUO action frame is a first request frame; for example, the value of the DUO Action field is 0.

[0348] The DUO element includes a first request field, which indicates whether the DUO mode is requested to be enabled or disabled.

[0349] Optionally, in a multi-link scenario, the first request frame may include:

[0350] The Category field indicates the type of action frame, such as a DUO action frame;

[0351] The DUO Action field indicates that the type of the DUO action frame is a first request frame; for example, the value of the DUO Action field is 0.

[0352] The link indication field is used to indicate at least one link.

[0353] At least one DUO element, each DUO element corresponding to one of at least one links, and each DUO element may include a first request field for indicating whether to request to enable or disable the DUO mode of the corresponding link.

[0354] Example 2: Frame format design of the first response frame

[0355] In some embodiments, the first response frame may include the following fields:

[0356] The Category field indicates the type of action frame, such as a DUO action frame;

[0357] The DUO Action field indicates that the type of the DUO action frame is a first response frame; for example, the value of the DUO Action field is 1.

[0358] The DUO element is used to carry the first response information.

[0359] The DUO element may include at least one of the following fields:

[0360] The first indication field is used to indicate the reason code for the access point to reject the site's request, that is, to carry the aforementioned first indication information;

[0361] The second indication field is used to indicate the time interval at which the access point suggests the site retransmit the first request frame, that is, to carry the second indication information;

[0362] The third indication field is used to indicate whether a site reply confirmation frame is required; that is, it is used to carry the third indication information.

[0363] The fourth indication field is used to indicate whether the access point accepts the request of the first request information, or to indicate whether DUO mode is enabled or disabled, that is, to carry the fourth indication information.

[0364] Optionally, in a multi-link scenario, the first response frame may include:

[0365] The Category field indicates the type of action frame, such as a DUO action frame;

[0366] The DUO Action field indicates that the type of the DUO action frame is a first response frame; for example, the value of the DUO Action field is 1.

[0367] The link indication field is used to indicate at least one link.

[0368] At least one DUO element, each DUO element corresponds to one link, and each DUO element may include at least one of the following fields:

[0369] The first indication field is used to indicate whether a site needs to reply with a confirmation frame for the corresponding link;

[0370] The second indication field is used to indicate the reason code for rejecting the request from the site at the corresponding link access point;

[0371] The third indication field is used to indicate the time interval for the suggested site to resend the first request frame for the corresponding link access point;

[0372] The fourth indication field is used to indicate whether the request for the first request information is accepted for the corresponding link access point, or to indicate whether DUO mode is enabled or disabled.

[0373] Figure 8 This is a schematic format diagram of the DUO element in the first response frame provided in the embodiments of this application, such as... Figure 8 As shown, the DUO element may include the following fields:

[0374] The "Confirmation Required" field corresponds to the third indicator field.

[0375] DUO mode status field, corresponding to the fourth indicator field;

[0376] The Reason Code field corresponds to the first indicator field;

[0377] The retry interval field corresponds to the second indicator field.

[0378] It should be noted that, Figure 8 The positions of the various fields and the number of bits they occupy are merely examples and can be adjusted according to actual needs. This application is not limited to these.

[0379] Example 3: Frame format design of the second request frame

[0380] In some embodiments, the second request frame may include at least one of the following fields:

[0381] The Category field indicates the type of action frame, such as a DUO action frame;

[0382] The DUO Action field indicates that the type of the DUO Action frame is a second request frame. For example, the value of the DUO Action field is 5.

[0383] The priority field is used to indicate the priority information of the services to be transmitted between the site and the access point;

[0384] The Ignore Duration field indicates the duration for which the access point expects the site to disable DUO mode, delay enabling DUO mode, or cover the unavailability report of the site.

[0385] The TXOP duration or sleep duration field is used to indicate the TXOP duration or sleep duration that the access point compensates for the site.

[0386] Figure 9 This is a schematic format diagram of the second request frame provided in the embodiments of this application, such as... Figure 9 As shown, the second request frame may include the following fields:

[0387] The Category field indicates the type of action frame, such as a DUO action frame;

[0388] The DUO Action field indicates that the type of the DUO Action frame is a second request frame. For example, the value of the DUO Action field is 5.

[0389] The priority field is used to indicate the priority information of the services to be transmitted between the site and the access point;

[0390] The Ignore Duration field indicates the duration for which the access point expects the site to disable DUO mode, delay enabling DUO mode, or cover the unavailability report of the site.

[0391] The TXOP duration or sleep duration field is used to indicate the TXOP duration or sleep duration that the access point compensates for the site.

[0392] Optionally, the priority field may occupy 3 bits, the ignore duration field may occupy 13 bits, or the priority field and the ignore duration field may also be other numbers of bits, which are not limited in this application.

[0393] Optionally, the TXOP duration or sleep duration field includes a 1-bit indicator field to indicate whether the field is used to indicate the TXOP duration or the sleep duration.

[0394] It should be noted that, Figure 9 The positions of the various fields and the number of bits they occupy are merely examples and can be adjusted according to actual needs. This application is not limited to these.

[0395] Example 4: Frame format design of the first frame

[0396] In some embodiments, the first frame may include at least one of the following fields:

[0397] The Category field indicates the type of action frame, such as a DUO action frame;

[0398] The DUO Action field indicates that the type of the DUO action frame is the first frame. For example, the value of the DUO Action field is 3.

[0399] The STA DUO mode field indicates the current status of the site's DUO mode;

[0400] The number or sequence number field is used to indicate the number of the DUO event, such as the DUO event corresponding to the current state, or the number of the DUO event that the site is requesting to query.

[0401] Figure 10 This is a schematic format diagram of the first frame provided in the embodiments of this application, such as... Figure 10 As shown, the second request frame may include the following fields:

[0402] The Category field indicates the type of action frame, such as a DUO action frame;

[0403] The DUO Action field indicates that the type of the DUO action frame is the first frame. For example, the value of the DUO Action field is 3.

[0404] The STA DUO mode field indicates the current status of the site's DUO mode;

[0405] The number or sequence number field is used to indicate the number of the DUO event, such as the DUO event corresponding to the current state, or the number of the DUO event that the site is requesting to query.

[0406] It should be noted that, Figure 10 The positions of the various fields and the number of bits they occupy are merely examples and can be adjusted according to actual needs. This application is not limited to these.

[0407] Example 5: Frame format design for the second frame

[0408] In some embodiments, the second frame may include at least one of the following fields:

[0409] The Category field indicates the type of action frame, such as a DUO action frame;

[0410] The DUO Action field indicates that the type of the DUO action frame is the first frame. For example, the value of the DUO Action field is 3.

[0411] The AP DUO mode field is used to indicate the current status of the DUO mode of the site stored in the access point;

[0412] The number or sequence number field is used to indicate the number of the DUO event, such as the DUO event corresponding to the current state, or the number of the DUO event that the site is requesting to query.

[0413] Figure 11 This is a schematic format diagram of the second frame provided in the embodiments of this application, such as... Figure 11 As shown, the second frame may include the following fields:

[0414] The Category field indicates the type of action frame, such as a DUO action frame;

[0415] The DUO Action field indicates that the type of the DUO action frame is the first frame. For example, the value of the DUO Action field is 4.

[0416] The AP DUO mode field is used to indicate the current status of the DUO mode of the site stored in the access point;

[0417] The number or sequence number field is used to indicate the number of the DUO event, such as the DUO event corresponding to the current state, or the number of the DUO event that the site is requesting to query.

[0418] It should be noted that, Figure 11 The positions of the various fields and the number of bits they occupy are merely examples and can be adjusted according to actual needs. This application is not limited to these.

[0419] The preferred embodiments of this application have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this application is not limited to the specific details of the above embodiments. Within the scope of the technical concept of this application, various simple modifications can be made to the technical solutions of this application, and these simple modifications all fall within the protection scope of this application. For example, the various specific technical features described in the above specific embodiments can be combined in any suitable manner without contradiction. To avoid unnecessary repetition, this application will not describe the various possible combinations separately. Furthermore, various different embodiments of this application can also be arbitrarily combined, as long as they do not violate the spirit of this application, they should also be considered as the content disclosed in this application.

[0420] In summary, the embodiments of this application include a process for enabling and disabling DUO mode. For example, the station and the access point can enable or disable DUO mode through a two-step handshake (e.g., a first request frame and a first response frame) or a three-step handshake (e.g., a first request frame, a first response frame, and an acknowledgment frame). This ensures that the station and the access point have a consistent understanding of the DUO mode state, avoids additional control frame interactions caused by inconsistent understanding of the DUO mode state, and reduces channel load.

[0421] Furthermore, this application embodiment introduces a dynamic confirmation mechanism, which allows the access point to control whether the site replies with a confirmation frame through the first indication information. This helps to reduce unnecessary confirmation frame overhead, improve the flexibility of network implementation, and also takes fairness into account.

[0422] Furthermore, this application embodiment introduces a mechanism to force the coverage of site unavailability reports. When there are high-priority services waiting to be transmitted, but the site requests to enable DUO mode, the access point can force the coverage of the site's unavailability reports and schedule the site to transmit high-priority services during the site's unavailability period, which helps to ensure the reliable transmission of high-priority services.

[0423] Furthermore, this application embodiment designs a reason code for the access point to reject the site request, avoiding confusion for the site due to the vendor's custom reason code. In addition, the site can perform appropriate follow-up operations based on the reason code for the access point to reject the site request, thereby improving communication efficiency.

[0424] Furthermore, the embodiments of this application introduce a timeout retransmission mechanism for the first request frame, the first response frame, and the acknowledgment frame, as well as a periodic query mechanism for the first frame and the second frame, which can prevent inconsistencies in state caused by frame loss, clock drift, or interference, and improve the reliability of DUO mode in complex wireless environments.

[0425] Furthermore, this application embodiment also supports the reporting of unavailability information of at least one link of a site in a multi-link scenario, as well as enabling or disabling DUO mode for at least one link of a site. This can ensure the synchronization of the unavailability status of the at least one link between the site and the access point, minimize the communication overhead and response time of cross-link coordination, and avoid the problem of transmission failure caused by the access point transmitting data with the site through an unavailable link.

[0426] The above text combined Figures 2 to 11 The method embodiments of this application are described in detail below, in conjunction with... Figures 12 to 16 The present application describes the device embodiments in detail. It should be understood that the device embodiments correspond to the method embodiments, and similar descriptions can be referred to the method embodiments.

[0427] Figure 12 This is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 500 according to an embodiment of this application. The communication device 500 can be a station, or a component within a station, such as a chip, circuit, or module. Figure 12 The communication device 500 includes:

[0428] Transceiver module 510 is configured to send a first request frame to an access point, the first request frame including first request information, the first request information being used to request enabling or disabling Dynamic Unavailable Operation (DUO) mode; and

[0429] The system receives a first response frame sent by the access point. The first response frame includes first response information, which includes at least one of the following:

[0430] The first indication information is a reason code used to indicate to the access point that it rejects the request from the site;

[0431] The second indication information is used to indicate the time interval at which the access point suggests the site retransmit the first request frame.

[0432] In some embodiments, the first indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following reason codes:

[0433] The first reason code is used to indicate that the access point has insufficient resources;

[0434] The second reason code is used to instruct the access point to prohibit the site from requesting to enable or disable DUO mode;

[0435] The third reason code is used to indicate that the request corresponding to the first request frame is an invalid request;

[0436] The fourth reason code is used to indicate that there is a conflict between the site and the access point, where a high-priority service is pending transmission and the first request frame requests to enable DUO mode.

[0437] In some embodiments, the apparatus 500 further includes a processing module 520 for performing at least one of the following:

[0438] If the first indication information indicates the first reason code, the first request frame is retransmitted based on the time interval indicated by the access point or the random backoff time;

[0439] If the first indication information indicates the second reason code, stop sending the first request frame;

[0440] If the first indication information indicates the third reason code, adjust the parameter settings in the first request frame and resend the first request frame;

[0441] If the first indication information indicates the fourth reason code, wait for the second request frame from the access point or disable DUO mode, wherein the second request frame is used to request the site to disable DUO mode, or to override or ignore the site's unavailability report.

[0442] In some embodiments, the first response information further includes at least one of the following:

[0443] The third indication information is used to indicate whether the site needs to reply with a confirmation frame;

[0444] The fourth indication information is used to indicate whether the access point accepts the request indicated by the first request information, or to indicate whether to enable or disable DUO mode.

[0445] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 510 is further configured to:

[0446] A confirmation frame is sent to the access point, the confirmation frame being used to indicate that the first response frame has been received.

[0447] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 510 is further configured to:

[0448] Receive a second request frame sent by the access point, the second request frame being used to request the site to disable DUO mode, or delay enabling DUO mode, or overwrite the site's unavailability report;

[0449] The device 500 further includes a processing module, configured to disable DUO mode, delay enabling DUO mode, or overwrite the unavailability report of the site based on the second request frame.

[0450] In some embodiments, the second request frame includes at least one of the following:

[0451] Service priority information to be transmitted between the site and the access point;

[0452] The access point expects the site to disable DUO mode or override the site's unavailability reports for a specified duration;

[0453] The access point is the transmission opportunity (TXOP) duration compensated by the site, wherein the TXOP duration is used to transmit non-WiFi data;

[0454] The access point is the sleep duration compensated by the site.

[0455] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 510 is further configured to: send a first frame to the access point, the first frame being used to query the status of the DUO mode of the site stored by the access point;

[0456] The second frame sent by the access point is received, which is used to indicate the status of the DUO mode of the site.

[0457] In some embodiments, the first frame includes at least one of the following:

[0458] The current state of the DUO mode of the site;

[0459] The number of the DUO event corresponding to the current state of the DUO mode, wherein the DUO event includes the enable event or disable event of the DUO mode.

[0460] In some embodiments, the second frame includes at least one of the following:

[0461] The access point stores the current state of the DUO mode of the site;

[0462] The number of the DUO event corresponding to the current state of the DUO mode, wherein the DUO event includes the enable event or disable event of the DUO mode.

[0463] In some embodiments, multiple links exist between the site and the access point, and the transceiver module 510 is further configured to:

[0464] The first request frame is sent to the access point through the main link among the multiple links. The first request frame is used to request that DUO mode be enabled or disabled for at least one of the multiple links.

[0465] In some embodiments, the first request frame includes first request information corresponding to each of the at least one link, the first request information corresponding to each link being used to indicate a request to enable or disable DUO mode for each link.

[0466] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 510 is further configured to:

[0467] The access point receives the first response frame sent through the main link among the multiple links, and the first response frame is used to indicate whether the request from the site is accepted.

[0468] In some embodiments, the first response frame includes first response information corresponding to each of the at least one link, wherein the first response information corresponding to each link is used to indicate whether to receive the request for the first request information corresponding to each link.

[0469] In some embodiments, multiple links exist between the site and the access point, and the transceiver module 510 is further configured to:

[0470] A third frame is sent to the access point through the main link among the multiple links, and the third frame includes information about the unavailability of at least one link of the site;

[0471] The access point receives a fourth frame sent through the main link among the multiple links, the fourth frame being a response frame to the third frame.

[0472] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 510 is further configured to:

[0473] Send first capability information to the access point, wherein the first capability information is used to indicate that the site supports DUO mode;

[0474] The system receives second capability information sent by the access point, the second capability information being used to indicate that the access point supports DUO mode.

[0475] Optionally, in some embodiments, the transceiver module may be a communication interface or transceiver, or an input / output interface of a communication chip or system-on-a-chip.

[0476] It should be understood that the apparatus 500 according to the embodiments of this application may correspond to the station in the method embodiments of this application, and the above and other operations and / or functions of each unit in the apparatus 500 are respectively for implementing Figures 2 to 11 The corresponding processes of the site in the method embodiment shown are not described in detail here for the sake of simplicity.

[0477] Figure 13This is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 600 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 600 can be an access point, or a component within the access point, such as a chip, circuit, or module.

[0478] like Figure 13 As shown, the communication device 600 includes:

[0479] The transceiver module 610 is used to receive a first request frame sent by the station. The first request frame includes first request information, which is used to request to enable or disable the Dynamic Unavailable Operation (DUO) mode.

[0480] Send a first response frame to the site, the first response frame including first response information, the first response information including at least one of the following:

[0481] The first indication information is a reason code used to indicate that the access point rejects the request from the site;

[0482] The second indication information is used to indicate the time interval at which the access point suggests the site retransmit the first request frame.

[0483] In some embodiments, the communication device 600 further includes a processing module 620 for controlling the transceiver module 610 to receive a first request frame and send a first response frame to the station.

[0484] In some embodiments, the first indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following reason codes:

[0485] The first reason code is used to indicate that the access point has insufficient resources;

[0486] The second reason code is used to instruct the access point to prohibit the site from requesting to enable or disable DUO mode;

[0487] The third reason code is used to indicate that the request corresponding to the first request frame is an invalid request;

[0488] The fourth reason code is used to indicate that there is a conflict between the site and the access point, where a high-priority service is pending transmission and the first request frame requests to enable DUO mode.

[0489] In some embodiments, the first response information further includes at least one of the following:

[0490] The third indication information is used to indicate whether the site needs to reply with a confirmation frame;

[0491] The fourth indication information is used to indicate whether the access point accepts the request indicated by the first request information, or to indicate whether to enable or disable DUO mode.

[0492] In some embodiments of this application, the transceiver module 610 is further configured to:

[0493] Send a second request frame to the site, the second request frame being used to request the site to disable DUO mode, or delay enabling DUO mode, or override the site's unavailability report.

[0494] In some embodiments, the second request frame includes at least one of the following:

[0495] Service priority information to be transmitted between the site and the access point;

[0496] The access point expects the site to disable DUO mode or override the site's unavailability reports for a specified duration;

[0497] The access point is the transmission opportunity (TXOP) duration compensated by the site, wherein the TXOP duration is used to transmit non-WiFi data;

[0498] The access point is the sleep duration compensated by the site.

[0499] In some embodiments of this application, the transceiver module 610 is further configured to:

[0500] Receive a first frame sent by the site, the first frame being used to query the status of the DUO mode of the site stored by the access point;

[0501] A second frame is sent to the site, the second frame being used to indicate the status of the site's DUO mode.

[0502] In some embodiments, the first frame includes at least one of the following:

[0503] The current state of the DUO mode of the site;

[0504] The number of the DUO event corresponding to the current state of the DUO mode, wherein the DUO event includes the enable event or disable event of the DUO mode.

[0505] In some embodiments, the second frame includes at least one of the following:

[0506] The access point stores the current state of the DUO mode of the site;

[0507] The number of the DUO event corresponding to the current state of the DUO mode, wherein the DUO event includes the enable event or disable event of the DUO mode.

[0508] In some embodiments, multiple links exist between the site and the access point, and the transceiver module 610 is further configured to:

[0509] The first request frame sent by the site through the main link among the multiple links is received. The first request frame is used to request the DUO mode to be enabled or disabled for at least one of the multiple links.

[0510] In some embodiments, the first request frame includes first request information corresponding to each of the at least one link, the first request information corresponding to each link being used to indicate a request to enable or disable DUO mode for each link.

[0511] In some embodiments, multiple links exist between the site and the access point, and the transceiver module 610 is further configured to:

[0512] A first response frame is sent to the site via the main link among the multiple links. The first response frame is used to indicate whether the request from the site is accepted.

[0513] In some embodiments, the first response frame includes first response information corresponding to each of the at least one link, wherein the first response information corresponding to each link is used to indicate whether to receive the request for the first request information corresponding to each link.

[0514] In some embodiments, the site includes multiple links, the access point includes one link, and the transceiver module 610 is further configured to:

[0515] Receive a third frame sent by the site through the main link among the multiple links, the third frame being used to indicate the unavailability status of at least one link of the site;

[0516] Ignore the third frame.

[0517] Optionally, in some embodiments, the transceiver module described above may be a communication interface or transceiver, or an input / output interface of a communication chip or system-on-a-chip. The processing module described above may be one or more processors.

[0518] It should be understood that the apparatus 500 according to the embodiments of this application may correspond to the access point in the method embodiments of this application, and the above and other operations and / or functions of each unit in the apparatus 500 are respectively for implementing Figures 2 to 3 The corresponding procedures for the access points in the embodiments described herein will not be elaborated upon here for the sake of brevity.

[0519] Figure 14 This is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 700 provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 14 The communication device 700 shown includes a processor 710, which can call and run computer programs from memory to implement the methods in the embodiments of this application.

[0520] Optionally, such as Figure 14 As shown, the communication device 700 may further include a memory 720. The processor 710 can call and run a computer program from the memory 720 to implement the methods in the embodiments of this application. For example, when the communication device 700 is a station, the processor 710 can call and run a computer program from the memory 720 to implement the various steps of the method embodiments executed by the station, achieving the same technical effect. When the communication device 700 is an access point, the processor 710 can call and run a computer program from the memory 720 to implement the various steps of the method embodiments executed by the access point, achieving the same technical effect.

[0521] Alternatively, the memory 720 may be a separate device independent of the processor 710, or it may be integrated into the processor 710.

[0522] Optionally, such as Figure 14 As shown, the communication device 700 may also include a transceiver 730, and the processor 710 may control the transceiver 730 to communicate with other devices. Specifically, it may send information or data to other devices or receive information or data sent by other devices.

[0523] Optionally, transceiver 730 may include a transmitter and a receiver. Transceiver 730 may further include antennas, and the number of antennas may be one or more.

[0524] Figure 15 This is a schematic structural diagram of the chip according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 15 The chip 800 shown includes a processor 810, which can call and run computer programs from memory to implement the methods in the embodiments of this application.

[0525] Optionally, such as Figure 15 As shown, chip 800 may further include memory 820. Processor 810 can retrieve and run computer programs from memory 820 to implement the methods described in this embodiment.

[0526] Alternatively, the memory 820 may be a separate device independent of the processor 810, or it may be integrated into the processor 810.

[0527] Optionally, the chip 800 may also include an input interface 830. The processor 810 can control the input interface 830 to communicate with other devices or chips, for example, to acquire information or data sent by other devices or chips.

[0528] Optionally, the chip 800 may also include an output interface 840. The processor 810 can control the output interface 840 to communicate with other devices or chips, for example, to output information or data to other devices or chips.

[0529] In some embodiments, the input interface 830 and the output interface 840 can be implemented through a single input / output interface.

[0530] Optionally, the chip can be applied to the access point in the embodiments of this application, and the chip can implement the corresponding processes implemented by the access point in the various methods of the embodiments of this application. For the sake of brevity, it will not be described in detail here.

[0531] Optionally, the chip can be applied to the site in the embodiments of this application, and the chip can implement the corresponding processes implemented by the site in the various methods of the embodiments of this application. For the sake of brevity, it will not be described in detail here.

[0532] 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.

[0533] Figure 16 This is a schematic block diagram of a communication system 900 provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 16 As shown, the communication system 900 includes a site 910 and an access point 920.

[0534] The site 910 can be used to implement the corresponding functions implemented by the site in the above method, and the access point 920 can be used to implement the corresponding functions implemented by the access point in the above method. For the sake of brevity, these will not be elaborated here.

[0535] It should be understood that the processor in the embodiments of this application may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. In implementation, each step of the above method embodiments can be completed by integrated logic circuits in the processor's hardware or by instructions in software form. The processor described above can be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components. It can implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly embodied in the execution of a hardware decoding processor, or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software modules can be located in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art. The storage medium is located in memory, and the processor reads information from the memory and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above method.

[0536] It is understood that the memory in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), Double Data Rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), Enhanced Synchronous DRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and Direct Rambus RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory used in the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0537] It should be understood that the above-described memory is exemplary and not a limiting description. For example, the memory in the embodiments of this application may also be static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct memory bus RAM (DR RAM), etc. That is to say, the memory in the embodiments of this application is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0538] This application also provides a readable storage medium storing a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the various processes of the above method embodiments.

[0539] Optionally, the readable storage medium can be applied to the access point in the embodiments of this application, and the computer program causes the processor to execute the corresponding process implemented by the access point in the method embodiments of this application. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0540] Optionally, the readable storage medium can be applied to the site in the embodiments of this application, and the computer program causes the processor to execute the corresponding process implemented by the site in the method embodiments of this application. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0541] This application also provides a computer program product, including a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the various processes of the above-described method embodiments.

[0542] Optionally, the computer program product can be applied to the access point in the embodiments of this application, and the computer program causes the processor to execute the corresponding process implemented by the access point in the method embodiments of this application. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0543] Optionally, the computer program product can be applied to the site in the embodiments of this application, and the computer program causes the processor to execute the corresponding process implemented by the site in the method embodiments of this application. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0544] This application also provides a computer program. When executed by a processor, this computer program implements the various processes of the above-described method embodiments.

[0545] Optionally, the computer program can be applied to the access point in the embodiments of this application. The computer program causes the processor to execute the corresponding process implemented by the access point in the method embodiments of this application. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0546] Optionally, the computer program can be applied to the site in the embodiments of this application. The computer program causes the processor to execute the corresponding process implemented by the site in the method embodiments of this application. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0547] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0548] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0549] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0550] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0551] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0552] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a portion of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0553] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A wireless communication method, characterized in that, include: The site sends a first request frame to the access point. The first request frame includes first request information, which is used to request the activation or deactivation of the Dynamic Unavailable Operation (DUO) mode. The station receives a first response frame sent by the access point, the first response frame including first response information, the first response information including at least one of the following: The first indication information is a reason code used to indicate that the access point rejects the request from the site; The second indication information is used to indicate the time interval at which the access point suggests the site retransmit the first request frame.

2. A wireless communication method, characterized in that, include: The access point receives a first request frame sent by the site. The first request frame includes first request information, which is used to request the activation or deactivation of the Dynamic Unavailable Operation (DUO) mode. The access point sends a first response frame to the site, the first response frame including first response information, the first response information including at least one of the following: The first indication information is a reason code used to indicate that the access point rejects the request from the site; The second indication information is used to indicate the time interval at which the access point suggests the site retransmit the first request frame.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following reason codes: The first reason code is used to indicate that the access point has insufficient resources; The second reason code is used to instruct the access point to prohibit the site from requesting to enable or disable DUO mode; The third reason code is used to indicate that the request corresponding to the first request frame is an invalid request; The fourth reason code is used to indicate that there is a conflict between the site and the access point, where a high-priority service is pending transmission and the first request frame requests to enable DUO mode.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The method further includes at least one of the following: When the first indication information indicates the first reason code, the station retransmits the first request frame based on the time interval indicated by the access point or a random backoff time; If the first indication information indicates the second reason code, the station stops sending the first request frame; When the first indication information indicates the third reason code, the station adjusts the parameter settings in the first request frame and retransmits the first request frame; When the first indication information indicates the fourth reason code, the site waits for the access point's second request frame or disables DUO mode, wherein the second request frame is used to request the site to disable DUO mode, or to override or ignore the site's unavailability report.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The first response information also includes at least one of the following: The third indication information is used to indicate whether the site needs to reply with a confirmation frame; The fourth indication information is used to indicate whether the access point accepts the request indicated by the first request information, or to indicate whether to enable or disable DUO mode.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The method further includes: The site receives a second request frame sent by the access point. The second request frame is used to request the site to disable DUO mode, or delay enabling DUO mode, or overwrite the site's unavailability report. The site, based on the second request frame, may disable DUO mode, delay enabling DUO mode, or override the site's unavailability report.

7. The method according to any one of claims 2-5, characterized in that, The method further includes: The access point sends a second request frame to the site, the second request frame being used to request the site to disable DUO mode, or delay enabling DUO mode, or override the site's unavailability report.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The second request frame includes at least one of the following: Service priority information to be transmitted between the site and the access point; The access point expects the site to disable DUO mode or override the site's unavailability reports for a specified duration; The access point is the transmission opportunity (TXOP) duration compensated by the site, wherein the TXOP duration is used to transmit non-WiFi data; The access point is the sleep duration compensated by the site.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The method further includes: The station sends a first frame to the access point, the first frame being used to query the status of the DUO mode of the station stored by the access point; The station receives a second frame sent by the access point, the second frame being used to indicate the status of the station's DUO mode.

10. The method according to any one of claims 2-8, characterized in that, The method further includes: The access point receives a first frame sent by the site, the first frame being used to query the status of the DUO mode of the site stored by the access point; The access point sends a second frame to the site, the second frame being used to indicate the status of the site's DUO mode.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The first frame includes at least one of the following: The current state of the DUO mode of the site; The number of the DUO event corresponding to the current state of the DUO mode, wherein the DUO event includes the enable event or disable event of the DUO mode.

12. The method according to any one of claims 9-11, characterized in that, The second frame includes at least one of the following: The access point stores the current state of the DUO mode of the site; The number of the DUO event corresponding to the current state of the DUO mode, wherein the DUO event includes the enable event or disable event of the DUO mode.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1-12, characterized in that, There are multiple links between the station and the access point. The station sends a first request frame to the access point, including: The site sends the first request frame to the access point through the main link among the multiple links. The first request frame is used to request that DUO mode be enabled or disabled for at least one of the multiple links.

14. The method according to any one of claims 2-12, characterized in that, There are multiple links between the site and the access point. The access point receives a first request frame sent by the site, including: The access point receives the first request frame sent by the site through the main link among the multiple links. The first request frame is used to request the DUO mode to be enabled or disabled for at least one of the multiple links.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, The first request frame includes first request information corresponding to each of the at least one link, and the first request information corresponding to each link is used to indicate whether to enable or disable DUO mode for each link.

16. A communication device, characterized in that, include: The transceiver module is configured to send a first request frame to the access point, the first request frame including first request information, the first request information being used to request enabling or disabling the Dynamic Unavailable Operation (DUO) mode; and Receive a first response frame sent by the access point, the first response frame including first response information, the first response information including at least one of the following: The first indication information is used to indicate the reason code by which the access point rejects the site's request; The second indication information is used to indicate the time interval at which the access point suggests the site retransmit the first request frame.

17. A communication device, characterized in that, include: The transceiver module is used to receive a first request frame sent by the station. The first request frame includes first request information, which is used to request to enable or disable the Dynamic Unavailable Operation (DUO) mode. Send a first response frame to the site, the first response frame including first response information, the first response information including at least one of the following: The first indication information is a reason code used to indicate to the access point that it rejects the request from the site; The second indication information is used to indicate the time interval at which the access point suggests the site retransmit the first request frame.

18. A communication device, characterized in that, include: A processor and a memory for storing a computer program, the processor for calling and running the computer program stored in the memory to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 15.

19. A chip, characterized in that, include: A processor for retrieving and running a computer program from memory, causing a device on which the chip is mounted to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 15.

20. A readable storage medium, characterized in that, Used to store a computer program that causes a computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 15.

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