Aid assignment method for multi-link device and related device

Abstract

To provide a more accurate AID allocation method for a multi-link device in a wireless communication system, and a communication apparatus.SOLUTION: An association identifier (AID) allocation method for a multi-link device includes a step in which an access point multi-link device generates and sends a first frame. Correspondingly, a station device receives and parses the first frame to obtain an AID that is allocated to the station device and carried in the first frame. The AID is neither a basic service set identifier (BSSID) that can be supported by a first-type access point in the access point multi-link device nor an identifier of an access point in the access point multi-link device. The first-type access point is an access point for establishing a link between the station device and the access point multi-link device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202010622036.9, entitled “AID Allocation Method and Related Apparatus for Multi-Link Device,” filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China on July 1, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present application relates to the field of wireless communication technologies, and in particular to an AID allocation method and related apparatus for multi-link devices. [Background technology]

[0003] An association identifier (AID) is an identifier (ID) assigned by an access point (AP) to an associated station (STA) after establishing an association, and may be considered as the ID of the associated STA. The AID may be used to identify and distinguish STAs associated with an AP, and may be used as an index in some frame structures to point to a specific associated STA. If an AP can support multiple basic service set identifiers (BSSIDs), or beacon frames or probe response frames to carry multiple BSSID elements, the maximum number of BSSIDs that an AP can support is 2. n This is because the BSSID range is [1,2 n Therefore, the range of AIDs that can be assigned to STAs by an AP is [2 n,2007]. n may be the value of the max BSSID indicator field of the BSSID element. If the AP cannot support multiple BSSIDs or if the beacon or probe response frames cannot carry multiple BSSID elements, the range of AIDs that may be assigned by the AP to a STA is [1,2007].

[0004] In a multi-link device (MLD), multiple STAs included in one non-access point (non-AP) MLD share one same AID, i.e., one non-AP MLD has only one AID. Because AP MLD may implement cross-link traffic indication map (TIM) indication. In other words, AP1 and AP2 are assumed to belong to the same AP MLD. The cross-link TIM indication sent by AP1 can not only carry the TIM information of AP1, but also the TIM information of AP2. The TIM information can indicate whether the AP has a service for the non-AP MLD associated with AP2. However, in some cases, AID ambiguity may occur when AP MLD uses cross-link TIM indication. For example, it is assumed that AP1 and AP2 belong to the same AP MLD. If the beacon frame or probe response frame of AP1 includes multiple BSSID elements, it indicates that AP1 can support multiple BSSIDs. If the beacon frame or probe response frame of AP2 does not contain multiple BSSID elements, it indicates that AP2 cannot support multiple BSSIDs and has only one BSSID. In this case, the range of AIDs assigned by AP1 to the non-AP MLD associated with AP1 is [2 n,2007], and the range of AIDs assigned by AP2 to the non-AP MLD associated with AP2 is [1,2007]. In this case, when the AP MLD uses the cross-link TIM indication, the cross-link TIM indication not only carries the TIM information of AP1, but also the TIM information of AP2, so the BSSIDs supported by AP1 may conflict with the AIDs assigned by AP2 to the non-AP MLD associated with AP2. In other words, the range of multiple BSSIDs of AP1 is [1,2 n -1], and the AID range of the non-AP MLD associated with AP2 is also [1,2 n Therefore, upon receiving a cross-link TIM indication sent by an AP MLD, the non-AP MLD will n It is not possible to determine whether a non-AP MLD that is the same as the BSSID of AP1 has service (because this part of the AID is the same as the BSSID of AP1), i.e., the AID is ambiguous. Therefore, when one or more APs in an AP MLD can support multiple BSSIDs, how the AP MLD assigns AIDs to non-AP MLDs to avoid AID ambiguity during cross-link TIM indication becomes an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The embodiments of the present application provide an AID allocation method and related apparatus for multi-link devices, to allocate more accurate AIDs to station devices, thereby avoiding AID ambiguity in cross-link TIM indication.

[0006] The present application will be described below from multiple aspects, and it should be understood that cross-references can be made to the following embodiments and the beneficial effects of different aspects.

[0007] According to a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an AID allocation method for a multilink device, the AID allocation method for the multilink device includes an access point multilink device generating and transmitting a first frame, the first frame may carry an AID assigned to a station device. The AID is neither a BSSID that may be supported by a first type of access point in the access point multilink device, nor an identifier of an access point in the access point multilink device. The first type of access point is an access point for establishing a link between the station device and the access point multilink device.

[0008] Optionally, the first frame may be an association response frame or a multi-link association response frame.

[0009] Optionally, before the access point multilink device transmits the first frame, the station device transmits an association request frame or a multilink association request frame to the access point multilink device to request to establish an association relationship with the access point multilink device. After the access point multilink device receives the association request frame or the multilink association request frame, the access point multilink device may return an association response frame or a multilink association response frame to the station device.

[0010] In this solution, when an AID is assigned to a station device, the BSSID assigned to the AP and / or the BSSID that can be supported by the first type AP is not allowed to be assigned to the Non-AP MLD, so that a more accurate AID can be assigned to the Non-AP MLD, thereby avoiding AID ambiguity in the crosslink TIM indication.

[0011] According to a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an AID allocation method for a multi-link device, the AID allocation method for a multi-link device includes: a station device receives and analyzes a first frame to obtain an AID that is assigned to the station device and carried in the first frame. The AID is neither a BSSID that can be supported by a first type of access point in the access point multi-link device, nor an identifier of an access point in the access point multi-link device. The first type of access point is an access point for establishing a link between the station device and the access point multi-link device.

[0012] Optionally, the first frame may be an association response frame or a multi-link association response frame.

[0013] Optionally, before the access point multilink device transmits the first frame, the station device may generate and transmit an association request frame or a multilink association request frame to request to establish an association relationship with the access point multilink device. After the access point multilink device receives the association request frame or the multilink association request frame, the access point multilink device may return an association response frame or a multilink association response frame to the station device.

[0014] According to a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which may be an access point multilink device or a chip in the access point multilink device, for example a Wi-Fi chip; a processing unit configured to generate a first frame; a transceiver unit configured to transmit a first frame; and the first frame may carry an AID assigned to the station device. The AID is neither a BSSID that can be supported by a first type of access point in the access point multilink device nor an identifier of an access point in the access point multilink device. The first type of access point is an access point for establishing a link between the station device and the access point multilink device.

[0015] Optionally, the first frame may be an association response frame or a multi-link association response frame.

[0016] Optionally, the station device may send an association request frame or a multilink association request frame to the access point multilink device to request to establish an association relationship with the access point multilink device. After the access point multilink device receives the association request frame or the multilink association request frame, the access point multilink device may return an association response frame or a multilink association response frame to the station device.

[0017] According to a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which may be a station device or a chip in the station device, for example a Wi-Fi chip; a transceiver unit configured to receive a first frame; a processing unit configured to analyze the first frame to obtain an AID assigned to the station device and carried in the first frame; The AID is neither a BSSID that can be supported by a first type of access point in the access point multilink device nor an identifier of an access point in the access point multilink device. The first type of access point is an access point for establishing a link between the station device and the access point multilink device.

[0018] Optionally, the first frame may be an association response frame or a multi-link association response frame.

[0019] Optionally, the station device may send an association request frame or a multilink association request frame to the access point multilink device to request to establish an association relationship with the access point multilink device. After the access point multilink device receives the association request frame or the multilink association request frame, the access point multilink device may return an association response frame or a multilink association response frame to the station device.

[0020] In one embodiment of the above-mentioned aspects, the BSSID that may be supported by the first type of access point in the above-mentioned access point multilink device is:

number

[0021] N may be a number of access points of a first type;

number

[0022] Optionally, the identifiers of the access points in the access point multilink device may include M discrete integer values ​​or M consecutive integer values. M may be the number of access points included in the access point multilink device, and M may be a positive integer greater than 1. N may be less than or equal to M.

[0023] In this solution, the BSSID that can be supported by some APs in the access point multilink device is not allowed to be assigned to the station device, so that the range that is not allowed to be assigned is narrowed if it is guaranteed that no AID ambiguity occurs in the crosslink TIM indication. In this way, the range of AIDs that can be assigned to the station device is expanded, and the utilization of identifier resources can be improved.

[0024] In an implementation of any one of the aforementioned aspects, the AID carried in the first frame is not any value in the following ranges:

number

[0025] N may be a number of access points of a first type;

number

[0026] In this solution, the segment of consecutive values ​​following the BSSID that can be supported by the first type of access point in the access point multilink device is directly used as the identifier of the access point in the access point multilink device. In other words, the identifier of the access point in the access point multilink device and the BSSID that can be supported by the first type of access point may form a consecutive range, and the AID carried in the first frame cannot be any value in the consecutive range. Therefore, the access point multilink device can assign consecutive AIDs to the station device, thereby reducing the difficulty of selecting an AID by the access point multilink device.

[0027] According to a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, specifically an access point multilink device, including a processor and a transceiver. The processor is configured to support the access point multilink device in performing corresponding functions in the method of the first aspect. The transceiver is configured to support communication between the access point multilink device and a station device, and to transmit information, frames, data packets, instructions, etc. in the aforementioned method to the station device. The access point multilink device may further include a memory. The memory is configured to be coupled to the processor, and the memory stores program instructions and data required for the access point multilink device.

[0028] Specifically, the processor is configured to generate a first frame. The transceiver is configured to transmit the first frame, where the first frame carries an AID assigned to the station device. The AID is neither a BSSID that can be supported by a first type of access point in the access point multilink device nor an identifier of an access point in the access point multilink device. The first type of access point is an access point for establishing a link between the station device and the access point multilink device.

[0029] According to a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, the communication device is specifically a station device, and includes a processor and a transceiver. The transceiver is configured to receive a first frame, and the processor is configured to analyze the received first frame to obtain an AID assigned to the station device and carried in the first frame. The AID is neither a BSSID that can be supported by a first type of access point in the access point multilink device, nor an identifier of an access point in the access point multilink device. The first type of access point is an access point for establishing a link between the station device and the access point multilink device. Optionally, the communication device may further include a processor. The processor may be configured to generate an association request frame or a multilink association request frame. The access point multilink device may further include a memory. The memory is configured to be coupled to the processor, and the memory stores program instructions and data required for the access point multilink device.

[0030] According to a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip or chip system including an input / output interface and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to generate a first frame. The input / output interface is configured to transmit the first frame, and the first frame carries an AID assigned to a station device. The AID is neither a BSSID that can be supported by a first type of access point in the access point multilink device nor an identifier of an access point in the access point multilink device. The first type of access point is an access point for establishing a link between the station device and the access point multilink device.

[0031] In a possible design, the input / output interface is configured to receive a first frame from the AP MLD. The processing circuit is configured to analyze the received first frame to obtain an AID assigned to the station device and carried in the first frame. The AID is neither a BSSID that can be supported by a first type of access point in the access point multilink device nor an identifier of an access point in the access point multilink device. The first type of access point is an access point for establishing a link between the station device and the access point multilink device.

[0032] According to an eighth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, the computer-readable storage medium storing instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to perform an AID assignment method for a multi-link device according to any one of the above aspects.

[0033] According to a ninth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions, which when executed on a computer enable the computer to perform the AID allocation method for a multi-link device according to the above aspect.

[0034] According to an embodiment of the present application, a more accurate AID can be assigned to a station device, thereby avoiding AID ambiguity in a crosslink TIM indication.

[0035] In order to describe the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application more clearly, the following briefly describes the accompanying drawings used to describe the embodiments. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0036] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic architectural diagram of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 2a] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a multi-link device according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 2b] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of another structure of a multi-link device according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 3a] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of multi-link communication according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 3b] FIG. 2 is another schematic diagram of multi-link communication according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 4] 4 is a schematic flowchart of an AID allocation method for a multi-link device according to an embodiment of the present application; [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of an AID element according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of communication between Non-AP MLD and AP MLD according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of another structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0037] The following clearly and completely describes the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0038] In order to facilitate understanding of the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the following briefly describes the system architecture of the AID allocation method for multi-link devices provided in the embodiments of the present application. It should be understood that the system architecture described in the embodiments of the present application is intended to more clearly describe the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and does not constitute any limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application.

[0039] The embodiment of the present application provides an AID allocation method for a multi-link device applied to a wireless communication system to allocate a more accurate AID to a station device, thereby avoiding AID ambiguity in a cross-link TIM indication. The wireless communication system may be a wireless local area network or a cellular network. The AID allocation method may be implemented by a communication device in the wireless communication system, or a chip or processor in the communication device. The communication device may be a wireless communication device that supports simultaneous transmission on multiple links. For example, the communication device may be referred to as a multi-link device or a multi-band device. Compared with a communication device that only supports single-link transmission, the multi-link device has higher transmission efficiency and higher throughput.

[0040] A multilink device includes one or more affiliated stations (STAs). An affiliated station is a logical station and may operate on one link. An affiliated station may be an access point (AP) or a non-access point station (non-AP STA). For ease of explanation, in this application, a multilink device whose affiliated station is an AP may be referred to as a multilink AP, a multilink AP device, or an AP multilink device (AP multi-link device, AP MLD), and a multilink device whose affiliated station is a non-AP STA may be referred to as a multilink Non-AP, a multilink Non-AP device, or a Non-AP multilink device (Non-AP multi-link device, Non-AP MLD). For ease of explanation, in the embodiment of this application, "a multilink device includes an affiliated station" is also simply described as "a multilink device includes a station".

[0041] A multilink device includes one or more affiliated STAs. In other words, one multilink device may include multiple logical stations. Each logical station operates on one link, but multiple logical stations can operate on the same link. During data transmission, AP MLD and Non-AP MLD may use a link identifier to identify a link or a station on a link. Before communication, AP MLD and Non-AP MLD may first negotiate or communicate with each other about the correspondence between the link identifier and the link or a station on the link. Therefore, during data transmission, the link identifier is carried without transmitting a large amount of signaling information to indicate the link or a station on the link. This reduces signaling overhead and improves transmission efficiency.

[0042] In one example, when the AP MLD establishes a basic service set (BSS), the transmitted management frame, e.g., a beacon frame, carries an element including multiple link identifier information fields. Each link identifier information field includes a link identifier and further includes one or more of a BSS identifier, an operation set, and a channel number. One or more of the BSS identifier, the operation set, and the channel number correspond to the link identifier. In another example, in the process of establishing a multi-link association, the AP MLD and the Non-AP MLD negotiate multiple link identifier information fields. In subsequent communication, the AP MLD or the Non-AP MLD uses the link identifier to represent the stations at both ends of the corresponding link. The link identifier can further represent one or more attributes of the station's MAC address, the operating operation set, and the channel number. The MAC address can also be replaced with the association identifier (AID) of the associated AP MLD.

[0043] When multiple stations operate on a link, the link identifier (which is a numeric ID) not only represents the operation set and channel number on which the link is located, but also the identifier of the station operating on the link, e.g. the station's MAC address or association identifier AID.

[0044] A multilink device may implement wireless communication conforming to the IEEE 802.11 series protocol. For example, a multilink device may be a station conforming to an extremely high throughput rate based on or compatible with IEEE 802.11be to implement communication with other devices. Of course, the other devices may or may not be multilink devices.

[0045] The AID allocation method for multi-link devices provided in the embodiments of the present application may be applied to a scenario in which one node communicates with one or more nodes, may be applied to a single-user uplink / downlink communication scenario or a multi-user uplink / downlink communication scenario, or may be applied to a device to device (D2D) communication scenario.

[0046] Any one of the aforementioned nodes may be an AP MLD or a Non-AP MLD. For example, the AID allocation method is applied to a scenario in which an AP MLD communicates with a Non-AP MLD, a scenario in which a Non-AP MLD communicates with a Non-AP MLD, or a scenario in which an AP MLD communicates with an AP MLD. This is not limited in the embodiment of the present application. Optionally, one of the aforementioned nodes may be a multi-link device, and the other node may be a multi-link device or may not be a multi-link device. For example, the AID allocation method is applied to a scenario in which an AP MLD communicates with a single-link device. The single-link device may be a STA.

[0047] For ease of explanation, the scenario in which AP MLD communicates with STA is used as the following example to explain the system architecture of the present application. It can be understood that the STA in this specification has a broad definition and refers to the STA side, and can be a single-link STA or a Non-AP MLD.

[0048] FIG. 1 is a schematic architecture diagram of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present application. FIG. 1 illustrates an application scenario of an embodiment of the present application by using a wireless local area network as an example. The wireless communication system shown in FIG. 1 includes an AP multilink device 100 and a Non-AP multilink device 200. The AP multilink device is a multilink device that serves a Non-AP multilink device, and the Non-AP multilink device can communicate with the AP multilink device by using multiple links to improve the throughput rate. Indeed, the wireless communication system may further include other devices, such as a Non-AP multilink device 300 and a single-link STA 400. The number of AP multilink devices and the number of Non-AP multilink devices in FIG. 1 are merely examples.

[0049] Optionally, Fig. 2a is a schematic diagram of a structure of a multi-link device according to an embodiment of the present application. The IEEE 802.11 standard focuses on the 802.11 physical layer (PHY) part and media access control (MAC) layer part in a multi-link device. As shown in Fig. 2a, multiple STAs included in a multi-link device are independent of each other in a low MAC layer and a PHY layer, and are also independent of each other in a high MAC layer. Fig. 2b is a schematic diagram of another structure of a multi-link device according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Fig. 2b, multiple STAs included in a multi-link device are independent of each other in a low MAC layer and a PHY layer, and share a high MAC layer. Indeed, in a multi-link communication process, a Non-AP multi-link device can use a structure in which high MAC layers are independent of each other, and an AP multi-link device uses a structure in which high MAC layers are shared. Alternatively, the Non-AP multilink device may use a structure in which the high MAC layer is shared, and the AP multilink device may use a structure in which the high MAC layers are independent of each other. Alternatively, both the Non-AP multilink device and the AP multilink device may use a structure in which the high MAC layer is shared. Alternatively, both the Non-AP multilink device and the AP multilink device may use a structure in which the high MAC layers are independent of each other. In this embodiment of the present application, the schematic diagram of the internal structure of the multilink device is not limited. Figures 2a and 2b are merely examples for explanation. For example, the high MAC layer or the low MAC layer may be implemented by one processor in the chip system of the multilink device, or may be implemented by different processing modules in the chip system.

[0050] For example, the multilink device in this embodiment of the present application may be a single antenna device or may be a multi-antenna device. For example, the multilink device may be a device having three or more antennas. In this embodiment of the present application, the number of antennas included in the multilink device is not limited. In this embodiment of the present application, the multilink device may allow services of the same access type to be transmitted on different links, or may even allow the same data packet to be transmitted on different links. Alternatively, the multilink device may not allow services of the same access type to be transmitted on different links, but may allow services of different access types to be transmitted on different links.

[0051] The frequency bands in which the multi-link device operates may include one or more of the following frequency bands: sub 1 GHz, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, and high frequency 60 GHz.

[0052] Fig. 3a is a schematic diagram of a multi-link communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. Fig. 3a is a schematic diagram of communication between an AP MLD 100 and a Non-AP MLD 200. As shown in Fig. 3a, the AP MLD 100 includes n associated stations, namely, AP 100-1, AP 100-2, ..., and AP 100-n. The Non-AP MLD 200 includes n associated stations, namely, STA 200-1, STA 200-2, ..., and STA 200-n. The AP MLD 100 and the Non-AP MLD 200 communicate simultaneously via link 1, link 2, ..., and link n. An AP in the AP MLD may establish a link with a STA in the Non-AP MLD for communication. For example, AP 100-1 in the AP MLD 100 establishes link 1 with STA 200-1 in the non-AP MLD 200 for communication, AP 100-2 in the AP MLD 100 establishes link 2 with STA 200-2 in the non-AP MLD 200 for communication, and so on.

[0053] FIG. 3b is another schematic diagram of a multi-link communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. FIG. 3b is a schematic diagram of an AP MLD 100 communicating with a Non-AP MLD 200, a Non-AP MLD 300, and a STA 400. As shown in FIG. 3b, it is assumed that the AP MLD 100 includes three associated stations, AP 100-1 to AP 100-3. The Non-AP MLD 200 includes two associated stations, namely, STA 200-1 and STA 200-2. The Non-AP MLD 300 includes two associated stations, namely, STA 300-1 and STA 300-2. The STA 400 is a single-link device. The AP MLD 100 may individually communicate with the Non-AP MLD 200 via link 1 and link 3, communicate with the Non-AP MLD 300 via link 2 and link 3, and communicate with the STA 400 via link 1.

[0054] In one example, the STA400 operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency band. The STA300-1 included in the Non-AP MLD300 operates in the 5 GHz frequency band, and the STA300-2 included in the Non-AP MLD300 operates in the 6 GHz frequency band. The STA200-1 included in the Non-AP MLD200 operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, and the STA200-2 included in the Non-AP MLD200 operates in the 6 GHz frequency band. The AP100-1, which operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency band and is in the AP MLD100, may transmit uplink or downlink data to the STA400 and the STA200-2 in the Non-AP MLD200 via link 1. The AP100-2, which operates in the 5 GHz frequency band and is in the AP MLD100, may transmit uplink or downlink data to the STA300-1, which operates in the 5 GHz frequency band and is in the Non-AP MLD300, via link 2. AP100-3, operating in the 6 GHz frequency band and within AP MLD100, may transmit uplink or downlink data to STA200-2, operating in the 6 GHz frequency band and within Non-AP MLD200, via link 3, or may transmit uplink or downlink data to STA300-2 in Non-AP MLD300 via link 3.

[0055] For example, a multi-link device (such as any one of the multi-link devices AP MLD100, Non-AP MLD200, and Non-AP MLD300 in FIG. 1) is a device having a wireless communication function. The device may be a complete device, or a chip, processing system, etc. installed in the complete device. The device in which the chip or processing system is installed can implement the method and function of the present embodiment of the present application under the control of the chip or processing system. For example, the Non-AP multi-link device in the embodiment of the present application may have a wireless transceiver function, support 802.11 series protocols, and communicate with AP multi-link devices or other Non-AP multi-link devices. For example, the Non-AP multi-link device is any user communication device that allows a user to communicate with an AP and then communicate with a WLAN. For example, the Non-AP multilink device may be a user equipment that can be connected to a network, such as a tablet computer, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, an ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), a handheld computer, a netbook, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or a mobile phone, and may be an Internet of Things node in the Internet of Things, or an in-vehicle communication device in the Internet of Vehicles. The Non-AP multilink device may alternatively be a chip and processing system in the aforementioned terminal. The AP multilink device in the embodiment of the present application is a device that provides services to the Non-AP multilink device, and may support the 802.11 series protocol. For example, the AP multilink device may be a communication entity such as a communication server, a router, a switch, or a bridge, and the AP multilink device may include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, etc.Indeed, the AP multilink device may alternatively be chips and processing systems of various forms of devices to implement the methods and functions in the embodiments of the present application.

[0056] It can be understood that the multi-link device can support high-rate low-latency transmission. With the continuous development of application scenarios of wireless local area networks, the multi-link device can be further applied to more scenarios, such as sensor nodes in smart cities (e.g., smart meters, smart electric meters, and smart air detection nodes), smart devices in smart homes (e.g., smart cameras, projectors, displays, TVs, stereos, refrigerators, washing machines), nodes in the Internet of Things, entertainment terminals (e.g., wearable devices such as AR and VR), smart devices in smart offices (e.g., printers and projectors), IoV devices in the Internet of Vehicles, and some infrastructures in daily life scenarios (e.g., vending machines, self-service navigation terminals in supermarkets, self-service cash register devices, and self-service ordering machines). The specific forms of the Non-AP multi-link device and the AP multi-link device are not limited in the embodiments of the present application, and are described herein merely as examples. The 802.11 protocol may be a protocol that supports 802.11be or is compatible with 802.11be.

[0057] The above briefly describes the system architecture of the AID allocation method for multi-link devices provided in the embodiments of the present application. In order to better understand the technical solution of the present application, the following describes the technical solution of the present application in detail with reference to possible application scenarios of the embodiments of the present application.

[0058] In a wireless communication system, the identifier of an AP MLD is 0 by default, and multiple APs in an AP MLD share an identifier (i.e., identifier 0). Therefore, it cannot be identified which AP in an AP MLD transmits a message / information / radio frame. Therefore, this embodiment of the present application provides an AP MLD identifier assignment method for assigning different identifiers to APs to identify APs, so that messages / information / radio frames, etc. transmitted by different APs are distinguished by using the identifiers of the APs. One embodiment is as follows: the AP MLD assigns different identifiers to different APs, for example, directly indicates the identifiers of each AP. The identifiers of APs in the same AP MLD may be consecutive integer values ​​or may be non-consecutive integer values. For example, the AP MLD includes a total of five APs, AP1, AP2, AP3, AP4, and AP5. The identifier assigned to AP1 may be 1, the identifier assigned to AP2 may be 5, the identifier assigned to AP3 may be 4, the identifier assigned to AP4 may be 7, and the identifier assigned to AP5 may be 3. In another embodiment, the AP MLD directly indicates the start and end identifiers of the M access points. For example, the identifiers assigned by the AP MLD to the M access points are:

number

number

number

number

number

number

[0059] The identifiers of each AP in the AP MLD, the BSSIDs that may be supported by each AP, and the AIDs assigned by the AP MLD to the Non-AP MLD use the same identification system, i.e., the identifiers of each AP, the BSSIDs that may be supported by each AP, and the AIDs of the Non-AP MLD are all integer values ​​drawn from the range [1,2007].

[0060] Therefore, this embodiment of the present application provides an AID allocation method for multi-link devices, to allocate a more accurate AID to a station device, thereby avoiding AID ambiguity in a cross-link TIM indication.

[0061] It should be understood that the station device in this application may be a Non-AP multi-link device or a single-link STA device. For simplicity of explanation, the following uses an example in which the station device is a Non-AP MLD.

[0062] It will be understood that in this embodiment of the present application, an AP MLD assigns one AID to one Non-AP MLD, and all stations in the Non-AP MLD share the AID.

[0063] Optionally, the "BSSID that may be supported by an access point" referred to in this application may be the BSSID of the BSS to which the access point belongs. It is understood that one BSS may have multiple BSSIDs. There may be multiple types of users or users supporting multiple services in a small area. When different APs are used in a small area, channel interference between different APs cannot be avoided because each AP tries to find a clean channel. Therefore, IEEE 802.11ax proposes that one AP is virtualized into multiple APs for each service type or customer type. Therefore, one virtual AP may have one BSSID, i.e., one real AP has multiple BSSIDs.

[0064] 4 is a schematic flowchart of an AID allocation method for a multi-link device according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 4, the AID allocation method for a multi-link device includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0065] S401: AP MLD generates a first frame.

[0066] S402: The AP MLD sends a first frame, where the first frame carries an AID assigned to the Non-AP MLD, where the AID is neither a BSSID that can be supported by a first type of AP in the AP MLD nor an identifier of an AP in the AP MLD, and the first type of AP is an access point for establishing a link between the Non-AP MLD and the AP MLD.

[0067] S403: The Non-AP MLD receives a first frame.

[0068] S404: The Non-AP MLD analyzes the first frame to obtain an AID assigned to the Non-AP MLD and carried in the first frame.

[0069] Optionally, the first frame may be an association response frame or a multi-link association response frame.

[0070] Specifically, the Non-AP MLD sends a multi-link association request frame to the AP MLD to request to establish an association relationship with the AP MLD. In response to the multi-link association request frame, the AP MLD sends a multi-link association response frame to the Non-AP MLD. Correspondingly, the Non-AP MLD receives the multi-link association response frame and analyzes the multi-link association response frame to obtain an AID assigned to the Non-AP MLD and carried in the multi-link association response frame. The AID is neither a BSSID that can be supported by the first type of AP in the AP MLD nor an identifier of the AP in the AP MLD. The AID may be carried in the AID element of the multi-link association response frame / association response frame. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of an AID element according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 5, the AID element includes a 1-byte element identifier, a 1-byte length, and a 2-byte AID.

[0071] Optionally, the first type AP may be an access point for establishing links between Non-AP MLD and AP MLD. The BSSIDs that may be supported by the first type AP in the AP MLD are:

number

number

[0072] The communication between the AP MLD 100 and the Non-AP MLD 300 in FIG. 3b is used as an example. The links established between the Non-AP MLD 300 and the AP MLD 100 are link 2 and link 3. In this case, the "first type access point" in the AP MLD 100 includes the AP 100-2 corresponding to link 2 and the AP 100-3 corresponding to link 3. In other words, the BSSID that can be supported by the first type AP in the AP MLD is the BSSID that can be supported by the first access point AP 100-2 in the first type AP, i.e.

number

number

number

number

number

[0073] Similarly, the communication between the AP MLD 100 and the Non-AP MLD 200 in FIG. 3b is used as an example. The links established between the Non-AP MLD 200 and the AP MLD 100 are Link 1 and Link 3. In this case, the "first type access point" in the AP MLD 100 includes the AP 100-1 corresponding to Link 1 and the AP 100-3 corresponding to Link 3. In other words, the BSSID that can be supported by the first type AP in the AP MLD is the BSSID that can be supported by the first access point AP 100-1 in the first type AP, i.e.

number

number

number

number

number

[0074] As another example, FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of communication between Non-AP MLD and AP MLD according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 6, it is assumed that AP MLD1 includes five APs, namely AP1 to AP5. Non-AP MLD2 includes two associated stations, namely STA2 and STA3. Non-AP MLD3 includes two associated stations, namely STA4 and STA5. STA1 is a single-link device. AP MLD1 may individually communicate with Non-AP MLD3 via link 4 and link 5, communicate with Non-AP MLD2 via link 2 and link 3, and communicate with STA1 via link 1. An example is used in which AP MLD1 communicates with Non-AP MLD2. The links established between Non-AP MLD2 and AP MLD1 are link 2 and link 3. In this case, the first type of access point in AP MLD1 includes AP2 corresponding to link 2 and AP3 corresponding to link 3. In other words, in this case, the BSSID that can be supported by the first type of AP in the AP MLD1 is the BSSID that can be supported by the first access point AP2 in the first type of AP, i.e.

number

number

number

number

number

[0075] Similarly, an example is used in which AP MLD1 communicates with Non-AP MLD3. The links established between Non-AP MLD3 and AP MLD1 include link 4 and link 5. In this case, the first type of access point in AP MLD1 includes AP4 corresponding to link 4 and AP5 corresponding to link 5. In other words, in this case, the BSSID that can be supported by the first type of AP in AP MLD1 is the BSSID that can be supported by the first access point AP4 in the first type of AP, i.e.

number

number

number

number

number

[0076] In this embodiment of the present application, since BSSIDs that can be supported by some APs in the AP MLD are not allowed to be assigned to Non-AP MLDs, it can be understood that the range of AIDs that are not allowed to be assigned is narrowed if it is guaranteed that no AID ambiguity occurs in the crosslink TIM indication. In this way, the range of AIDs that can be assigned to Non-AP MLDs can be expanded, and the utilization of identifier resources can be improved.

[0077] Optionally, the identifier of an AP in an AP MLD may refer to the identifiers of all APs in the AP MLD, or may refer to the identifier of a first type AP in the AP MLD. For ease of explanation, in the following, it is assumed that the number of all APs in the AP MLD is M. Thus, the identifier of all APs in the AP MLD may include M discrete integer values, or may include M consecutive integer values. Similarly, the identifier of a first type AP in an AP MLD may include N discrete integer values, or may include N consecutive integer values. Specifically, the identifier of all APs / first type APs in an AP MLD may be a segment of consecutive integer values ​​following the maximum value of the BSSID that can be supported by the first type AP. For example, if the maximum value of the BSSID that can be supported by the first type AP is M, the identifier of all APs / first type APs in the AP MLD may be M, and ...

number

number

number

[0078] In conclusion, the AID carried in the first frame is in the range

number

number

number

[0079] In other words, it will be understood that when an AP MLD assigns an AID to a Non-AP MLD, any element in the first set is not allowed to be assigned to the Non-AP MLD.

number

number

number

number

number

number

number

[0080] It should be understood that when the AP MLD assigns an AID to the Non-AP MLD, the BSSID assigned to the AP and / or the BSSID that can be supported by the first type of AP is not allowed to be assigned to the Non-AP MLD. Thus, a more accurate AID can be assigned to the Non-AP MLD, thereby avoiding AID ambiguity in the crosslink TIM indication.

[0081] Optionally, in the TIM indication, the AP sending the crosslink TIM indication in the AP MLD does not need to further assign an identifier to itself, but can directly indicate the AP by using one bit in the bitmap control field. Thus, the AP MLD is assigned one less identifier, i.e., M APs in the AP MLD have only M-1 identifiers. Thus, the AID carried in the first frame is in the range

number

number

[0082] It will be appreciated that in this embodiment of the present application, one bit of the bitmap control field is used to identify the AP sending the TIM instruction, so that one identifier can be saved and resources can be saved.

[0083] In some possible implementations, the AID carried in the first frame may not be a BSSID that may be supported by an access point in the AP MLD or an identifier of an access point in the AP MLD. Specifically, the BSSID that may be supported by an access point in the AP MLD is

number

number

[0084] The identifier of an AP in an AP MLD may refer to the identifiers of all APs in the AP MLD, or may refer to the identifier of a first type AP in the AP MLD. Thus, the identifier of all APs in the AP MLD may include M discrete integer values, or may include M consecutive integer values. Similarly, the identifier of a first type AP in an AP MLD may include N discrete integer values, or may include N consecutive integer values. Specifically, the identifier of all APs / first type APs in an AP MLD may be a segment of consecutive integer values ​​following the maximum value of the BSSID that can be supported by all access points in the AP MLD. For example, if the maximum value of the BSSID that can be supported by all access points in the AP MLD is

number

number

number

[0085] In conclusion, the AID carried in the first frame is in the range

number

number

number

number

number

[0086] In this embodiment of the present application, the AP MLD generates and transmits a first frame, and the first frame carries an AID assigned to the Non-AP MLD. The AID is neither a BSSID that can be supported by a first type of access point in the AP MLD nor an identifier of an AP in the AP MLD. The first type of access point is an access point for establishing a link between the Non-AP MLD and the AP MLD. In this embodiment of the present application, when an AID is assigned to the Non-AP MLD, the BSSID assigned to the AP and / or the BSSID that can be supported by the first type of AP is not allowed to be assigned to the Non-AP MLD. Thus, a more accurate AID can be assigned to the Non-AP MLD, thereby avoiding AID ambiguity in the cross-link TIM indication.

[0087] In an optional embodiment, when the station device is a single-link STA, the single-link STA transmits an association request frame to the AP MLD to request to establish an association relationship with the AP MLD. In response to the association request frame, the AP MLD transmits an association response frame to the Non-AP MLD. The association response frame carries an AID assigned to the Non-AP MLD. The AID may be carried in the AID element of the association response frame. The AID is neither an identifier of the AP in the AP MLD nor a BSSID that may be supported by the AP that establishes an association with the single-link STA in the AP MLD.

[0088] Optionally, the AID is a range

number

number

number

number

[0089] In another optional embodiment, when the AP MLD uses one identifier, for example, the identifier of the AP MLD is 0 by default, i.e., when multiple APs in the AP MLD share its identifier (i.e., identifier 0), the AID carried in the first frame sent by the AP MLD to the Non-AP MLD is not a BSSID that can be supported by a first type of access point in the AP MLD. The first type of access point is an access point for establishing a link between the Non-AP MLD and the AP MLD. In other words, the AID carried in the first frame is a BSSID that can be supported by a first type of access point in the AP MLD.

number

number

[0090] The above content describes in detail the method provided in the present application. In order to better implement the aforementioned solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the embodiments of the present application further provide a corresponding apparatus or device.

[0091] In the embodiment of the present application, the functional modules in the multi-link device may be defined based on the above-mentioned method example. For example, each functional module may be defined corresponding to each function, or two or more functions may be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional module. It should be noted that in the embodiment of the present application, the module division is an example and is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, other division methods may be used.

[0092] When an integrated unit is used, FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1 may be an AP MLD, or may be a chip in the AP MLD, such as a Wi-Fi chip. As shown in FIG. 7, the communication device 1 includes a processing unit 11 and a transceiver unit 12.

[0093] The processing unit 11 is configured to generate a first frame. The transceiver unit 12 is configured to transmit the first frame. The first frame carries an AID assigned to a station device. The AID is neither a BSSID that can be supported by a first type of access point in the access point multilink device, nor an identifier of an AP in the access point multilink device. The first type of access point is an access point for establishing a link between the station device and the access point multilink device.

[0094] The communication device 1 in this embodiment of the present application has any function of AP MLD in the above-mentioned method, and the details are not described again here.

[0095] 8 is a schematic diagram of another structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 2 may be a Non-AP MLD, or may be a chip in the Non-AP MLD, such as a Wi-Fi chip. As shown in FIG. 8, the communication device 2 includes a transceiver unit 21 and a processing unit 22.

[0096] The transceiver unit 21 is configured to receive a first frame. The processing unit 22 is configured to analyze the received first frame to obtain an AID assigned to the station device and carried in the first frame. The AID is neither a BSSID that can be supported by a first type of access point in the access point multilink device, nor an identifier of an access point in the access point multilink device. The first type of access point is an access point for establishing a link between the station device and the access point multilink device.

[0097] The communication device 2 in this embodiment of the present application has an optional function of Non-AP MLD in the above-mentioned method, and the details are not described again here.

[0098] The above describes the AP MLD in the embodiment of the present application. The following describes possible product forms of AP MLD and Non-AP MLD. It should be understood that any product of any form having the function of AP MLD described in FIG. 7 and any product of any form having the function of Non-AP MLD described in FIG. 8 falls within the scope of protection of the embodiment of the present application. It should be further understood that the following description is merely an example, and the product forms of AP MLD and Non-AP MLD in the embodiment of the present application are not limited thereto.

[0099] As a possible product form, the AP MLD described in this embodiment of the present application may be implemented by using a common bus architecture.

[0100] The AP MLD includes a processor and a transceiver internally connected to the processor and communicating with the processor. The processor is configured to generate a first frame. The transceiver is configured to transmit the first frame, where the first frame carries an AID assigned to the station device. The AID is neither a BSSID that can be supported by a first type of access point in the access point multilink device nor an identifier of an access point in the access point multilink device. The first type of access point is an access point for establishing a link between the station device and the access point multilink device. Optionally, the AP MLD may further include a memory, where the memory is configured to store instructions executed by the processor.

[0101] The Non-AP MLD includes a processor and a transceiver internally connected to the processor and communicating with the processor. The transceiver is configured to receive a first frame. The processor is configured to analyze the received first frame to obtain an AID assigned to the station device and carried in the first frame. The AID is neither a BSSID that can be supported by a first type of access point in the access point multilink device nor an identifier of an access point in the access point multilink device. The first type of access point is an access point for establishing a link between the station device and the access point multilink device. Optionally, the AP MLD may further include a memory, the memory being configured to store instructions executed by the processor.

[0102] In a possible product form, the AP MLD described in this embodiment of the present application may be implemented by a general-purpose processor.

[0103] A general-purpose processor for implementing AP MLD includes a processing circuit and an input / output interface internally connected to the processing circuit and communicating with the processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to generate a first frame. The input / output interface is configured to transmit the first frame, where the first frame carries an AID assigned to the station device. The AID is neither a BSSID that can be supported by a first type of access point in the access point multilink device nor an identifier of an access point in the access point multilink device. The first type of access point is an access point for establishing a link between the station device and the access point multilink device. Optionally, the general-purpose processor may further include a storage medium. The storage medium is configured to store instructions executed by the processing circuit.

[0104] A general-purpose processor for implementing Non-AP MLD includes a processing circuit and an input / output interface internally connected to and communicating with the processing circuit. The input / output interface is configured to receive a first frame. The processing circuit is configured to analyze the received first frame to obtain an AID assigned to the station device and carried in the first frame. The AID is neither a BSSID that can be supported by a first type of access point in the access point multilink device nor an identifier of an access point in the access point multilink device. The first type of access point is an access point for establishing a link between the station device and the access point multilink device. Optionally, the general-purpose processor may further include a storage medium. The storage medium is configured to store instructions executed by the processing circuit.

[0105] As a possible product form, the AP MLD or Non-AP MLD described in this embodiment of the present application may be further implemented by using any combination of the following components: one or more FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays), PLDs (Programmable Logic Devices), controllers, state machines, gate logic, discrete hardware components, any other suitable circuitry, or circuitry capable of performing the various functions described in the present application.

[0106] It should be understood that the communication devices of various product forms mentioned above have any function of AP MLD in the method embodiments, and the details will not be described again here.

[0107] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores computer program code, which, when executed by a processor, causes the electronic device to perform the method of the aforementioned embodiment.

[0108] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to perform the method in the aforementioned embodiment.

[0109] An embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device. The device may exist in the form of a chip product. The structure of the device includes a processor and an interface circuit. The processor is configured to communicate with other devices via the interface circuit to enable the device to perform the method of the aforementioned embodiment.

[0110] An embodiment of the present application further provides a wireless communication system including an AP MLD and a station device (eg, a Non-AP MLD). The AP MLD and the station device can perform the method of the above embodiment.

[0111] The method or algorithm steps described in conjunction with the contents disclosed in this application may be implemented by hardware or by a processor by executing software instructions. The software instructions may include corresponding software modules. The software modules may be stored in a Random Access Memory (RAM), a flash memory, an Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM), an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM), a register, a hard disk, a removable hard disk, a Compact Disk Read Only Memory (CD-ROM), or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. For example, the storage medium may be coupled to the processor such that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium may be components of the processor. The processor and the storage medium may be located in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC may be located in the core network interface device. Of course, the processor and the storage medium may be separate components of the core network interface device.

[0112] Those skilled in the art should understand that in one or more of the above examples, the functions described in this application may be implemented by hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. When the functions are implemented by software, the functions described above may be stored in a computer-readable medium or transmitted as one or more instructions or codes in a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media include computer-readable storage media and communication media, and communication media include any medium that facilitates the transmission of a computer program from one place to another. Storage media may be any available medium accessible to a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.

[0113] In the above specific embodiments, the objectives, technical solutions and beneficial effects of the present application are further described in detail. It should be understood that the above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, and is not intended to limit the protection scope of the present application. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made based on the technical solutions of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application. [Explanation of symbols]

[0114] 1. Communications equipment 2. Communications equipment 11 Processing Unit 12 Transceiver unit 21 Transceiver unit 22 Processing Unit 100 Access Point (AP) Multilink Devices 200 Non-AP Multilink Devices 300 Non-AP Multilink Devices 400 Single Link Station (STA)

Claims

1. A method for allocating an association identifier (AID) for a multi-link device, comprising: generating a first frame by an access point multilink device; and transmitting, by the access point multilink device, the first frame, wherein the first frame carries an AID assigned to a station device, the AID being neither a BSSID that can be supported by a first type of access point in the access point multilink device nor an identifier of an access point in the access point multilink device, the first type of access point being an access point for establishing a link between the station device and the access point multilink device.

2. A method for allocating an association identifier (AID) for a multi-link device, comprising: receiving, by a station device, a first frame; and analyzing, by the station device, the first frame to obtain an AID assigned to the station device and carried in the first frame, the AID being neither a BSSID that can be supported by a first type of access point in an access point multilink device nor an identifier of an access point in the access point multilink device, the first type of access point being an access point for establishing a link between the station device and the access point multilink device.

3. The BSSID that may be supported by the first type access point in the access point multilink device is: [0010] where N is the number of access points of the first type, [0025] The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein i represents the number of BSSIDs that can be supported by the i-th access point among the first type of access points.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the identifiers of the access points in the access point multilink device comprise M consecutive values.

5. The AID is in the following range: [0030] N is the number of access points of the first type, [0045] The method of claim 4, wherein x represents the number of BSSIDs that can be supported by the first type access point, and M is the number of access points of the access point multilink device.

6. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein N is less than or equal to M.

7. A communication device for use in an access point multilink device, comprising: a processing unit configured to generate a first frame; a transceiver unit configured to transmit the first frame, the first frame carrying an AID assigned to a station device, the AID being neither a BSSID that can be supported by a first type of access point in the access point multilink device nor an identifier of an access point in the access point multilink device, the first type of access point being an access point for establishing a link between the station device and the access point multilink device.

8. A communication apparatus for use in a station device, comprising: a transceiver unit configured to receive a first frame; a processing unit configured to analyze the first frame to obtain an AID assigned to the station device and carried in the first frame, the AID being neither a BSSID that can be supported by a first type of access point in an access point multilink device nor an identifier of an access point in the access point multilink device, the first type of access point being an access point for establishing a link between the station device and the access point multilink device.

9. The BSSID that may be supported by the first type access point in the access point multilink device is: [0050] where N is the number of access points of the first type, [006] The communication device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein i represents the number of BSSIDs that can be supported by the i-th access point among the first type of access points.

10. 10. The communications device of claim 7, wherein the identifiers of the access points in the access point multilink device comprise M consecutive values.

11. The AID is in the following range: [0070] N is the number of access points of the first type, [0080] 11. The communication apparatus of claim 10, wherein x represents a number of BSSIDs that can be supported by the first type access point, and M is a number of access points of the access point multilink device.

12. The communication device of claim 11 , wherein N is less than or equal to M.

13. 1. A communications apparatus, the communications apparatus being an access point multilink device, comprising a processor and a transceiver, the processor configured to generate a first frame; The transceiver is configured to transmit the first frame, the first frame carrying an AID assigned to a station device, the AID being neither a BSSID that can be supported by a first type of access point in the access point multilink device nor an identifier of an access point in the access point multilink device, the first type of access point being an access point for establishing a link between the station device and the access point multilink device.

14. 1. A communication apparatus, the communication apparatus being a station device and comprising: a processor and a transceiver, the transceiver receiving a first frame; The processor is configured to analyze the first frame to obtain an AID assigned to the station device and carried in the first frame, the AID being neither a BSSID that can be supported by a first type of access point in an access point multilink device nor an identifier of an access point in the access point multilink device, the first type of access point being an access point for establishing a link between the station device and the access point multilink device.

15. 7. A computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 6.

16. A computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

17. A chip or chip system comprising an input / output interface and a processing circuit, the processing circuit configured to generate a first frame, the input / output interface configured to transmit the first frame, the first frame carrying an AID assigned to a station device, the AID being neither a BSSID that can be supported by a first type of access point in an access point multilink device nor an identifier of an access point in the access point multilink device, the first type of access point being an access point for establishing a link between the station device and the access point multilink device.

18. A chip or chip system comprising an input / output interface and a processing circuit, the input / output interface configured to receive a first frame from an AP MLD, the processing circuit configured to analyze the received first frame to obtain an AID assigned to the station device and carried in the first frame, the AID being neither a BSSID that can be supported by a first type of access point in the access point multilink device nor an identifier of an access point in the access point multilink device, the first type of access point being an access point for establishing a link between the station device and the access point multilink device.

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