Dynamic energy saving method, apparatus and access point device

Abstract

The application discloses a dynamic energy-saving method, device and access point equipment, and belongs to the technical field of communication. The method comprises the following steps: an access point equipment receives a dynamic energy-saving (DPS) request frame from a station equipment, the DPS request frame is used for informing that a DPS mode is started, and the DPS request frame carries a DPS switching delay and a first switching timeout; the access point equipment determines a second switching timeout according to a self processing delay and the DPS switching delay carried in the DPS request frame; and the access point equipment sends a DPS response frame to the station equipment, the DPS response frame is used for confirming that the DPS mode is started, and the DPS response frame carries the second switching timeout.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Dynamic power save (DPS) operation allows UHR non-AP STAs to operate in Low Capability Mode (LCM) and switch to High Capability Mode (HCM) upon receiving an Initial Control Frame (ICF) from their associated DPSAssisting AP. During data transmission, if certain conditions are met (such as the end of frame switching), the system switches back from HCM to LCM.

[0003] In actual execution, dynamic power-saving operations may encounter differences in processing latency between the AP side and the Non-AP STA side. This can lead to inconsistent DPS mode activation times on both sides, resulting in frame switching failures. Furthermore, invalid handovers may cause significant time overhead on the AP side and high power consumption on the Non-AP STA side. These issues limit the energy-saving gains achieved by dynamic power-saving operations. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a dynamic energy-saving method, apparatus, and access point device to solve the problem of limited energy-saving gains obtained by dynamic energy-saving operations in related technologies.

[0005] Firstly, a dynamic energy-saving method is provided, executed by an access point device, the method comprising:

[0006] The access point device receives a dynamic energy-saving DPS request frame from the site device. The DPS request frame is used to indicate that DPS mode is enabled. The DPS request frame carries the DPS handover delay and the first handover timeout.

[0007] The access point device determines the second handover timeout based on its own processing delay and the DPS handover delay carried in the DPS request frame;

[0008] The access point device sends a DPS response frame to the site device. The DPS response frame is used to confirm that the DPS mode is enabled. The DPS response frame carries the second handover timeout.

[0009] The DPS switching delay is used to indicate the time delay for the site equipment to switch from high-capacity mode (HCM) to low-capacity mode (LCM).

[0010] The first handover timeout is used to indicate the time the site device remains in the HCM after receiving the initial control frame;

[0011] The second handover timeout is used to indicate the time during which the access point device supports the site device's DPS mode.

[0012] Secondly, a dynamic energy-saving method is provided, executed by site equipment, the method comprising:

[0013] The site device sends a dynamic energy-saving DPS request frame to the access point device. The DPS request frame is used to inform that the DPS mode is enabled. The DPS request frame carries the DPS handover delay and the first handover timeout.

[0014] The site device receives a DPS response frame from the access point device. The DPS response frame is used to confirm that the DPS mode is enabled. The DPS response frame carries a second handover timeout.

[0015] The DPS switching delay is used to indicate the time delay for the site equipment to switch from high-capacity mode (HCM) to low-capacity mode (LCM).

[0016] The first handover timeout is used to indicate the time the site device remains in the HCM after receiving the initial control frame;

[0017] The second handover timeout is used to indicate the time during which the access point device supports the site device's DPS mode.

[0018] Thirdly, a dynamic energy-saving method is provided, executed by an access point device, the method comprising:

[0019] The access point device sends an initial control frame carrying the DPS padding delay to the site device;

[0020] If the access point device receives a response frame to the initial control frame, it sends a data PPDU within the first handover timeout period; or, if the access point device does not receive a response frame to the initial control frame, it resends the initial control frame carrying the DPS padding delay before sending the data PPDU within the first handover timeout period.

[0021] Wherein, the first handover timeout is used to indicate the time the site device remains in the HCM after receiving the initial control frame;

[0022] The DPS fill delay is used to indicate the time delay for the site device to switch from low-capacity mode (LCM) to high-capacity mode (HCM).

[0023] Fourthly, a dynamic energy-saving method is provided, executed by site equipment, the method comprising:

[0024] After the dynamic energy-saving DPS mode of the site device takes effect, when the site device receives the initial control frame sent by the access point device, the site device switches from the low-capacity mode LCM to the high-capacity mode HCM and enters the data transmission phase.

[0025] When the frame exchange termination condition is met, the site device switches from the high-capability mode (HCM) to the low-capability mode (LCM).

[0026] Fifthly, a dynamic energy-saving device is provided, comprising:

[0027] The first receiving module is used to receive a dynamic energy-saving DPS request frame from the site equipment. The DPS request frame is used to indicate that the DPS mode is enabled. The DPS request frame carries a DPS switching delay and a first switching timeout.

[0028] The first processing module is used to determine the second handover timeout based on its own processing latency and the DPS handover latency carried in the DPS request frame.

[0029] The first sending module is used to send a DPS response frame to the site device. The DPS response frame is used to confirm that the DPS mode is enabled. The DPS response frame carries the second switching timeout.

[0030] The DPS switching delay is used to indicate the time delay for the site equipment to switch from high-capacity mode (HCM) to low-capacity mode (LCM).

[0031] The first handover timeout is used to indicate the time the site device remains in the HCM after receiving the initial control frame;

[0032] The second handover timeout is used to indicate the time during which the access point device supports the site device's DPS mode.

[0033] Sixthly, a dynamic energy-saving device is provided, comprising:

[0034] The second sending module is used to send a dynamic energy-saving DPS request frame to the access point device. The DPS request frame is used to inform that the DPS mode is enabled. The DPS request frame carries the DPS handover delay and the first handover timeout.

[0035] The second receiving module is used to receive a DPS response frame from the access point device. The DPS response frame is used to confirm that the DPS mode is enabled. The DPS response frame carries a second handover timeout.

[0036] The DPS switching delay is used to indicate the time delay for the site equipment to switch from high-capacity mode (HCM) to low-capacity mode (LCM).

[0037] The first handover timeout is used to indicate the time the site device remains in the HCM after receiving the initial control frame;

[0038] The second handover timeout is used to indicate the time during which the access point device supports the site device's DPS mode.

[0039] Seventhly, a dynamic energy-saving device is provided, comprising:

[0040] The third sending module is used for the access point device to send an initial control frame carrying the DPS padding delay to the site device;

[0041] The third sending module is further configured to send a data PPDU within the first handover timeout period when the access point device receives the response frame of the initial control frame; or, when the access point device does not receive the response frame of the initial control frame, resend the initial control frame carrying the DPS padding delay within the first handover timeout period.

[0042] Wherein, the first handover timeout is used to indicate the time the site device remains in the HCM after receiving the initial control frame;

[0043] The DPS fill delay is used to indicate the time delay for the site device to switch from low-capacity mode (LCM) to high-capacity mode (HCM).

[0044] Eighthly, a dynamic energy-saving device is provided, comprising:

[0045] The second processing module is used to switch from low-capacity mode (LCM) to high-capacity mode (HCM) and enter the data transmission stage after the site device's dynamic energy-saving DPS mode takes effect and the site device receives the initial control frame sent by the access point device.

[0046] The second processing module is further configured to switch from the high-capability mode (HCM) to the low-capability mode (LCM) when the frame exchange end condition is met.

[0047] In a ninth aspect, a dynamic energy-saving device is provided, the device being configured to perform the steps of the method described in the first aspect, or to implement the steps of the method described in the second aspect, or to implement the steps of the method described in the third aspect, or to implement the steps of the method described in the fourth aspect.

[0048] In a tenth aspect, an access point device is provided, the site device including a processor and a memory, the memory storing a program or instructions executable on the processor, the program or instructions, when executed by the processor, implementing the steps of the method as described in the first aspect, or implementing the steps of the method as described in the third aspect.

[0049] Eleventhly, an access point device is provided, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is used to receive a dynamic power saving DPS request frame from a site device, the DPS request frame being used to indicate that DPS mode is enabled, the DPS request frame carrying a DPS handover delay and a first handover timeout, the processor being used to determine a second handover timeout based on its own processing delay and the DPS handover delay carried in the DPS request frame; the communication interface is also used to send a DPS response frame to the site device, the DPS response frame being used to confirm that DPS mode is enabled, the DPS response frame carrying the second handover timeout; wherein the DPS handover delay is used to indicate the time delay for the site device to switch from high capability mode (HCM) to low capability mode (LCM); the first handover timeout is used to indicate the time for the site device to remain in HCM after receiving an initial control frame; the second handover timeout is used to indicate the time for the access point device to support the site device's DPS mode being enabled.

[0050] or,

[0051] The communication interface is used to send an initial control frame carrying the DPS padding delay to the site equipment;

[0052] The communication interface is further configured to, when the access point device receives the response frame of the initial control frame, send a data PPDU within a first handover timeout period; or, when the access point device does not receive the response frame of the initial control frame, resend the initial control frame carrying the DPS padding delay within the first handover timeout period; wherein, the first handover timeout period is used to indicate the time the site device remains in HCM after receiving the initial control frame; the DPS padding delay is used to indicate the time delay for the site device to switch from low-capacity mode LCM to high-capacity mode HCM.

[0053] In a twelfth aspect, a site device is provided, the site device including a processor and a memory, the memory storing a program or instructions executable on the processor, the program or instructions, when executed by the processor, implementing the steps of the method as described in the second aspect, or implementing the steps of the method as described in the fourth aspect.

[0054] In a thirteenth aspect, a site device is provided, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is used to send a dynamic power saving DPS request frame to an access point device, the DPS request frame being used to indicate that DPS mode is enabled, the DPS request frame carrying a DPS handover delay and a first handover timeout; and to receive a DPS response frame from the access point device, the DPS response frame being used to confirm that DPS mode is enabled, the DPS response frame carrying a second handover timeout; wherein the DPS handover delay is used to indicate the time delay for the site device to switch from high capability mode (HCM) to low capability mode (LCM); the first handover timeout is used to indicate the time for the site device to remain in HCM after receiving an initial control frame; and the second handover timeout is used to indicate the time for the access point device to support the site device's DPS mode being enabled.

[0055] Alternatively, the processor is configured to switch from Low Capability Mode (LCM) to High Capability Mode (HCM) to enter the data transmission phase after the site device's dynamic power saving DPS mode takes effect and the site device receives the initial control frame sent by the access point device; and switch from the High Capability Mode (HCM) to the Low Capability Mode (LCM) when the frame exchange end condition is met.

[0056] In a fourteenth aspect, a readable storage medium is provided, on which a program or instructions are stored, which, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the method described in the first aspect, or the steps of the method described in the second aspect, or the steps of the method described in the third aspect, or the steps of the method described in the fourth aspect.

[0057] In a fifteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising: an access point device and a site device, wherein the access point device is configured to perform the steps of the method described in the first aspect, and the site device is configured to perform the steps of the method described in the second aspect.

[0058] Alternatively, the access point device may be used to perform the steps of the method as described in the third aspect, and the site device may be used to perform the steps of the method as described in the fourth aspect.

[0059] In a sixteenth aspect, a chip is provided, the chip including a processor and a communication interface coupled to the processor, the processor being configured to run a program or instructions to implement the steps of the method as described in the first aspect, or the steps of the method as described in the second aspect, or the steps of the method as described in the third aspect, or the steps of the method as described in the fourth aspect.

[0060] In a seventeenth aspect, a computer program / program product is provided, the computer program / program product being stored in a storage medium, the computer program / program product being executed by at least one processor to implement the steps of the method as described in the first aspect, or the steps of the method as described in the second aspect, or the steps of the method as described in the third aspect, or the steps of the method as described in the fourth aspect.

[0061] In this embodiment, by designing a process for the interaction between the access point device and the site device to enable DPS mode, the access point device receives a DPS request frame from the site device. This DPS request frame carries the DPS handover delay and a first handover timeout. On one hand, the access point device can combine its own processing delay with the time when DPS mode takes effect (i.e., the second handover timeout) to include the DPS mode activation time in the DPS response frame, thus covering the processing delays on both the AP and STA sides. This avoids frame exchange failure due to asynchronous mode handover delays on both sides (AP and STA). On the other hand, the access point device uses the first handover timeout to determine the time the site device remains in HCM after replying to the initial control frame, thus introducing a handover timeout mechanism. This prevents the site device from switching to high-capacity mode without completing frame exchange with the access point device. This embodiment can improve the energy-saving gain of dynamic energy-saving operation during actual execution. Attached Figure Description

[0062] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the network architecture of a communication system provided in one embodiment of this application;

[0063] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating the DPS mode switching.

[0064] Figure 3 One of the diagrams illustrating potential problems when switching DPS modes;

[0065] Figure 4 The second illustration shows potential problems when switching DPS modes.

[0066] Figure 5 One of the flowcharts of the dynamic energy-saving method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0067] Figure 6 A schematic diagram illustrating the process of enabling DPS mode for site equipment according to an embodiment of this application;

[0068] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the DPS operation parameter fields provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0069] Figure 8 A second schematic flowchart illustrating the dynamic energy-saving method provided in this application embodiment;

[0070] Figure 9 The third schematic flowchart of the dynamic energy-saving method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0071] Figure 10 The fourth schematic flowchart of the dynamic energy-saving method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0072] Figure 11 This is one of the schematic diagrams illustrating the data transmission stage after DPS mode is enabled, as provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0073] Figure 12 A second schematic diagram illustrating the data transmission phase after DPS mode is enabled, as provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0074] Figure 13 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the dynamic energy-saving device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0075] Figure 14 A second schematic diagram of the structure of the dynamic energy-saving device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0076] Figure 15 The third schematic diagram of the dynamic energy-saving device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0077] Figure 16 Fourth schematic diagram of the structure of the dynamic energy-saving device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0078] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0079] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0080] The terms "first," "second," etc., used in the specification and claims of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and not to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such use of data can be interchanged where appropriate so that embodiments of this application can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein, and the objects distinguished by "first," "second," etc., are generally of the same class and the number of objects is not limited; for example, a first object can be one or more. Furthermore, in the specification and claims, "and / or" indicates at least one of the connected objects, and the character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0081] The term "instruction" in this application can be either a direct instruction (or explicit instruction) or an indirect instruction (or implicit instruction). A direct instruction can be understood as one in which the sender explicitly informs the receiver of specific information, the operation to be performed, or the requested result, etc., in the instruction sent. An indirect instruction can be understood as one in which the receiver determines the corresponding information based on the instruction sent by the sender, or makes a judgment and determines the operation to be performed or the requested result, etc., based on the judgment result.

[0082] 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.

[0083] 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).

[0084] For example, please refer to Figure 1 This illustration shows a schematic diagram of the network architecture of a communication system 100 provided in some embodiments of this application. The communication system 100 may include an access point AP 110 and a station STA 120 that accesses the network through the access point 110.

[0085] In this application embodiment, the access point can also be referred to as an access point device, and the site can also be referred to as a site device.

[0086] The communication in the communication system 100 can be communication between an AP and a non-AP STA, communication between two non-AP STAs, or communication between a STA and a peer STA. Here, a peer STA can refer to a device that communicates with a STA on an equal footing. For example, a peer STA may be an AP or a non-AP STA.

[0087] An access point (AP) acts as a bridge connecting wired and wireless networks. Its main function is to connect various wireless network clients together and then connect the wireless network to the Ethernet. AP devices can be terminal devices with Wi-Fi chips (such as mobile phones) or network devices (such as wireless routers, wireless switches, or wireless repeaters).

[0088] It should be understood that the role of a STA in a communication system is not absolute. For example, in some scenarios, when a mobile phone connects to a router, it is a non-AP STA; when the mobile phone acts as a hotspot for other mobile phones, it plays the role of an AP.

[0089] 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.

[0090] 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.

[0091] 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.

[0092] 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.

[0093] In the embodiments of this application, the site can be a user terminal device supporting WLAN or WiFi technology, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a computer, a virtual reality (VR) device, an augmented reality (AR) device, a wireless device in industrial control, a set-top box, a wireless device in self-driving, a vehicle communication device, a wireless device in remote medical care, a wireless device in a smart grid, a wireless device in transportation safety, a wireless device in a smart city or a wireless device in a smart home, a wireless communication chip / application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) / system on chip (SOC), etc.

[0094] WLAN technology can support frequency bands including but not limited to: low frequency bands (e.g., 2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz) and high frequency bands (e.g., 60GHz).

[0095] Figure 1 An exemplary embodiment shows one AP 110 and two non-AP STAs 120. Optionally, the communication system 100 may include multiple AP STAs and other numbers of non-AP STAs, which is not limited in this application embodiment.

[0096] It should be understood that devices with communication functions in the network / system of this application embodiment can be referred to as communication devices. Figure 1 Taking the communication system 100 shown as an example, the communication equipment may include an access point 110 and a station 120 with communication functions. The access point 110 and the station 120 may be the specific equipment described above, which will not be repeated here. The communication equipment may also include other equipment in the communication system 100, such as network controllers, gateways and other network entities. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0097] It should be understood that the terms “system” and “network” used in this application are often used interchangeably herein.

[0098] In the description of the embodiments of this application, the term "correspondence" may indicate that there is a direct or indirect correspondence between two things, or that there is an association between two things, or that there is a relationship of instruction and being instructed, configuration and being configured, etc.

[0099] In this application embodiment, "predefined" can be implemented by pre-storing corresponding codes, tables, or other means that can be used to indicate relevant information in the device (e.g., including access points and sites). This application does not limit the specific implementation method. For example, predefined can refer to what is defined in the protocol.

[0100] In this application embodiment, the "protocol" may refer to a standard protocol in the field of communication, such as the WiFi protocol and related protocols applied to future WiFi communication systems, and this application does not limit it.

[0101] Access point 110 and site 120 can associate and communicate via wireless LAN technology. Association refers to the process of negotiating wireless link services between the STA and AP to establish a wireless link between them.

[0102] Dynamic power save (DPS) operation allows Ultra High Reliability (UHR) Non-AP STAs to operate in Low Capability Mode (LCM) and switch to High Capability Mode (HCM) upon receiving an Initial Control Frame (ICF) from their associated DPS Assisting AP. During data transmission, if certain conditions are met (such as the end of frame switching), the system switches back from HCM to LCM.

[0103] The terms “LCM” and “LC mode” are used interchangeably in this application, as are the terms “HCM” and “HC mode”.

[0104] LCM: Can only receive Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) format at a limited rate;

[0105] HCM: A site located in HCM that can receive all supported PPDU formats corresponding to HC modes.

[0106] Optionally, when the STA is in HCM, at least one of the following capabilities is higher than that of LCM: operating bandwidth, spatial stream number, and modulation and coding scheme (MCS).

[0107] DPS Padding Delay: The time delay for a Non-AP STA to switch from LCM to HCM;

[0108] DPS Transition Delay: The time delay for a Non-AP STA to switch from HCM to LCM.

[0109] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating DPS mode switching. The following issues may arise when switching DPS mode:

[0110] In relevant technical solutions, when a Non-AP STA enables DPS mode, it requires a preparation time to reconfigure the hardware (such as RF link switching, bandwidth switching, and baseband parameter loading). The delay required for the Non-AP STA to reconfigure the hardware corresponds to the transition delay.

[0111] When the AP receives a DPS mode notification from a Non-APSTA, if the number of supported DPS STAs exceeds the AP's capacity, including hardware resources (such as DSP computing power) and software (such as scheduling queues and buffer management), the AP needs to change some internal resource methods, and the AP needs a certain processing delay.

[0112] The processing delays on the AP side and the Non-AP STA side are different, causing the DPS mode to take effect at different times on the AP side and the Non-AP STA side. If the AP sends an initial control frame (ICF) to initiate frame exchange with the DPS Non-AP STA, but the Non-AP STA is still in the process of mode switching and cannot receive data, the frame exchange will fail.

[0113] In relevant technical solutions, the end of frame switching is used as the condition for a Non-AP STA to switch back from HCM to LCM. The conditions for the end of frame switching include the following:

[0114] (1) After a Non-AP STA receives a frame that does not require acknowledgment or a reply acknowledgment frame, it does not receive PHY-RXSTART.indication within the time interval aSIFSTime (short inter-frame interval) + aSlotTime (contention slot time) + aRxPHYStartDelay (physical layer reception start delay). PHY-RXSTART.indication is a primitive sent by the physical layer (PHY) to the MAC layer to notify the MAC layer that the physical layer has started receiving a valid radio frame. Its core function is to serve as the start marker for the physical layer reception process.

[0115] (2) After the Non-AP STA replies with an acknowledgment frame, it receives PHY-RXSTART.indication within aSIFSTime+aSlotTime+aRxPHYStartDelay time, but the received frame does not meet the following conditions:

[0116] Receive unicast frames with a Non-AP STA MAC address;

[0117] The user information field contains trigger frames for Non-AP STA information;

[0118] Receive CTS-to-self frames whose address is the MAC address of the AP;

[0119] The Per AID TID Info fields are Multi-STA BlockAck frames containing information about Non-AP STAs.

[0120] STA Info fields contain null data packets (NDP) probe frames (including NDP Announcement frames and sounding NDP frames) that contain information about the Non-AP STA.

[0121] (3) The AP requires the Non-AP STA to reply within the Short Interframe Space (SIFS), but it does not reply.

[0122] Figure 3 This is one of the diagrams illustrating potential problems when switching DPS modes, such as... Figure 3 As shown, regarding the conditions (1) and (2) for the end of frame switching mentioned above, if the acknowledgment frame replied by the Non-AP STA is an ICF acknowledgment frame, the AP may encounter interference when sending data packets, resulting in the PPDU not being successfully transmitted. The Non-AP STA waits for aSIFSTime + aSlotTime + aRxPHYStartDelay before switching back to LCM. At this time, the Non-AP STA has not yet completed receiving the PPDU sent by the AP, which is an invalid switch. When the AP competes for the channel again, it needs to resend the ICF, resulting in unnecessary time and padding overhead; for the Non-AP STA, it also brings switching mode power consumption overhead.

[0123] Figure 4 This is the second illustration showing potential problems when switching DPS modes. Figure 4 As shown, regarding the above-mentioned frame exchange end condition (3), if the AP sends an ICF frame to the Non-AP STA, requiring the Non-AP STA to reply within SIFS, if the Non-AP STA switches to HCM, but may fail to complete the mode switch within the padding delay time or be interfered with, it may be unable to compete for the channel to reply with the ICF response frame. The AP does not receive the ICF response frame and needs to wait for the switching delay time (the Non-AP STA cannot receive PPDU during the switching process). After the Non-AP STA switches back to LCM mode, the AP sends an ICF frame carrying the padding delay again, causing unnecessary waiting on the AP side. For the Non-AP STA, frequent mode switching will also lead to increased power consumption.

[0124] Therefore, for Non-AP STAs in DPS mode, due to the large overhead of padding required to switch from LC mode to HC mode for extended bandwidth, invalid handovers should be avoided. That is, switching to high-capacity mode without completing effective frame exchange with the AP should be avoided.

[0125] In summary, dynamic power-saving operations may encounter issues such as differing processing latency between the AP and Non-AP STA sides during actual execution. This can lead to inconsistent DPS mode activation times on both sides, resulting in frame switching failures. Furthermore, invalid handovers may cause significant time overhead on the AP side and high power consumption on the Non-AP STA side. These problems limit the energy-saving gains achieved by dynamic power-saving operations.

[0126] To address or partially address the problems that may arise during the actual implementation of dynamic energy-saving operations, embodiments of this application propose a dynamic energy-saving method, apparatus, and access point equipment.

[0127] The dynamic energy-saving method, apparatus, and access point equipment provided in this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and through some embodiments and application scenarios.

[0128] Figure 5 This is one of the flowcharts illustrating the dynamic energy-saving method provided in this application. Figure 5 As shown, this dynamic energy-saving method includes:

[0129] Step 500: The access point device receives a dynamic energy-saving DPS request frame from the site device. The DPS request frame is used to indicate that the DPS mode is enabled. The DPS request frame carries the DPS handover delay and the first handover timeout.

[0130] In this embodiment, the site device is a non-AP site (Non-AP STA), and the following description will use a non-APSTA site as an example.

[0131] In this embodiment, the access point device is a Dynamic Power Saving Assisted Access Point (DPS Assisting AP), which will be referred to as AP below for ease of description.

[0132] It is understood that the access point device receives a dynamic power saving DPS request frame from the site device. The DPS request frame is used to inform the access point device of the following: the site device's DPS mode is enabled.

[0133] The DPS request frame carries the DPS handover delay and the first handover timeout. Therefore, the access point device can obtain the DPS handover delay and the first handover timeout based on the DPS request frame.

[0134] The DPS Transition Delay is used to indicate the time delay for the site equipment to switch from High Capability Mode (HCM) to Low Capability Mode (LCM). It can also be understood as the time required for the Non-AP STA to prepare for the DPS mode change (or DPS mode switch) when it sends a DPS request frame to the AP to notify the AP that the Non-AP STA's DPS mode is enabled.

[0135] Optionally, the DPS switching latency is determined based on the hardware capabilities, protocol compatibility, and requirements of the site equipment.

[0136] Changing the DPS mode for a Non-AP STA can be understood as the Non-AP STA switching from the normally supported operating bandwidth and number of streams to a low-capability mode (such as only supporting 20MHz, single stream) in terms of hardware.

[0137] The first transition timeout period indicates the time the site device remains in the HCM after receiving the initial control frame. Remaining in the HCM means that the site device can exchange frames with the access point device.

[0138] Correspondingly, the site device sends a dynamic energy-saving DPS request frame to the access point device. The DPS request frame is used to inform that the DPS mode is enabled. The DPS request frame carries the DPS handover delay and the first handover timeout.

[0139] By sending a first handover timeout to the access point device, a handover timeout mechanism is introduced. When the end of the first handover timeout period is reached or certain frame exchange termination conditions are met, the site device switches from HCM back to LCM. Otherwise, the site device remains in HCM, thereby preventing non-AP STAs from switching to HCM without completing frame exchange with the AP, and thus preventing invalid handovers by non-AP STAs.

[0140] Step 501: The access point device determines the second handover timeout based on its own processing delay and the DPS handover delay carried in the DPS request frame.

[0141] The second handover timeout is used to indicate the time when the access point device supports the DPS mode of the site device. That is, the time when the DPS mode takes effect is specified by the access point device. The second handover timeout takes into account the processing latency on the site device side (i.e., DPS handover latency) and the processing latency on the access point device side (i.e., the access point device's own processing latency). This avoids the situation where the DPS mode take-off time is inconsistent between the AP side and the Non-AP STA side due to the asynchrony of the DPS mode handover latency on both sides, thus preventing frame switching failure.

[0142] This application embodiment introduces a second handover timeout period, so that the DPS mode takes effect at the same time on the AP side and the Non-AP STA side.

[0143] Step 502: The access point device sends a DPS response frame to the site device. The DPS response frame is used to confirm that the DPS mode is enabled. The DPS response frame carries the second handover timeout.

[0144] Correspondingly, the site device receives a DPS response frame from the access point device. The DPS response frame is used to confirm that the DPS mode is enabled, and the DPS response frame carries a second handover timeout.

[0145] The DPS response frame is used to confirm that DPS mode is enabled. In other words, the access point device confirms that the site device's DPS mode is enabled by replying to the DPS response frame.

[0146] The DPS response frame carries a second handover timeout, so that the site device can obtain the second handover timeout when it receives the DPS response frame from the access point device.

[0147] When DPS mode is enabled, if an access point device wants to transmit data with a site device in DPS mode, it must first send an initial control frame to the site device. After the site device sends a reply frame to the initial control frame, it switches to HCM to transmit data.

[0148] In this embodiment, by designing a process for the interaction between the access point device and the site device to enable DPS mode, the access point device receives a DPS request frame from the site device. This DPS request frame carries the DPS handover delay and a first handover timeout. On the one hand, the access point device can combine its own processing delay with the time when DPS mode takes effect (i.e., the second handover timeout) to include the DPS mode activation time in the DPS response frame, thus covering the processing delays on both the AP and STA sides. This avoids frame exchange failure due to asynchronous mode handover delays on both sides (AP and STA). On the other hand, the access point device uses the first handover timeout to determine the time the site device remains in HCM after replying to the initial control frame, thus introducing a handover timeout mechanism. This prevents the site device from switching to high-capacity mode without completing a valid frame exchange with the access point device. This embodiment can improve the energy-saving gain of dynamic energy-saving operation during actual execution.

[0149] In some embodiments, the DPS mode of the site device is activated when the timer starts from the end of the DPS response frame and the end of the second handover timeout period is reached.

[0150] Understandably, after a Non-AP STA starts in DPS mode, it may take some time before it reaches DPS mode.

[0151] That is, the DPS mode of the site device takes effect when the timer starts from the end of the DPS response frame, after the second handover timeout period, and the timer ends at the end of the second handover timeout period.

[0152] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of enabling DPS mode for a site device according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 6 As shown, the Non-AP STA sends a DPS request frame, and after SIFS, the DPS Assisting AP sends a DPS response frame, thus activating DPS mode.

[0153] In some embodiments, the DPS request frame carries a DPS operation parameter field, which includes a DPS handover delay subfield and a handover timeout subfield; wherein the DPS handover delay subfield is used to indicate the DPS handover delay, and the handover timeout subfield is used to indicate the first handover timeout time.

[0154] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the DPS operation parameter fields provided in an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 7As shown, the DPS Operation Parameters field includes the following subfields: DPS TransitionDelay and Transition Delay.

[0155] Optionally, the DPS Operation Parameters field also includes a DPS Adding Delay subfield, which indicates the DPS adding delay.

[0156] Optionally, the values ​​for the DPS switching delay subfield are shown in Table 1:

[0157] Table 1. Values ​​of the DPS Switching Delay Subfield (Part 1)

[0158]

[0159]

[0160] Optionally, the values ​​for the DPS switching delay subfield are shown in Table 2:

[0161] Table 2: Values ​​of the DPS Switching Delay Subfield (Part 1)

[0162]

[0163] The handover latency design (maximum value and step size) in DPS mode needs to comprehensively consider hardware limitations, protocol compatibility, and vendor competition. DPS involves bandwidth switching, requiring recalibration of the PLL and RF front-end, typically taking up to 500µs. The standardized latency limit for EMLSR mode is 256µs. Considering that ICF frames may trigger both EMLSR and DPS STAs simultaneously, the maximum value should cover the maximum value of EMLSR; therefore, the maximum handover latency is set to 512µs. The EMLSR handover latency step size is 16µs. Considering that STAs enabling EMLSR mode are usually high-end devices (supporting multiple frequency bands), while DPS mode STAs range from low-end to high-end, this design considers compatibility with a wider range of device types. The baseband clock frequency of a typical Wi-Fi chip is 80MHz-320MHz (period 12.5ns-3.125ns). The minimum handover step size must be an integer multiple of the clock cycle, corresponding to 4µs (case two) and 8µs (case one), suitable for fast-response scenarios (e.g., AR / VR).

[0164] In this embodiment, a DPS request frame is designed, carrying a DPS operation parameter field. This field includes a DPS handover delay subfield and a handover timeout subfield. The DPS handover delay subfield indicates the DPS handover delay, and the handover timeout subfield indicates the first handover timeout. This allows the AP to specify the effective time of the DPS mode by combining the DPS handover delay with its own processing delay, thus covering the processing delays on both the AP and STA sides. This avoids frame exchange failure due to asynchronous mode handover delays on both sides. Furthermore, the introduction of a handover timeout mechanism through the first handover timeout prevents site devices from switching to high-capacity mode without completing frame exchange with the access point device, thereby improving the energy-saving gain of dynamic energy-saving operations during actual execution.

[0165] In some embodiments, the DPS response frame carries a DPS operation parameter field, which includes a handover timeout subfield, used to indicate the second handover timeout period.

[0166] It is understandable that the DPS response frame also includes a DPS operation parameter field. The DPS operation parameter field includes at least a handover timeout subfield.

[0167] Optionally, the DPS operation parameter field in the DPS response frame is as follows: Figure 7 As shown.

[0168] It should be noted that the handover timeout subfield in the DPS request frame is used to indicate the time the site device remains in HCM after replying to the initial control frame (i.e., the first handover timeout). The handover timeout subfield in the DPS response frame is used to indicate the time for the access point device to support the site device's DPS mode (i.e., the second handover timeout).

[0169] The values ​​for the TransitionTimeout subfield are shown in Table 3.

[0170] Table 3: Values ​​of the Switch Timeout Subfield

[0171]

[0172] The handover timeout subfield setting needs to balance the AP's processing latency, the STA's hardware handover capability, and network resource scheduling efficiency. Its value is compatible with existing EMLSR protocols, uses exponential growth for easy hardware decoding, covers STA-side handover latency, and allows the AP to make autonomous decisions based on real-time load (such as the number of associated STAs and buffer occupancy). This field can also indicate the duration the STA maintains high capability, covering the longest TXOP value. The STA can autonomously decide the maintenance time based on power consumption, making DPS mode more robust and avoiding frequent switching between modes.

[0173] In this embodiment of the application, by designing a DPS response frame, the DPS response frame includes a handover timeout subfield, which is used to indicate the second handover timeout time. The second handover timeout time covers the processing delays of the AP side and the STA side, which can avoid frame exchange failure due to asynchronous mode switching delays on both sides, thereby improving the energy saving gain of dynamic energy saving operation in actual execution.

[0174] In some embodiments, the second switching timeout is greater than or equal to the DPS switching delay.

[0175] The AP sets a handover timeout value (the handover timeout value is greater than or equal to the DPS handover delay on the STA side) based on its own processing latency and the DPS handover latency carried in the DPS Request frame, and replies through a DPS Response frame. The DPS Response frame also carries a DPS Operation Parameters field. The handover timeout value here is the second handover timeout period.

[0176] Optionally, the AP's own processing latency is determined based on the AP's load status and internal resource needs.

[0177] You can refer to this. Figure 6 The second handover timeout must be greater than or equal to the DPS handover delay to ensure that the second handover timeout covers the processing delays on both the AP and STA sides, so that the DPS mode takes effect at the same time on both the AP and STA sides, thereby enabling frame exchange between the STA and AP.

[0178] Figure 8 This is a second schematic flowchart illustrating the dynamic energy-saving method provided in this application embodiment. Figure 8 As shown, this dynamic energy-saving method includes:

[0179] Step 800: The site device sends a dynamic energy-saving DPS request frame to the access point device. The DPS request frame is used to inform that the DPS mode is enabled. The DPS request frame carries the DPS handover delay and the first handover timeout.

[0180] Step 801: The site device receives a DPS response frame from the access point device. The DPS response frame is used to confirm that the DPS mode is enabled. The DPS response frame carries a second handover timeout.

[0181] The DPS switching delay is used to indicate the time delay for the site equipment to switch from high-capacity mode (HCM) to low-capacity mode (LCM).

[0182] The first handover timeout is used to indicate the time the site device remains in the HCM after receiving the initial control frame;

[0183] The second handover timeout is used to indicate the time during which the access point device supports the site device's DPS mode.

[0184] The execution subject of this application embodiment is the site device. The behavior of the site device corresponds to the behavior of the access point device mentioned above. For an understanding of the embodiment of this application, please refer to the relevant description of the dynamic energy saving method embodiment on the access point device side, which can achieve the same technical effect, and will not be repeated here.

[0185] In some embodiments, the DPS mode of the site device is activated when the timer starts from the end of the DPS response frame and the end of the second handover timeout period is reached.

[0186] In some embodiments, the second handover timeout is determined by the access point device based on the DPS handover delay, and the second handover timeout is greater than or equal to the DPS handover delay.

[0187] In some embodiments, the DPS request frame carries a DPS operation parameter field, which includes a DPS handover delay subfield and a handover timeout subfield; wherein the DPS handover delay subfield is used to indicate the DPS handover delay, and the handover timeout subfield is used to indicate the first handover timeout time.

[0188] In some embodiments, the DPS response frame carries a DPS operation parameter field, which includes a handover timeout subfield, used to indicate the second handover timeout period.

[0189] In this embodiment, by designing the process for a site device to enable DPS mode, the site device sends a DPS request frame to the access point device. This DPS request frame carries the DPS handover delay and a first handover timeout. On one hand, the access point device can specify the effective time of DPS mode based on its own processing delay and the DPS handover delay, and include this time in the DPS response frame. This covers the processing delays on both the AP and STA sides, preventing frame exchange failures due to asynchronous mode handover delays. On the other hand, the first handover timeout indicates the time the site device remains in HCM after receiving the initial control frame, thus introducing a handover timeout mechanism. This prevents the site device from switching to high-capacity mode without completing frame exchange with the access point device. This embodiment can improve the energy-saving gains of dynamic energy-saving operations during actual execution.

[0190] Figure 9 This is the third schematic flowchart illustrating the dynamic energy-saving method provided in this application embodiment. Figure 9 As shown, this dynamic energy-saving method includes:

[0191] Step 900: The access point device sends an initial control frame carrying the DPS padding delay to the site device;

[0192] Step 901: If the access point device receives the response frame of the initial control frame, within the first handover timeout period, the access point device sends a data PPDU to the site device; or, if the access point device does not receive the response frame of the initial control frame, within the first handover timeout period, the access point device resends the initial control frame carrying the DPS padding delay before sending the data PPDU.

[0193] Wherein, the first handover timeout is used to indicate the time the site device remains in the HCM after receiving the initial control frame;

[0194] The DPS fill delay is used to indicate the time delay for the site device to switch from low-capacity mode (LCM) to high-capacity mode (HCM).

[0195] Understandably, when the DPS mode of a site device is enabled, if an access point device wants to transmit data with a site device in DPS mode, it must first send an initial control frame carrying the DPS padding delay to the site device. After the site device sends a reply frame to the initial control frame, it switches to HCM to transmit data.

[0196] If the access point device receives a response frame to the initial control frame, it sends a data PPDU to the site device within the first handover timeout period. If the access point device receives a response frame to the initial control frame after the site device replies, it does not need to send another initial control frame carrying the DPS padding delay before sending the data PPDU within the first handover timeout period.

[0197] If the access point device does not receive a response frame to the initial control frame, it needs to resend the initial control frame carrying the DPS padding delay before sending the data PPDU within the first handover timeout period. For example, if a site device receives the initial control frame sent by the access point device and switches from low capability mode (LCM) to high capability mode (HCM), but does not reply with a response frame within the SIFS interval, starting from the end time of the initial control frame, within the first handover timeout period, since the AP did not receive a response frame to the initial control frame, the AP still needs to send an initial control frame carrying the DPS padding delay before sending the data PPDU.

[0198] The dynamic energy-saving method provided in this application embodiment, after the dynamic energy-saving DPS mode of the site equipment takes effect, before the access point equipment and the site equipment transmit data, the access point equipment needs to send an initial control frame carrying the DPS padding delay to the site equipment, so that the site equipment switches from a low-capacity mode to a high-capacity mode. If the access point equipment receives the response frame of the initial control frame, it sends a data PPDU to the site equipment within the first handover timeout period. Therefore, when the site equipment has not completed frame exchange with the access point equipment, the ICF retransmitted by the AP does not need to carry the DPS padding delay. If the access point equipment has not received the response frame of the initial control frame, when it needs to retransmit the initial control frame carrying the DPS padding delay before sending the data PPDU within the first handover timeout period, there is no need to wait for the handover delay time, thereby reducing the time overhead of the access point equipment. This application embodiment can improve the energy-saving gain of dynamic energy-saving operation in actual execution.

[0199] Optionally, the dynamic energy-saving method further includes:

[0200] The access point device receives a dynamic energy-saving DPS request frame from the site device. The DPS request frame is used to indicate that DPS mode is enabled. The DPS request frame carries the DPS handover delay and the first handover timeout.

[0201] The access point device determines the second handover timeout based on its own processing delay and the DPS handover delay carried in the DPS request frame;

[0202] The access point device sends a DPS response frame to the site device. The DPS response frame is used to confirm that the DPS mode is enabled. The DPS response frame carries the second handover timeout.

[0203] The DPS switching delay is used to indicate the time delay for the site equipment to switch from high-capacity mode (HCM) to low-capacity mode (LCM).

[0204] The second handover timeout is used to indicate the time during which the access point device supports the site device's DPS mode.

[0205] The dynamic energy-saving method provided in this application, through the design of the interaction process between the access point device and the site device to enable DPS mode, involves the access point device receiving a DPS request frame from the site device. This DPS request frame carries the DPS handover delay and a first handover timeout. On one hand, the access point device can combine its own processing delay with the time when the DPS mode takes effect (i.e., the second handover timeout) due to the DPS handover delay, and include the DPS mode activation time in the DPS response frame. This covers the processing delays on both the AP and STA sides, preventing frame exchange failures caused by asynchronous mode handover delays on both sides (AP and STA). On the other hand, the access point device uses the first handover timeout to determine the time the site device remains in the HCM after replying to the initial control frame, thus introducing a handover timeout mechanism. This prevents the site device from switching to high-capacity mode without completing a valid frame exchange with the access point device, reducing unnecessary waiting for the access point device. Therefore, this application embodiment can improve the energy-saving gain of dynamic energy-saving operations during actual execution.

[0206] Optionally, the DPS mode of the site device is activated when the timer starts from the end of the DPS response frame and the end of the second handover timeout period is reached.

[0207] Optionally, the second handover timeout is determined by the access point device based on the DPS handover delay, and the second handover timeout is greater than or equal to the DPS handover delay.

[0208] Optionally, the DPS request frame carries a DPS operation parameter field, which includes a DPS handover delay subfield and a handover timeout subfield; wherein the DPS handover delay subfield is used to indicate the DPS handover delay, and the handover timeout subfield is used to indicate the first handover timeout time.

[0209] Optionally, the DPS response frame carries a DPS operation parameter field.

[0210] For a better understanding of the above embodiments, please refer to the description in the foregoing embodiments, which can achieve the same technical effect, and will not be repeated here.

[0211] Figure 10 This is the fourth schematic flowchart illustrating the dynamic energy-saving method provided in this application embodiment. Figure 10 As shown, this dynamic energy-saving method includes:

[0212] Step 1000: After the dynamic energy-saving DPS mode of the site device takes effect, when the site device receives the initial control frame sent by the access point device, the site device switches from the low capability mode LCM to the high capability mode HCM to enter the data transmission stage.

[0213] Step 1001: If the frame switching end condition is met, the site device switches from the high-capability mode (HCM) to the low-capability mode (LCM).

[0214] Understandably, after the site device's dynamic power-saving DPS mode takes effect, upon receiving an initial control frame from the access point device, the site device replies with a response frame to the initial control frame and switches from Low Capability Mode (LCM) to High Capability Mode (HCM) to enter the data transmission phase, i.e., transmitting data with the access point device, such as receiving data PPDUs sent by the access point device. If the frame exchange termination condition is met, the site device switches from High Capability Mode (HCM) to Low Capability Mode (LCM). The frames involved in the frame exchange termination condition here can be data frames, control frames, or management frames.

[0215] Optionally, the frame exchange termination condition includes at least one of the following:

[0216] The MAC layer of the site device does not receive the physical layer start receiving indication primitive PHY-RXSTART.indication within a first duration starting from the first time, where the first time is the time when the site device receives a frame that does not require acknowledgment;

[0217] The MAC layer of the site device does not receive the physical layer start receiving indication primitive PHY-RXSTART.indication within a first duration starting from the second time, wherein the second time is the time when the site device replies with an acknowledgment frame, and the acknowledgment frame is not a response frame to the initial control frame;

[0218] The MAC layer of the site device receives the physical layer start receiving indication primitive PHY-RXSTART.indication within a first duration starting from the second time, but does not receive the first frame that meets the conditions. The second time is the time when the site device replies with an acknowledgment frame, and the acknowledgment frame is not a response frame to the initial control frame.

[0219] The site device did not respond to the non-initial control frame sent by the access point device within the short inter-frame interval (SIFS);

[0220] After the site device replies with the response frame of the initial control frame, it starts timing from the end time of the initial control frame PPDU and receives a second frame that meets the conditions within the first handover timeout period.

[0221] If the site equipment fails to reply with a response frame to the initial control frame within the SIFS interval, a second frame meeting the conditions will be received within the first handover timeout period, starting from the end time of the initial control frame PPDU.

[0222] The end time of the first switching timeout period has arrived;

[0223] Wherein, the first handover timeout is used to indicate the time the site device remains in the HCM after receiving the initial control frame;

[0224] The first duration is aSIFSTime + aSlotTime + aRxPHYStartDelay, where aSIFSTime is the short inter-frame interval, aSlotTime is the contention slot time, and aRxPHYStartDelay is the physical layer reception start delay.

[0225] This application embodiment improves the triggering condition for a site device to switch from High Capability Mode (HCM) to Low Capability Mode (LCM) during the data transmission phase after DPS mode is enabled or activated. This triggering condition is the frame switching end condition.

[0226] Specifically, after DPS mode is enabled, during the data transfer phase, the triggering conditions for a Non-AP STA to switch from High Capability Mode (HCM) back to Low Capability Mode (LCM) include at least one of the following:

[0227] (1) The MAC layer of the site device does not receive the physical layer start receiving indication primitive PHY-RXSTART.indication within a first duration starting from the first time, wherein the first time is the time when the site device receives a frame that does not require acknowledgment;

[0228] Understandably, in this situation, the site device receives a frame that does not require acknowledgment and does not receive PHY-RXSTART.indication within the first duration.

[0229] Wherein, the first duration is aSIFSTime + aSlotTime + aRxPHYStartDelay, aSIFSTime is the short inter-frame interval, aSlotTime is the contention slot time, aRxPHYStartDelay is the physical layer reception start delay, PHY-RXSTART.indication is the start flag of the physical layer reception process, and PHY-RXSTART.indication is a primitive sent by the physical layer (PHY) to the MAC layer to notify the MAC layer that the physical layer has started receiving a valid radio frame. Its core function is to serve as the start flag of the physical layer reception process.

[0230] If a Non-AP STA receives a frame that does not require acknowledgment, and does not receive PHY-RXSTART.indication within aSIFSTime+aSlotTime+aRxPHYStartDelay, confirming that there will be no subsequent frame exchange, then the Non-AP STA switches from High Capability Mode (HCM) back to Low Capability Mode (LCM). This avoids the Non-AP STA remaining in HCM when there is no subsequent frame exchange, reducing power consumption on the Non-AP STA side and improving the energy-saving effect of dynamic power saving.

[0231] Optionally, frames that do not require acknowledgment may fall into, but are not limited to, the following categories: unacknowledged data frames, which do not require a response from the receiver and are suitable for low-priority data or scenarios where data transmission reliability requirements are not high; unacknowledged control frames, where the sender does not wait for the receiver's acknowledgment; unacknowledged management frames, in certain specific cases, such as beacon frames and certain types of management frames, where the acknowledgment request field is set to not require acknowledgment; and QoS Null MPDUs, where the Ack policy for QoS Null MPDUs (data frames without content) is set to "no acknowledgment," meaning that these frames do not expect acknowledgment.

[0232] (2) The MAC layer of the site device does not receive the physical layer start receiving indication primitive PHY-RXSTART.indication within a first duration starting from the second time, wherein the second time is the time when the site device replies with an acknowledgment frame, and the acknowledgment frame is not a response frame to the initial control frame;

[0233] In this case, if the Non-AP STA replies with an acknowledgment frame, and this acknowledgment frame is not a response frame to the Initial Control Frame (ICF), and does not receive PHY-RXSTART.indication within aSIFSTime+aSlotTime+aRxPHYStartDelay time, then the Non-AP STA switches from High Capability Mode (HCM) back to Low Capability Mode (LCM).

[0234] Since the acknowledgment frame returned by the Non-AP STA is not an ICF response frame, and no PHY-RXSTART.indication is received within aSIFSTime+aSlotTime+aRxPHYStartDelay time, it can be confirmed that there is no subsequent frame exchange process. Therefore, the Non-AP STA switches from High Capability Mode (HCM) back to Low Capability Mode (LCM) to avoid the Non-AP STA remaining in HCM when there is no subsequent frame exchange process. This can reduce the power consumption on the Non-AP STA side and improve the energy-saving effect of dynamic power saving.

[0235] Optionally, an acknowledgment frame that is not a response frame to the initial control frame may fall into, but is not limited to, the following categories: ACK frames used to acknowledge the receipt of data frames or management frames; GroupAck frames used to acknowledge the receipt of multiple frames, especially in multi-user transmissions, where GroupAck frames can serve as a response to multiple data frames or control frames.

[0236] (3) The MAC layer of the site device receives the physical layer start receiving indication primitive PHY-RXSTART.indication within a first duration starting from the second time, but does not receive the first frame that meets the conditions, wherein the second time is the time when the site device replies with an acknowledgment frame, and the acknowledgment frame is not a response frame of the initial control frame;

[0237] Optionally, the first frame that meets the conditions includes at least one of the following:

[0238] A unicast frame, wherein the receiving address of the unicast frame is the Media Access Control (MAC) address of the site device;

[0239] A trigger frame, wherein a user information field is provided in the trigger frame to address the site device;

[0240] The CTS-to-self frame, wherein the receiving address in the CTS-to-self frame is the MAC address of the access point device;

[0241] A Multi-STA BlockAck frame contains a Per AID TID information field that addresses the site device;

[0242] An empty data packet NDP probe frame, wherein the NDP probe frame contains a STA information field addressing the site device.

[0243] It is understandable that after the site device replies with an acknowledgment frame, and this acknowledgment frame is not a response frame to the initial control frame (ICF), it receives PHY-RXSTART.indication within aSIFSTime+aSlotTime+aRxPHYStartDelay time, but the received frame does not meet the following conditions:

[0244] A unicast frame, wherein the receiving address of the unicast frame is the Media Access Control (MAC) address of the site device;

[0245] A trigger frame, wherein a user information field is provided in the trigger frame to address the site device;

[0246] The CTS-to-self frame, wherein the receiving address in the CTS-to-self frame is the MAC address of the access point device;

[0247] A Multi-STA BlockAck frame contains a Per AID TID information field that addresses the site device;

[0248] An empty data packet NDP probe frame, wherein the NDP probe frame contains a STA information field addressing the site device.

[0249] The first frame that meets the above conditions can be understood as a frame that can be addressed to the site device.

[0250] If, after the Non-AP STA replies with this acknowledgment frame, this acknowledgment frame is not an ICF response frame, and PHY-RXSTART.indication is received within aSIFSTime + aSlotTime + aRxPHYStartDelay time, but the received frame is not a unicast frame with the MAC address of the site device as the receiving address, nor a trigger frame with the site device's information field, nor a CTS-to-self frame with the MAC address of the access point device as the receiving address, nor a Multi-STA BlockAck frame with the site device's information field in the Per AIDTID information field, nor an NDP probe frame with the site device's information field in the STA information field, then the Non-AP STA switches from High Capability Mode (HCM) back to Low Capability Mode (LCM). The site device information includes the site device's Association Identification (AID) information.

[0251] Since the acknowledgment frame replied by the Non-AP STA is not an ICF response frame, and PHY-RXSTART.indication is received within aSIFSTime+aSlotTime+aRxPHYStartDelay time, but the first frame that meets the conditions is not received, it means that there is no subsequent frame exchange process associated with this Non-AP STA. In this case, the Non-AP STA switches from High Capability Mode (HCM) back to Low Capability Mode (LCM) to avoid the Non-AP STA remaining in HCM when there is no subsequent frame exchange process. This can reduce the power consumption on the Non-AP STA side and improve the energy-saving effect of dynamic power saving.

[0252] (4) The site device did not reply to the non-initial control frame sent by the access point device within the short inter-frame interval (SIFS);

[0253] Correspondingly, the AP sends a non-initial control frame, requesting the Non-AP STA to reply within SIFS, but the Non-AP STA does not reply.

[0254] If a Non-AP STA does not respond to a non-ICF frame sent by the AP within SIFS, the Non-AP STA can switch from High Capability Mode (HCM) back to Low Capability Mode (LCM). This avoids the Non-AP STA remaining in HCM without subsequent frame exchange, reducing power consumption on the Non-AP STA side and improving the energy-saving effect of dynamic power saving.

[0255] (5) After the site equipment replies to the response frame of the initial control frame, it starts timing from the end time of the initial control frame PPDU and receives the second frame that meets the conditions within the first handover timeout period.

[0256] Optionally, the qualifying second frame includes at least one of the following:

[0257] Non-QoS data frame or non-QoS empty frame, where the More Data subfield of the non-QoS data frame or non-QoS empty frame is equal to 0; QoS data frame or QoS empty frame, where the ESP subfield of the QoS data frame or QoS empty frame is equal to 1.

[0258] It is understood that after the site device replies with the response frame of the initial control frame, it starts timing from the end time of the initial control frame PPDU and switches from the high-capability mode (HCM) to the low-capability mode (LCM) when one of the following conditions is met:

[0259] During the first handover timeout period, the site device receives the first frame, and the MoreData subfield of the first frame is equal to 0. The first frame is a non-Quality of Service (QoS) data frame or a non-QoS empty frame.

[0260] During the first handover timeout period, the site device receives the second frame, and the EOSP subfield of the second frame is equal to 1. The second frame is a QoS data frame or a QoS empty frame.

[0261] The first switching timeout period has ended.

[0262] It should be noted that after the Non-AP STA replies with the response frame of the initial control frame, if the AP receives the response frame of the initial control frame, the timer starts from the end time of the ICF frame PPDU, within the first handover timeout period:

[0263] a) The AP does not need to send an ICF frame with padding fields before sending the data PPDU;

[0264] b) A Non-AP STA shall switch back from HCM to LCM if one of the following conditions is met: the Non-AP STA receives a non-QoS data frame or a non-QoS empty frame and the More Data subfield is equal to 0 (indicating no subsequent data); the Non-AP STA receives a QoS data frame or a QoS empty frame and the EOSP subfield of the frame is equal to 1 (indicating the end of the service period); otherwise, it shall switch back from HCM to LCM at the end of the first handover timeout period.

[0265] Figure 11 This is one of the schematic diagrams illustrating the data transmission phase after DPS mode is enabled, as provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 11As shown, after the Non-AP STA replies with the response frame of the initial control frame, it starts timing from the end time of the ICF frame PPDU. During the Transition Timeout (i.e., the first handover timeout), if the Non-AP STA receives a non-QoS data frame or a non-QoS empty frame, and the More Data subfield is equal to 0 (indicating no subsequent data), it switches back from HCM to LCM; or, if the Non-AP STA receives a QoS data frame or a QoS empty frame, and the EOSP subfield of the frame is equal to 1 (indicating the end of the service period), it switches back from HCM to LCM; otherwise, it switches back from HCM to LCM at the end of the first handover timeout.

[0266] In this embodiment, in the triggering condition for a Non-AP STA to switch back from HCM to LCM, if the acknowledgment frame replied by the Non-AP STA is an ICF response frame, after the AP receives the acknowledgment frame, if the Non-AP STA receives a non-QoS data frame or a non-QoS empty frame, and the More Data subfield is equal to 0, indicating no subsequent data, the Non-AP STA completes receiving the PPDU sent by the AP, and then switches back from HCM to LCM; or, if the Non-AP STA receives a QoS data frame or a QoS empty frame, and the EOSP subfield of the frame is equal to 1, indicating the end of the service period, then switches back from HCM to LCM; otherwise, at the end of the first handover timeout period, it switches back from HCM to LCM, avoiding the Non-AP STA remaining in HCM without subsequent frame exchange, which can reduce the power consumption on the Non-AP STA side and improve the energy-saving effect of dynamic power saving.

[0267] (6) If the site equipment does not reply to the response frame of the initial control frame within the SIFS interval, starting from the end time of the initial control frame PPDU, a second frame that meets the conditions is received within the first handover timeout period, or the end time of the first handover timeout period is reached.

[0268] Optionally, the qualifying second frame includes at least one of the following:

[0269] Non-QoS data frame or non-QoS empty frame, where the More Data subfield of the non-QoS data frame or non-QoS empty frame is equal to 0; QoS data frame or QoS empty frame, where the ESP subfield of the QoS data frame or QoS empty frame is equal to 1.

[0270] It is understood that when the site device receives the initial control frame sent by the access point device, switches to HCM, and does not reply with a response frame to the initial control frame within the SIFS interval, the system switches from the high-capability mode (HCM) to the low-capability mode (LCM) when one of the following conditions is met: During the first handover timeout period, the site device receives a first frame, and the More Data subfield of the first frame is equal to 0; the first frame is a non-QoS data frame or a non-QoS empty frame. During the first handover timeout period, the site device receives a second frame, and the EOSP subfield of the second frame is equal to 1; the second frame is a QoS data frame or a QoS empty frame. The end time of the first handover timeout period is reached.

[0271] That is, when a Non-AP STA receives the initial control frame sent by the AP, switches to HCM, and does not reply with a response frame within the SIFS interval, the timer starts from the end time of the ICF frame PPDU and runs within the Transition Timeout period (i.e., the first handover timeout):

[0272] a) Since the AP did not receive a response frame to the initial control frame, the AP still needs to send an ICF frame with padding fields before sending the data PPDU;

[0273] b) A Non-AP STA shall switch back to LCM in one of the following circumstances: the Non-AP STA receives a non-QoS data frame or a non-QoS empty frame and the More Data subfield is equal to 0 (indicating no subsequent data); the Non-AP STA receives a QoS data frame or a QoS empty frame and the EOSP subfield of the frame is equal to 1 (indicating the end of the service period); otherwise, it shall switch back to LCM at the end of the first handover timeout period.

[0274] Figure 12 This is the second schematic diagram illustrating the data transmission phase after DPS mode is enabled, as provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 12As shown, when a Non-AP STA receives the initial control frame sent by the AP, it switches to the HCM. If it does not reply with a response frame within the SIFS interval, it starts timing from the end time of the ICF frame PPDU. Within the Transition Timeout period (i.e., the first handover timeout period), if the Non-AP STA receives a non-QoS data frame or a non-QoS empty frame, and the More Data subfield is equal to 0 (indicating no subsequent data), it switches back from the HCM to the LCM; or, if the Non-AP STA receives a QoS data frame or a QoS empty frame, and the EOSP subfield of the frame is equal to 1 (indicating the end of the service period), it switches back from the HCM to the LCM; otherwise, at the end of the Transition Timeout period (i.e., the end time of the first handover timeout period), it switches back from the HCM to the LCM.

[0275] In this embodiment, a timeout mechanism (TransitionTimeout) is introduced into the triggering condition for a Non-AP STA to switch back to LCM from HCM. The timeout starts from the end time of the ICF frame PPDU. During the first handover timeout period: if the Non-AP STA receives a non-QoS data frame or a non-QoS empty frame, and the More Data subfield is equal to 0, indicating that there is no subsequent data, then it switches back to LCM from HCM; or, if the Non-AP STA receives a QoS data frame or a QoS empty frame, and the EOSP subfield of the frame is equal to 1, indicating that the service period has ended, then it switches back to LCM from HCM; otherwise, at the end of the first handover timeout period, it switches back to LCM from HCM. This avoids the Non-AP STA remaining in HCM without subsequent frame exchange, which can reduce the power consumption on the Non-AP STA side and improve the energy-saving effect of dynamic power saving.

[0276] The dynamic energy-saving method provided in this application improves the energy-saving gain of dynamic energy-saving operation in actual execution by improving the triggering conditions for site equipment to switch from high-capacity mode (HCM) to low-capacity mode (LCM) during the data transmission phase.

[0277] Optionally, the dynamic energy-saving method further includes:

[0278] The site device sends a dynamic energy-saving DPS request frame to the access point device. The DPS request frame is used to inform that the DPS mode is enabled. The DPS request frame carries the DPS handover delay and the first handover timeout.

[0279] The site device receives a DPS response frame from the access point device. The DPS response frame is used to confirm that the DPS mode is enabled. The DPS response frame carries a second handover timeout.

[0280] The DPS switching delay is used to indicate the time delay for the site equipment to switch from high-capacity mode (HCM) to low-capacity mode (LCM).

[0281] The second handover timeout is used to indicate the time during which the access point device supports the site device's DPS mode.

[0282] In this embodiment, by improving the triggering condition for the site device to switch from high-capability mode (HCM) to low-capability mode (LCM) during the data transmission phase, it is possible to avoid the Non-AP STA remaining in HCM without subsequent frame exchange, thereby reducing power consumption on the Non-AP STA side and improving the energy-saving effect of dynamic power saving. Furthermore, by designing the process for the site device to enable DPS mode, the site device sends a DPS request frame to the access point device. This DPS request frame carries the DPS handover delay and the first handover timeout. On the one hand, the access point device can specify the effective time of DPS mode (i.e., the second handover timeout) based on its own processing delay and the DPS handover delay, and carry the effective time of DPS mode in the DPS response frame, thus covering the processing delays on both the AP and STA sides. This avoids frame exchange failure due to asynchronous mode handover delays on both sides (i.e., the AP and STA sides). On the other hand, by indicating the time the site device remains in HCM after replying to the initial control frame through the first handover timeout, a handover timeout mechanism is introduced, which can prevent the site device from switching to high-capability mode without completing frame exchange with the access point device. The embodiments of this application can improve the energy-saving gains of dynamic energy-saving operation in actual execution.

[0283] Optionally, the timing starts from the end time of the DPS response frame, and the DPS mode takes effect when the end time of the second switching timeout period arrives.

[0284] Optionally, the second switching timeout is greater than or equal to the DPS switching delay.

[0285] Optionally, the DPS request frame carries a DPS operation parameter field, which includes a DPS handover delay subfield and a handover timeout subfield; wherein the DPS handover delay subfield is used to indicate the DPS handover delay, and the handover timeout subfield is used to indicate the first handover timeout time.

[0286] Optionally, the DPS response frame carries a DPS operation parameter field, which includes a handover timeout subfield, used to indicate the second handover timeout period.

[0287] For a better understanding of the above embodiments, please refer to the description in the foregoing embodiments, which can achieve the same technical effect, and will not be repeated here.

[0288] The dynamic energy-saving method provided in this application can be executed by a dynamic energy-saving device. This application uses an example of a dynamic energy-saving device executing the dynamic energy-saving method to illustrate the dynamic energy-saving device provided in this application.

[0289] This application provides a dynamic energy-saving device. As an example, the dynamic energy-saving device can be a communication device or a component in a communication device, such as a chip. The communication device can be a site device or an access point device, etc. Exemplarily, the site device can include, but is not limited to, the type of site 120 listed above, and the access point device can include, but is not limited to, the type of access point 110 listed above. This application does not impose specific limitations.

[0290] The dynamic energy-saving device includes a receiving module, a transmitting module, and a processing module. These modules can be implemented in software or hardware. When implemented in hardware, the processing module can be implemented by a processor. For example, the processor can include general-purpose processors, special-purpose processors, etc., such as central processing units (CPUs), microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), artificial intelligence (AI) processors, graphics processing units (GPUs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), network processors (NPs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, gate circuits, transistors, discrete hardware components, etc. The receiving and transmitting modules can be implemented by a communication interface, which can include one or more of the following: transceivers, pins, circuits, buses, radio frequency units, etc.

[0291] Optionally, see Figure 13 When the dynamic energy-saving device 1300 is an access point device or a component in an access point device, the dynamic energy-saving device 1300 includes:

[0292] The first receiving module 1301 is used to receive a dynamic energy-saving DPS request frame from the site equipment. The DPS request frame is used to indicate that the DPS mode is enabled. The DPS request frame carries a DPS switching delay and a first switching timeout.

[0293] The first processing module 1302 is used to determine the second handover timeout based on its own processing delay and the DPS handover delay carried in the DPS request frame.

[0294] The first sending module 1303 is used to send a DPS response frame to the site device. The DPS response frame is used to confirm that the DPS mode is enabled. The DPS response frame carries the second handover timeout.

[0295] The DPS switching delay is used to indicate the time delay for the site equipment to switch from high-capacity mode (HCM) to low-capacity mode (LCM).

[0296] The first handover timeout is used to indicate the time the site device remains in the HCM after receiving the initial control frame;

[0297] The second handover timeout is used to indicate the time during which the access point device supports the site device's DPS mode.

[0298] In some embodiments, the DPS mode of the site device is activated when the timer starts from the end of the DPS response frame and the end of the second handover timeout period is reached.

[0299] In some embodiments, the second switching timeout is greater than or equal to the DPS switching delay.

[0300] In some embodiments, the DPS request frame carries a DPS operation parameter field, which includes a DPS handover delay subfield and a handover timeout subfield.

[0301] The DPS handover delay subfield is used to indicate the DPS handover delay, and the handover timeout subfield is used to indicate the first handover timeout time.

[0302] In some embodiments, the DPS response frame carries a DPS operation parameter field, which includes a handover timeout subfield, used to indicate the second handover timeout period.

[0303] The dynamic energy-saving device provided in this application embodiment can achieve… Figure 5 The various processes implemented in the method embodiments achieve the same technical effect, and will not be described again here to avoid repetition.

[0304] For details, see Figure 14 When the dynamic energy-saving device is a site equipment or a component in a site equipment, the dynamic energy-saving device 1400 includes:

[0305] The second sending module 1401 is used to send a dynamic energy-saving DPS request frame to the access point device. The DPS request frame is used to inform that the DPS mode is enabled. The DPS request frame carries the DPS handover delay and the first handover timeout.

[0306] The second receiving module 1402 is used to receive a DPS response frame from the access point device. The DPS response frame is used to confirm that the DPS mode is enabled. The DPS response frame carries a second handover timeout.

[0307] The DPS switching delay is used to indicate the time delay for the site equipment to switch from high-capacity mode (HCM) to low-capacity mode (LCM).

[0308] The first handover timeout is used to indicate the time the site device remains in the HCM after receiving the initial control frame;

[0309] The second handover timeout is used to indicate the time during which the access point device supports the site device's DPS mode.

[0310] In some embodiments, the DPS mode of the site device is activated when the timer starts from the end of the DPS response frame and the end of the second handover timeout period is reached.

[0311] In some embodiments, the second handover timeout is determined by the access point device based on the DPS handover delay, and the second handover timeout is greater than or equal to the DPS handover delay.

[0312] In some embodiments, the DPS request frame carries a DPS operation parameter field, which includes a DPS handover delay subfield and a handover timeout subfield; wherein the DPS handover delay subfield is used to indicate the DPS handover delay, and the handover timeout subfield is used to indicate the first handover timeout time.

[0313] In some embodiments, the DPS response frame carries a DPS operation parameter field, which includes a handover timeout subfield, used to indicate the second handover timeout period.

[0314] The dynamic energy-saving device provided in this application embodiment can achieve… Figure 8 The various processes implemented in the method embodiments achieve the same technical effect, and will not be described again here to avoid repetition.

[0315] Optionally, see Figure 15 When the dynamic energy-saving device is an access point device or a component in an access point device, the dynamic energy-saving device 1500 includes:

[0316] The third sending module 1501 is used to send an initial control frame carrying the DPS padding delay to the site equipment;

[0317] The third sending module 1501 is further configured to send a data PPDU to the site device within the first handover timeout period when a response frame of the initial control frame is received; or, if no response frame of the initial control frame is received, send the initial control frame carrying the DPS padding delay again before sending the data PPDU within the first handover timeout period.

[0318] Wherein, the first handover timeout is used to indicate the time the site device remains in the HCM after receiving the initial control frame;

[0319] The DPS fill delay is used to indicate the time delay for the site device to switch from low-capacity mode (LCM) to high-capacity mode (HCM).

[0320] The dynamic energy-saving device provided in this application embodiment can achieve… Figure 9 The various processes implemented in the method embodiments achieve the same technical effect, and will not be described again here to avoid repetition.

[0321] Optionally, see Figure 16 When the dynamic energy-saving device 1600 is a site device or a component in a site device, the dynamic energy-saving device 1600 includes:

[0322] The second processing module 1601 is used to switch from low capability mode (LCM) to high capability mode (HCM) to enter the data transmission stage after the site device's dynamic energy-saving DPS mode takes effect and the site device receives the initial control frame sent by the access point device.

[0323] The second processing module 1601 is further configured to switch from the high-capability mode (HCM) to the low-capability mode (LCM) when the frame exchange end condition is met.

[0324] In some embodiments, the frame switching termination condition includes at least one of the following:

[0325] The MAC layer of the site device does not receive the physical layer start receiving indication primitive PHY-RXSTART.indication within a first duration starting from the first time, where the first time is the time when the site device receives a frame that does not require acknowledgment;

[0326] The MAC layer of the site device does not receive the physical layer start receiving indication primitive PHY-RXSTART.indication within a first duration starting from the second time, wherein the second time is the time when the site device replies with an acknowledgment frame, and the acknowledgment frame is not a response frame to the initial control frame;

[0327] The MAC layer of the site device receives the physical layer start receiving indication primitive PHY-RXSTART.indication within a first duration starting from the second time, but does not receive the first frame that meets the conditions. The second time is the time when the site device replies with an acknowledgment frame, and the acknowledgment frame is not a response frame to the initial control frame.

[0328] The site device did not respond to the non-initial control frame sent by the access point device within the short inter-frame interval (SIFS);

[0329] After the site device replies with the response frame of the initial control frame, it starts timing from the end time of the initial control frame PPDU. Within the first handover timeout period, it receives a second frame that meets the conditions, or the end time of the first handover timeout period arrives.

[0330] If the site device fails to respond to the initial control frame within the SIFS interval, starting from the end time of the initial control frame PPDU, a second frame meeting the conditions is received within the first handover timeout period, or the end time of the first handover timeout period is reached.

[0331] Wherein, the first handover timeout is used to indicate the time the site device remains in the HCM after receiving the initial control frame;

[0332] The first duration is aSIFSTime + aSlotTime + aRxPHYStartDelay, where aSIFSTime is the short inter-frame interval, aSlotTime is the contention slot time, and aRxPHYStartDelay is the physical layer reception start delay.

[0333] In some embodiments, the first frame that meets the criteria includes at least one of the following:

[0334] A unicast frame, wherein the receiving address of the unicast frame is the Media Access Control (MAC) address of the site device;

[0335] A trigger frame, wherein a user information field is provided in the trigger frame to address the site device;

[0336] The CTS-to-self frame, wherein the receiving address in the CTS-to-self frame is the MAC address of the access point device;

[0337] A Multi-STA BlockAck frame contains a Per AID TID information field that addresses the site device;

[0338] An empty data packet NDP probe frame, wherein the NDP probe frame contains a STA information field addressing the site device.

[0339] In some embodiments, the qualifying second frame includes at least one of the following:

[0340] Non-QoS data frame or non-QoS empty frame, where the More Data subfield of the non-QoS data frame or non-QoS empty frame is equal to 0; QoS data frame or QoS empty frame, where the ESP subfield of the QoS data frame or QoS empty frame is equal to 1.

[0341] The dynamic energy-saving device provided in this application embodiment can achieve… Figure 10 The various processes implemented in the method embodiments achieve the same technical effect, and will not be described again here to avoid repetition.

[0342] like Figure 17 As shown, this application embodiment also provides a communication device 1700, including a processor 1701 and a memory 1702. The memory 1702 stores a program or instructions that can run on the processor 1701. For example, when the communication device 1700 is an access point device, the program or instructions executed by the processor 1701 implement the various steps of the above-described dynamic energy-saving method embodiment and achieve the same technical effect. When the communication device 1700 is a site device, the program or instructions executed by the processor 1701 implement the various steps of the above-described dynamic energy-saving method embodiment and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0343] This application embodiment also provides an access point device, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is coupled to the processor, and the processor is used to run programs or instructions to implement, for example... Figure 5 or Figure 9 The steps of the method embodiment shown are illustrated. This access point device embodiment corresponds to the above-described access point device-side method embodiment. All implementation processes and methods of the above-described method embodiments can be applied to this access point device embodiment and can achieve the same technical effect.

[0344] This application embodiment also provides a site device, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is coupled to the processor, and the processor is used to run programs or instructions to implement, for example... Figure 8 or Figure 10 The steps in the method embodiment shown are illustrated. This site device embodiment corresponds to the above-described site device-side method embodiment. All implementation processes and methods of the above-described method embodiments can be applied to this site device embodiment and achieve the same technical effect.

[0345] This application also provides a readable storage medium storing a program or instructions. When the program or instructions are executed by a processor, they implement the various processes of the above-described dynamic energy-saving method embodiments and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, they will not be described again here.

[0346] The processor mentioned above is either the processor in the terminal described in the above embodiments or the processor in the network-side device. The readable storage medium includes computer-readable storage media, such as computer read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk, or optical disk. In some examples, the readable storage medium may be a non-transient readable storage medium.

[0347] This application embodiment also provides a chip, which includes a processor and a communication interface. The communication interface is coupled to the processor. The processor is used to run programs or instructions to implement the various processes of the above-described dynamic energy-saving method embodiments and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0348] 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.

[0349] This application also provides a computer program / program product, which is stored in a storage medium and executed by at least one processor to implement the various processes of the above-described dynamic energy-saving method embodiments, and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0350] This application embodiment also provides a communication system, including: a site device and an access point device, wherein the site device can be used to perform the steps of the dynamic energy saving method described above, and the access point device can be used to perform the steps of the dynamic energy saving method described above.

[0351] It should be noted that, in this document, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes that element. Furthermore, it should be noted that the scope of the methods and apparatuses in the embodiments of this application is not limited to performing functions in the order shown or discussed, but may also include performing functions substantially simultaneously or in the reverse order, depending on the functions involved. For example, the described methods may be performed in a different order than described, and various steps may be added, omitted, or combined. Additionally, features described with reference to certain examples may be combined in other examples.

[0352] From the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the methods of the above embodiments can be implemented by means of computer software products plus necessary general-purpose hardware platforms, and of course, they can also be implemented by hardware. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium (such as ROM, RAM, magnetic disk, optical disk, etc.), and the computer software product includes several instructions to cause the terminal or network-side device to execute the methods described in the various embodiments of this application.

[0353] The embodiments of this application have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this application is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. The specific embodiments described above are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art can make many other implementations under the guidance of this application without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. All of these implementations are within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A dynamic energy-saving method, characterized in that, include: The access point device receives a dynamic energy-saving DPS request frame from the site device. The DPS request frame is used to indicate that DPS mode is enabled. The DPS request frame carries the DPS handover delay and the first handover timeout. The access point device determines the second handover timeout based on its own processing delay and the DPS handover delay carried in the DPS request frame; The access point device sends a DPS response frame to the site device. The DPS response frame is used to confirm that the DPS mode is enabled. The DPS response frame carries the second handover timeout. The DPS switching delay is used to indicate the time delay for the site equipment to switch from high-capacity mode (HCM) to low-capacity mode (LCM). The first handover timeout is used to indicate the time the site device remains in the HCM after receiving the initial control frame; The second handover timeout is used to indicate the time during which the access point device supports the site device's DPS mode.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The DPS mode of the site device takes effect when the timer starts from the end of the DPS response frame and the end of the second handover timeout period is reached.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The second switching timeout is greater than or equal to the DPS switching delay.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The DPS request frame carries a DPS operation parameter field, which includes a DPS handover delay subfield and a handover timeout subfield. The DPS handover delay subfield is used to indicate the DPS handover delay, and the handover timeout subfield is used to indicate the first handover timeout time.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The DPS response frame carries a DPS operation parameter field, which includes a handover timeout subfield, used to indicate the second handover timeout period.

6. A dynamic energy-saving method, characterized in that, include: The site device sends a dynamic energy-saving DPS request frame to the access point device. The DPS request frame is used to inform that the DPS mode is enabled. The DPS request frame carries the DPS handover delay and the first handover timeout. The site device receives a DPS response frame from the access point device. The DPS response frame is used to confirm that the DPS mode is enabled. The DPS response frame carries a second handover timeout. The DPS switching delay is used to indicate the time delay for the site equipment to switch from high-capacity mode (HCM) to low-capacity mode (LCM). The first handover timeout is used to indicate the time the site device remains in the HCM after receiving the initial control frame; The second handover timeout is used to indicate the time during which the access point device supports the site device's DPS mode.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The DPS mode of the site device takes effect when the timer starts from the end of the DPS response frame and the end of the second handover timeout period is reached.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The second handover timeout is determined by the access point device based on the DPS handover delay, and the second handover timeout is greater than or equal to the DPS handover delay.

9. The method according to any one of claims 6-8, characterized in that, The DPS request frame carries a DPS operation parameter field, which includes a DPS handover delay subfield and a handover timeout subfield; wherein, the DPS handover delay subfield is used to indicate the DPS handover delay, and the handover timeout subfield is used to indicate the first handover timeout time.

10. The method according to any one of claims 6-8, characterized in that, The DPS response frame carries a DPS operation parameter field, which includes a handover timeout subfield, used to indicate the second handover timeout period.

11. A dynamic energy-saving method, characterized in that, include: The access point device sends an initial control frame carrying the DPS padding delay to the site device; If the access point device receives the response frame of the initial control frame, it sends a data PPDU to the site device within the first handover timeout period; or, if the access point device does not receive the response frame of the initial control frame, it resends the initial control frame carrying the DPS padding delay before sending the data PPDU within the first handover timeout period. Wherein, the first handover timeout is used to indicate the time the site device remains in the HCM after receiving the initial control frame; The DPS fill delay is used to indicate the time delay for the site device to switch from low-capacity mode (LCM) to high-capacity mode (HCM).

12. A dynamic energy-saving method, characterized in that, The method includes: After the dynamic energy-saving DPS mode of the site device takes effect, when the site device receives the initial control frame sent by the access point device, the site device switches from the low-capacity mode LCM to the high-capacity mode HCM to enter the data transmission phase. When the frame exchange termination condition is met, the site device switches from the high-capability mode (HCM) to the low-capability mode (LCM).

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The frame exchange termination condition includes at least one of the following: The MAC layer of the site device does not receive the physical layer start receiving indication primitive PHY-RXSTART.indication within a first duration starting from the first time, where the first time is the time when the site device receives a frame that does not require acknowledgment; The MAC layer of the site device does not receive the physical layer start receiving indication primitive PHY-RXSTART.indication within a first duration starting from the second time, wherein the second time is the time when the site device replies with an acknowledgment frame, and the acknowledgment frame is not a response frame to the initial control frame; The MAC layer of the site device receives the physical layer start receiving indication primitive PHY-RXSTART.indication within a first duration starting from the second time, but does not receive the first frame that meets the conditions. The second time is the time when the site device replies with an acknowledgment frame, and the acknowledgment frame is not a response frame to the initial control frame. The site device did not respond to the non-initial control frame sent by the access point device within the short inter-frame interval (SIFS); After the site device replies with the response frame of the initial control frame, it starts timing from the end time of the initial control frame PPDU. Within the first handover timeout period, it receives a second frame that meets the conditions, or the end time of the first handover timeout period arrives. If the site device fails to respond to the initial control frame within the SIFS interval, starting from the end time of the initial control frame PPDU, a second frame meeting the conditions is received within the first handover timeout period, or the end time of the first handover timeout period is reached. Wherein, the first handover timeout is used to indicate the time the site device remains in the HCM after receiving the initial control frame; The first duration is aSIFSTime + aSlotTime + aRxPHYStartDelay, where aSIFSTime is the short inter-frame interval, aSlotTime is the contention slot time, and aRxPHYStartDelay is the physical layer reception start delay.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The first frame that meets the criteria includes at least one of the following: A unicast frame, wherein the receiving address of the unicast frame is the Media Access Control (MAC) address of the site device; A trigger frame, wherein a user information field is provided in the trigger frame to address the site device; The CTS-to-self frame, wherein the receiving address in the CTS-to-self frame is the MAC address of the access point device; A Multi-STA BlockAck frame contains a Per AID TID information field that addresses the site device; An empty data packet NDP probe frame, wherein the NDP probe frame contains a STA information field addressing the site device.

15. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The second frame that meets the criteria includes at least one of the following: Non-QoS data frames or non-QoS empty frames, and the More Data subfield of the non-QoS data frames or non-QoS empty frames is equal to 0; A QoS data frame or a QoS empty frame, wherein the ESP subfield of the QoS data frame or QoS empty frame is equal to 1.

16. A dynamic energy-saving device, applied to access point equipment, characterized in that, include: The first receiving module is used to receive a dynamic energy-saving DPS request frame from the site equipment. The DPS request frame is used to indicate that the DPS mode is enabled. The DPS request frame carries a DPS switching delay and a first switching timeout. The first processing module is used to determine the second handover timeout based on its own processing latency and the DPS handover latency carried in the DPS request frame. The first sending module is used to send a DPS response frame to the site device. The DPS response frame is used to confirm that the DPS mode is enabled. The DPS response frame carries the second switching timeout. The DPS switching delay is used to indicate the time delay for the site equipment to switch from high-capacity mode (HCM) to low-capacity mode (LCM). The first handover timeout is used to indicate the time the site device remains in the HCM after receiving the initial control frame; The second handover timeout is used to indicate the time during which the access point device supports the site device's DPS mode.

17. A dynamic energy-saving device, applied to station equipment, characterized in that, include: The second sending module is used to send a dynamic energy-saving DPS request frame to the access point device. The DPS request frame is used to inform that the DPS mode is enabled. The DPS request frame carries the DPS handover delay and the first handover timeout. The second receiving module is used to receive a DPS response frame from the access point device. The DPS response frame is used to confirm that the DPS mode is enabled. The DPS response frame carries a second handover timeout. The DPS switching delay is used to indicate the time delay for the site equipment to switch from high-capacity mode (HCM) to low-capacity mode (LCM). The first handover timeout is used to indicate the time the site device remains in the HCM after receiving the initial control frame; The second handover timeout is used to indicate the time during which the access point device supports the site device's DPS mode.

18. A dynamic energy-saving device, applied to access point equipment, characterized in that, include: The third sending module is used to send an initial control frame carrying the DPS padding delay to the site equipment; The third sending module is further configured to send a data PPDU to the site device within the first handover timeout period if a response frame of the initial control frame is received; or, if a response frame of the initial control frame is not received, send the initial control frame carrying the DPS padding delay again before sending the data PPDU within the first handover timeout period. Wherein, the first handover timeout is used to indicate the time the site device remains in the HCM after receiving the initial control frame; The DPS fill delay is used to indicate the time delay for the site device to switch from low-capacity mode (LCM) to high-capacity mode (HCM).

19. A dynamic energy-saving device, applied to station equipment, characterized in that, include: The second processing module is used to switch from low-capacity mode (LCM) to high-capacity mode (HCM) to enter the data transmission stage after the site device's dynamic energy-saving DPS mode takes effect and the site device receives the initial control frame sent by the access point device. The second processing module is further configured to switch from the high-capability mode (HCM) to the low-capability mode (LCM) when the frame exchange end condition is met.

20. An access point device, comprising a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, characterized in that, When the processor executes the program, it implements the dynamic energy-saving method as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, or implements the dynamic energy-saving method as described in claim 11.

Images