Access point device, terminal station device, method thereof and computer program product

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an access point device, a terminal station device, and a wireless communication method and computer program product thereof. The wireless communication method of an AP device comprises: in a primary channel access mode, transmitting a first signal to one or more terminal station STA devices to announce a first channel puncturing pattern of a first operating bandwidth of the AP device in the primary channel access mode; in response to the primary channel being not idle, switching to a non-primary channel access mode, obtaining a non-primary channel access NPCA transmission opportunity NPCA TXOP on a backup channel outside the primary channel for performing a NPCA operation; and transmitting a second signal to the one or more STA devices during the NPCA TXOP to announce a second channel puncturing pattern of a second operating bandwidth of the AP device during the NPCA TXOP, wherein the second channel puncturing pattern is deactivated at the end of the NPCA TXOP.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to wireless communication technology, and more specifically, to access point (AP) devices, station (STA) devices, wireless communication methods thereof, and corresponding computer program products. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of wireless communication technology, Wi-Fi protocols are constantly evolving to support higher bandwidth and more flexible spectrum utilization. In the existing IEEE 802.11n protocol, bandwidth expansion can be achieved through channel bonding, for example, bonding multiple 20MHz channels to obtain 40MHz, 80MHz, or 160MHz channels, thereby improving data transmission rates.

[0003] Specifically, the IEEE 802.11ac protocol introduces a dynamic bandwidth access mechanism, allowing devices to extend their transmission bandwidth if other channels remain idle after successfully competing for the primary channel (e.g., competition for the Distributed Coordination Function (DCF) and Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA)). However, this mechanism is still limited by the contention status of the primary channel.

[0004] Currently, the IEEE 802.11TGbn discussion group has reached a preliminary consensus to introduce Non-Primary Channel Access (NPCA) technology in the next generation of Wi-Fi (also known as Wi-Fi 8). When the primary channel (PCH) is occupied by other devices due to overlapping basic service sets (OBSS), AP / non-AP STA can compete for channel access on the non-primary channel (NPCH).

[0005] In the case of primary channel access, it is typically required that channels near the primary channel remain continuously idle. If channels near the primary channel are occupied by other devices, even if other channels are idle, the device still needs to degrade to a lower bandwidth for transmission, resulting in wasted spectrum resources. For example, a device may be able to transmit using its maximum operating bandwidth of 160MHz during a Transmission Opportunity (TXOP) in one contention period. In another contention period, because some channels in the 160MHz bandwidth are occupied by other devices (i.e., not idle), the device cannot form a continuous idle bandwidth of 80MHz or more, and therefore can only use 40MHz for transmission. Similarly, in another contention period, because some channels in other locations within the 160MHz bandwidth are occupied by other devices (i.e., not idle), the device cannot form a continuous idle bandwidth of 160MHz or more, and therefore can only use 80MHz for transmission.

[0006] When accessing via a non-primary channel, the channels near the primary channel are occupied by other devices, forcing those devices to downgrade to lower bandwidth transmission, thus wasting spectrum resources. Therefore, how to fully utilize channel resources when accessing via a non-primary channel is an urgent issue to be addressed. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In view of the above problems, this disclosure provides a method and apparatus for wireless communication that, after switching from a primary channel access mode to a non-primary channel access mode, uses a puncturing mode that is only valid during the non-primary channel access (NPCA) TXOP to transmit, thereby enabling fuller utilization of the idle channel during the NPCA TXOP and helping to improve channel utilization.

[0008] One aspect of this disclosure provides a wireless communication method for an access point (AP) device, comprising: in a primary channel access mode, sending a first signal to one or more terminal station (STA) devices to declare a first channel puncturing mode with a first operating bandwidth of the AP device in the primary channel access mode; in response to the primary channel being not idle, switching to a non-primary channel access mode to obtain a non-NPCA transmission opportunity (NPCATXOP) on a backup channel outside the primary channel for performing non-primary channel access (NPCA) operations; and during the NPCATXOP, sending a second signal to the one or more STA devices to declare a second channel puncturing mode with a second operating bandwidth of the AP device during the NPCATXOP, wherein the second channel puncturing mode is deactivated at the end of the NPCATXOP.

[0009] Another aspect of this disclosure provides a wireless communication method for a terminal station (STA) device, comprising: in a primary channel access mode, receiving a first signal from an access point (AP) device to declare a first channel puncturing mode with a first operating bandwidth of the AP device in the primary channel access mode; and in a non-primary channel access mode switched to in response to the primary channel being idle, receiving a second signal from the AP device during a non-primary channel access transmission timing (NPCATXOP) to declare a second channel puncturing mode with a second operating bandwidth of the AP device during the NPCATXOP, wherein the NPCATXOP is obtained by the AP device on a backup channel for performing NPCA operations outside the primary channel, and the second channel puncturing mode is deactivated at the end of the NPCA TXOP.

[0010] Another aspect of this disclosure provides an access point (AP) device, the AP device comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and computer program instructions stored in the memory, the computer program instructions executing a wireless communication method of the access point AP device when executed by the processor.

[0011] Another aspect of this disclosure provides a terminal station (STA) device, the STA device comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and computer program instructions stored in the memory, the computer program instructions executing a wireless communication method of the STA when executed by the processor.

[0012] Another aspect of this disclosure provides a computer program product, including computer program instructions that, when executed by a processor of an access point (AP) device, perform the wireless communication method of the AP device.

[0013] Another aspect of this disclosure provides a computer program product, including computer program instructions that, when executed by a processor of a terminal station (STA) device, perform the wireless communication method of the STA device described above. Attached Figure Description

[0014] The aspects, features, and advantages of this disclosure will become clearer and more readily understood from the following description of embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings are provided to offer a further understanding of the embodiments of this disclosure and form part of the specification. The drawings, together with the embodiments of this disclosure, are used to explain this disclosure but do not constitute a limitation thereof. In the drawings:

[0015] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a communication system is shown, which performs communication between an AP and a STA in a wireless network.

[0016] Figures 2A-2FA schematic diagram of the perforation modes allowed in the IEEE 802.11be protocol is shown.

[0017] Figure 3 An example format of a beacon frame is shown.

[0018] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of contention and access to the channel is shown on the non-primary channel (NPCH).

[0019] Figure 5 This diagram illustrates the bandwidth usage after switching from primary channel access mode to non-primary channel access mode.

[0020] Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating an example interaction process between an AP and a STA according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown.

[0021] Figure 7 An example transmission process during NPCA TXOP according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown.

[0022] Figure 8 An example format of a Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) (e.g., an EHT (Extremely High Throughput) PPDU) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0023] Figure 9 An example format of a U-SIG field according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown.

[0024] Figure 10 A schematic diagram of an RU over an 80MHz bandwidth is shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 11 An example format of a U-SIG field according to another embodiment of this disclosure is shown.

[0026] Figure 12 An example format of a U-SIG field according to another embodiment of this disclosure is shown.

[0027] Figure 13 A flowchart illustrating operations performed by an AP according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0028] Figure 14 A flowchart illustrating operations performed by a STA according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown.

[0029] Figure 15 An exemplary block diagram of an AP according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0030] Figure 16 An exemplary block diagram of a STA according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The technical solutions of this disclosure will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this disclosure. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this disclosure without creative effort are within the protection scope of this disclosure.

[0032] Furthermore, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of this disclosure described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0033] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a communication system 100 performing communication between an AP and a STA in a wireless network is shown. The communication system 100 includes an AP 110 and one or more STAs associated with the AP 110, such as STA 120, STA 130, STA 140, STA 150, and STA 160.

[0034] In this disclosure, "STA" can refer to any device that includes a Media Access Control (MAC) interface compliant with IEEE 802.11 and a Physical Layer (PHY) interface to the Wireless Media (WM). In a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), "STA" refers to a terminal device connected to a wireless network, such as a laptop, smartphone, tablet, desktop PC, personal digital assistant (PDA), access point, or Wi-Fi phone in a WLAN environment. STAs can be fixed or mobile. In a WLAN environment, the terms "STA," "terminal," "wireless terminal," "user," "user equipment," and "node" are often used interchangeably. In this disclosure, an STA in a WLAN can function as an Access Point (AP) in different contexts, and vice versa. This is because communication equipment in an IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi) technology environment can include both STA hardware components and AP hardware components. In this way, the communication equipment can switch between STA mode and AP mode based on actual WLAN conditions and / or requirements.

[0035] In this disclosure, an AP is interchangeably referred to as a wireless access point, which is a communication device that can communicate with non-APs (i.e., communication devices not implemented as APs but communicating with APs via one or more links, such as stations or terminals, interchangeably referred to as STAs) in a WLAN via one or more links, and allows non-APs to connect to a wired network. APs are typically connected to a router (via a wired network) as standalone devices, but can also be integrated into or used within a router.

[0036] To address the issue of not being able to create contiguous idle bandwidth to bind more channels and form a larger available bandwidth, the IEEE 802.11ax protocol introduced a preamble puncturing transmission method, allowing discontinuous channels to be bound together. Preamble puncturing disables non-idle channels within the operating bandwidth; that is, the channel is punctured, while idle channels within the operating bandwidth are not disabled; that is, the channel is not punctured. Furthermore, the IEEE 802.11be protocol specifies five operating bandwidths: 20MHz, 40MHz, 80MHz, 160MHz, and 320MHz.

[0037] Regarding the aforementioned transmission bandwidth, the IEEE 802.11be protocol specifies the allowed puncturing modes. For example, if the transmission type used between the AP and STA is non-orthogonal frequency division multiple access (non-OFDMA), then the allowed puncturing modes across the entire operating bandwidth supported by the AP device can include multiple puncturing modes. For example, such as... Figures 2A-2F As shown, the allowed puncturing modes can include: puncturing (i.e., disabling) a 20MHz channel within an 80MHz bandwidth, and four puncturing modes (such as...). Figure 2A As shown), 8 puncturing modes (i.e., disabling) a 20MHz channel in a 160MHz bandwidth. Figure 2C As shown), there are four puncturing modes (i.e., disabling) a 40MHz channel (i.e., two consecutive 20MHz channels) within a 160MHz bandwidth. Figure 2B As shown), there are 8 puncturing modes (i.e., disabling) a 40MHz channel (i.e., two consecutive 20MHz channels) in a 320MHz bandwidth. Figure 2D As shown), there are four puncturing modes (i.e., disabling) a 320MHz bandwidth puncturing (i.e., disabling) an 80MHz channel (i.e., four consecutive 20MHz channels). Figure 2EAs shown), 12 puncturing modes are available in a 320MHz bandwidth, including puncturing (i.e., disabling) one 80MHz channel (i.e., four consecutive 20MHz channels) + one 40MHz channel (i.e., two consecutive 20MHz channels). Figure 2F (As shown). Figures 2A-2F Each trapezoid in the diagram represents a 20MHz channel. Taking a 160MHz bandwidth as an example, the eight puncturing modes for puncturing (i.e., disabling) a 20MHz channel in a 160MHz bandwidth can include: "[x1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1]", "[1x 1 1 1 1 1 1]", "[1 1x 1 1 1 1 1]", "[1 1 1x 1 1 1 1]", "[11 1 1x 1 1 1]", "[1 1 1 1 1x 1]", "[1 1 1 1 1 1x 1]", and "[1 1 1 1 1 1 1x]". Here, each "1" corresponds to a 20MHz channel and indicates that it is not punctured (i.e., not disabled), and each "x" corresponds to a 20MHz channel and indicates that it is punctured (i.e., disabled).

[0038] If the transmission type used between the AP and STA is OFDMA, the puncturing mode can be a puncturing mode that groups in 80MHz blocks across the entire operating bandwidth. For an 80MHz bandwidth, a bitmap can be used to represent the puncturing mode. Allowed puncturing modes include: 1111 (i.e., no puncturing), 0111, 1011, 1101, 1110, 0011, 1001, 1100, 0000 (i.e., the entire 80MHz bandwidth is not used), where 0 indicates puncturing (i.e., disabled) and 1 indicates no puncturing (i.e., not disabled). For a 160MHz bandwidth, it is represented by a combination of two 80MHz puncturing modes; for a 320MHz bandwidth, it is represented by a combination of four 80MHz puncturing modes.

[0039] In the main channel access mode, the aforementioned puncturing mode can be declared by sending a management frame. The management frame can be a beacon frame, such as... Figure 3 As shown, the beacon frame 300 may include a Media Access Control (MAC) header 310, a frame body 320, and a Frame Check Sequence (FCS) 330. The frame body 320 may include an Extremely High Throughput (EHT) operation element field 321, etc. The EHT operation element field 321 may include an EHT operation information field 322, etc. The EHT operation information field 322 may include a disabled channel bitmap field 323, etc.

[0040] Furthermore, the claimed punching mode can be one of the punching modes permitted by the IEEE 802.11be protocol.

[0041] When channel detection conditions change in the network, such as when an AP changes the location of its primary channel (P20), changes its operating bandwidth, or changes channel availability, the AP needs to change its puncturing mode. In this case, the AP can send a Channel Switch Announcement (CSA) frame to announce the new puncturing mode. This CSA frame may include a Bandwidth Indication field, the content of which is similar to the EHT operation information field described above. Therefore, the new puncturing mode can be announced through the disabled channel bitmap field of this CSA frame. Alternatively, a Channel Switch Wrapper element field can be embedded in the management frame. This Channel Switch Wrapper element field may include a Bandwidth Indication For Channel Switch sub-element field, the content of which is similar to the EHT operation information field described above.

[0042] After the STA receives a CSA frame or a new management frame, it can use the updated punch-hole mode to conduct subsequent transmissions with the AP.

[0043] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of contention and access to the channel is shown on the non-primary channel (NPCH).

[0044] In primary channel access mode, the AP competes for access on the primary channel, for example, through backoff contention. Figure 4 As shown, when an AP wins contention on the primary channel (P20), if the other 20MHz channels (those adjacent to P20) remain idle for a consecutive Priority Interframe Space (PIFS) period, the AP can obtain the primary channel access TXOP, allowing the AP to transmit over the 160MHz bandwidth including P20.

[0045] In response to the primary channel being busy, the AP can switch to a non-primary channel access mode. For example, a 160MHz frequency band can be divided into an 80MHz P80 band and an 80MHz S80 band. The P80 band can include a 40MHz P40 band and a 40MHz S40 band. The P40 band can include a 20MHz P20 band (which can be referred to as the primary channel) and a 20MHz S20 band (which can be referred to as the secondary channel), while the S40 band can include two 20MHz non-primary channels. One 20MHz non-primary channel on the 160MHz band can be designated as a backup channel for contention and access when the primary channel is busy. This backup channel can refer to the channel switched to by the NPCA AP and its associated NPCA non-AP STA to perform NPCA operations. This backup channel can be referred to as NP20 in this document. The backup channel can also have other names, not limited to the name "backup channel", as long as it can switch to the channel to realize the contention for the primary channel and access the channel.

[0046] In non-primary channel access mode, the AP competes for access on a non-primary channel, such as backoff contention. Figure 4 As shown, when the AP wins the contention, if the other 20MHz channels (those adjacent to NP20) also remain idle for a continuous PIFS time, the AP obtains a non-primary channel access transmission opportunity (NPCATXOP) on the backup channel, allowing the AP to transmit over the 80MHz bandwidth including NP20. Since the primary channel (P20) (shown as the gray trapezoid) is occupied by OBSS activity, transmission can proceed over the 80MHz bandwidth including the backup channel (NP20) (shown as the black trapezoid).

[0047] Figure 5 This diagram illustrates the bandwidth usage after switching from primary channel access mode to non-primary channel access mode.

[0048] Assume the first operating bandwidth is 320MHz, and the main channel (P20) is occupied by OBSS activity. Figure 5The diagram illustrates the different locations of the backup channel (NP20), as shown by the gray trapezoids. In the first case (Case 1), OBSS activity occupies 80MHz of bandwidth (including P20). After switching from the primary channel access mode to the non-primary channel access mode, the remaining 240MHz bandwidth including NP20 is idle. If channel puncturing is not performed, transmission can only be degraded to the 160MHz bandwidth including NP20, resulting in resource waste. If channel puncturing is allowed, the remaining 240MHz bandwidth (after subtracting 80MHz) from the 320MHz bandwidth can be used. In the second case (Case 2), OBSS activity occupies 200MHz of bandwidth (including P20). After switching from the primary channel access mode to the non-primary channel access mode, the remaining 120MHz bandwidth including NP20 is idle. If channel puncturing is not performed, according to the channel bonding principle, transmission can only be degraded to the 40MHz bandwidth including NP20, resulting in resource waste. If channel puncturing is permitted, the remaining 120MHz bandwidth of a 40MHz channel can be punctured (i.e., disabled) within a 160MHz bandwidth, thus fully utilizing channel resources. In the third case (Case 3), OBSS activity occupies 200MHz of bandwidth (including P20). After switching from the primary channel access mode to the non-primary channel access mode, the remaining 120MHz bandwidth including NP20 is idle. If channel puncturing is not performed, transmission can only be degraded to the 80MHz bandwidth including NP20, resulting in wasted resources. If channel puncturing is permitted, the remaining 120MHz bandwidth of a 40MHz channel can be punctured (i.e., disabled) within a 160MHz bandwidth, thus fully utilizing channel resources. Therefore, preamble puncturing can also be used during NPCA TXOP to avoid wasting resources and improve channel utilization.

[0049] Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating an example interaction process between an AP and a STA (e.g., STA1) according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown. For brevity, Figure 6 This example only illustrates a sample interaction between an AP and one STA. Those skilled in the art will understand that other STAs among multiple STAs can also perform similar sample interaction procedures.

[0050] like Figure 6As shown, in step S1, when the AP establishes a Basic Service Set (BBS), it can send (e.g., broadcast) a first signal to declare the AP's first channel puncturing mode in the first operating bandwidth of the primary channel access mode, so that the AP can communicate with one or more STAs based on the first channel puncturing mode. The first signal can be a first frame signal, such as a management frame, such as a beacon frame, probe frame, and association frame. The AP can send the first signal periodically at certain time intervals. The first signal can include information indicating the first channel puncturing mode. For example, the information indicating the first channel puncturing mode can be the disabled sub-channel bitmap field 323 in the EHT operation element field of the management frame. The disabled channel bitmap field 323 can include 16 bits, each bit corresponding to a 20MHz channel. The value of each bit can be set to 0 or 1, where 0 indicates that the corresponding channel is available (i.e., not punctured), and 1 indicates that the corresponding channel is disabled (i.e., punctured). The number of bits in the disabled channel bitmap field 323 is set based on the first operating bandwidth. The bits in the disabled channel bitmap field corresponding to the first operating bandwidth can be used to indicate the first channel puncturing mode. For example, the high or low bits of the number of bits in the disabled channel bitmap field 323 corresponding to the first operating bandwidth are used to indicate the first channel puncturing mode. For example, the least significant bit of the number of bits in the disabled channel bitmap field 323 corresponding to the first operating bandwidth corresponds to the lowest frequency 20MHz channel in the first operating bandwidth, and the correspondence is made in ascending order until the most significant bit of the number of bits in the disabled channel bitmap field 323 corresponding to the first operating bandwidth corresponds to the highest frequency 20MHz channel in the first operating bandwidth. Alternatively, the most significant bit of the number of bits in the disabled channel bitmap field 323 corresponding to the first operating bandwidth corresponds to the lowest frequency 20MHz channel in the first operating bandwidth, and the correspondence is made in descending order until the least significant bit of the number of bits in the disabled channel bitmap field 323 corresponding to the first operating bandwidth corresponds to the highest frequency 20MHz channel in the first operating bandwidth. The AP may also not declare the first channel puncturing mode, that is, not puncture (i.e., not disable) any channels. The first signal may also include information indicating the main channel and the first operating bandwidth, such as a Very High Throughput (VHT) capability information field, so that the STA can understand the operating frequency range of the AP. The first operating bandwidth can be the maximum operating bandwidth supported by the AP, or the operating bandwidth used by the AP after connecting to the main channel.For example, if an AP claims that its main channel is channel number 40 in the 5G band and its first operating bandwidth is 80MHz, then a STA with a bandwidth of 20MHz can be associated with channel 40; a STA with a bandwidth of 40MHz can be associated with channel 40 and its operating frequency range can be 5170 to 5210MHz; a STA with a bandwidth of 80MHz can also be associated with channel 40 and its operating frequency range can be 5170 to 5250MHz.

[0051] Generally, once a punctured channel has been declared, it is required that transmission be performed according to the declared punctured channel during transmission; that is, no more channels can be punctured than the declared punctured mode.

[0052] For example, in EHT Single User (SU) transmissions, if the AP requests an immediate response from the STA, and the third signal (e.g., PPDU) sent by the AP does not contain a trigger frame, then both the AP's sending of the third signal (e.g., PPDU) and the STA's response message should follow the declared puncturing pattern. If the AP does not request an immediate response from the STA, or if the third signal (e.g., PPDU) sent contains a trigger frame, then both the AP's sending of the third signal (e.g., PPDU) and the STA's response message may not follow the declared puncturing pattern. Similar to EHT SU transmissions, in EHT Multi User (MU) transmissions, if the AP requests an immediate response from the STA, and the third signal (e.g., PPDU) sent by the AP does not contain a trigger frame, then both the AP's sending of the third signal (e.g., PPDU) and the STA's response message should follow the declared puncturing pattern. If the AP does not require an immediate response from the STA, or if the third signal (e.g., PPDU) it transmits contains a trigger frame, then the AP's transmission of the third signal (e.g., PPDU) and the STA's response message transmission may not adhere to the claimed puncturing pattern. In the case where the third signal (e.g., PPDU) contains a trigger frame, transmission is performed according to the resource allocation indicated in the trigger frame. The user information list field of the trigger frame may include a Resource Unit (RU) allocation field, which consists of 8 bits and indicates the specific location of the resource unit allocated to each user within the available spectrum. For example, the AP indicates an RU number via the RU allocation field, allowing the STA to determine the corresponding frequency range.

[0053] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the first signal may further include information indicating whether NPCA operation is supported. For example, the first signal may include a UHR capability element field, and the UHR MAC capability information field of the UHR capability element field may include an NPCA support (NPCASupported) field (1 bit) indicating whether NPCA operation is supported. The value of the NPCA support field is set to 0 to indicate that NPCA operation is not supported, and set to 1 to indicate that NPCA operation is supported. According to embodiments of this disclosure, the UHR capability element field may further include information (1 bit) regarding channel piercing capability in non-primary channel access mode, wherein a value of 0 indicates that channel piercing technology is not supported during NPCA TXOP, and a value of 1 indicates that channel piercing technology is supported during NPCA TXOP. This disclosure informs the device that channel piercing technology can be enabled during NPCA TXOP by setting a field indicating that channel piercing capability is enabled during NPCA TXOP, thereby providing greater flexibility and efficiency to the network during NPCA TXOP.

[0054] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the first signal may further include information indicating the channel where the backup channel (NP20) is located. For example, the first signal may include a UHR operation element field, and the UHR operation element field includes information indicating the channel where the backup channel (NP20) is located. The backup channel (NP20) should be within the first operating bandwidth.

[0055] After receiving the first signal from the AP, STA1 may or may not send a response frame in response (not shown).

[0056] In step S2, the AP can communicate with STA1 based on a first channel puncturing mode, that is, transmission is performed on the remaining channels within the first operating bandwidth, excluding the channels indicated as punctured by the first channel puncturing mode. The first channel puncturing mode can include the permitted puncturing modes specified above. The first channel puncturing mode can indicate that non-idle channels within the first operating bandwidth are punctured (i.e., disabled), while the remaining channels are not punctured. Since this communication occurs during the TXOP of the primary channel access mode, the primary channel is indicated not to be punctured (i.e., disabled) in the first channel puncturing mode.

[0057] In step S3, when the AP detects OBSS activity on the primary channel (P20), the AP can determine whether to switch to a non-primary channel access mode. For example, the AP listens on the primary channel, and when it detects OBSS activity from other basic service sets (OBSS), it determines whether the NPCA handover conditions are met. For example, if the AP assesses that the duration of the OBSS activity will exceed a preset time threshold, the AP determines to switch from the primary channel access mode to the non-primary channel access mode. If the AP determines that the handover conditions are not met, it continues to compete for channel and transmit in the primary channel access mode.

[0058] After switching from primary channel access mode to non-primary channel access mode, the AP can compete for the NPCA TXOP on the backup channel (NP20). If the AP fails to obtain the NPCA TXOP before the duration of this OBSS activity expires, the AP will prepare to switch back to primary channel access mode.

[0059] In step S4, after the AP successfully acquires the NPCA TXOP, the AP can send a second signal to STA1 to declare the second channel puncturing mode of the second operating bandwidth during the NPCA TXOP, so that the AP can communicate with one or more STAs based on the second channel puncturing mode during the NPCA TXOP. If the AP acquires multiple NPCA TXOPs, the second channel puncturing mode can be different for each NPCA TXOP.

[0060] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the second channel puncturing mode is deactivated at the end of the NPCA TXOP period. That is, the second channel puncturing mode is only valid during the NPCA TXOP period and is no longer used once the primary channel access mode is switched back. Because the second channel puncturing mode is limited to use only during the NPCA TXOP period, the puncturing mode used is more consistent with the NPCA's channel conditions.

[0061] The second working bandwidth can be the maximum working bandwidth that the AP can use during NPCA TXOP, and it can be the same as or less than the first working bandwidth.

[0062] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the second channel puncturing mode differs from the first channel puncturing mode. The second channel puncturing mode may refer to puncturing channels that are not idle within the second operating bandwidth, while spare channels are not punctured. Channels that are not idle within the second operating bandwidth may include channels occupied by OBSS activity and channels indicated as punctured in the first channel puncturing mode (the portion located within the second operating bandwidth). Furthermore, if the primary channel (P20) overlaps with the second operating bandwidth, then in the second channel puncturing mode, the primary channel (P20) is punctured. In embodiments of this disclosure, using a dynamically changing puncturing mode according to the switching of channel access modes can dynamically adjust channel resource allocation, thereby better adapting to various channel conditions.

[0063] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the second signal may be a second frame signal, such as a control frame, like an Initial Control Frame (ICF). Upon receiving the ICF, STA1 may send an initial control response frame (ICR) to respond (e.g., ...). Figure 7 (As shown). The second signal may include information indicating the second channel puncturing mode. For example, the information indicating the second channel puncturing mode may be a disabled subchannel bitmap field in the ICF. The disabled subchannel bitmap field may be defined similarly to the disabled subchannel bitmap field 323 in the EHT operation element field. The ICF may be transmitted in non-HT (High Throughput) or non-HTDUP (Duplicated) format. This disclosure claims the puncturing mode through ICF, which can take full advantage of the advantages of ICF, enabling the system to respond flexibly to changing network environments. This is especially important in real-time communication applications (such as video conferencing and voice calls), and can reduce the passing of other complex control messages, simplifying the communication process.

[0064] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the disabled sub-channel bitmap field may include 16 bits, each bit corresponding to a 20MHz channel. The number of bits in the disabled channel bitmap field is set based on a first operating bandwidth. The bits in the disabled channel bitmap field corresponding to a second operating bandwidth can be used to indicate a second channel puncturing mode. For example, in response to the second operating bandwidth being the same as the first operating bandwidth (e.g., both being 160MHz), the high or low bits of the number of bits in the disabled channel bitmap field corresponding to the first operating bandwidth (or the second operating bandwidth) are used to indicate the second channel puncturing mode. For example, the least significant bit of the number of bits in the disabled channel bitmap field corresponding to the first operating bandwidth corresponds to the lowest frequency 20MHz channel in the second operating bandwidth, and the correspondence is performed sequentially from low to high until the most significant bit of the number of bits in the disabled channel bitmap field corresponding to the first operating bandwidth corresponds to the highest frequency 20MHz channel in the second operating bandwidth. For example, the disabled channel bitmap field in the ICF can be represented as 11000000 00000000. The first octet (emphasized in bold for clarity) indicates the second channel puncturing mode, while the second octet is reserved, where 1 indicates puncturing and 0 indicates no puncturing. Alternatively, the highest bit of the number of bits corresponding to the first (or second) working bandwidth in the disabled channel bitmap field corresponds to the lowest frequency 20MHz channel in the second working bandwidth, and so on, from high to low, until the lowest bit of the number of bits corresponding to the first working bandwidth corresponds to the highest frequency 20MHz channel in the second working bandwidth. For example, the disabled channel bitmap field in the ICF can be represented as 00000000 00000011, where the second octet (emphasized in bold for clarity) indicates the second channel puncturing mode, while the first octet is reserved, where 1 indicates puncturing and 0 indicates no puncturing. In response to a second operating bandwidth (e.g., 80MHz) being less than a first operating bandwidth (e.g., 160MHz), the high or low bits of the number of bits corresponding to the second operating bandwidth in the disabled channel bitmap field are used to indicate the second channel puncturing mode. For example, the least significant bit of the number of bits corresponding to the second operating bandwidth in the disabled channel bitmap field corresponds to the lowest frequency 20MHz channel in the second operating bandwidth, in ascending order, and the remaining high bits are reserved. For example, the disabled channel bitmap field in ICF can be represented as 11000000000000000, where the first octet is used to indicate the second channel puncturing mode and a portion of it (for easy distinction, such as the bolded portion, the 80MHz bandwidth portion) corresponds to each channel in the second operating bandwidth, while the remaining portion of the first octet and the next octet are reserved, where 1 indicates puncturing and 0 indicates not puncturing.Alternatively, the highest bit of the disabled channel bitmap field corresponding to the number of bits in the second working bandwidth corresponds to the lowest frequency 20MHz channel in the second working bandwidth, in descending order, with the remaining low bits reserved. For example, the disabled channel bitmap field in ICF can be represented as 00000000 00000011, where the second octet is used to indicate the second channel puncturing mode, and a portion of it (for easy distinction, such as the bolded part, the 80MHz bandwidth part) corresponds to each channel in the second working bandwidth, while the remaining portion of the second octet and the first octet are reserved, where 1 indicates puncturing and 0 indicates not puncturing.

[0065] The following combination Figure 7 This describes an example of transmission in a non-master channel access mode.

[0066] like Figure 7 As shown, the AP sends an ICF to claim a second operating bandwidth and a second channel puncturing mode. The ICF is transmitted in non-HTPPDU format. The claimed second operating bandwidth is 160MHz, and the second channel puncturing mode is "[xx 1 1 1 1 11]", where x indicates puncturing and 1 indicates not puncturing. The first x in the second channel puncturing mode corresponds to the main channel (P20), and the second x corresponds to the channel (S20) adjacent to the main channel (P20), which is occupied by OBSS activity. The six 1s in the second channel puncturing mode correspond to the six channels in the other 120MHz bandwidth of the 160MHz bandwidth besides P20 and S20. For example, the disabled channel bitmap field in the ICF can be represented as 11000000 00000000, where the first octet (emphasized in bold for clarity) is used to indicate the second channel puncturing mode, and the second octet is reserved. Alternatively, the disabled channel bitmap field in the ICF can be represented as 00000000 00000011, with the latter octet (in bold for easy distinction) used to indicate the second channel puncturing mode, while the former octet is reserved. A 1 indicates puncturing, and a 0 indicates no puncturing.

[0067] Back Figure 6In step S5, during NPCA TXOP, the AP can communicate with STA1 based on the claimed second channel puncturing mode. For example, the AP can use the second operating bandwidth to transmit data based on the second channel puncturing mode, that is, transmit on the remaining channels excluding those indicated as punctured by the second channel puncturing mode within the second operating bandwidth. Furthermore, if the AP uses a third operating bandwidth smaller than the second operating bandwidth for transmission, the AP can transmit on the third operating bandwidth based on the puncturing state of the corresponding channel in the second channel puncturing mode. In this case, the channel puncturing state corresponding to the third operating bandwidth in the second channel puncturing mode can also be called the third channel puncturing mode. Therefore, in this case, communication based on the second channel puncturing mode can also be called communication based on the third channel puncturing mode, that is, the AP transmits on the remaining channels excluding those indicated as punctured by the third channel puncturing mode within the third operating bandwidth based on the third channel puncturing mode. Here, the third channel puncturing mode is a part of the second channel puncturing mode within the third operating bandwidth.

[0068] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the AP can transmit a second signal on a set of channels determined based on a second channel puncturing pattern. For example, the AP can determine whether some 20MHz channels within a first operating bandwidth have remained idle for more than the PIFS time. The AP can select a set of channels to use for transmitting the second signal from these 20MHz channels that have been determined to have remained idle for more than the PIFS time. The channel set may include spare channels (NP20) and excludes channels occupied by OBSS activity and channels indicated as punctured by the first channel puncturing pattern, and the channel set is within the first operating bandwidth.

[0069] According to embodiments of this disclosure, during NPCA TXOP, the AP can transmit a third signal (e.g., PPDU) carrying data to STA1 using a third operating bandwidth and a third channel puncturing mode for the third operating bandwidth. The third signal further includes information indicating the third operating bandwidth and information indicating the third channel puncturing mode, the third operating bandwidth being within the second operating bandwidth. Furthermore, the third channel puncturing mode follows the second channel puncturing mode within the third operating bandwidth.

[0070] According to embodiments of this disclosure, if the third signal (e.g., PPDU) sent by the AP requires an immediate response from the STA, and the third signal (e.g., PPDU) does not contain a trigger frame, then both the AP sending the third signal (e.g., PPDU) and the STA sending messages in response must adhere to the claimed third-channel puncturing pattern; that is, no more channels can be punctured than in the second-channel puncturing pattern. If the third signal (e.g., PPDU) sent by the AP does not require an immediate response from the STA, or if the third signal (e.g., PPDU) contains a trigger frame, then the AP sending the third signal (e.g., PPDU) and the STA sending messages in response may not adhere to the claimed third-channel puncturing pattern, but instead transmit according to the resource allocation indicated in the trigger frame (if a trigger frame is included).

[0071] According to embodiments of this disclosure, such as Figure 8 As shown, the PPDU 800 may include a PHY header 810 and data 820. The PHY header 810 may include a U-SIG field. The U-SIG field may include a U-SIG-1 field 811 and a U-SIG-2 field 812. The U-SIG-1 field 811 may include a bandwidth field 813 (3 bits from B3 to B5) to indicate the bandwidth (i.e., the third operating bandwidth) used to transmit a third signal (e.g., the PPDU). The values ​​0 to 5 of the bandwidth field 813 may correspond to bandwidths of 20MHz, 40MHz, 80MHz, 160MHz, 320MHz-1, and 320MHz-2, respectively. The U-SIG-2 field 812 may include a Punctured Channel Information field 814 (5 bits from B3 to B7) to indicate the third channel puncturing mode.

[0072] If the transmission type used for sending a third signal (e.g., PPDU) between the AP and STA is non-OFDMA transmission, then each value represented by all bits of the information indicating the third channel puncturing mode (i.e., puncturing channel information field 814) corresponds to a channel puncturing state on the third operating bandwidth. For example, bits B3 to B7 of the puncturing channel information field 814 are used to represent values ​​0 to 24, each value corresponding to a puncturing mode, as shown in Table 1 below.

[0073] Table 1. Puncture Modes for Non-OFDMA Transmission

[0074]

[0075]

[0076]

[0077] As shown in Table 1, in the puncturing mode, "1" indicates no puncturing, and "x" indicates puncturing. When the third operating bandwidth is 20MHz, there is only one puncturing mode, namely "[1]" (where "1" corresponds to a 20MHz channel), represented by the value 0. When the third operating bandwidth is 40MHz, there is also only one puncturing mode, namely "[1 1]" (where each "1" corresponds to a 20MHz channel), represented by the value 0. When the third operating bandwidth is 80MHz, there are two puncturing scenarios: no puncturing and puncturing a 20MHz channel. The case of no puncturing is represented by the value 0, and its puncturing pattern is "[1 1 1 1]" (where each "1" corresponds to a 20MHz channel). The case of puncturing a single 20MHz channel can be represented by values ​​1 to 4, resulting in four puncturing patterns: "[x 1 1 1]", "[1x 1 1]", "[1 1x 1]", and "[1 1 1x]" (where each "1" and each "x" corresponds to a 20MHz channel). The puncturing position is different for each pattern. When the third operating bandwidth is 160MHz, there are three puncturing cases: no puncturing, puncturing a single 20MHz channel, and puncturing a single 40MHz channel. The case of no puncturing is represented by the value 0, i.e., "[1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1]" (where each "1" corresponds to a single 20MHz channel). The puncturing of a 20MHz channel can be represented by eight puncturing patterns using values ​​from 1 to 8, namely “[x 1 1 1 1 1 1 1]”, “[1x 1 11 1 1 1]”, “[1 1x 1 1 1 1 1]”, “[1 1 1x 1 1 1 1]”, “[1 1 1 1x 1 1]”, “[1 1 1 1 1x 1 1]”, “[1 1 1 1 1 1x 1]”, and “[1 1 1 1 1 1 1x]” (where each “1” corresponds to a 20MHz channel and each “x” corresponds to a 20MHz channel). The puncturing position is different for each puncturing pattern. A 40MHz channel puncturing scenario can be represented by four puncturing patterns using values ​​from 9 to 12: "[xx 1 1 1 1 11]", "[1 1x x 1 1 1 1]", "[1 1 1 1x x 1 1]", and "[11 1 1 1 1x x]" (where each "1" corresponds to a 20MHz channel, and each "x" corresponds to a 20MHz channel). The puncturing location differs for each pattern. When the third operating bandwidth is 320MHz, there are three puncturing scenarios: no puncturing, puncturing one 40MHz channel, and puncturing one 80MHz channel plus one 40MHz channel.The case without puncturing is represented by the value 0, and its puncturing pattern is "[11 1 1 1 1 1 1 1]" (where "1" corresponds to a 40MHz channel). The puncturing cases of a 40MHz channel can be represented by values ​​from 1 to 8, which are eight puncturing patterns: "[x 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1]", "[1x 1 1 1 1 1 1]", "[1 1x 1 1 1 1 1]", "[1 11x 1 1 1 1]", "[1 1 1 1x 1 1 1]", "[1 1 1 1 1x 1]", and "[1 1 11 1 1 1x]" (where each "1" corresponds to a 40MHz channel and each "x" corresponds to a 40MHz channel). The puncturing position is different for each puncturing pattern. The puncturing of an 80MHz channel can be represented by four puncturing patterns using values ​​from 9 to 12: “[xx 1 1 1 1 1 1]”, “[1 1x x 1 1 1 1]”, “[1 1 1 1x x 1 1]”, and “[1 1 1 11 1x x]” (where each “1” corresponds to a 40MHz channel and each “x” corresponds to a 40MHz channel). The puncturing position is different for each puncturing pattern. The case of puncturing a single 80MHz channel and a single 40MHz channel can be represented by 12 puncturing patterns using values ​​from 13 to 24, namely “[xxx 1 1 1 1 1]”, “[xx 1x 1 1 1 1]”, “[xx 1 1x 1 11]”, “[xx 1 1 1x 1 1]”, “[xx 1 1 1 1x 1]”, “[xx 1 1 1 1 1x]”, “[x 1 1 1 1 1xx]”, “[1x 1 1 11x x]”, “[1 1x 1 1 1x x]”, “[1 1 1x 1 1x x]”, “[1 1 1 1x 1x x]”, and “[1 1 11 1x x]”. [xx] (where each "1" corresponds to a 40MHz channel and each "x" corresponds to a 40MHz channel), and the puncturing position is different for each puncturing mode. The above puncturing modes can correspond to the allowed puncturing modes specified in the IEEE 802.11be protocol for non-OFDMA transmissions, as shown in Figure 2.

[0078] Table 1 also shows RU and Multiple Resource Unit (MRU) indices to indicate RU locations. Those skilled in the art will understand that this disclosure is not limited to the RU locations shown in Table 1.

[0079] If the transmission type used for sending a third signal (e.g., PPDU) between the AP and STA is OFDMA transmission, the puncturing mode can be a puncturing mode that is grouped in 80MHz blocks across the entire operating bandwidth. For example, each 4 bits (B3-B6) of the information indicating the third channel puncturing mode (i.e., the puncturing channel information field 814) corresponds to the channel puncturing status (i.e., the puncturing mode) of an 80MHz bandwidth of the third operating bandwidth, where each bit corresponds to a 20MHz channel. Punching modes can include: 1111, 0111, 1011, 1101, 1110, 0011, 1100, 1001, and 0000. These puncturing modes can correspond to the permitted puncturing modes specified in the IEEE 802.11be protocol for OFDMA transmission.

[0080] In one embodiment, such as Figure 7 As shown, the AP can send a third signal (e.g., PPDU) to STA1 using non-OFDMA transmission. For example... Figure 8 The value of the bandwidth field 813 in the PPDU 800 is set to 3 to indicate that the third operating bandwidth is 160MHz. The value of the puncturing channel information field 814 in the PPDU 800 is set to 9 to indicate that the third channel puncturing mode is "[xx 1 1 1 11 1]", which means that the two 20MHz channels of P20 and S20 are punctured, while the six 20MHz channels in the remaining 120MHz bandwidth of the 160MHz bandwidth are not punctured. Since the third operating bandwidth is the same as the second operating bandwidth, which is 160MHz, the third channel puncturing mode is the same as the second channel puncturing mode.

[0081] In another embodiment, such as Figure 7 As shown, the AP can send a third signal (e.g., PPDU) to STA2-4 via OFDMA transmission. For example... Figure 8 The value of bandwidth field 813 in the PPDU 800 shown is set to 3 to indicate a third operating bandwidth of 160MHz. The PPDU 800 uses an 80MHz bandwidth (e.g.) Figure 8 The value of the puncturing channel information field 814 corresponding to S40+S20+P20 (or, as previously mentioned, the P80 section) is set to 0011 to indicate that the two 20MHz channels in P20 and S20 are punctured, while the two 20MHz channels in S40 are not punctured. The PPDU 800 corresponds to another 80MHz bandwidth (such as...) Figure 8 The value of the punched channel information field 814 corresponding to S80 is set to 1111 to indicate that the four 20MHz channels in S80 are not punched.

[0082] In another embodiment, such as Figure 7 As shown, the AP can send a third signal (e.g., PPDU) to the STA5 via OFDMA transmission. For example... Figure 8 The value of bandwidth field 813 in the PPDU 800 shown is set to 2 to indicate a third operating bandwidth of 80MHz. The PPDU 800 uses this 80MHz bandwidth (e.g.,...) Figure 8 The value of the puncturing channel information field 814 corresponding to S80 is set to 1111 to indicate that the four 20MHz channels in S80 are not punctured. Since the third operating bandwidth (i.e., 80MHz) is less than the second operating bandwidth (i.e., 160MHz), the third channel puncturing pattern (i.e., 1111) follows a portion of the second channel puncturing pattern (i.e., "[xx 1 1 1 1 1 1]") within the third operating bandwidth.

[0083] According to embodiments of this disclosure, such as Figure 9 As shown, the U-SIG field 900 (e.g., U-SIG-1 field 811) of the PHY header 810 of the PPDU 800 may include a field indicating whether a third signal (e.g., the PPDU) is transmitted in primary channel access mode or non-primary channel access mode, such as the NPCA field 910. The NPCA field 910 may include 1 bit, the value of which can be set to 0 or 1, where 0 indicates that the third signal (e.g., the PPDU) is transmitted in primary channel access mode, and 1 indicates that the third signal (e.g., the PPDU) is transmitted in non-primary channel access mode, so that the STA can receive the third signal (e.g., the PPDU) on the correct channel and correctly decode the PPDU. For example, as... Figure 10 As shown, assuming the first operating bandwidth is 80MHz, before switching from the primary channel access mode to the non-primary channel access mode, RU number 0 of the resource used to transmit the third signal corresponds to an RU in the primary channel (P20). After switching from the primary channel access mode to the non-primary channel access mode, RU number 0 of the resource used to transmit the third signal corresponds to an RU in the backup channel (NP20). Therefore, the STA receiving the third signal knows, according to NPCA field 910, whether RU number 0 should be for the primary channel (P20) or the backup channel (NP20).

[0084] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the U-SIG field of the PHY header 810 of the PPDU 800 may also include a field for indicating information about a backup channel (NP20).

[0085] In one embodiment, such as Figure 11As shown, the U-SIG field 1100 (e.g., U-SIG-2 field 812) may include a field for the channel number of the backup channel (NP20) used, such as a reference channel number field 1110. The reference channel number field 1110 may include 8 bits whose value indicates the channel number of the backup channel (NP20). For example, a value of 36 in the reference channel number field 1110 indicates that the backup channel (NP20) is a 20MHz channel with channel number 36. The channel number follows the channel numbering specified in the existing 802.11 protocol. By setting the reference channel number field, this disclosure allows the receiver to quickly identify on which designated channel the PPDU should be decoded, thereby improving decoding efficiency.

[0086] In another embodiment, when multiple backup channels (NP20) are declared available, such as Figure 12 As shown, the U-SIG field 1200 (e.g., the U-SIG-1 field 811) may include a field for indicating the channel identifier of the backup channel (NP20) used among a plurality of backup channels (NP20), such as a reference channel ID field 1210. The reference channel ID field 1210 may include 2 bits whose value represents the channel identifier of the backup channel (NP20). Assume that the claimed plurality of backup channels (NP20) are: a first NP20 corresponding to channel number 36 (represented as ACH1), a second NP20 corresponding to channel number 40 (represented as ACH2), and a third NP20 corresponding to channel number 44 (represented as ACH3). For example, a value of 1 in the reference channel ID field 1210 indicates that the backup channel (NP20) used is the first NP20 (ACH1) with channel number 36. A value of 2 in the Reference Channel ID field 1210 indicates that the backup channel (NP20) used is the second NP20 (ACH2) with channel number 40, and a value of 3 in the Reference Channel ID field 1210 indicates that the backup channel (NP20) used is the third NP20 (ACH3) with channel number 44. The channel numbering follows the channel numbering specified in the existing 802.11 protocol. This disclosure allows for flexible management of the use of multiple backup channels by setting a field for indicating the channel identifier of the backup channel (NP20) used among multiple backup channels (NP20).

[0087] In addition to the U-SIG fields 900, 1100, and 1200, the UHR SIG field in the PHY header of the PPDU may similarly include at least one of the following: a field indicating whether a third signal (e.g., the PPDU) is transmitted in primary channel access mode or non-primary channel access mode (e.g., ...). Figure 9 The NPCA field 910 shown), and fields used to indicate information about the backup channel (NP20) (such as...) Figure 11 The reference channel number field 1110 shown, and as follows Figure 12 The reference channel ID field shown is 1210.

[0088] In addition, besides setting the above fields in the PHY header of the PPDU (for example, such as...), Figure 9 The NPCA field 910 shown is as follows: Figure 11 The reference channel number field 1110 shown, and as shown in the example Figure 12 The reference channel ID field 1210 shown may also be set in the second signal (e.g., ICF) to indicate whether the second signal (e.g., ICF) is transmitted in the primary channel access mode or the non-primary channel access mode, and to indicate information about the backup channel (NP20).

[0089] In step S6, it is determined whether the NPCA TXOP has ended. If the NPCA TXOP has not ended, communication between the AP and STA1 continues based on the second channel puncturing mode (and the third channel puncturing mode). If the NPCA TXOP has ended, the system switches back from the non-primary channel access mode to the primary channel access mode.

[0090] In step S7, after switching back to the primary channel access mode from the non-primary channel access mode, the AP communicates with STA1 based on the first channel puncturing mode or another puncturing mode. For example, due to reasons such as the end of the NPCA TXOP, network management policy adjustments, or the primary channel becoming idle, it is determined that transmission should be switched back from the backup channel (NP20) to the primary channel (P20). At this time, the second channel puncturing mode used is no longer valid, and the first channel puncturing mode is used by default. Alternatively, the first channel puncturing mode may not be used, but a new frame (e.g., a management frame) may be initiated to reclaim a new channel puncturing mode, which may be different from the first and second channel puncturing modes. This disclosure reduces the complexity of configuration management and reduces the latency caused by reclaiming a new puncturing mode by defaulting to the first channel puncturing mode.

[0091] According to the embodiments of this disclosure, the device is allowed to enable channel puncturing technology in a non-primary channel access mode and set a puncturing mode that is only used during NPATXOP. This second channel puncturing mode is different from the first channel puncturing mode declared before switching to the non-primary channel access mode. Therefore, the device can make fuller use of idle channels for transmission during NPATXOP, which helps to improve channel utilization and avoid channel resource waste. In addition, the use of dynamically changing puncturing modes according to the switching of channel access modes in this disclosure can dynamically adjust the allocation of channel resources, thereby better adapting to various channel conditions.

[0092] Figure 13 A flowchart of operation 1300 performed by an AP device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0093] In step 1310, in the primary channel access mode, the AP device may send a first signal to one or more STA devices to declare the AP device in the primary channel access mode with a first channel puncturing mode of a first operating bandwidth.

[0094] The first signal can be the first frame signal, such as a management frame, beacon frame, probe frame, or association frame. The AP device can periodically send the first signal at certain time intervals.

[0095] The first signal may include information indicating a first channel puncturing mode. For example, the information indicating the first channel puncturing mode may be a disabled sub-channel bitmap field 323 in the EHT operation element field of the management frame. The disabled channel bitmap field 323 may include 16 bits, each bit corresponding to a 20MHz channel. The value of each bit may be set to 0 or 1, where 0 indicates that the corresponding channel is available (i.e., not punctured), and 1 indicates that the corresponding channel is disabled (i.e., punctured). The number of bits in the disabled channel bitmap field 323 is set based on a first operating bandwidth. The bits of the disabled channel bitmap field 323 corresponding to the first operating bandwidth may be used to indicate the first channel puncturing mode. For example, the most significant bit of the number of bits corresponding to the first operating bandwidth corresponds to the lowest frequency 20MHz channel in the first operating bandwidth, and so on, from low to high, until the most significant bit of the number of bits corresponding to the first operating bandwidth corresponds to the highest frequency 20MHz channel in the first operating bandwidth. Alternatively, the most significant bit of the number of bits corresponding to the first operating bandwidth corresponds to the lowest frequency 20MHz channel within the first operating bandwidth, and so on down to the least significant bit of the number of bits corresponding to the first operating bandwidth, which corresponds to the highest frequency 20MHz channel within the first operating bandwidth. The AP device may also not declare a first channel puncturing mode, i.e., not puncturing (i.e., not disabling) any channel. The first signal may also include information indicating the main channel information and the first operating bandwidth, such as a VHT capability information field, so that the STA can understand the operating frequency range of the AP. The first operating bandwidth can be the maximum operating bandwidth supported by the AP device, or the operating bandwidth used by the AP after connecting to the main channel.

[0096] In EHT SU and EHT MU transmissions, if the AP device requests an immediate response from the STA, and the third signal (e.g., PPDU) sent by the AP device does not contain a trigger frame, then the AP device's sending of the third signal (e.g., PPDU) and the STA device's transmission of messages in response should follow the declared puncturing pattern. If the AP device does not request an immediate response from the STA device, or if the third signal (e.g., PPDU) sent contains a trigger frame, then the AP device's sending of the third signal (e.g., PPDU) and the STA device's transmission of messages in response may not follow the declared puncturing pattern. In the case where the third signal (e.g., PPDU) contains a trigger frame, transmission is performed according to the resource allocation indicated in the trigger frame.

[0097] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the first signal may further include information indicating whether NPCA operation is supported. For example, the first signal may include a UHR capability element field, and the UHR MAC capability information field of the UHR capability element field may include an NPCA support field (1 bit) indicating whether NPCA operation is supported. The value of the NPCA support field is set to 0 to indicate that NPCA operation is not supported, and set to 1 to indicate that NPCA operation is supported. According to embodiments of this disclosure, the UHR capability element field may further include information (1 bit) regarding channel piercing capability in non-primary channel access mode, wherein a value of 0 indicates that channel piercing technology is not supported during NPCA TXOP, and a value of 1 indicates that channel piercing technology is supported during NPCA TXOP. This disclosure informs the device that channel piercing technology can be enabled during NPCA TXOP by setting a field indicating that channel piercing capability is enabled during NPCA TXOP, thereby providing greater flexibility and efficiency to the network during NPCA TXOP.

[0098] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the first signal may further include information indicating the channel where the backup channel (NP20) is located. For example, the first signal may include a UHR operation element field, and the UHR operation element field includes information indicating the channel where the backup channel (NP20) is located. The backup channel (NP20) should be within the first operating bandwidth.

[0099] Then, the AP device can communicate with one or more STA devices based on the first channel puncturing mode, that is, transmit on the remaining channels excluding the channels indicated by the first channel puncturing mode on the first operating bandwidth.

[0100] In step 1320, in response to the primary channel not being idle, the AP device switches to the non-primary channel access mode and can obtain the non-primary channel access transmission opportunity NPCA TXOP on a backup channel other than the primary channel used to perform non-primary channel access NPCA operation.

[0101] For example, the AP device listens on the primary channel, and when it detects OBSS activity from other OBSSs, it determines whether the conditions for NPCA handover are met. For instance, if the AP device assesses that the duration of the OBSS activity will exceed a preset time threshold, it determines to switch from primary channel access mode to non-primary channel access mode. If the AP device determines that the handover conditions are not met, it continues transmission in primary channel access mode.

[0102] After switching from primary channel access mode to non-primary channel access mode, the AP can compete for the NPCA TXOP on the backup channel (NP20). If the AP fails to obtain the NPCA TXOP before the duration of this OBSS activity expires, the AP will prepare to switch back to primary channel access mode.

[0103] In step 1330, a second signal is sent to one or more STA devices during NPATXOP to declare a second channel puncturing mode of the AP device at a second operating bandwidth during NPATXOP, wherein the second channel puncturing mode is deactivated at the end of the NPATXOP period.

[0104] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the second channel puncturing mode differs from the first channel puncturing mode. The second channel puncturing mode can indicate that channels within the second operating bandwidth that are not idle are punctured, while spare channels are not punctured. Channels within the second operating bandwidth that are not idle can include channels occupied by OBSS activity and channels (within the second operating bandwidth) that have already been indicated to be punctured by the first channel puncturing mode. Furthermore, if the primary channel (P20) overlaps with the second operating bandwidth, then in the second channel puncturing mode, the primary channel (P20) is punctured. In the first channel puncturing mode, the primary channel cannot be punctured. In embodiments of this disclosure, using a dynamically changing puncturing mode according to the switching of channel access modes can dynamically adjust channel resource allocation, thereby better adapting to various channel conditions.

[0105] The second working bandwidth can be the maximum working bandwidth that the AP device can use during NPATXOP, and it can be the same as or less than the first working bandwidth.

[0106] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the second signal may be a second frame signal, such as a control frame, for example, an ICF. The second signal may include information indicating a second channel puncturing mode; for example, the information indicating the second channel puncturing mode may be a disabled subchannel bitmap field in the ICF. The disabled subchannel bitmap field may be defined similarly to the disabled subchannel bitmap field 323 in the EHT operation element field. The ICF may be transmitted in non-HT or non-HT DUPPPDU format. This disclosure uses the ICF to declare the puncturing mode, which fully utilizes the flexibility and simplicity of the ICF, enabling the system to respond flexibly to changing network environments. This is particularly important in real-time communication applications (such as video conferencing and voice calls), and can reduce the transmission of other complex control messages, simplifying the communication process.

[0107] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the disabled sub-channel bitmap field may include 16 bits, each bit corresponding to a 20MHz channel. The number of bits in the disabled channel bitmap field is set based on a first operating bandwidth. The bits in the disabled channel bitmap field corresponding to a second operating bandwidth may be used to indicate a second channel puncturing mode. For example, in response to the second operating bandwidth being the same as the first operating bandwidth, the high or low bits of the number of bits in the disabled channel bitmap field corresponding to the first operating bandwidth (or the second operating bandwidth) are used to indicate the second channel puncturing mode. For example, the least significant bit of the number of bits in the disabled channel bitmap field corresponding to the first operating bandwidth corresponds to the lowest frequency 20MHz channel in the second operating bandwidth, and the correspondence is performed sequentially from low to high until the most significant bit of the number of bits corresponding to the first operating bandwidth corresponds to the highest frequency 20MHz channel in the second operating bandwidth. Alternatively, the most significant bit of the number of bits in the disabled channel bitmap field corresponding to the first operating bandwidth (or the second operating bandwidth) corresponds to the lowest frequency 20MHz channel in the second operating bandwidth, and the correspondence is performed sequentially from high to low until the least significant bit of the number of bits corresponding to the first operating bandwidth corresponds to the highest frequency 20MHz channel in the second operating bandwidth. In response to a second operating bandwidth being less than the first operating bandwidth, the high or low bits of the number of bits corresponding to the second operating bandwidth in the disabled channel bitmap field are used to indicate the second channel puncturing mode. For example, the least significant bit of the number of bits corresponding to the second operating bandwidth in the disabled channel bitmap field corresponds to the lowest frequency 20MHz channel in the second operating bandwidth, in ascending order, with the remaining high bits reserved. Alternatively, the most significant bit of the number of bits corresponding to the second operating bandwidth in the disabled channel bitmap field corresponds to the lowest frequency 20MHz channel in the second operating bandwidth, in descending order, with the remaining low bits reserved.

[0108] During NPATXOP, the AP device can communicate with one or more STAs based on the claimed second channel puncturing mode. For example, the AP device can transmit using the second operating bandwidth based on the second channel puncturing mode; that is, it transmits on the remaining channels within the second operating bandwidth, excluding the channels indicated as punctured by the second channel puncturing mode. Furthermore, if the AP device uses a third operating bandwidth smaller than the second operating bandwidth, it can transmit on the third operating bandwidth based on the puncturing state of the corresponding channel in the second channel puncturing mode. In this case, the puncturing state of the channel corresponding to the third operating bandwidth in the second channel puncturing mode can also be called the third channel puncturing mode. Therefore, communication based on the second channel puncturing mode can also be called communication based on the third channel puncturing mode; that is, the AP device transmits on the remaining channels within the third operating bandwidth based on the third channel puncturing mode. These remaining channels refer to the channels excluding the channels indicated as punctured by the third channel puncturing mode. Here, the third channel puncturing mode is a portion of the second channel puncturing mode within the third operating bandwidth.

[0109] The access point (AP) device can transmit a second signal on a set of channels determined based on a second channel puncturing pattern. For example, the AP can determine whether certain 20MHz channels within a first operating bandwidth have remained idle for more than the PIFS time. The AP device can select a set of channels from these 20MHz channels that have been determined to have remained idle for more than the PIFS time to use for transmitting the second signal. The channel set may include spare channels (NP20) and excludes channels occupied by OBSS activity and channels indicated as punctured by the first channel puncturing pattern, and the channel set is within the first operating bandwidth.

[0110] According to embodiments of this disclosure, during NPCA TXOP, the AP device can transmit a third signal (e.g., PPDU) carrying data to the STA device using a third operating bandwidth and a third channel puncturing mode for the third operating bandwidth. The third signal further includes information indicating the third operating bandwidth and information indicating the third channel puncturing mode, the third operating bandwidth being within the second operating bandwidth. Furthermore, the third channel puncturing mode follows the second channel puncturing mode within the third operating bandwidth.

[0111] According to embodiments of this disclosure, if a third signal (e.g., a PPDU) sent by the AP device requires an immediate response from the STA device, and the third signal (e.g., the PPDU) does not contain a trigger frame, then the AP device sending the third signal (e.g., the PPDU) and the STA device sending messages in response must follow the claimed third channel puncturing pattern; that is, no more channels can be punctured than the second channel puncturing pattern. If the third signal (e.g., the PPDU) sent by the AP device does not require an immediate response from the STA device, or the PPDU contains a trigger frame, then the AP device sending the third signal (e.g., the PPDU) and the STA device sending messages in response may not follow the claimed third channel puncturing pattern, but instead transmit according to the resource allocation indicated in the trigger frame (if a trigger frame is included).

[0112] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the U-SIG field of the third signal (e.g., PPDU) (e.g., as...) Figure 8 The U-SIG-1 field 811 shown may include a bandwidth field 813 (3 bits from B3 to B5) for indicating the bandwidth (i.e., the third operating bandwidth) used to transmit a third signal (e.g., a PPDU). The U-SIG field of the third signal (e.g., a PPDU) (e.g., as shown in the image) Figure 8 The U-SIG-2 field 812 shown may include a puncturing channel information field 814 (5 bits of B3 to B7) to indicate the third channel puncturing mode.

[0113] If the transmission type used for sending a third signal (e.g., PPDU) between the AP and STA devices is non-OFDMA transmission, then each value represented by all bits of the information indicating the third channel puncturing mode (i.e., the puncturing channel information field) corresponds to a channel puncturing state on the third operating bandwidth. For example, bits B3 to B7 of the puncturing channel information field (e.g., puncturing channel information field 814) are used to represent values ​​0 to 24, each corresponding to a puncturing mode, as shown in Table 1 above. These puncturing modes can correspond to the permitted puncturing modes for non-OFDMA transmissions specified in the IEEE 802.11be protocol, as shown in Figure 2.

[0114] If the transmission type used for sending third signals (e.g., PPDUs) between the AP and STA devices is OFDMA transmission, the entire third operating bandwidth is grouped into 80MHz bands. For example, each 4 bits (B3–B6) of the information indicating the third channel puncturing mode (i.e., puncturing channel information field 814) corresponds to the channel puncturing status (i.e., puncturing mode) of one 80MHz band of the third operating bandwidth, where each bit corresponds to one 20MHz channel. Punctuation modes can include: 1111, 0111, 1011, 1101, 1110, 0011, 1100, 1001, and 0000. These puncturing modes can correspond to the permitted puncturing modes for OFDMA transmissions specified in the IEEE 802.11be protocol.

[0115] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the U-SIG field (e.g., U-SIG-1 field 811) of the third signal (e.g., PPDU) may include a field for indicating whether the third signal (e.g., PPDU) is transmitted in a primary channel access mode or a non-primary channel access mode, such as... Figure 9 The NPCA field 910 is shown. The NPCA field 910 may include 1 bit, the value of which can be set to 0 or 1, where 0 indicates that the third signal (e.g., PPDU) is transmitted in the main channel access mode, and 1 indicates that the third signal (e.g., PPDU) is transmitted in a non-main channel access mode, so that the STA can receive the third signal (e.g., PPDU) on the correct channel and decode the PPDU correctly.

[0116] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the U-SIG field of the third signal (e.g., PPDU) may also include a field for indicating information about the backup channel (NP20).

[0117] In one embodiment, the U-SIG field (e.g., as...) Figure 11 The U-SIG field 1100 shown may include a field for the channel number used for the backup channel (NP20), such as Figure 12 The reference channel number field 1110 is shown. Reference channel number field 1110 may include 8 bits, the value of which is used to indicate the channel number of the backup channel (NP20). For example, a value of 36 for reference channel number field 1110 indicates that the backup channel (NP20) is a 20MHz channel with channel number 36. The channel numbering follows the channel numbering specified in the existing 802.11 protocol. By setting the reference channel number field, this disclosure allows the receiver to quickly identify on which designated channel the PPDU should be decoded, thereby improving decoding efficiency.

[0118] In another embodiment, when multiple backup channels (NP20) are declared available, the U-SIG field (e.g., as shown in the image) is used. Figure 12 The U-SIG field 1200 shown may include a field indicating the channel identifier of the backup channel (NP20) used among multiple backup channels (NP20), such as Figure 12 The reference channel ID field 1210 is shown. The reference channel ID field 1210 may include 2 bits, the value of which is used to represent the channel identifier of the backup channel (NP20). This disclosure allows for flexible management of the use of multiple backup channels by setting a field for indicating the channel identifier of the backup channel (NP20) used among multiple backup channels (NP20).

[0119] In addition to the U-SIG fields 900, 1100, and 1200, the UHR SIG field in the PHY header of the PPDU may similarly include at least one of the following: a field indicating whether a third signal (e.g., the PPDU) is transmitted in primary channel access mode or non-primary channel access mode (e.g., ...). Figure 9 The NPCA field 910 shown), and fields used to indicate information about the backup channel (NP20) (such as...) Figure 11 The reference channel number field 1110 shown, and as follows Figure 12 The reference channel ID field shown is 1210.

[0120] In addition, besides setting the above fields in the PHY header of the PPDU (for example, such as...), Figure 9 The NPCA field 910 shown is as follows: Figure 11 The reference channel number field 1110 shown, and as shown in the example Figure 12 The reference channel ID field 1210 shown may also be set in the second signal (e.g., ICF) to indicate whether the second signal (e.g., ICF) is transmitted in the primary channel access mode or the non-primary channel access mode, and to indicate information about the backup channel (NP20).

[0121] After switching back to the primary channel access mode from a non-primary channel access mode, the AP device can communicate with the STA device based on the first channel puncturing mode, or it can communicate with the STA device based on another puncturing mode (i.e., a puncturing mode reclaimed under the primary channel access mode). For example, due to reasons such as the end of the NPCA TXOP, network management policy adjustments, or the primary channel becoming idle, it is determined that transmission should be switched back from the backup channel (NP20) to the primary channel (P20). At this time, the second channel puncturing mode used is no longer valid, and the first channel puncturing mode is restored by default. Alternatively, the first channel puncturing mode can be omitted, and a new frame (e.g., a management frame) can be initiated to reclaim a new channel puncturing mode, which may be different from the first and second channel puncturing modes. This disclosure reduces the complexity of configuration management and reduces the latency caused by reclaiming a new puncturing mode by defaulting to the first channel puncturing mode.

[0122] According to the embodiments of this disclosure, the device is allowed to enable channel puncturing technology in non-primary channel access mode and set a puncturing mode used only during NPCA TXOP. This second channel puncturing mode is different from the first channel puncturing mode declared before switching to non-primary channel access mode. Therefore, the device can make fuller use of idle channels for transmission during NPCA TXOP, which helps to improve channel utilization and avoid channel resource waste. In addition, the use of dynamically changing puncturing modes according to the switching of channel access modes in this disclosure can dynamically adjust the allocation of channel resources, thereby better adapting to various channel conditions.

[0123] Figure 14 A flowchart of operation 1400 performed by a STA device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0124] In step 1410, in the primary channel access mode, the STA device can receive a first signal from the access point AP device to declare the AP device in the primary channel access mode with a first channel puncturing mode and a first operating bandwidth.

[0125] The first signal can be the first frame signal, such as a management frame, beacon frame, probe frame, or association frame. The first signal is received periodically by the STA device at certain time intervals.

[0126] The first signal may include information indicating a first channel puncturing mode. For example, the information indicating the first channel puncturing mode may be a disabled sub-channel bitmap field 323 in the EHT operation element field of the management frame. The disabled channel bitmap field 323 may include 16 bits, each bit corresponding to a 20MHz channel. The value of each bit may be set to 0 or 1, where 0 indicates that the corresponding channel is available (i.e., not punctured), and 1 indicates that the corresponding channel is disabled (i.e., punctured). The number of bits in the disabled channel bitmap field 323 is set based on a first operating bandwidth. The bits of the disabled channel bitmap field 323 corresponding to the first operating bandwidth may be used to indicate the first channel puncturing mode. For example, the high or low bits of the number of bits in the disabled channel bitmap field 323 corresponding to the first operating bandwidth may be used to indicate the first channel puncturing mode. For example, the least significant bit of the number of bits corresponding to the first operating bandwidth in the disabled channel bitmap field 323 corresponds to the lowest frequency 20MHz channel in the first operating bandwidth, and the correspondence proceeds sequentially from low to high until the most significant bit of the number of bits corresponding to the first operating bandwidth in the disabled channel bitmap field 323 corresponds to the highest frequency 20MHz channel in the first operating bandwidth. Alternatively, the most significant bit of the number of bits corresponding to the first operating bandwidth in the disabled channel bitmap field 323 corresponds to the lowest frequency 20MHz channel in the first operating bandwidth, and the correspondence proceeds sequentially from high to low until the least significant bit of the number of bits corresponding to the first operating bandwidth in the disabled channel bitmap field 323 corresponds to the highest frequency 20MHz channel in the first operating bandwidth. The AP device may also not declare the first channel puncturing mode, that is, not puncturing (i.e., not disabling) any channel. The first signal may also include information for indicating the main channel information and the first operating bandwidth, such as a VHT capability information field, so that the STA device can understand the operating frequency range of the AP. The first operating bandwidth may be the maximum operating bandwidth supported by the AP device, or the operating bandwidth used by the AP device after accessing the main channel.

[0127] In EHT SU and EHT MU transmissions, if the AP device requests an immediate response from the STA device, and the third signal (e.g., PPDU) sent by the AP device does not contain a trigger frame, then the AP device's sending of the third signal (e.g., PPDU) and the STA device's transmission of messages in response should follow the declared puncturing pattern. If the AP device does not request an immediate response from the STA, or if the third signal (e.g., PPDU) sent contains a trigger frame, then the AP device's sending of the third signal (e.g., PPDU) and the STA device's transmission of messages in response may not follow the declared puncturing pattern. In the case where the third signal (e.g., PPDU) contains a trigger frame, transmission is performed according to the resource allocation indicated in the trigger frame.

[0128] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the first signal may further include information indicating whether NPCA operation is supported. For example, the first signal may include a UHR capability element field, and the UHR MAC capability information field of the UHR capability element field may include an NPCA support field (1 bit) indicating whether NPCA operation is supported. The value of the NPCA support field is set to 0 to indicate that NPCA operation is not supported, and set to 1 to indicate that NPCA operation is supported. According to embodiments of this disclosure, the UHR capability element field may further include information (1 bit) regarding channel piercing capability in non-primary channel access mode, wherein a value of 0 indicates that channel piercing technology is not supported during NPCA TXOP, and a value of 1 indicates that channel piercing technology is supported during NPATXOP. This disclosure informs the device that channel piercing technology can be enabled during NPATXOP by setting a field indicating that channel piercing capability is enabled during NPCA TXOP, thereby providing greater flexibility and efficiency to the network during NPATXOP.

[0129] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the first signal may further include information indicating the channel where the backup channel (NP20) is located. For example, the first signal may include a UHR operation element field, and the UHR operation element field includes information indicating the channel where the backup channel (NP20) is located. The backup channel (NP20) should be within the first operating bandwidth.

[0130] Then, the STA device can communicate with the AP device based on the first channel punch-through mode.

[0131] In step 1420, during the switch to a non-primary channel access mode in response to the primary channel being idle, the STA device receives a second signal from the AP device during the non-primary channel access transmission timing NPATXOP to claim a second channel puncturing mode of the AP device with a second operating bandwidth during NPATXOP, wherein NPATXOP is obtained by the AP device on a backup channel other than the primary channel for performing NPCA operations, and the second channel puncturing mode is deactivated at the end of NPATXOP.

[0132] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the second channel puncturing mode differs from the first channel puncturing mode. The second channel puncturing mode can indicate that channels within the second operating bandwidth that are not idle are punctured, while spare channels are not punctured. Channels within the second operating bandwidth that are not idle can include channels occupied by OBSS activity and channels (within the second operating bandwidth) that have already been indicated to be punctured in the first channel puncturing mode. Furthermore, if the primary channel (P20) overlaps with the second operating bandwidth, then in the second channel puncturing mode, the primary channel (P20) is punctured. In the first channel puncturing mode, the primary channel cannot be punctured. In this disclosure, using a dynamically changing puncturing mode according to the switching of channel access modes can dynamically adjust channel resource allocation, thereby better adapting to various channel conditions and improving communication quality.

[0133] The second working bandwidth can be the maximum working bandwidth that the AP device can use during NPCA TXOP, and it can be the same as or less than the first working bandwidth.

[0134] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the second signal may be a second frame signal, such as a control frame, for example, an ICF. The second signal (e.g., the ICF) may include information indicating the second channel puncturing mode, such as a disabled subchannel bitmap field. The disabled subchannel bitmap field may be defined similarly to the disabled subchannel bitmap field 323 in the EHT operation element field. The ICF may be transmitted in non-HT or non-HT DUP PPDU format. This disclosure claims the puncturing mode through the ICF, which can take full advantage of the flexibility and simplicity of the ICF, enabling the system to respond flexibly to changing network environments. This is especially important in real-time communication applications (such as video conferencing and voice calls), and can reduce the transmission of other complex control messages, simplifying the communication process.

[0135] The disabled sub-channel bitmap field may include 16 bits, with each bit corresponding to a 20MHz channel. The number of bits in the disabled channel bitmap field is based on a first operating bandwidth setting. Bits in the disabled channel bitmap field corresponding to a second operating bandwidth can be used to indicate a second channel puncturing mode. For example, in response to the second operating bandwidth being the same as the first operating bandwidth, the high or low bits of the number of bits in the disabled channel bitmap field corresponding to the first operating bandwidth are used to indicate the second channel puncturing mode. For example, the least significant bit of the number of bits in the disabled channel bitmap field corresponding to the first operating bandwidth (or the second operating bandwidth) corresponds to the lowest frequency 20MHz channel in the second operating bandwidth, and so on, from low to high, until the most significant bit of the number of bits in the disabled channel bitmap field corresponding to the first operating bandwidth corresponds to the highest frequency 20MHz channel in the second operating bandwidth. Alternatively, the most significant bit of the number of bits corresponding to the first (or second) working bandwidth in the disabled channel bitmap field corresponds to the lowest frequency 20MHz channel in the second working bandwidth, and so on, from high to low, until the least significant bit of the number of bits corresponding to the first working bandwidth in the disabled channel bitmap field corresponds to the highest frequency 20MHz channel in the second working bandwidth. In response to a second working bandwidth being less than the first working bandwidth, the high or low bits of the number of bits corresponding to the second working bandwidth in the disabled channel bitmap field are used to indicate the second channel puncturing mode. For example, the least significant bit of the number of bits corresponding to the second working bandwidth in the disabled channel bitmap field corresponds to the lowest frequency 20MHz channel in the second working bandwidth, and so on, from low to high, with the remaining high-order bits reserved. Alternatively, the most significant bit of the number of bits corresponding to the second working bandwidth in the disabled channel bitmap field corresponds to the lowest frequency 20MHz channel in the second working bandwidth, and so on, from high to low, with the remaining low-order bits reserved.

[0136] During NPATXOP, the STA device can communicate with the AP device based on the claimed second channel puncturing mode. For example, the STA device can transmit using the second operating bandwidth based on the second channel puncturing mode; that is, it transmits on the remaining channels within the second operating bandwidth excluding those indicated as punctured by the second channel puncturing mode. Furthermore, if a third operating bandwidth smaller than the second operating bandwidth is used for transmission, the STA device can transmit on the third operating bandwidth based on the puncturing state of the corresponding channel in the second channel puncturing mode. In this case, the channel puncturing state corresponding to the third operating bandwidth in the second channel puncturing mode can also be called the third channel puncturing mode. Therefore, communication based on the second channel puncturing mode can also be called communication based on the third channel puncturing mode; that is, the STA device transmits on the remaining channels within the third operating bandwidth excluding those indicated as punctured by the third channel puncturing mode, based on the third channel puncturing mode. Here, the third channel puncturing mode is a portion of the second channel puncturing mode within the third operating bandwidth.

[0137] The STA device can receive a second signal on a set of channels determined based on a second channel puncturing pattern. For example, some 20MHz channels within a first operating bandwidth can be identified as having remained idle for more than the PIFS time. The set of channels selected from these 20MHz channels for receiving the second signal may include spare channels (NP20) and excludes channels occupied by OBSS activity and channels indicated as punctured by the first channel puncturing pattern, and the set of channels is within the first operating bandwidth.

[0138] According to embodiments of this disclosure, during NPCA TXOP, the STA device can receive a third signal (e.g., PPDU) carrying data from the AP device. This third signal (e.g., PPDU) is transmitted by the AP device using a third operating bandwidth and a third channel puncturing mode for that third operating bandwidth. Furthermore, the third signal (e.g., PPDU) also includes information indicating the third operating bandwidth and information indicating the third channel puncturing mode, wherein the third operating bandwidth is within a second operating bandwidth, and the third channel puncturing mode follows a second channel puncturing mode within the third operating bandwidth.

[0139] According to embodiments of this disclosure, if a third signal (e.g., a PPDU) sent by the AP device requires an immediate response from the STA device, and the third signal (e.g., the PPDU) does not contain a trigger frame, then the AP device sending the third signal (e.g., the PPDU) and the STA device sending messages in response must follow the claimed third channel puncturing pattern; that is, no more channels can be punctured than the second channel puncturing pattern. If the third signal (e.g., the PPDU) sent by the AP device does not require an immediate response from the STA device, or the PPDU contains a trigger frame, then the AP device sending the third signal (e.g., the PPDU) and the STA device sending messages in response may not follow the claimed third channel puncturing pattern, but instead transmit according to the resource allocation indicated in the trigger frame (if a trigger frame is included).

[0140] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the U-SIG field of the third signal (e.g., PPDU) (e.g., as...) Figure 8 The U-SIG-1 field 811 shown may include a bandwidth field 813 (3 bits from B3 to B5) for indicating the bandwidth (i.e., the third operating bandwidth) used to transmit a third signal (e.g., a PPDU). The U-SIG field of the third signal (e.g., a PPDU) (e.g., as shown in the image) Figure 8 The U-SIG-2 field 812 shown may include a puncturing channel information field 814 (5 bits of B3 to B7) to indicate the third channel puncturing mode.

[0141] If the transmission type used for sending a third signal (e.g., PPDU) between the AP and STA devices is non-OFDMA transmission, then each value represented by all bits of the information indicating the third channel puncturing mode (i.e., the puncturing channel information field) corresponds to a channel puncturing state on the third operating bandwidth. For example, bits B3 to B7 of the puncturing channel information field (e.g., puncturing channel information field 814) are used to represent values ​​0 to 24, each corresponding to a puncturing mode, as shown in Table 1 above. These puncturing modes can correspond to the permitted puncturing modes for non-OFDMA transmissions specified in the IEEE 802.11be protocol, as shown in Figure 2.

[0142] If the transmission type used for sending third signals (e.g., PPDU) between the AP and STA devices is OFDMA transmission, the puncturing mode can be a puncturing mode grouped in 80MHz blocks across the entire operating bandwidth. For example, bits B3 to B6 of the third channel puncturing mode information (i.e., puncturing channel information field 814) correspond to the channel puncturing status (i.e., puncturing mode) for each 80MHz bandwidth block. The puncturing mode for each block can include: 1111, 0111, 1011, 1101, 1110, 0011, 1100, 1001, and 0000. These puncturing modes correspond to the permitted puncturing modes for OFDMA transmissions specified in the IEEE 802.11be protocol.

[0143] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the U-SIG field (e.g., U-SIG-1 field 811) of the third signal (e.g., PPDU) may include a field for indicating whether the third signal (e.g., PPDU) is transmitted in a primary channel access mode or a non-primary channel access mode, such as... Figure 9 The NPCA field 910 is shown. The NPCA field 910 may include 1 bit, the value of which can be set to 0 or 1, where 0 indicates that the third signal (e.g., PPDU) is transmitted in the main channel access mode, and 1 indicates that the third signal (e.g., PPDU) is transmitted in a non-main channel access mode, so that the STA can receive the third signal (e.g., PPDU) on the correct channel and decode the PPDU correctly.

[0144] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the U-SIG field of the third signal (e.g., PPDU) may also include a field for indicating information about the backup channel (NP20).

[0145] In one embodiment, the U-SIG field (e.g., as...) Figure 11 The U-SIG field 1100 shown may include a field for the channel number used for the backup channel (NP20), such as Figure 12 The reference channel number field 1110 is shown. Reference channel number field 1110 may include 8 bits, the value of which is used to indicate the channel number of the backup channel (NP20). For example, a value of 36 for reference channel number field 1110 indicates that the backup channel (NP20) is a 20MHz channel with channel number 36. The channel numbering follows the channel numbering specified in the existing 802.11 protocol. By setting the reference channel number field, this disclosure allows the receiver to quickly identify on which designated channel the PPDU should be decoded, thereby improving decoding efficiency.

[0146] In another embodiment, when multiple backup channels (NP20) are declared available, the U-SIG field (e.g., as shown in the image) is used. Figure 12 The U-SIG field 1200 shown may include a field indicating the channel identifier of the backup channel (NP20) used among multiple backup channels (NP20), such as Figure 12 The reference channel ID field 1210 is shown. The reference channel ID field 1210 may include 2 bits, the value of which is used to represent the channel identifier of the backup channel (NP20). This disclosure allows for flexible management of the use of multiple backup channels by setting a field for indicating the channel identifier of the backup channel (NP20) used among multiple backup channels (NP20).

[0147] In addition to the U-SIG fields 900, 1100, and 1200, the UHR SIG field in the PHY header of the PPDU may similarly include at least one of the following: a field indicating whether a third signal (e.g., the PPDU) is transmitted in primary channel access mode or non-primary channel access mode (e.g., ...). Figure 9 The NPCA field 910 shown), and fields used to indicate information about the backup channel (NP20) (such as...) Figure 11 The reference channel number field 1110 shown, and as follows Figure 12 The reference channel ID field shown is 1210.

[0148] In addition, besides setting the above fields in the PHY header of the PPDU (for example, such as...), Figure 9 The NPCA field 910 shown is as follows: Figure 11 The reference channel number field 1110 shown, and as shown in the example Figure 12 The reference channel ID field 1210 shown may also be set in the second signal (e.g., ICF) to indicate whether the second signal (e.g., ICF) is transmitted in the primary channel access mode or the non-primary channel access mode, and to indicate information about the backup channel (NP20).

[0149] According to embodiments of this disclosure, after switching back to the primary channel access mode from a non-primary channel access mode, the STA device can communicate with the AP device based on a first channel puncturing mode, or it can communicate with the AP device based on another puncturing mode (i.e., a puncturing mode reclaimed under the primary channel access mode). For example, due to reasons such as the expiration of the NPATXOP, adjustments to network management policies, or the primary channel becoming idle, it is determined that a switch back to the primary channel (P20) for transmission is needed. At this time, the second channel puncturing mode used is no longer valid, and the first channel puncturing mode is restored by default. Alternatively, the first channel puncturing mode may not be used, but a new frame (e.g., a management frame) may be initiated to reclaim a new channel puncturing mode, which may be different from the first and second channel puncturing modes. By defaulting to the first channel puncturing mode, this disclosure reduces the complexity of configuration management and reduces the latency caused by reclaiming a new puncturing mode.

[0150] According to the embodiments of this disclosure, the device is allowed to enable channel puncturing technology in non-primary channel access mode and set a puncturing mode used only during NPATXOP. This second channel puncturing mode is different from the first channel puncturing mode declared before switching to non-primary channel access mode. Therefore, the device can make fuller use of idle channels for transmission during NPATXOP, which helps to improve channel utilization and avoid channel resource waste. In addition, the use of dynamically changing puncturing modes according to the switching of channel access modes in this disclosure can dynamically adjust the allocation of channel resources, thereby better adapting to various channel conditions and improving communication quality.

[0151] Figure 15 An exemplary block diagram of an access point (AP) device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0152] like Figure 15 As shown, the access point (AP) device 1500 may include a processor 1510 and a memory 1520. The processor 1510 is communicatively coupled to the memory 1520 and is configured to perform the methods described above.

[0153] A set of computer program instructions stored in memory, when executed by a processor, performs any step of the above method, including: in a primary channel access mode, sending a first signal to one or more terminal station (STA) devices to declare a first channel puncturing mode with a first operating bandwidth of the AP device in the primary channel access mode; in response to the primary channel being not idle, switching to a non-primary channel access mode to obtain an NPCA transmission opportunity (NPCATXOP) on a backup channel outside the primary channel for performing non-primary channel access (NPCA) operations; and during the NPCA TXOP, sending a second signal to the one or more STA devices to declare a second channel puncturing mode with a second operating bandwidth of the AP device during the NPCA TXOP, wherein the second channel puncturing mode is deactivated at the end of the NPCA TXOP. The above relates to... Figure 13 The details described in the method shown also apply here.

[0154] Examples of processor 1510 include microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), state machines, gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured to perform various functionalities throughout the present disclosure.

[0155] Processor 1510 can execute software. Whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or other terms, software should be broadly interpreted to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subroutines, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, execution threads, procedures, functions, etc. Software can reside on memory 1520.

[0156] Memory 1520 may be a non-transitory computer-readable medium. As examples, non-transitory computer-readable media include magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disks, floppy disks, magnetic stripes), optical disks (e.g., compact discs (CDs) or digital versatile discs (DVDs)), smart cards, flash memory devices (e.g., cards, sticks, or key drives), random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), registers, removable disks, erasable PROMs (EEPROMs), and any other suitable medium for storing software and / or instructions that can be accessed and read by a computer. Memory 1520 may reside in processor 1510, be external to processor 1510, or be distributed across multiple entities including processor 1510. Memory 1520 may be embodied in a computer program product. For example, a computer program product may include a computer-readable medium in encapsulation material. Those skilled in the art will recognize how the functionality described herein can be implemented depending on the specific application and the overall design constraints imposed on the system as a whole.

[0157] Additionally, according to another embodiment of this disclosure, a computer program product for wireless communication of an access point (AP) device is disclosed. As an example, the computer program product includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therein, and the program instructions are executable by a processor. When executed, the program instructions cause the processor to perform one or more of the processes described above, and details are omitted herein for brevity.

[0158] This disclosure can be a system, method, and / or computer program product at any possible level of technical detail integration. The computer program product may include a computer-readable storage medium (or medium) having computer-readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to execute aspects of this disclosure.

[0159] Figure 16 An exemplary block diagram of a STA according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0160] like Figure 16 As shown, the access point (AP) device 1600 may include a processor 1610 and a memory 1620. The processor 1610 is communicatively coupled to the memory 1620 and is configured to perform the methods described above.

[0161] A set of computer program instructions stored in memory, when executed by a processor, performs any step of the above method, including: in a primary channel access mode, receiving a first signal from an access point (AP) device to declare a first channel puncturing mode with a first operating bandwidth of the AP device in the primary channel access mode; in a non-primary channel access mode switched to in response to the primary channel being idle, receiving a second signal from the AP device during a non-primary channel access transmission timing NPCA TXOP to declare a second channel puncturing mode with a second operating bandwidth of the AP device during the NPCA TXOP, wherein the NPCA TXOP is obtained by the AP device on a backup channel outside the primary channel for performing NPCA operations, and the second channel puncturing mode is deactivated at the end of the NPCA TXOP. The above relates to... Figure 14 The details described in the method shown also apply here.

[0162] Examples of processor 1610 include microprocessors, microcontrollers, DSPs, FPGAs, PLDs, state machines, gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured to perform various functionalities throughout the present disclosure.

[0163] Processor 1610 can execute software. Whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or other terms, software should be broadly interpreted to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subroutines, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, execution threads, procedures, functions, etc. Software can reside on memory 1620.

[0164] Memory 1620 may be a non-transitory computer-readable medium, similar to memory 1520, and will not be described further here.

[0165] Additionally, according to another embodiment of this disclosure, a computer program product for wireless communication of a first terminal station (STA) device is disclosed. As an example, the computer program product includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therein, and the program instructions are executable by a processor. When executed, the program instructions cause the processor to perform one or more of the processes described above, and details are omitted herein for brevity.

[0166] The wireless communication method, AP device, and STA device according to embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. Allowing the device to perform channel puncturing during NPCA TXOP enables the device to make fuller use of idle channels for transmission during NPCA TXOP, helping to improve channel utilization and avoid channel resource waste. By limiting the second channel puncturing mode to use only during NPCA TXOP, the puncturing mode is more compatible with the channel conditions of NPCA. Outside of NPCA, the second channel puncturing mode automatically disables to dynamically change the puncturing mode, reducing the delay caused by additional notification of the puncturing mode, thereby improving communication efficiency and maximizing resource utilization. Furthermore, the present disclosure uses ICF to declare the puncturing mode, which can improve the flexibility of signaling notification and simplify the communication process.

[0167] Unless otherwise expressly stated, expressions such as “according to,” “based on,” “depending on,” etc., as used in this disclosure do not mean “according to only,” “based on only,” or “depending on only.” In other words, in this disclosure, such expressions generally mean “at least according to,” “at least based on,” or “at least depending on.”

[0168] Any references to elements in this disclosure, such as the names "first," "second," etc., are not intended to comprehensively limit the number or order of these elements. These expressions may be used in this disclosure as a convenient way to distinguish two or more units. Therefore, references to the first unit and the second unit do not imply that only two units may be used, or that the first unit must precede the second unit in some form.

[0169] The term "determine" as used in this disclosure can include various operations. For example, "determine," calculation, operation, processing, derivation, investigation, search (e.g., searching in a table, database, or other data structure), and ascertainment are all considered "determine." Additionally, "determine" also refers to receiving (e.g., receiving information), sending (e.g., sending information), inputting, outputting, and accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory). Furthermore, "determine" can also refer to parsing, selecting, picking, building, and comparing. In other words, several actions can be considered "determine."

[0170] As used in this disclosure, terms such as “connection,” “coupling,” or any variation thereof refer to any direct or indirect connection or combination between two or more units, which may include situations where one or more intermediate units exist between two units that are “connected” or “coupled” to each other. The coupling or connection between units may be physical or logical, or a combination of both. As used in this disclosure, two units may be considered electrically connected by means of one or more wires, cables, and / or printing, and as numerous non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples, may be “connected” or “coupled” to each other by means of electromagnetic energy in the radio frequency region, microwave region, and / or light (visible and invisible) region, etc.

[0171] When the terms “comprising,” “including,” and variations thereof are used in this disclosure or claims, these terms are open-ended, just like the term “having.” Furthermore, the term “or” as used in this disclosure or claims is not an exclusive “or.”

[0172] Those skilled in the art will understand that many changes and / or modifications can be made to the present disclosure shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure as broadly described. Therefore, the embodiments are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive in all respects.

Claims

1. A wireless communication method for an access point (AP) device, comprising: In the primary channel access mode, a first signal is sent to one or more terminal station (STA) devices to declare the first channel puncturing mode of the AP device in the primary channel access mode with a first operating bandwidth. In response to the main channel being not idle, the system switches to the non-main channel access mode and obtains the NPCA transmission opportunity (NPCA TXOP) on a backup channel other than the main channel used to perform the non-main channel access NPCA operation. as well as During the NPCA TXOP, a second signal is sent to the one or more STA devices to declare a second channel puncturing mode of the second operating bandwidth of the AP device during the NPCA TXOP, wherein the second channel puncturing mode is deactivated at the end of the NPCA TXOP.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The second channel puncturing mode is different from the first channel puncturing mode.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein, The second channel puncturing mode indicates that channels that are not idle within the second working bandwidth are punctured, while the spare channels are not punctured.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The second signal includes the Initial Control Frame (ICF).

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: During NPCA TXOP, the AP device sends a third signal carrying data to one or more STA devices using a third operating bandwidth and a third channel puncturing mode for the third operating bandwidth, wherein the third signal includes information for indicating the third operating bandwidth and information for indicating the third channel puncturing mode, the third operating bandwidth being within the second operating bandwidth, and the third channel puncturing mode following the second channel puncturing mode within the third operating bandwidth.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: After switching back to the main channel access mode from the non-main channel access mode, communication is conducted with the one or more STA devices based on the first channel puncturing mode; or After switching back to the primary channel access mode from the non-primary channel access mode, communication is conducted with the one or more STA devices based on the channel puncturing mode reclaimed in the primary channel access mode.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The first signal includes information indicating the first channel puncturing mode.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The first signal includes information indicating that the AP device has channel puncturing capability in the non-primary channel access mode.

9. The method according to claim 5, wherein, The third signal also includes a field indicating whether the third signal is transmitted in the primary channel access mode or the non-primary channel access mode.

10. The method according to claim 5, wherein, The third signal also includes a field for indicating information about the backup channel.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The second signal includes information indicating the second channel punching mode.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The second signal includes a disabled channel bitmap field for indicating the second channel puncturing mode, wherein each bit in the disabled channel bitmap field corresponds to a 20MHz channel.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein, The first working bandwidth is greater than or equal to the second working bandwidth, and the number of bits in the disabled channel bitmap field is set based on the first working bandwidth; The bits in the disabled channel bitmap field that correspond to the second working bandwidth are used to represent the second channel puncturing mode.

14. The method according to claim 5, wherein, The third signal is transmitted in non-orthogonal frequency division multiple access (non-OFDMA), and each value represented by all bits of the information indicating the third channel puncturing mode corresponds to a channel puncturing state of the third operating bandwidth.

15. The method according to claim 5, wherein, The third signal is transmitted using Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), and each 4 bits of information indicating the third channel puncturing mode corresponds to a channel puncturing state of an 80MHz bandwidth of the third operating bandwidth, where each bit corresponds to a 20MHz channel.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The set of channels used to transmit the second signal is within the first operating bandwidth, and includes the spare channels, but does not include channels occupied by the Overlapping Basic Service Set (OBSS) or channels indicated by the first channel puncturing mode as punctured.

17. A wireless communication method for a terminal station (STA) device, comprising: In the primary channel access mode, a first signal is received from the access point (AP) device to declare the first channel puncturing mode of the AP device in the primary channel access mode with a first operating bandwidth. In a non-primary channel access mode switched to in response to the primary channel being idle, a second signal is received from the AP device during the non-primary channel access transmission timing NPCA TXOP to declare a second channel puncturing mode of the second operating bandwidth of the AP device during the NPCATXOP, wherein the NPCATXOP is obtained by the AP device on a backup channel for performing NPCA operations outside the primary channel, and the second channel puncturing mode is deactivated at the end of the NPCATXOP.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising: During NPCA TXOP, the STA device receives a third signal carrying data from the AP device, wherein the third signal is transmitted by the AP device using a third operating bandwidth and a third channel puncturing mode for the third operating bandwidth, and the third signal includes information for indicating the third operating bandwidth and information for indicating the third channel puncturing mode, the third operating bandwidth being within the second operating bandwidth, and the third channel puncturing mode following the second channel puncturing mode within the third operating bandwidth.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising: After switching back to the main channel access mode from the non-main channel access mode, communication with the AP device is based on the first channel puncturing mode; or After switching back to the primary channel access mode from the non-primary channel access mode, communication is conducted with the AP device based on the channel puncturing mode reclaimed in the primary channel access mode.

20. An access point (AP) device, comprising: processor; Memory coupled to the processor; as well as Computer program instructions stored in the memory, which, when executed by the processor, perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-16.

21. A terminal station (STA) device, comprising: processor; Memory coupled to the processor; as well as Computer program instructions stored in the memory, which, when executed by the processor, perform the method as described in any one of claims 17-19.

22. A computer program product comprising computer program instructions that, when executed by a processor of an access point (AP) device, perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-16.

23. A computer program product comprising computer program instructions that, when executed by a processor of a terminal station (STA) device, perform the method as described in any one of claims 17-19.

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