Data transmission method and apparatus

Abstract

To provide a data transmission method and an apparatus relating to the field of communication technologies.SOLUTION: A data transmission method comprises: receiving, by a first station in a first multi-link device, a third frame; and sending, by the first station, a fourth frame. The third frame instructs the first station to enable a mode of sharing a quantity of spatial streams. The mode of sharing the quantity of the spatial streams is used for enabling the first station to use the shared spatial streams. A quantity of shared spatial streams is a maximum quantity of the shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device. The fourth frame is used for responding to the third frame. The data transmission method provided by the application can improve a throughput of a station in a multi-link device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] [Related Applications] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202010671573.2, filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on July 13, 2020, entitled "DATA TRANSMISSION METHOD AND APPARATUS", which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] [Technical Field] This application relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular, to data transmission methods and devices.

Background Art

[0003] According to the current IEEE802.11 next-generation Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) protocol, an Extremely high throughput (EHT) device supports multiple streams, multiple frequency bands (such as frequency bands of 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, etc.), and coordination of multiple channels in the same frequency band, etc., to improve peak throughput and reduce service transmission delay. Multiple frequency bands and multiple channels are collectively called multi-link.

[0004] A device including multiple stations is called a multi-link device (MLD). Each station in the multi-link device operates on one link. In a multi-link device, how to further improve the throughput of the stations is a technical problem that needs to be considered.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a data transmission method and device to improve the throughput of stations in a multi-link device.

[0006] According to a first aspect, a data transmission method is provided. The method includes the following. A first station in a first multi-link device receives a third frame. The third frame instructs the first station to enable a mode of sharing the number of spatial streams. The mode of sharing the number of spatial streams is used to enable the first station to use shared spatial streams. The number of shared spatial streams is the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device. The first station transmits a fourth frame. The fourth frame is used to respond to the third frame.

[0007] Referring to the first aspect, in a possible design, after the first station receives the third frame, the method further includes: The first station transmits an acknowledgment frame for the third frame.

[0008] Referring to the first aspect, in a possible design, after the first station transmits the fourth frame, the method further includes: The first station receives an acknowledgment frame for the fourth frame.

[0009] According to a second aspect, a data transmission method is provided. The method includes the following. A first station in a first multi-link device transmits a third frame. The third frame indicates that the first station enables a mode of sharing the number of spatial streams. The mode of sharing the number of spatial streams is used to enable the first station to use shared spatial streams. The number of shared spatial streams is the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device. The first station receives a fourth frame. The fourth frame is used to respond to the third frame.

[0010] Referring to the second aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes: The first station receives an acknowledgment frame for the third frame.

[0011] Referring to the second aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes: The first station transmits an acknowledgment frame for the fourth frame.

[0012] Referring to the first or second aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes the following. The first station enables a plurality of spatial streams through frame interaction. The number of the plurality of spatial streams is less than or equal to the number of shared spatial streams.

[0013] Referring to the first or second aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes the following. The first station uses the spatial streams supported by the first station before the frame interaction is completed.

[0014] Referring to the first or second aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes the following. The first station uses a plurality of spatial streams after the frame interaction is completed.

[0015] Referring to the first or second aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes the following. The first station uses the spatial streams supported by the first station after the frame interaction sequence ends.

[0016] Referring to the first or second aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes the following. When any one of the preset conditions is satisfied, the first station determines that the frame interaction sequence has ended.

[0017] The preset conditions include at least one of the following conditions.

[0018] The first station receives the seventh frame. The receiving address of the seventh frame is different from the address of the first station, or the transmitting address of the seventh frame is different from the transmitting address of the eighth frame received by the first station. The eighth frame is used to start or establish a transmission opportunity.

[0019] Alternatively, the carrier sensing mechanism of the first station indicates that the medium is idle within a preset time period.

[0020] Alternatively, the first station receives a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU). The PPDU is determined by the first station as an inter-BSS PPDU.

[0021] Alternatively, the first station receives a multi-user (MU) PPDU. The basic service set color (BSS color) within the preamble carried by the MU PPDU is the same as the BSS color of the basic service set associated with the first station, and the preamble carried by the MU PPDU does not include a station identifier that matches the first station.

[0022] Referring to the first or second aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes the following. The first station receives a fifth frame. The fifth frame instructs the first station to disable the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams. The first station transmits a sixth frame. The sixth frame is used to respond to the fifth frame.

[0023] Referring to the first or second aspect, in a possible design, after the first station receives the fifth frame, the method further includes: The first station transmits an acknowledgment frame for the fifth frame.

[0024] Referring to the first or second aspect, in a possible design, after the first station transmits the sixth frame, the method further includes: The first station receives an acknowledgment frame for the sixth frame.

[0025] Referring to the first or second aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes the following. The first station transmits a fifth frame. The fifth frame instructs the first station to disable the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams. The first station receives a sixth frame. The sixth frame is used to respond to the fifth frame.

[0026] Referring to the first or second aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes the following. The first station transmits an 11th frame. The 11th frame is the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device.

[0027] Referring to the first or second aspect, in a possible design, for each MCS, the 11th frame indicates the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device.

[0028] Referring to the first or second aspect, in a possible design, the 11th frame includes a fifth field. For each MCS, the fifth field indicates the maximum number of shared spatial streams for reception supported by the first multi-link device.

[0029] Referring to the first or second aspect, in a possible design, the fifth field is carried within the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the 11th frame.

[0030] Referring to the first or second aspect, in a possible design, the 11th frame includes a sixth field. For each MCS, the sixth field indicates the maximum number of shared spatial streams for transmission supported by the first multi-link device.

[0031] Referring to the first or second aspect, in a possible design, the sixth field is carried within the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the 11th frame.

[0032] Referring to the first or second aspect, in a possible design, the 11th frame includes a shared station field. The shared station field indicates a plurality of stations participating in the shared spatial stream.

[0033] Referring to the first or second aspect, in a possible design, the shared station field includes a plurality of link identifier fields.

[0034] Referring to the first or second aspect, in a possible design, the 11th frame indicates the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by each station in the first multi-link device.

[0035] Referring to the first or second aspect, in a possible design, the 11th frame includes an 8th field. The 8th field includes a field for the number of spatial streams for reception, a field for the number of spatial streams for transmission, and a link identifier field.

[0036] Referring to the first or second aspect, in a possible design, the field for the number of spatial streams for reception and the field for the number of spatial streams for transmission are carried within the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the 11th frame.

[0037] Referring to the first or second aspect, in a possible design, the 11th frame includes an association request frame or an association response frame.

[0038] Referring to the first or second aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes the following. The first station transmits a delay field. The delay field indicates the delay required for the first station in the first multi-link device to adjust from the supported spatial streams to the shared spatial streams.

[0039] According to the third aspect, a data transmission method is provided. The method is transmitting a 3rd frame to a first station in a first multi-link device, the 3rd frame instructing the first station to enable a mode of sharing the number of spatial streams, the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams being used to enable the first station to use shared spatial streams, the number of shared spatial streams being the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device; receiving a 4th frame from the first station, the 4th frame being used to respond to the 3rd frame; and further includes.

[0040] Referring to the third aspect, in a possible design, after the step of transmitting the third frame to the first station, the method further includes the step of receiving an acknowledgment frame for the third frame.

[0041] Referring to the third aspect, in a possible design, after the step of receiving the fourth frame from the first station, the method further includes the step of transmitting an acknowledgment frame for the fourth frame.

[0042] According to a fourth aspect, a data transmission method is provided. The method includes receiving a third frame transmitted by a first station in a first multi-link device, where the third frame indicates that the first station enables a mode of sharing the number of spatial streams, and the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams is used to enable the first station to use shared spatial streams, and the number of shared spatial streams is the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device; transmitting a fourth frame to the first station, where the fourth frame is used to respond to the third frame; and further includes.

[0043] Referring to the fourth aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes the step of transmitting an acknowledgment frame for the third frame.

[0044] Referring to the fourth aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes the step of receiving an acknowledgment frame for the fourth frame.

[0045] Referring to the third or fourth aspect, in a possible design, the method includes transmitting a fifth frame to the first station, where the fifth frame instructs the first station to disable the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams; receiving a sixth frame from the first station, where the sixth frame is used to respond to the fifth frame.

[0046] Referring to the third or fourth aspect, in a possible design, after the step of transmitting the fifth frame to the first station, the method further includes the step of receiving, from the first station, an acknowledgment frame for the fifth frame.

[0047] Referring to the third or fourth aspect, in a possible design, after the step of receiving the sixth frame from the first station, the method further includes the step of transmitting, to the first station, an acknowledgment frame for the sixth frame.

[0048] Referring to the third or fourth aspect, in a possible design, the method is a step of receiving a fifth frame transmitted by the first station, where the fifth frame instructs the first station to disable a mode that shares the number of spatial streams, and a step of transmitting a sixth frame to the first station, where the sixth frame is used to respond to the fifth frame.

[0049] Referring to the third or fourth aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes a step of receiving an eleventh frame from the first station, where the eleventh frame indicates the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device.

[0050] Referring to the third or fourth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame indicates, for each MCS, the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device.

[0051] Referring to the third or fourth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes a fifth field. The fifth field indicates, for each MCS, the maximum number of shared spatial streams for reception supported by the first multi-link device.

[0052] Referring to the third or fourth aspect, in a possible design, the fifth field is carried within the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the eleventh frame.

[0053] Referring to the third or fourth aspect, in a possible design, the 11th frame includes a 6th field. The 6th field indicates, for each MCS, the maximum number of shared space streams for transmission supported by the first multi-link device.

[0054] Referring to the third or fourth aspect, in a possible design, the 6th field is carried within the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the 11th frame.

[0055] Referring to the third or fourth aspect, in a possible design, the 11th frame includes a shared station field. The shared station field indicates a plurality of stations participating in the shared space stream.

[0056] Referring to the third or fourth aspect, in a possible design, the shared station field includes a plurality of link identifier fields.

[0057] Referring to the third or fourth aspect, in a possible design, the 11th frame indicates the maximum number of shared space streams supported by each station within the first multi-link device.

[0058] Referring to the third or fourth aspect, in a possible design, the 11th frame includes an 8th field. The 8th field includes a field for the number of space streams for reception, a field for the number of space streams for transmission, and a link identifier field.

[0059] Referring to the third or fourth aspect, in a possible design, the field for the number of space streams for reception and the field for the number of space streams for transmission are carried within the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the 11th frame.

[0060] Referring to the third or fourth aspect, in a possible design, the 11th frame includes an association request frame or an association response frame.

[0061] Referring to the third or fourth aspect, in a possible design, the method comprises transmitting a delay field from a first station, the delay field indicating a delay required for the first station in a first multi-link device to adjust from a supported spatial stream to a shared spatial stream.

[0062] According to a fifth aspect, a data transmission method is provided. The method includes the following. A first station in a first multi-link device receives a fifth frame. The fifth frame instructs the first station to disable a mode of sharing the number of spatial streams. The mode of sharing the number of spatial streams is used to enable the first station to use a shared spatial stream. The number of shared spatial streams is the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device. The first station transmits a sixth frame. The sixth frame is used to respond to the fifth frame.

[0063] In a possible design, after the first station receives the fifth frame, the method further includes: the first station transmits an acknowledgement frame for the fifth frame.

[0064] In a possible design, after the first station transmits the sixth frame, the method further includes: the first station receives an acknowledgement frame for the sixth frame.

[0065] According to a sixth aspect, a data transmission method is provided. The method includes the following. A first station in a first multi-link device transmits a fifth frame. The fifth frame instructs the first station to disable a mode of sharing the number of spatial streams. The mode of sharing the number of spatial streams is used to enable the first station to use a shared spatial stream. The number of shared spatial streams is the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device. The first station receives a sixth frame. The sixth frame is used to respond to the fifth frame.

[0066] Referring to the fifth or sixth aspect, in a possible design, the method includes the following. A first station in a first multi-link device receives a third frame. The third frame instructs the first station to enable a mode that shares the number of spatial streams. The mode of sharing the number of spatial streams is used to enable the first station to use shared spatial streams. The number of shared spatial streams is the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device. The first station transmits a fourth frame. The fourth frame is used to respond to the third frame.

[0067] Referring to the fifth or sixth aspect, in a possible design, after the first station receives the third frame, the method further includes: The first station transmits an acknowledgment frame for the third frame.

[0068] Referring to the fifth or sixth aspect, in a possible design, after the first station transmits the fourth frame, the method further includes: The first station receives an acknowledgment frame for the fourth frame.

[0069] Referring to the fifth or sixth aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes the following. The first station enables a plurality of spatial streams through frame interaction. The number of the plurality of spatial streams is less than or equal to the number of shared spatial streams.

[0070] Referring to the fifth or sixth aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes the following. The first station uses the spatial streams supported by the first station before the frame interaction is completed.

[0071] Referring to the fifth or sixth aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes the following. The first station uses a plurality of spatial streams after the frame interaction is completed.

[0072] Referring to the fifth or sixth aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes the following. After the frame interaction sequence ends, the first station uses the spatial streams supported by the first station.

[0073] Referring to the fifth or sixth aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes the following. When any one of the preset conditions is satisfied, the first station determines that the frame interaction sequence has ended.

[0074] The preset conditions include at least one of the following conditions.

[0075] The first station receives a seventh frame. The receiving address of the seventh frame is different from the address of the first station, or the transmitting address of the seventh frame is different from the transmitting address of an eighth frame received by the first station. The eighth frame is used to start or establish a transmission opportunity.

[0076] Alternatively, the carrier sensing mechanism of the first station indicates that the medium is idle within a preset time period.

[0077] Alternatively, the first station receives a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU). The PPDU is determined by the first station as an inter-BSS PPDU.

[0078] Alternatively, the first station receives a multi-user (MU) PPDU. The basic service set color (BSS color) in the preamble carried by the MU PPDU is the same as the BSS color of the basic service set associated with the first station, and the preamble carried by the MU PPDU does not include a station identifier that matches the first station.

[0079] Referring to the fifth or sixth aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes the following. The first station transmits an 11th frame. The 11th frame is the maximum number of shared space streams supported by the first multi-link device.

[0080] Referring to the fifth or sixth aspect, in a possible design, for each MCS, the 11th frame indicates the maximum number of shared space streams supported by the first multi-link device.

[0081] Referring to the fifth or sixth aspect, in a possible design, the 11th frame includes a fifth field. For each MCS, the fifth field indicates the maximum number of shared space streams for reception supported by the first multi-link device.

[0082] Referring to the fifth or sixth aspect, in a possible design, the fifth field is carried within the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the 11th frame.

[0083] Referring to the fifth or sixth aspect, in a possible design, the 11th frame includes a sixth field. For each MCS, the sixth field indicates the maximum number of shared space streams for transmission supported by the first multi-link device.

[0084] Referring to the fifth or sixth aspect, in a possible design, the sixth field is carried within the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the 11th frame.

[0085] Referring to the fifth or sixth aspect, in a possible design, the 11th frame includes a shared station field. The shared station field indicates a plurality of stations participating in the shared space stream.

[0086] Referring to the fifth or sixth aspect, in a possible design, the shared station field includes a plurality of link identifier fields.

[0087] Referring to the fifth or sixth aspect, in a possible design, the 11th frame indicates the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by each station within the first multi-link device.

[0088] Referring to the fifth or sixth aspect, in a possible design, the 11th frame includes an 8th field. The 8th field includes a field for the number of spatial streams for reception, a field for the number of spatial streams for transmission, and a link identifier field.

[0089] Referring to the fifth or sixth aspect, in a possible design, the field for the number of spatial streams for reception and the field for the number of spatial streams for transmission are carried within the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the 11th frame.

[0090] Referring to the fifth or sixth aspect, in a possible design, the 11th frame includes an association request frame or an association response frame.

[0091] Referring to the fifth or sixth aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes the following. The first station transmits a delay field. The delay field indicates the delay required for the first station within the first multi-link device to adjust from the supported spatial streams to the shared spatial streams.

[0092] According to the seventh aspect, a data transmission method is provided. The method is transmitting a 5th frame to a first station, the 5th frame instructing the first station to disable the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams, the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams being used to enable the first station to use the shared spatial streams, the number of shared spatial streams being the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device, receiving a 6th frame from the first station, the 6th frame being used to respond to the 5th frame, further includes.

[0093] In a possible design, after the step of sending the fifth frame to the first station, the method further includes the step of receiving an acknowledgment frame of the fifth frame from the first station.

[0094] In a possible design, after the step of receiving the sixth frame from the first station, the method further includes the step of sending an acknowledgment frame of the sixth frame to the first station.

[0095] According to an eighth aspect, a data transmission method is provided. The method includes the step of receiving a fifth frame sent by a first station, where the fifth frame instructs the first station to disable a mode of sharing the number of spatial streams, and the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams is used to enable the first station to use shared spatial streams, and the number of shared spatial streams is the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device; the step of sending a sixth frame to the first station, where the sixth frame is used to respond to the fifth frame; further includes.

[0096] Referring to the seventh aspect or the eighth aspect, in a possible design, the method includes the step of sending a third frame to a first station in a first multi-link device, where the third frame instructs the first station to enable a mode of sharing the number of spatial streams; the step of receiving a fourth frame from the first station, where the fourth frame is used to respond to the third frame.

[0097] Referring to the seventh aspect or the eighth aspect, in a possible design, after the step of sending the third frame to the first station, the method further includes the step of receiving an acknowledgment frame of the third frame.

[0098] Referring to the seventh or eighth aspect, in a possible design, after the step of receiving the fourth frame from the first station, the method further includes the step of sending an acknowledgment frame for the fourth frame.

[0099] Referring to the seventh or eighth aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes the step of receiving an eleventh frame from the first station, where the eleventh frame indicates the maximum number of shared space streams supported by the first multi-link device.

[0100] Referring to the seventh or eighth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame indicates the maximum number of shared space streams supported by the first multi-link device for each MCS.

[0101] Referring to the seventh or eighth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes a fifth field. The fifth field indicates the maximum number of shared space streams for reception supported by the first multi-link device for each MCS.

[0102] Referring to the seventh or eighth aspect, in a possible design, the fifth field is carried within the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the eleventh frame.

[0103] Referring to the seventh or eighth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes a sixth field. The sixth field indicates the maximum number of shared space streams for transmission supported by the first multi-link device for each MCS.

[0104] Referring to the seventh or eighth aspect, in a possible design, the sixth field is carried within the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the eleventh frame.

[0105] Referring to the seventh or eighth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes a shared station field. The shared station field indicates a plurality of stations participating in the shared space stream.

[0106] Referring to the seventh or eighth aspect, in a possible design, the shared station field includes a plurality of link identifier fields.

[0107] Referring to the seventh or eighth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame indicates the maximum number of shared space streams supported by each station within the first multi-link device.

[0108] Referring to the seventh or eighth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes an eighth field. The eighth field includes a field for the number of space streams for reception, a field for the number of space streams for transmission, and a link identifier field.

[0109] Referring to the seventh or eighth aspect, in a possible design, the field for the number of space streams for reception and the field for the number of space streams for transmission are carried within the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the eleventh frame.

[0110] Referring to the seventh or eighth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes an association request frame or an association response frame.

[0111] Referring to the seventh or eighth aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes transmitting a delay field from a first station, the delay field indicating the delay required for the first station within the first multi-link device to adjust from a supported space stream to a shared space stream.

[0112] According to a ninth aspect, a data transmission method is provided. The method includes the following. A first station in a first multi-link device generates an 11th frame. The 11th frame is the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device. The first station transmits the 11th frame.

[0113] In a possible design, the 11th frame indicates, for each MCS, the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device.

[0114] In a possible design, the 11th frame includes a fifth field. The fifth field indicates, for each MCS, the maximum number of shared spatial streams for reception supported by the first multi-link device.

[0115] In a possible design, the fifth field is carried within the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the 11th frame.

[0116] In a possible design, the 11th frame includes a sixth field. The sixth field indicates, for each MCS, the maximum number of shared spatial streams for transmission supported by the first multi-link device.

[0117] In a possible design, the sixth field is carried within the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the 11th frame.

[0118] In a possible design, the 11th frame includes a shared station field. The shared station field indicates a plurality of stations participating in the shared spatial stream.

[0119] In a possible design, the shared station field includes a plurality of link identifier fields.

[0120] In a possible design, the 11th frame indicates the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by each station in the first multi-link device.

[0121] In a possible design, the 11th frame includes an 8th field. The 8th field includes a field for the number of spatial streams for reception, a field for the number of spatial streams for transmission, and a link identifier field.

[0122] In a possible design, the field for the number of spatial streams for reception and the field for the number of spatial streams for transmission are carried within the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the 11th frame.

[0123] In a possible design, the 11th frame includes an association request frame or an association response frame.

[0124] In a possible design, the method further includes the following. The first station transmits a delay field. The delay field indicates the delay required for the first station in the first multi-link device to adjust from supported spatial streams to shared spatial streams.

[0125] In a possible design, the method includes the following. The first station in the first multi-link device receives a 3rd frame. The 3rd frame instructs the first station to enable a mode of sharing the number of spatial streams. The mode of sharing the number of spatial streams is used to enable the first station to use shared spatial streams. The number of shared spatial streams is the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device. The first station transmits a 4th frame. The 4th frame is used to respond to the 3rd frame.

[0126] In a possible design, after the first station receives the 3rd frame, the method further includes: the first station transmits an acknowledgment response frame for the 3rd frame.

[0127] In a possible design, after the first station transmits the 4th frame, the method further includes: the first station receives an acknowledgment response frame for the 4th frame.

[0128] In a possible design, the method includes the following. A first station in a first multi-link device transmits a third frame. The third frame indicates that the first station enables a mode in which the number of spatial streams is shared. The mode of sharing the number of spatial streams is used to enable the first station to use shared spatial streams. The number of shared spatial streams is the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device. The first station receives a fourth frame. The fourth frame is used to respond to the third frame.

[0129] In a possible design, the method further includes the following. The first station enables a plurality of spatial streams through frame interaction. The number of the plurality of spatial streams is less than or equal to the number of shared spatial streams.

[0130] In a possible design, the method further includes the following. The first station uses the spatial streams supported by the first station before the frame interaction is completed.

[0131] In a possible design, the method further includes the following. The first station uses a plurality of spatial streams after the frame interaction is completed.

[0132] In a possible design, the method further includes the following. After the frame interaction sequence ends, the first station uses the spatial streams supported by the first station.

[0133] In a possible design, the method further includes the following. When any one of the preset conditions is satisfied, the first station determines that the frame interaction sequence has ended.

[0134] The preset conditions include at least one of the following conditions.

[0135] The first station receives the seventh frame. The receiving address of the seventh frame is different from the address of the first station, or the transmitting address of the seventh frame is different from the transmitting address of the eighth frame received by the first station. The eighth frame is used to start or establish a transmission opportunity.

[0136] Alternatively, the carrier sensing mechanism of the first station indicates that the medium is idle within a preset time period.

[0137] Alternatively, the first station receives a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU). The PPDU is determined by the first station as an inter-BSS PPDU.

[0138] Alternatively, the first station receives a multi-user (MU) PPDU. The basic service set color (BSS color) in the preamble carried by the MU PPDU is the same as the BSS color of the basic service set associated with the first station, and the preamble carried by the MU PPDU does not contain a station identifier that matches the first station.

[0139] In a possible design, the method further includes the following. The first station receives a fifth frame. The fifth frame instructs the first station to disable a mode that shares the number of spatial streams. The first station transmits a sixth frame. The sixth frame is used to respond to the fifth frame.

[0140] In a possible design, after the first station receives the fifth frame, the method further includes: The first station transmits an acknowledgment frame for the fifth frame.

[0141] In a possible design, after the first station transmits the sixth frame, the method further includes: The first station receives an acknowledgment frame for the sixth frame.

[0142] In a possible design, the method further includes the following. The first station transmits a fifth frame. The fifth frame instructs the first station to disable a mode that shares the number of spatial streams. The first station receives a sixth frame. The sixth frame is used to respond to the fifth frame.

[0143] According to a tenth aspect, a data transmission method is provided. The method includes receiving, from a first station in a first multi-link device, an eleventh frame, where the eleventh frame indicates a maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device, determining, based on the eleventh frame, a maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device. and

[0144] In a possible design, the eleventh frame indicates, for each MCS, a maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device.

[0145] In a possible design, the eleventh frame includes a fifth field. The fifth field indicates, for each MCS, a maximum number of shared spatial streams for reception supported by the first multi-link device.

[0146] In a possible design, the fifth field is carried in the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the eleventh frame.

[0147] In a possible design, the eleventh frame includes a sixth field. The sixth field indicates, for each MCS, a maximum number of shared spatial streams for transmission supported by the first multi-link device.

[0148] In a possible design, the sixth field is carried in the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the eleventh frame.

[0149] In a possible design, the 11th frame includes a shared station field. The shared station field indicates a plurality of stations participating in the shared space stream.

[0150] In a possible design, the shared station field includes a plurality of link identifier fields.

[0151] In a possible design, the 11th frame indicates the maximum number of shared space streams supported by each station within the first multi-link device.

[0152] In a possible design, the 11th frame includes an 8th field. The 8th field includes a field for the number of space streams for reception, a field for the number of space streams for transmission, and a link identifier field.

[0153] In a possible design, the field for the number of space streams for reception and the field for the number of space streams for transmission are carried within the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the 11th frame.

[0154] In a possible design, the 11th frame includes an association request frame or an association response frame.

[0155] In a possible design, the method further includes a step of transmitting a delay field from a first station, the delay field indicating a delay required for the first station within the first multi-link device to adjust from a supported space stream to a shared space stream.

[0156] In a possible design, the method A step of transmitting a third frame to a first station in a first multi-link device, wherein the third frame instructs the first station to enable a mode of sharing the number of spatial streams, and the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams is used to enable the first station to use shared spatial streams, and the number of shared spatial streams is the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device, the step; A step of receiving a fourth frame from the first station, wherein the fourth frame is used to respond to the third frame, the step; Further comprising.

[0157] In a possible design, after the step of transmitting the third frame to the first station, the method further comprises a step of receiving an acknowledgment frame of the third frame.

[0158] In a possible design, after the step of receiving the fourth frame from the first station, the method further comprises a step of transmitting an acknowledgment frame of the fourth frame to the first station.

[0159] In a possible design, the method is A step of receiving a third frame transmitted by a first station in a first multi-link device, wherein the third frame indicates that the first station enables a mode of sharing the number of spatial streams, and the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams is used to enable the first station to use shared spatial streams, and the number of shared spatial streams is the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device, the step; A step of transmitting a fourth frame to the first station, wherein the fourth frame is used to respond to the third frame, the step; Further comprising.

[0160] In a possible design, the method is a step of transmitting a fifth frame to the first station, wherein the fifth frame instructs the first station to disable a mode of sharing the number of spatial streams; A step of receiving the first to sixth frames, wherein the sixth frame is used to respond to the fifth frame, and the step is included.

[0161] In a possible design, after the step of transmitting the fifth frame to the first station, the method further includes a step of receiving an acknowledgment response frame of the fifth frame from the first station.

[0162] In a possible design, after the step of receiving the sixth frame from the first station, the method further includes a step of transmitting an acknowledgment response frame of the sixth frame to the first station.

[0163] In a possible design, the method is a step of receiving the fifth frame transmitted by the first station, wherein the fifth frame instructs the first station to disable the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams, and the step is A step of transmitting the sixth frame to the first station, wherein the sixth frame is used to respond to the fifth frame, and the step is included.

[0164] According to the eleventh aspect, a data transmission method is provided. The method includes the following. The first station in the first multi-link device enables a plurality of spatial streams through frame interaction. The number of the plurality of spatial streams is less than or equal to the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device.

[0165] In a possible design, the method further includes the following. The first station uses the spatial streams supported by the first station before the frame interaction is completed.

[0166] In a possible design, the method further includes the following. The first station uses a plurality of spatial streams after the frame interaction is completed.

[0167] In a possible design, the method further includes the following. After the frame interaction sequence ends, the first station uses the spatial streams supported by the first station.

[0168] In a possible design, the method further includes the following. When any one of the preset conditions is satisfied, the first station determines that the frame interaction sequence has ended.

[0169] The preset conditions include at least one of the following conditions.

[0170] The first station receives the seventh frame. The receiving address of the seventh frame is different from the address of the first station, or the transmitting address of the seventh frame is different from the transmitting address of the eighth frame received by the first station. The eighth frame is used to start or establish a transmission opportunity.

[0171] Alternatively, the carrier sensing mechanism of the first station indicates that the medium is idle within a preset time period.

[0172] Alternatively, the first station receives a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU). The PPDU is determined by the first station as an inter-BSS PPDU.

[0173] Alternatively, the first station receives a multi-user (MU) PPDU. The basic service set color (BSS color) in the preamble carried by the MU PPDU is the same as the BSS color of the basic service set associated with the first station, and the preamble carried by the MU PPDU does not include a station identifier that matches the first station.

[0174] In a possible design, the method further includes the following. The first station receives the fifth frame. The fifth frame instructs the first station to disable the mode that shares the number of spatial streams. The first station transmits the sixth frame. The sixth frame is used to respond to the fifth frame.

[0175] In a possible design, after the first station receives the fifth frame, the method further includes: the first station transmits an acknowledgment frame for the fifth frame.

[0176] In a possible design, after the first station transmits the sixth frame, the method further includes: the first station receives an acknowledgment frame for the sixth frame.

[0177] In a possible design, the method includes the following. The first station in the first multi-link device receives a third frame. The third frame instructs the first station to enable a mode that shares the number of spatial streams. The mode of sharing the number of spatial streams is used to enable the first station to use shared spatial streams. The number of shared spatial streams is the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device. The first station transmits a fourth frame. The fourth frame is used to respond to the third frame.

[0178] In a possible design, after the first station receives the third frame, the method further includes: the first station transmits an acknowledgment frame for the third frame.

[0179] In a possible design, after the first station transmits the fourth frame, the method further includes: the first station receives an acknowledgment frame for the fourth frame.

[0180] In a possible design, the method further includes the following. The first station in the first multi-link device generates an eleventh frame. The eleventh frame is the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device. The first station transmits the eleventh frame.

[0181] In a possible design, for each MCS, the eleventh frame indicates the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device.

[0182] In a possible design, the 11th frame includes a 5th field. The 5th field indicates, for each MCS, the maximum number of shared spatial streams for reception supported by the first multi-link device.

[0183] In a possible design, the 5th field is carried within the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the 11th frame.

[0184] In a possible design, the 11th frame includes a 6th field. The 6th field indicates, for each MCS, the maximum number of shared spatial streams for transmission supported by the first multi-link device.

[0185] In a possible design, the 6th field is carried within the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the 11th frame.

[0186] In a possible design, the 11th frame includes a shared station field. The shared station field indicates multiple stations participating in the shared spatial stream.

[0187] In a possible design, the shared station field includes multiple link identifier fields.

[0188] In a possible design, the 11th frame indicates the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by each station within the first multi-link device.

[0189] In a possible design, the 11th frame includes an 8th field. The 8th field includes a field for the number of spatial streams for reception, a field for the number of spatial streams for transmission, and a link identifier field.

[0190] In a possible design, the field for the number of spatial streams for reception and the field for the number of spatial streams for transmission are carried within the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the 11th frame.

[0191] In a possible design, the 11th frame includes an association request frame or an association response frame.

[0192] In a possible design, the method further includes the following. The first station transmits a delay field. The delay field indicates the delay required for the first station in the first multi-link device to adjust from a supported spatial stream to a shared spatial stream.

[0193] According to a 12th aspect, a communication device applied to a first station in a first multi-link device is provided. The communication device includes a communication module, and the communication module receives a third frame, the third frame instructs the first station to enable a mode of sharing the number of spatial streams, the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams is used to enable the first station to use a shared spatial stream, and the number of shared spatial streams is the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device, transmits a fourth frame, the fourth frame is used to respond to the third frame, and is configured as such.

[0194] In a possible design, the communication module is further configured to transmit an acknowledgment response frame for the third frame.

[0195] In a possible design, the communication module is further configured to receive an acknowledgment response frame for the fourth frame.

[0196] According to a 13th aspect, a communication device applied to a first station in a first multi-link device is provided. The communication device includes a communication module, and the communication module transmits a third frame, the third frame indicates that the first station enables a mode of sharing the number of spatial streams, the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams is used to enable the first station to use a shared spatial stream, and the number of shared spatial streams is the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device, Transmit the fourth frame, where the fourth frame is configured to be used to respond to the third frame. as configured.

[0197] Referring to the twelfth or thirteenth aspect, in a possible design, the communication device further includes a processing module configured to enable a plurality of spatial streams through frame interaction. The number of the plurality of spatial streams is less than or equal to the number of shared spatial streams.

[0198] Referring to the twelfth or thirteenth aspect, in a possible design, the communication device is further configured to use the spatial stream supported by the first station before the frame interaction is completed.

[0199] Referring to the twelfth or thirteenth aspect, in a possible design, the communication device is further configured to use a plurality of spatial streams after the frame interaction is completed.

[0200] Referring to the twelfth or thirteenth aspect, in a possible design, the communication device is further configured as follows. After the frame interaction sequence ends, the first station uses the spatial stream supported by the first station.

[0201] Referring to the twelfth or thirteenth aspect, in a possible design, the processing module is further configured to determine that the frame interaction sequence has ended when any one of the preset conditions is satisfied.

[0202] The preset conditions include at least one of the following conditions.

[0203] The first station receives the seventh frame. The receiving address of the seventh frame is different from the address of the first station, or the transmitting address of the seventh frame is different from the transmitting address of the eighth frame received by the first station. The eighth frame is used to start or establish a transmission opportunity.

[0204] Alternatively, the carrier sensing mechanism of the first station indicates that the medium is idle within a preset time period.

[0205] Alternatively, the first station receives a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU). The PPDU is determined by the first station as an inter-BSS PPDU.

[0206] Alternatively, the first station receives a multi-user (MU) PPDU. The basic service set color (BSS color) in the preamble carried by the MU PPDU is the same as the BSS color of the basic service set associated with the first station, and the preamble carried by the MU PPDU does not contain a station identifier that matches the first station.

[0207] Referring to the 12th aspect or the 13th aspect, in a possible design, the communication module receives a fifth frame, and the fifth frame instructs the first station to disable a mode that shares the number of spatial streams. The communication module is further configured to transmit a sixth frame, and the sixth frame is used to respond to the fifth frame.

[0208] Referring to the 12th aspect or the 13th aspect, in a possible design, the communication module is further configured to transmit an acknowledgment frame for the third frame.

[0209] Referring to the 12th aspect or the 13th aspect, in a possible design, the communication module is further configured to receive an acknowledgment frame for the sixth frame.

[0210] Referring to the 12th aspect or the 13th aspect, in a possible design, the communication module is further configured to receive an eleventh frame, and the eleventh frame further indicates the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device.

[0211] Referring to the 12th or 13th aspect, in a possible design, the 11th frame indicates, for each MCS, the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device.

[0212] Referring to the 12th or 13th aspect, in a possible design, the 11th frame includes a 5th field. The 5th field indicates, for each MCS, the maximum number of shared spatial streams for reception supported by the first multi-link device.

[0213] Referring to the 12th or 13th aspect, in a possible design, the 5th field is carried within the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the 11th frame.

[0214] Referring to the 12th or 13th aspect, in a possible design, the 11th frame includes a 6th field. The 6th field indicates, for each MCS, the maximum number of shared spatial streams for transmission supported by the first multi-link device.

[0215] Referring to the 12th or 13th aspect, in a possible design, the 6th field is carried within the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the 11th frame.

[0216] Referring to the 12th or 13th aspect, in a possible design, the 11th frame includes a shared station field. The shared station field indicates a plurality of stations participating in the shared spatial stream.

[0217] Referring to the 12th or 13th aspect, in a possible design, the shared station field includes a plurality of link identifier fields.

[0218] Referring to the 12th or 13th aspect, in a possible design, the 11th frame indicates the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by each station within the first multi-link device.

[0219] Referring to the 12th or 13th aspect, in a possible design, the 11th frame includes an 8th field. The 8th field includes a field for the number of spatial streams for reception, a field for the number of spatial streams for transmission, and a link identifier field.

[0220] Referring to the 12th or 13th aspect, in a possible design, the field for the number of spatial streams for reception and the field for the number of spatial streams for transmission are carried within the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the 11th frame.

[0221] Referring to the 12th or 13th aspect, in a possible design, the 11th frame includes an association request frame or an association response frame.

[0222] Referring to the 12th or 13th aspect, in a possible design, the communication module is further configured to transmit a delay field, and the delay field indicates the delay required for the first station within the first multi-link device to adjust from the supported spatial streams to the shared spatial streams.

[0223] According to the 14th aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device includes a communication module, and the communication module is configured to transmit a 3rd frame to a first station within a first multi-link device, the 3rd frame instructing the first station to enable a mode of sharing the number of spatial streams, the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams being used to enable the first station to use shared spatial streams, and the number of shared spatial streams being the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device, configured to receive a 4th frame from the first station, the 4th frame being used to respond to the 3rd frame.

[0224] In a possible design, the communication module is further configured to receive an acknowledgment response frame for the 3rd frame.

[0225] In a possible design, the communication module is further configured to send an acknowledgment frame for the fourth frame.

[0226] According to a fifteenth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device includes a communication module, and the communication module receives a third frame transmitted by a first station in a first multi-link device, the third frame indicating that the first station enables a mode of sharing the number of spatial streams, the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams being used to enable the first station to use shared spatial streams, and the number of shared spatial streams being the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device, is configured to send a fourth frame to the first station, the fourth frame being used to respond to the third frame.

[0227] Referring to the fourteenth aspect or the fifteenth aspect, in a possible design, the communication module is further configured to send a fifth frame to the first station, the fifth frame instructing the first station to disable a mode of sharing the number of spatial streams, and is further configured to receive a sixth frame from the first station, the sixth frame being used to respond to the fifth frame.

[0228] Referring to the fourteenth aspect or the fifteenth aspect, in a possible design, the communication module is further configured to receive an acknowledgment frame for the fifth frame from the first station.

[0229] Referring to the fourteenth aspect or the fifteenth aspect, in a possible design, the communication module is further configured to send an acknowledgment frame for the sixth frame to the first station.

[0230] Referring to the fourteenth aspect or the fifteenth aspect, in a possible design, the communication module is further configured to receive an eleventh frame from the first station, the eleventh frame indicating the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device.

[0231] Referring to the 14th or 15th aspect, in a possible design, the 11th frame indicates the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device for each MCS.

[0232] Referring to the 14th or 15th aspect, in a possible design, the 11th frame includes a 5th field. The 5th field indicates the maximum number of shared spatial streams for reception supported by the first multi-link device for each MCS.

[0233] Referring to the 14th or 15th aspect, in a possible design, the 5th field is carried within the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the 11th frame.

[0234] Referring to the 14th or 15th aspect, in a possible design, the 11th frame includes a 6th field. The 6th field indicates the maximum number of shared spatial streams for transmission supported by the first multi-link device for each MCS.

[0235] Referring to the 14th or 15th aspect, in a possible design, the 6th field is carried within the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the 11th frame.

[0236] Referring to the 14th or 15th aspect, in a possible design, the 11th frame includes a shared station field. The shared station field indicates a plurality of stations participating in the shared spatial stream.

[0237] Referring to the 14th or 15th aspect, in a possible design, the shared station field includes a plurality of link identifier fields.

[0238] Referring to the 14th or 15th aspect, in a possible design, the 11th frame indicates the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by each station within the first multi-link device.

[0239] Referring to the 14th or 15th aspect, in a possible design, the 11th frame includes an 8th field. The 8th field includes a field for the number of spatial streams for reception, a field for the number of spatial streams for transmission, and a link identifier field.

[0240] Referring to the 14th or 15th aspect, in a possible design, the field for the number of spatial streams for reception and the field for the number of spatial streams for transmission are carried within the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the 11th frame.

[0241] Referring to the 14th or 15th aspect, in a possible design, the 11th frame includes an association request frame or an association response frame.

[0242] Referring to the 14th or 15th aspect, in a possible design, the communication module is further configured to receive a delay field from the first station, and the delay field indicates the delay required for the first station in the first multi-link device to adjust from the supported spatial streams to the shared spatial streams.

[0243] According to the 16th aspect, a communication device applied to the first station in the first multi-link device is provided. The communication device includes a communication module, and the communication module is configured to receive a 5th frame, the 5th frame instructs the first station to disable the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams, the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams is used to enable the first station to use the shared spatial streams, and the number of shared spatial streams is the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device, configured to transmit a 6th frame, and the 6th frame is used to respond to the 5th frame. configured as such.

[0244] According to the 17th aspect, a communication device applied to a first station in a first multi-link device is provided. The communication device includes a communication module, and the communication module transmits a fifth frame, and the fifth frame instructs the first station to disable a mode of sharing the number of spatial streams. The mode of sharing the number of spatial streams is used to enable the first station to use shared spatial streams, and the number of shared spatial streams is the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device. transmits a sixth frame, and the sixth frame is used to respond to the fifth frame. is configured as such.

[0245] According to the 18th aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device includes a communication module, and the communication module transmits a fifth frame to a first station, and the fifth frame instructs the first station to disable a mode of sharing the number of spatial streams. The mode of sharing the number of spatial streams is used to enable the first station to use shared spatial streams, and the number of shared spatial streams is the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device, in a step; receives a sixth frame from the first station, and the sixth frame is used to respond to the fifth frame. is configured as such.

[0246] According to the 18th aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device includes a communication module, and the communication module receives a fifth frame transmitted by a first station, and the fifth frame instructs the first station to disable a mode of sharing the number of spatial streams. The mode of sharing the number of spatial streams is used to enable the first station to use shared spatial streams, and the number of shared spatial streams is the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device. transmits a sixth frame to the first station, and the sixth frame is used to respond to the fifth frame. is configured as such.

[0247] According to the 20th aspect, a communication device applied to a first station in a first multi-link device is provided. The communication device includes a processing module and a communication module. The processing module is configured to generate an 11th frame, and the 11th frame is the maximum number of shared space streams supported by the first multi-link device. The communication module is configured to transmit the 11th frame.

[0248] According to the 21st aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device includes a communication module, and the communication module receives an 11th frame from a first station in a first multi-link device, and the 11th frame indicates the maximum number of shared space streams supported by the first multi-link device, and is configured to determine the maximum number of shared space streams supported by the first multi-link device based on the 11th frame. is configured as such.

[0249] According to the 22nd aspect, a communication device applied to a first station in a first multi-link device is provided. The communication device includes a processing module configured to enable a plurality of spatial streams through frame interaction. The number of the plurality of spatial streams is less than or equal to the maximum number of shared space streams supported by the first multi-link device.

[0250] According to the 23rd aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device includes a processor and a communication interface. The processor and the communication interface are configured to implement any one of the methods provided in any one of the 1st to 7th aspects. The processor is configured to execute the processing operations in the corresponding method, and the communication interface is configured to execute the receiving / transmitting operations in the corresponding method.

[0251] According to the 24th aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. The computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions. When the computer instructions are executed on a computer, the computer is enabled to execute any one of the methods provided in any one of the 1st to 7th aspects.

[0252] According to the 25th aspect, a computer program product including computer instructions is provided. When the computer instructions are executed on a computer, the computer is enabled to execute any one of the methods provided in any one of the 1st to 7th aspects.

[0253] According to the 26th aspect, a chip including a processing circuit and a transceiver pin is provided. The processing circuit and the transceiver pin are configured to implement any one of the methods provided in any one of the 1st to 7th aspects. The processing circuit is configured to execute the processing operations in the corresponding method, and the transceiver pin is configured to execute the reception / transmission operations in the corresponding method.

[0254] Regarding the technical effects brought about by the design of any one of the 12th to 26th aspects, refer to the technical effects brought about by the corresponding design in the 1st to 11th aspects. Details are not described here again.

Brief Description of Drawings

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0269] The following describes the technical solution in the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0270] In the description of the present application, unless otherwise specified, " / " means "or". For example, A / B may represent A or B. The term "and / or" in this specification only describes the associated relationship for explaining the associated objects in the present specification, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B may represent the following three cases: only A exists, both A and B exist, and only B exists. Further, "at least one" means one or more, and "a plurality of" means two or more. Terms such as "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity and execution order, and terms such as "first" and "second" do not indicate a clear difference.

[0271] It should be noted that in the present application, words such as "example" or "for example" are used to represent examples, illustrations, or explanations. Any embodiment or design method described as an "example" or "for example" in the present application should not be described as being more suitable or having more advantages than another embodiment or design method. Exactly, the use of words such as "example", "for example", etc. is intended to present related concepts in a specific way.

[0272] To help understand the technical solution of the present application, the following first briefly explains the terms used in the present application.

[0273] 1. Spatial stream

[0274] A spatial stream refers to a data stream for wireless transmission processing. After the introduction of multiple input multiple output (MIMO) technology, data of multiple independent spatial streams can be transmitted via multiple antenna technologies. The larger the number of spatial streams, the greater the amount of channels for independent data processing, and the higher the data transmission rate.

[0275] In a MIMO system, the number of spatial streams supported by a device is generally less than or equal to the number of antennas set in the device.

[0276] In this embodiment of the present application, the number of spatial streams is the number of spatial streams.

[0277] 2. Request to Send (RTS) / Clear to Send (CTS) mechanism

[0278] The RTS / CTS mechanism is used to solve the hidden node problem to avoid signal contention among multiple stations.

[0279] Before the transmitting end sends a data frame, the transmitting end first broadcasts an RTS frame to instruct the transmitting end to send the data frame to the specified receiving end within the specified period. After receiving the RTS frame, the receiving end broadcasts a CTS frame to confirm the transmission of the transmitting end. Other stations that receive the RTS frame or CTS frame do not send wireless frames until the specified period ends.

[0280] 3. Carrier sensing mechanism

[0281] The carrier sensing mechanism is classified into a physical carrier sensing mechanism and a virtual carrier sensing mechanism.

[0282] The physical carrier sensing mechanism is also called clear channel assessment (CCA). In a wireless communication system, before a target device needs to transmit data on a channel, the target device first receives data on the channel. After a given time, if the target device does not recognize that another device is transmitting data on the channel, the target device starts transmitting data. If the target device recognizes that another device is transmitting data, the target device waits for a random time period and then retries the process.

[0283] The virtual carrier sensing mechanism uses the information detected in an 802.11 frame to predict the state of the wireless medium. Generally, virtual carrier sensing is provided by the network allocation vector (NAV). The NAV is a timer and is set based on the value of the duration in the MAC header of the frame. The value of the NAV decreases as time passes. If the NAV is not 0, it indicates that the wireless medium is busy. If the NAV is 0, it indicates that the wireless medium is idle. The wireless medium includes channels, frequency bands, etc.

[0284] 4. Basic service set (BSS)

[0285] The BSS is used to describe a group of devices that can communicate with each other in a wireless local area network (WLAN). A WLAN can include multiple BSSs. Each BSS has a unique identifier called the Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID).

[0286] A single BSS can include multiple stations (STAs). Stations include access points (APs) and non-access point stations (non-AP STAs). Optionally, a single BSS can include one AP and multiple non-AP STAs associated with the AP.

[0287] 5. Intra-Basic Service Set (Intra-BSS) PPDU, and Inter-Basic Service Set (Inter-BSS) PPDU

[0288] At a station, if the BSS to which the PPDU detected by the station belongs is the same BSS as the BSS associated with the station, or if the receiving / sending end of the PPDU detected by the station belongs to the same BSS as the station, the PPDU is an Intra-BSS PPDU. For example, if the BSS color / BSSID of the PPDU detected by the station is the same as the BSS color / BSSID of the BSS associated with the station, the PPDU is an Intra-BSS PPDU.

[0289] At a station, if the BSS to which the PPDU detected by the station belongs is not the same BSS as the BSS associated with the station, or if the receiving / sending end of the PPDU detected by the station belongs to the same BSS as the station, the PPDU is an Inter-BSS PPDU. For example, if the BSS color / BSSID of the PPDU detected by the station is different from the BSS color / BSSID of the BSS associated with the station, the PPDU is an Inter-BSS PPDU.

[0290] The above method for a station to determine whether a PPDU is an Intra-BSS PPDU or an Inter-BSS PPDU is merely an example. For details, refer to the prior art.

[0291] Embodiments of the present application provide a data transmission method. The method can be applied to a multi-link device. The multi-link device includes one or more associated stations, and the associated stations are logical stations or physical stations. In the examples of the present application, "the multi-link device includes associated stations" can be simply described as "the multi-link device includes stations".

[0292] The associated station may be an Access Point (AP) or a non-Access Point Station (non-AP STA). For ease of explanation, in the present embodiment of the present application, a multi-link device with an AP as an associated station is called a multi-link AP or an AP multi-link device or a multi-link AP device, and a multi-link device with an STA as an associated station may be called a multi-link STA, a multi-link STA device, or an STA multi-link device.

[0293] The multi-link device can implement wireless communication in accordance with the 802.11 system protocol. For example, the 802.11 system protocol may be the 802.11ax protocol, the 802.11be protocol, or a next-generation 802.11 protocol. This is not limited in the present embodiment of the present application.

[0294] The multi-link device can communicate with another device. In the present embodiment of the present application, the other device may or may not be a multi-link device.

[0295] In the case of a multi-link device, each associated station can operate on the same link, but it is permitted for multiple associated stations to operate on the same link. Therefore, in the present embodiment of the present application, a link identifier can be used to represent the stations operating on the link. If there are multiple associated stations on a link, multiple link identifiers are required to represent the multiple associated stations.

[0296] Before two multi-link devices communicate with each other, one multi-link device and the other multi-link device can first negotiate or communicate the correspondence between the link identifier and the link (or the station on the link). For example, the AP multi-link device indicates the correspondence between the link identifier and the link (or the station on the link) via a broadcast management frame such as a beacon frame. Therefore, during data transmission, the link (or the station on the link) can be indicated between the two multi-link devices via the link identifier, and there is no need to transmit a large amount of signaling information to indicate the link (or the station on the link). As a result, the signaling overhead is reduced and the transmission efficiency is improved.

[0297] The following uses an example where one of the aforementioned multi-link devices is an AP multi-link device and the other aforementioned multi-link device is a STA multi-link device.

[0298] In the example, when the AP multi-link device establishes a BSS, the management frame (e.g., beacon frame) transmitted from the AP multi-link device includes a plurality of link identifier information fields. Each link identifier information field can establish the correspondence between the link identifier and the station operating on the link. Each link identifier information field contains a link identifier and further includes one or more of a MAC address, an operating set, and a channel number. One or more of the MAC address, the operating set, and the channel number can indicate one link.

[0299] As another example, in the multi-link association establishment process, the AP multi-link device and the STA multi-link device negotiate regarding a plurality of link identifier information fields. In subsequent communication, the AP multi-link device or the STA multi-link device represents a station within the multi-link device through the link identifier. The link identifier can further represent one or more attributes of the MAC address, the operating set, and the channel number of the station. The MAC address may be replaced with the association identifier of the AP multi-link device after association. Optionally, when multiple stations are operating on one link, the link identifier (which is a numerical ID) represents not only the operating set and the channel number where the link is located, but also the identifier of the station operating on the link, for example, the MAC address or AID of the station.

[0300] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an application scenario according to an embodiment of the present application, using a wireless local area network as an example. The application scenario includes stations 101 and 102. Station 101 can communicate with station 102 via one or more links to improve throughput. Station 101 may be a multi-link device, and station 102 may be a single-link device, a multi-link device, etc. For example, in the scenario, station 101 is an AP multi-link device, and station 102 is a STA multi-link device or a station (for example, a single-link station). In another scenario, station 101 is a STA multi-link device, and station 102 is an AP (for example, a single-link AP) or an AP multi-link device. In yet another scenario, station 101 is an AP multi-link device, and station 102 is an AP multi-link device or an AP. In yet another scenario, station 101 is a STA multi-link device, and station 102 is a STA multi-link device or a STA. Of course, the wireless local area network may further include other devices. The quantity and type of the devices shown in FIG. 1 are merely examples.

[0301] Figures 2A and 2B are schematic diagrams of the structures of an AP multi-link device and an STA multi-link device participating in communication. The 802.11 standard focuses on the 802.11 Physical layer (PHY) part and the Media Access Control (MAC) layer part of the AP multi-link device and the STA multi-link device (such as mobile phones and notebook computers).

[0302] As shown in Figure 2A, the multiple APs included in the AP multi-link device are independent of each other in the Low MAC layer and the PHY layer, and are also independent of each other in the High MAC layer. The multiple STAs included in the STA multi-link device are independent of each other in the Low MAC layer and the PHY layer, and are also independent of each other in the High MAC layer.

[0303] As shown in Figure 2B, the multiple APs included in the AP multi-link device are independent of each other in the Low MAC layer and the PHY layer, and share the High MAC layer. The multiple STAs included in the STA multi-link device are independent of each other in the Low MAC layer and the PHY layer, and share the High MAC layer.

[0304] Of course, the STA multi-link device may use a structure in which the High MAC layers are independent of each other, and the AP multi-link device may use a structure in which the High MAC layers are shared. Alternatively, the STA multi-link device may use a structure that shares the High MAC layer, and the AP multi-link device may use a structure in which the High MAC layers are independent of each other. For example, the High MAC layer or the Low MAC layer may be implemented by a processor in the chip system of the multi-link device, or may be implemented by different processing modules in the chip system.

[0305] For example, in the present embodiment of the present application, a plurality of antennas are configured for a multi-link device. The number of antennas configured for the multi-link device is not limited in the present embodiment of the present application. For example, FIG. 2C shows an example in which an AP multi-link device is composed of two antennas and an STA multi-link device is composed of two antennas.

[0306] In the present embodiment of the present application, the multi-link device can enable the transmission of services of the same access type on different links, or can also enable the transmission of the same data packet on different links. The multi-link device does not permit the transmission of services of the same access type on different links, but permits the transmission of services of different access types on different links.

[0307] The frequency bands in which the multi-link device operates include, but are not limited to, sub-1 GHz, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, and millimeter-wave 60 GHz. FIGS. 3A and 3B show two schematic diagrams of communication between a multi-link device and another device in a wireless local area network via a plurality of links.

[0308] FIG. 3A shows a scenario in which an AP multi-link device 101 communicates with an STA multi-link device 102. The AP multi-link device 101 includes an associated AP 101-1 and an associated AP 101-2, the STA multi-link device 102 includes an associated STA 102-1 and an associated STA 102-2, and the AP multi-link device 101 and the STA multi-link device 102 communicate in parallel via link 1 and link 2.

[0309] Figure 3B shows a scenario where the AP multi-link device 101 communicates with the STA multi-link devices 102, 103, and STA104. The AP multi-link device 101 includes associated APs 101-1 to 101-3. The STA multi-link device 102 includes two associated STAs, namely STA102-1 and STA102-2. The STA multi-link device 103 includes two associated STAs, namely STA103-1, STA103-2, and STA103-3. STA104 is a single-link device. The AP multi-link device can communicate with the STA multi-link device 102 individually via Link 1 and Link 3, communicate with the STA multi-link device 103 via Link 2 and Link 3, and communicate with STA104 via Link 1. For example, STA104 operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency band. The STA multi-link device 103 includes APs 103-1 and 103-2. STA103-1 operates in the 5 GHz frequency band, and STA103-2 operates in the 6 GHz frequency band. The STA multi-link device 102 includes STA102-1 and STA102-2. STA102-1 operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, and STA102-2 operates in the 6 GHz frequency band. The AP101-1 operating in the 2.4 GHz frequency band within the AP multi-link device can transmit uplink or downlink data with STA104 and STA102-2 within the STA multi-link device 102 via Link 1. The AP101-2 operating in the 5 GHz frequency band within the AP multi-link device can transmit uplink or downlink data with STA103-1 operating in the 5 GHz frequency band within the STA multi-link device 103 via Link 2. The AP101-3 operating in the 6 GHz frequency band within the AP multi-link device 101 can transmit uplink or downlink data with STA102-2 operating in the 6 GHz frequency band within the STA multi-link device 102 via Link 3, and can also transmit uplink or downlink data with STA103-2 within the STA multi-link device via Link 3.

[0310] Note that FIG. 3A only shows that the AP multi-link device supports two frequency bands, and FIG. 3B only shows that the AP multi-link device supports three frequency bands (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz). Each frequency band corresponds to one link. An example where the AP multi-link device 101 operates on one or more of Link 1, Link 2, or Link 3 is used for the description. On the AP side or the STA side, the link here can also be understood as a station operating on the link. In actual applications, the AP multi-link device and the STA multi-link device may further support more or fewer frequency bands. That is, the AP multi-link device and the STA multi-link device may operate on more or fewer links. This is not limited in the present embodiment of this application.

[0311] For example, the multi-link device is a device having a wireless communication function. The device may be a device of the entire system, or may be a chip, a processing system, etc. mounted on the device of the entire system. The device on which the chip or the processing system is mounted may implement the method and functions in the present embodiment of this application under the control of the chip or the processing system.

[0312] The multi-link STA in the embodiments of the present application has a wireless transceiver function, supports the 802.11 series protocols, and can communicate with a multi-link AP, another multi-link STA, or a single-link device. For example, the multi-link STA can be any user communication device that enables a user to communicate with an AP and further communicate with a WLAN. For example, the multi-link STA can be 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, etc., which are user devices that can access the network, or can be an Internet of Things node in the Internet of Things, an in-vehicle communication device in the Internet of Vehicles, etc. The multi-link STA can alternatively be a chip or a processing system within the above terminal.

[0313] The multi-link AP in the present embodiment of the present application has a wireless transceiver function and may support the 802.11 series of protocols. For example, the multi-link AP can be a communication entity such as a communication server, a router, a switch, a bridge, etc., and the multi-link AP may include various forms such as a macro base station, a micro base station, a relay station, etc. Of course, the multi-link AP can alternatively be a chip and a processing system within the device in various forms. In this way, the method and function in the present embodiment of the present application are implemented.

[0314] Furthermore, the multi-link device may support high-speed and low-latency transmission. With the continuous evolution of the application scenarios of wireless local area networks, the multi-link device may be applied to even more scenarios. For example, the multi-link device may be, for example, a sensor node in a smart city (e.g., a smart water meter, a smart electricity meter, a smart air detection node), a smart device in a smart home (e.g., a smart camera, a projector, a display screen, a TV, a stereo, a refrigerator, a washing machine), a node in the Internet of Things, an entertainment terminal (e.g., a wearable device such as AR and VR), a smart device in a smart office (e.g., a printer or a projector), an Internet of Vehicles device in the Internet of Vehicles, and some infrastructure in daily life scenarios (e.g., a vending machine, a self-service navigation console in a supermarket, a self-service accounting register, a self-service order machine, etc.). The specific forms of the multi-link STA and the multi-link AP are not particularly limited in the embodiments of the present application and are merely examples for the purpose of the description herein.

[0315] The following will describe in detail the data transmission method provided in the embodiments of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings of the present specification.

[0316] FIG. 4 shows a data transmission method according to an embodiment of the present application. The method includes the following steps.

[0317] S101: The first station in the first multi-link device receives the data transmitted from the data transmission end using P spatial streams for reception.

[0318] The first multi-link device includes a plurality of stations. The first station is one of the plurality of stations included in the first multi-link device.

[0319] The data transmission end may be a single-link device or a station within a multi-link device, for example, the second station within the following second multi-link device. The second multi-link device is different from the first multi-link device. The second station is one of a plurality of stations included in the second multi-link device. When the second station functions as the data transmission end, the second station and the first station operate on the same link.

[0320] For example, the data transmission end is the second station within the second multi-link device. When P is less than or equal to the number of spatial streams for transmission supported by the second station, the second station can transmit data using only the spatial streams for transmission supported by the second station. When P is greater than the number of spatial streams supported by the second station, the second station can transmit data using the spatial streams for transmission supported by the second station and the spatial streams supported by another station within the second multi-link device.

[0321] The first multi-link device supports M spatial streams for reception. The first station supports N spatial streams for reception. M is a positive integer greater than 1, and N is a positive integer smaller than M.

[0322] In a possible design, M is equal to the total number of spatial streams for reception supported by all shared stations within the first multi-link device. Therefore, the M spatial streams for reception supported by the first multi-link device include the spatial streams for reception supported by all shared stations within the first multi-link device. A shared station can provide the spatial streams of the shared station to another station.

[0323] Optionally, all stations within the first multi-link device can be made into shared stations.

[0324] Alternatively, some of the stations in the first multi-link device are shared stations, and the other stations in the first multi-link device are not shared stations. In this case, the first station is a shared station. Also, the number of receive spatial streams supported by the non-shared stations is not limited by M. That is, the number of receive spatial streams supported by the non-shared stations may be greater than or equal to M, or may be less than or equal to M.

[0325] For example, multi-link device #1 includes stations #1, #2, and #3. Station #1 supports two spatial streams for reception, station #2 supports three spatial streams for reception, and station #3 supports four spatial streams for reception. If stations #1 and #2 are shared stations, M can be calculated as 5. That is, multi-link device #1 supports five spatial streams.

[0326] Optionally, the first multi-link device can determine whether the stations in the first multi-link device belong to shared stations based on the configuration of the first multi-link device, the communication standard, and / or the instruction of another device.

[0327] For example, in the communication standard, it may be predefined that in a multi-link device, stations operating in the frequency band from 5 GHz to 6 GHz are shared stations, and stations operating in the 2.4 GHz frequency band are not shared stations.

[0328] As another example, the first multi-link device may transmit a link identifier corresponding to the shared station to the second multi-link device or the single-link station by transmitting a wireless frame (for example, a control field in a management frame, a control frame, or a data frame). Thereby, the second multi-link device or the single-link station learns the link identifier corresponding to the shared station in the first multi-link device and determines the shared station in the first multi-link device. Also, alternatively, the frame transmission method may be broadcast. In this case, surrounding single-link stations or multi-link devices can learn the link identifier corresponding to the shared station in the first multi-link device and determine the shared station in the first multi-link device.

[0329] In the present embodiment of the present application, P is a positive integer greater than N and less than or equal to M. In this case, the P receiving spatial streams used by the first station are a subset of the M receiving spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device.

[0330] In the present embodiment of the present application, the first station can use either the receiving spatial streams supported by the first station or the receiving spatial streams supported by another station. Therefore, the maximum number of receiving spatial streams that can be used by the first station is greater than the number of receiving spatial streams supported by the first station.

[0331] Optionally, P is less than or equal to the maximum number of receiving spatial streams that can be used by the first station. The maximum number of receiving spatial streams that can be used by the first station is less than or equal to M.

[0332] In a possible design, the P receiving spatial streams used by the first station include the N receiving spatial streams supported by the first station and the P - N receiving spatial streams supported by another station within the first multi-link device. That is, the first station within the first multi-link device can receive data not only using the receiving spatial streams of the first station but also using the receiving spatial streams supported by another station within the first multi-link device.

[0333] For example, multi-link device #1 includes station #1, station #2, and station #3. Station #1 supports 2 receiving spatial streams, station #2 supports 3 receiving spatial streams, and station #3 supports 4 receiving spatial streams. Also, station #1 and station #2 are shared stations. In the data transmission process, station #1 can receive data not only using the 2 receiving spatial streams supported by station #1 but also using one or more of the 3 receiving spatial streams supported by station #2.

[0334] In a possible design, the first station can actively receive data using P spatial streams for reception.

[0335] Optionally, based on this design, before step S101, the first station needs to send first indication information to the data sending end. The first indication information instructs the first station to use P spatial streams for reception. The first indication information may be carried in the management frame, control frame, or the control field of the data frame.

[0336] In another possible design, the first station can receive data using P spatial streams for reception after being triggered by the data sending end.

[0337] Next, an implementation in which the first station in the first multi-link device is passively triggered to use P spatial streams for reception will be described.

[0338] Implementation 1: The first station in the first multi-link device receives the first frame sent by the data sending end. The first station in the first multi-link device sends a second frame to the data sending end.

[0339] The first frame is in the first multi-link device and indicates the station that receives the frame for receiving data using P spatial streams for reception. Optionally, the first frame includes a first field. The first field indicates a specific value of P. The first field can be given another name, such as a field of the number of spatial streams, for example. This is not limited in the present embodiment of the present application.

[0340] The second frame is used to respond to the first frame, e.g., an acknowledgment (Ack) frame. Optionally, the second frame indicates agreement or rejection of the first station's use of P spatial streams for reception. Further, if the second frame indicates rejection of the first station's use of P spatial streams for reception, the second frame may further indicate A recommended spatial streams for reception. A is not equal to P, and A is a positive integer.

[0341] Implementation 2: After receiving the start frame of frame exchange, the first station in the first multi-link device enables P spatial streams for reception. In this case, P is equal to M.

[0342] Optionally, the start frame of frame exchange may be an RTS frame. That is, the data transmitter can trigger the first station to enable P spatial streams for reception by sending an RTS frame to the first station. Then, the first station sends a CTS frame to the data transmitter. After the RTS-CTS mechanism is completed, the first station can receive data using the P spatial streams for reception.

[0343] Optionally, the start frame of frame interaction may be a trigger frame. The trigger frame is used to trigger a station to send an uplink PPDU or a single-user PPDU.

[0344] Optionally, the trigger frame used as the start frame of frame interaction needs to meet the following conditions.

[0345] Condition 1-1: The trigger frame is transmitted in the form of a single spatial stream.

[0346] Condition 1-2: The trigger frame is from the associated AP. Alternatively, if the AP associated with the station corresponds to a Non-transmitted BSSID within a multi-BSSID set and supports control frames transmitted by a transmitted BSSID within the multi-BSSID set, the trigger frame is from the AP of the transmitted BSSID within the BSSID set.

[0347] Condition 1-3: The trigger frame is a multi-user request to send (MU-RTS) trigger frame, a buffer status report poll (BSRP) frame, or a bandwidth query report poll trigger frame. Further, the trigger frame includes a user information field. The value of the AID12 field in the user information field is the same as the lower 12 bits of the AID of the first station.

[0348] Conditions 1-1 to 1-3 are merely examples. This is not limited in the present embodiment of the present application.

[0349] The first station discloses a plurality of receive spatial streams for receiving data based on the function of the spatial stream at a short inter frame space (SIFS) after the start frame of the response frame interaction, for example, a Supported EHT MCS Set field and an operation mode (operation mode change notification information or operation mode indication information).

[0350] Implementation 3: When the first station of the first multi-link device is in a mode of sharing spatial streams, the first station in the first multi-link device enables P receive spatial streams after receiving the start frame of the frame exchange. In this case, P is equal to M.

[0351] The mode of sharing the number of spatial streams is used to enable a station within a multi-link device to use the spatial streams of another station. That is, when the first station is in the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams, the first station can use the spatial streams supported by another station within the first multi-link device.

[0352] Correspondingly, when the first station is not in the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams, the first station cannot use the spatial streams supported by another station within the first multi-link device. Thus, when the first station is not in the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams, after receiving the start frame of frame exchange, the first station enables the N receive spatial streams supported by the first station.

[0353] In a possible design, the trigger negotiation procedure for enabling the first station within the first multi-link device to be in the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams is as follows. The first station within the first multi-link device receives the third frame sent by the data transmission end. Then, the first station within the first multi-link device sends the fourth frame to the data transmission end. The third frame instructs the station receiving the third frame to enable the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams. The fourth frame is used to respond to the third frame.

[0354] In another possible design, the trigger negotiation procedure for enabling the first station within the first multi-link device to be in the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams is as follows. The first station within the first multi-link device receives the third frame sent by the data transmission end. The first station within the first multi-link device sends an acknowledgment frame to the data transmission end. Next, the first station within the first multi-link device sends the fourth frame to the data transmission end. Then, the first station within the first multi-link device receives the acknowledgment frame sent by the data transmission end. The third frame instructs the station receiving the third frame to enable the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams. The fourth frame is used to respond to the third frame.

[0355] Optionally, the third frame further includes a second field. The second field indicates the number of receive spatial streams that need to be used in the first session.

[0356] Optionally, the third frame further includes a seventh field. The seventh field indicates the number X of receive spatial streams that the first station needs to use after the first station ends the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams or after it is determined that the frame exchange sequence ends when the preset condition is satisfied. Here, 1 ≦ X ≦ N.

[0357] Optionally, the fourth frame further includes a third field. The third field indicates the number of receive spatial streams currently available for use by the first station. That is, the third field indicates a specific value of P.

[0358] Optionally, the fourth frame further includes a delay field. The delay field indicates the delay required for the first station in the first multi-link device to adjust from the currently used receive spatial streams to P receive spatial streams.

[0359] Optionally, the fourth frame further includes a tenth field. The tenth field indicates the number of receive spatial streams recommended for use by the first station after the first station ends the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams or after it is determined that the frame exchange sequence ends when the preset condition is satisfied.

[0360] In a possible design, the trigger negotiation procedure for disabling the mode in which the first station in the first multi-link device shares the number of spatial streams is as follows. The first station in the first multi-link device receives a fifth frame transmitted by the data transmission end. Then, the first station in the first multi-link device transmits a sixth frame to the data transmission end. The fifth frame instructs the station receiving the fifth frame to disable the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams. The sixth frame is used to respond to the fifth frame.

[0361] In another possible design, the trigger negotiation procedure for disabling the mode in which the first station in the first multi-link device shares the number of spatial streams is as follows. The first station in the first multi-link device receives the fifth frame transmitted by the data transmission end. The first station in the first multi-link device transmits an acknowledgment frame to the data transmission end. Next, the first station in the first multi-link device transmits the sixth frame to the data transmission end. Then, the first station in the first multi-link device receives the acknowledgment frame transmitted by the data transmission end. The fifth frame instructs the station receiving the fifth frame to disable the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams. The sixth frame is used to respond to the fifth frame.

[0362] Optionally, the third frame and the fifth frame may be applied to the same type of wireless frame. The wireless frame includes an indication field. The indication field indicates whether the wireless frame is the third frame or the fifth frame.

[0363] In the foregoing description, "enable the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams" can be replaced with "enter the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams", and "disable the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams" can be replaced with "exit the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams".

[0364] It can be understood that the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams has other aliases, such as, for example, the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams, the mode of sharing spatial streams, or the sharing mode, etc. This is not limited in the present embodiment of the present application.

[0365] Based on the technical solution shown in FIG. 4, compared with the prior art in which the first station can receive data using only the spatial streams supported by the first station, according to the technical solution provided in the present application, the first station can receive data using the spatial streams for reception supported by other stations in the first multi-link device. That is, compared with the prior art, in the technical solution of the present application, the first station can receive data using more spatial streams for reception. Since the number of spatial streams for reception is positively correlated with the data throughput, the technical solution of the present application can improve the data throughput of the first station.

[0366] Thus, in a scenario where high throughput is required for the first station, the first station can receive data using P spatial streams for reception. In a scenario where high throughput is not required for the first station, the first station in the first multi-link device can receive data using only the spatial streams for reception supported by the first station.

[0367] Optionally, as shown in FIG. 5, based on the solution shown in FIG. 4, after step S101, the data transmission method may further include step S102.

[0368] S102: When any one of the preset conditions is satisfied, the first station in the first multi-link device determines that the frame exchange sequence has ended and uses X spatial streams for reception.

[0369] X is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to N. The X spatial streams for reception are a subset of the N spatial streams for reception supported by the first station.

[0370] In a possible design, X may be 1 or N by default in the communication standard, and no additional signaling is required to indicate the value of X.

[0371] In another possible design, the data transmitting end may indicate the value of X to the first station. For example, the data transmitting end uses the seventh field in the third frame to indicate the value of X.

[0372] That is, when any one of the preset conditions is satisfied, the first station adjusts the first P spatial streams used for reception to the X spatial streams used for reception.

[0373] Optionally, the preset condition includes at least one of the following conditions.

[0374] Condition 2-1: The first station receives the seventh frame. The receiving address of the seventh frame is different from the address of the first station, or the transmitting address of the seventh frame is different from the transmitting address of the eighth frame. The eighth frame is used to start or establish a transmission opportunity (TXOP) between the first station and the data transmitting end.

[0375] Condition 2-2: The carrier sensing mechanism of the first station indicates that the medium is idle within the preset time period. The medium may have another name, such as the medium, frequency band, or channel, etc. This is not limited here. For example, the preset time period may be the transport point coordination function interframe space (TxPIFS) of the transport point adjustment function.

[0376] Condition 2-3: The first station receives a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU). The PPDU is determined by the first station as an Inter-BSS PPDU.

[0377] Condition 2-4: In the first session, a multi-user (MU) PPDU is received. The BSS color of the receive vector (RXVECTOR) parameter transmitted in the MU PPDU is the same as the BSS color of the BSS associated with the first session, and there is no station identifier in the MU PPDU that matches the first session for the RXVECTOR parameter transmitted. That is, the BSS color in the preamble of the MU PPDU is the same as the BSS color of the BSS associated with the first session, and there is no station identifier in the preamble of the MU PPDU that matches the first session.

[0378] Based on Conditions 2 to 4, before the first session receives the MU PPDU, the value of the Basic Service Set Color Disable (BSS Color Disable) field in the management frame that the first session recently received becomes 0.

[0379] Based on the technical solution shown in FIG. 5, when any of the above preset conditions is satisfied, it indicates that the first session in the first multi-link device has completed the frame sequence exchange with the data transmission end. Therefore, the first session in the first multi-link device stops using the spatial streams for reception supported by other sessions in the first multi-link device, so that other sessions in the first multi-link device can use the spatial streams for reception by other sessions to perform normal communication.

[0380] FIG. 6 shows a data transmission method according to an embodiment of the present application. The method includes the following steps.

[0381] S201: The second session of the second multi-link device transmits data to the data reception end using L spatial streams for transmission.

[0382] The second multi-link device includes a plurality of sessions. The second session is one of the plurality of sessions included in the second multi-link device. The data reception end may be a single-link device or a session in a multi-link device, for example, the first session in the aforementioned first multi-link device.

[0383] For example, the data receiving end is the first station in the first multi-link device. When L is less than or equal to N, the first station can receive data using only the receive spatial streams supported by the first station. When L is greater than N, the first station can receive data using the receive spatial streams supported by the first station and the receive spatial streams supported by another station in the first multi-link device.

[0384] The second multi-link device supports Q transmit spatial streams. The second station in the second multi-link device supports K transmit spatial streams. Q is a positive integer greater than 1, and K is a positive integer less than Q.

[0385] In a possible design, Q is equal to the total number of transmit spatial streams supported by all the shared stations in the second multi-link device. Therefore, the Q spatial streams supported by the second multi-link device include the transmit spatial streams supported by all the shared stations in the second multi-link device. A shared station can provide its spatial stream to another station.

[0386] Optionally, all the stations in the second multi-link device can be made into shared stations.

[0387] Alternatively, some of the stations in the second multi-link device are shared stations, and the other stations in the second multi-link device are not shared stations. In this case, the second station is a shared station. Also, the number of receive spatial streams supported by a non-shared station is not limited by Q. That is, the number of receive spatial streams supported by a non-shared station may be greater than or equal to Q, or less than or equal to Q.

[0388] Optionally, the second multi-link device can determine whether a station in the second multi-link device belongs to a shared station based on the configuration of the second multi-link device, the communication standard, and / or the instruction of another device.

[0389] For example, in a communication standard, it may be pre-defined that in a multi-link device, a station operating in the frequency band from 5 GHz to 6 GHz is a shared station, and a station operating in the 2.4 GHz frequency band is not a shared station.

[0390] In the present embodiment of the present application, L is a positive integer greater than K and less than or equal to Q. In this case, the L spatial streams for transmission used by the second station are a subset of the Q spatial streams for transmission supported by the second multi-link device.

[0391] In the present embodiment of the present application, the second station can use either the spatial streams for transmission supported by the second station or the spatial streams for transmission supported by another station. Therefore, the maximum number of spatial streams for transmission that can be used by the second station is greater than the number of spatial streams for transmission supported by the second station.

[0392] Optionally, L is less than or equal to the maximum number of spatial streams for transmission that can be used by the second station. The maximum number of spatial streams that can be used by the second station is less than or equal to Q.

[0393] In a possible design, the L spatial streams for transmission used by the second station include the K spatial streams for transmission supported by the second station and the L - K spatial streams for transmission supported by another station within the second multi-link device. That is, the second station within the second multi-link device can not only transmit data using the spatial streams for transmission of the second station, but also transmit data using the spatial streams for transmission supported by another station within the second multi-link device.

[0394] In a possible implementation, the second station can actively transmit data using L spatial streams for transmission. For example, the second station may determine the number of spatial streams for transmission based on factors such as the link state of the second multi-link device and / or the throughput requirements of the data to be transmitted.

[0395] For example, if the channel state corresponding to the second station in the second multi-link device is good (e.g., the channel quality is equal to or greater than the first preset value), and the channel state of the link corresponding to the third station in the second multi-link device is bad (e.g., the channel quality is less than the first preset value), the second station can fully utilize the spatial resources and improve the throughput of the second station by transmitting data using the spatial streams for transmission supported by the third station in the second multi-link device. The third station may be one or more other stations in the second multi-link device other than the second station.

[0396] For example, when the throughput requirement of the data to be transmitted by the second station is high (e.g., the throughput requirement of the data to be transmitted is equal to or greater than the second preset value), the second station may transmit the data using L spatial streams for transmission. When the throughput requirement of the data to be transmitted by the second station is low (e.g., the throughput requirement of the data to be transmitted is less than the second preset value), the second station transmits the data using K spatial streams for transmission.

[0397] Optionally, the second station can determine the value of L based on the information of the spatial streams for reception related to the data reception end.

[0398] For example, the data receiving end is a single-link device. When the number of receive spatial streams supported by the single-link device is greater than the number of transmit spatial streams supported by the second station, and the number of receive spatial streams supported by the single-link device is less than or equal to the number of transmit spatial streams supported by the second multi-link device, the value of L may be less than or equal to the number of receive spatial streams supported by the single-link device. Alternatively, when the number of receive spatial streams supported by the single-link device is greater than the number of transmit spatial streams supported by the second station, and the number of receive spatial streams supported by the single-link device is greater than the number of transmit spatial streams supported by the second multi-link device, the value of L may be less than or equal to the number of transmit spatial streams supported by the second multi-link device.

[0399] For example, assume that the second multi-link device supports 10 spatial streams for transmission, the second station supports 2 spatial streams for transmission, and the single-link device supports 3 spatial streams for reception. Then, the second station can determine that the value of L is 3.

[0400] For example, the data receiving end is a station within a peer multi-link device (e.g., the first station within the aforementioned first multi-link device). When the number of receive spatial streams supported by the single-link device is greater than the number of transmit spatial streams supported by the second station, and the number of receive spatial streams supported by the peer multi-link device is less than or equal to the number of transmit spatial streams supported by the second multi-link device, the value of L may be less than or equal to the number of receive spatial streams supported by the peer multi-link device. Alternatively, when the number of receive spatial streams supported by the peer multi-link device is greater than the number of transmit spatial streams supported by the second station, and the number of receive spatial streams supported by the peer multi-link device is greater than the number of transmit spatial streams supported by the second multi-link device, the value of L may be less than or equal to the number of transmit spatial streams supported by the second multi-link device.

[0401] In another possible implementation, after being triggered by the data receiving end, the second station can transmit data using L spatial streams for transmission.

[0402] In a possible design, the triggering procedure may include the following steps. The second station receives the ninth frame transmitted by the data transmitting end. Thereafter, the second station transmits the tenth frame to the data transmitting end.

[0403] The ninth frame instructs the second station to transmit data using L spatial streams for transmission. Optionally, the ninth frame includes a fourth field. The fourth field indicates the value of L.

[0404] The tenth frame is used to respond to the ninth frame. Optionally, the tenth frame may indicate that the second station agrees or refuses to use L spatial streams for transmission.

[0405] Optionally, the tenth frame may be an acknowledgment frame.

[0406] In another possible design, the triggering procedure may include the following steps. The second station receives the ninth frame transmitted by the data transmitting end, and the second station transmits an acknowledgment frame to the data transmitting end. Next, the second station transmits the tenth frame to the data transmitting end, and the second station receives the acknowledgment frame transmitted by the data transmitting end.

[0407] Optionally, before step S201, the second station may transmit second indication information to the data receiving end. The second indication information indicates the number of spatial streams for transmission used by the second station.

[0408] According to the technical solution shown in FIG. 6, compared with the prior art in which the second station can transmit data using only the spatial streams supported by the second station, according to the technical solution provided in the present application, the second station can receive data using the spatial streams for transmission supported by other stations in the second multi-link device. That is, compared with the prior art, in the technical solution of the present application, the second station can transmit data using more spatial streams for transmission. Since the number of spatial streams for transmission is positively correlated with the data throughput, the technical solution of the present application can improve the data throughput of the second station.

[0409] Thus, in a scenario where a high throughput is required for the second station, the second station can transmit data using L spatial streams for transmission. In a scenario where a high throughput is not required for the second station, the second station in the second multi-link device can transmit data using only the spatial streams for transmission supported by the second station.

[0410] Here, with reference to the actual application scenario, examples are used to describe the technical solutions shown in FIGS. 4 and 6.

[0411] As shown in FIG. 7, the multi-link device #1 includes station #101 and station #102, and the multi-link device #2 includes station #201 and station #202. Both station #101 and station #201 operate on link 1, and both station #102 and station #202 operate on link 2. The multi-link device #1 supports four spatial streams for reception, and both station #101 and station #102 support two spatial streams for reception. The multi-link device #2 supports four spatial streams for transmission, and both station #201 and station #202 support two spatial streams for transmission. The multi-link device #2 determines that the channel quality of link 1 is good and the channel quality of link 2 is bad. Therefore, station #201 of the multi-link device #2 transmits an RTS frame to station #101 of the multi-link device #1 on link 1, and station #101 of the multi-link device #1 returns a CTS frame to station #201 of the multi-link device #2 on link 1. Thereby, station #101 of the multi-link device #1 enables four spatial streams for reception. Next, station #201 transmits data using four spatial streams for transmission. Correspondingly, station #101 receives data using four spatial streams for reception.

[0412] FIG. 8 shows a data transmission method according to an embodiment of the present application. The method includes the following steps.

[0413] S301: The target multi-link device transmits an 11th frame to the peer device.

[0414] For example, the target multi-link device may be the first multi-link device or the second multi-link device.

[0415] Optionally, when the target multi-link device is an AP multi-link device, the AP multi-link device may transmit the 11th frame in a unicast or broadcast manner.

[0416] Optionally, when the target multi-link device is a STA multi-link device, the STA multi-link device may transmit the 11th frame in unicast mode.

[0417] Optionally, the peer device may be a multi-link device or a single-link device.

[0418] For example, when the target multi-link device is the first multi-link device, step S201 can be specifically implemented as follows. The first station in the first multi-link device transmits the 11th frame to the peer device.

[0419] As another example, when the target multi-link device is the second multi-link device, step S201 can be specifically implemented as follows. The second station in the second multi-link device transmits the 11th frame to the peer device.

[0420] In the present embodiment of the present application, the 11th frame indicates the maximum number of spatial streams (number of spatial streams, NSS) supported by the target multi-link device.

[0421] Optionally, the number of spatial streams is related to the modulation and coding scheme (MCS). Therefore, the 11th frame specifically indicates the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the target multi-link device for each MCS.

[0422] Optionally, in the present embodiment of the present application, the maximum number of spatial streams may include the maximum number of spatial streams for transmission and the maximum number of spatial streams for reception.

[0423] For example, the 11th frame can include a 5th field and a 6th field. The 5th field indicates, for each MCS, the maximum number of spatial streams for reception supported by the target multi-link device. The 6th field indicates, for each MCS, the maximum number of spatial streams for transmission supported by the target multi-link device.

[0424] Optionally, another name, such as a receive MCS mapping field, can be given to the 5th field. Another name, such as a transmit MCS mapping field, can be given to the 6th field.

[0425] Refer to FIG. 9 for the format of the 5th field. In FIG. 9, the Max EHT-MCS For n SS field occupies 2 bits. The Max EHT-MCS For n SS field corresponds to the number n of spatial streams for reception, where n can be any integer from 1 to 16. The encoding rule of the Max EHT-MCS For n SS field is as follows.

[0426] (1) When the value of the Max EHT-MCS For n SS field is 0, it indicates that EHT-MCS0-7 supports n spatial streams for reception.

[0427] (2) When the value of the Max EHT-MCS For n SS field is 1, it indicates that EHT-MCS0-9 supports n spatial streams for reception.

[0428] (3) When the value of the Max EHT-MCS For n SS field is 2, it indicates that EHT-MCS0-11, EHT-MCS0-13, or EHT-MCS0-14 supports n receive spatial streams.

[0429] (4) When the value of the Max EHT-MCS For n SS field is 3, it indicates that the EHT PPDU does not support n spatial streams for reception.

[0430] Note that for a specific number of spatial streams, not all the MCSs supported in the Max EHT-MCS For n SS field may apply to all PPDU bandwidths.

[0431] In the present embodiment of the present application, for a specific implementation of the sixth field, refer to the fifth field. Details are not described here again.

[0432] Optionally, the 11th frame further indicates the maximum number of spatial streams supported by each station within the target multi-link device. For example, the maximum number of spatial streams supported by each station of the target multi-link device is, by default, the maximum number of spatial streams supported by the station. In a possible design, the 11th frame can include the eighth field corresponding to each station of the target multi-link device. The eighth field indicates the maximum amount of spatial streams supported by the station. The eighth field may include a field for the number of spatial streams for reception, a field for the number of spatial streams for transmission, and a link identifier field. The link identifier field of the eighth field is used to determine the station corresponding to the eighth field. The field for the number of spatial streams for reception in the eighth field indicates the maximum number of spatial streams for reception supported by the station. The field for the number of spatial streams for transmission in the eighth field indicates the maximum number of spatial streams for transmission supported by the station.

[0433] For example, the target multi-link device is the first multi-link device. In the 11th frame, the field for the number of spatial streams for reception in the eighth frame corresponding to the first station may indicate a value of N.

[0434] For example, the target multi-link device is the second multi-link device. In the 11th frame, the field for the number of spatial streams for transmission in the eighth frame corresponding to the first station may indicate a value of Q.

[0435] Optionally, within the eighth field, a field for the number of receive spatial streams (or a field for the number of transmit spatial streams) may indicate the maximum number of receive spatial streams (or the maximum number of transmit spatial streams) in a simple manner. For example, the field for the number of receive spatial streams is 4 bits, and each value of the 4 bits corresponds to one of the numbers of receive spatial streams from 1 to 16.

[0436] Optionally, within the eighth field, for the field of the number of receive spatial streams and the field of the number of transmit spatial streams of the eighth field, refer to the implementation of the fifth field in FIG. 9.

[0437] Optionally, the eleventh frame further indicates the maximum number of spatial streams available for each station within the target multi-link device. Since one station may use the spatial streams supported by a shared station, the maximum number of spatial streams available at the station may be greater than the maximum number of spatial streams supported by the station. For example, to achieve this purpose, the eleventh frame may further include a ninth field corresponding to each station within the target multi-link device. The ninth field indicates the maximum number of spatial streams available for the station.

[0438] In a possible design, the ninth field may include a field for the number of receive spatial streams, a field for the number of transmit spatial streams, and a link identifier field. The link identifier field of the ninth field is used to determine the station corresponding to the ninth field. The field for the number of receive spatial streams of the ninth field indicates the maximum number of receive spatial streams available for the station. The field for the number of transmit spatial streams of the ninth field indicates the maximum number of transmit spatial streams available for the station.

[0439] For example, the target multi-link device is the first multi-link device. In the 11th frame, the field of the number of receive spatial streams in the 9th frame corresponding to the first station indicates the maximum value that P can reach.

[0440] For example, the target multi-link device is the second multi-link device. In the 11th frame, the field of the number of transmit spatial streams in the 9th frame corresponding to the first station indicates the maximum value that L can reach.

[0441] Optionally, within the 9th field, the field of the number of receive spatial streams (or the field of the number of transmit spatial streams) may indicate the maximum number of receive spatial streams (or the maximum number of transmit spatial streams) in a simple manner. For example, the field of the number of receive spatial streams is 4 bits, and each value of the 4 bits corresponds to any of the numbers of receive spatial streams from 1 to 16.

[0442] Optionally, within the 9th field, for the fields of the number of receive spatial streams and the number of transmit spatial streams in the 8th field, refer to the implementation of the 5th field in FIG. 9.

[0443] Optionally, the 11th frame may not explicitly indicate the maximum number of spatial streams available for each station within the target multi-link device. That is, the 11th frame may not include the 9th field.

[0444] For example, when the 11th frame does not include the 9th field, if a value specific to the maximum number of receive spatial streams / send spatial streams supported by the target multi-link device is specified in the communication standard, the maximum number of receive spatial streams that each station in the target multi-link device can use is equal to the maximum number of receive spatial streams supported by the target multi-link device, and the maximum number of send spatial streams that each station in the target multi-link device can use is equal to the maximum number of send spatial streams supported by the target multi-link device. In this case, the maximum number of receive spatial streams supported by the target multi-link device is the sum of the numbers of receive spatial streams supported by all shared stations in the target multi-link device. The maximum number of receive spatial streams supported by the target multi-link device is the sum of the numbers of send spatial streams supported by all shared stations in the target multi-link device.

[0445] Optionally, the 11th frame may include a shared station field. The shared station field may include a plurality of link identifier fields. Each link identifier field corresponds to one station participating in the shared spatial stream within the target multi-link device.

[0446] In a possible design, when expanding the maximum number of spatial streams supported by the multi-link device from one to a plurality, that is, when the communication standard permits the maximum number of receive spatial streams / send spatial streams supported by the target multi-link device to have a plurality of values, the 11th frame can include a plurality of set fields for the number of receive shared spatial streams and a plurality of set fields for the number of shared spatial streams.

[0447] The set field of the number of receive shared space streams includes a field for the number of receive space streams and one or more link identifier fields. The field for the number of receive space streams in the set field of the number of receive shared space streams indicates the maximum number of receive space streams supported by the target multi-link device. Each link identifier field in the set field of the number of receive shared space streams corresponds to one station participating in the shared space stream of the target multi-link device.

[0448] Based on this design, if the 11th frame does not include the 9th field, the maximum number of receive space streams that one station of the target multi-link device can use is equal to the number of receive space streams corresponding to the set field of the number of receive shared space streams supported by the station.

[0449] The set field of the number of transmit shared space streams includes a field for the number of transmit space streams and one or more link identifier fields. The field for the number of transmit space streams in the set field of the number of transmit shared space streams indicates the maximum number of transmit space streams supported by the target multi-link device. Each link identifier field in the set field of the number of transmit shared space streams corresponds to one station participating in the shared space stream of the target multi-link device.

[0450] Based on this design, if the 11th frame does not include the 9th field, the maximum transmit space streams that one station of the target multi-link device can use is equal to the number of transmit space streams corresponding to the set field of the number of transmit shared space streams supported by the station.

[0451] In the present embodiment of the present application, the 11th frame may be a new type of management frame. Alternatively, the 11th frame may multiplex an existing management frame. For example, the 11th frame may multiplex an association request / association response frame.

[0452] Optionally, when the 11th frame multiplexes an association request / association response frame, the 5th and 6th fields can be arranged in the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field within the functional elements carried in the association request / association response frame.

[0453] S302: The peer device determines the maximum number of spatial streams supported by the target multi-link device.

[0454] In the present embodiment of the present application, the peer device can determine the maximum number of spatial streams supported by the target multi-link device for each MCS based on the 11th frame and the operation mode notification frame (or the Operating Mode (OM) field).

[0455] For example, the peer device determines the number of the first spatial stream and the number of the second spatial stream corresponding to the target MCS. The number of the first spatial stream is the maximum number of receive spatial streams supported by the target MCS indicated by the 4th field of the 9th frame. The number of the second spatial stream is the maximum number of receive spatial streams indicated by the field of the number of receive spatial streams in the most recently received operation mode notification frame or the most recently received operating mode (OM) field. The peer device uses the number of the third spatial stream as the maximum number of receive spatial streams supported by the target multi-link device on the target MCS. The number of the third spatial stream is the minimum value between the number of the first spatial stream and the number of the second spatial stream.

[0456] For example, the peer device determines the number of fourth spatial streams and the number of fifth spatial streams corresponding to the target MCS. The number of fourth spatial streams is the maximum number of spatial streams for transmission supported by the target MCS indicated by the fifth field of the ninth frame. The number of fifth spatial streams is the maximum number of spatial streams for transmission indicated by the field of the number of spatial streams for transmission in the most recently received operation mode notification frame or the most recently received OM field. The peer device uses the number of sixth spatial streams as the maximum number of spatial streams for transmission supported by the target multi-link device on the target MCS. The number of sixth spatial streams is the minimum value between the number of fourth spatial streams and the number of fifth spatial streams.

[0457] The target MCS may be any MCS.

[0458] Optionally, if the eleventh frame includes an eighth field corresponding to each station in the target multi-link device, the peer device can determine, based on the eleventh frame, the maximum number of receive spatial streams and the maximum number of transmit spatial streams supported by each station in the target multi-link device in the default case.

[0459] Optionally, if the eleventh frame includes a ninth field corresponding to each station in the target multi-link device, the peer device can determine, based on the eleventh frame, the maximum number of receive spatial streams and the maximum number of transmit spatial streams supported by each station in the target multi-link device when shared spatial streams are used.

[0460] Based on the technical solution shown in FIG. 8, the target multi-link device transmits the eleventh frame to the peer device, so that the peer device can determine the maximum number of spatial streams supported by the target multi-link device. Therefore, the peer device can communicate with the target multi-link device using an appropriate number of spatial streams.

[0461] In the above embodiments, the data can be replaced with PPDUs, packets, wireless frames, etc. This is not limited herein.

[0462] In the above embodiments, the spatial stream supported by a station within the multi-link device refers to the spatial stream that can be received or transmitted by an antenna configured for the station.

[0463] In the above embodiments, the fact that a station within the multi-link device can use the spatial stream supported by another station means that the station can use an antenna configured for another station to receive or transmit the spatial stream.

[0464] In the above embodiments, the spatial stream for reception can be replaced with a receiving antenna or a receiving channel. The spatial stream for transmission can be replaced with a transmitting antenna or a transmitting channel.

[0465] In the present embodiment of the present application, the names of the frames (e.g., the first frame and the second frame) and the fields (e.g., the first field and the second field) are examples. This is not specifically limited herein.

[0466] Above, the solutions provided in the embodiments of this application have been described mainly from the perspective of a communication device (for example, the first multi-link device or the second multi-link device). To implement the foregoing functions, it can be understood that the communication device includes corresponding hardware structures and / or software modules that execute each function. Those skilled in the art should easily recognize that this application may be implemented by hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software in combination with the examples of units and algorithm steps described in the embodiments disclosed in this specification. Whether a function is executed by hardware driven by hardware or computer software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art may use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but the implementation should not be considered to exceed the scope of this application.

[0467] In the embodiments of this application, a device may be divided into functional modules based on the examples of the foregoing methods. For example, each functional module may be obtained through division based on each corresponding function, or two or more functions may be integrated into one functional module. The integrated module may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional module. In the embodiments of this application, the division into modules is an example and is merely a logical function division. During actual implementation, there may be other division methods. An example in which each functional module is obtained through division based on each corresponding function is used below for illustration.

[0468] FIG. 10 shows a communication device according to an embodiment of this application. The communication device includes a processing module 201 and a communication module 202.

[0469] The communication module 202 is configured to execute step S101 in FIG. 4, step S102 in FIG. 5, step S201 in FIG. 6, and step S301 in FIG. 8. The processing module 201 may be configured to execute step S302 in FIG. 8 to generate or analyze data.

[0470] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the structure of a possible product form of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0471] In a possible product form, the communication device in the embodiment of the present application may be a communication apparatus. The communication apparatus includes a processor 301 and a transceiver 302. Optionally, the communication apparatus further includes a storage medium 303.

[0472] The transceiver 302 is configured to execute step S101 in FIG. 4, step S102 in FIG. 5, step S201 in FIG. 6, and step S301 in FIG. 8. The processor 301 may be configured to execute step S302 in FIG. 8 to generate or analyze data.

[0473] In another possible product form, the communication device described in the present embodiment of the present application may alternatively be implemented by a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor generally called a chip. The chip includes a processing circuit 301 and a transceiver pin 302. Optionally, the chip may further include a storage medium 303.

[0474] In another possible product form, the communication device described in the present embodiment of the present application may alternatively be implemented using the following circuits or components: one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), controllers, state machines, gate logic, individual hardware components, other suitable circuits, or any combination of circuits capable of performing the various functions described in the present application.

[0475] It should be understood that computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, computer instructions may be transmitted in a wired manner (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, or digital subscriber line) or wirelessly (e.g., infrared, wireless, or microwave) from a website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center. A computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available media may be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, or magnetic tape), optical media, semiconductor media (e.g., solid state drive), and the like.

[0476] Based on the foregoing description of the implementation, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and simple description, the foregoing division of functional modules is used as an example for description. During actual application, the foregoing functions can be assigned to different modules according to requirements. That is, the internal structure of the device is divided into different functional modules to implement all or part of the above functions.

[0477] It should be understood that the devices and methods disclosed in some embodiments provided in this application may be implemented in other ways. For example, the described embodiments of the device are merely examples. For example, the division into modules or units is merely a logical function division, and other divisions may be used in actual implementation. For example, a plurality of units or components may be combined or integrated into another device, or some functions may be ignored or not executed. Further, the shown or discussed mutual coupling, direct coupling, or communication connection may be implemented through some interfaces. The indirect coupling or communication connection between devices or units may be implemented in an electronic, mechanical, or other form.

[0478] The units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separated. That is, the parts shown as units may be one or more physical units, may be placed in one location, or may be dispersed at multiple different positions. Some or all of the units may be selected based on actual requirements to achieve the objectives of the solution of the embodiment.

[0479] Furthermore, the functional units in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each of the units may physically exist alone, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit. The integrated unit may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional unit.

[0480] When the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, the integrated unit may be stored in a readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, basically the technical solution of the embodiments of the present application, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution may be implemented in the form of a software product. The software product is stored in a storage medium and includes some instructions for instructing a device (which may be a single-chip microcomputer, a chip, etc.) or a processor to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in the embodiments of the present application.

[0481] The foregoing description is merely a specific implementation of the present application and is not intended to limit the protection scope of the present application. Changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present application are included in the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should follow the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A data transmission method, which is applied to a first station in a first multi-link device, and the method includes: a step of receiving, by the first station, a third frame from a data transmission end, where the third frame instructs the first station to enable a mode of sharing the number of spatial streams, and the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams is used to enable the first station to use shared spatial streams, and the number of shared spatial streams is the maximum number of spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device; the third frame includes a shared station field, and the shared station field indicates stations participating in the shared spatial streams; a step of transmitting, by the first station, a fourth frame to the data transmission end, where the fourth frame is used to respond to the third frame; A method including the above steps.

2. The fourth frame includes a delay field, and the delay field indicates a delay required for the first station to adjust from the spatial streams currently used by the first station to receive data from the data transmission end to the shared spatial streams. The method according to claim 1.

3. The third frame indicates the maximum number of spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device. The method according to claim 1.

4. The third frame includes a first field and a second field. The first field indicates, for each modulation and coding scheme (MCS) among a plurality of MCSs, the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device for reception. The second field indicates, for each MCS among the plurality of MCSs, the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device for transmission. The method according to claim 3.

5. The first field and the second field are carried in the Supported ETH MCS and NSS Set field of the third frame. The method according to claim 4.

6. After the step of receiving, by the first station, a third frame from a data transmission end, the method further includes: a step of transmitting, by the first station, an acknowledgment response frame of the third frame to the data transmission end. The method according to claim 1.

7. After the step of transmitting a fourth frame to the data transmission end by the first station, the method includes: The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving, by the first station, an acknowledgement response frame of the fourth frame from the data transmission end. **Claim 8** The method includes: Receiving, by the first station, a fifth frame from the data transmission end, wherein the fifth frame instructs the first station to disable a mode that shares the number of spatial streams; Transmitting, by the first station, an acknowledgement response frame of the fifth frame to the data transmission end; The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising the above steps. **Claim 9** A data transmission method, the method includes: Transmitting, by a data transmission end, a third frame to a first station in a first multi-link device, wherein the third frame instructs the first station to enable a mode that shares the number of spatial streams, the mode that shares the number of spatial streams is used to enable the first station to use shared spatial streams, and the number of shared spatial streams is the maximum number of spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device; The third frame includes a shared station field, and the shared station field indicates stations participating in the shared spatial streams; Receiving, by the data transmission end, a fourth frame from the first station, wherein the fourth frame is used to respond to the third frame; A method including the above steps. **Claim 10** The method according to claim 9, wherein the fourth frame includes a delay field, and the delay field indicates a delay required for the first station to adjust from the spatial stream currently used by the first station to receive data from the data transmission end to the shared spatial stream. **Claim 11** The method according to claim 9, wherein the third frame indicates the maximum number of spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device. **Claim 12** The third frame includes a first field and a second field; The first field indicates, for each modulation and coding scheme (MCS) among a plurality of MCSs, the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device for reception; The method according to claim 11, wherein the second field indicates, for each MCS among the plurality of MCSs, the maximum number of shared spatial streams for transmission supported by the first multi-link device.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the first field and the second field are carried in the Supported ETH MCS and NSS Set field of the third frame.

14. After the step of transmitting, by the data transmitting end, the third frame to the first station, the method further includes: The step of receiving, by the data transmitting end, an acknowledgment response frame of the third frame from the first station, according to the method of claim 9.

15. After the step of receiving, by the data transmitting end, a fourth frame from the first station, the method further includes: The step of transmitting, by the data transmitting end, an acknowledgment response frame of the fourth frame to the first station, according to the method of claim 9.

16. The method includes: A step of transmitting, by the data transmitting end, a fifth frame to the first station, wherein the fifth frame instructs the first station to disable the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams; A step of receiving, by the data transmitting end, an acknowledgment response frame of the fifth frame from the first station; The method according to any one of claims 9 to 15, further including the above steps.

17. A first station in a first multi-link device, wherein the first station is configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

18. A data transmitting end configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 9 to 16.

19. A computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer-readable storage medium includes computer instructions, and when the computer instructions are executed on a computer, the computer is enabled to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

20. A computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer-readable storage medium includes computer instructions, and when the computer instructions are executed on a computer, the computer is enabled to execute the method according to any one of claims 9 to 16.

21. A computer program comprising computer instructions which, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

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