Communication method and apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium

Abstract

To provide a communication method, an apparatus, and a computer-readable storage medium that conserve communication resources when communicating within a restricted target wake-up time service period (R-TWT SP).SOLUTION: A method includes a step of determining, by a station (STA), that a limited service period is to end when a first condition is met. Therein the first condition includes any one or more of: receiving a first frame indicating that the limited service period is to end; receiving no second frame within a preset time period; and receiving a frame for non-low latency service communication in a local cell that is a basic service set (BSS) to which the STA belongs.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] [CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202011635867.6, entitled "Communication Method and Apparatus, and Computer-Readable Storage Medium," filed with the State Intellectual Property Administration of China on December 31, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0002] [Technical field] This application relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and in particular to communication methods and apparatus, and computer-readable storage media. [Background technology]

[0003] Target wake time (TWT) is an energy saving technique defined by Wi-Fi 6, which means that a station (STA) and an access point (AP) can agree on a service period (SP) and remain active during the service period to perform communication, thereby saving energy by remaining dormant outside the service period. TWT can be classified into individual TWT and broadcast TWT depending on how the service period is agreed upon.

[0004] A restricted TWT SP (R-TWT) is used to provide only low-latency services, and it is not possible to communicate non-low-latency services during this period. When the length of the R-TWT SP exceeds the time required for the actual communication of the current low-latency service, the R-TWT SP after the current low-latency communication ends is wasted. As a result, communication resources are wasted. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and apparatus, and a computer-readable storage medium, for conserving communication resources during communication in an R-TWT SP.

[0006] According to a first aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, the method including the steps of: determining, by a STA, that a limited service period ends when a first condition is met, the first condition including any one or more of: receiving a first frame, the first frame indicating that the limited service period ends; not receiving a second frame within a preset time period; and receiving a frame for non-low latency service communication in a local cell, the local cell being a basic service set (BSS) to which the STA belongs.

[0007] In the solution provided by this application, when a first condition is satisfied for the limited service period, the STA may terminate the limited service period in advance. Because the STA can only perform communication of low-latency services during the limited service period, when one or more of the first conditions are satisfied, the STA determines that the limited service period will end and terminates the limited service period in advance. In this way, it is possible to avoid wasting the remaining unused limited service time after completing the low-latency service, thereby saving communication resources.

[0008] It can be understood that the restricted service period is a certain time period during which the AP and the STA are only used to provide low latency services. Alternatively, the restricted service period may be referred to as a restricted service period (R-SP) or a restricted TWT SP. It can be understood that the restricted service period may alternatively have other names. This is not limited in this embodiment of the application.

[0009] With respect to the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the first frame is an extremely high throughput (EHT) action frame, and an EHT action field in the EHT action frame indicates that the limited service period is ending.

[0010] In the solution provided by this application, the first frame may be an EHT action frame, a CF-end frame, or any other frame.

[0011] With respect to the first aspect, in one possible implementation, before the step in which the STA determines that the limited service period has ended when the first condition includes not receiving a second frame within the preset time period, the communication method further includes a step in which the STA receives a third frame, the third frame carrying a TWT element, and the preset time period is determined by a nominal minimum TWT wake-up duration field and a wake-up duration unit field in the TWT element.

[0012] In the solution provided by this application, the pre-set time period may be acquired by the STA by receiving the third frame, or may be specified in the standard.

[0013] Regarding the first aspect, in one possible implementation, before the step of the STA determining that the limited service period ends when the first condition includes receiving the frame for non-low latency service communication in the local cell, the communication method further includes a step of the STA receiving a fourth frame, the fourth frame carrying a TWT element, the TWT element carrying a threshold access class (AC) of a non-low latency service or a pre-configured service identifier (TID) of a non-low latency service, the non-low latency service being a service whose access class is equal to or less than the threshold access class of the non-low latency service, or the non-low latency service being a service whose service identifier is the pre-configured service identifier of the non-low latency service.

[0014] In the solution provided by this application, in order to satisfy the condition of receiving a non-low latency service communication frame in the local cell, the STA needs to obtain a threshold access class of the non-low latency service or a preset service identifier of the non-low latency service. It can determine whether the currently received service is a non-low latency service to determine whether the condition of receiving a non-low latency service communication frame in the local cell is satisfied. If the condition is satisfied, it can determine that the limited service period ends.

[0015] With respect to the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the threshold access class of the non-low latency service or the pre-configured service identifier of the non-low latency service is determined by using a Broadcast TWT Recommendation field in the TWT element.

[0016] In the solution provided by this application, the threshold access class of a non-low latency service or the pre-configured service identifier of a non-low latency service may be carried in the TWT element, and in order to save communication resources, there is no need to set up a new element dedicated to carrying the threshold access class of a non-low latency service or the pre-configured service identifier of a non-low latency service.

[0017] Regarding the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the communication method further includes a step in which, after the step of determining that the limited service period has ended, the STA initiates new channel access or continues channel access that was interrupted before the limited service period.

[0018] In the solution provided by this application, when determining that a limited service period will expire and preemptively terminating the limited service period, the STA may continue to perform channel access to minimize wasting unused airtime.

[0019] According to a second aspect, an embodiment of this application provides a communication method for ensuring that ongoing transmission of a low-latency service is not interrupted when communicating in an R-TWT SP, the communication method including: the STA obtaining a transmit opportunity (TXOP) before a limited service period arrives; and the STA omitting to terminate the TXOP before the limited service period arrives if a second condition is met, the second condition including any one or more of: the TXOP being used to transmit data frames of a first service; a transmission time for transmitting a service in the TXOP being less than or equal to a first threshold; and the limited service period being a time period used for device-to-device (D2D) transmission.

[0020] In the solution provided by this application, since the STA needs to terminate its TXOP before the limited service period arrives, if any one or more of the exclusion conditions (second conditions) are met, the STA may not need to terminate its transmission opportunity before the limited service period arrives. In this way, the ongoing transmission of the low-latency service is not interrupted, thereby ensuring the delay performance of the STA's low-latency service.

[0021] The STA omits terminating the TXOP before the limited service period arrives, and the omitted termination may be understood to mean that the STA does not terminate the TXOP before the limited service period arrives, and the STA can be understood to continue the current service transmission when the limited service period arrives.

[0022] Regarding the second aspect, in one possible implementation, when the second condition includes that the transmission time for transmitting the service in the TXOP is less than or equal to the first threshold, before the STA omits terminating the TXOP before the limited service period arrives, the communication method further includes a step in which the STA receives a fifth frame, the fifth frame carrying a TWT element, and the TWT element carrying the first threshold.

[0023] In the solution provided by this application, before the condition that the transmission time for transmitting a service in a TXOP is less than or equal to the first threshold is met, the STA needs to obtain information about the first threshold, which may be obtained by the STA by receiving a TWT element carried in the fifth frame, or may be specified in a standard.

[0024] Regarding the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the first service is the low-latency service. When the second condition includes that the TXOP is used to transmit the data frame of the first service, before the STA omits terminating the TXOP before the limited service period arrives, the communication method further includes the STA receiving a sixth frame, the sixth frame carrying a TWT element. The TWT element carries a threshold access class of a low-latency service or a preset service identifier of a low-latency service, and the low-latency service is a service whose access class is equal to or greater than the threshold access class of the low-latency service, or a service whose service identifier is the preset service identifier of the low-latency service.

[0025] In the solution provided by this application, the first service may be a low-latency service. To satisfy the condition that the TXOP is used to transmit a data frame of the first service, the STA needs to obtain the threshold access class of the low-latency service or the preset service identifier of the low-latency service. It is possible to determine whether the currently received service is a low-latency service and thereby determine whether the condition that the TXOP is used to transmit a data frame of the first service is satisfied. When the condition is satisfied, the STA may not need to terminate its transmission opportunity before the limited service period arrives. In this way, the ongoing transmission of the low-latency service is not interrupted, thereby ensuring the delay performance of the STA's low-latency service.

[0026] Regarding the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the threshold access class of the low latency service or the pre-configured service identifier of the low latency service is determined by using a Broadcast TWT Recommendation field in the TWT element.

[0027] In the solution provided by this application, the threshold access class of the low-latency service or the pre-configured service identifier of the low-latency service may be carried in the TWT element, and in order to save communication resources, there is no need to set up a new element dedicated to carrying the threshold access class of the low-latency service or the pre-configured service identifier of the low-latency service.

[0028] Regarding the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the first service is an excluded service. When the second condition includes that the TXOP is used to transmit the data frame of the first service, before the STA omits terminating the TXOP before the limited service period arrives, the communication method further includes the STA receiving a seventh frame, the seventh frame carrying a TWT element. The TWT element carries a threshold access class of the excluded service or a preset service identifier of the excluded service, and the excluded service is a service whose access class is equal to or greater than the threshold access class of the excluded service, or a service whose service identifier is the preset service identifier of the excluded service.

[0029] In the solution provided by this application, the first service may be an excluded service. To satisfy the condition that a TXOP is used to transmit a data frame of the first service, the STA needs to obtain the threshold access class of the excluded service or the preset service identifier of the excluded service. It is possible to determine whether the currently received service is an excluded service and thereby determine whether the condition that a TXOP is used to transmit a data frame of the first service is satisfied. When the condition is satisfied, the STA may not need to terminate its transmission opportunity before the limited service period arrives. In this way, the ongoing transmission of the service will not be interrupted, thereby ensuring the delay performance of the STA's service.

[0030] Regarding the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the threshold access class of the excluded service or the pre-configured service identifier of the excluded service is determined by an excluded access class field in the TWT element.

[0031] In the solution provided by this application, the threshold access class of the excluded service or the pre-configured service identifier of the excluded service may be carried in the TWT element, and in order to save communication resources, there is no need to set up a new element dedicated to carrying the threshold access class of the excluded service or the pre-configured service identifier of the excluded service.

[0032] Regarding the second aspect, in one possible implementation, when the limited service period arrives, the communication method further includes a step in which the STA terminates the TXOP when the transmission time for transmitting the service in the TXOP is greater than a second threshold.

[0033] In one possible implementation of the solution provided by this application, when the limited service period arrives, the STA may continue transmitting for a period of time, but may not exceed a second threshold. The second threshold may be a value specified in a standard or may be transmitted by the AP to the STA, for example, carried in a TWT element for transmission. In this way, the impact on the limited service period can be reduced.

[0034] The second threshold may be equal to the first threshold, i.e., the STA may understand that it will terminate the TXOP only after the transmission of the current service of the TXOP is completed.

[0035] Regarding the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the communication method further includes the STA continuing to transmit at most one physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) in the TXOP when the limited service period arrives.

[0036] In the solution provided by this application, when the limited service period arrives, the STA can transmit only one PPDU while continuing to transmit in the TXOP in another possible implementation, thus reducing the impact on the limited service period.

[0037] Regarding the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the communication method further includes a step in which the STA receives an eighth frame, the eighth frame indicating that the limited service period is to be extended.

[0038] In the solution provided by this application, when the limited service period arrives, in yet another possible implementation, the STA may receive a frame instructing it to extend the limited service period, and start transmission within the limited service period after completing the current transmission. Extending the limited service period can reduce the impact on service transmission within the limited service period.

[0039] According to a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a first communication device, which may be applied to a STA, a processing unit configured to determine that a limited service period expires when a first condition is met, the first condition comprising: receiving a first frame, the first frame indicating that the limited service period will end; not receiving a second frame within a preset time period; and receiving a frame for a non-low latency service communication in a local cell, the local cell being a BSS to which the STA belongs; The processing unit includes any one or more of:

[0040] Regarding the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the first frame is an EHT action frame, and an EHT action field in the EHT action frame indicates that the limited service period is ending.

[0041] Regarding the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the first communication device: The STA further includes a transceiver unit configured to receive a third frame before determining that the limited service period ends when the first condition includes not receiving a second frame within the preset time period, the third frame carrying a TWT element, and the preset time period being determined by a nominal minimum TWT wake-up duration field and a wake-up duration unit field in the TWT element.

[0042] Regarding the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the transceiver unit may be further configured, when the first condition includes receiving the frame for non-low latency service communication in the local cell, to receive a fourth frame before the STA determines that the limited service period ends, the fourth frame carrying a TWT element; The TWT element carries a threshold access class of a non-low latency service or a pre-configured service identifier of a non-low latency service, wherein the non-low latency service is a service whose access class is less than or equal to the threshold access class of the non-low latency service, or the non-low latency service is a service whose service identifier is the pre-configured service identifier of the non-low latency service.

[0043] With respect to the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the threshold access class of the non-low latency service or the pre-configured service identifier of the non-low latency service is determined by using a Broadcast TWT Recommendation field in the TWT element.

[0044] With respect to the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the processing unit may be further configured to, after determining that the limited service period has ended, initiate a new channel access or continue a channel access that was interrupted before the limited service period.

[0045] According to a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a second communication device, which may be applied to a STA, The system includes a processing unit configured to acquire a TXOP before the limited service period expires.

[0046] The processing unit is further configured to omit terminating the TXOP before the limited service period arrives if a second condition is met, the second condition being: the TXOP is used to transmit a data frame of a first service; a transmission time for transmitting the service in the TXOP is less than or equal to a first threshold; and the restricted service period being a time period used for D2D transmission.

[0047] Regarding the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the second communication device: The transceiver unit further includes: a transceiver unit configured to receive a fifth frame before the limited service period arrives and before skipping the end of the TXOP when the second condition includes the transmission time for transmitting the service in the TXOP being less than or equal to the first threshold, the fifth frame carrying a TWT element, the TWT element carrying the first threshold.

[0048] Regarding the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the first service is the low latency service, and the transceiver unit further comprises: When the second condition includes that the TXOP is used to transmit the data frames of the first service, before omitting the termination of the TXOP before the limited service period arrives, the method may be configured to receive a sixth frame, the sixth frame carrying a TWT element, the TWT element carrying a threshold access class of a low-latency service or a preset service identifier of a low-latency service, the low-latency service being a service whose access class is equal to or greater than the threshold access class of the low-latency service, or the low-latency service being a service whose service identifier is the preset service identifier of the low-latency service.

[0049] With respect to the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the threshold access class of the low latency service or the pre-configured service identifier of the low latency service is determined by using a Broadcast TWT Recommendation field in the TWT element.

[0050] Regarding the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the first service is an exclusion service, and the transceiver unit further comprises: When the second condition includes that the TXOP is used to transmit the data frame of the first service, before omitting the end of the TXOP before the limited service period arrives, the seventh frame is configured to receive a TWT element, the TWT element carrying a threshold access class of the excluded service or a pre-defined service identifier of the excluded service, the excluded service being a service whose access class is equal to or greater than the threshold access class of the excluded service, or a service whose service identifier is the pre-defined service identifier of the excluded service.

[0051] Regarding the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the threshold access class of the excluded service or the pre-configured service identifier of the excluded service is determined by an excluded access class field in the TWT element.

[0052] Regarding the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, when the limited service period arrives, the processing unit further: The method may be configured to terminate the TXOP when the transmission time for transmitting the service in the TXOP is greater than a second threshold.

[0053] Regarding the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the processing unit further comprises: When the limited service period arrives, the TXOP may be configured to continue transmitting at most one PPDU.

[0054] Regarding the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the transceiver unit further comprises: The method may be configured to receive an eighth frame, the eighth frame indicating that the limited service period is to be extended.

[0055] According to a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a first communication device, which may be applied to a STA, including a processor. Optionally, the first communication device further includes a transceiver for communicating with the processor. The processor is configured to determine that a limited service period ends when a first condition is satisfied, the first condition being: receiving a first frame, the first frame indicating that the limited service period will end; not receiving a second frame within a preset time period; and receiving a frame for a non-low latency service communication in a local cell, the local cell being a BSS to which the STA belongs; It includes any one or more of the following.

[0056] The first communication device provided by the fifth aspect is configured to perform the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect. For specific details, please refer to the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect. The details will not be repeated in this specification.

[0057] According to a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a second communication device, which may be applied to a STA, including a processor. Optionally, the second communication device further includes a transceiver for communicating with the processor. The processor is configured to acquire a TXOP before a limited service period arrives.

[0058] The processor is further configured to omit terminating the TXOP before the limited service period expires if a second condition is met, the second condition being: the TXOP is used to transmit a data frame of a first service; a transmission time for transmitting the service in the TXOP is less than or equal to a first threshold; and the restricted service period being a time period used for D2D transmission.

[0059] The second communication device provided by the sixth aspect is configured to perform the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect. For specific details, please refer to the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect. The details will not be repeated in this specification.

[0060] According to a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a first communication device, which may be applied to a STA, including a processing circuit. Optionally, the first communication device further includes an output interface for internal communication with the processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to determine that a limited service period ends when a first condition is satisfied, the first condition being: receiving a first frame, the first frame indicating that the limited service period will end; not receiving a second frame within a preset time period; and receiving a frame for a non-low latency service communication in a local cell, the local cell being a BSS to which the STA belongs; It includes any one or more of the following.

[0061] The first communication device provided by the seventh aspect is configured to perform the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect. For specific details, please refer to the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect. The details will not be repeated in this specification.

[0062] According to an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a second communication device, which may be applied to a STA, including a processing circuit, and optionally further including an output interface for internal communication with the processing circuit, wherein the processing circuit is configured to acquire a TXOP before a limited service period arrives.

[0063] The processing circuitry is further configured to omit terminating the TXOP before the limited service period expires if a second condition is met, the second condition being: the TXOP is used to transmit a data frame of a first service; a transmission time for transmitting the service in the TXOP is less than or equal to a first threshold; and the restricted service period being a time period used for D2D transmission.

[0064] The second communication device provided by the eighth aspect is configured to perform the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect. For specific details, please refer to the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect. The details will not be repeated in this specification.

[0065] According to a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a computer, enable the computer to perform a method according to the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect.

[0066] According to a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a computer, enable the computer to perform a method according to the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect.

[0067] According to an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product comprising program instructions, which, when executed by a computer, enable the computer to perform a method according to the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect.

[0068] According to a twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product comprising program instructions, which, when executed by a computer, enable the computer to perform a method according to the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect.

[0069] According to a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, the communication system including a first communication device provided by the third, fifth, or seventh aspect, and a second communication device provided by the fourth, sixth, or eighth aspect. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0070] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of one implementation of a TWT service period in the prior art; [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 4]1 is a schematic diagram of a frame structure according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 5A] 1 is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of a TWT element according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 5B] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a frame configuration of an EHT operating element according to one embodiment of the present application. [Figure 6A] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of another TWT element according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 6B] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of another EHT operating element frame configuration according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of yet another TWT element frame structure according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 8] 10 is a schematic flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 9A] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of another TWT element according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 9B] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of another EHT operating element frame configuration according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of another frame structure according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a configuration of a first communication device according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a configuration of a second communication device according to an embodiment of the present application; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0071] The following description will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of this application.

[0072] To facilitate understanding of this application, this specification first describes the relevant technical knowledge contained in the embodiments of this application.

[0073] 1. TWT

[0074] TWT is a technology defined by Wi-Fi 6 to save energy. The core idea is to set up some periodic time periods, so that some devices only need to stay active during their TWT service period (TWT SP) and can stay dormant during the rest of the time, thereby saving energy.

[0075] TWTs are classified into individual TWTs and broadcast TWTs. In an individual TWT, each STA may independently establish a TWT agreement with the AP. Thus, each STA may have its own active and dormant time periods. In a broadcast TWT, the AP may establish a common TWT agreement for a group of STAs, while multiple STAs operate during the same active time period and remain dormant during other time periods.

[0076] Individual TWT:

[0077] An individual TWT means that a TWT requesting station sends a TWT request message to a TWT responding station to request the setting of a wake-up time. After receiving the TWT request message, the responding station sends a TWT response message to the requesting station. After successful interaction, a TWT agreement is established between the requesting station and the responding station. After reaching a TWT agreement, both the requesting station and the responding station need to remain active during the agreed-upon time period to transmit and receive data. Outside of that time period, the station may remain dormant to save energy. Generally, a STA sends a TWT agreement establishment request to an AP, i.e., the STA is the requesting station, and the AP is the responding station. Of course, the AP may alternatively initiate a TWT agreement establishment request to a station. After establishing a TWT agreement, the agreed-upon active time period is called a TWT service period. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an implementation of a TWT service period in the prior art. As shown in Figure 1, a STA sends a TWT request frame to an AP to request a TWT agreement, and the AP sends a TWT response frame to the STA. Each TWT agreement may include multiple periodic TWT service periods of the same duration.

[0078] Broadcast TWT:

[0079] Unlike individual TWTs, broadcast TWTs provide a "bulk management" mechanism. An AP may establish a series of periodic TWT service periods with multiple STAs. During the multiple TWT service periods, multiple STAs need to remain active and communicate with the AP.

[0080] An AP may convey information about one or more broadcast TWTs in a beacon frame, and each broadcast TWT is jointly represented by a broadcast TWT identifier and the AP's media access control (MAC) address. After receiving a beacon frame, if a STA intends to join a broadcast TWT, the STA may send a broadcast TWT establishment request message to the AP to join the broadcast TWT. When establishing a broadcast TWT, the STA needs to specify the broadcast TWT identifier to request joining a specific broadcast TWT. After joining the broadcast TWT, the STA may wake up and communicate with the AP based on the service period indicated by the TWT parameter set. It should be noted that if a STA supports broadcast TWT but does not explicitly join a broadcast TWT ID, the STA joins a broadcast TWT with broadcast TWT ID=0 by default.

[0081] Similar to individual TWTs, the broadcast TWT parameter set also specifies when TWT service periods occur and the duration of each TWT service period. In addition, the broadcast TWT parameters further include a broadcast TWT lifetime. The broadcast TWT lifetime is counted by using the beacon frame interval as a unit and indicates the duration of the established broadcast TWT.

[0082] 2. Low latency communication

[0083] With the development of wireless networks and the continuous upgrade of wireless local area network (WLAN) technology, Wi-Fi is carrying more and more application traffic. In addition, emerging mobile applications are placing increasingly higher requirements on the latency performance of WLANs. For example, applications such as wireless video, voice, gaming, and augmented reality (AR) / virtual reality (VR) each have high requirements on communication latency.

[0084] To meet the requirements of different types of traffic, a WLAN needs to prioritize different services. For example, in the case of a WLAN channel contention access process, each device has four different access categories, and transmission priority division is implemented by using different contention parameters. Each access class includes two service identifiers, and thus can correspond to two different services. Generally, data packets of low-latency services are generated periodically.

[0085] The restricted TWT service period (R-TWT-SP) is only used to provide low latency services, and no other services can communicate during this period. In addition, if a STA has started communication before the R-TWT-SP, it must terminate the current communication before the R-TWT-SP begins.

[0086] The technical deficiencies of this mechanism include the following two aspects:

[0087] 1. The length of the R-TWT-SP may exceed the time required for the actual communication of the low-latency service. Meanwhile, according to legal restrictions, no other communication is allowed during the R-TWT-SP, and therefore the R-TWT-SP time after the low-latency communication is finished is wasted.

[0088] 2. Before the R-TWT-SP arrives, the ongoing communication of the STA may also be a low-latency service communication. However, according to the legal restriction, the STA must terminate its transmit opportunity (TXOP) before the R-TWT-SP arrives. This will affect the latency performance of the STA's low-latency service.

[0089] Based on the problem of wasting R-TWT-SP time after low-latency communication ends, one embodiment of this application provides a communication method for saving communication resources during communication in an R-TWT SP. The communication method specifically includes the steps of: a STA determining that a limited service period ends when a first condition is met, the first condition including one or more of the following: receiving a first frame, the first frame indicating that the limited service period ends; not receiving a second frame within a predetermined time period; and receiving a frame for non-low-latency service communication in a local cell, the local cell being the BSS to which the STA belongs. Because the STA can only perform low-latency service communication during the limited service period, the STA determines that the limited service period ends when one or more of the first conditions are met and terminates the limited service period in advance. In this way, it is possible to avoid wasting the remaining unused limited service time after completing the low-latency service, thereby saving communication resources.

[0090] Based on the problem of affecting the delay performance of a low-latency service of a STA, an embodiment of this application provides a communication method, whereby ongoing transmission of the low-latency service is not interrupted, thereby ensuring the delay performance of the low-latency service of the STA. The communication method specifically includes the steps of: a STA obtaining a TXOP before a limited service period arrives; and, if a second condition is satisfied, the STA omitting to terminate the TXOP before the limited service period arrives, where the second condition includes any one or more of: the TXOP is used to transmit a data frame of a first service; the transmission time for transmitting the service in the TXOP is equal to or less than a first threshold; and the limited service period is a time period used for D2D transmission. Because the STA needs to terminate its TXOP before the limited service period arrives, if any one or more of the exclusion conditions (second conditions) are satisfied, the STA may not need to terminate its transmission opportunity before the limited service period arrives. In this way, the ongoing transmission of the low latency service will not be interrupted, thereby ensuring the latency performance of the low latency service for the STA.

[0091] To better understand the communication method and apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium provided by the embodiments of this application, the following description first describes a communication system to which the embodiments of this application are applied.

[0092] It should be understood that the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application may be applied to various communication systems, such as a Wi-Fi wireless communication system, a global system for mobile communications (GSM), a code division multiple access (CDMA) system, a wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) system, a general packet radio service (GPRS) system, a long term evolution (LTE) system, an LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, an LTE time division duplex (TDD) system, a universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), a worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, other future evolution systems, or various other wireless communication systems using radio access technologies.

[0093] 2 is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 2, the communication system includes a network device and at least one terminal device located within the coverage of the network device. The network device provides communication coverage for a specific geographical area and is capable of communicating with terminal devices located within its coverage area. The network device may be a base transceiver station (BTS) in a GSM system or a code division multiple access (CDMA) system, a NodeB (NB) in a WCDMA system, an evolved NodeB (eNB or eNodeB) in an LTE system, a radio controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN), a relay station, an access point (AP), an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, a network side device in a future network, etc. The terminal device may be mobile or fixed, and may be a station STA, access terminal, user equipment (UE), subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, mobile console, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, or user equipment, etc.

[0094] It should be noted that the STA in this embodiment of the present application is an R-TWT-SP-enabled STA. The STA may declare in advance whether it supports R-TWT-SP. If the STA supports R-TWT-SP, the STA must terminate ongoing communication of non-low latency services before starting R-TWT-SP. If the STA does not support R-TWT-SP, the STA may ignore R-TWT-SP. Because R-TWT-SP affects the communication of non-low latency services to some extent for STAs that support this function, R-TWT-SP in this embodiment of the present application may only provide services to STAs that support the R-TWT-SP function.

[0095] It should be understood that the communication system shown in FIG. 2 is merely one example for illustrative purposes and does not constitute a limitation on the communication system.

[0096] 3 is a schematic flowchart of a communication system according to an embodiment of this application. The following description uses a STA as an example to describe the method. However, it should be understood that the method is not limited to being performed by a STA and may also be performed by an AP. The STA described in this specification includes various types of apparatuses / devices on the STA side, and the AP includes various types of apparatuses / devices on the AP side. As shown in FIG. 3, the communication method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0097] 301: If the first condition is met.

[0098] 302: The STA determines that the limited service period is ending.

[0099] The first condition includes one or more of the following conditions:

[0100] Condition (1): The STA receives the first frame indicating that the limited service period is ending.

[0101] Condition (2): The STA does not receive a second frame within a preset time period.

[0102] Condition (3): The STA receives a frame for non-low latency service communication in the local cell.

[0103] A restricted service period is a certain time period during which the AP and STA are only used to provide low-latency services. Alternatively, the restricted service period may be referred to as an R-SP (restricted service period) or a restricted TWT SP (restricted TWT SP). It can be understood that the restricted service period may alternatively have other names. This is not a limitation in this embodiment of the application.

[0104] It can be understood that an AP may transmit its limited service period parameter value to other APs to ensure that the limited service periods of multiple cells do not affect each other. When setting the limited service period parameter value for other APs, it is necessary to ensure that the limited service periods of multiple APs do not overlap.

[0105] The following description will separately explain the first condition in detail. It should be understood that the first condition includes, but is not limited to, the above three conditions.

[0106] Regarding condition (1):

[0107] The AP indicates that the limited service period is ending and transmits a first frame to the STA indicating that the limited service period is ending. After receiving the first frame transmitted by the AP, the STA determines that its limited service period is ending.

[0108] Specifically, there are two cases where an AP may indicate that a limited service period has expired.

[0109] Case 1: When low latency service communication within the limited service period is ending, the AP may transmit a first frame to the STA within the limited service period indicating that the limited service period is ending.

[0110] Case 2: If there is no low latency service communication within the current limited service period, the AP may send a first frame to the STA before the limited service period arrives indicating that the limited service period is ending.

[0111] One implementation of the first frame is that the first frame may be an EHT action frame. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a frame structure according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 4, the EHT action frame may include a frame control field, a duration field, a receiver address (RA) field, a transmitter address (TA) field, a basic service set identifier (BSS ID) field, a sequence control field, a high throughput control (HT control) field, a frame body field, and a frame check sequence (FCS) field. The frame body field includes a category subfield and an ultra-high throughput action (EHT action) subfield. The value of the ultra-high throughput action (EHT action) subfield indicates that the EHT action frame is used to terminate the current limited service period. For example, when the value of the Very High Throughput Action (EHT action) subfield is 0, the value may indicate that the current limited service period is to be terminated, or when the value of the Very High Throughput Action (EHT action) subfield is 1, the value may indicate that the current limited service period is to be terminated. The value of the Very High Throughput Action (EHT action) subfield may alternatively be a value such as 2 or 3, indicating that the current limited service period is to be terminated. It can be understood that the values ​​of the Very High Throughput Action (EHT action) subfield are merely an example for purposes of illustration and do not constitute a limitation thereon.

[0112] Another implementation of the first frame is that the first frame is a contention free end (CF-End) frame. When the STA receives a CF-end frame sent by the AP within the limited service period, the STA determines that the limited service period ends.

[0113] The first frame may be transmitted in a broadcast format.

[0114] Regarding condition (2):

[0115] If the STA does not receive a second frame within a preset time period after entering the limited service period, the STA determines that the limited service period has ended.

[0116] The preset time period may be transmitted by the AP to the STA for transmission, for example, by being carried in a TWT element or an EHT operation element. Specifically, the preset time period may be determined by the nominal minimum TWT wake duration field and the wake duration unit field of the TWT element, or by the minimum restricted service period duration field in the EHT operation element. Alternatively, the preset time period may be specified in a standard. For example, the preset time period may be 1 ms (millisecond) or 100 μs (microseconds), etc. The preset time period may be smaller than the restricted service period.

[0117] When the preset time period is sent by the AP to the STA, the STA may receive a third frame sent by the AP and carrying a TWT element or an EHT operation element, which may be a beacon frame or a TWT response frame.

[0118] 5A is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of a TWT element according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 5A, the TWT element may include an element ID field, a length field, a control field, and a TWT parameter information field. The TWT parameter information field may include a nominal minimum TWT wake duration subfield. The control field may include a wake duration unit subfield.

[0119] 5B is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of an EHT operation element according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 5B, the EHT operation element may include a minimum restricted service period duration field. It can be understood that the field indicates the length of a preset time period and may have other names. The name of the field is not limited.

[0120] The preset time period may be determined by the nominal minimum TWT wake duration field and the wake duration unit field present in the TWT element in FIG. 5A.

[0121] Specifically, after receiving the third frame, the STA may determine the length of the limited service period based on the nominal minimum TWT wake duration field and the wake duration unit field. For example, in the standard, when the value of the wake duration unit field is 0, the value indicates that the unit is 256 μs (microseconds), and when the value of the wake duration unit field is 1, the value indicates that the unit is 1024 μs (microseconds). The STA multiplies the value indicated by the nominal minimum TWT wake duration field by the time unit indicated by the wake duration unit field, and then multiplies it by a first coefficient to obtain the duration of the predetermined time period. The first coefficient may be a predefined value such as 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 0.8, or 1. The first coefficient may be transmitted to the STA by the AP. Specifically, the first coefficient may be carried in a TWT element.

[0122] Alternatively, the preset time period may be determined by a minimum restricted service period duration field in the EHT operation element shown in FIG. 5B.

[0123] Specifically, after receiving the third frame, the STA may determine the length of the preset time period based on the minimum restricted service period duration field.

[0124] The second frame may be a frame for low latency service communication within the local cell, or may be a frame that the AP transmits within the local cell, or may be any frame.

[0125] The local cell may be understood to be the BSS to which the STA belongs. The STA may obtain the BSS Color value of the local cell in advance. The STA may determine whether the received frame is a frame in the local cell based on the physical layer frame header or MAC layer frame header of the received frame. Specifically, the BSS Color field in the physical layer frame header may be used for the determination. If the value of the received BSS Color field is the same as the BSS Color value in the local cell, the STA determines that the received frame is a frame in the local cell. The receiver address field or transmitter address field in the MAC layer frame header may also be used for the determination. If the value of the receiver address field or transmitter address field is the same as the MAC address value of the AP in the local cell, the STA determines that the received frame is a frame in the local cell.

[0126] The low-latency service may be a service whose access class is equal to or greater than some specific access category (threshold access category of the low-latency service), or whose service identifier is equal to some specific identifier (pre-configured service identifier of the low-latency service). The low-latency service may be a service whose access class is equal to or greater than some specific access category (threshold access category of the low-latency service), or whose service identifier is equal to some specific identifier (pre-configured service identifier of the low-latency service). The threshold access class of the low-latency service or the pre-configured service identifier of the low-latency service may be transmitted by the AP to the STA, for example, by being carried in a TWT element or an EHT operation element for transmission. The threshold access class of the low-latency service or the pre-configured service identifier of the low-latency service may also be specified in the standard. For example, AC=AC_VO or AC=AC_VI, or TID=0 or 1. Alternatively, the service identifier may be a specific service identifier name or a specific value.

[0127] When the threshold access class of the low-latency service or the preset service identifier of the low-latency service is sent by the AP to the STA, the STA may receive a sixth frame sent by the AP and carrying a TWT element or an EHT operation element, which may be a beacon frame or a TWT response frame.

[0128] 6A is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of another TWT element according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 6A, the TWT element may include an element ID field, a length field, a control field, and a TWT parameter information field. The TWT parameter information field may include a request type subfield, a target wake time subfield, a nominal minimum TWT wake duration subfield, a TWT wake interval mantissa subfield, and a broadcast TWT Info subfield. The request type subfield may include a broadcast TWT recommendation subfield.

[0129] 6B is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of another EHT operation element according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in FIG. 6B, the EHT operation element may include a threshold access class or preset service identifier field. It can be understood that the threshold access class or preset service identifier field may indicate the threshold access class of a low-latency service or the preset service identifier field of a low-latency service, or may have other names. The name of the field is not limited.

[0130] The threshold access class of the low-latency service or the preset service identifier of the low-latency service may be determined by using the broadcast TWT recommendation field in the TWT element shown in Figure 6A or the threshold access class or preset service identifier field in the EHT operation element shown in Figure 6B. The following description specifically describes one implementation that can determine the threshold access class of the low-latency service or the preset service identifier of the low-latency service by using the broadcast TWT recommendation field in the TWT element shown in Figure 6A.

[0131] In one possible implementation, the broadcast TWT recommendation field may indicate a threshold access class of a low-latency service or a pre-configured service identifier of a low-latency service by using an index. Specifically, the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field may indicate an index value, which may correspond to a threshold access class of a low-latency service or a pre-configured service identifier of a low-latency service. Specifically, the broadcast TWT recommendation field indicates a threshold access class of a low-latency service or a pre-configured service identifier of a low-latency service by using an index value.

[0132] The correspondence between the values ​​of the broadcast TWT recommendation field and the threshold access classes of low latency services may be shown by Table 1 below. [Table 1]

[0133] In Table 1, when the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field is a first value, the threshold access class of the low-latency service corresponding to the first value is AC_VO. When the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field is a second value, the threshold access classes of the low-latency service corresponding to the second value are AC_VO and AC_VI. It can be understood that the correspondence between the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field and the threshold access classes of the low-latency service shown in Table 1 is only an example. In actual application, the correspondence between the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field and the threshold access classes of the low-latency service may be determined according to an actual application scenario, which is not limited in this embodiment of the application.

[0134] When the broadcast TWT recommendation field in the TWT element received by the STA is an index value, the STA may determine the threshold access class of the low-latency service corresponding to the index value based on the index value. Then, based on the access class of the service, determine whether the currently received service is a low-latency service. For example, when the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field is a first value, the STA may determine whether the access class of the currently received service is AC_VO, and if the access class of the currently received service is AC_VO, determine that the currently received service is a low-latency service. When the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field is a second value, the STA may determine whether the access class of the currently received service is AC_VO or AC_VI, and if the access class of the currently received service is AC_VO or AC_VI, determine that the currently received service is a low-latency service. When the STA determines that the service it is currently receiving is not a low-latency service of the local cell, condition (2) is met and the STA determines that the limited service period ends.

[0135] The correspondence between the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field and the pre-configured service identifier of the low latency service may be shown by Table 2 below. [Table 2]

[0136] In Table 2, when the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field is a first value, the pre-configured service identifiers of low-latency services corresponding to the first value are 6 and 7. When the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field is a second value, the pre-configured service identifiers of low-latency services corresponding to the second value are 4, 5, 6, and 7. When the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field is a third value (e.g., 3), the pre-configured service identifiers of low-latency services corresponding to the third value are between the third value (e.g., 3) and 7. It can be understood that the correspondence relationship between the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field and the pre-configured service identifiers of low-latency services shown in Table 2 is only an example. In actual applications, the correspondence relationship between the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field and the pre-configured service identifiers of low-latency services may be determined according to actual application scenarios, which is not limited in this embodiment of the application.

[0137] When the broadcast TWT recommendation field in the TWT element received by the STA is an index value, the STA may determine a pre-configured service identifier of a low-latency service corresponding to the index value based on the index value. Then, the STA may determine whether the currently received service is a low-latency service based on the service identifier of the service. For example, when the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field is a first value, the STA may determine whether the service identifier of the currently received service is 6 or 7, and if the service identifier of the currently received service is 6 or 7, the STA may determine that the currently received service is a low-latency service. In another example, when the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field is a second value, the STA may determine whether the service identifier of the currently received service is one of 4, 5, 6, or 7, and if the service identifier of the currently received service is one of 4, 5, 6, or 7, the STA may determine that the currently received service is a low-latency service. In another example, if the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field is a third value, the STA may determine whether the service identifier of the currently received service is one of the values ​​between the third value (e.g., 3) and 7, and may determine that the currently received service is a low-latency service if the service identifier of the currently received service is one of the values ​​between the third value (e.g., 3) and 7. When the STA determines that the currently received service is not a low-latency service of the local cell, condition (2) is met and the STA determines that the limited service period expires.

[0138] In another possible implementation, the broadcast TWT recommendation field may directly indicate the threshold access class of the low-latency service or the preset service identifier of the low-latency service. Specifically, when the information in the broadcast TWT recommendation field is AC_VO, the information may indicate that AC_VO is the threshold access class of the low-latency service. When the information in the broadcast TWT recommendation field is AC_VO and AC_VI, the information may indicate that AC_VO and AC_VI are the threshold access categories of the low-latency service. Alternatively, when the information in the broadcast TWT recommendation field is 6 and 7, the information may indicate that 6 and 7 are the preset service identifiers of the low-latency service. When the information in the broadcast TWT recommendation field is 4, 5, 6, and 7, the information may indicate that 4, 5, 6, and 7 are the preset service identifiers of the low-latency service. When the information in the broadcast TWT recommendation field is a third value (e.g., 3), the information may indicate that values ​​between the third value (e.g., 3) and 7 are pre-configured service identifiers for low latency services.

[0139] If the information in the broadcast TWT recommendation field in the TWT element received by the STA directly indicates the threshold access class of the low-latency service or the preset service identifier of the low-latency service, the STA may determine the threshold access class of the low-latency service or the preset service identifier of the low-latency service based on the information in the field. The access class or service identifier of the currently received service and the information in the broadcast TWT recommendation field are used to determine whether the currently received service is a low-latency service. When the STA determines that the currently received service is not a low-latency service of the local cell, condition (2) is met and the STA determines that the limited service period ends.

[0140] It can be understood that the threshold access class of the low latency service or the preset service identifier of the low latency service may also be determined by using the threshold access class or preset service identifier field in the EHT operation element shown in Figure 6B. For specific implementation, refer to the method for determining the broadcast TWT recommendation field in the TWT element above. To avoid repetition, the details will not be described again in this specification.

[0141] Optionally, a new low latency field may be added to the TWT element carried in the sixth frame, and the low latency field is used to determine the threshold access class of the low latency service or the preset service identifier of the low latency service.

[0142] 7 is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of yet another TWT element according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 7, the TWT element may include an element ID field, a length field, a control field, and a TWT parameter information field. The control field may include a low latency subfield.

[0143] The threshold access class of the low latency service or the preset service identifier of the low latency service may be determined by using the TWT element shown in FIG.

[0144] In one possible implementation, the low latency field may indicate a threshold access class of a low latency service or a preset service identifier of a low latency service by using an index. Specifically, the value of the low latency field may indicate an index value, and the index value may correspond to a threshold access class of a low latency service or a preset service identifier of a low latency service. Specifically, the low latency field indicates a threshold access class of a low latency service or a preset service identifier of a low latency service by using an index value.

[0145] The correspondence between the value of the low latency field and the threshold access class of the low latency service may be shown by Table 3 below. [Table 3]

[0146] In Table 3, when the value of the low latency field is a first value, the threshold access class of the low latency service corresponding to the first value is AC_VO. When the value of the low latency field is a second value, the threshold access classes of the low latency service corresponding to the second value are AC_VO and AC_VI. It can be understood that the correspondence between the value of the low latency field and the threshold access classes of the low latency service shown in Table 3 is only an example. In actual applications, the correspondence between the value of the low latency field and the threshold access classes of the low latency service may be determined according to actual application scenarios, which is not limited in this embodiment of the application.

[0147] When the low latency field in the TWT element or EHT operation element received by the STA is an index value, the STA may determine the threshold access class of the low latency service corresponding to the index value based on the index value. Then, based on the access class of the service, determine whether the currently received service is a low latency service. For example, when the value of the low latency field is a first value, the STA may determine whether the access class of the currently received service is AC_VO, and if the access class of the currently received service is AC_VO, the STA may determine that the currently received service is a low latency service. When the value of the low latency field is a second value, the STA may determine whether the access class of the currently received service is AC_VO or AC_VI, and if the access class of the currently received service is AC_VO or AC_VI, the STA may determine that the currently received service is a low latency service. When the STA determines that the currently received service is not a low latency service of the local cell, condition (2) is met, and the STA determines that the limited service period ends.

[0148] The correspondence between the value of the low latency field and the pre-configured service identifier of the low latency service may be shown by Table 4 below. [Table 4]

[0149] In Table 4, when the value of the low latency field is a first value, the preset service identifiers of the low latency services corresponding to the first value are 6 and 7. When the value of the low latency field is a second value, the preset service identifiers of the low latency services corresponding to the second value are 4, 5, 6, and 7. It can be understood that the correspondence between the value of the low latency field and the preset service identifiers of the low latency services shown in Table 4 is only an example. In actual applications, the correspondence between the value of the low latency field and the preset service identifiers of the low latency services may be determined according to actual application scenarios, which is not limited in this embodiment of the application.

[0150] When the low latency field in the TWT element or EHT operation element received by the STA is an index value, the STA may determine a pre-configured service identifier of a low latency service corresponding to the index value based on the index value. Then, the STA may determine whether the currently received service is a low latency service based on the service identifier of the service. For example, when the value of the low latency field is a first value, the STA may determine whether the service identifier of the currently received service is 6 or 7, and if the service identifier of the currently received service is 6 or 7, may determine that the currently received service is a low latency service. As another example, when the value of the low latency field is a second value, the STA may determine whether the service identifier of the currently received service is one of 4, 5, 6, or 7, and if the service identifier of the currently received service is one of 4, 5, 6, or 7, may determine that the currently received service is a low latency service. When the STA determines that the service it is currently receiving is not a low-latency service of the local cell, condition (2) is met and the STA determines that the limited service period ends.

[0151] In another possible implementation, the low latency field may directly indicate a threshold access class of a low latency service or a preset service identifier of a low latency service. Specifically, when the information in the low latency field is AC_VO, the information may indicate that AC_VO is a threshold access class of a low latency service. When the information in the low latency field is AC_VO and AC_VI, the information may indicate that AC_VO and AC_VI are threshold access categories of a low latency service. Alternatively, when the information in the low latency field is 6 and 7, the information may indicate that 6 and 7 are preset service identifiers of a low latency service. When the information in the low latency field is 4, 5, 6, and 7, the information may indicate that 4, 5, 6, and 7 are preset service identifiers of a low latency service.

[0152] When the information in the low latency field in the TWT element or EHT operation element received by the STA directly indicates the threshold access class of the low latency service or the preset service identifier of the low latency service, the STA may determine the threshold access class of the low latency service or the preset service identifier of the low latency service based on the information in the field. The access class or service identifier of the currently received service and the information in the low latency field are used to determine whether the currently received service is a low latency service. When the STA determines that the currently received service is not a low latency service of the local cell, condition (2) is met and the STA determines that the limited service period ends.

[0153] Alternatively, a special value of the low latency field may indicate that the established TWT is not used for low latency communications, but is used for conventional TWT communications. Other values ​​indicate an access class or service identifier that is used for low latency communications and corresponds to low latency communications. Multiple values ​​are shown in Table 5 below. [Table 5]

[0154] It can be understood that the meaning of the values ​​shown in Table 5 is just an example. In practical applications, the meaning of the values ​​may be determined according to the practical application scenario, which is not limited in this embodiment of this application.

[0155] Regarding condition (3):

[0156] If, after entering the limited service period, the STA receives a frame of non-low latency service (i.e., general service) communication in the local cell, the STA determines that the limited service period has ended.

[0157] The local cell may be understood to be the BSS to which the STA belongs. The STA may obtain the BSS Color value of the local cell in advance. The STA may determine whether the received frame is a frame in the local cell based on the physical layer frame header or MAC layer frame header of the received frame. Specifically, the BSS Color field in the physical layer frame header may be used for the determination. If the value of the received BSS Color field is the same as the BSS Color value in the local cell, the STA determines that the received frame is a frame in the local cell. The receiver address field or transmitter address field in the MAC layer frame header may be used for the determination. If the value of the receiver address field or transmitter address field is the same as the MAC address of an AP in the local cell, the STA determines that the received frame is a frame in the local cell.

[0158] A non-low latency service may be a service whose access class is lower than some specific access categories (threshold access categories of non-low latency services), or whose service identifier is some specific identifier (pre-configured service identifier of non-low latency services). It can be understood that a non-low latency service may be a service whose priority corresponding to the access class of the service is lower than some specific access categories (threshold access categories of non-low latency services), or whose service identifier is some specific identifier (pre-configured service identifier of non-low latency services). The threshold access class of a non-low latency service or the pre-configured service identifier of a non-low latency service may be transmitted by the AP to the STA, for example, carried in a TWT element or an EHT operation element for transmission. Also, the threshold access class of a non-low latency service or the pre-configured service identifier of a non-low latency service may be specified in a standard. Alternatively, the service identifier may be the name of a specific service identifier or a specific value.

[0159] When the threshold access class of a non-low latency service or the preset service identifier of a non-low latency service is transmitted by the AP to the STA, the STA may receive a fourth frame transmitted by the AP and carrying a TWT element or an EHT operation element. The fourth frame may be a beacon frame or a TWT response frame. A schematic diagram of the frame structure of the TWT element may be shown in FIG. 6A, and a schematic diagram of the frame structure of the EHT operation element may be shown in FIG. 6B. The broadcast TWT recommendation field in the TWT element or the threshold access class or preset service identifier field in the EHT operation element may indicate the threshold access class of a non-low latency service or the preset service identifier of a non-low latency service. For specific implementations, refer to the implementation for indicating the threshold access class of a low latency service or the preset service identifier of a non-low latency service by using the broadcast TWT recommendation field in the TWT element or the threshold access class or preset service identifier field in the EHT operation element in the above condition (2). To avoid repetition, the details will not be repeated in this specification. If the access class or service identifier of the current service received by the STA is the threshold access class or pre-configured service identifier of the low-latency service indicated by the broadcast TWT recommendation field, the STA may determine that the current service is a non-low-latency service. When the STA determines that the current service is a non-low-latency service of the local cell, i.e., when condition (3) is met, the STA determines that the limited service period expires.

[0160] Optionally, the STA may receive a sixth frame. Since the TWT element or EHT operation element carried in the sixth frame indicates the threshold access class of the low-latency service or the preset service identifier of the low-latency service, when receiving the current service, the STA may determine whether the access class or service identifier of the current service is the threshold access class of the low-latency service or the preset service identifier of the low-latency service. If the access class or service identifier of the current service is not the threshold access class of the low-latency service or the preset service identifier of the low-latency service, the STA may determine that the current service is a non-low-latency service. When the STA determines that the current service is a non-low-latency service of the local cell, i.e., when condition (3) is met, the STA determines that the limited service period ends.

[0161] When the first condition includes condition (2), the AP is required to transmit a third frame and a fourth frame to the STA, and the third frame and the fourth frame may be the same frame. The TWT element or the EHT operation element carried in the third frame or the fourth frame indicates both the preset time period and the threshold access class of the non-low latency service or the preset service identifier of the low latency service. Alternatively, the AP is required to transmit a third frame and a sixth frame to the STA, and the third frame and the sixth frame may be the same frame. The TWT element or the EHT operation element carried in the third frame or the sixth frame indicates both the preset time period and the threshold access class of the low latency service or the preset service identifier of the low latency service.

[0162] When the first condition includes condition (3), the AP needs to send a fourth frame to the STA, where the third frame and the fourth frame are different frames. The TWT element or EHT operation element carried in the third frame indicates a predetermined time period. The TWT element or EHT operation element carried in the fourth frame indicates a threshold access class of a non-low latency service or a predetermined service identifier of a low latency service. Alternatively, the AP needs to send a sixth frame to the STA, where the third frame and the sixth frame are different frames. The TWT element or EHT operation element carried in the third frame indicates a predetermined time period. The TWT element or EHT operation element carried in the sixth frame indicates a threshold access class of a low latency service or a predetermined service identifier of a low latency service.

[0163] When the limited service period arrives, the STA's ongoing channel access process is suspended and channel access within the limited service period is initiated. When any one or more of the first conditions above are met, the STA determines that the limited service period will end. After determining that the limited service period will end, the STA may initiate new channel access or continue with the channel access that was suspended before the limited service period. The channel access may be a channel access process based on carrier sense multiple access / collision avoidance (CSMA / CA) or enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA).

[0164] In the conventional channel access rule, after a STA receives a trigger frame transmitted by an AP and transmits a data frame, if the STA subsequently performs channel access using the EDCA access method, it can be understood that the STA needs to perform channel contention by using a multi-user (MU) EDCA parameter set. This is because the STA performs channel access in response to the trigger frame and needs to use conservative parameters (i.e., the MU EDCA parameter set) in subsequent channel accesses. In this embodiment of the present application, the data frame transmitted by the STA after receiving the trigger frame within the limited service period is a data frame for a low-latency service, so it does not affect the channel access opportunity for the low-latency service. After a STA receives a trigger frame transmitted by an AP and transmits a data frame within the limited service period, if the STA subsequently needs to perform channel access using the EDCA access method, the STA may perform channel access by using the original EDCA parameter set rather than the MU EDCA parameter set.

[0165] If a STA completes random backoff before starting a limited service period because the STA needs to terminate ongoing communications of its non-low latency services before the start of the limited service period, but does not perform a transmission before the limited service period, it can be understood that after the limited service period ends, when the station subsequently needs to perform channel access via the EDCA access method, the EDCA parameters used will be the same as the EDCA parameters used in the random backoff before the start of the limited service period.

[0166] 8 is a schematic flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of this application. The following description will use a STA as an example to describe the method. However, it should be understood that the method is not limited to being performed by a STA and may also be performed by an AP. The STA described in this specification includes various types of apparatuses / devices on the STA side, and the AP includes various types of apparatuses / devices on the AP side. As shown in FIG. 8, the communication method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0167] S801: A STA acquires a TXOP before the limited service period expires.

[0168] The STA may obtain a TXOP before the limited service period arrives. The services transmitted by using the TXOP may include low-latency services, non-low-latency services, and barred services, etc.

[0169] S802: If the second condition is met, the STA does not terminate the TXOP before the limited service period arrives.

[0170] The second condition includes one or more of the following exclusion conditions:

[0171] Exclusion condition (1): The TXOP is used to transmit a data frame of the first service.

[0172] Exclusion condition (2): The transmission time for transmitting the service in the TXOP is less than or equal to a first threshold.

[0173] Exclusion condition (3): A restricted service period is a time period used for D2D transmission.

[0174] The restricted service period is a certain time period during which the AP and the STA are only used to provide low latency service. Alternatively, the restricted service period may be referred to as a restricted service period (R-SP) or a restricted TWT SP. It can be understood that the restricted service period may alternatively have other names. This is not a limitation in this embodiment of the application.

[0175] The STA omits terminating the TXOP before the limited service period arrives, but the omission of termination may be understood to mean that the STA does not need to terminate the TXOP before the limited service period arrives, that the STA does not terminate the TXOP before the limited service period arrives, or that the STA continues current service transmission when the limited service period arrives.

[0176] It can be understood that an AP may transmit its limited service period parameter value to other APs to ensure that the limited service periods of multiple cells do not affect each other. When configuring the limited service period parameter value for other APs, the configuration needs to ensure that the limited service periods of multiple APs do not overlap.

[0177] The following description separately explains the second condition in detail, and it should be understood that the second condition includes, but is not limited to, the three exclusion conditions above.

[0178] Regarding exclusion condition (1):

[0179] If the TXOP that the STA acquires before the limited service period arrives is a data frame used to transmit a first service, the STA does not terminate the TXOP before the limited service period arrives.

[0180] The first service may be a low latency service or may be an exempt service.

[0181] When the first service is a low latency service, specifically: The low-latency service may be a service whose access class is equal to or greater than some specific access category (threshold access category of the low-latency service), or whose service identifier is equal to some specific identifier (pre-configured service identifier of the low-latency service). It can be understood that the low-latency service may be a service whose priority corresponding to the access class of the service is equal to or greater than some specific access category (threshold access category of the low-latency service), or whose service identifier is equal to some specific identifier (pre-configured service identifier of the low-latency service). The threshold access class of the low-latency service or the pre-configured service identifier of the low-latency service may be transmitted by the AP to the STA, for example, carried in a TWT element or an EHT operation element for transmission. Also, the threshold access class of the low-latency service or the pre-configured service identifier of the low-latency service may be specified in the standard. For example, AC=AC_VO or AC=AC_VI or TID=0 or 1. Alternatively, the service identifier may be the name of a specific service identifier or a specific value.

[0182] When the threshold access class of the low-latency service or the preset service identifier of the low-latency service is sent by the AP to the STA, the STA may receive a sixth frame sent by the AP and carrying a TWT element or an EHT operation element. The sixth frame may be a beacon frame or a TWT response frame.

[0183] The threshold access class of the low-latency service or the preset service identifier of the low-latency service may be determined by using the broadcast TWT recommendation field in the TWT element shown in FIG. 6A or the threshold access class or preset service identifier field in the EHT operation element shown in FIG. 6B. Alternatively, the threshold access class of the low-latency service or the preset service identifier of the low-latency service may be determined by the low latency field in the TWT element shown in FIG. 7. For specific implementation, please refer to the specific description of the case of condition (2) above. To avoid repetition, details will not be repeated in this specification. When a TXOP obtained by a STA before the limited service period arrives is a data frame used to transmit a low-latency service, the exclusion condition (1) is met, and the STA does not terminate the TXOP before the limited service period arrives.

[0184] When the first service is an excluded service, specifically: The excluded service may be the same service as the low-latency service, or may be a service different from the low-latency service. If the excluded service is a service different from the low-latency service, the excluded service may be a service whose access class is equal to or greater than the threshold access class of the excluded service, or whose service identifier is a preset service identifier of the excluded service. The excluded service may be a service whose priority corresponding to the access class of the service is equal to or greater than the threshold access class of the excluded service, or whose service identifier is a preset service identifier of the excluded service. The threshold access class of the excluded service or the preset service identifier of the excluded service may be transmitted by the AP to the STA, for example, carried in a TWT element or an EHT operation element for transmission. The threshold access class of the excluded service or the preset service identifier of the excluded service may also be specified in the standard. Optionally, the service identifier may be the name of a specific service identifier or a specific value.

[0185] When the threshold access class of the excluded service or the preset service identifier of the excluded service is sent by the AP to the STA, the STA may receive a seventh frame sent by the AP and carrying a TWT element or an EHT operation element, which may be a beacon frame or a TWT response frame.

[0186] 9A is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of yet another TWT element according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 9A, the TWT element may include an element ID field, a length field, a control field, and a TWT parameter information field. The TWT parameter information field may include a request type subfield, a target wake time subfield, a nominal minimum TWT wake duration subfield, a TWT wake interval mantissa subfield, and a broadcast TWT Info subfield. The broadcast TWT Info subfield may include an exception access class (or exception service identifier) ​​(exception AC (or exception TID)) subfield.

[0187] 9B is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of yet another EHT operation element according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 9B, the EHT operation element may include an exception access class (or exception service identifier) ​​(exception AC (or exception TID)) field.

[0188] The threshold access class of the excluded service or the preset service identifier of the excluded service may be determined by the exception access class (or exception service identifier) ​​(exception AC (or exception TID)) field in the TWT element shown in FIG. 9A or the EHT operation element shown in FIG. 9B.

[0189] When the access class corresponding to the data frame used for transmission by using the TXOP acquired by the STA before the arrival of the limited service period is equal to or greater than the threshold access class or pre-set service identifier of the excluded service indicated by the exception access class (or exception service identifier) ​​(exception AC (or exception TID)) field, i.e., when the exception condition (1) is met, the STA does not terminate the TXOP before the arrival of the limited service period.

[0190] Regarding exclusion condition (2):

[0191] If a STA acquires a TXOP before the limited service period arrives and the transmission time for transmitting the service in the TXOP is less than or equal to a first threshold, the TA does not terminate the TXOP before the limited service period arrives.

[0192] The first threshold may be transmitted to the STA by the AP, for example, carried in a TWT element or an EHT operation element. Alternatively, the first threshold may be specified in a standard. For example, the first threshold may be 1 ms (millisecond) or 100 μs (microseconds), etc.

[0193] When the preset time period is transmitted by the AP to the STA, the STA may receive a fifth frame transmitted by the AP and carrying a TWT element or an EHT operation element. The fifth frame may be a beacon frame or a TWT response frame. A field in the TWT element or the EHT operation element may indicate a first threshold value.

[0194] Regarding exclusion condition (3):

[0195] The limited service period may be a time period for providing low-latency service communication between an AP and a STA, or may be a time period for service communication between D2D. D2D is service transmission between multiple STAs, and D2D may also be referred to as peer-to-peer. When the limited service period is a time period used for D2D transmission, i.e., when the exclusion condition (3) is met, the STA does not terminate the TXOP before the limited service period arrives.

[0196] When one or more of the exclusion conditions of the second condition are met, the STA may perform any one or more of the following actions.

[0197] Action 1: The STA may ignore the limited service period. When the limited service period arrives, the STA may realize that it does not have to end the transmission of its current TXOP until it has completed the transmission of the TXOP. Optionally, the transmission of the TXOP may end after the start time of the limited service period.

[0198] Action 2: When the limited service period arrives, if the transmission time for transmitting the service in the TXOP is greater than the second threshold, the STA terminates the TXOP. Specifically, when the limited service period arrives, the STA may continue transmitting for only a certain period of time, but cannot exceed the second threshold. The second threshold may be a value specified in the standard, or may be transmitted by the AP to the STA, for example, carried in the TWT element or EHT operation element for transmission.

[0199] Optionally, the second threshold may be equal to the first threshold, ie, the STA terminates the TXOP only after completing the transmission of the current service of the TXOP.

[0200] Action 3: When the limited service period arrives, the STA continuously transmits at most one PPDU in the TXOP.

[0201] Optionally, when the second condition is met, because part of the limited service period is occupied by another node, the AP may send an eighth frame to the STA, where the eighth frame indicates extending the limited service period. The eighth frame may be a type of EHT action frame. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of another frame configuration according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in FIG. 10, the EHT action frame may include a frame control field, a duration field, a receiver address (RA) field, a transmitter address (TA) field, a basic service set identifier (BSS ID) field, a sequence control field, a high throughput control (HT control) field, a frame body field, and a frame check sequence (FCS) field. The frame body field includes a category subfield, an EHT action subfield, and an extra restricted SP duration subfield. The value of the extra restricted SP duration subfield may indicate an extended duration of the restricted service period. For example, a value of 10 in the extra restricted SP duration subfield may indicate an extension of the restricted service period by 10 ms (milliseconds).

[0202] The above content describes in detail the methods provided by this application. In order to better implement the above solutions in the embodiments of this application, the embodiments of this application further provide corresponding devices.

[0203] In various embodiments of this application, a communication device may be divided into multiple functional modules based on the above-described exemplary methods. For example, each functional module may be obtained by dividing the functional modules based on their respective functions, or two or more functions may be integrated into a single processing module. The integrated modules may be implemented in the form of hardware or software functional modules. It should be noted that the division into modules in various embodiments of this application is merely an example and represents a logical division of functions. In actual implementation, other division methods may be used.

[0204] When an integrated unit is used, reference should be made to FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a configuration of a first communication device according to an embodiment of this application. The first communication device may be a STA or may be a module (e.g., a chip) within the STA. As shown in FIG. 11, the first communication device 1100 includes at least a processing unit 1101 and a transceiver unit 1102.

[0205] The processing unit 1101 is configured to determine that the limited service period expires when a first condition is met, the first condition being: receiving a first frame, the first frame indicating that a limited service period is ending; not receiving a second frame within a preset time period; and receiving a frame for a non-low latency service communication in a local cell, the local cell being a BSS to which the STA belongs; It includes any one or more of the following.

[0206] In one embodiment, the first frame is an EHT action frame, and an EHT action field in the EHT action frame indicates that the limited service period is ending.

[0207] In one embodiment, the first communication device 1100 The method further includes the transceiver unit 1102 being configured to receive a third frame before the STA determines that the limited service period has ended when the first condition includes not receiving the second frame within a predetermined time period, the third frame carrying a TWT element, the predetermined time period being determined by a nominal minimum TWT wake-up duration field and a wake-up duration unit field in the TWT element.

[0208] In one embodiment, the transceiver unit 1102 may be further configured to receive a fourth frame before the STA determines that the limited service period has ended when the first condition includes receiving the frame for non-low latency service communication in the local cell, the fourth frame carrying a TWT element.

[0209] The TWT element carries a threshold access class of a non-low latency service or a pre-defined service identifier of a non-low latency service, where a non-low latency service is a service whose access class is less than or equal to the threshold access class of a non-low latency service, or a non-low latency service is a service whose service identifier is a pre-defined service identifier of a non-low latency service.

[0210] In one embodiment, the threshold access class of the non-low latency service or the pre-configured service identifier of the non-low latency service is determined by using the Broadcast TWT Recommendations field in the TWT element.

[0211] In one embodiment, the processing unit 1101 may be further configured to initiate a new channel access after determining that the limited service period has ended, or to continue a channel access that was interrupted before the limited service period.

[0212] For a more detailed description of the processing unit 1101 and the transceiver unit 1102, please refer directly to the relevant description of the STA in the method embodiment shown in Figure 3. The details will not be repeated in this specification.

[0213] 12 is a schematic diagram of a configuration of a second communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The second communication device may be a STA or a module (e.g., a chip) in the STA. As shown in FIG. 12, the second communication device 1200 includes at least a processing unit 1201 and a transceiver unit 1202.

[0214] The processing unit 1201 is configured to acquire a TXOP before the limited service period arrives.

[0215] The processing unit 1201 is further configured to omit the termination of the TXOP before the limited service period arrives if a second condition is met, the second condition being: the TXOP is used to transmit a data frame of a first service; The transmission time for transmitting the service in the TXOP is less than or equal to a first threshold; and the restricted service period is a time period used for D2D transmission.

[0216] In one embodiment, the second communication device 1200 is The method further includes the transceiver unit 1202 being configured to receive a fifth frame prior to skipping the end of the TXOP before the limited service period arrives when the second condition includes a transmission time for transmitting the service in the TXOP being less than or equal to a first threshold, the fifth frame carrying a TWT element, the TWT element carrying the first threshold.

[0217] In one embodiment, the first service is a low latency service. When the second condition includes that the TXOP is used to transmit a data frame of the first service, prior to omitting the termination of the TXOP before the limited service period arrives, the sixth frame may be configured to receive, the sixth frame carrying a TWT element, the TWT element carrying a threshold access class of the low-latency service or a preset service identifier of the low-latency service, the low-latency service being a service whose access class is equal to or greater than the threshold access class of the low-latency service, or the low-latency service being a service whose service identifier is the preset service identifier of the low-latency service.

[0218] In one embodiment, the threshold access class of the low latency service or the pre-configured service identifier of the low latency service is determined by using the Broadcast TWT Recommendations field in the TWT element.

[0219] In one embodiment, the first service is an exclusion service. When the second condition includes that the TXOP is used to transmit a data frame of the first service, prior to omitting the termination of the TXOP before the limited service period arrives, a seventh frame is configured to receive, the seventh frame carrying a TWT element, the TWT element carrying a threshold access class of the excluded service or a preset service identifier of the excluded service, the excluded service being a service whose access class is equal to or greater than the threshold access class of the excluded service, or the excluded service being a service whose service identifier is the preset service identifier of the excluded service.

[0220] In one embodiment, the threshold access class of the excluded service or the pre-configured service identifier of the excluded service is determined by the excluded access class field in the TWT element.

[0221] In one embodiment, when the limited service period arrives, the processing unit 1201 further: The TXOP may be configured to be terminated when the transmission time for transmitting the service in the TXOP is greater than a second threshold.

[0222] In one embodiment, the processing unit 1201 further comprises: When the limited service period arrives, the TXOP may be configured to continue transmitting at most one PPDU.

[0223] In one embodiment, the transceiver unit 1202 further comprises: It may be configured to receive an eighth frame, the eighth frame indicating extending the limited service period.

[0224] For a more detailed description of the processing unit 1201 and the transceiver unit 1202, please refer directly to the relevant description of the STA in the method embodiment shown in Figure 8. The details will not be repeated in this specification.

[0225] The above description describes the first communication device and the second communication device in multiple embodiments of this application. The following description describes possible product forms of the first communication device and the second communication device. It should be understood that any form of product having the features of the first communication device in FIG. 11 and any form of product having the features of the second communication device in FIG. 12 fall within the scope of protection of this application. Furthermore, it should be understood that the following description is merely one example, and the product forms of the first communication device and the second communication device in multiple embodiments of this application are not limited thereto.

[0226] In one possible product form, the first communication device and the second communication device in the embodiments of this application may be implemented by using a common bus architecture.

[0227] The first communication device includes a processor. Optionally, the first communication device further includes a transceiver for communicating with the processor. The processor is configured to determine that the limited service period ends when a first condition is met, the first condition including any one or more of: receiving a first frame, the first frame indicating that the limited service period ends; not receiving a second frame within a preset time period; and receiving a frame for non-low latency service communication in a local cell, the local cell being a BSS to which the STA belongs. Optionally, the first communication device may further include a memory. The memory is configured to store instructions executed by the processor.

[0228] The second communication device may include a processor. Optionally, the second communication device may further include a transceiver for communicating with the processor. The processor is configured to obtain a TXOP before the limited service period arrives, and the processor is further configured to omit terminating the TXOP before the limited service period arrives if a second condition is satisfied, the second condition including any one or more of: the TXOP is used to transmit a data frame of a first service; a transmission time for transmitting the service in the TXOP is equal to or less than a first threshold; and the limited service period is a time period used for D2D transmission. Optionally, the second communication device may further include a memory. The memory is configured to store instructions executed by the processor.

[0229] In one possible product form, the first communication device and the second communication device in the embodiments of this application may be implemented by using a chip.

[0230] A chip implementing the first communication device includes a processing circuit. Optionally, the chip further includes an output interface for internal communication with the processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to determine that the limited service period ends when a first condition is met, the first condition including any one or more of receiving a first frame, the first frame indicating that the limited service period ends, not receiving a second frame within a preset time period, and receiving a frame for non-low latency service communication in a local cell, the local cell being a BSS to which the STA belongs. Optionally, the chip may further include a storage medium configured to store instructions executed by the processing circuit.

[0231] A chip implementing the second communication device includes a processing circuit. Optionally, the chip further includes an output interface for internal communication with the processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to acquire a TXOP before the arrival of a limited service period, and the processing circuit is further configured to omit terminating the TXOP before the arrival of the limited service period if a second condition is satisfied, the second condition including any one or more of: the TXOP is used to transmit a data frame of a first service; a transmission time for transmitting the service in the TXOP is equal to or less than a first threshold; and the limited service period is a time period used for D2D transmission. Optionally, the second communication device may further include a memory. The memory is configured to store instructions executed by the processor. Optionally, the chip may further include a storage medium, the storage medium is configured to store instructions executed by the processing circuit.

[0232] Alternatively, as one possible form of product, the first communication device and the second communication device described in this embodiment of this application may further be implemented using one or more FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays), PLDs (programmable logic devices), controllers, state machines, gate logic, discrete hardware components, any other suitable circuitry, or any combination of circuitry capable of performing the various functions described in this application.

[0233] It should be understood that the first communication device and the second communication device in the above product form have the functions of either the first communication device and the second communication device in the above method embodiment, and details will not be repeated in this specification.

[0234] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a computer, enable the computer to perform a method according to any one of the above embodiments.

[0235] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, which, when executed by a computer, enables the computer to perform the method in any one of the above embodiments.

[0236] An embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device, which may exist in the form of a chip product, including a processor and an interface circuit, the processor being configured to communicate with other devices via the interface circuit, and enabling the device to perform the method in any one of the above embodiments.

[0237] The steps of the methods or algorithms described in connection with the disclosure of this application may be implemented by hardware or by a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions may include corresponding software modules. The software modules may be stored in random access memory (RAM), flash memory, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), registers, a hard disk, a removable hard disk, a compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. For example, the storage medium may be coupled to the processor, thereby enabling the processor to read information from and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium may be components of the processor. The processor and the storage medium may be located in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC may be located in the core network interface device. Of course, the processor and the storage medium may reside as separate components in the core network interface device.

[0238] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the functions described in this application, in one or more examples above, may be implemented by hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. When the functions are implemented by software, they may be stored in a computer-readable medium or transmitted as one or more instructions or code in a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media include computer-readable storage media and communication media. Communication media include any medium that facilitates the transfer of a computer program from one place to another. Storage media may be any available medium accessible to a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.

[0239] In the above specific implementation, the objectives, technical solutions and beneficial effects of this application are further described in detail. It should be understood that the above description is only a specific implementation of this application and is not intended to limit the protection scope of this application. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made based on the technical solutions of this application shall fall within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. 1. A communication method comprising: obtaining a TXOP by an access point (AP) before a restricted target wake-up time service period (R-TWT SP) arrives; When the TXOP is used to transmit a data frame of a first service, the TXOP does not end before the R-TWT SP arrives; method.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first service is a low latency service.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first service is a service having a pre-configured traffic identifier.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the R-TWT SP is a time period, the time period providing only low latency services.

5. A communication device, a processing unit, the processing unit comprising: configured to acquire a TXOP before a restricted target wake-up time service period (R-TWT SP) arrives; When the TXOP is used to transmit a data frame of a first service, the TXOP does not end before the R-TWT SP arrives.

6. The communication device according to claim 5, wherein the first service is a low-latency service.

7. 6. The communication device according to claim 5, wherein the first service is a service having a preset traffic identifier.

8. The communication device of claim 5 , wherein the R-TWT SP is a time period, the time period providing only low latency services.

9. 1. A communication device including a processor, A communications device, wherein the processor is configured to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 4.

10. 5. A computer readable storage medium having stored thereon program instructions that, when executed by a computer, enable the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 4.

11. A computer program product comprising program instructions which, when executed by a computer, enable the computer to carry out the method of any one of claims 1 to 4.

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