Communication method, apparatus, and storage medium

Abstract

This application provides a communication method, apparatus, and storage medium. In this method, a first station sends first information, wherein the first information is used to indicate the time parameters required for the first station to perform channel switching. The time parameters include a first time parameter for channel switching or a second time parameter for channel switching. In this communication method, apparatus, and storage medium, the second station can accurately know the time parameters required for the first station to perform NPCA channel switching.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of communication technology, specifically relating to a communication method, device, and storage medium. Background Technology

[0002] The non-primary channel access (NPCA) mechanism allows channel switching to occur when a site's primary channel is occupied.

[0003] In related technologies, when an Overlapped Basic Services Set (OBSS) physical protocol data unit (PPDU) is detected on the main channel, both the non-access point station (non-APSTA) and the access point station (APSTA) switch to a predefined non-main channel to attempt access. After accessing the non-main channel, a transmission is initiated, which ends before the OBSS transmission ends, and the system switches back to the main channel before the OBSS transmission ends.

[0004] It is understandable that there is a handover delay during the channel handover process at this site, and how to accurately notify the other site of the duration of the channel handover is a problem that needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application relates to a communication method, apparatus, and storage medium that enables a second station to accurately know the time parameters required for the first station to perform NPCA channel switching.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied in a first site, the method comprising:

[0007] Send the first message;

[0008] The first information is used to indicate the time parameters required for the first station to perform channel switching, and the time parameters include a first time parameter for performing channel switching or a second time parameter for performing channel switching.

[0009] In one possible implementation, the second time parameter includes at least one of the following:

[0010] The duration of switching from the first channel to the second channel;

[0011] The duration of switching from the second channel to the first channel;

[0012] The second channel is used to transmit data from the first station when the first channel is occupied.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the first information is carried in the Operation Mode Indicator (OMI).

[0014] In one possible implementation, the OMI is used to indicate the channel width;

[0015] When the channel corresponding to the channel width does not cover the second channel in the frequency domain, the first information is used to indicate the first time parameter;

[0016] When the channel corresponding to the channel width covers the second channel in the frequency domain, the first information is used to indicate the second time parameter;

[0017] The second channel is used to transmit data from the first station when the first channel is occupied.

[0018] In one possible implementation, the first information is either first indication information or second indication information, wherein...

[0019] The first indication information is used to indicate the first time parameter;

[0020] The second indication information is used to indicate the second time parameter.

[0021] In one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0022] Send a second message;

[0023] The second information includes the second time parameter.

[0024] In one possible implementation, the second timing parameter is carried in the action frame; or...

[0025] The second time parameter is carried in the associated request frame.

[0026] In one possible implementation, the action frame is an Ultra-High Reliability (UHR) Non-Master Channel Access (NPCA) enable frame.

[0027] In one possible implementation, the UHR NPCA enable frame includes:

[0028] The category field indicates the category of the UHR action frame;

[0029] The action field is used to indicate the actions that NPCA can enable;

[0030] The UHR NPCA enable frame body field is used to carry parameters, including the second time parameter.

[0031] In one possible implementation, the second time parameter is carried in the association request frame, including:

[0032] The second time parameter is carried in the UHR capability information of the associated request frame.

[0033] In one possible implementation, the second time parameter is carried in the UHR capability information of the associated request frame, including:

[0034] The second time parameter is contained in either the first or second field of the UHR capability information;

[0035] The first field is an existing field in the UHR capability information, and the second field is a newly added field in the UHR capability information.

[0036] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied in a first station, the method comprising:

[0037] Send instruction information;

[0038] The indication information is used to indicate the non-primary channel access NPCA status of the first station.

[0039] In one possible implementation, the indication information is carried in an Operation Mode Indication (OMI), which is used to indicate the channel width;

[0040] If the channel corresponding to the channel width does not cover the second channel in the frequency domain, the indication information is used to indicate that the NPCA state is disabled.

[0041] The second channel is used to transmit data from the first station when the first channel is occupied.

[0042] In one possible implementation, the instruction information is carried in an action frame.

[0043] In one possible implementation, the action frame is an Ultra-High Reliability UHR Non-Master Channel Access NPCA enable frame;

[0044] The indication information is either enabling NPCA information or disabling NPCA information in the UHR NPCA enable frame.

[0045] In one possible implementation, the UHR NPCA enable frame includes:

[0046] The category field indicates the category of the UHR action frame;

[0047] The action field is used to indicate the actions that NPCA can enable;

[0048] The UHR NPCA enable frame body field is used to carry parameters, which include: enabling NPCA information, or disabling NPCA information.

[0049] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied in a second station, the method comprising:

[0050] Receive the first message;

[0051] The first information is used to indicate the time parameters required for the first site to perform channel switching, and the time parameters include a first time parameter for performing channel switching or a second time parameter for performing channel switching.

[0052] In one possible implementation, the second time parameter includes at least one of the following:

[0053] The duration of switching from the first channel to the second channel;

[0054] The duration of switching from the second channel to the first channel;

[0055] The second channel is used to transmit data from the first station when the first channel is occupied.

[0056] In one possible implementation, the first information is carried in the Operation Mode Indicator (OMI).

[0057] In one possible implementation, the OMI is used to indicate the channel width;

[0058] When the channel corresponding to the channel width does not cover the second channel in the frequency domain, the first information is used to indicate the first time parameter;

[0059] When the channel corresponding to the channel width covers the second channel in the frequency domain, the first information is used to indicate the second time parameter;

[0060] The second channel is used to transmit data from the first station when the first channel is occupied.

[0061] In one possible implementation, the first information is either first indication information or second indication information, wherein...

[0062] The first indication information is used to indicate the first time parameter;

[0063] The second indication information is used to indicate the second time parameter.

[0064] In one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0065] Receive the second message;

[0066] The second information includes the second time parameter.

[0067] In one possible implementation, the second timing parameter is carried in the action frame; or...

[0068] The second time parameter is carried in the associated request frame.

[0069] In one possible implementation, the action frame is an Ultra-High Reliability (UHR) Non-Master Channel Access (NPCA) enable frame.

[0070] In one possible implementation, the UHR NPCA enable frame includes:

[0071] The category field indicates the category of the UHR action frame;

[0072] The action field is used to indicate the actions that NPCA can enable;

[0073] The UHR NPCA enable frame body field is used to carry parameters, including the second time parameter.

[0074] In one possible implementation, the second time parameter is carried in the association request frame, including:

[0075] The second time parameter is carried in the UHR capability information of the associated request frame.

[0076] In one possible implementation, the second time parameter is carried in the UHR capability information of the associated request frame, including:

[0077] The second time parameter is contained in either the first or second field of the UHR capability information;

[0078] The first field is an existing field in the UHR capability information, and the second field is a newly added field in the UHR capability information.

[0079] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied in a second station, the method comprising:

[0080] Receive instruction information;

[0081] The indication information is used to indicate the non-main channel access NPCA status of the first station.

[0082] In one possible implementation, the indication information is carried in an Operation Mode Indication (OMI), which is used to indicate the channel width;

[0083] If the channel corresponding to the channel width does not cover the second channel in the frequency domain, the indication information is used to indicate that the NPCA state is disabled.

[0084] The second channel is used to transmit data from the first station when the first channel is occupied.

[0085] In one possible implementation, the instruction information is carried in an action frame.

[0086] In one possible implementation, the action frame is an Ultra-High Reliability UHR Non-Master Channel Access NPCA enable frame;

[0087] The indication information is either enabling NPCA information or disabling NPCA information in the UHR NPCA enable frame.

[0088] In one possible implementation, the UHR NPCA enable frame includes:

[0089] The category field indicates the category of the UHR action frame;

[0090] The action field is used to indicate the actions that NPCA can enable;

[0091] The UHR NPCA enable frame body field is used to carry parameters, which include: enabling NPCA information, or disabling NPCA information.

[0092] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device applied in a first site, the device comprising:

[0093] The transceiver module is used to send the first piece of information;

[0094] The first information is used to indicate the time parameters required for the first station to perform channel switching, and the time parameters include a first time parameter for performing channel switching or a second time parameter for performing channel switching.

[0095] Sixthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device applied in a first site, the device comprising:

[0096] The transceiver module is used to send instruction information;

[0097] The indication information is used to indicate the non-primary channel access NPCA status of the first station.

[0098] Seventhly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device applied in a second station, the device comprising:

[0099] The transceiver module is used to receive the initial information;

[0100] The first information is used to indicate the time parameters required for the first site to perform channel switching, and the time parameters include a first time parameter for performing channel switching or a second time parameter for performing channel switching.

[0101] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device applied in a second station, the device comprising:

[0102] The transceiver module is used to receive instruction information;

[0103] The indication information is used to indicate the non-main channel access NPCA status of the first station.

[0104] Ninthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, including: a processor and a memory;

[0105] The memory stores computer-executed instructions;

[0106] The processor executes computer execution instructions stored in the memory to implement the communication method as described in any one of the first, second, third, or fourth aspects.

[0107] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a computer, implement a communication method as described in any of the first, second, third, or fourth aspects.

[0108] In one aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product, including a computer program that, when executed by a computer, implements a communication method as described in any of the first, second, third, or fourth aspects.

[0109] In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a chip, the chip including at least one processor, the processor being configured to execute program instructions to perform a communication method as described in any of the first, second, third, or fourth aspects.

[0110] In a thirteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a chip module on which a computer program is stored. When the computer program is executed by the chip module, it implements the method as described in any one of the first, second, third, or fourth aspects.

[0111] This application provides a communication method, apparatus, and storage medium. In this communication method, a first station can send first information to a second station. The first information indicates the time parameters required for the first station to perform channel switching. The time parameters include a first time parameter or a second time parameter for channel switching. Thus, the second station can accurately determine whether the time parameter required for the first station to perform NPCA channel switching is the first time parameter or the second time parameter based on the first information. Attached Figure Description

[0112] Figure 1A A schematic diagram of a CSMA contention channel provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0113] Figure 1B A schematic diagram of an EDCA-based contention channel provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0114] Figure 1C A schematic diagram of a contention channel using an NPCA (Non-Contestant-Agent) method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0115] Figure 1D This application provides a schematic diagram of the format of UHR operation element data in an embodiment.

[0116] Figure 1E A schematic diagram illustrating a field format for NPCA operation information provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0117] Figure 2 One of the flowcharts of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0118] Figure 3A A schematic diagram illustrating the format of the A-Control subfield provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0119] Figure 3B A schematic diagram illustrating the format of a control subfield provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0120] Figure 3C A schematic diagram illustrating the format of an OM control subfield provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0121] Figure 3D A schematic diagram illustrating the format of an EHT OM control subfield provided for an embodiment of this application;

[0122] Figure 3E This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a MAC frame provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0123] Figure 4 A schematic diagram illustrating the format of a control information subfield provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0124] Figure 5 A second schematic flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0125] Figure 6A This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a management frame provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0126] Figure 6B A schematic diagram of the format of a UHR NPCA enable frame provided for an embodiment of this application;

[0127] Figure 7 A schematic diagram illustrating the format of a UHR capability information field provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0128] Figure 8 A schematic diagram illustrating the format of a UHR MAC capability information field provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0129] Figure 9 A third schematic flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in this application embodiment;

[0130] Figure 10 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0131] Figure 11 This is a second schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0132] Figure 12 This is the third schematic diagram of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0133] Figure 13 Fourth schematic diagram of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0134] Figure 14 The fifth schematic diagram of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0135] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0136] In this application, "and / or" is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this document indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0137] In this application, "at least one" means one or more. "More than one" means two or more.

[0138] The use of terms like "first" and "second" in this application is for illustrative purposes and to distinguish the objects being described. They do not indicate any particular order or limit on the number of objects in the embodiments of this application, and therefore do not constitute any limitation on the embodiments of this application. For example, "first channel" and "second channel" are simply used to distinguish different channels, and do not indicate a difference in priority or importance between the two channels.

[0139] In this application, terms such as “exemplary,” “in some embodiments,” “in other embodiments,” and “optionally” are used to indicate that something is an example, illustration, or description. Any embodiment or design described as an “example” in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Rather, the term “example” is used to present concepts in a specific manner.

[0140] It should be noted that the user information (including but not limited to user device information, user personal information, etc.) and data (including but not limited to data used for analysis, data stored, data displayed, etc.) involved in this application are all information and data authorized by the user or fully authorized by all parties. Furthermore, the collection, use and processing of the relevant data must comply with relevant laws, regulations and standards, and corresponding operation entry points are provided for users to choose to authorize or refuse.

[0141] To explain this application more clearly, the terminology used in the embodiments of this application will be introduced first below.

[0142] Basic Service Set (BSS): A BSS refers to a group of sites (STAs) that have successfully synchronized using the MLME-JOIN.request service primitive and one site that uses the MLME-START.request primitive. Alternatively, a BSS refers to a group of sites that use the MLME-START.request primitive and specify a matching Mesh configuration file, and the matching of the Mesh configuration file has been verified through the scanning process.

[0143] Extended Service Set (ESS): A collection of one or more Basic Service Sets (BSS) interconnected through a single distribution system (DS); for the Logical Link Control (LLC) sublayer, an ESS appears as a single access domain in the IEEE Std 802 standard.

[0144] Channel: In the field of communication technology, a channel with a bandwidth greater than 20MHz can consist of a 20MHz primary channel and at least one 20MHz secondary channel. In IEEE 802.11n, a 40MHz PPDU was introduced, and the BSS channel can be 40MHz: composed of a primary 20MHz channel and a secondary 20MHz channel. IEEE 802.11ac introduced an 80MHz PPDU, and its BSS channel can be 80MHz: composed of a primary 40MHz channel and a secondary 40MHz channel, where the primary 40MHz channel consists of a primary 20MHz channel and a secondary 20MHz channel, and the secondary 40MHz channel consists of a lower 20MHz channel and a higher 20MHz channel. IEEE 802.11ac introduced a 160MHz PPDU, and IEEE 802.11be introduced a 320MHz PPDU; the composition of their BSS channels is similar to that of the 80MHz PPDU. For 40 / 80 / 160 / 320MHz channels, the channel width and main channel location need to be defined.

[0145] If the BSS channel is 40MHz, the attempt to access the 40MHz channel is based on the CSMA / EDCA of the primary 20MHz channel within that channel, while simultaneously evaluating the secondary 20MHz channel. Within the priority inter-frame space (PIFS) time preceding the moment when the access conditions are met on the primary 20MHz channel, if the signal power of all PPDUs received on the secondary 20MHz channel is less than -72dBm, or if no PPDU is detected on the secondary 20MHz channel and the energy signal power is less than -62dBm, then access to the 40MHz channel is possible; otherwise, access to the primary 20MHz channel is attempted.

[0146] To facilitate understanding of the solutions provided in the embodiments of this application, the technologies involved in the embodiments of this application will be described below.

[0147] Technology 1: Carrier Sense Multiple Access (CSMA) mechanism.

[0148] Wireless network communication technology (Wi-Fi) can use the CSMA method to compete for channels. Figure 1A This is a schematic diagram of a CSMA contention channel provided in an embodiment of this application. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 1A AP STAs and non-AP STAs can attempt to access the channel according to the following rules: Carrier sensing continues until the channel is idle for the duration of the distributed inter-frame space (DIFS). Within the contention window (CW), a uniformly distributed random number r is selected, and listening continues. If the channel remains idle for r time slots, the channel is occupied to transmit data frames; if the channel becomes busy after i time slots, the channel waits for the next DIFS idle time slot before continuing to listen for (ri) time slots. If a data frame is not successfully transmitted after accessing the channel, the CW is increased by one level but not exceeding the maximum value; if a data frame is successfully transmitted after accessing the channel, the CW returns to the minimum value.

[0149] The channel is considered idle when the signal power of the PPDU detected on the channel is less than -82dBm, or when no PPDU is detected on the channel and the signal power on the channel is less than -62dBm.

[0150] Technology 2: Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA) mechanism.

[0151] In Wi-Fi multimedia (WMM) technology, Wi-Fi can also use the EDCA method to compete for channels.

[0152] Figure 1B This is a schematic diagram of an EDCA (Electronic Data Acquisition) method contention channel provided in an embodiment of this application. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 1B EDCA introduces four access categories (ACs) to distinguish different types of services. These four ACs are background stream (BK), voice data (VO), video data (VI), and best efforts data (BE).

[0153] CSMA does not differentiate data priorities, and transmitting one frame of data at a time during preemption results in excessive preemption overhead. In contrast to CSMA, EDCA replaces the single transmit queue with four different AC transmit queues to differentiate data priorities. In other words, each AC has an independent transmit queue and attempts to access the channel using different EDCA parameters.

[0154] The EDCA parameter set includes the minimum contention window (CWmin), maximum contention window (CWmax), arbitration inter-frame space number (AIFSN), and transmission opportunity limit (TXOP limit) parameters for each AC. AIFSN is used to determine the arbitration inter-frame space (AIFS); higher-priority queues have shorter AIFS and therefore have priority in competing for the channel.

[0155] The process of EDCA channel contention can be described as follows: Figure 1B As shown.

[0156] In CSMA and EDCA mechanisms, when the primary channel is busy, other 20MHz channels cannot be used even if they are idle. To solve this problem, the NPCA mechanism was proposed in IEEE 802.11bn.

[0157] Technique 3: NPCA mechanism.

[0158] The NPCA mechanism defines an NPCA main channel, which will be referred to as a "non-main channel" in this embodiment.

[0159] Figure 1C This is a schematic diagram of an NPCA (Non-Contestant-Agent) channel contention method provided in an embodiment of this application. Please refer to... Figure 1C The NPCA process includes: when an OBSS PPDU is detected on the main channel, both non-AP STAs and AP STAs switch to a predefined non-main channel, compete for access on the non-main channel, initiate transmission after accessing the non-main channel, end the transmission before the OBSS PPDU transmission ends, and switch back to the main channel before the OBSS PPDU transmission ends.

[0160] In IEEE 802.11bn, TGbn defines an operating mode that allows a STA to access a secondary channel when the primary channel is busy due to OBSS traffic or other pending conditions. This operating mode should not assume that the STA can simultaneously detect or decode frames and obtain the network allocation vector (NAV) information for the secondary channel. A BSS should contain only one non-primary channel, and when the primary channel of the BSS is occupied due to OBSS traffic or other pending conditions, the STA will compete for access on the non-primary channel.

[0161] IEEE 802.11bn also specifies the following: An AP supporting NPCA can announce a maximum of one non-primary channel. The non-primary channel must be located within the operating channel bandwidth of the BSS where the AP is located; the non-primary channel must not be a punctured 20MHz sub-channel (as shown in the EHT operating element); signaling details are pending.

[0162] Once an NPCA STA gains permission to initiate a TXOP on a non-primary channel, it can transmit data on a set of channels. This set of channels includes non-primary channels; its bandwidth is within the bandwidth range of the BSS to which the AP belongs; it does not include channels occupied by OBSS traffic that causes the STA to switch from a primary BSS channel to a non-primary channel; and it does not include punctured channels identified by the "Disable Subchannel Bitmap" field in the EHT operation element.

[0163] It is understandable that there is a handover delay during the channel handover process. IEEE 802.11bn also specifies that when an NPCA STA switches to the NPCA primary channel, it must not initiate any transmissions to the peer NPCA STA until the handover delay (calculated from the pending handover start time) has ended. Therefore, accurately notifying the peer station of the channel handover duration is a problem that needs to be solved.

[0164] In some embodiments, during channel handover, an NPCA STA may indicate the following to its corresponding peer NPCA STA:

[0165] NPCA switching delay refers to the time required to switch from the BSS primary channel to the NPCA primary channel.

[0166] NPCA switch back delay refers to the time required to switch back from the NPCA primary channel to the BSS primary channel.

[0167] The latency ranges from 0 to 256 microseconds, with a resolution of 4 microseconds.

[0168] In some embodiments, the NPCA operation information may include time parameters for the AP STA to perform channel switching, which may include: NPCA switching delay, and / or NPCA switch back delay. The NPCA operation information may be carried in the UHR operation element of a beacon frame; or, it may also be carried in the UHR operation element of a probe response frame; or, it may also be carried in the UHR operation element of an association response frame.

[0169] Figure 1D This is a schematic diagram illustrating the format of a UHR operation element provided in an embodiment of this application. Please refer to... Figure 1D The UHR Operation element format may include the following fields: Element Identifier (ID) field, which occupies 1 byte; Length field, which occupies 1 octet; Element ID Extension field, which occupies 1 octet; UHR Operation Parameters field, the number of octets of which is to be determined (To Be Determined, TBD); Basic UHR-MCS and NSS Set (describing the supported MCS and NSS), the number of octets of which is to be determined; UHR Operation Information field, the number of octets of which is to be determined; and Dynamic Power Save (DPS) Operation Parameters field, which is optional and the number of octets of which is to be determined.

[0170] exist Figure 1D In this context, NPCA operation information can be stored in the UHR operation information field.

[0171] In some embodiments, the format of NPCA operation information may be as follows: Figure 1E As shown.

[0172] Figure 1E Please refer to the schematic diagram of an NPCA operation information format provided in this application embodiment. Figure 1E The NPCA operation information field may include the following fields: NPCA main channel field, which occupies 8 bits (Bits, B0~B7); NPCA minimum duration threshold, the number of bits occupied by this field is to be determined (B8~Bx); NPCA handover delay, which occupies 6 bits (Bx+1~Bx+6); and NPCA back-off delay, which occupies 6 bits (Bx+7~Bx+12).

[0173] During channel handover at non-AP STA sites, the following two scenarios can exist:

[0174] Scenario 1: When the channel width of a non-AP STA site does not cover the NPCA main channel in the frequency domain, the non-AP STA site may need to perform frequency tuning and calibration operations during the channel handover process, which will make the channel handover time longer than 100 microseconds.

[0175] Scenario 2: When the channel width of a non-AP STA site covers the NPCA main channel in the frequency domain, the non-AP STA site does not need to perform frequency tuning and calibration during channel handover, making the channel handover time of the non-AP STA site very short. For example, the channel handover time can be less than 10 microseconds.

[0176] In the two scenarios described above, the timing parameters for channel switching at non-AP STA sites differ significantly.

[0177] This application provides a communication method that enables a non-AP STA to accurately notify its corresponding peer station of the time parameters for channel handover. In this method, a first station (non-AP STA) can send first information to a second station. This first information indicates the time parameters required for the first station to perform channel handover. These time parameters include either a first time parameter or a second time parameter for channel handover. This method allows the second station to accurately distinguish between the channel handover process in two scenarios using the first and second time parameters. Specifically, the first time parameter can be the time parameter required for the first station to perform channel handover in scenario 1, and the second time parameter can be the time parameter required for the first station to perform channel handover in scenario 2. In this method, the second station can accurately determine whether the time parameter required for the first station to perform NPCA channel handover is the first or the second time parameter.

[0178] The method described in this application will now be illustrated through specific embodiments. It should be noted that the following embodiments may exist independently or in combination with each other; identical or similar content will not be repeated in different embodiments.

[0179] Figure 2 This is one of the flowcharts illustrating the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. Please refer to... Figure 2 The method may include:

[0180] S201, The first station sends the first message to the second station.

[0181] Optionally, the second station can receive the first information sent by the first station. Based on the first information, the second station can determine the time parameters required for the first station to perform channel switching, and adjust its own behavior accordingly. For example, the second station can stop transmitting data to the first station within the switching delay indicated by the time parameters to avoid problems such as data packet loss.

[0182] The first information can be used to indicate the time parameters required for the first site to perform channel switching. These time parameters may include a first time parameter for performing channel switching or a second time parameter for performing channel switching.

[0183] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of this application, the first information is the type of time parameter required to instruct the first site to perform channel switching. This type may include: a first type of time parameter, namely, a first time parameter; and a second type of time parameter, namely, a second time parameter.

[0184] The first time parameter can be the time parameter required for the first station to perform channel switching when the channel corresponding to the channel width of the first station does not cover the second channel in the frequency domain.

[0185] The second time parameter can be the time parameter required for the first station to perform channel switching when the channel corresponding to the channel width of the first station covers the second channel in the frequency domain.

[0186] Both the first and second sites can be ultra-high reliability (UHR) sites. As technology evolves, the protocol versions supported by both sites can be even higher than UHR.

[0187] In some embodiments, the first site can be a non-AP STA, and the second site can be an AP STA.

[0188] Channel handover refers to the switching of a first station's channel from channel one to channel two, or vice versa. The second channel can be used to transmit data from the first station when the first channel is occupied. In other words, the second channel can be a channel used to transmit data from the first station when the first channel is occupied.

[0189] It is understandable that when the first channel is idle, the first station can transmit data through the first channel; when the first channel is occupied, for example, when the first channel is busy due to OBSS traffic or other pending conditions, the first station can transmit data through the second channel.

[0190] In some embodiments, the first channel is the primary channel of the BSS, and the second channel is a non-primary channel of the BSS.

[0191] In some embodiments, the primary channel may be referred to as the "BSS primary channel" or "BSS primary channel", and the non-primary channel may be referred to as the "NPCA primary channel" or "NPCA primary channel".

[0192] For example, the main channel can be a primary 20MHz channel, and the non-primary channel can be a secondary 20MHz channel.

[0193] In the embodiments of this application, the time parameters may include: NPCA switching delay, and / or, NPCA reverting delay.

[0194] Optionally, the first time parameter may include at least one of the following: a first duration for switching from the first channel to the second channel; and a second duration for switching from the second channel to the first channel.

[0195] In some embodiments, the first duration may also be expressed as "NPCA switching delay 1" or "NPCA switching delay 1"; the second duration may also be expressed as "NPCA switch back delay 1" or "NPCA switch back delay 1".

[0196] Optionally, the second time parameter may include: a third duration, which refers to the duration of switching from the first channel to the second channel; and a fourth duration, which refers to the duration of switching from the second channel to the first channel.

[0197] In some embodiments, the third duration may also be expressed as "NPCA switching delay 2" or "NPCA switching delay 2"; the fourth duration may also be expressed as "NPCA switch back delay 2" or "NPCA switch back delay 2".

[0198] Understandably, the duration corresponding to the second time parameter can be shorter than the duration corresponding to the first time parameter. Specifically, the third duration can be shorter than the first duration, and the fourth duration can be shorter than the second duration.

[0199] In this communication method, the first station can flexibly and accurately indicate the NPCA switching delay 2 and / or NPCA back-switching delay 2 to the second station through the second time parameter.

[0200] In some embodiments, the first information may be carried in the operating mode indicator (OMI). In other words, the OMI may carry the first information.

[0201] In this communication method, by carrying the first information in the OMI, there is no need to introduce a new frame, which helps to save resource overhead.

[0202] In some scenarios (e.g., low network load or energy-saving scenarios), HE / EHT sites can reduce power consumption and save resources by adjusting the channel width.

[0203] HE / EHT stations can indicate changes in their channel width to the peer station using the Channel Width and Channel Width Extension Subfield.

[0204] It is understandable that if the channel width of the HE / EHT site changes, the channel corresponding to the channel width of the HE / EHT site will change accordingly, which will also change the time parameter required for the HE / EHT site to perform channel handover.

[0205] It should be noted that in the embodiments of this application, the terms "channel width" and "operating bandwidth" can be used interchangeably.

[0206] For example, if the channel width of an HE / EHT site changes from 80MHz to 20MHz, when the channel width is 80MHz, the channel corresponding to the HE / EHT site's channel width can cover non-primary channels in the frequency domain, and the time parameter for the HE / EHT site to perform channel switching is the second time parameter; when the channel width is 20MHz, the channel corresponding to the HE / EHT site's channel width does not cover non-primary channels in the frequency domain, and the time parameter for the HE / EHT site to perform channel switching is the first time parameter.

[0207] HE / EHT stations can send an OMI to the peer station, which can be used to indicate the channel width.

[0208] The first station can be a UHR station, which can inherit the characteristics of HE / EHT stations. That is, the UHR station (the first station) can send an OMI to the peer station (the second station), and the OMI can be used to indicate the channel width.

[0209] In some embodiments, the OMI can be carried in the OM control subfield within the A-Control subfield.

[0210] Figure 3A This is a schematic diagram illustrating the format of the A-control subfield provided in an embodiment of this application. Please refer to... Figure 3A The A-control subfield can include: a control list subfield, which has a variable number of bits; if the control list subfield does not occupy 30 bits, it is filled by a padding subfield.

[0211] A control list can contain one or more control subfields, and each control subfield can be formatted as follows: Figure 3B As shown.

[0212] Figure 3B This is a schematic diagram illustrating the format of a control subfield provided in an embodiment of this application. Please refer to... Figure 3B The control subfield may include: a control ID field, which can occupy 4 bits (B0 to B3); and a control information field, the number of bits of which is variable.

[0213] In some embodiments, the field value in the Control ID field may include multiple field values, which may include at least one field value shown in Table 1.

[0214] Table 1

[0215]

[0216]

[0217]

[0218] As shown in Table 1, the control subfield can include the OM control subfield (Control ID 1) and the EHT OM control subfield (Control ID 7). Below, we will discuss this in conjunction with... Figure 3C and Figure 3D This section introduces the OM control subfield and the EHT OM control subfield.

[0219] Figure 3C This is a schematic diagram illustrating the format of an OM control subfield provided in an embodiment of this application. Please refer to... Figure 3C The OM control subfield may include the following fields: Receive Number of Spatial Streams (RxNSS) subfield, occupying 3 bits (B0~B2); Channel Width subfield, occupying 2 bits (B3~B4); Uplink (UL) Multi-User (MU) Disable subfield, occupying 1 bit (B5); Transmit Number of Space-Time Streams (TxNSTS) subfield, occupying 3 bits (B6~B8); Extended Range (ER) Single-User (SU) Disable subfield, occupying 1 bit (B9); Downlink (DL) Multi-User (MU) - Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) Resound Proposal. The Recommendation subfield occupies 1 bit (B10); the Uplink (UL) Multi-User (MU) Data Disable subfield occupies 1 bit (B11).

[0220] Figure 3D This is a schematic diagram illustrating the format of an EHT OM control subfield provided in an embodiment of this application. Please refer to... Figure 3D The EHT OM control subfield may include: Rx NSS extension subfield, occupying 1 bit (B0); Channel Width Extension Subfield, occupying 1 bit (B1); Tx NSTS extension subfield, occupying 1 bit (B2); Disable Modulation and Coding Scheme 15 (MCS15) subfield, occupying 1 bit (B3); Reserved subfield, occupying 2 bits (B4~B5).

[0221] In some embodiments, the A-Control subfield may be carried within a High Throughput (HT) Control field.

[0222] The format of the HT control field can be shown in Table 2.

[0223] Table 2

[0224]

[0225] Each station's HT control field can carry signaling (e.g., communication parameters) to notify the peer station. Please refer to Table 2. When B0 and B1 are valued as b11, B2-B31 are A-Control subfields.

[0226] In some embodiments, the HT control field can be carried in a MAC frame. This HT control field can be carried in a Medium Access Control (MAC) layer Protocol Data Unit (MPDU).

[0227] Figure 3E This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a MAC frame provided in an embodiment of this application. Please refer to... Figure 3E A MAC frame may include a MAC header field, a frame body field, and a frame check sequence (FCS) field. The MAC header field may include: a frame control field (2 octets); a duration / ID field (2 octets); an address 1 field (6 octets); an address 2 field (0 or 6 octets); an address 3 field (0 or 6 octets); a sequence control field (0 or 2 octets); an address 4 field (0 or 6 octets); a quality of service (QoS) control field (0 or 2 octets); and an HT control field (0 or 4 octets). The number of octets in the frame body field is variable, and the FCS field can occupy 4 octets.

[0228] In this embodiment, the following linkage method can be determined by utilizing the linkage between the channel width indicated by OMI and the time parameter required for the first site to perform channel handover:

[0229] Linkage Method 1: When the channel corresponding to the channel width does not cover the second channel in the frequency domain, the first information can be used to indicate the first time parameter.

[0230] Optionally, when the channel width is less than or equal to a preset width, the first information can be used to indicate the first time parameter.

[0231] For example, the preset width can be 20MHz, and the channel width indicated by OMI is 20MHz. In this case, the channel of the first site can cover the first channel of 20MHz in the frequency domain, but does not cover the second channel. The first information can be used to indicate the first time parameter.

[0232] Linkage Method 2: When the channel corresponding to the channel width covers the second channel in the frequency domain, the first information is used to indicate the second time parameter.

[0233] Optionally, if the channel width is greater than a preset width, the first information can be used to indicate the second time parameter.

[0234] For example, the preset width can be 20MHz, and the channel width indicated by OMI is 80MHz. In this case, the channel of the first site can cover the 20MHz first channel and the 20MHz second channel in the frequency domain, and the first information can be used to indicate the second time parameter.

[0235] In this communication method, the channel width indicated by the OMI can be linked to the time parameters required for the first station to perform channel handover, thus avoiding the introduction of new indication information and saving resource overhead. Furthermore, when the channel width changes, the second station can accurately determine whether the time parameter required for the first station to perform NPCA channel handover is the first or second time parameter by leveraging the linkage between the channel width and the time parameter required for the first station to perform channel handover. This improves the accuracy and efficiency of the second station in determining the time parameter.

[0236] In some embodiments, the first information may be a first indication information or a second indication information, wherein the first indication information may be used to indicate a first time parameter; and the second indication information may be used to indicate a second time parameter.

[0237] For example, the first indication information can be the index of the first time parameter, for example, the index of the first time parameter can be "0"; the second indication information can be the index of the second time parameter, for example, the index of the second time parameter can be "1".

[0238] In some embodiments, the index of the first time parameter and / or the index of the second time parameter may be carried in the control information subfield format of the UHR operating mode (OM) control subfield.

[0239] The format of the UHR OM control subfield can be shown in Table 3.

[0240] Table 3

[0241]

[0242] Please refer to Table 3. The UHR OM control subfield may include the following fields: a 4-bit control ID value field and a 6-bit content field of the control information subfield.

[0243] In some embodiments, the UHR OM control subfield can be carried within the A-Control subfield (e.g., Figure 3A As shown in the figure. Optionally, the A-Control subfield can also be called the "A-Control (Aggregated Control) subfield".

[0244] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the format of a control information subfield provided in an embodiment of this application. Please refer to... Figure 4 The control information subfield may include the following fields: an index field for NPCA switching delay, which can occupy 1 bit; and a reserved field, which can occupy 5 bits.

[0245] exist Figure 4 In the NPCA handover delay index field, the index value can be used to indicate the time parameter for the first site to perform channel handover as either a first time parameter or a second time parameter. For example, if the index value of the NPCA handover delay index field is "0", then the time parameter used to indicate the first site to perform channel handover is the first time parameter; if the index value of the NPCA handover delay index field is "1", then the time parameter used to indicate the first site to perform channel handover is the second time parameter.

[0246] Reserved fields can be used to carry additional instruction information during subsequent expansion processes.

[0247] In this communication method, the first station can directly indicate the first indication information or the second indication information to the second station, so that the second station can conveniently and quickly determine whether the time parameter required by the first station to perform NPCA channel switching is the first time parameter or the second time parameter based on the first indication information or the second indication information.

[0248] The communication method provided in this application embodiment allows the second station to accurately determine, through the first information, whether the time parameter required by the first station to perform NPCA channel switching is a first time parameter or a second time parameter.

[0249] Figure 5 This is a second schematic flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 5 The method may include:

[0250] S501, The first station sends the second information to the second station.

[0251] The second information may include a second time parameter.

[0252] Optionally, the second station may receive second information sent by the first station. Based on this second information, the second station can determine a second time parameter required for the first station to perform channel switching, and adjust its own behavior accordingly. For example, the second station may stop communicating with the first station within the switching delay indicated by the second time parameter to avoid data transmission failure.

[0253] It should be noted that the content of the second time parameter in step S501 can be found in the content of the second time parameter in step S201, and will not be repeated here.

[0254] In this communication method, the first station can send second information to the second station so that the second station can obtain the second time parameter from the second information.

[0255] In some embodiments, the second time parameter may be carried in the action frame; or, the second time parameter may be carried in the association request frame. In other words, the second time parameter may be carried in the action frame; or, the second time parameter may be carried in the association request frame.

[0256] In some embodiments, the second information may further include a first time parameter and a second time parameter.

[0257] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of this application, the second information is used to transmit a second time parameter, or a first time parameter and a second time parameter. The second station can determine the specific content of the second time parameter (NPCA handover delay 2, and / or NPCA back-off delay 2) based on the second information; or, determine the specific content of the first time parameter (NPCA handover delay 1, and / or NPCA back-off delay 1) and the specific content of the second time parameter.

[0258] In this communication method, by carrying the first and second time parameters in the associated request frame, it is possible to avoid introducing a new frame, which helps to save resource overhead.

[0259] In some embodiments, the first time parameter may also be carried in the action frame; or, the first time parameter may also be carried in the association request frame. In other words, the first time parameter may be carried in the action frame; or, the first time parameter may be carried in the association request frame.

[0260] Optionally, an action frame can be one of the management frames. The type of a management frame in the Frame Control field is 0; within a management frame, the subtype of an action frame is 13.

[0261] Figure 6A This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a management frame provided in an embodiment of this application. Please refer to... Figure 6A The management frame can include a MAC header field, a frame body field, and an FCS field. The MAC header field can include: a frame control field (2 octets); a duration field (2 octets); an address 1 field (6 octets); an address 2 field (6 octets); an address 3 field (6 octets); a sequence control field (2 octets); and an HT control field (0 or 4 octets). The number of octets in the frame body field is variable, and the FCS field can occupy 4 octets.

[0262] For example, the frame body field of an action frame may include information as shown in Table 4.

[0263] Table 4

[0264]

[0265]

[0266] The Action field of the frame body of an Action frame may include the Category field of an Octet, the Action field of an Octet, and other possible parameter fields.

[0267] In some embodiments, the action frame can be an Ultra-Reliable HR Non-Master Channel Access NPCA enable frame.

[0268] In some embodiments, the UHR NPCA enable frame may include: a category field for indicating the UHR action frame category; an action field for indicating the NPCA enable action; and a UHR NPCA enable frame body field for carrying parameters, which may include a second time parameter.

[0269] Figure 6B This is a schematic diagram of the format of a UHR NPCA enable frame provided for an embodiment of this application. Please refer to... Figure 6B The UHRNPCA enable frame may include: a Category field, an Action field, and a UHRNPCA Enable Frame Body field.

[0270] The UHRNPCA enable frame body field can include multiple parameters and a description of each parameter. The UHRNPCA enable frame body field can be shown in Table 5.

[0271] Table 5

[0272]

[0273]

[0274] It should be noted that the multiple parameters of the UHR NPCA enable frame body field can be, but are not limited to, at least one of the parameters in Table 5.

[0275] In some embodiments, the second time parameter may be carried in the UHR capability information of the associated request frame. In other words, the UHR capability information of the associated request frame may carry the second time parameter.

[0276] Optionally, the first time parameter can also be carried in the UHR capability information of the associated request frame. In other words, the UHR capability information of the associated request frame can also carry the first time parameter.

[0277] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the format of a UHR capability information field provided in an embodiment of this application. Please refer to... Figure 7 The UHR capability information field may include the following fields:

[0278] The Element ID field can be used to indicate the element type. For example, the Element ID field can identify that the element type of this field is a UHR capability element. This field can occupy 1 Octet.

[0279] The Length field can be used to indicate the length of an element; this field can occupy 1 octet.

[0280] The Element ID Extension field can be used to extend the encoding space of the Element ID, and this field can occupy 1 Octet;

[0281] The UHR (Medium Access Control, MAC) Capabilities Information field can be used to indicate the UHR-related functions supported by the site at the MAC layer. The number of octets occupied by this field is yet to be determined.

[0282] The UHR Physical Layer (PHY) Capabilities Information field can be used to indicate the UHR-related functions supported by the site at the PHY layer. The number of octets occupied by this field is yet to be determined.

[0283] The Additional Information field can be used to indicate additional information; the number of octets occupied by this field is yet to be determined.

[0284] exist Figure 7 In the text, the element identifier field, length field, element identifier extended type field, UHR MAC capability information field, and UHR PHY capability information field can be existing fields in the UHR capability information field (in...). Figure 7 (Symbolized by solid line); Additional information fields can be added to the UHR capability information fields (in...) Figure 7 (Used as a dashed line in the middle).

[0285] In some embodiments, the second time parameter may be contained in the first field or the second field of the UHR capability information; wherein the first field is an existing field in the UHR capability information, and the second field is a newly added field in the UHR capability information.

[0286] In this communication method, the second time parameter can be either an existing field or a newly added field in the UHR capability information, making the way the second time parameter is carried more flexible.

[0287] For example, the first field can be Figure 7The second field in the UHR MAC capability information field shown can be... Figure 7 The additional information field shown.

[0288] In some embodiments, a second time parameter presence flag field can be added to the second field, and the second time parameter presence flag field can occupy 1 bit.

[0289] Optionally, the second time parameter presence flag field can also be represented as "NPCA Switching Delay2Present field".

[0290] The presence of a flag field for the second time parameter can be used to indicate whether the first site supports one set of time parameters or two sets of time parameters.

[0291] For example, if the value of the flag field of the second time parameter is "0", it means that the first site supports a set of time parameters. That is, the time parameters required for the first site to perform channel switching are the first time parameters (including NPCA handover delay 1 and / or NPCA back-off delay 1).

[0292] For example, if the value of the flag field of the second time parameter is "1", it means that the first site supports two sets of time parameters. That is, the time parameters required for the first site to perform channel switching can be the first time parameter (including NPCA handover delay 1 and / or NPCA back-off delay 1) or the second time parameter (including NPCA handover delay 2 and / or NPCA back-off delay 2).

[0293] In some embodiments, if the first site supports NPCA, in other words, the NPCA state of the first site is enabled, the second field may include a first time parameter field; and if the value of the second time parameter existence flag field is "1", the second field may also include a second time parameter field.

[0294] The first-time parameter field may include: NPCA Switching Delay1 field, and / or NPCA Switch Back Delay1 field. The NPCA Switching Delay1 field and the NPCA Switch Back Delay1 field can occupy a total of 12 bits.

[0295] The second time parameter field may include: NPCA Switching Delay2 field, and / or NPCA Switch Back Delay2 field. The NPCA Switching Delay2 field and the NPCA Switch Back Delay2 field can occupy a total of 12 bits.

[0296] In some embodiments, a second time parameter presence flag field can be added to the first field, and the second time parameter presence flag field can occupy 1 bit.

[0297] In some embodiments, if the first site supports NPCA, in other words, the NPCA state of the first site is enabled, the first field may include a first time parameter field; and if the value of the second time parameter existence flag field is "1", the first field may also include a second time parameter field.

[0298] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the format of a UHR MAC capability information field provided in an embodiment of this application. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 8 The UHR MAC capability information field may include the following fields:

[0299] The DPS Support field indicates whether a site supports DPS. This field can occupy 1 bit (B0).

[0300] The DPS Assisting Support field indicates whether the site supports assisting other devices with DPS. This field can occupy 1 bit (B1).

[0301] The Multi-Link Power Management field is used to indicate multi-link power management information. This field can occupy 1 bit (B2).

[0302] The NPCA support field indicates whether a site supports NPCA; this field can occupy 1 bit (B3).

[0303] The Buffer Status Report (BSR) Enhancement Support field indicates whether a site supports BSR enhancements. This field can occupy 1 bit (B4).

[0304] Reserved field, which can be used for subsequent expansion, this field can occupy 3 bits (B5~Bx).

[0305] For example, the second time parameter has a flag field, which can be carried in Figure 8 The reserved fields in the UHR MAC capability information fields shown.

[0306] S502, The first station sends the first message to the second station.

[0307] It should be noted that the specific execution process of step S502 can be referred to the specific execution process of step S201, and will not be repeated here.

[0308] It should be noted that step S502 can be executed after step S501; or step S502 can be executed synchronously with step S501. The execution order between step S501 and step S502 is not limited in this embodiment.

[0309] In other words, when the first information is used to indicate the second time parameter, the first station can first send the second information to the second station so that the second station can obtain the second time parameter from the second information; the first station then sends the first information to the second station so that the second station knows that the time parameter for the first station to perform NPCA channel handover is the second time parameter. Thus, the second station can combine the first information and the second information to obtain the second time parameter for the first station to perform NPCA channel handover. Alternatively, when the first information is used to indicate the second time parameter, the first station can send both the first information and the second information to the second station.

[0310] The communication method provided in this application embodiment allows a first station to send second information and / or first information to a second station. The second station can also obtain a second time parameter from the second information. The second station can also determine whether the time parameter required for the first station to perform NPCA channel switching is a first time parameter or a second time parameter based on the first information.

[0311] In some scenarios (e.g., low network load or energy-saving scenarios), the first station can save power consumption by reducing the channel bandwidth (e.g., reducing it to 20MHz). In such scenarios, how to accurately notify the second station of the first station's NPCA status is a problem that needs to be solved.

[0312] The communication method provided in this application embodiment is also used to enable the first station to accurately notify the second station of the NPCA status of the first station. Below, in conjunction with... Figure 9 This section provides a detailed explanation of the communication method.

[0313] Figure 9 This is the third flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in this application's embodiments. Please refer to... Figure 9 The method may include:

[0314] S901, The first station sends an instruction message to the second station.

[0315] The indication information can be used to indicate the NPCA status of the first station.

[0316] The NPCA state can be either enabled or disabled.

[0317] In some embodiments, the enable state can be used to indicate that the channel width of the first station is greater than a preset bandwidth, for example, the preset bandwidth can be 20MHz; or, the enable state can also be used to indicate that the channel corresponding to the channel width of the first station covers the second channel in the frequency domain.

[0318] In some embodiments, the disabled state can be used to indicate that the channel width of the first station is less than or equal to a preset bandwidth, for example, the preset bandwidth can be 20MHz; or, the enabled state can also be used to indicate that the channel corresponding to the channel width of the first station does not cover the second channel in the frequency domain.

[0319] Optionally, the second station can receive instruction information sent by the first station. The second station can quickly determine the NPCA status of the first station based on the instruction information and adjust its own behavior accordingly.

[0320] In some embodiments, the indication information may be carried in the Operation Mode Indicator (OMI). In other words, the OMI may carry indication information.

[0321] In some embodiments, the OMI can be carried in the OM control subfield within the A-Control subfield.

[0322] It is understandable that if the channel width of the first station changes, the NPCA state of the first station will also change accordingly. There is a linkage between the channel width of the first station and the NPCA state of the first station.

[0323] In some embodiments, OMI can be used to indicate the channel width; when the channel corresponding to the channel width does not cover the second channel in the frequency domain, the indication information can be used to indicate that the NPCA state is disabled; wherein, the second channel can be used to transmit data of the first station when the first channel is occupied.

[0324] In some embodiments, where the channel corresponding to the channel width covers the second channel in the frequency domain, the indication information can be used to indicate that the NPCA state is enabled.

[0325] In some embodiments, when the channel width is less than or equal to a preset width, the indication information can be used to indicate that the NPCA state is disabled; when the channel width is greater than the preset width, the indication information can be used to indicate that the NPCA state is enabled.

[0326] In this communication method, the NPCA status of the first station can be linked to the channel width indicated by the OMI, thus avoiding the introduction of new indication information and saving resource overhead. Furthermore, when the channel width changes, the second station can accurately determine the NPCA status of the first station through the linkage between the channel width and the NPCA status of the first station, which helps to improve the accuracy and efficiency of the second station in determining the NPCA status of the first station.

[0327] In some embodiments, the indication information may be carried within the action frame. In other words, the action frame may carry indication information.

[0328] In this communication method, by carrying the indication information in the action frame, it is possible to avoid introducing new frames, which helps to save resource overhead.

[0329] In some embodiments, the action frame is a UHR NPCA enable frame; wherein the indication information can be either NPCA enable information or NPCA de-enable information in the UHR NPCA enable frame.

[0330] It should be noted that the contents of the first site, second site, first channel, second channel, A-Control subfield, and OM control subfield in step S901 can be referred to the contents of the first site, second site, first channel, second channel, A-Control subfield, and OM control subfield in step S201; the contents of the action frame and UHR NPCA enable frame in step S901 can be referred to the contents of the action frame and UHR NPCA enable frame in step S501, and will not be repeated here.

[0331] The communication method provided in this application embodiment allows the second station to accurately determine the NPAC status of the first station through indication information.

[0332] Figure 10 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 10 can be applied in a first station; please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 10 The communication device 10 may include:

[0333] Transceiver module 11 is used to send the first information;

[0334] The first information is used to indicate the time parameters required for the first station to perform channel switching, and the time parameters include a first time parameter for performing channel switching or a second time parameter for performing channel switching.

[0335] In one possible implementation, the second time parameter includes at least one of the following:

[0336] The duration of switching from the first channel to the second channel;

[0337] The duration of switching from the second channel to the first channel;

[0338] The second channel is used to transmit data from the first station when the first channel is occupied.

[0339] In one possible implementation, the first information is carried in the Operation Mode Indicator (OMI).

[0340] In one possible implementation, the OMI is used to indicate the channel width;

[0341] When the channel corresponding to the channel width does not cover the second channel in the frequency domain, the first information is used to indicate the first time parameter;

[0342] When the channel corresponding to the channel width covers the second channel in the frequency domain, the first information is used to indicate the second time parameter;

[0343] The second channel is used to transmit data from the first station when the first channel is occupied.

[0344] In one possible implementation, the first information is either first indication information or second indication information, wherein...

[0345] The first indication information is used to indicate the first time parameter;

[0346] The second indication information is used to indicate the second time parameter.

[0347] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 11 is further configured to:

[0348] Send a second message;

[0349] The second information includes the second time parameter.

[0350] In one possible implementation, the second timing parameter is carried in the action frame; or...

[0351] The second time parameter is carried in the associated request frame.

[0352] In one possible implementation, the action frame is an Ultra-High Reliability (UHR) Non-Master Channel Access (NPCA) enable frame.

[0353] In one possible implementation, the UHR NPCA enable frame includes:

[0354] The category field indicates the category of the UHR action frame;

[0355] The action field is used to indicate the actions that NPCA can enable;

[0356] The UHR NPCA enable frame body field is used to carry parameters, including the second time parameter.

[0357] In one possible implementation, the second time parameter is carried in the association request frame, including:

[0358] The second time parameter is carried in the UHR capability information of the associated request frame.

[0359] In one possible implementation, the second time parameter is carried in the UHR capability information of the associated request frame, including:

[0360] The second time parameter is contained in either the first or second field of the UHR capability information;

[0361] The first field is an existing field in the UHR capability information, and the second field is a newly added field in the UHR capability information.

[0362] The communication device 10 can execute the steps performed by the first station in the above method embodiment. Its implementation principle and beneficial effects are similar, and will not be described again here.

[0363] Figure 11 This is a second schematic diagram of the communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 20 can be applied in a first station; please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figure 11 The communication device 20 may include:

[0364] Transceiver module 21 is used to send instruction information;

[0365] The indication information is used to indicate the non-primary channel access NPCA status of the first station.

[0366] In one possible implementation, the indication information is carried in an Operation Mode Indication (OMI), which is used to indicate the channel width;

[0367] If the channel corresponding to the channel width does not cover the second channel in the frequency domain, the indication information is used to indicate that the NPCA state is disabled.

[0368] The second channel is used to transmit data from the first station when the first channel is occupied.

[0369] In one possible implementation, the instruction information is carried in an action frame.

[0370] In one possible implementation, the action frame is an Ultra-High Reliability UHR Non-Master Channel Access NPCA enable frame;

[0371] The indication information is either enabling NPCA information or disabling NPCA information in the UHR NPCA enable frame.

[0372] In one possible implementation, the UHR NPCA enable frame includes:

[0373] The category field indicates the category of the UHR action frame;

[0374] The action field is used to indicate the actions that NPCA can enable;

[0375] The UHR NPCA enable frame body field is used to carry parameters, which include: enabling NPCA information, or disabling NPCA information.

[0376] The communication device 20 can execute the steps performed by the first station in the above method embodiment. Its implementation principle and beneficial effects are similar, and will not be described again here.

[0377] Figure 12 This is the third schematic diagram of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application. The communication device 30 can be applied in a second station; please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figure 12 The communication device 30 may include:

[0378] Transceiver module 31 is used to receive the first information;

[0379] The first information is used to indicate the time parameters required for the first site to perform channel switching, and the time parameters include a first time parameter for performing channel switching or a second time parameter for performing channel switching.

[0380] In one possible implementation, the second time parameter includes at least one of the following:

[0381] The duration of switching from the first channel to the second channel;

[0382] The duration of switching from the second channel to the first channel;

[0383] The second channel is used to transmit data from the first station when the first channel is occupied.

[0384] In one possible implementation, the first information is carried in the Operation Mode Indicator (OMI).

[0385] In one possible implementation, the OMI is used to indicate the channel width;

[0386] When the channel corresponding to the channel width does not cover the second channel in the frequency domain, the first information is used to indicate the first time parameter;

[0387] When the channel corresponding to the channel width covers the second channel in the frequency domain, the first information is used to indicate the second time parameter;

[0388] The second channel is used to transmit data from the first station when the first channel is occupied.

[0389] In one possible implementation, the first information is either first indication information or second indication information, wherein...

[0390] The first indication information is used to indicate the first time parameter;

[0391] The second indication information is used to indicate the second time parameter.

[0392] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 31 is further configured to:

[0393] Receive the second message;

[0394] The second information includes the second time parameter.

[0395] In one possible implementation, the second timing parameter is carried in the action frame; or...

[0396] The second time parameter is carried in the associated request frame.

[0397] In one possible implementation, the action frame is an Ultra-High Reliability (UHR) Non-Master Channel Access (NPCA) enable frame.

[0398] In one possible implementation, the UHR NPCA enable frame includes:

[0399] The category field indicates the category of the UHR action frame;

[0400] The action field is used to indicate the actions that NPCA can enable;

[0401] The UHR NPCA enable frame body field is used to carry parameters, including the second time parameter.

[0402] In one possible implementation, the second time parameter is carried in the association request frame, including:

[0403] The second time parameter is carried in the UHR capability information of the associated request frame.

[0404] In one possible implementation, the second time parameter is carried in the UHR capability information of the associated request frame, including:

[0405] The second time parameter is contained in either the first or second field of the UHR capability information;

[0406] The first field is an existing field in the UHR capability information, and the second field is a newly added field in the UHR capability information.

[0407] The communication device 30 can execute the steps performed by the second station in the above method embodiment. Its implementation principle and beneficial effects are similar, and will not be described again here.

[0408] Figure 13 This is the fourth schematic diagram of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application. The communication device 40 can be applied in a second station; please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 13 The communication device 40 may include:

[0409] Transceiver module 41 is used to receive instruction information;

[0410] The indication information is used to indicate the non-main channel access NPCA status of the first site.

[0411] In one possible implementation, the indication information is carried in an Operation Mode Indication (OMI), which is used to indicate the channel width;

[0412] If the channel corresponding to the channel width does not cover the second channel in the frequency domain, the indication information is used to indicate that the NPCA state is disabled.

[0413] The second channel is used to transmit data from the first station when the first channel is occupied.

[0414] In one possible implementation, the instruction information is carried in an action frame.

[0415] In one possible implementation, the action frame is an Ultra-High Reliability UHR Non-Master Channel Access NPCA enable frame;

[0416] The indication information is either enabling NPCA information or disabling NPCA information in the UHR NPCA enable frame.

[0417] In one possible implementation, the UHR NPCA enable frame includes:

[0418] The category field indicates the category of the UHR action frame;

[0419] The action field is used to indicate the actions that NPCA can enable;

[0420] The UHR NPCA enable frame body field is used to carry parameters, which include: enabling NPCA information, or disabling NPCA information.

[0421] The communication device 40 can execute the steps performed by the second station in the above method embodiment. Its implementation principle and beneficial effects are similar, and will not be described again here.

[0422] Figure 14 This is the fifth schematic diagram of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 14 As shown, the device 50 may include a transceiver 51, a memory 52, and a processor 53. The transceiver 51 may include a transmitter and / or a receiver. The transmitter may also be referred to as a transmitter, transmitter, transmitting port, or transmitting interface, etc., and the receiver may also be referred to as a receiver, receiver, receiving port, or receiving interface, etc. Exemplarily, the transceiver 51, memory 52, and processor 53 are interconnected via a bus 54.

[0423] Memory 52 is used to store program instructions;

[0424] The processor 53 is used to execute the program instructions stored in the memory, so that the communication device 50 performs the steps performed by the first station or the second station in the above method embodiment.

[0425] The transceiver 51 is used to perform the transmission and reception functions of the communication device 50 in the above communication method.

[0426] The communication device 50 can be a chip, module, integrated development environment (IDE), etc.

[0427] The communication device 50 can execute the steps executed by the first station or the second station in the above method embodiments. The implementation principle and beneficial effects are similar, and will not be described again here.

[0428] This application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by a computer, cause any of the aforementioned communication methods to be executed.

[0429] This application embodiment may also provide a computer program product that, when executed by a computer, causes any of the above-described communication methods to be executed.

[0430] All or part of the steps in the above-described method embodiments can be implemented by hardware related to program instructions. The aforementioned program can be stored in a readable memory. When the program is executed, it performs the steps of the above-described method embodiments; and the aforementioned memory (storage medium) includes: read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), flash memory, hard disk, solid-state drive, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical disc, and any combination thereof.

[0431] This application describes embodiments with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of this application. It should be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processing unit of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processing unit of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions specified in one or more blocks of the flowchart illustrations and / or one or more blocks of the block diagrams.

[0432] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means that implement the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0433] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions, which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus, provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0434] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to the embodiments of this application without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Therefore, if these modifications and variations to the embodiments of this application fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application also intends to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, When applied to the first site, the method includes: Send the first message; The first information is used to indicate the time parameters required for the first station to perform channel switching, and the time parameters include a first time parameter for performing channel switching or a second time parameter for performing channel switching.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second time parameter includes at least one of the following: The duration of switching from the first channel to the second channel; The duration of switching from the second channel to the first channel; The second channel is used to transmit data from the first station when the first channel is occupied.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first information is carried in the Operation Mode Indicator (OMI).

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The OMI is used to indicate the channel width; When the channel corresponding to the channel width does not cover the second channel in the frequency domain, the first information is used to indicate the first time parameter; When the channel corresponding to the channel width covers the second channel in the frequency domain, the first information is used to indicate the second time parameter; The second channel is used to transmit data from the first station when the first channel is occupied.

5. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first information is either a first indication or a second indication, wherein, The first indication information is used to indicate the first time parameter; The second indication information is used to indicate the second time parameter.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a second message; The second information includes the second time parameter.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The second timing parameter is contained in the action frame; or, The second time parameter is carried in the associated request frame.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The action frame is the UHR (Ultra-High Reliability UHR) non-main channel access NPCA enable frame.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The UHR NPCA enable frame includes: The category field indicates the category of the UHR action frame; The action field is used to indicate the actions that NPCA can enable; The UHR NPCA enable frame body field is used to carry parameters, including the second time parameter.

10. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The second time parameter is carried in the associated request frame and includes: The second time parameter is carried in the UHR capability information of the associated request frame.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The second time parameter is carried in the UHR capability information of the associated request frame, including: The second time parameter is contained in either the first or second field of the UHR capability information; The first field is an existing field in the UHR capability information, and the second field is a newly added field in the UHR capability information.

12. A communication method, characterized in that, When applied to a first site, the method includes: Send instruction information; The indication information is used to indicate the non-primary channel access NPCA status of the first station.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The instruction information is carried in the Operation Mode Indicator (OMI).

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The OMI is used to indicate the channel width; If the channel corresponding to the channel width does not cover the second channel in the frequency domain, the indication information is used to indicate that the NPCA state is disabled. The second channel is used to transmit data from the first station when the first channel is occupied.

15. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The instruction information is carried in the action frame.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The action frame is the Ultra-High Reliability UHR Non-Main Channel Access NPCA Enable Frame. The indication information is either enabling NPCA information or disabling NPCA information in the UHR NPCA enable frame.

17. A communication method, characterized in that, When applied to a second site, the method includes: Receive the first message; The first information is used to indicate the time parameters required for the first site to perform channel switching, and the time parameters include a first time parameter for performing channel switching or a second time parameter for performing channel switching.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The first information is carried in the Operation Mode Indicator (OMI).

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The OMI is used to indicate the channel width; When the channel corresponding to the channel width does not cover the second channel in the frequency domain, the first information is used to indicate the first time parameter; When the channel corresponding to the channel width covers the second channel in the frequency domain, the first information is used to indicate the second time parameter; The second channel is used to transmit data from the first station when the first channel is occupied.

20. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The first information is either a first indication or a second indication, wherein, The first indication information is used to indicate the first time parameter; The second indication information is used to indicate the second time parameter.

21. A communication method, characterized in that, When applied to a second site, the method includes: Receive instruction information; The indication information is used to indicate the non-main channel access NPCA status of the first site.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that, The indication information is carried in the Operation Mode Indication (OMI), which is used to indicate the channel width. If the channel corresponding to the channel width does not cover the second channel in the frequency domain, the indication information is used to indicate that the NPCA state is disabled. The second channel is used to transmit data from the first station when the first channel is occupied.

23. A communication device, characterized in that, The device, applied in the first site, includes: The transceiver module is used to send the first piece of information; The first information is used to indicate the time parameters required for the first station to perform channel switching, and the time parameters include a first time parameter for performing channel switching or a second time parameter for performing channel switching.

24. A communication device, characterized in that, The device, applied in the first site, includes: The transceiver module is used to send instruction information; The indication information is used to indicate the non-primary channel access NPCA status of the first station.

25. A communication device, characterized in that, The device, used in a second site, includes: The transceiver module is used to receive the initial information; The first information is used to indicate the time parameters required for the first site to perform channel switching, and the time parameters include a first time parameter for performing channel switching or a second time parameter for performing channel switching.

26. A communication device, characterized in that, When applied to a second site, the device includes: The transceiver module is used to receive instruction information; The indication information is used to indicate the non-main channel access NPCA status of the first site.

27. A communication device, characterized in that, include: Processor, memory; The memory stores computer-executed instructions; The processor executes computer execution instructions stored in the memory to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-11, or the method as described in any one of claims 12-16, or the method as described in any one of claims 17-20, or the method as described in claim 21 or 22.

28. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a computer, implement the method according to any one of claims 1-11, or the method according to any one of claims 12-16, or the method according to any one of claims 17-20, or the method according to claim 21 or 22.

29. A computer program product, characterized in that, Includes a computer program that, when executed by a computer, implements the method of any one of claims 1-11, or the method of any one of claims 12-16, or the method of any one of claims 17-20, or the method of claim 21 or 22.

30. A chip, characterized in that, The chip includes at least one processor, the processor being configured to execute program instructions to perform the method of any one of claims 1-11, or the method of any one of claims 12-16, or the method of any one of claims 17-20, or the method of claim 21 or 22.

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