Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

To ensure fairness of an SL entity in channel contention.SOLUTION: A communication method is applied to an ML entity, the ML entity supporting a primary link and at least one nonprimary link. A backoff counter is disposed on the primary link, and no backoff counter is disposed on the nonprimary link. The communication method includes a step in which the ML entity performs a backoff procedure of the primary link based on the backoff counter of the primary link; and a step in which when a count value of the backoff counter is 0, the ML entity sends a first PPDU on each first link in K first links, the K first links including the primary link and K-1 first nonprimary links, and the first nonprimary link being in an idle state in a first inter-frame space before a time point at which the count value of the backoff counter decreases to 0.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201910606607.7, entitled "Communication Method and Apparatus," filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on July 5, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular to communication methods and devices. [Background technology]

[0003] To achieve the technical goal of extremely high throughput, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11be standard includes multi-link (ML) as one of its key technologies. ML entities that support ML technology have the ability to transmit and receive across multiple frequency bands, allowing the ML entities to perform data transmissions using a larger bandwidth, which significantly improves throughput rates. The spatial path along which an ML entity performs data transmissions over a frequency band is sometimes called a link.

[0004] Currently, for any link among multiple links supported by an ML entity, the ML entity can have two channel access methods on the link. Method 1: When the count value of the backoff counter of the link is decremented to 0, the ML entity can perform channel access to the link. Method 2: When the backoff counter of another link is decremented to 0, the ML entity can perform channel access to the link if the link was in idle state in the previous PIFS.

[0005] Since a single link (SL) entity supports data transmission on only one link, the SL entity can perform channel access on a link only when the backoff counter of the link supported by the SL entity has decreased to zero.

[0006] Therefore, for one link, the probability that an ML entity acquires the channel through contention is greater than the probability that an SL entity acquires the channel through contention. In other words, when both an ML entity and an SL entity are deployed in a WLAN, the SL entity is at a disadvantage in channel contention, which affects the proper communication of the SL entity. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present application provides a communication method and apparatus to ensure fairness of SL entities in channel contention.

[0008] According to a first aspect, there is provided a communication method, applied to an ML entity, the ML entity supporting a primary link and at least one non-primary link, a back-off counter configured on the primary link, and no back-off counter configured on the non-primary links, the method including: performing a back-off procedure for the primary link based on the back-off counter by the ML entity; and transmitting a first physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) on each of K first links when the count value of the back-off counter is reduced to 0, the K first links including the primary link and K−1 first non-primary links, the first non-primary links being in an idle state during a first inter-frame space before the count value of the back-off counter is reduced to 0, where K is a positive integer.

[0009] According to the above technical solution, the ML entity sets a backoff counter only on the primary link, so that when performing channel access, the ML entity performs the backoff procedure only on the primary link. In this way, the ML entity cannot acquire the channel through contention before the backoff procedure on the primary link is completed. This ensures that the probability of an ML entity acquiring the channel through contention on the primary link is equal to the probability of an SL entity acquiring the channel through contention on a link supported by the SL entity. Therefore, the technical solution provided in the present application can ensure fairness among SL entities in channel contention, and therefore ensure proper communication among SL entities.

[0010] In addition, according to the above technical solution, if the supported link of the SL entity and the primary link of the ML entity are the same link, the SL entity and the ML entity actually perform channel contention on the same link. In this way, if the ML entity successfully acquires the channel through contention on the primary link, the SL entity does not transmit PPDUs on the primary link. This ensures synchronization of reception and transmission performed by the ML entity on multiple links. For example, link #1 is used as the primary link. If the backoff counter of the ML AP entity on link #1 has a count value of 0, the ML AP entity transmits PPDUs on link #1 and link #2. The SL entity does not transmit PPDUs to the ML AP entity on link #1. Therefore, the ML AP entity can receive signals synchronously or transmit signals synchronously on link #1 and link #2.

[0011] In a possible design, the step of the ML entity transmitting the first PPDU on each first link of the K first links includes the step of the ML entity transmitting the first PPDU on an available channel of each first link of the K first links, wherein the available channel of the primary link includes the primary channel of the primary link and the available channel of the first non-primary link includes the primary channel of the first non-primary link.

[0012] In a possible design, the step of the ML entity performing the backoff procedure of the primary link based on the backoff counter includes: the ML entity waiting for an idle period of a primary channel of the primary link to reach a second inter-frame space; after the idle period of the primary channel of the primary link reaches the second inter-frame space, the ML entity decrementing a count value of the backoff counter by one each time the primary channel of the primary link becomes idle within a time slot; and if the count value of the backoff counter is decremented to zero, the ML entity terminating the backoff procedure of the primary link.

[0013] In a possible design, the first non-primary link being idle in the first inter-frame space before the end of the backoff procedure of the primary link includes the primary channel of the first non-primary link being idle in the first inter-frame space before the count value of the backoff counter is reduced to zero.

[0014] In one possible design, the primary channel of the first non-primary link is the subchannel with the lowest frequency of 20 MHz in the frequency band corresponding to the first non-primary link. Alternatively, the primary channel of the first non-primary link is the subchannel with the highest frequency of 20 MHz in the frequency band corresponding to the first non-primary link. In other words, the primary channel of the first non-primary link is implicitly configured. This helps reduce signaling overhead.

[0015] In one possible design, the first PPDU includes a first type media access control (MAC) frame, where the first type MAC frame does not require a response.

[0016] In one possible design, the first PPDU includes a second type MAC frame, and the second type MAC frame requires a response. The method further includes: receiving, by the ML entity, a response frame to the second type MAC frame on one or more first links; if the one or more first links do not include a primary link, the ML entity determining that establishment of a transmission opportunity (TXOP) has failed; or, if the one or more first links include a primary link, the ML entity determining that establishment of the TXOP has succeeded.

[0017] In one possible design, the method further includes the step of: the ML entity determining N secondary links corresponding to the TXOP, the N secondary links including the primary link and N-1 second non-primary links, the second non-primary link being a first non-primary link that satisfies a preset condition, the preset condition including the ML entity transmitting a first PPDU including a MAC frame of the first type over the first non-primary link, or the ML entity transmitting a first PPDU including a MAC frame of the second type over the first non-primary link and receiving a response frame to the MAC frame of the second type. The ML entity transmits the second PPDU over each secondary link of the N secondary links.

[0018] In a possible design, the method further includes, if transmission of the second PPDU fails on one or more second non-primary links, the ML entity stopping transmission of the second PPDU on the second links on which transmission of the second PPDU failed, and continuing to transmit the second PPDU on the second links on which transmission of the second PPDU succeeded until the TXOP ends.

[0019] In a possible design, the method further includes the steps of: if transmission of the second PPDU fails on one or more second links, the ML entity stopping transmission of the second PPDU on the N second links; waiting for the idle period of the primary link to reach a first inter-frame space; and after the idle period of the primary link reaches the first inter-frame space, the ML entity transmitting the second PPDU on each tertiary link of the P tertiary links, where the P tertiary links include the primary link and P-1 third non-primary links, the third non-primary links being second non-primary links that were idle in the first inter-frame space before the first time point, where the first time point is the time point when the idle period of the primary link reaches the first inter-frame space, and P is a positive integer less than or equal to N.

[0020] In a possible design, the method further includes the steps of: if transmission of the second PPDU fails on one or more second links, the ML entity stopping transmission of the second PPDU on the N second links; the ML entity performing a backoff procedure for the primary link; and after the backoff procedure for the primary link is completed, the ML entity transmitting the second PPDU on each tertiary link of the P tertiary links, where the P tertiary links include the primary link and P-1 third non-primary links, and the third non-primary link is a second non-primary link that is idle in the first inter-frame space before the completion of the backoff procedure for the primary link, and P is a positive integer less than or equal to N.

[0021] According to a second aspect, there is provided a communication method, applied to an ML entity, which supports K first links, the method including: the ML entity performing a backoff procedure for each of the K first links, where K is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2; when the backoff procedure for the target link terminates, the ML entity transmitting a first PPDU on each of N second links, where the second link is a first link that is idle in a first inter-frame space before the termination of the backoff procedure for the target link, and the target link is a first link on which the backoff procedure terminates first among the K first links, where N is a positive integer less than or equal to K; and when the transmission of the first PPDU fails on one or more second links, the ML entity not transmitting a second PPDU on the second link on which the transmission of the first PPDU failed within a preset period, or the ML entity not transmitting a second PPDU on the N second links within the preset period.

[0022] According to the above technical solution, if an ML entity fails to transmit a first PPDU on one or more second links, the ML entity is prohibited from transmitting a second PPDU on the second links on which the PPDU transmission failed within a preset period; or the ML entity is prohibited from transmitting a second PPDU on N second links within a preset period. In this way, the ML entity cannot use multiple links within a preset period. If one of the multiple links that the ML entity cannot use is supported by an SL entity within the preset period, the ML entity cannot perform channel contention on the link supported by the SL entity, thereby increasing the probability that the SL entity will acquire the channel through contention. This ensures fairness among the SL entities in channel contention and therefore ensures proper communication among the SL entities.

[0023] According to a third aspect, there is provided a communication method, applied to an ML entity, which supports K first links, the method including the steps of: performing a backoff procedure on each of the K first links by the ML entity, where K is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2; and transmitting a first PPDU on each of N second links by the ML entity, where the second links are first links for which the backoff procedure has finished and which are in an idle state in a first inter-frame space before a first time point, where N is a positive integer less than or equal to M.

[0024] According to the above technical solution, the ML performs a backoff procedure on all K first links, but the second link used to transmit the first PPDU must satisfy the condition that the backoff procedure on the second link has been completed. In other words, on one link, an ML entity can acquire a channel through contention only after the ML entity has completed the backoff procedure on the link. Compared with the prior art, in which an ML entity can acquire a channel through contention on one link even if the backoff procedure on the link has not been completed, the technical solution of the present application reduces the probability that an ML entity acquires a channel through contention on one link. This ensures fairness among SL entities in channel contention and therefore ensures proper communication among SL entities.

[0025] In a possible design, the first point in time is an end point of the backoff procedure of the target link, and the target link is the second link whose backoff procedure ends last among the N second links.

[0026] According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a communication method, applied to an ML entity, which supports K first links, the method including the steps of: performing a backoff procedure for each of the K first links by the ML entity, where K is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2; and transmitting a first PPDU on each of the N second links when a sum of count values ​​of backoff counters of the K first links is less than or equal to 0 or a sum of count values ​​of backoff counters of N second links is less than or equal to 0, the second links being first links that were idle in a second inter-frame space before the current time, and N is a positive integer less than or equal to M.

[0027] According to the above technical solution, the ML entity performs a backoff procedure for each of the K first links. The ML entity can successfully acquire a channel through contention only if the sum of the count values ​​of the backoff counters of the K first links is equal to or less than 0 or the sum of the count values ​​of the backoff counters of the N second links is equal to or less than 0. In other words, for the ML entity, the count values ​​of the backoff counters of one or more first links must be less than 0. This requires that one or more first links be idle for a relatively long time. In this way, the probability that the ML entity acquires a channel through contention is reduced. The reduced probability that the ML entity acquires a channel through contention weakens the advantage of the ML entity over the SL entity in channel contention, ensures fairness for the SL entity in channel contention, and therefore ensures proper communication for the SL entity.

[0028] In a possible design, the step of the ML entity performing the backoff procedure for each first link of the K first links includes: for each first link of the K first links, the ML entity waiting for an idle period of the first link to reach the second inter-frame space; and each time the first link becomes idle within a time slot after the idle period of the first link reaches the second inter-frame space, the ML entity decrementing a count value of a backoff counter of the first link by one.

[0029] In a possible design, the count value of the backoff counter for the first link comprises a negative integer.

[0030] In a possible design, the method further includes, for each first link of the K first links, decrementing a count value of a target counter by 1 each time the first link becomes idle within a time slot after an idle period of the first link reaches the second inter-frame space, wherein the target counter is configured to record a sum of the count values ​​of the backoff counters of the K first links. In this way, the ML entity can use the target counter to directly learn the sum of the count values ​​of the backoff counters of the K first links.

[0031] According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a communication method, applied to an ML entity, the ML entity supporting multiple links, each of the multiple links serving as a first link in turn according to a preset cyclic order, the method including: the ML entity performing a backoff procedure for the first link; and after the backoff procedure for the first link is terminated, the ML entity transmitting a first PPDU on each second link of N second links, where the N second links include the first link and N-1 available links, and the available links are in an idle state in a first inter-frame space before the termination of the backoff procedure for the first link, where N is a positive integer.

[0032] According to the above technical solution, each time channel access is performed, the ML entity performs the backoff procedure only on the first link. In other words, the ML entity performs channel contention on only one link. The probability that the ML entity obtains the channel through contention on one link is equal to the probability that the SL entity obtains the channel through contention on one link. In this way, the fairness of the SL entities in channel contention is guaranteed, and therefore the proper communication of the SL entities is guaranteed.

[0033] According to a sixth aspect, there is provided an ML entity. The ML entity may include modules configured to perform the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the design of any of the first to fifth aspects in a one-to-one correspondence. Such modules may be hardware circuits or software, or may be implemented by using hardware circuits in combination with software.

[0034] According to a seventh aspect, there is provided an ML entity, the ML entity including a processor and a transceiver, the processor configured to perform processing operations in a communication method according to any one of the designs of the first to fifth aspects, and the transceiver configured to be controlled by the processor to perform transmission and reception operations in the communication method according to any one of the designs of the first to fifth aspects.

[0035] According to an eighth aspect, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium configured to store instructions that, when read by a computer, cause the computer to execute a communication method according to any one of the designs of the first to fifth aspects.

[0036] According to a ninth aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising instructions that, when read by a computer, cause the computer to perform a communication method according to any of the possible designs of the first to fourth aspects.

[0037] According to a tenth aspect, a chip is provided. The chip includes a processing circuit and a transceiver pin. The chip supports a primary link and at least one non-primary link. A backoff counter is configured for the primary link, and no backoff counter is configured for the non-primary links. The processing circuit is configured to perform a backoff procedure for the primary link based on the backoff counter. The transceiver pin is configured to transmit a first PPDU on each of K first links when the count value of the backoff counter decreases to 0, the K first links including the primary link and K-1 first non-primary links, and the first non-primary link is in an idle state during a first inter-frame space before the count value of the backoff counter decreases to 0, where K is a positive integer.

[0038] According to an eleventh aspect, a chip is provided. The chip includes a processing circuit and a transceiver pin. The chip supports K first links. The processing circuit is configured to perform a backoff procedure for each of the K first links, where K is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2. The transceiver pin is configured to transmit a first PPDU on each of N second links when the backoff procedure for the target link ends, the second link being a first link that is idle in a first inter-frame space before the end of the backoff procedure for the target link, and the target link being the first of the K first links whose backoff procedure ends, where N is a positive integer less than or equal to K. The transceiver pin is further configured to, if transmission of the first PPDU fails on one or more second links, skip transmission of the second PPDU on the second links on which transmission of the first PPDU failed within a preset period, or skip transmission of the second PPDU on N second links within a preset period.

[0039] According to a twelfth aspect, a chip is provided. The chip includes a processing circuit and a transceiver pin. The chip supports K first links. The processing circuit is configured to perform a backoff procedure for each of the K first links, where K is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2. The transceiver pin is configured to transmit a first PPDU on each of N second links, where the second link is a first link for which the backoff procedure has finished and which is in an idle state in a first inter-frame space before a first time point, where N is a positive integer less than or equal to M.

[0040] According to a thirteenth aspect, a chip is provided. The chip includes a processing circuit and a transceiver pin. The chip supports K first links. The processing circuit is configured to perform a backoff procedure for each of the K first links, where K is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2. The transceiver pin is configured to transmit a first PPDU on each of the N second links when a sum of count values ​​of backoff counters for the K first links is less than or equal to 0 or a sum of count values ​​of backoff counters for the N second links is less than or equal to 0, the second links being first links that were idle in a second inter-frame space before the current time, and N is a positive integer less than or equal to M.

[0041] According to a fourteenth aspect, a chip is provided. The chip includes a processing circuit and a transceiver pin. The chip supports multiple links, each of which serves as a first link in turn according to a preset cyclic order. The processing circuit is configured to perform a backoff procedure for the first link. The transceiver pin is configured to transmit a first PPDU on each of N second links after the backoff procedure for the first link ends, the N second links including the first link and N-1 available links, where the available links are idle in a first inter-frame space before the end of the backoff procedure for the first link, and N is a positive integer.

[0042] For the technical effects brought about by any design of the sixth to fourteenth aspects, please refer to the beneficial effects of the corresponding methods above, and the details will not be described again here. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0043] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a backoff procedure according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of a PPDU according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram of an ML communication scenario according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of another ML communication scenario according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 5] 1 is a flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of yet another ML communication scenario according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of yet another ML communication scenario according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 9(a)] 4 is a flowchart of yet another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 9(b)] 4 is a flowchart of yet another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart of yet another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 11(a)] 4 is a flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 11(b)] 4 is a flowchart of yet another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 12] 4 is a flowchart of yet another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 13]10 is a flowchart of yet another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 14] 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an ML entity according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 15] 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an ML entity according to an embodiment of the present application; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0044] In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, " / " means "or." For example, A / B can represent A or B. In this specification, "and / or" describes an association relationship to describe related objects and indicates that there are three possible relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent three cases: only A exists, both A and B exist, or only B exists. In addition, "at least one" means one or more, and "multiple" 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 distinction.

[0045] It should be noted that in this application, terms such as "example" or "for example" are used to denote providing an example, illustration, or explanation. Any embodiment or design scheme described in this application as an "example" or "for example" should not be described as preferred or having more advantages over another embodiment or design scheme. Specifically, the use of "example" and "for example" is intended to present relative concepts in a particular way.

[0046] For ease of understanding, the following first briefly explains some technical terms in the embodiments of the present application.

[0047] 1. Basic Service Set (BSS) BSS is used to describe a group of devices that can communicate with each other in a wireless local area network (WLAN). A WLAN may contain multiple BSSs. Each BSS has a unique identifier called a Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID).

[0048] One BSS may include multiple stations (STAs). The stations may be access points (APs) or non-access point stations (non-AP STAs). Optionally, one BSS may include one AP and multiple non-AP STAs associated with the AP.

[0049] An AP is also called a wireless access point or hotspot. An AP may be a wireless router, a wireless transceiver, a wireless switch, etc.

[0050] A non-AP STA may have different names such as a subscriber unit, an access terminal, a mobile station, a mobile device, a terminal, and a user equipment, etc. In practical applications, a non-AP STA may be a mobile phone, a smartphone, a wireless local loop (WLL), and another handheld device or computer device with wireless local area network communication capabilities.

[0051] 2. Backoff mechanism The IEEE 802.11 standard allows multiple users to share the same transmission medium. The transmitter checks the availability of the transmission medium before transmitting data. The IEEE 802.11 standard uses carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA / CA) to implement channel contention. To avoid collisions, CSMA / CA employs a backoff mechanism.

[0052] The backoff mechanism on a single channel is described below. Before a device transmits a message, it can select a random number between 0 and the contention window (CW) and use that random number as the initial value of its backoff counter. After the channel's idle period reaches the arbitration inter-frame space (AIFS), the backoff counter's count value is decremented by 1 each time the channel becomes idle within a timeslot. If the channel is busy for one timeslot before the backoff counter's count value is decremented to 0, the backoff counter stops counting. Then, when the channel changes from a busy state to an idle state and the channel's idle period reaches an AIFS, the backoff counter resumes counting. When the backoff counter's count value is 0, the backoff procedure ends and the device can begin data transmission.

[0053] An example is provided for explanation with reference to FIG. 1, assuming that the initial value of the backoff counter is 5, and the backoff counter starts to perform backoff after the idle period of the channel reaches AIFS. Every time the channel becomes idle in a time slot, the count value of the backoff counter is decremented by 1 until the count value of the backoff counter reaches 0. After the count value of the backoff counter reaches 0, the device successfully acquires the channel through contention, and the device can transmit PPDUs on the channel.

[0054] 3.PPDU Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the frame structure of a PPDU in the 802.11ax standard. The PPDU includes a legacy-short training field (L-STF), a legacy-long training field (L-LTF), a legacy-signal field (L-SIG), a repeated legacy-signal field (RL-SIG), a high-efficiency-signal field A (HE-SIG A), a high-efficiency-signal field B (HE-SIG B), a high-efficiency-short training field (HE-STF), a high-efficiency-long training field (HE-LTF), a data field, and a packet extension (PE) field.

[0055] 4.TXOP A TXOP is the basic unit of wireless channel access. A TXOP consists of an initial time and a maximum duration, the TXOP limit. Within the TXOP limit, a station that acquires a TXOP can continuously use the channel to transmit multiple data frames without repeatedly competing for the channel.

[0056] 5. Request to send (RTS) / clear to send (CTS) mechanism The RTS / CTS mechanism is used to solve the hidden station problem in order to avoid signal contention between multiple stations.

[0057] Before transmitting a data frame, the transmitting end first broadcasts an RTS frame to indicate that it will transmit a data frame to a designated receiving end within a specified time period. After receiving the RTS frame, the receiving end broadcasts a CTS frame to acknowledge the transmission by the transmitting end. Another station receiving the RTS or CTS frame will not transmit a radio frame until the specified time period has elapsed.

[0058] 6.ML Entities An ML entity has the ability to transmit and receive across multiple frequency bands. For example, the multiple frequency bands include, but are not limited to, the 2.4 GHz frequency band, the 5 GHz frequency band, and the 6 GHz frequency band. The spatial path along which an ML entity performs data transmission over a frequency band may be referred to as a link. In other words, an ML entity supports multi-link communication.

[0059] It should be understood that for an ML entity, each link supported by the ML entity corresponds to one frequency band.

[0060] An ML entity may also be referred to as an ML STA entity. An ML entity includes multiple STAs. The multiple STAs in an ML entity may have the same MAC address or different MAC addresses. The multiple STAs in an ML entity may be located in the same physical location or in different physical locations.

[0061] Each STA within an ML entity can establish a link for communication. As shown in Figure 3, ML entity A includes stations A1 through AN, and ML entity B includes stations B1 through BN. Station A1 communicates with station B1 via link 1, station A2 communicates with station B2 via link 2, and similarly, station AN communicates with station BN via link N.

[0062] When the frequency spacing between multiple frequency bands supported by an ML entity is small, the transmission of a signal by the ML entity through one frequency band can seriously affect the reception of signals through another frequency band. Therefore, to ensure proper communication, when an ML entity communicates through multiple links simultaneously, the ML entity must simultaneously receive signals on multiple links or simultaneously transmit signals on multiple links. In FIG. 4, ML entity A simultaneously transmits PPDUs on the first and second links. Then, ML entity A receives block acknowledgment (BA) frames simultaneously fed back by ML entity B on the first and second links.

[0063] In this embodiment of the present application, the PPDUs transmitted by the ML entities on different links may be the same or different.

[0064] In this embodiment of the present application, when an ML entity performs communication over multiple links simultaneously, the traffic identifiers (TIDs) corresponding to the multiple links may be the same or different.

[0065] When a STA in the ML entity is an AP, the ML entity may be referred to as an ML AP entity. When a STA in the ML entity is a non-AP STA, the ML entity may be referred to as an ML non-AP STA entity or an ML non-AP entity. In this embodiment of the present application, unless otherwise specified, the ML entity may be an ML AP entity or an ML non-AP entity.

[0066] A non-AP STA in an ML non-AP entity and on a link may be associated with an AP in an ML AP entity and on the same link, so that a non-AP STA in an ML non-AP entity on a link can communicate with an AP in an ML AP entity on the same link.

[0067] It should be appreciated that to ensure proper communication between the ML AP entity and the ML non-AP entity, an association relationship may be established between the ML AP entity and the ML non-AP entity.

[0068] It should be noted that the association relationship between an ML AP entity and an ML non-AP entity includes the association relationship between a station in an ML AP entity on a link and a station in an ML non-AP entity on the same link.

[0069] The implementation form for establishing an association relationship between the ML non-AP entity and the ML AP entity is not limited to this embodiment of the present application. For example, the ML non-AP entity and the ML AP entity may establish a link association relationship over one link. Alternatively, the ML non-AP entity and the ML AP entity may establish multiple link association relationships between the ML non-AP entity and the ML AP entity over one link.

[0070] For a specific implementation of establishing an association relationship of one link between an ML non-AP entity and an ML AP entity, please refer to the implementation of establishing an association relationship between an AP and a non-AP STA in the prior art, and the details will not be described again here.

[0071] 7.SL Entities An SL entity is a STA that supports only one link. An SL entity may also be a legacy STA, that is, a STA that supports only the existing 802.11 standard and not the next generation 802.11 standard.

[0072] The above is a brief explanation of the technical terms involved in this application, and the details will not be repeated below.

[0073] The technical solution in this application is applied to a WLAN. The standard used for the WLAN may be an IEEE 802.11 standard, such as the 802.11ax standard or a next-generation 802.11 standard. Scenarios to which the technical solution in this application is applicable include communication scenarios between ML entities and communication scenarios between ML entities and SL entities.

[0074] For example, the communication scenario between ML entities may be a communication scenario between an ML non-AP entity and an ML AP entity, a communication scenario between ML non-AP entities, or a communication scenario between ML AP entities.

[0075] For example, the communication scenario between the ML entity and the SL entity may be a communication scenario between the ML non-AP entity and a legacy AP, a communication scenario between the ML AP entity and a legacy non-AP STA, a communication scenario between the ML AP entity and a legacy AP, or a communication scenario between the ML non-AP entity and a legacy non-AP STA.

[0076] The following specifically describes the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings herein.

[0077] 5 shows a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application, which includes the following steps:

[0078] S101. The ML entity performs a backoff procedure for the primary link based on the backoff counter of the primary link.

[0079] The ML entity supports a primary link and at least one non-primary link. A back-off counter is configured on the primary link, and no back-off counter is configured on the non-primary links. It should be understood that since a back-off counter is configured only on the primary link, the ML entity can perform the back-off procedure only on the primary link.

[0080] It should be understood that when an ML entity supports a primary link and at least one non-primary link, the ML entity supports two channel access methods. One is a single-link channel access method, in other words, the ML entity performs channel access only for the primary link. The other is a multi-link channel access method, in other words, the ML entity performs channel access for the primary link and the non-primary links. In a practical application, the ML entity can select a channel access method based on channel conditions, power, service load, etc. For example, to save power, the ML entity uses the single-link channel access method. Alternatively, to improve throughput, the ML entity uses the multi-link channel access method. This embodiment of the present application mainly describes the multi-link channel access method.

[0081] Optionally, the primary link of an ML entity may be explicitly configured. It should be understood that explicitly configuring the primary link of an ML entity is flexible.

[0082] For example, the ML AP entity may send indication information to an ML non-AP entity associated with the ML AP entity to indicate information about the primary link, which may include an identifier / index of the primary link, a frequency band corresponding to the primary link, etc.

[0083] Optionally, the primary link of the ML entity may be configured implicitly. It should be appreciated that implicitly configuring the primary link of the ML entity helps to reduce signaling overhead.

[0084] For example, the protocol may define a link corresponding to a particular frequency band as a primary link, e.g., the protocol may define a link corresponding to the 2.4 GHz frequency band as a primary link.

[0085] For example, the protocol may define that, among multiple links supported by an ML entity, the link corresponding to the frequency band with the lowest frequency is the primary link, or the link corresponding to the frequency band with the highest frequency is the primary link. For example, an ML entity supports a 2.4 GHz frequency band, a 5 GHz frequency band, and a 6 GHz frequency band. When the link corresponding to the frequency band with the lowest frequency is used as the primary link, the ML entity uses the link corresponding to the 2.4 GHz frequency band as the primary link. When the link corresponding to the frequency band with the highest frequency is used as the primary link, the ML entity uses the link corresponding to the 6 GHz frequency band as the primary link.

[0086] In this embodiment of the present application, in one BSS, the primary link of the ML AP entity, the primary link of the SL entity, and the primary link of the ML non-SP entity are the same.

[0087] It will be appreciated that for an ML entity, all links other than the primary link among the plurality of links supported by the ML entity are non-primary links.

[0088] In one implementation, the ML entity waits for the idle period of the primary channel of the primary link to reach the second interframe space. After the idle period of the primary channel of the primary link reaches the second interframe space, the ML entity decrements the count value of the backoff counter by 1 each time the primary channel of the primary link is idle within one time slot. If the count value of the backoff counter is 0, the ML entity terminates the backoff procedure of the primary link.

[0089] Note that if the primary channel of the primary link is busy within one time slot, the ML entity freezes the backoff counter until the idle period of the primary channel again reaches the second interframe space.

[0090] Optionally, the second interframe space may be an AIFS, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0091] Optionally, the primary channel may be a 20 MHz primary channel, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0092] Optionally, the primary channel of the primary link may be explicitly configured. It should be understood that explicitly configuring the primary channel of the primary link is flexible.

[0093] For example, the ML entity may receive a MAC frame from another device, the MAC frame being used to indicate a frequency domain location of a primary channel of the primary link in a frequency band corresponding to the primary link. Optionally, the MAC frame may be a management frame such as a beacon frame or an association response frame.

[0094] Optionally, the primary channel of the primary link may be configured implicitly. It should be appreciated that implicitly configuring the primary channel of the primary link helps to reduce signaling overhead.

[0095] For example, the preset frequency domain location of the primary channel of the primary link in the frequency band corresponding to the primary link may be defined in the protocol. In one example, the subchannel having the highest frequency of 20 MHz in the frequency band corresponding to the primary link is used as the primary channel. In another example, the subchannel having the lowest frequency of 20 MHz in the frequency band corresponding to the primary link is used as the primary channel.

[0096] S102. If the count value of the backoff counter is 0, the ML entity transmits a first PPDU on each of the K first links.

[0097] The K first links include a primary link and K-1 first non-primary links, where K is a positive integer.

[0098] In this embodiment of the present application, the first non-primary link is in an idle state in the first interframe space before the count value of the backoff counter is reduced to 0. It should be understood that the count value of the backoff counter of the primary link is reduced to 0 corresponds to the end of the backoff procedure of the primary link.

[0099] In other words, for any non-primary link, if the non-primary link is idle in the first inter-frame space before the end of the backoff procedure of the primary link, the non-primary link is the first non-primary link. Otherwise, the non-primary link is not the first non-primary link. Optionally, the first inter-frame space is a PIFS. This is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0100] Optionally, the busy / idle state of a non-primary link may be determined based on the busy / idle state of the primary channel of the non-primary link. In other words, if the primary channel of the non-primary link is busy, it indicates that the non-primary link is busy. If the primary channel of the non-primary link is idle, it indicates that the non-primary link is idle.

[0101] Optionally, the primary channel of the non-primary link is a 20 MHz primary channel, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0102] It should be understood that when the busy / idle status of a non-primary link is determined based on the busy / idle status of the primary channel of the non-primary link, the primary channel of the first non-primary link will be idle in the first interframe space before the count value of the backoff counter is reduced to 0.

[0103] Optionally, the primary channel of a non-primary link may be explicitly configured. It should be understood that explicitly configuring the primary channel of a non-primary link is flexible.

[0104] For example, the ML entity may receive a MAC frame from another device, the MAC frame being used to indicate a frequency domain location of a primary channel of a non-primary link in a frequency band corresponding to the non-primary link. Optionally, the MAC frame may be a management frame, such as a beacon frame or an association response frame.

[0105] Optionally, the primary channel of the non-primary link may be configured implicitly. It should be appreciated that implicitly configuring the primary channel of the non-primary link helps to reduce signaling overhead.

[0106] For example, the preset frequency domain location of the primary channel of the non-primary link in the frequency band corresponding to the non-primary link may be defined in the protocol. In one example, the subchannel having the highest frequency of 20 MHz in the frequency band corresponding to the non-primary link is used as the primary channel of the non-primary link. In another example, the subchannel having the lowest frequency of 20 MHz in the frequency band corresponding to the non-primary link is used as the primary channel of the non-primary link.

[0107] In an optional implementation, the ML entity transmits the first PPDU on a first available channel of each of the K first links, the first available channel of the primary link including the primary channel of the primary link, and the first available channel of the first non-primary link including the primary channel of the first non-primary link.

[0108] Specifically, for each first link of the K first links, before transmitting the first PPDU, the ML entity determines a first available bandwidth of the first link based on the idle / busy status of each subchannel in the frequency band corresponding to the first link and the bandwidth requirement of the ML entity, so that the bandwidth resource of the first link is fully used.

[0109] Note that the first PPDU is the initial PPDU transmitted by the ML entity on the first link. The first PPDU may be used to establish a TXOP.

[0110] It should be understood that the first PPDUs transmitted on different first links may be different, in other words, the ML entity may transmit different first PPDUs on different first links.

[0111] Optionally, the first PPDU includes one of the following three cases:

[0112] Case 1: The first PPDU contains a MAC frame of the first type but does not contain a MAC frame of the second type.

[0113] In this embodiment of the present application, the receiving end does not need to feed back a response frame to the first type MAC frame, in other words, the first type MAC frame does not require a response.

[0114] For example, the first type of MAC frame is a CTS-to-self frame, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0115] In this embodiment of the present application, the receiving end needs to feed back a response frame to the second-type MAC frame, in other words, the second-type MAC frame needs a response.

[0116] For example, the second type MAC frame may be an RTS frame. If the second type MAC frame is an RTS frame, the response frame to the second type MAC frame is a CTS frame.

[0117] For example, the second type MAC frame may be a data frame. If the second type MAC frame is a data frame, the response frame to the second type MAC frame is an acknowledgement (ACK) frame.

[0118] It should be understood that when the ML entity transmits the first PPDU corresponding to case 1 on the primary link, the ML entity acknowledges by default that the TXOP has been successfully established.

[0119] Case 2: The first PPDU contains a MAC frame of the second type but does not contain a MAC frame of the first type.

[0120] Case 3: The first PPDU includes a first type MAC frame and a second type MAC frame.

[0121] In case 2 or 3, it is assumed that the ML entity transmits a first PPDU including a second type MAC frame on the primary link. If the ML entity receives a response frame to the second type MAC frame on the primary link, the ML entity determines that the TXOP establishment is successful; or if the ML entity does not receive a response frame to the second type MAC frame on the primary link, the ML entity determines that the TXOP establishment is unsuccessful.

[0122] Referring to various cases of the first PPDU, the following specifically describes a scenario in which an ML entity transmits the first PPDU on K first links.

[0123] Scenario 1: The ML entity transmits a first PPDU including a MAC frame of a first type on each of the K first links.

[0124] Scenario 2: The ML entity transmits a first PPDU including a MAC frame of a first type on the primary link and part of the first non-primary link, and transmits a PPDU including a MAC frame of a second type on another part of the first non-primary link.

[0125] In either scenario 1 or scenario 2, the ML entity will by default acknowledge that the TXOP has been successfully established.

[0126] Scenario 3: The ML entity transmits a first PPDU including a second type MAC frame on each of the K first links.

[0127] Scenario 4: The ML entity transmits a first PPDU including a MAC frame of a second type on a portion of the primary link and a first non-primary link, and transmits a PPDU including a MAC frame of the first type on another portion of the first non-primary link.

[0128] In Scenario 3 or Scenario 4, the ML entity receives a response frame to the second type MAC frame on one or more first links. If the one or more first links do not include a primary link, the ML entity determines that the establishment of the TXOP has failed. If the one or more first links include a primary link, the ML entity determines that the establishment of the TXOP has been successful.

[0129] In this embodiment of the present application, when the establishment of a TXOP is successful, the maximum duration of the TXOP may be determined based on the duration field in the first PPDU transmitted on the primary link.

[0130] According to the technical solution shown in FIG. 5, the ML entity sets the backoff counter only on the primary link, so that when performing channel access, the ML entity performs the backoff procedure only on the primary link. In this way, the ML entity cannot acquire the channel through contention before the backoff procedure of the primary link is completed. This ensures that the probability of acquiring the channel through contention on the primary link is equal to the probability of acquiring the channel through contention on a link supported by the SL entity. Therefore, the technical solution provided in this application can ensure fairness of the SL entities in channel contention, and therefore ensure proper communication of the SL entities.

[0131] In addition, according to the above-described technical solution shown in FIG. 5, if the supported link of the SL entity and the primary link of the ML entity are the same link, the SL entity and the ML entity actually perform channel contention on the same link. In this way, if the ML entity successfully acquires the channel through contention on the primary link, the SL entity does not transmit PPDUs on the primary link. This ensures synchronization of reception and transmission performed by the ML entity on multiple links. For example, link #1 is used as the primary link. If the backoff counter of the ML AP entity on link #1 has a count value of 0, the ML AP entity transmits PPDUs on link #1 and link #2. The SL entity does not transmit PPDUs to the ML AP entity on link #1. Therefore, the ML AP entity can receive signals synchronously or transmit signals synchronously on link #1 and link #2.

[0132] In an optional embodiment, based on the communication method shown in FIG. 5, in FIG. 6, if the ML entity successfully establishes a TXOP, the communication method further includes steps S103 and S104.

[0133] S103. The ML entity determines N second links corresponding to the TXOP from the K first links.

[0134] The N second links include the primary link and N-1 second non-primary links, where N is a positive integer less than or equal to K.

[0135] In this embodiment of the present application, the second non-primary link is the first non-primary link that meets the preset condition.

[0136] Optionally, the preset conditions include one of the following:

[0137] Condition 1: On a first non-primary link, the ML entity transmits a first PPDU including a first type of MAC frame.

[0138] Condition 2: On a first non-primary link, the ML entity transmits a first PPDU including a second type MAC frame and receives a response frame to the second type MAC frame.

[0139] S104. The ML entity transmits a second PPDU on each of the N second links.

[0140] The second PPDU is different from the first PPDU, in other words, the second PPDU is a PPDU other than the first PPDU.

[0141] It should be appreciated that the second PPDU transmitted by the ML entity on a different second link may be a different PPDU in order to achieve extremely high throughput.

[0142] In this embodiment of the present application, the ML entity transmits a second PPDU on one second link. If the ML entity does not receive a response frame on the second link within a certain duration, it indicates that the transmission of the second PPDU on the second link has failed. For example, the response frame may be a BA frame. This is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0143] It should be understood that in a scenario where the transmission of the second PPDU fails on the second link, if the ML entity does not perform corresponding processing on the second link on which the transmission of the second PPDU fails and continues to transmit the second PPDU on the second link on which the transmission of the second PPDU fails, the second PPDU transmitted by the ML entity will not be transmitted at any time, which may affect the proper communication of the ML entity.

[0144] The following describes a processing scheme used by the ML entity in a scenario where the transmission of the second PPDU fails on one or more second links.

[0145] Processing method 1: If the transmission of the second PPDU is successful on the primary link and the transmission of the second PPDU fails on one or more second non-primary links, the ML entity stops transmitting the second PPDU on the second links on which the transmission of the second PPDU failed, and continues to transmit the second PPDU on the second links on which the transmission of the second PPDU was successful until the TXOP ends.

[0146] For example, the ML entity transmits the second PPDU separately on non-primary link #1, non-primary link #2, non-primary link #3, and the primary link. If the transmission of the second PPDU fails on non-primary link #2, the ML entity stops transmitting the second PPDU on non-primary link #2 and continues transmitting the second PPDU on non-primary link #1, non-primary link #3, and the primary link.

[0147] Processing Method 2: If the transmission of the second PPDU fails on one or more secondary links, the ML entity stops transmitting the second PPDU on the N secondary links. Then, the ML entity waits until the idle period of the primary link reaches the first inter-frame space. When the idle period of the primary link reaches the first inter-frame space, the ML entity transmits the second PPDU on each of the P tertiary links.

[0148] The P tertiary links include the primary link and P-1 third non-primary links, where P is a positive integer less than or equal to N. The third non-primary link is a second non-primary link that is idle in a first inter-frame space before a first time point, and the first time point is a time point when the idle period of the primary link reaches the first inter-frame space.

[0149] An example for explanation is provided with reference to FIG. 7. The ML entity transmits a second PPDU #1 separately over non-primary link #1, non-primary link #2, and the primary link. Because the ML entity does not receive a BA frame over non-primary link #1, the ML entity determines that the transmission of the second PPDU #1 over non-primary link #1 has failed. In this case, the ML entity suspends the transmission of the second PPDU over non-primary link #1, non-primary link #2, and the primary link. After one PIFS, non-primary link #1 and the primary link within the PIFS are in an idle state, and non-primary link #2 is in a busy state. Therefore, the ML entity can determine that non-primary link #1 and the primary link are the third link. In this case, the ML entity transmits the second PPDU #2 over non-primary link #1 and the primary link, and does not transmit the second PPDU #2 over non-primary link #2.

[0150] Processing Method 3: If the transmission of the second PPDU fails on one or more secondary links, the ML entity stops transmitting the second PPDU on the N secondary links. Then, the ML entity performs a backoff procedure on the primary link. After the backoff procedure on the primary link is completed, the ML entity transmits the second PPDU on each of the P tertiary links.

[0151] The P tertiary links include the primary link and P-1 third non-primary links, where P is a positive integer less than or equal to N. The third non-primary link is a second non-primary link that is idle in the first interframe space before the end of the backoff procedure of the primary link.

[0152] For details about the ML entity performing the backoff procedure for the primary link, please refer to the above description of step S101, and the details will not be described again here.

[0153] An example for explanation is provided with reference to FIG. 8. The ML entity transmits a second PPDU #1 separately over non-primary link #1, non-primary link #2, and the primary link. Because the ML entity does not receive a BA frame over non-primary link #1, the ML entity determines that transmission of the second PPDU #1 has failed over non-primary link #1. In this case, the ML entity suspends transmission of the second PPDU over non-primary link #1, non-primary link #2, and the primary link. The ML entity sets the count value of the backoff counter for the primary link. In the PIFS before the backoff counter for the primary link is decremented to 0, non-primary link #1 and the primary link are in an idle state, and non-primary link #2 is in a busy state. Therefore, the ML entity can determine that non-primary link #1 and the primary link are third links. In this case, the ML entity transmits the second PPDU #2 over non-primary link #1 and the primary link, and does not transmit the second PPDU #2 over non-primary link #2.

[0154] It should be understood that in the above processing scheme 2 or 3, for each of the P tertiary links, the ML entity transmitting a second PPDU on the tertiary link includes the ML entity transmitting the second PPDU on a second available channel of the tertiary link. For a link, the second available channel is a subset of the first available channel. The second available channel also includes the primary channel.

[0155] It should be understood that in the above-described processing scheme 2 or processing scheme 3, a failure in transmission of the second PPDU on one or more second links specifically means a failure in transmission of the second PPDU on the primary link and / or a failure in transmission of the second PPDU on one or more second non-primary links.

[0156] According to any one of the above processing schemes, proper communication of the ML entities may be ensured in scenarios where the transmission of the second PPDU fails on one or more second links.

[0157] 9(a) shows a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application, which includes the following steps:

[0158] S201. The ML entity performs a back-off procedure for each primary link of the K primary links.

[0159] The ML entity supports K primary links, where K is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2. A backoff counter is disposed on each primary link of the K primary links.

[0160] For each of the K first links, the backoff procedure for the first link includes the ML entity waiting for an idle period of the first link to reach the second interframe space. After the idle period of the first link reaches the second interframe space, the ML entity decrements a count value of a backoff counter for the first link by 1 each time the first link becomes idle within a time slot. If the count value of the backoff counter for the first link is 0, the ML entity terminates the backoff procedure for the first link.

[0161] In this embodiment of the present application, when the first link is busy in one time slot, the ML entity freezes the backoff counter of the first link until the idle period of the first link reaches the second interframe space again. It should be understood that freezing the backoff counter of the first link is equivalent to suspending the backoff procedure of the first link.

[0162] The second interframe space may be an AIFS, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0163] The busy / idle state of the first link may be determined based on the busy / idle state of the primary channel of the first link. In other words, if the primary channel of the first link is busy, it indicates that the first link is busy. If the primary channel of the first link is idle, it indicates that the first link is idle.

[0164] Optionally, the primary channel of the first link may be a 20 MHz primary channel.

[0165] Optionally, the primary channel of the first link may be explicitly configured. It should be understood that explicitly configuring the primary channel of the first link is flexible.

[0166] For example, the ML entity may receive a MAC frame from another device, the MAC frame being used to indicate a frequency domain location of a primary channel of the first link in a frequency band corresponding to the first link. Optionally, the MAC frame may be a management frame, such as a beacon frame or an association response frame.

[0167] Optionally, the primary channel of the first link may be implicitly configured. It should be appreciated that implicitly configuring the primary channel of the first link helps to reduce signaling overhead.

[0168] For example, the preset frequency domain location of the primary channel of the first link in the frequency band corresponding to the first link may be defined in the protocol. In one example, the subchannel with the highest frequency of 20 MHz in the frequency band corresponding to the first link is used as the primary channel of the first link. In another example, the subchannel with the lowest frequency of 20 MHz in the frequency band corresponding to the first link is used as the primary channel of the first link.

[0169] In this embodiment of the present application, when the ML entity separately performs the backoff procedures of the K first links, if the backoff procedure of one link finishes first, the ML entity performs step S202.

[0170] S202. When the backoff procedure of the target link is completed, the ML entity transmits a first PPDU on each secondary link of the N secondary links.

[0171] The target link is the first link among the K first links on which the backoff procedure is terminated. In other words, the target link is the first link among the K first links whose backoff counter value is decremented to 0 first.

[0172] The N second links include the target link and N-1 available links, where N is a positive integer less than or equal to K.

[0173] In this embodiment of the present application, the available link is the first link whose primary channel is idle in the first inter-frame space before the end of the backoff procedure of the target link, in other words, the available link is the first link whose primary channel is idle in the first inter-frame space before the end of the backoff procedure of the target link.

[0174] It should be understood that if one first link (or the primary channel of the first link) is busy in the first interframe space before the end of the backoff procedure of the target link, the first link is not an available link.

[0175] In this embodiment of the present application, after the backoff procedure of the target link is completed, the ML entity stops the backoff procedure of other first links other than the target link among the K first links until the TXOP is completed.

[0176] It should be understood that the first PPDUs transmitted on different second links may be different, in other words, the ML entity may transmit different first PPDUs on different second links.

[0177] S203. If the transmission of the first PPDU fails on one or more second links, the ML entity skips the transmission of the second PPDU on the second links on which the transmission of the first PPDU failed within a preset period.

[0178] The second PPDU and the first PPDU are two different PPDUs, i.e., the second PPDU is a PPDU other than the first PPDU.

[0179] For example, a failure in transmitting the first PPDU on the second link may refer to the ML entity not receiving a response frame corresponding to the first PPDU on the second link. It should be understood that the response frame corresponding to the first PPDU is used to respond to the MAC frame carried in the first PPDU. For example, if the first PPDU carries an RTS frame, the response frame to the first PPDU may be a CTS frame.

[0180] Optionally, the preset period may be pre-configured or defined in the protocol, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0181] For example, the ML entity transmits a first PPDU separately on link #1, link #3, and link #4. If the ML entity does not receive a response frame corresponding to the first PPDU on link #1, the ML entity can determine that the transmission of the first PPDU on link #1 has failed. Therefore, the ML entity does not transmit a second PPDU on link #1 within a preset period.

[0182] Optionally, in FIG. 9(b), step S203 in FIG. 9(a) may be replaced by step S204.

[0183] S204. If the transmission of the first PPDU fails on one or more second links, the ML entity skips the transmission of the second PPDU on the N second links within a preset period.

[0184] For example, the ML entity transmits a first PPDU separately on Link #1, Link #3, and Link #4. If the ML entity does not receive a response frame corresponding to the first PPDU on Link #1, the ML entity can determine that the transmission of the first PPDU on Link #1 has failed. Therefore, the ML entity does not transmit a second PPDU on Link #1, Link #3, and Link #4 within a preset period.

[0185] According to the technical solution shown in FIG. 9(a) or 9(b), if an ML entity fails to transmit a first PPDU on one or more second links, the ML entity is prohibited from transmitting a second PPDU on the second links on which the first PPDU transmission failed within a preset period; or the ML entity is prohibited from transmitting a second PPDU on N second links within a preset period. In this way, within a preset period, the ML entity cannot use multiple links (e.g., N second links or the second link on which the first PPDU transmission failed). If one of the multiple links that the ML entity cannot use is supported by an SL entity within the preset period, the ML entity cannot perform channel contention for the link supported by the SL entity, thereby increasing the probability that the SL entity will acquire the channel through contention. This ensures fairness among SL entities in channel contention and therefore ensures proper communication among SL entities.

[0186] 10 illustrates a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. The method includes the following steps:

[0187] The S301.ML entity performs a backoff procedure for each primary link of the K primary links.

[0188] The ML entity supports K primary links, where K is an integer equal to or greater than 2. A backoff counter is disposed on each primary link of the K primary links.

[0189] For each of the K first links, the backoff procedure for the first link includes the ML entity waiting for an idle period of the first link to reach the second interframe space. After the idle period of the first link reaches the second interframe space, the ML entity decrements a count value of a backoff counter for the first link by 1 each time the first link becomes idle within a time slot. If the count value of the backoff counter for the first link is 0, the ML entity terminates the backoff procedure for the first link.

[0190] In this embodiment of the present application, when the first link is busy in one time slot, the ML entity freezes the backoff counter of the first link until the idle period of the first link reaches the second interframe space again. It should be understood that freezing the backoff counter of the first link is equivalent to suspending the backoff procedure of the first link.

[0191] The second interframe space may be an AIFS, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0192] The busy / idle state of the first link may be determined based on the busy / idle state of the primary channel of the first link. In other words, if the primary channel of the first link is busy, it indicates that the first link is busy. If the primary channel of the first link is idle, it indicates that the first link is idle.

[0193] Optionally, the primary channel may be a 20 MHz primary channel. For each first link, please refer to the above description for the method for configuring the primary channel of the first link. The details will not be described again here.

[0194] The S302.ML entity transmits a first PPDU on each of the N second links.

[0195] The N second links are a subset of the K first links, where N is a positive integer less than or equal to K.

[0196] In this embodiment of the present application, the second link is the first link that has completed the backoff procedure and is in an idle state in the first interframe space before the first time point.

[0197] In other words, if the backoff procedure of a first link is not completed before the first time point, the first link is not the second link, or if the first link is busy in the first interframe space before the first time point, the first link is not the second link.

[0198] For example, the ML entity performs backoff procedures separately for link #1, link #2, link #3, and link #4. Before a first time point, the backoff procedure for link #1 is completed, the backoff procedure for link #2 is completed, and the backoff procedure for link #4 is completed. Also, in a first interframe space before the first time point, link #1 is in an idle state, link #2 is in a busy state, and link #4 is in an idle state. Therefore, the ML entity can determine that link #1 and link #4 are second links.

[0199] Optionally, the first time point may be pre-configured or defined in the protocol.

[0200] Optionally, the first point in time may be the end point of the backoff procedure of the target link.

[0201] For example, the target link may be the second link on which the backoff procedure terminates last among the N second links.

[0202] For example, the target link may be the kth first link among the K first links for terminating the backoff procedure, where k is an integer greater than 1 and less than or equal to K.

[0203] It should be understood that the first PPDUs transmitted on different second links may be different, in other words, the ML entity may transmit different first PPDUs on different second links.

[0204] According to the aforementioned technical solution shown in FIG. 10, the ML performs a backoff procedure on all K first links, but the second link used to transmit the first PPDU must satisfy the condition that the backoff procedure on the second link has been completed. In other words, on one link, an ML entity can acquire a channel through contention only after the ML entity has completed the backoff procedure on the link. Compared with the prior art, in which an ML entity can acquire a channel through contention on one link even if the backoff procedure on the link has not been completed, the technical solution of the present application reduces the probability that an ML entity acquires a channel through contention on one link. This ensures fairness among SL entities in channel contention and therefore ensures proper communication among SL entities.

[0205] 11(a) illustrates a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application, which includes the following steps:

[0206] S401. The ML entity performs a back-off procedure for each of the K first links.

[0207] The ML entity supports K primary links, where K is an integer equal to or greater than 2. A backoff counter is disposed on each primary link of the K primary links.

[0208] For each of the K first links, the backoff procedure for the first link includes: waiting for an idle period of the first link to reach a second inter-frame space by the ML entity; and, after the idle period of the first link reaches the second inter-frame space, each time the first link is idle within one time slot, the ML entity decrements a count value of a backoff counter for the first link by one.

[0209] The second interframe space may be an AIFS, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0210] In this embodiment of the present application, the value range of the backoff counter of the first link includes negative integers, that is, after the ML entity reduces the count value of the backoff counter of the first link to 0, it continues backoff without terminating the backoff procedure of the first link.

[0211] For example, the initial value of the backoff counter of link #1 is 5. If link #1 is in an idle state for six consecutive time slots after the idle period of link #1 reaches the second interframe space, the count value of the backoff counter of link #1 may be −1.

[0212] In this embodiment of the present application, when the first link is busy in one time slot, the ML entity freezes the backoff counter of the first link until the idle period of the first link reaches the second interframe space again. It should be understood that freezing the backoff counter of the first link is equivalent to suspending the backoff procedure of the first link.

[0213] The busy / idle state of the first link may be determined based on the busy / idle state of the primary channel of the first link. In other words, if the primary channel of the first link is busy, it indicates that the first link is busy. If the primary channel of the first link is idle, it indicates that the first link is idle.

[0214] Optionally, the primary channel may be a 20 MHz primary channel. For each first link, please refer to the above description for the method for configuring the primary channel of the first link. The details will not be described again here.

[0215] S402. If the sum of the count values ​​of the backoff counters of the K first links is less than or equal to 0, the ML entity transmits a first PPDU on each of the N second links.

[0216] The N second links are a subset of the K first links, where N is a positive integer less than or equal to K.

[0217] In this embodiment of the present application, the second link is the first link that was idle in the second interframe space prior to the current time. In other words, the second link is the first link whose backoff counter is not frozen. In other words, the second link is the first link whose backoff procedure is not interrupted.

[0218] In step S402, the current time is the time when the sum of the count values ​​of the backoff counters of the K first links is equal to or less than 0.

[0219] Optionally, in one time slot, the ML entity may collect statistics regarding the sum of the count values ​​of the backoff counters of the K first links to determine whether the sum of the count values ​​of the backoff counters of the K first links is less than or equal to 0.

[0220] Optionally, the ML entity is further configured with a target counter, and the target counter is configured to record a sum of the count values ​​of the backoff counters of the K first links. In this way, in one time slot, the ML can determine whether the sum of the count values ​​of the backoff counters of the K first links is less than or equal to 0 by determining whether the sum of the count values ​​of the target counter is less than or equal to 0.

[0221] In a specific implementation, the ML entity configures a target counter, and the initial value of the target counter is equal to the sum of the initial values ​​of the backoff counters of the K first links. For each first link of the K first links, after the idle period of the first link reaches the second inter-frame space, the ML entity decrements the count value of the target counter by 1 each time the primary channel of the first link becomes idle within one time slot. In other words, the ML entity decrements the count value of the target counter by 1 each time the ML entity decrements the backoff counter of one first link by 1.

[0222] Optionally, in FIG. 11(b), step S402 in FIG. 11(a) may be replaced by step S403.

[0223] S403. If the sum of the count values ​​of the backoff counters of the N secondary links is less than or equal to 0, the ML entity transmits a first PPDU on each secondary link of the N secondary links.

[0224] In this embodiment of the present application, the second link is the first link that was idle in the second interframe space prior to the current time. In other words, the second link is the first link whose backoff counter is not frozen. In other words, the second link is the first link whose backoff procedure is not interrupted.

[0225] In step S403, the current time is the time when the sum of the count values ​​of the backoff counters of the N second links is equal to or less than 0.

[0226] Optionally, in one time slot, the ML entity may collect statistics regarding the sum of the count values ​​of the backoff counters of the N second links to determine whether the sum of the count values ​​of the backoff counters of the N second links is less than or equal to 0.

[0227] It should be understood that the first PPDUs transmitted on different second links in step S403 or step S402 may be different, in other words, the ML entity may transmit different first PPDUs on different second links.

[0228] According to the technical solution shown in FIG. 11(a) or 11(b), the ML entity performs a backoff procedure for each of the K first links. The ML entity can successfully acquire the channel through contention only if the sum of the count values ​​of the backoff counters of the K first links is equal to or less than 0 or the sum of the count values ​​of the backoff counters of the N second links is equal to or less than 0. In other words, for the ML entity, the count values ​​of the backoff counters of one or more first links must be less than 0. This requires that one or more first links be idle for a relatively long time. In this way, the probability that the ML entity acquires the channel through contention is reduced. The reduced probability that the ML entity acquires the channel through contention weakens the advantage of the ML entity over the SL entity in channel contention, ensuring fairness for the SL entity in channel contention and therefore ensuring proper communication for the SL entity.

[0229] 12 illustrates a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. The method includes the following steps:

[0230] S501. The ML entity performs a backoff procedure for the first link.

[0231] An ML entity supports multiple links.

[0232] In this embodiment of the present application, a backoff counter may be located on each link of the multiple links, but each time an ML entity initiates channel access of the multiple links, the ML entity performs backoff using only the backoff counter of one link (specifically, the first link).

[0233] Optionally, one random link of the plurality of links serves as the first link, or each of the plurality of links serves as the first link in turn according to a preset cyclic order.

[0234] Optionally, the cyclic order may be a descending order of the sequence numbers of the multiple links, an ascending order of the sequence numbers of the multiple links, or a pseudo-random order of the sequence numbers of the multiple links, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0235] For example, an ML entity supports seven links, and the sequence numbers of the seven links are 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. The preset cyclic order is "01204465," and each digit in the cyclic order is the sequence number of a link. Thus, when accessing a channel for the first time, the ML entity uses the link with sequence number 0 as the first link. When accessing a channel for the second time, the ML entity uses the link with sequence number 1 as the first link. Similarly, when accessing a channel for the tenth time, the ML entity uses the link with sequence number 1 as the first link.

[0236] It should be understood that different ML entities may be arranged in different cyclic orders, and this is not a limitation in this application.

[0237] In this embodiment of the present application, the step of the ML entity performing the backoff procedure for the first link includes the step of the ML entity waiting for the idle period of the first link to reach the second interframe space. After the idle period of the first link reaches the second interframe space, each time the first link is idle within one time slot, the ML entity decrements the count value of the backoff counter of the first link by 1. If the count value of the backoff counter of the first link is 0, the ML entity terminates the backoff procedure for the first link.

[0238] In this embodiment of the present application, when the first link is busy in one time slot, the ML entity freezes the backoff counter of the first link until the idle period of the first link reaches the second interframe space again. It should be understood that freezing the backoff counter of the first link is equivalent to suspending the backoff procedure of the first link.

[0239] The second interframe space may be an AIFS, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0240] The busy / idle state of the first link may be determined based on the busy / idle state of the primary channel of the first link. In other words, if the primary channel of the first link is busy, it indicates that the first link is busy. If the primary channel of the first link is idle, it indicates that the first link is idle.

[0241] Optionally, the primary channel of the first link may be a 20 MHz primary channel. For the method for configuring the primary channel of the first link, please refer to the above description. The details will not be described again here.

[0242] S502. When the backoff procedure of the first link is finished, the ML entity transmits a first PPDU on each available link of the N available links.

[0243] The N available links include the first link and N-1 second links, where N is a positive integer.

[0244] It should be understood that the second link and the first link are two different links, and the second link is idle in the first interframe space before the end of the backoff procedure of the first link.

[0245] It should be understood that the first PPDUs transmitted on different second links may be different, in other words, the ML entity may transmit different first PPDUs on different second links.

[0246] According to the technical solution shown in Figure 12, each time channel access is performed, the ML entity performs the backoff procedure only on the first link. In other words, the ML entity performs channel contention on only one link. The probability that the ML entity obtains the channel through contention on one link is equal to the probability that the SL entity obtains the channel through contention on one link. In this way, the fairness of the SL entities in channel contention is guaranteed, and therefore the proper communication of the SL entities is guaranteed.

[0247] In the technical solutions shown in Figure 9(a), Figure 9(b), Figure 10, Figure 11(a), Figure 11(b), or Figure 12, the first PPDU may include the following three cases:

[0248] Case 1: The first PPDU contains a MAC frame of the first type but does not contain a MAC frame of the second type.

[0249] Case 2: The first PPDU contains a MAC frame of the second type but does not contain a MAC frame of the first type.

[0250] Case 3: The first PPDU includes a first type MAC frame and a second type MAC frame.

[0251] For a detailed description of the first type MAC frame and the second type MAC frame, please refer to the description of step S102, and the details will not be described again here.

[0252] Referring to various cases of the first PPDU, the following specifically describes a scenario in which the ML entity transmits the first PPDU on N second links.

[0253] Scenario 1: The ML entity transmits a first PPDU containing only MAC frames of a first type on each of the N secondary links.

[0254] Scenario 2: The ML entity transmits a first PPDU containing only a first type of MAC frame on one part of the second link, and transmits a first PPDU containing a second type of MAC frame on another part of the second link.

[0255] In either scenario 1 or scenario 2, the ML entity will by default acknowledge that the TXOP has been successfully established.

[0256] Scenario 3: The ML entity transmits a first PPDU including a second type MAC frame on each of the N second links.

[0257] In scenario 3, if the ML entity does not receive a response frame for the second type MAC frame on any of the second links, the ML entity acknowledges that the establishment of the TXOP has failed. If the ML entity receives a response frame for the second type MAC frame on at least one second link, the ML entity acknowledges that the establishment of the TXOP has been successful.

[0258] In an optional embodiment, based on the technical solutions shown in Figures 10 to 12, in Figure 13, if the ML entity successfully establishes a TXOP, the communication method further includes the following steps S601 and S602.

[0259] The S601.ML entity determines P tertiary links corresponding to the TXOP from the N secondary links.

[0260] The P tertiary links are a subset of the N secondary links, where P is a positive integer less than or equal to N.

[0261] In this embodiment of the present application, the third link is the second link that meets the preset condition.

[0262] Optionally, the preset conditions include one of the following:

[0263] Condition 1: On the second link, the ML entity transmits a first PPDU containing a MAC frame of a first type.

[0264] Condition 2: On the second link, the ML entity transmits a first PPDU including a second type MAC frame and receives a response frame to the second type MAC frame.

[0265] S602. The ML entity transmits a second PPDU on each of the P tertiary links.

[0266] It should be understood that the second PPDUs transmitted on different tertiary links may be different, in other words, the ML entity may transmit different second PPDUs on different tertiary links.

[0267] Optionally, if the transmission of the PPDU fails on one or more third links, the ML entity may use any one of the following processing schemes.

[0268] Processing method 1: The ML entity stops transmitting the second PPDU on the third link where the transmission of the second PPDU failed, and continues to transmit the second PPDU on the third link where the transmission of the second PPDU succeeded until the TXOP ends.

[0269] Processing method 2: The ML entity stops transmitting the second PPDU on the P third links, waits until a preset time to determine the L fourth links, and transmits the second PPDU on each of the L fourth links.

[0270] The L fourth links are a subset of the P third links, where L is a positive integer less than or equal to P. The fourth links are the third links that are idle in the first inter-frame space before the preset time point.

[0271] It should be appreciated that the preset time points may be pre-configured or defined in the protocol.

[0272] Processing method 3: The ML entity stops transmitting the second PPDU on the P tertiary links. The ML entity performs a backoff procedure for each of the P tertiary links. When the backoff procedure for the target tertiary link is completed, the ML entity determines L fourth links. In addition, the ML entity transmits the second PPDU on each of the L fourth links.

[0273] The L fourth links are a subset of the P third links, where L is a positive integer less than or equal to P. The fourth links are third links that are idle in the first interframe space before the backoff procedure of the target third link ends. The target third link may be the third link among the P third links whose backoff procedure ends first.

[0274] According to any one of the above processing schemes, proper communication of the ML entities may be ensured in a scenario where the transmission of the second PPDU fails on one or more third links.

[0275] The above mainly describes the solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application from the perspective of an ML entity. It should be understood that, to implement the aforementioned functions, the ML entity includes corresponding hardware structures and / or software modules for implementing each function. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that, in combination with the example units and algorithm steps described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the present application can be implemented by hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether the functions are performed by hardware or hardware driven by computer software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use various methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to exceed the scope of the present application.

[0276] In the embodiments of the present application, the device may be divided into functional modules based on the above-mentioned method example. For example, each functional module may be obtained by dividing the functional modules based on their corresponding functions, or two or more functions may be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional module. It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present application, the division into modules is merely an example and is a division of logical functions, and other divisions may be used in actual implementation. In the following, an example in which each functional module is obtained by dividing the functional modules based on their corresponding functions is used for explanation.

[0277] 14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an ML entity according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 14, the ML entity includes: a processing unit 101 and a communication unit 102.

[0278] Optionally, the ML entity may implement any one of the following solutions:

[0279] Solution 1 The ML entity supports a primary link and at least one non-primary link. A backoff counter is configured for the primary link, and no backoff counter is configured for the non-primary links. The processing unit 101 is configured to perform a backoff procedure for the primary link based on the backoff counter. The communication unit 102 is configured to be used by the ML entity to transmit a first PPDU on each of K first links when the count value of the backoff counter decreases to 0, where the K first links include the primary link and K−1 first non-primary links, and the first non-primary link is in an idle state during a first inter-frame space before the count value of the backoff counter decreases to 0, where K is a positive integer.

[0280] In a possible design, the communication unit 102 is particularly configured to transmit the first PPDU on an available channel of each of the K first links, the available channels of the primary link including the primary channel of the primary link, and the available channels of the first non-primary link including the primary channel of the first non-primary link.

[0281] In a possible design, the processing unit 101 is particularly configured to: wait for an idle period of the primary channel of the primary link to reach a second inter-frame space; decrement a count value of a backoff counter by one each time the primary channel of the primary link is idle within one time slot after the idle period of the primary channel of the primary link reaches the second inter-frame space; and terminate the backoff procedure of the primary link when the count value of the backoff counter is decremented to zero.

[0282] In a possible design, the first non-primary link being idle in the first inter-frame space before the end of the backoff procedure of the primary link includes the primary channel of the first non-primary link being idle in the first inter-frame space before the count value of the backoff counter is reduced to zero.

[0283] In one possible design, the primary channel of the first non-primary link is the sub-channel with the lowest 20 MHz frequency in the frequency band corresponding to the first non-primary link. Alternatively, the primary channel of the first non-primary link is the sub-channel with the highest 20 MHz frequency in the frequency band corresponding to the first non-primary link.

[0284] In a possible design, the first PPDU includes a first type MAC frame, and the first type MAC frame does not require a response.

[0285] In a possible design, the first PPDU includes a second type MAC frame, and the second type MAC frame requires a response. The communication unit 102 is further configured to receive a response frame for the second type MAC frame on one or more first links. The processing unit 101 is further configured to: determine that the establishment of the TXOP has failed if the one or more first links do not include a primary link; and determine that the establishment of the TXOP has been successful if the one or more first links include a primary link.

[0286] In a possible design, the processing unit 101 is further configured to determine N second links corresponding to the TXOP, the N second links including the primary link and N−1 second non-primary links, the second non-primary link being a first non-primary link that satisfies a preset condition, the preset condition including: the ML entity transmitting a first PPDU including a MAC frame of the first type on the first non-primary link; or the ML entity transmitting a first PPDU including a MAC frame of the second type on the first non-primary link and receiving a response frame to the MAC frame of the second type on the first non-primary link. The communication unit 102 is further configured to transmit a second PPDU on each second link of the N second links.

[0287] In a possible design, the communication unit 102 is further configured to, if transmission of the second PPDU fails on one or more second non-primary links, stop transmitting the second PPDU on the second links on which transmission of the second PPDU failed, and continue transmitting the second PPDU on the second links on which transmission of the second PPDU succeeded until the TXOP ends.

[0288] In one possible design, the communication unit 102 is further configured to stop transmitting the second PPDU on the N second links if transmission of the second PPDU fails on one or more of the second links. The processing unit 101 is further configured to wait for an idle period of the primary link to reach a first inter-frame space. The communication unit 102 is further configured to transmit the second PPDU on each of the P tertiary links after the idle period of the primary link reaches the first inter-frame space, where the P tertiary links include the primary link and P-1 third non-primary links, and the third non-primary links are second non-primary links that are idle in the first inter-frame space before the first time point, where the first time point is the time point when the idle period of the primary link reaches the first inter-frame space, and P is a positive integer less than or equal to N.

[0289] In one possible design, the communication unit 102 is further configured to stop transmitting the second PPDUs on the N second links if transmission of the second PPDUs fails on one or more of the second links. The processing unit 101 is further configured to perform a backoff procedure for the primary link. The communication unit 102 is further configured to transmit the second PPDUs on each of the P tertiary links after the backoff procedure for the primary link is terminated, where the P tertiary links include the primary link and P−1 third non-primary links, and the third non-primary link is a second non-primary link that is idle in the first inter-frame space before the termination of the backoff procedure for the primary link, and P is a positive integer less than or equal to N.

[0290] Solution 2 The ML entity supports K first links. The processing unit 101 is configured to perform a backoff procedure for each of the K first links, where K is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2. The communication unit 102 is configured to transmit a first PPDU on each of the N second links when the backoff procedure for the target link ends, where the second link is a first link that is idle in a first inter-frame space before the end time of the backoff procedure for the target link, and the target link is a first link on which the backoff procedure ends first among the K first links, where N is a positive integer less than or equal to K. The communication unit 102 is further configured, when the transmission of the first PPDU fails on one or more second links, to skip transmission of a second PPDU on the second links on which the transmission of the first PPDU failed within a preset period, or to skip transmission of a second PPDU on the N second links within a preset period.

[0291] Solution 3 The ML entity supports K first links. The processing unit 101 is configured to perform a backoff procedure for each of the K first links, where K is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2. The communication unit 102 is configured to transmit a first PPDU on each of the N second links, where the second link is a first link for which the backoff procedure has finished and which is in an idle state in a first inter-frame space before a first time point, where N is a positive integer less than or equal to M.

[0292] In a possible design, the first point in time is an end point of the backoff procedure of the target link, and the target link is the second link whose backoff procedure ends last among the N second links.

[0293] Solution 4 The ML entity supports K first links. The processing unit 101 is configured to perform a backoff procedure for each of the K first links, where K is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2. The communication unit 102 is configured to transmit a first PPDU on each of the N second links when a sum of count values ​​of backoff counters of the K first links is less than or equal to 0 or a sum of count values ​​of backoff counters of the N second links is less than or equal to 0, the second links being first links that are idle in a second inter-frame space before the current time, where N is a positive integer less than or equal to M.

[0294] In a possible design, the processing unit 101 is particularly configured to: wait, for each first link of the K first links, for an idle period of the first link to reach the second inter-frame space; and decrement a count value of a back-off counter of the first link by one each time the first link is idle within one time slot after the idle period of the first link reaches the second inter-frame space.

[0295] In a possible design, the count value of the backoff counter for the first link comprises a negative integer.

[0296] In a possible design, the processing unit 101 is further configured to, for each first link of the K first links, decrement a count value of a target counter by one each time the first link becomes idle within one time slot after the idle period of the first link reaches the second inter-frame space, and the target counter is configured to record a sum of the count values ​​of the backoff counters of the K first links.

[0297] Solution 5 The ML entity supports multiple links, each of which serves as the first link in turn according to a preset cyclic order. The processing unit 101 is configured to perform a backoff procedure for the first link. The communication unit 102 is configured to transmit a first PPDU on each of N second links after the backoff procedure for the first link is completed, where the N second links include the first link and N-1 available links, and the available links are in an idle state in a first inter-frame space before the completion of the backoff procedure for the first link, where N is a positive integer.

[0298] The ML entities provided in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented in multiple product forms. In one example, the ML entities may be configured as a general processing system. In another example, the ML entities may be implemented using a general bus architecture. In yet another example, the ML entities may be implemented using an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The following provides some possible product forms of the ML entities in the embodiments of the present application. It should be understood that the following product forms are merely examples and that the possible product forms of the ML entities in the embodiments of the present application are not limited.

[0299] FIG. 15 is a diagram of the resulting possible product forms of ML entities according to one embodiment of the present application.

[0300] In a possible product form, the ML entity in the embodiment of the present application may be a communication device, which includes a processor 201 and a transceiver 202. Optionally, the communication device further includes a storage medium 203.

[0301] The processor 201 is configured to perform step S101 of Figure 5, step S103 of Figure 6, step S201 of Figure 9(a), step S301 of Figure 10, step S401 of Figure 11(a), step S501 of Figure 12, and step S601 of Figure 13. The transceiver 202 is configured to perform step S102 of Figure 5, step S104 of Figure 6, step S202 and step S203 of Figure 9(a), step S204 of Figure 9(b), step S302 of Figure 10, step S402 of Figure 11(a), step S403 of Figure 11(b), step S502 of Figure 12, and step S602 of Figure 13.

[0302] In another possible product form, the ML entities in this embodiment of the present application may alternatively be implemented by a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor, commonly referred to as a chip. The chip includes processing circuitry 201 and transceiver pins 202. Optionally, the chip may further include a storage medium 203.

[0303] Processing circuit 201 is configured to perform step S101 of Figure 5, step S103 of Figure 6, step S201 of Figure 9(a), step S301 of Figure 10, step S401 of Figure 11(a), step S501 of Figure 12, and step S601 of Figure 13. Transceiver pin 202 is configured to perform step S102 of Figure 5, step S104 of Figure 6, step S202 and step S203 of Figure 9(a), step S204 of Figure 9(b), step S302 of Figure 10, step S402 of Figure 11(a), step S403 of Figure 11(b), step S502 of Figure 12, and step S602 of Figure 13.

[0304] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, the computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions. When the computer-readable storage medium is executed on an ML entity, the ML entity performs the method shown in Figure 5, Figure 6, Figure 9(a), Figure 9(b), Figure 10, Figure 11(a), Figure 11(b), Figure 12, or Figure 13. The computer instructions may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from a website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, or digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, radio, or microwave) transmission. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium accessible by a computer or a data storage device, such as a server or data center, that incorporates one or more available media. The usable media may be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, or magnetic tapes), optical media, semiconductor media (e.g., solid state disks (SSDs)), and the like.

[0305] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product including computer instructions, which, when executed on an ML entity, enable the ML entity to perform the method shown in Figure 5, Figure 6, Figure 9(a), Figure 9(b), Figure 10, Figure 11(a), Figure 11(b), Figure 12, or Figure 13.

[0306] Although the present application has been described with reference to embodiments, in the course of practicing the claimed application, those skilled in the art may understand and implement other variations of the disclosed embodiments by studying the accompanying drawings, the disclosed content, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the words "a" or "one" do not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may implement several functions recited in the claims. Although several means are recited in mutually different dependent claims, this does not mean that these means cannot be combined to produce better effects.

[0307] Although the present application has been described with reference to specific features and embodiments thereof, it is clear that various modifications and combinations can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Correspondingly, the specification and accompanying drawings are merely exemplary descriptions of the present application as defined by the appended claims, and any or all modifications, variations, combinations, or equivalents are deemed to fall within the scope of the present application. It is clear that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. The present application intends to cover these modifications and variations of the present application as long as they fall within the scope of protection defined by the claims of the present application and their equivalent technologies. [Explanation of symbols]

[0308] 101 Processing Unit 102 communication unit 201 Processor / Processing Circuit 202 Transceivers / Transceiver Pins 203 Storage medium 204 Bus

Claims

1. 1. A communication method, the method being applied to a multi-link ML entity, the ML entity supporting a primary link and at least one non-primary link, a back-off counter being configured on the primary link, and no back-off counter being configured on the non-primary links, the method comprising: performing, by the ML entity, a backoff procedure for the primary link based on the backoff counter; transmitting, by the ML entity, a first physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) on each of K first links when the back-off counter is decremented to zero, the K first links including the primary link and K−1 first non-primary links, the first non-primary links being idle in a first inter-frame space prior to the decrement of the back-off counter to zero, where K is a positive integer; A communication method, including:

2. 2. The communication method of claim 1, wherein the first PPDU comprises a first type of medium access control MAC frame, the first type of MAC frame not requiring a response.

3. the first PPDU includes a second type medium access control MAC frame, the second type MAC frame requiring a response; The method comprises: receiving, by the ML entity, a response frame to the second type MAC frame on one or more first links; if the one or more first links do not include the primary link, determining, by the ML entity, that establishment of a transmission opportunity TXOP has failed; or determining, by the ML entity, that a TXOP has been successfully established if the one or more first links include the primary link; The communication method of claim 1 further comprising:

4. The method comprises: determining, by the ML entity, N second links corresponding to the transmission opportunity TXOP, the N second links including the primary link and N-1 second non-primary links, the second non-primary link being a first non-primary link that satisfies a preset condition, the preset condition including: the ML entity transmitting the first PPDU including the first type MAC frame on the first non-primary link, or the ML entity transmitting the first PPDU including the second type MAC frame on the first non-primary link and receiving the response frame to the second type MAC frame; transmitting, by the ML entity, a second PPDU on each second link of the N second links; The communication method according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising:

5. The method comprises: if transmission of the second PPDU fails on one or more second non-primary links, stopping, by the ML entity, transmission of the second PPDU on the second links on which the transmission of the second PPDU failed, and continuing to transmit the second PPDU on the second links on which the transmission of the second PPDU succeeded until a TXOP is terminated. The communication method of claim 4, further comprising:

6. The method comprises: stopping, by the ML entity, transmission of the second PPDUs on the N second links if transmission of the second PPDUs on one or more second links fails; waiting, by the ML entity, for the idle period of the primary link to reach the first inter-frame space; transmitting, by the ML entity, the second PPDU on each of P tertiary links after the idle period of the primary link reaches the first inter-frame space, the P tertiary links including the primary link and P−1 third non-primary links, the third non-primary link being a second non-primary link that was in the idle state in the first inter-frame space before a first time point, the first time point being a time point when the idle period of the primary link reaches the first inter-frame space, and P is a positive integer less than or equal to N; The communication method of claim 4, further comprising:

7. The method comprises: stopping, by the ML entity, transmission of the second PPDUs on the N second links if transmission of the second PPDUs on one or more second links fails; performing, by the ML entity, the backoff procedure for the primary link; transmitting, by the ML entity, the second PPDU on each of P tertiary links after the backoff procedure of the primary link is terminated, the P tertiary links including the primary link and P−1 third non-primary links, the third non-primary link being a second non-primary link in the idle state in the first inter-frame space before the end of the backoff procedure of the primary link, where P is a positive integer less than or equal to N; The communication method of claim 4, further comprising:

8. 1. A communication method, the method being applied to a multi-link ML entity, the ML entity supporting K first links, the method comprising: performing, by the ML entity, a backoff procedure on each of the K primary links, where K is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2; transmitting, by the ML entity, a first physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) on each of N second links when a backoff procedure for a target link is completed, the second link being a first link that is idle in a first inter-frame space prior to the completion of the backoff procedure for the target link, the target link being a first link among the K first links whose backoff procedure is completed first, where N is a positive integer less than or equal to K; If transmission of the first PPDU fails on one or more second links, skipping, by the ML entity, within a preset period, transmission of a second PPDU on the second links on which transmission of the first PPDU failed; or skipping, by the ML entity, transmission of a second PPDU on the N second links on which transmission of the first PPDU failed within a preset period. A communication method, including:

9. 1. A communication method, the method being applied to a multi-link ML entity, the ML entity supporting K first links, the method comprising: performing, by the ML entity, a backoff procedure on each of the K primary links, where K is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2; transmitting, by the ML entity, a first physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) on each of N second links, the second links being first links that have completed a backoff procedure and are in an idle state in a first inter-frame space before a first time point, where N is a positive integer less than or equal to M; The communication method further comprises:

10. 10. The communication method of claim 9, wherein the first point in time is the end point of a backoff procedure for a target link, and the target link is a second link whose backoff procedure ends last among the N second links.

11. 1. A communication method, the method being applied to a multi-link ML entity, the ML entity supporting K first links, the method comprising: performing, by the ML entity, a backoff procedure on each of the K primary links, where K is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2; transmitting, by the ML entity, a first physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) on each of the N second links when a sum of count values ​​of backoff counters of the K first links is less than or equal to 0 or when a sum of count values ​​of backoff counters of the N second links is less than or equal to 0, wherein the second links are first links that were idle in a second inter-frame space before the current time, and N is a positive integer less than or equal to M; The communication method further comprises:

12. performing, by the ML entity, a backoff procedure for each first link of the K first links; for each first link of the K first links, waiting by the ML entity until an idle period of the first link reaches the second inter-frame space; after the idle period of the first link reaches the second inter-frame space, each time the first link is idle within one time slot, decrementing a count value of a backoff counter of the first link by one, by the ML entity; 12. The communication method of claim 11, comprising:

13. 12. The communication method of claim 11, wherein the count value of the backoff counter of the first link comprises a negative integer.

14. The method comprises: for each first link of the K first links, decrementing by one a count value of a target counter by the ML entity each time the first link becomes idle within a time slot after an idle period of the first link reaches the second inter-frame space, wherein the target counter is configured to record the sum of the count values ​​of the backoff counters of the K first links; 14. The communication method according to claim 11, further comprising:

15. A communication method, the method being applied to a multi-link ML entity, the ML entity supporting a plurality of links, each of the plurality of links serving as a first link in turn according to a preset cyclic order, the method comprising: performing, by the ML entity, a backoff procedure for the first link; transmitting, by the ML entity, a first physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) on each of N second links after the backoff procedure of the first link is terminated, the N second links including the first link and N-1 available links, the available links being idle in a first inter-frame space before the termination of the backoff procedure of the first link, where N is a positive integer; A communication method, including:

16. A MultiLink ML entity, said ML entity comprising units configured to perform the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

17. 16. A computer-readable storage medium comprising computer instructions that, when executed by a computer, enable the computer to perform the communication method of any one of claims 1 to 15.

18. 16. A computer program product comprising computer instructions that, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to perform the communication method of any one of claims 1 to 15.

19. a chip, the chip supporting a primary link and at least one non-primary link, a back-off counter disposed on the primary link, and no back-off counter disposed on the non-primary links, the chip comprising processing circuitry and transceiver pins; the processing circuitry is configured to perform a backoff procedure for the primary link based on the backoff counter; the transceiver pin is configured to transmit a first physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) on each of K first links when the count value of the backoff counter is reduced to 0, the K first links including the primary link and K−1 first non-primary links, the first non-primary links being idle during a first inter-frame space prior to the time when the count value of the backoff counter is reduced to 0, and K is a positive integer; Tips.

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