Packet extension method, device, and storage medium

Abstract

To provide a communication method, a device, a storage medium, and a computer program product for packet extension.SOLUTION: In a network environment 200, a communication method includes a step of an access device 210 transmitting extremely high throughput (EHT) operating parameters to station devices 220, 230. The EHT operating parameters include an indicator indicating a packet extended PE period, where a first value of the indicator indicates that the PE period is 16 μs or 20 μs, and a second value of the indicator indicates that the PE period is a period specified by high efficiency HE operating parameters.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001]

[0001] This case claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202110343378.1 entitled "Packet Expansion Method, Device, and Storage Medium," filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China on March 30, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002]

[0002] Technical field This case relates to the field of communications technology, and more particularly to methods, devices, storage media, and computer program products for packet expansion. [Background technology]

[0003]

[0003] Wireless local area network (WLAN) technology has evolved from the 802.11a / g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, and 802.11ax standards to the 802.11be standard, which comes with a continuous increase in data throughput. In this respect, the 802.11ax standard is also called the High Efficiency (HE) wireless standard, and the 802.11be standard is also called the Extremely High Throughput (EHT) wireless standard.

[0004]

[0004] The physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) is a frame format widely used in WLAN systems and may be used for data transmission between WLAN nodes such as access points (APs) and station devices (STAs). Nodes acting as receiving devices may have different processing capabilities for the PPDU. In existing WLAN systems, processes such as pre-Forward Error Correction (PFC) padding (pre-FEC padding), post-FEC padding, and packet extension (PE) may provide additional processing time for the PPDU at the receiving device. Specifically, the pre-FEC padding bits and the remaining information bits may occupy only approximately a multiple of 1 / 4 of the subcarriers of the last symbol (e.g., OFDM symbol) of the PPDU's data field, and may occupy, for example, 1 / 4, 2 / 4, 3 / 4, or all of the subcarriers. Decoding may be faster if the subcarriers occupied by pre-FEC padding do not include all subcarriers of a symbol. The remaining subcarriers in a symbol may be padded with post-FEC padding bits to provide additional processing time. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Generally, the present exemplary embodiments provide a packet expansion method and apparatus, and a computer-readable storage medium.

[0006]

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided. In the method, a first device generates a first physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) and a second PPDU based on a first packet extension period and a second packet extension period shorter than the first packet extension period. The first packet extension period indicates a predetermined packet extension field period required for the first PPDU. The second packet extension period indicates a packet extension period supported by the second PPDU. The first PPDU includes first padding bits and a target packet extension field. The second PPDU includes second padding bits and a target packet extension field. The target packet extension field corresponds to a third packet extension period not exceeding the second packet extension period. The first padding bits and the target packet extension field correspond to a period not shorter than the first packet extension period. The first device transmits an aggregate physical layer protocol data unit (A-PPDU) that includes the first PPDU and the second PPDU.

[0007] In a first implementation of the first aspect, the first PPDU is a multi-user physical layer protocol data unit (MU PPDU). The first padding bits are determined based on a first pre-forward error correction padding factor. The second padding bits are determined based on a second pre-forward error correction padding factor. The first pre-forward error correction padding factor indicates a proportion of at least a portion of the first padding bits in a first symbol of a data field of the first PPDU. The second pre-forward error correction padding factor indicates a proportion of the second padding bits in a second symbol of a data field of the second PPDU.

[0008]

[0008] In a second implementation of the first aspect, the first symbol is the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, and the second symbol is the last symbol of the data field of the second PPDU.

[0009]

[0009] In a third implementation of the first aspect, the third packet extension period and the first pre-forward error correction padding factor may be configured as one of the following cases: the third packet extension period is 16 μs and the value of the first pre-forward error correction padding factor is one of 1, 2, and 3; the third packet extension period is 12 μs and the value of the first pre-forward error correction padding factor is one of 1 and 2; or the third packet extension period is 8 μs and the value of the first pre-forward error correction padding factor is 1.

[0010]

[0010] In a fourth implementation of the first aspect, the value of the second pre-forward error correction padding factor is one of 1, 2, 3, and 4.

[0011]

[0011] In a fifth implementation of the first aspect, the third packet extension period, the first pre-forward error correction padding factor, and the second pre-forward error correction padding factor may be configured as one of the following cases: the third packet extension period is 16 μs, the value of the first pre-forward error correction padding factor is 3, and the value of the second pre-forward error correction padding factor is 4; the third packet extension period is 12 μs, the value of the first pre-forward error correction padding factor is 2, and the value of the second pre-forward error correction padding factor is 3; or the third packet extension period is 8 μs, the value of the first pre-forward error correction padding factor is 1, and the value of the second pre-forward error correction padding factor is 2 or 4.

[0012]

[0012] In a sixth implementation of the first aspect, the first symbol may be a symbol before the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, the second symbol may be the last symbol of the data field of the second PPDU, and the first padding bits include a first portion of the first symbol and a second portion from the symbol following the first symbol to the last symbol.

[0013]

[0013] In a seventh implementation of the first aspect, the first PPDU is an MU PPDU, and the first PPDU includes a first indicator indicating that the transmitted PPDU is an A-PPDU.

[0014]

[0014] In an eighth implementation of the first aspect, the third packet extension period is one of 16 μs, 12 μs, 8 μs, 4 μs, and 0 μs, and each of the first pre-forward error correction padding factor value and the second pre-forward error correction padding factor value is one of 1, 2, 3, and 4.

[0015]

[0015] In a ninth implementation of the first aspect, at least one of the number of bits included in the first padding bits and the number of bits included in the second padding bits is zero.

[0016]

[0016] The method provided in the present embodiment enables an optimized packet extension mechanism to be realized. In this mechanism, the PE fields of the PPDUs included in the A-PPDU for the HE device and the EHT device have the same length, thereby aligning the end points of the PE fields of the A-PPDU. Furthermore, by using post-FEC padding bits and the PE field, the A-PPDU can provide sufficient additional processing time for each of the HE device and the EHT device. According to the optimized packet extension mechanism, the padding bits and the PE field of the PPDU data field can be flexibly configured based on requirements. The A-PPDU generated in this way can efficiently use the time-frequency resources of a WLAN network, significantly improve network performance, and provide communication quality.

[0017]

[0017] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a communication method. In the method, a first device determines a third packet extension period of an aggregate physical layer protocol data unit (A-PPDU) to be triggered based on a first packet extension period of a first physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) and a second packet extension period of a second PPDU. The A-PPDU includes a first PPDU and a second PPDU, and the third packet extension period is not greater than the second packet extension period and corresponds to a target packet extension field. The first packet extension period indicates a predetermined packet extension field period required for the first PPDU. The second packet extension period is shorter than the first packet extension period and indicates a packet extension period supported by the second PPDU. The first PPDU includes first padding bits and a target packet extension field. The second PPDU includes second padding bits and a target packet extension field. The first padding bits and the target packet extension field correspond to a duration not shorter than the first packet extension duration, and the first device transmits indication information to indicate a third packet extension duration.

[0018]

[0018] In a first implementation of the second aspect, the first padding bits are determined based on a first pre-forward error correction padding factor. The second padding bits are determined based on a second pre-forward error correction padding factor. The first pre-forward error correction padding factor indicates a proportion of at least a portion of the first padding bits in a first symbol of a data field of the first PPDU. The second pre-forward error correction padding factor indicates a proportion of the second padding bits in a second symbol of a data field of the second PPDU.

[0019]

[0019] In a second implementation of the second aspect, the first symbol is the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, and the second symbol is the last symbol of the data field of the second PPDU.

[0020]

[0020] In a third implementation of the second aspect, the third packet extension period and the first pre-forward error correction padding factor may be configured in one of the following cases: the third packet extension period is 16 μs and the value of the first pre-forward error correction padding factor is one of 1, 2, and 3; the third packet extension period is 12 μs and the value of the first pre-forward error correction padding factor is one of 1 and 2; or the third packet extension period is 8 μs and the value of the first pre-forward error correction padding factor is 1.

[0021]

[0021] In a fourth implementation of the second aspect, the value of the second pre-forward error correction padding factor is one of 1, 2, 3, and 4.

[0022]

[0022] In a fifth implementation of the second aspect, the third packet extension period, the first pre-forward error correction padding factor, and the second pre-forward error correction padding factor are configured in one of the following cases: the third packet extension period is 16 μs, the value of the first pre-forward error correction padding factor is 3, and the value of the second pre-forward error correction padding factor is 4; the third packet extension period is 12 μs, the value of the first pre-forward error correction padding factor is 2, and the value of the second pre-forward error correction padding factor is 3; or the third packet extension period is 8 μs, the value of the first pre-forward error correction padding factor is 1, and the value of the second pre-forward error correction padding factor is 2 or 4.

[0023]

[0023] In a sixth implementation of the second aspect, the first symbol may be a symbol before the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, the second symbol may be the last symbol of the data field of the second PPDU, and the first padding bits include a first portion of the first symbol and a second portion from the symbol following the first symbol to the last symbol.

[0024]

[0024] In a seventh implementation of the second aspect, the A-PPDU includes a trigger-based physical layer protocol data unit TB PPDU requested by a trigger frame, and the indication information is a trigger frame, which further indicates a first pre-forward error correction padding factor and a second pre-forward error correction padding factor.

[0025]

[0025] In an eighth implementation of the second aspect, the trigger frame further indicates the position of a first padding bit within the data field of the first PPDU.

[0026]

[0026] In a ninth implementation of the second aspect, the A-PPDU includes a trigger-based physical layer protocol data unit TB PPDU requested by a trigger response scheduling TRS, the instruction information includes ultra-high throughput EHT operating parameters for the first PPDU, and the value of the first pre-forward error correction padding factor is a pre-set value, where the pre-set value is one of 1, 2, and 3.

[0027]

[0027] In a tenth implementation of the second aspect, the A-PPDU includes a trigger-based physical layer protocol data unit TB PPDU requested by a trigger response scheduling TRS, the instruction information includes ultra-high throughput EHT operating parameters for the first PPDU, and the value of the first pre-forward error correction padding factor is a pre-set value, where the pre-set value is one of 1, 2, 3, and 4.

[0028] In an eleventh implementation of the second aspect, the instruction information further includes a second indicator for indicating a first pre-forward error correction padding factor, where a first value of the second indicator indicates that all of the first padding bits are placed in the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU and that the value of the first pre-forward error correction padding factor is 4, and a second value of the second indicator indicates that the value of the first pre-forward error correction padding factor is a preset value.

[0029]

[0029] In a twelfth implementation of the second aspect, at least one of the number of bits included in the first padding bits and the number of bits included in the second padding bits is zero.

[0030]

[0030] According to a third aspect of the present application, there is provided a communication method. In the method, a first device receives a third physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) carrying very high throughput EHT operation parameters. The EHT operation parameters include a third indicator. The third indicator indicates a packet extension period. The first device determines the packet extension period based on the EHT operation parameters. The first device generates a first PPDU based on the packet extension period. The first device transmits the first PPDU.

[0031]

[0031] In a first implementation of the third aspect, the first indicator may be a 1-bit long indicator, and a first value of the first indicator indicates that the packet extension period is 20 μs.

[0032]

[0032] In a second implementation of the third aspect, the first indicator may be a 1-bit long indicator, and the first value of the first indicator indicates one of 16 μs and 20 μs.

[0033] In a third implementation of the third aspect, the packet extension period is further determined based on a fourth PPDU carrying a TRS. The fourth PPDU indicates a bandwidth for the fourth PPDU or an aggregate physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) A-PPDU including the fourth PPDU. If the bandwidth is greater than a first threshold, the first device determines that the packet extension period is 20 μs; or, if the bandwidth is equal to or less than the first threshold, the first device determines that the packet extension period is 16 μs.

[0034] In a fourth implementation of the third aspect, the packet extension period is further determined based on a fourth PPDU transmitting a TRS, where the fourth PPDU indicates a resource unit (RU) size of the fourth PPDU. If the RU size is greater than a second threshold size, the first device determines that the packet extension period is 20 μs; or if the RU size is equal to or smaller than the second threshold size, the first device determines that the packet extension period is 16 μs.

[0035] In a fifth implementation of the third aspect, the second value of the third indicator indicates that the packet extension period is a period specified by high-efficiency HE operation parameters, and the HE operation parameters are transmitted in the third PPDU, the fourth PPDU, or another PPDU other than the third PPDU and the fourth PPDU. The HE operation parameters and the EHT operation parameters may be transmitted in the same PPDU.

[0036]

[0036] In a sixth implementation of the third aspect, the third indicator is an indicator of a length greater than 1 bit, and the third indicator indicates that the packet extension period is one of 0 μs, 4 μs, 8 μs, 12 μs, 16 μs, and 20 μs.

[0037]

[0037] According to the method provided in this embodiment of the present application, in a triggering-based (TB) PPDU requested by a TRS, the processing period provided by the PE field can be flexibly set to 0 μs, 4 μs, 8 μs, 12 μs, 16 μs, or 20 μs based on requirements, so as to meet different requirements of different devices for additional processing periods. In addition, in this method, the processing time of 16 μs or 20 μs can be further dynamically selected based on the network bandwidth or resource unit size, thereby improving the traditional packet expansion mechanism and improving the performance of the WLAN system.

[0038]

[0038] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a communication device. The communication device includes a generating unit and a transceiver unit. The generating unit is configured to generate a first physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) and a second PPDU based on a first packet extension period and a second packet extension period shorter than the first packet extension period. The first packet extension period indicates a predetermined packet extension field period required for the first PPDU, and the second packet extension period indicates a packet extension period supported by the second PPDU. The first PPDU includes first padding bits and a target packet extension field. The second PPDU includes second padding bits and a target packet extension field. The target packet extension field corresponds to a third packet extension period not exceeding the second packet extension period. The first padding bits and the target packet extension field correspond to a period not shorter than the first packet extension period. The transceiver unit is configured to transmit an aggregate physical layer protocol data unit A-PPDU including the first PPDU and the second PPDU.

[0039]

[0039] In a first implementation of the fourth aspect, the first PPDU is a multi-user PHY protocol data unit (MU PPDU). The first padding bits are determined based on a first pre-forward error correction padding factor. The second padding bits are determined based on a second pre-forward error correction padding factor. The first pre-forward error correction padding factor indicates a proportion of at least a portion of the first padding bits in a first symbol of a data field of the first PPDU. The second pre-forward error correction padding factor indicates a proportion of the second padding bits in a second symbol of a data field of the second PPDU.

[0040]

[0040] In a second implementation of the fourth aspect, the first symbol is the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, and the second symbol is the last symbol of the data field of the second PPDU.

[0041]

[0041] In a third implementation of the fourth aspect, the third packet extension period and the first pre-forward error correction padding factor may be configured as one of the following cases: the third packet extension period is 16 μs and the value of the first pre-forward error correction padding factor is one of 1, 2, and 3; the third packet extension period is 12 μs and the value of the first pre-forward error correction padding factor is one of 1 and 2; or the third packet extension period is 8 μs and the value of the first pre-forward error correction padding factor is 1.

[0042]

[0042] In a fourth implementation of the fourth aspect, the value of the second pre-forward error correction padding factor is one of 1, 2, 3, and 4.

[0043]

[0043] In a fifth implementation of the fourth aspect, the third packet extension period, the first pre-forward error correction padding factor, and the second pre-forward error correction padding factor may be configured as one of the following cases: the third packet extension period is 16 μs, the value of the first pre-forward error correction padding factor is 3, and the value of the second pre-forward error correction padding factor is 4; the third packet extension period is 12 μs, the value of the first pre-forward error correction padding factor is 2, and the value of the second pre-forward error correction padding factor is 3; or the third packet extension period is 8 μs, the value of the first pre-forward error correction padding factor is 1, and the value of the second pre-forward error correction padding factor is 2 or 4.

[0044]

[0044] In a sixth implementation of the fourth aspect, the first symbol may be a symbol before the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, the second symbol may be the last symbol of the data field of the second PPDU, and the first padding bits include a first portion of the first symbol and a second portion from the symbol following the first symbol to the last symbol.

[0045]

[0045] In a seventh implementation of the fourth aspect, the first PPDU is an MU PPDU, and the first PPDU includes a first indicator indicating that the transmitted PPDU is an A-PPDU.

[0046]

[0046] In an eighth implementation of the fourth aspect, the third packet extension period is one of 16 μs, 12 μs, 8 μs, 4 μs, and 0 μs, and each of the first pre-forward error correction padding factor value and the second pre-forward error correction padding factor value is one of 1, 2, 3, and 4.

[0047]

[0047] In a ninth implementation of the fourth aspect, at least one of the number of bits included in the first padding bits and the number of bits included in the second padding bits is zero.

[0048]

[0048] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a communication device. The communication device includes a determination unit and a transceiver unit. The determination unit is configured to determine a third packet extension period of an aggregate physical layer protocol data unit (A-PPDU) to be triggered based on a first packet extension period of a first physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) and a second packet extension period of a second PPDU. The A-PPDU includes a first PPDU and a second PPDU, and the third packet extension period is not longer than the second packet extension period and corresponds to a target packet extension field. The first packet extension period indicates a predetermined packet extension field period required for the first PPDU. The second packet extension period is shorter than the first packet extension period and indicates a packet extension period supported by the second PPDU. The first PPDU includes first padding bits and a target packet extension field. The second PPDU includes second padding bits and a target packet extension field. The first padding bits and the target packet extension field correspond to a duration not shorter than the first packet extension duration, and the transceiver unit is configured to transmit indication information to indicate the third packet extension duration.

[0049] In a first implementation of the fifth aspect, the first padding bits are determined based on a first pre-forward error correction padding factor. The second padding bits are determined based on a second pre-forward error correction padding factor. The first pre-forward error correction padding factor indicates a proportion of at least a portion of the first padding bits in a first symbol of a data field of the first PPDU. The second pre-forward error correction padding factor indicates a proportion of the second padding bits in a second symbol of a data field of the second PPDU.

[0050]

[0050] In a second implementation of the fifth aspect, the first symbol is the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, and the second symbol is the last symbol of the data field of the second PPDU.

[0051]

[0051] In a third implementation of the fifth aspect, the third packet extension period and the first pre-forward error correction padding factor include one of the following cases: the third packet extension period is 16 μs and the value of the first pre-forward error correction padding factor is one of 1, 2, and 3; the third packet extension period is 12 μs and the value of the first pre-forward error correction padding factor is one of 1 and 2; or the third packet extension period is 8 μs and the value of the first pre-forward error correction padding factor is 1.

[0052]

[0052] In a fourth implementation of the fifth aspect, the value of the second pre-forward error correction padding factor is one of 1, 2, 3, and 4.

[0053]

[0053] In a fifth implementation of the fifth aspect, the third packet extension period, the first pre-forward error correction padding factor, and the second pre-forward error correction padding factor include one of the following cases: the third packet extension period is 16 μs, the value of the first pre-forward error correction padding factor is 3, and the value of the second pre-forward error correction padding factor is 4; the third packet extension period is 12 μs, the value of the first pre-forward error correction padding factor is 2, and the value of the second pre-forward error correction padding factor is 3; or the third packet extension period is 8 μs, the value of the first pre-forward error correction padding factor is 1, and the value of the second pre-forward error correction padding factor is 2 or 4.

[0054]

[0054] In a sixth implementation of the fifth aspect, the first symbol may be a symbol before the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, the second symbol may be the last symbol of the data field of the second PPDU, and the first padding bits include a first portion of the first symbol and a second portion from the symbol following the first symbol to the last symbol.

[0055]

[0055] In a seventh implementation of the fifth aspect, the A-PPDU includes a trigger-based physical layer protocol data unit TB PPDU requested by a trigger frame, and the indication information is transmitted in the trigger frame, and the trigger frame further indicates a first pre-forward error correction padding factor and a second pre-forward error correction padding factor.

[0056]

[0056] In an eighth implementation of the fifth aspect, the trigger frame further indicates the position of a first padding bit within the data field of the first PPDU.

[0057]

[0057] In a ninth implementation of the fifth aspect, the A-PPDU includes a trigger-based physical layer protocol data unit TB PPDU requested by a trigger response scheduling TRS, the instruction information includes ultra-high throughput EHT operation parameters for the first PPDU, and the value of the first pre-forward error correction padding factor is a pre-set value, where the pre-set value is one of 2 and 3.

[0058]

[0058] In a tenth implementation of the fifth aspect, the A-PPDU includes a trigger-based physical layer protocol data unit TB PPDU requested by a trigger response scheduling TRS, the instruction information includes ultra-high throughput EHT operating parameters for the first PPDU, and the value of the first pre-forward error correction padding factor is a pre-set value, where the pre-set value is one of 1, 2, 3, and 4.

[0059] In an eleventh implementation of the fifth aspect, the instruction information further includes a second indicator for indicating a first pre-forward error correction padding factor, where a first value of the second indicator indicates that all of the first padding bits are placed in the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU and that the value of the first pre-forward error correction padding factor is 4, and a second value of the second indicator indicates that the value of the first pre-forward error correction padding factor is a preset value.

[0060]

[0060] In a twelfth implementation of the fifth aspect, at least one of the number of bits included in the first padding bits and the number of bits included in the second padding bits is zero.

[0061]

[0061] According to a sixth aspect of the present application, there is provided a communication device. The communication device includes a transceiver unit, a determination unit, and a generation unit. The transceiver unit is configured to receive a third physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) carrying very high throughput EHT operation parameters, the EHT operation parameters including a third indicator, the third indicator indicating a packet extension period; and the transceiver unit is configured to transmit a first PPDU. The determination unit is configured to determine the packet extension period based on the EHT operation parameters. The generation unit is configured to generate the first PPDU based on the packet extension period.

[0062]

[0062] In a first implementation of the sixth aspect, the first indicator may be a 1-bit long indicator, and the first value of the first indicator indicates that the packet extension period is 20 μs.

[0063]

[0063] In a second implementation of the sixth aspect, the first indicator may be a 1-bit long indicator, and the first value of the first indicator indicates one of 16 μs and 20 μs.

[0064]

[0064] In a third implementation of the sixth aspect, the packet extension period is further determined based on a fourth PPDU carrying a TRS, where the fourth PPDU indicates a bandwidth for the fourth PPDU or an aggregate physical layer protocol data unit A-PPDU including the fourth PPDU, and the determination unit is further configured to: determine that the packet extension period is 20 μs if the bandwidth is greater than a first threshold; or determine that the packet extension period is 16 μs if the bandwidth is less than or equal to the first threshold.

[0065]

[0065] In a fourth implementation of the sixth aspect, the packet extension period is further determined based on a fourth PPDU transmitting a TRS, the fourth PPDU indicating a resource unit (RU) size of the fourth PPDU, and the determination unit is further configured to: determine that the packet extension period is 20 μs if the RU size is greater than a second threshold size; or determine that the packet extension period is 16 μs if the RU size is less than or equal to the second threshold size.

[0066]

[0066] In a fifth implementation of the sixth aspect, the second value of the third indicator indicates that the packet extension period is a period specified by high-efficiency HE operation parameters, and the HE operation parameters are transmitted in the third PPDU, the fourth PPDU, or another PPDU other than the third PPDU and the fourth PPDU.

[0067]

[0067] In a sixth implementation of the sixth aspect, the third indicator is an indicator of a length greater than 1 bit, and the third indicator indicates that the packet extension period is one of 0 μs, 4 μs, 8 μs, 12 μs, 16 μs, and 20 μs.

[0068] According to a seventh aspect of the present application, there is provided a communications device, the communications device including at least one processor and at least one memory containing computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being operable to cooperate with the at least one processor to enable the communications device to perform a method according to the first aspect of the present application.

[0069] According to an eighth aspect of the present application, there is provided a communications device, the communications device including at least one processor and at least one memory containing computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being operable to cooperate with the at least one processor to enable the communications device to perform a method according to the second aspect of the present application.

[0070] According to a ninth aspect of the present application, there is provided a communications device, the communications device including at least one processor and at least one memory containing computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being operable to cooperate with the at least one processor to enable the communications device to perform a method according to the third aspect of the present application.

[0071]

[0071] According to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a communications device. The communications device includes a processor and a transceiver. The processor is configured to generate a first physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) and a second PPDU based on a first packet extension period and a second packet extension period shorter than the first packet extension period. The first packet extension period indicates a predetermined packet extension field period required for the first PPDU, and the second packet extension period indicates a packet extension period supported by the second PPDU. The first PPDU includes first padding bits and a target packet extension field. The second PPDU includes second padding bits and a target packet extension field. The target packet extension field corresponds to a third packet extension period not exceeding the second packet extension period. The first padding bits and the target packet extension field correspond to a period not shorter than the first packet extension period. The transceiver is configured to transmit an aggregate physical layer protocol data unit A-PPDU that includes the first PPDU and the second PPDU.

[0072]

[0072] In another implementation of the tenth aspect, the processor is further configured to perform a method according to the first aspect.

[0073]

[0073] According to an eleventh aspect of the present application, there is provided a communication device. The communication device includes a processor and a transceiver. The processor is configured to determine a third packet extension period of an aggregate physical layer protocol data unit (A-PPDU) to be triggered based on a first packet extension period of a first physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) and a second packet extension period of a second PPDU. The A-PPDU includes a first PPDU and a second PPDU, and the third packet extension period does not exceed the second packet extension period and corresponds to a target packet extension field. The first packet extension period indicates a predetermined packet extension field period required for the first PPDU. The second packet extension period is shorter than the first packet extension period and indicates a packet extension period supported by the second PPDU. The first PPDU includes first padding bits and a target packet extension field. The second PPDU includes second padding bits and a target packet extension field. The first padding bits and the target packet extension field correspond to a duration not shorter than the first packet extension duration, and the transceiver is configured to transmit indication information to indicate the third packet extension duration.

[0074]

[0074] In another implementation of the eleventh aspect, the processor is further configured to perform a method according to the second aspect.

[0075]

[0075] According to a twelfth aspect of the present application, there is provided a communication device. The communication device includes a processor and a transceiver. The transceiver unit is configured to: receive a third physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) carrying very high throughput EHT operation parameters, the EHT operation parameters including a third indicator, the third indicator indicating a packet extension period; and the transceiver unit is configured to transmit a first PPDU. The processor is configured to determine the packet extension period based on the EHT operation parameters; and generate the first PPDU based on the packet extension period.

[0076]

[0076] In another implementation of the twelfth aspect, the processor is further configured to perform a method according to the third aspect.

[0077]

[0077] According to a thirteenth aspect of the present application, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon, the computer-executable instructions, when executed by a processor, causing the processor to perform a method according to the first aspect of the present application.

[0078]

[0078] According to a fourteenth aspect of the present application, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon, the computer-executable instructions, when executed by a processor, causing the processor to perform a method according to the second aspect of the present application.

[0079]

[0079] According to a fifteenth aspect of the present application, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon, the computer-executable instructions, when executed by a processor, causing the processor to perform a method according to the third aspect of the present application.

[0080] According to a sixteenth aspect of the present application, there is provided a chip or chip system, the chip or chip system including a processor and an interface circuit, the processor configured to perform a method according to the first aspect.

[0081] According to a seventeenth aspect of the present application, there is provided a chip or chip system, the chip or chip system including a processor and an interface circuit, the processor configured to perform a method according to the second aspect.

[0082] According to an eighteenth aspect of the present application, there is provided a chip or chip system, the chip or chip system including a processor and an interface circuit, the processor configured to perform a method according to the third aspect.

[0083] According to a nineteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer program product, the computer program product including computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method according to the first, second, or third aspect of the present disclosure.

[0084]

[0084] The packet extension mechanism provided in the present embodiment can be applied to various PPDUs transmitted between nodes in a WLAN system, such as an MU PPDU, a TB PPDU requested by a trigger frame, and a TB PPDU requested by a TRS. This mechanism can meet different requirements for additional processing time by setting appropriate padding factors and PE values. Furthermore, when using this mechanism to transmit an A-PPDU, the end points of the PE fields in the A-PPDU can be aligned. Therefore, the optimized packet extension mechanism provided in the present embodiment can efficiently utilize the time-frequency resources of the network and significantly improve network performance. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0085]

[0085] The foregoing and other features, advantages, and aspects of the present embodiments will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like or similar reference numerals represent like or similar elements. [Figure 1]

[0086] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a packet padding mechanism in a conventional WLAN network. [Figure 2]

[0087] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an example network environment in which the exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter may be implemented. [Figure 3]

[0088] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an A-PPDU frame structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4]

[0089] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a packet extension mechanism according to the present exemplary embodiment 1. [Figure 5]

[0090] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of another packet extension mechanism according to the present exemplary embodiment 1. [Figure 6]

[0091] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the operating parameters of a TRS-based TB PPDU according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7]

[0092] FIG. 7 is a diagram of the signaling interactions of the communication mechanism according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8]

[0093] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9]

[0094] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10]

[0095] FIG. 10 is a diagram of the signaling interactions of the communication mechanism according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11]

[0096] FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12A]

[0097] FIG. 12A is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12B] FIG. 12B is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12C]

[0097] Figure 12C is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13]

[0098] FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a communication device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0086]

[0099] Hereinafter, several exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the present invention can be implemented in various forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to enable a thorough and complete understanding of the present invention. It should be understood that the accompanying drawings and embodiments of the present invention are merely used as examples and are not intended to limit the protection scope of the present invention.

[0087]

[0100] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application may be applied to a Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) system, or may be applied to a communication system of another standard, such as a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, a 5G system, or another future communication system. A WLAN system is used as an example. A station (STA) and an access point (AP) are the basic elements of a WLAN system. An AP is an access point used by mobile users to access a wired network. APs are wireless access points (WLANs) that are primarily deployed within homes, buildings, and campuses, with a typical coverage radius of tens to hundreds of meters. Of course, APs can also be deployed outdoors. APs function as bridges connecting wired and wireless networks. The primary function of an AP is to connect wireless network clients to each other and then connect the wireless network to an Ethernet. Specifically, an AP may be a device equipped with a Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) chip, such as a terminal device or network device equipped with a Wi-Fi chip. Optionally, an AP may be a device that supports the 802.11ax standard. Optionally, an AP may be a device that supports multiple WLAN standards, such as 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, and 802.11a. Furthermore, an AP may be a device that supports 802.11be and other future 802.11 standards. The type of standard supported by an AP is not limited in this embodiment.

[0088]

[0101] A STA is generally a terminal device in a WLAN system. A STA may be mobile or fixed and is the most basic component of a wireless local area network. A STA may be a wireless communication chip, a wireless sensor, or a wireless communication terminal, such as a Wi-Fi-enabled mobile phone, a Wi-Fi-enabled tablet computer, a Wi-Fi-enabled set-top box, a Wi-Fi-enabled smart TV, a Wi-Fi-enabled smart wearable device, a Wi-Fi-enabled in-vehicle device, or a Wi-Fi-enabled computer. Similarly, a STA may be a device supporting the 802.11ax standard, or a device supporting multiple WLAN standards such as 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, and 802.11a. A STA may also be a WLAN standard device supporting 802.11be and other future 802.11 standards. The standard type supported by the STA is not limited in the present embodiment.

[0089]

[0102] As used herein, the term "comprises" and its conjugations refer to an open inclusion, i.e., "including, but not limited to." Unless expressly stated otherwise, the term "or" means "and / or." The term "based on" means "based at least in part on." The terms "exemplary embodiment" and "some embodiments" refer to "at least one exemplary embodiment." Other explicit and implicit definitions may be included below.

[0090]

[0103] In conventional WLAN systems, various frame structures, such as the physical layer frame format PPDU, may be transmitted between an access point and a station device. To allow the node acting as a receiving device more time to process the PPDU, the transmitting device typically utilizes packet padding techniques, such as pre-FEC padding, post-FEC padding, and PE. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the packet padding mechanism used in conventional WLAN networks. Scrambling and OFDM encoding may be performed on information bits to obtain PPDUs 120-126, where the pre-FEC padding factor a represents the ratio of pre-FEC padding bits to remaining bits in each of the symbols 110-116 of the modulated data field. The remaining subcarriers in this symbol may be occupied by post-FEC padding bits, resulting in a number of data subcarriers of N. CBPS The resulting number of bits is CBPS, where CBPS represents the coded bits in each symbol (coded bits per symbol). Therefore, the pre-FEC padding factor a can be used to indicate the proportion of post-FEC padding bits within the symbols of the data field of the PPDU. The post-FEC padding bits can provide additional processing time for the receiving device.

[0091]

[0104] As shown in FIG. 1, when the pre-FEC padding factor a=1, the pre-FEC padding bits 101 occupy one-quarter of the subcarriers, and the post-FEC padding bits 102 occupy three-quarters of the subcarriers. The post-FEC padding bits 102, obtained by OFDM modulation, can provide an additional processing period of approximately 12 μs. When the pre-FEC padding factor a=2, the pre-FEC padding bits 103 and the post-FEC padding bits 104 each occupy half of the subcarriers. The post-FEC padding bits 104, obtained by OFDM modulation, can provide an additional processing period of approximately 8 μs. When the pre-FEC padding factor a=3, the pre-FEC padding bits 105 occupy three-quarters of the subcarriers, and the post-FEC padding bits 106 occupy one-quarter of the subcarriers. The post-FEC padding bits 106, obtained by OFDM modulation, can provide an additional processing period of approximately 4 μs. For a pre-FEC padding factor a=4, the pre-FEC padding bits 108 occupy all subcarriers and the number of post-FEC padding bits is 0. In this case, no additional processing time is provided.

[0092]

[0105] Because the period corresponding to the post-FEC padding bits is uncertain and limited by the total period, a PE field can be introduced after the last symbol to provide additional processing time so that the additional processing period provided can meet the requirements of the receiving device (e.g., 8 μs and 16 μs). In FIG. 1, it is assumed that the receiving device requires an additional processing period of no less than 8 μs. If the pre-FEC padding factor a is 1 or 2, the post-FEC padding bits can provide sufficient additional processing period, so a PE field does not need to be added. If the pre-FEC padding factor a is 3, a PE field 107 corresponding to 4 μs needs to be added after the symbol; if the pre-FEC padding factor a is 4, a PE field 109 corresponding to 8 μs needs to be added after the symbol.

[0093]

[0106] Advances in wireless communication technology have already resulted in additional processing time of 16 μs or more (e.g., There exists an EHT device that requires a PE field of 20 μs. In this case, the node acting as the transmitting device may add a PE field corresponding to 20 μs to the PPDU of the EHT device. When the transmitting device transmits the A-PPDU obtained by aggregation to both the HE device and the EHT device, in the conventional packet extension mechanism, a PE field not exceeding 16 μs is set for the PPDU of the HE device, and a PE field not exceeding 20 μs is set for the PPDU of the EHT device. As a result, the ends of both types of PPDUs have unequal lengths, which is inconvenient for transmitting and receiving data.

[0094]

[0107] To solve the above-mentioned problems and other potential problems occurring in current WLAN systems, the present embodiment provides an optimized packet extension mechanism. In the packet extension mechanism, the padding bits in the data field of a PPDU and the PE field can be flexibly configured based on the requirements to meet the different requirements of HE and EHT devices for additional processing time. In addition, in this mechanism, the PE fields in the PPDUs of the HE and EHT devices have the same length, so that the end points of the PE fields of the A-PPDUs containing the PPDUs of the HE and EHT devices can be aligned. PPDUs generated in this way can efficiently use the time-frequency resources of the WLAN network, thereby significantly improving network performance and ensuring communication quality.

[0095]

[0108] An exemplary packet extension mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS.

[0096]

[0109] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary network environment 200 in which exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter may be implemented. As shown in FIG. 2, network environment 200 includes access device 210 and station devices 220 and 230. It should be understood that network environment 200 is intended for illustrative purposes only and does not imply any limitation on the scope of the present subject matter. The present subject matter may also be embodied in other network environments or architectures. It should also be understood that network environment 200 may further include other elements or entities for purposes such as communication connectivity, data transmission, and network security. For simplicity of explanation, these elements or entities are not shown in FIG. 2, but this does not imply that the present subject matter does not include these elements or entities.

[0097]

[0110] The access device 210 can provide wireless network coverage to the station devices 220 and 230 in a particular area. The access device 210 can transmit data to one or more of the station devices 220 and 230, also referred to as downlink data transmission. The downlink data transmission can be a point-to-multipoint transmission or a point-to-point transmission. For example, the access device 120 can transmit a downlink physical layer protocol data unit (DL PPDU) to the station devices 220 and 230, where the DL PPDU can include, but is not limited to, a downlink single-user physical layer protocol data unit (DL SU PPDU) or a downlink multi-user physical layer protocol data unit (DL MU PPDU). In the present exemplary embodiment, the TB PPDU can include a trigger-based PPDU, a TRS-based PPDU, or a combination thereof.

[0098]

[0111] In a point-to-multipoint transmission embodiment, the access device 120 may transmit an A-PPDU to the station devices 220 and 230. For example, the A-PPDU may be a PPDU for an HE device and a PPDU for an EHT device transmitted orthogonally in the frequency domain. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an A-PPDU frame structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 3, for example, the A-PPDU 300 may include a PPDU 310 for an EHT device and a PPDU 320 for an HE device. The PPDUs 310 and 320 correspond to different subcarriers in the frequency domain and use the same time-domain resources. The EHT device and the HE device may receive the PPDUs 310 and 320, respectively, on the corresponding subcarriers.

[0099]

[0112] Data transmission from station device 220 or station device 230 to access device 210 may be referred to as an uplink data transmission. Station device 220 and station device 230 may communicate with each other. In the present exemplary embodiment, station device 220 may correspond to an EHT device, and station device 230 may correspond to an HE device. When station device 220 and station device 230 function as receiving devices for data transmission, different processing periods may be required for the PPDU. In some exemplary embodiments, access device 210 may function as a transmitting device, and one or more of station device 220 and station device 230 may function as receiving devices. In some other exemplary embodiments, access device 210 may function as a receiving device, and one or more of station device 220 and station device 230 may function as transmitting devices.

[0100]

[0113] It should be understood that the terms "HE device" and "EHT device" used herein correspond to the naming of devices in current 802.11a / g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, and 802.11ax up to the current 802.11be. However, embodiments of the present application may also be applicable to the same or equivalent devices in future or subsequent standards. The scope of the present application is not limited in this respect.

[0101]

[0114] The network environment 200 according to this embodiment of the present disclosure may be a wireless network conforming to currently known or future protocols, including, but not limited to, WLANs based on standards such as 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, and 802.11a, Narrow Band-Internet of Things (NB-IoT) systems, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) systems, Enhanced Data Rate for GSM Evolution (EDGE) systems, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) systems, Code Division Multiple Access 2000 (CDMA2000) systems, Time Division-Synchronization Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA) systems, Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, and 5G NR networks.

[0102]

[0115] Exemplary Embodiment 1 Exemplary embodiment 1 of the present application provides a packet extension mechanism for A-PPDU, which may include an access device 210 and station devices 220 and 230 shown in Fig. 2. Exemplary embodiment 1 will be described below with reference to Fig. 2. However, it should be understood that the mechanism is also applicable to other communication scenarios and devices.

[0103]

[0116] It should be noted that the A-PPDU in this application includes at least two PPDUs transmitted on different frequency domain resources. For example, the A-PPDU includes two PPDUs. The two PPDUs may both be EHT PPDUs, both be HE PPDUs, or an EHT PPDU and an HE PPDU. The specific combination of A-PPDUs and the number of PPDUs included in the A-PPDU are not limited in this application. For simplicity, the following description of the first and second PPDUs included in the A-PPDU uses an example in which the first PPDU is an EHT PPDU, i.e., a PPDU for an EHT device, and the second PPDU is an HE PPDU, i.e., a PPDU for an HE device.

[0104]

[0117] In the first embodiment, the access device 210 may transmit an A-PPDU to the station devices 220 and 230. As an example, the A-PPDU may include a first PPDU for the station device 220 and a second PPDU for the station device 230. In this example, the access device 210 functions as a transmitting device, and the station devices 220 and 230 function as receiving devices. Furthermore, the first PPDU may be a MU PPDU, and the second PPDU may be a Single User PHY Protocol Data Unit (SU PPDU) or a MU PPDU.

[0105]

[0118] In another example, the A-PPDU may be a trigger-based PHY protocol data unit (TB PPDU), such as a TB PPDU requested by a trigger frame. In this example, the access device 210 may transmit a PPDU carrying the trigger frame to the station device 220. In response to the trigger frame, the station device 220 may transmit an A-PPDU including a first PPDU and a second PPDU.

[0106]

[0119] 2, for example, station device 220 corresponds to an EHT device, and station device 230 corresponds to an HE device. Station device 220 and station device 230 require different additional processing periods when receiving a PPDU. To provide sufficient processing periods for station devices 220 and 230, access device 210 can include appropriate lengths of PE fields and post-FEC padding bits in the PPDUs of the EHT device and the HE device.

[0107]

[0120] For example, the access device 210 may determine a pre-FEC padding factor a and a nominal packet padding value based on the processing capabilities of the station devices 220 and 230. In the present context, the nominal packet padding value may indicate the minimum additional processing period required to process the corresponding PPDU, and values ​​of the nominal packet padding value include 0, 8, 16, and 20 μs. Based on the pre-FEC padding factor a and the nominal packet padding value, the nominal PE period T nominal,PE It is possible to determine the minimum packet expansion period provided by the PE field required by the receiving device. Table 1 below shows the nominal PE period T determined based on various padding factors a and nominal packet padding values. nominal,PE This shows:

[0108] Table 1 - Nominal PE period T nominal,PE

[0109] [Table 1]

[0121] Therefore, it is possible to meet the processing requirements of the receiving device, provided that the final selected PE period T PE is the nominal PE period T nominal,PE Provided that it is not smaller than

[0110]

[0122] In an A-PPDU transmission scenario, the maximum nominal packet padding value (also called the predefined PE period) requested by the HE device is 16 μs, and the EHT device may request a predefined PE period of up to 20 μs. In an example where the A-PPDU includes an MU PPDU, the station device 220 may request a predefined PE period T of 20 μs. nominal,PE1 If the first PE period T of 20 μs is exceeded, the supported pre-set PE period of the station device 230 functioning as an HE device is exceeded, i.e., 16 μs. PE1 is still set for the first PPDU of the station device 220, and the second PE period T of 16 μs PE2 is configured for the second PPDU of the station device 230, the first and second PPDUs transmitted in an aggregated manner include PE fields of different lengths, so the ends of the PE fields of the A-PPDUs are not aligned. It should be understood that the "supported preset PE period" used herein may be a PE period of 0 μs, 8 μs, 16 μs, etc., requested by the HE device, or may be the maximum preset PE period supported by the HE device, i.e., 16 μs.

[0111]

[0123] To avoid such misalignment issues during A-PPDU transmission, the access device 210 may assign a first pre-FEC padding factor a1 appropriate for the first PPDU, a second pre-FEC padding factor a2 appropriate for the second PPDU, and a target PE period T while ensuring that the first PPDU for the station device 220 and the second PPDU for the station device 230 contain target PE fields of the same length. PE In this way, the additional processing time provided by the target PE field and post-FEC padding bits can still meet the processing requirements of station devices 220 and 230.

[0112]

[0124] In this context, the pre-determined PE period T nominal,PE is the additional processing period requested by the receiving device, and the target PE period T PE It should be noted that "a" is the PE period corresponding to the PE field actually included in the A-PPDU, i.e., the PE period actually corresponding to the PE fields of the first PPDU and the second PPDU. The first padding bit is the post-FEC padding bit of the first PPDU and may be determined based on the first pre-FEC padding factor a1. The second padding bit is the post-FEC padding bit of the second PPDU and may be determined based on the second pre-FEC padding factor a2.

[0113]

[0125] Specifically, the A-PPDU is transmitted and the first PPDU of the station device 220 is requested within the predetermined PE period T nominal,PE1 In the example where ρ is 20 μs, the access device 210 sets a first pre-FEC padding factor a1 and a target PE period T for the first PPDU according to the following settings: PE It is possible to determine: Target PE period T PE is 16 μs, and the value of the first pre-FEC padding factor a1 is one of 1, 2, and 3; Target PE period T PE is 12 μs, and the value of the first pre-FEC padding factor a1 is one of 1 and 2; or Target PE period T PE is 8 μs, and the value of the first pre-FEC padding factor a1 is 1.

[0114]

[0126] In the above configuration, the value of the second pre-FEC padding factor a2 can be one of 1, 2, 3, and 4. For example, one of the preset values ​​1, 2, 3, and 4 can be used as the value of the second pre-FEC padding factor a2 to correspond to the preset PE period T PE2 If the second pre-FEC padding factor a2 is one of 1, 2, or 3, the symbols in the data field of the second PPDU further include post-FEC padding bits, which may be referred to as second padding bits in this embodiment. In other words, if the second pre-FEC padding factor a2 is 4, the data field of the second PPDU does not include post-FEC padding bits, or there are no post-FEC padding bits, or the number of post-FEC padding bits is 0.

[0115]

[0127] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a packet extension mechanism according to Embodiment 1 of the present application. In the example of FIG. 4, the first pre-FEC padding factor a1 for the station device 220 is 2, and the generated first padding bits 412 are placed in the last symbol 411 of the data field of the first PPDU 410, providing a processing time 401 of approximately 8 μs. The second pre-FEC padding factor a2 for the station device 230 is 4. Therefore, the number of second padding bits included in the last symbol 421 of the data field of the second PPDU 420 is 0. Furthermore, the first PPDU 410 and the second PPDU 420 further include PE fields 413 and 423 of the same length, which corresponds to a processing period 402 of 12 μs. According to the above configuration, in the first PPDU, the sum of the processing periods 401 and 402 is equal to the preset PE period T of 20 μs required by the station device 220. nominal,PE1 and the PE fields of the A-PPDUs can be aligned.

[0116]

[0128] In the example of FIG. 4, the value of the first pre-FEC padding factor a1 is different from the value of the second pre-FEC padding factor a2, but it should be understood that in some other examples, the value of the first pre-FEC padding factor a1 may be the same as the value of the second pre-FEC padding factor a2.

[0117]

[0129] In a specific implementation process, the first pre-FEC padding factor a1, the second pre-FEC padding factor a2, and the target PE period T PE can be flexibly determined based on requirements. For example, the target PE period T PE may be determined based on the selected first pre-FEC padding factor a1 and second pre-FEC padding factor a2. In another example, first, the target PE period T PE may be selected from a range of preset values ​​of 8 μs, 12 μs, and 16 μs, and then the first preset PE period T PE 1’a first pre-FEC padding factor a1 that fits in the second pre-configured PE period T PE 2’ and a second pre-FEC padding factor a2 that fits within the selected target PE period T PE is determined based on the

[0118]

[0130] In a possible implementation, the target PE period T PE is the pre-set PE period T PE’ Equal to, i.e.: T PE1 = T nominal,PE1 (1) and T PE2 = T nominal,PE2 (2)

[0131] Based on the above equations (1) and (2), the first pre-FEC padding factor a1, the second pre-FEC padding factor a2, and the target PE period T PE may be determined according to the following settings: PE may be set as follows: Target PE period T PE is 16 μs, the value of the first pre-FEC padding factor a1 is 3, and the value of the second pre-FEC padding factor a2 is 4; Target PE period T PE is 12 μs, the value of the first pre-FEC padding factor a1 is 2, and the value of the second pre-FEC padding factor a2 is 3; or Target PE period T PE is 8 μs, the value of the first pre-FEC padding factor a1 is 1, and the value of the second pre-FEC padding factor a2 is 2 or 4.

[0119]

[0132] In another possible implementation, the target PE period T PE is the preset PE period T for HE nominal,PE2 The preset PE period for EHT is equal to T nominal,PE1In other words, the preset PE period T nominal,PE1 is the pre-set PE period T nominal,PE1 In this case, the first pre-FEC padding factor a1, the second pre-FEC padding factor a2, and the target PE period T PE may be determined according to the following settings: In other words, the first pre-FEC padding factor a1, the second pre-FEC padding factor a2, and the target PE period T PE may be set as follows: The target PE period is 16 μs, the value of the first pre-FEC padding factor is one of 1, 2, and 3, and the value of the second pre-FEC padding factor is 4; the target PE period is 12 μs, the value of the first pre-FEC padding factor is one of 1 and 2, and the value of the second pre-FEC padding factor is 3; or The target PE period is 8 μs, the first Pre-FEC padding factor has a value of 1, and the second Pre-FEC padding factor has a value of 2 or 4.

[0120]

[0133] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of another packet extension mechanism according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. In the example of FIG. 5, the second pre-FEC padding factor a2 of the station device 230 is 2, and the generated second padding bits 522 are placed in the last symbol 521 of the data field 504 of the second PPDU 520, providing a processing period of approximately 8 μs. For the first PPDU 510, the first pre-FEC padding factor a1 is 3, and the generated first padding bits include a first portion 513 placed in symbol 511 and a second portion 514 placed in the last symbol 512 within the data field 503 of the first PPDU 510. The first portion 513 and the second portion 514 of the first padding bits provide a total processing period 501 of approximately 20 μs. It should be understood that the first symbol shown in FIG. 5 being the penultimate symbol of the data field of the first PPDU is merely an example. The first symbol may be any symbol before the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU. This is not a limitation in the present case. In a configuration where the first symbol is a symbol before the last symbol, all symbols following the first symbol to the last symbol are padded with padding bits, i.e., all symbols following the first symbol to the last symbol are post-FEC padding bits. In some cases, these bits may alternatively be used as PE fields. Furthermore, the first PPDU 510 and the second PPDU 520 further include PE fields 515 and 525 of the same length, which corresponds to a processing period 502 of 4 μs. Therefore, for the first PPDU, the sum of the processing period 501 and the processing period 502 is equal to or less than the preset PE period T of 20 μs requested by the station device 220. nominal,PE1 This exceeds the requirements of EHT devices, and the PE field of the A-PPDU can be aligned.

[0121]

[0134] In some examples, for A-PPDUs, the EHT device may use a pre-FEC padding factor setting corresponding to the penultimate symbol of the PPDU's data field, as shown in FIG. 5, while for other PPDUs, the EHT device may continue to use a conventional setting of the pre-FEC padding factor corresponding to the last symbol of the corresponding PPDU's data field. In such examples, the station device 220, functioning as the receiving device, may determine whether the received PPDU is an A-PPDU and determine the symbol in the data field corresponding to the pre-FEC padding factor, i.e., the location of the first padding bit in the data field of the first PPDU. In other words, if the station device 220 determines that the received PPDU is an A-PPDU, it may determine the location of the first padding bit in the data field of the first PPDU. Whether the first padding bit is located in the penultimate symbol or in some symbol before the last symbol of the data field may be agreed upon in a protocol or communicated between the station device and the access device. This is not a limitation of the present application.

[0122]

[0135] In the above example, the first PPDU may further include a first indicator, e.g., a 1-bit indicator, indicating that the PPDU is an A-PPDU. Furthermore, the station device 220 may determine, based on the first indicator, that the first pre-FEC padding factor a1 corresponds to the last symbol of the data field or some symbol before the last symbol. Additionally or alternatively, in setting the first pre-FEC padding factor a1 corresponding to the penultimate symbol of the data field, the last symbol of the data field may be used to provide additional processing of approximately 16 μs, thereby achieving the target PE period T PEIf the time period between the first pre-FEC padding factor a1 and the second-to-last symbol of the data field is not shorter than 4 μs, the value of the first pre-FEC padding factor a1 may be 4, i.e., the penultimate symbol of the data field has no padding bits (post-FEC padding bits), and all bits of the last symbol are padding bits (post-FEC padding bits). Therefore, the station device 220 can determine whether the value of the first pre-FEC padding factor a1 is 4 based on the fact that the received PPDU is an A-PPDU.

[0123]

[0136] In some examples, the maximum nominal packet padding value for an A-PPDU may be set to 16 μs, so that when the access device 210 transmits an A-PPDU, there is no problem with the end points of the PE fields of the A-PPDU being misaligned.

[0124]

[0137] The case where the A-PPDU is a TB PPDU requested by a trigger frame is also applicable to the packet extension mechanism described in exemplary embodiment 1 of the present application. Specifically, in this example, the access device 210 determines the length of the PE field to be carried in the TB PPDU to be triggered based on the information used for packet extension described in exemplary embodiment 1. Then, the access device 210 can transmit the trigger frame to the station devices 220 and 230. A common information field in the trigger frame, such as an uplink length subfield (UL Length subfield) or a packet extension disambiguity (PE Disambiguity) subfield, includes information indicating the length of the PE field to be transmitted in the TB PPDU to be triggered.

[0125]

[0138] In the example of a TB PPDU requested by a trigger frame, the trigger frame may further indicate a first pre-FEC padding factor a1 for the first PPDU and a second pre-FEC padding factor a2 for the second PPDU. In the example of a PPDU based on a trigger response scheduling TRS, the first pre-FEC padding factor a1 for the first PPDU and the second pre-FEC padding factor a2 for the second PPDU may be aggregated using default or pre-configured values, and therefore the trigger frame carrying the TRS may not need to indicate the first pre-FEC padding factor a1 and the second pre-FEC padding factor a2. Station devices 220 and 230 are capable of transmitting a first PPDU for an EHT device and a second PPDU for an HE device, respectively. Furthermore, the station devices 220 and 230 may determine the target PE period based on these subfields in the trigger frame and generate and transmit the first and second PPDUs in response to the trigger frame. All of the functionality described above with respect to the A-PPDU, including the MU PPDU, is applicable to the scenario in which the A-PPDU is a trigger-based TB PPDU and therefore will not be described in detail again here.

[0126]

[0139] In this exemplary embodiment, A-PPDU alignment is achieved by adjusting the pre-FEC padding factor a and the length of the PE field. It should be understood that this adjustment method is merely an example, and that a PE field corresponding to the nominal packet padding value or 20 μs may be provided within the A-PPDU by adding padding bits from other portions. For example, MAC frame padding bits, trigger frame padding fields, post-end-of-frame aggregate MAC Protocol Data Unit padding (post-EOF A-MPDU padding), and aggregation of other MPDUs within the A-MPDU may be used.

[0127]

[0140] According to the method provided in the present embodiment, an optimized packet extension mechanism can be implemented. In this mechanism, the PE fields of the PPDUs included in the A-PPDU, those for the HE device and the EHT device, have the same length, so that the end points of the PE fields of the A-PPDU can be aligned. Furthermore, the A-PPDU can provide sufficient additional processing time for each of the HE device and the EHT device by using post-FEC padding bits and the PE field. According to the optimized packet extension mechanism, the padding bits and the PE field of the PPDU data field can be flexibly configured based on requirements. The A-PPDU generated in this way can efficiently use the time-frequency resources of the WLAN network, significantly improving network performance and communication quality.

[0128]

[0141] Exemplary Embodiment 2 Trigger response scheduling (TRS) can be considered a simplified and efficient implementation of trigger frames, with many parameters defaulted or simplified. Compared to trigger frame-requested TB PPDUs, TRS-requested TB PPDUs support fewer or fixed modulation schemes and a fixed number of spatial flows. For example, the default value of pre-FEC padding factor a for TRS-requested TB PPDUs is 4. In other words, no post-FEC padding bits are provided by default for TRS-requested TB PPDUs.

[0129]

[0142] Furthermore, in a scenario in which a TB PPDU requested by TRS is transmitted, the preset PE period is specified by the operational parameters of the HE device and the EHT device. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of operational parameters of a TRS-based TB PPDU according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The access device 210 can set the preset PE period by setting the operational parameters of the HE device, for example, the default PE period subfield 610 in the HE Operation Parameter Field 601 of the Operation Element for the HE Device (HE Operation Element) shown in FIG. 6. The default PE period subfield 610 includes 3 bits. When the value of the default PE period subfield 610 is 0 to 4, the value of the default PE period subfield 610 corresponds to the preset PE periods of 0, 4, 8, 12, and 16 μs, respectively, and values ​​of 5 to 7 are reserved values. Therefore, if an EHT device requires a preset PE period of at most 20 μs, the conventional TRS-based TB PPDU transmission mechanism cannot be used to transmit A-PPDUs, including PPDUs for EHT devices and HE devices.

[0130]

[0143] Exemplary embodiment 2 of the present application provides a packet extension mechanism for TRS-based A-PPDUs. The mechanism may include an access device 210 and station devices 220 and 230 as shown in Figure 2. As an example, exemplary embodiment 2 will be described below with reference to Figure 2. However, it should be understood that this mechanism is also applicable to other communication scenarios and devices.

[0131]

[0144] In exemplary embodiment 2, the A-PPDU transmitted between the access device 210 and the station devices 220 and 230 may be a TRS-based TB PPDU, a TRS-requested TB PPDU, or a trigger frame in hybrid transmission. In the case of a TRS-requested TB PPDU and a trigger frame in hybrid transmission, the configuration of the trigger frame should match the configuration of the TRS and comply with the configuration parameters of the TRS. Therefore, even in cases where hybrid transmission of TRS and trigger frames is not explicitly mentioned below, it can be understood that the hybrid transmission of TRS and trigger frames complies by default with the design method for TRS described in exemplary embodiment 2.

[0132]

[0145] In a possible implementation, to accommodate a pre-configured PE period, e.g., 20 μs, required by the EHT device, the following default settings may be used in the TRS mechanism provided in exemplary embodiment 2: The pre-FEC padding factor a corresponds to the last symbol of the data field of the PPDU and has one of the preset values ​​1, 2, and 3; or The pre-FEC padding factor a corresponds to the symbol before the last symbol of the data field of the PPDU and has one of the preset values ​​1, 2, 3, and 4.

[0133]

[0146] In the above configuration, if an EHT device requires a preset PE period of 20 μs, the default PE period in the EHT Operation Parameters Field may be set to be no greater than 16 μs.

[0134]

[0147] In the TRS mechanism provided in exemplary embodiment 2, for A-PPDU, The pre-FEC padding factor a corresponds to the last symbol of the data field of the PPDU and has one of the pre-configured values ​​1, 2, or 3, or A configuration may be used in which the pre-FEC padding factor a corresponds to any symbol before the last symbol of the data field of the PPDU and has one of the pre-configured values ​​1, 2, 3, or 4. For PPDUs other than A-PPDUs, the access device 210 may still use the conventional configuration in which the pre-FEC padding factor a corresponds to the last symbol of the data field of the corresponding PPDU and has a value of 4.

[0135]

[0148] Additionally or alternatively, for A-PPDUs, whether the value of the pre-FEC padding factor a for the PPDU of the EHT device is a pre-configured value or 4 may be determined based on a second indicator that is 1 bit in length. For example, a first value of the second indicator may indicate that the value of the pre-FEC padding factor a is 4, and a second value of the second indicator may indicate that the pre-FEC padding factor a uses the pre-defined value.

[0136]

[0149] Additionally or alternatively, for a PPDU corresponding to an EHT device in an A-PPDU (i.e., the first PPDU mentioned above), the same operating parameters as for a PPDU corresponding to an HE device (i.e., the second PPDU mentioned above) may be used by default.

[0137]

[0150] According to embodiment 2 of the present application, a packet extension mechanism for TRS-based TB PPDU is provided. This mechanism can meet the different requirements for additional processing time between EHT devices and HE devices by setting an appropriate padding factor a and PE period. Furthermore, when transmitting A-PPDUs using this mechanism, the end points of the PE fields in the A-PPDUs can be aligned. Therefore, the optimized packet extension mechanism provided in the present application can efficiently use network time-frequency resources and significantly improve network performance.

[0138]

[0151] Exemplary Embodiment 3 The present exemplary embodiment 3 provides a packet extension mechanism for TB PPDUs required by TRS, which may include an access device 210 and a station device 220 as shown in Fig. 2. As an example, the exemplary embodiment 3 will be described below with reference to Fig. 2. However, it should be understood that the mechanism is also applicable to other communication scenarios and devices.

[0139]

[0152] In exemplary embodiment 3, the first PPDU transmitted between the access device 210 and the station device 220 may be a TRS-requested TB PPDU, a TRS-requested TB PPDU, or a trigger frame in hybrid transmission. In the case of a TRS-requested TB PPDU and a trigger frame in hybrid transmission, the configuration of the trigger frame should match the configuration of the TRS and comply with the configuration parameters of the TRS. Therefore, even in cases where hybrid transmission of a TRS and a trigger frame is not explicitly mentioned below, it can be understood that the hybrid transmission of a TRS and a trigger frame complies by default with the design method for the TRS described in exemplary embodiment 3.

[0140]

[0153] To accommodate a preset PE period, e.g., 20 μs, required by the EHT device, the access device 210 may indicate the PE period of the EHT device by using an EHT operation parameters element. For example, the access device 210 may transmit a third PPDU including the EHT operation parameters to the station device 220. The EHT operation parameters may include a third indicator indicating the PE period.

[0141]

[0154] In some example embodiments, the third indicator may be a 1-bit long indicator, e.g., a first value (e.g., 1) of the third indicator indicates that the PE duration is 20 μs, and a second value (e.g., 0) of the third indicator indicates that the PE duration of the EHT is the duration specified by the HE operation parameters, i.e., the PE duration conforms to the configuration of the Default PE Duration subfield of the HE Operation Parameters field.

[0142]

[0155] In some other exemplary embodiments, the first value of the third indicator may indicate one of 16 μs and 20 μs, and the second value of the third indicator may indicate that the PE period of the EHT complies with the setting of the Default PE Period subfield of the HE Operational Parameters field.

[0143]

[0156] In such an embodiment, the third PPDU is a PPDU carrying EHT operation parameters. The PE period may be further determined based on the fourth PPDU carrying the trigger response scheduling TRS. In other words, the station device determines that the PE period is 16 μs or 20 μs based on the EHT operation parameters carried in the third PPDU, and further determines that the PE period is 16 μs or 20 μs based on the indication information carried in the fourth PPDU. For example, the access device 210 may transmit a fourth PPDU to the station device 220, where the fourth PPDU may indicate bandwidth information for the fourth PPDU. If the fourth PPDU is transmitted in the form of an A-PPDU, the fourth PPDU may also indicate the bandwidth of the A-PPDU. In other words, the fourth PPDU is a portion of the A-PPDU. In this case, the fourth PPDU may indicate the entire bandwidth of the A-PPDU. If the bandwidth of the fourth PPDU is greater than a first threshold (e.g., 160 MHz), the station device 220 may determine that the PE period is 20 μs. Alternatively, if the bandwidth of the fourth PPDU is equal to or less than the first threshold, the station device 220 may determine that the PE period is 16 μs. In other words, if the third indicator is the first value, the station device 220 needs to further determine whether the PE period is 16 μs or 20 μs based on the bandwidth information of the fourth PPDU.

[0144]

[0157] In some example embodiments, the EHT operational parameters and the HE operational parameters may be carried in the same PPDU or in different PPDUs, for example, the HE operational parameters may be carried in the third PPDU, the fourth PPDU, or another PPDU other than the third and fourth PPDUs.

[0145]

[0158] Additionally or alternatively, the PE period may be further determined based on resource allocation information indicated by the fourth PPDU carrying the trigger frame. For example, the fourth PPDU transmitted by the access device 210 to the station device 220 may indicate the resource unit (RU) size of the fourth PPDU. If the fourth PPDU indicates that the RU size is greater than a second threshold size (e.g., 2*996 tone RUs), the station device 220 may determine that the PE period is 20 μs. Alternatively, if the fourth PPDU indicates that the RU size is equal to or less than the second threshold size, the station device 220 may determine that the PE period is 16 μs. In other words, if the third indicator is the first value, the station device 220 may further determine whether the PE period is 16 μs or 20 μs based on the RU size indicated in the fourth PPDU. In some exemplary embodiments, the third PPDU and the fourth PPDU may be the same PPDU.

[0146]

[0159] In some other embodiments, the third indicator may be an indicator having a length greater than one bit, and the third indicator indicates that the PE period is one of 0 μs, 4 μs, 8 μs, 12 μs, 16 μs, and 20 μs. For example, the Default PE Period subfield of the EHT Operation Parameters field includes 3 bits. Values ​​of the Default PE Period subfield of 0 through 5 correspond to 0 μs, 4 μs, 8 μs, 12 μs, 16 μs, and 20 μs, respectively.

[0147]

[0160] It should be understood that the specific settings of the first and second values ​​of the third indicator in exemplary embodiment 3 are for illustration purposes only. In other embodiments, the first value of the third indicator may be 0 and the second value may be 1. Also, the indicator information of the EHT PE period may be carried in another field or subfield, for example, in B18 to B23 of the HE Operation Parameters field.

[0148]

[0161] According to the method provided in this embodiment of the present application, the processing period provided by the PE field can be flexibly set to 0 μs, 4 μs, 8 μs, 12 μs, 16 μs, or 20 μs based on the requirements of the TB PPDU requested by the TRS, which can meet different requirements for additional processing periods of different devices. In addition, this method can further dynamically select the processing time of 16 μs or 20 μs based on the network bandwidth or resource unit size, thereby improving the traditional packet expansion mechanism and improving the performance of the WLAN system.

[0149]

[0162] 7 is a diagram of signaling interactions of a communication mechanism according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The exemplary interaction process 700 may involve the access device 210 and the station device 220, as shown in FIG. 2. It should be understood that this process is applicable to other communication scenarios and devices.

[0150]

[0163] Hereinafter, the process 700 will be described using an example in which the access device 210 functions as a first device 710, the station device 220 functions as a second device 720, and a TB PPDU is transmitted between the first device 710 and the second device 720. It should be understood that the process 700 is also applicable to a case in which an A-PPDU including a PPDU for an HE device (SU PPDU or MU PPDU) and an MU PPDU for an EHT is transmitted between the first device 710 and the second device 720.

[0151]

[0164] In 702, a first device 710 determines a third PE period of an A-PPDU to be triggered based on a first PE period of the first PPDU and a second PE period of the second PPDU, where the A-PPDU to be triggered includes a first PPDU for an EHT device and a second PPDU for an HE device.

[0152]

[0165] The first PE period may indicate a predetermined PE field period required for the first PPDU, and the second PE period may indicate a PE period shorter than the first PE period and supported by the second PPDU. If the first PE period determines that the first PE period exceeds the maximum PE period supported by the second PPDU, the first device 710 may adjust the PE field lengths of the first PPDU and the second PPDU to be equal to the target PE fields of the first PPDU and the second PPDU, thereby obtaining an A-PPDU in which the PE fields of the A-PPDU are aligned. The third PE period corresponds to the target PE field and does not exceed the second PE period.

[0153]

[0166] Furthermore, to ensure that the generated first and second PPDUs can further meet the requirements for the additional processing period, the first and second PPDUs may include first and second padding fields of specific lengths through post-FEC padding. For example, the first PPDU generated by the station device 220 includes at least a first padding bit and a target PE field, and the second PPDU generated by the station device 230 includes at least a first padding bit and a target PE field. The first padding bit and the target PE field correspond to a period not shorter than the first PE period. This ensures that the generated first PPDU can provide a sufficient additional processing period for the receiving device.

[0154]

[0167] In some exemplary embodiments, the first padding bits are determined based on a first pre-FEC padding factor, and the second padding bits are determined based on a second pre-FEC padding factor. The first pre-FEC padding factor indicates a proportion of at least a portion of the first padding bits in a first symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, and the second pre-FEC padding factor indicates a proportion of the second padding bits in a second symbol of the data field of the second PPDU. It should be understood that, depending on the specific settings of the target PE field, the first pre-FEC padding factor, and the second pre-FEC padding factor, at least one of the bit quantity of the first padding bits and the bit quantity of the second padding bits may be zero.

[0155]

[0168] In some exemplary embodiments, the first symbol may be the last symbol of a data field of a first PPDU, and the second symbol may be the last symbol of a data field of a second PPDU.

[0156]

[0169] In some other exemplary embodiments, the first symbol may be a symbol before the last symbol in the data field of the first PPDU, and the second symbol may be the last symbol in the data field of the second PPDU. In such embodiments, the first padding bits include a first portion located in the first symbol and a second portion located from the symbol following the first symbol to the last symbol. In other words, all bits from the symbol following the first symbol to the last symbol are occupied by the second portion of the first padding bits.

[0157]

[0170] In a TRS-requested TB PPDU embodiment, the first and second pre-FEC padding factors may be default or pre-configured values. In a trigger frame-requested TB PPDU embodiment, at 704, the first device 710 may further determine the first and second pre-FEC padding factors based on the first and second PE periods.

[0158]

[0171] At 706, the first device 710 generates indication information to indicate the third packet extension period. Furthermore, in an embodiment of a TB PPDU requested by a trigger frame, the indication information is carried in the trigger frame, which may further indicate a first pre-FEC padding factor and a second pre-FEC padding factor. Furthermore, the trigger frame may further indicate the location of the first padding bits within the data field of the first PPDU, e.g., whether all first padding bits are located in the last symbol or whether the first padding bits are located in all symbols from a specific symbol before the last symbol to the last symbol. In an embodiment of a TB PPDU requested by a TRS, the indication information is an EHT operation parameter of the first PPDU. For example, the third PE period may be indicated by a PE value subfield of the EHT operation parameter field.

[0159]

[0172] In an embodiment of a TB PPDU requested by a trigger frame, if the first symbol is the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, the first device 710 may determine the third PE period and the first pre-FEC padding factor as one of the following settings: The third PE period is 16 μs, and the value of the first pre-FEC padding factor is one of 1, 2, and 3; the third PE period is 12 μs and the value of the first pre-FEC padding factor is one of 1 and 2; or The third PE period is 8 μs and the first Pre-FEC padding factor value is 1.

[0160]

[0173] In the above embodiment, the first device 710 may determine the value of the second pre-FEC padding factor as one of 1, 2, 3, and 4.

[0161]

[0174] In an embodiment of a TB PPDU requested by a trigger frame, if the first symbol is the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, the first device 710 may alternatively determine the third PE period, the first pre-FEC padding factor, and the first pre-FEC padding factor as the following settings: The third PE period is 16 μs, the first pre-FEC padding factor is 3, and the second pre-FEC padding factor is 4; the third PE period is 12 μs, the value of the first pre-FEC padding factor is 2, and the value of the second pre-FEC padding factor is 3; or The third PE period is 8 μs, the first pre-FEC padding factor has a value of 1, and the second pre-FEC padding factor has a value of 2 or 4.

[0162]

[0175] In the above setting, the target PE period T PE is the preset PE period T for HE and EHT.PE is equal to.

[0163]

[0176] In an embodiment of a TB PPDU requested by a trigger frame, when the first symbol is the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, the first device 710 may alternatively determine the third PE period, the first pre-FEC padding factor, and the second pre-FEC padding factor as alternatively the following settings: The third PE period is 16 μs, the value of the first pre-FEC padding factor is one of 1, 2, and 3, and the value of the second pre-FEC padding factor is 4; the third PE period is 12 μs, the value of the first pre-FEC padding factor is one of 1 and 2, and the value of the second pre-FEC padding factor is 3; or The third PE period is 8 μs, the first pre-FEC padding factor has a value of 1, and the second pre-FEC padding factor has a value of 2 or 4.

[0164]

[0177] In the above configuration, the target PE period of the HE is equal to the preset PE period of the HE.

[0165]

[0178] It should be noted that the second device may transmit the TB PPDU accordingly by using the settings mentioned in the previous embodiment.

[0166]

[0179] In an embodiment in which the first symbol is the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU and the A-PPDU contains a TB PPDU requested by the TRS, the value of the first pre-FEC padding factor may be pre-configured as one of 1, 2, and 3.

[0167]

[0180] In an embodiment in which the A-PPDU includes a TB PPDU requested by the trigger response scheduling TRS, the first pre-FEC padding factor may affect the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU or a symbol before the last symbol, and the indication information may further include a second indicator for indicating the first pre-FEC padding factor. For example, a first value of the second indicator may indicate that all first padding bits are placed in the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU and that the value of the first pre-forward error correction padding factor is 4, and a second value of the second indicator may indicate that the value of the first pre-forward error correction padding factor is a predetermined value. For example, if the first pre-FEC padding factor may affect the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, the predetermined value may be one of 1, 2, or 3. If the first pre-FEC padding factor affects a symbol before the last symbol, the predetermined value may be one of 1, 2, 3, or 4.

[0168]

[0181] In this way, the access device can use the indication information to indicate the appropriate PE period to the EHT device and the HE device, so that the PE field of the triggered A-PPDU can provide sufficient additional processing period and also maintain alignment of the ends of the PE field.

[0169]

[0182] Although the operations in process 700 are depicted in a particular order, it should be understood that this does not require such operations to be completed in the particular order shown, or in any sequential order, or that all of the described operations be performed to achieve desired results. Often, multitasking or parallel processing may be beneficial. Similarly, while the above discussion includes specific implementation details, this should not be construed as limiting the scope of any invention or claims, but rather as a description of particular exemplary embodiments that may be specific to particular inventions. Certain features described herein in the context of separate exemplary embodiments may also be combined in a single exemplary embodiment. Conversely, various features described in the context of a single exemplary embodiment may also be implemented separately in multiple exemplary embodiments or in any suitable subcombination.

[0170]

[0183] Figure 8 is a flowchart of a communication method 800 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Method 800 may be performed by access device 210 shown in Figure 2, and for ease of explanation, method 800 will be described below with reference to Figure 2. It should be understood that method 800 is applicable to other communication scenarios and devices.

[0171]

[0184] In method 800, access device 210 transmits an A-PPDU to station devices 220 and 230, where the A-PPDU includes a first PPDU for an EHT and a second PPDU for an HE, where the first PPDU may be an MU PPDU, and the second PPDU may be an SU PPDU or an MU PPDU. At 810, access device 210 generates a first PPDU and a second PPDU based on a first PE period and a second PE period shorter than the first PE period. The first PE period may indicate a period of a predetermined PE field required for the first PPDU, and the second PE period indicates a PE period supported by the second PPDU. The first PPDU includes first padding bits and a target PE field, and the second PPDU includes second padding bits and a target PE field. The target PE field corresponds to a third PE period not exceeding the second PE period, and the first padding bits and the target PE field correspond to a period not shorter than the first PE period.

[0172]

[0185] It should be understood that the third PE period is the target PE period, i.e. the PE period that is actually used when the first PPDU and the second PPDU are transmitted.

[0173]

[0186] In some exemplary embodiments, the first padding bits are determined based on a first pre-FEC padding factor, and the second padding bits are determined based on a second pre-FEC padding factor. The first pre-FEC padding factor may indicate a proportion of at least a portion of the first padding bits in a first symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, and the second pre-FEC padding factor may indicate a proportion of the second padding bits in a second symbol of the data field of the second PPDU. It should be understood that, depending on the specific settings of the target PE field, the first pre-FEC padding factor, and the second pre-FEC padding factor, at least one of the bit quantity of the first padding bits and the bit quantity of the second padding bits may be zero.

[0174]

[0187] In some example embodiments, the first symbol may be the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, and the second symbol may be the last symbol of the data field of the second PPDU, in which case the access device 210 may determine the third PE period and the first pre-FEC padding factor as one of the following settings: The third PE period is 16 μs, and the value of the first pre-FEC padding factor is one of 1, 2, and 3; the third PE period is 12 μs and the value of the first pre-FEC padding factor is one of 1 and 2; or The third PE period is 8 μs and the first Pre-FEC padding factor value is 1.

[0175]

[0188] In the above embodiment, the value of the second pre-FEC padding factor can be one of 1, 2, 3, and 4.

[0176]

[0189] As an alternative to the aforementioned settings, in another exemplary embodiment, the access device 210 may determine the third PE period, the first pre-FEC padding factor, and the second pre-FEC padding factor as one of the following settings: The third PE period is 16 μs, the first pre-FEC padding factor has a value of 3, and the second pre-FEC padding factor has a value of 4; the third PE period is 12 μs, the first pre-FEC padding factor has a value of 2, and the second pre-FEC padding factor has a value of 3; or The third PE period is 8 μs, the first pre-FEC padding factor has a value of 1, and the second pre-FEC padding factor has a value of 2 or 4.

[0177]

[0190] In the above setting, the target PE period T PE is the preset PE period T for HE and EHT. PE is equal to.

[0178]

[0191] As another alternative to the aforementioned settings, in some example embodiments, the access device 210 may also determine the third PE period, the first pre-FEC padding factor, and the second pre-FEC padding factor as one of the following settings: The third PE period is 16 μs, the value of the first pre-FEC padding factor is one of 1, 2, and 3, and the value of the second pre-FEC padding factor is 4; the third PE period is 12 μs, the value of the first pre-FEC padding factor is one of 1 and 2, and the value of the second pre-FEC padding factor is 3; or The third PE period is 8 μs, the first pre-FEC padding factor has a value of 1, and the second pre-FEC padding factor has a value of 2 or 4.

[0179]

[0192] In the above setting, the target PE period T PE is equal to the preset PE period for HE.

[0180]

[0193] In some exemplary embodiments, the first symbol may be a symbol before the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, the second symbol may be the last symbol of the data field of the second PPDU, and the first padding bits include a first portion of the first symbol and a second portion from the symbol following the first symbol to the last symbol.

[0181]

[0194] In some exemplary embodiments, the first PPDU may include a first indicator to indicate that the transmitted PPDU is an A-PPDU. For example, for an A-PPDU, the first padding bits may be predetermined to include a first portion of a first symbol and a second portion extending from the symbol following the first symbol to the last symbol. In this manner, based on the first indicator included in the first PPDU, station devices 220 and 230 may determine a specific configuration for the first padding bits.

[0182]

[0195] In some exemplary embodiments, the third PE period may be one of 16 μs, 12 μs, 8 μs, 4 μs, and 0 μs, and the value of the first pre-FEC padding factor and the value of the second pre-FEC padding factor are each one of 1, 2, 3, and 4.

[0183]

[0196] At 820, the access device 210 transmits an A-PPDU including the first PPDU and the second PPDU. For example, the access device 210 can aggregate the first PPDU and the second PPDU into an A-PPDU in an orthogonal manner in the frequency domain for transmission. In this manner, the PE field of the A-PPDU can provide sufficient additional processing time for the receiving device while maintaining alignment of the ends of the PE fields.

[0184]

[0197] The station device 220 may receive the A-PPDU from the access device 210 and decode the first PPDU for the frequency band of the EHT device.

[0185]

[0198] 9 is a flowchart of a communication method 900 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The method 900 may be performed by the access device 210 shown in FIG. 2, and for ease of explanation, the method 900 will be described below with reference to FIG. 2. It should be understood that the method 1100 is applicable to other communication scenarios and devices.

[0186]

[0199] In method 900, access device 210 may transmit indication information indicating a target PE period for an A-PPDU to station devices 220 and 230. Access device 210 may then transmit a PPDU carrying a TRS to station devices 220 and 230, the PPDU being used to trigger the A-PPDU. In response to triggering the A-PPDU, station devices 220 and 230 transmit first and second PPDUs, respectively, including the target PE period, in an orthogonal manner in the frequency domain. In this example, the first PPDU and second PPDU form an A-PPDU.

[0187]

[0200] It should be appreciated that the A-PPDU may be requested via a hybrid transmission of a trigger frame and a TRS in method 900. When the A-PPDU is requested via a hybrid transmission, the configuration of the trigger frame should match the configuration of the TRS and comply with the configuration parameters of the TRS.

[0188]

[0201] At 910, the access device 210 determines a third PE period of the A-PPDU to be triggered based on the first PE period of the first PPDU and the second PE period of the second PPDU. The A-PPDU may include a first PPDU and a second PPDU that are orthogonal in frequency.

[0189]

[0202] The first PE period may indicate the duration of the pre-configured PE field required for the first PPDU, and the second PE period may indicate the PE period supported by the second PPDU. In this example, the second PE period is shorter than the first PE period. To align the PE fields in the A-PPDU, the access device 210 may set PE periods for the first PPDU and the second PPDU that do not exceed the second PE period and set first and second padding bits for post-FEC padding to provide additional processing time.

[0190]

[0203] The third PE period determined in 910 corresponds to a target PE field and does not exceed the second PE period, the first PPDU includes first padding bits and a target PE field, the second PPDU includes second padding bits and a target PE field, and the first padding bits and the target PE field correspond to a period not shorter than the first PE period.

[0191]

[0204] At 920, the access device 210 transmits indication information indicating the third PE period. The station devices 220 and 230 separately generate the first PPDU and the second PPDU based on the third PE period and transmit the first PPDU and the second PPDU as A-PPDUs in an orthogonal manner in frequency.

[0192]

[0205] In some exemplary embodiments, the first padding bits are determined based on a first pre-FEC padding factor and the second padding bits are determined based on a second pre-FEC padding factor, where the first pre-FEC padding factor may indicate a proportion of at least a portion of the first padding bits in a first symbol of the data field of the first PPDU and the second pre-FEC padding factor may indicate a proportion of the second padding bits in a second symbol of the data field of the second PPDU.

[0193]

[0206] In an embodiment of the A-PPDU including a TB PPDU requested by the trigger frame, the indication information is carried in the trigger frame, which further indicates a first Pre-FEC padding factor and a second Pre-FEC padding factor. In an embodiment of the A-PPDU including a TB PPDU requested by trigger response scheduling, the indication information includes EHT operation parameters for the first PPDU. For example, a third PE period may be indicated by a PE Period subfield of the EHT Operation Parameters field, and the values ​​of the first Pre-FEC padding factor and the second Pre-FEC padding factor may be default values ​​or pre-configured values.

[0194]

[0207] In some exemplary embodiments, the first symbol may be the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, and the second symbol may be the last symbol of the data field of the second PPDU. In other exemplary embodiments, the first symbol may be a symbol before the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, the second symbol is the last symbol of the data field of the second PPDU, and the first padding bits include a first portion of the first symbol and a second portion from the symbol following the first symbol to the last symbol.

[0195]

[0208] In an embodiment in which the A-PPDU includes a TB PPDU requested by a trigger frame and the first symbol is the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, the first device 210 may determine the third PE period and the first pre-FEC padding factor as one of the following settings: The third PE period is 16 μs, and the value of the first pre-FEC padding factor is one of 1, 2, and 3; the third PE period is 12 μs and the value of the first pre-FEC padding factor is one of 1 and 2; or The third PE period is 8 μs and the first Pre-FEC padding factor value is 1.

[0196]

[0209] In the above embodiment, the first device may determine the value of the second pre-FEC padding factor as one of 1, 2, 3, and 4.

[0197]

[0210] As an alternative to the aforementioned settings, the first device 210 may determine the third PE period, the first pre-FEC padding factor, and the second pre-FEC padding factor as one of the following settings: The third PE period is 16 μs, the first pre-FEC padding factor has a value of 3, and the second pre-FEC padding factor has a value of 4; the third PE period is 12 μs, the first pre-FEC padding factor has a value of 2, and the second pre-FEC padding factor has a value of 3; or The third PE period is 8 μs, the first pre-FEC padding factor has a value of 1, and the second pre-FEC padding factor has a value of 2 or 4.

[0198]

[0211] The first pre-FEC padding factor may be applied to the last symbol or to symbols before the last symbol, so that all of the first padding bits are placed in the last symbol, or some of the first padding bits may be placed in the last symbol, and symbols after the first symbol through the last symbol are padded with the remaining first padding bits. In some exemplary embodiments, the trigger frame may further indicate a location of the first padding bits within the data field of the first PPDU.

[0199]

[0212] In an embodiment in which the A-PPDU includes a TB PPDU requested by the TRS and the first symbol is the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, the value of the first pre-forward error correction padding factor is a pre-configured value, and the pre-configured value is one of 1, 2, and 3.

[0200]

[0213] In an embodiment where the A-PPDU includes a TB PPDU requested by the TRS and the first symbol is a symbol before the last symbol, the value of the first pre-forward error correction padding factor is a predetermined value, and the predetermined value is one of 1, 2, 3, and 4. In this embodiment, the indication information further includes a second indicator for indicating the first pre-forward error correction padding factor. Specifically, the first value of the second indicator may indicate that all of the first padding bits are placed in the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU and that the value of the first pre-forward error correction padding factor is 4; and the second value of the second indicator may indicate that the value of the first pre-forward error correction padding factor is a predetermined value.

[0201]

[0214] 10 is a diagram of signaling interactions of a communication mechanism according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The exemplary interaction process 1000 may include an access device 210 and a station device 220, as shown in FIG. 2. For example, the station device 220 acts as a first device 1010, and the access device 210 acts as a second device 1020. It should be understood that this process is applicable to other communication scenarios and devices.

[0202]

[0215] In process 1000, a TB PPDU requested by a TRS is transmitted between a first device 1010 and a second device 1020. At 1002, the first device 1010 receives a third PPDU carrying EHT operation parameters, where the EHT operation parameters include a third indicator indicating a packet extension period.

[0203]

[0216] At 1004, the first device 1010 determines a PE period based on the EHT operational parameters. The third indicator included in the EHT operational parameters and used to indicate the PE period may have multiple forms. As an example, the third indicator may be a 1-bit long indicator. In some exemplary embodiments, a first value (e.g., 0) of the third indicator may indicate that the PE period is 20 μs, and a second value (e.g., 1) of the third indicator may indicate that the PE period is the period specified by the HE operational parameters, i.e., the PE period for the EHT is set by reading the default PE value subfield of the HE operational parameters.

[0217] In some other exemplary embodiments, the first value of the third indicator may indicate that the PE period is one of 16 μs and 20 μs. In such embodiments, the PE period of the EHT may also be determined based on the fourth PPDU carrying the TRS. For example, the fourth PPDU may indicate the bandwidth of the fourth PPDU, where the fourth PPDU may be a DL EHT PPDU. If the fourth PPDU is transmitted in the form of an A-PPDU, the fourth PPDU may also indicate the bandwidth of the A-PPDU that includes the fourth PPDU. If the bandwidth is greater than a first threshold (e.g., 160 MHz), the first device 1010 may determine that the PE period is 20 μs. Otherwise, if the bandwidth is less than or equal to the first threshold, the first device 1010 may determine that the PE period is 16 μs.

[0204]

[0218] In another example, the PE period may be further determined based on the resource unit (RU) size indicated by the fourth PPDU, i.e., the RU size for the fourth PPDU. If the RU size of the fourth PPDU is greater than a second threshold size (e.g., 2*996 tone RUs), the first device 1010 may determine that the PE period is 20 μs. Otherwise, if the RU size of the fourth PPDU is equal to or less than the second threshold size, the first device 1010 may determine that the PE period is 16 μs.

[0205]

[0219] In yet another exemplary embodiment, the third indicator may be an indicator longer than one bit. For example, the third indicator may be the Default PE Duration subfield of the EHT Operation Parameters field, which includes three bits. Values ​​of the Default PE Duration subfield of 0 through 5 correspond to 0 μs, 4 μs, 8 μs, 12 μs, 16 μs, and 20 μs, respectively.

[0206]

[0220] In step 1006, the first device 1010 generates a first PPDU based on the PE period. In step 1008, the first device 1020 transmits the first PPDU.

[0207]

[0221] According to the method provided in this embodiment of the present application, in a triggering-based (TB) PPDU requested by a TRS, the processing period provided by the PE field can be flexibly set to 0 μs, 4 μs, 8 μs, 12 μs, 16 μs, or 20 μs based on requirements, which can meet different requirements for additional processing periods for different devices. In addition, this method can further dynamically select the processing time of 16 μs or 20 μs based on the network bandwidth or resource unit size, thereby improving the traditional packet expansion mechanism and improving the performance of the WLAN system.

[0208]

[0222] It should be understood that in the above process 1000, the third PPDU and the fourth PPDU may be the same PPDU or different PPDUs. It should also be understood that the specific settings of the first and second values ​​of the third indicator in the above embodiment are for illustration purposes only. In other embodiments, the first value of the third indicator may be 0 and the second value may be 1. Furthermore, the EHT PE period indicator information may be carried in another field or subfield, such as B18 to B23 of the HE Operation Parameters field.

[0209]

[0223] Although the operations in process 1000 are depicted in a particular order, it should be understood that this does not require such operations to be completed in the particular order shown, or in any sequential order, or that all of the described operations be performed to achieve desired results. Often, multitasking or parallel processing may be beneficial. Similarly, while the above discussion includes specific implementation details, this should not be construed as limiting the scope of any invention or claims, but rather as a description of particular exemplary embodiments that may be specific to particular inventions. Certain features described herein in the context of separate exemplary embodiments may also be combined in a single exemplary embodiment. Conversely, various features described in the context of a single exemplary embodiment may also be implemented separately in multiple exemplary embodiments or in any suitable subcombination.

[0210]

[0224] 11 is a flowchart of a communication method 1100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Method 1100 may be performed by station device 220 shown in FIG. 2, and for ease of explanation, method 1100 will be described below with reference to FIG. 2. It should be understood that method 1100 is applicable to other communication scenarios and devices.

[0211]

[0225] In method 1100, station device 220 transmits a second PPDU for EHT based on the TRS. At 1110, station device 220 receives a first PPDU. The first PPDU may include EHT operation parameters, where the EHT operation parameters include a third indicator for indicating a preset PE period. In some examples, the first PPDU may be a PPDU carrying the TRS and transmitted by access device 210.

[0212]

[0226] At 1120, station device 220 determines the PE period based on the EHT operation parameters. In some exemplary embodiments, a third indicator may be included in the EHT operation parameters field. The third indicator may be a 1-bit indicator, for example, a first value (e.g., 1) of the third indicator indicates that the PE period is 20 μs, and a second value (e.g., 0) of the third indicator indicates that the EHT PE period is the period specified by the HE operation parameters, i.e., the PE period conforms to the setting of the default PE period subfield of the HE operation parameters field.

[0213]

[0227] In some other exemplary embodiments, the first value of the third indicator may indicate either 16 μs or 20 μs, and the second value of the third indicator may indicate that the EHT's PE period conforms to the setting of the default PE period subfield of the HE operation parameters field. In this embodiment, the first PPDU is a trigger response scheduling TRS PPDU, and the PE period may also be determined based on the third PPDU carrying the trigger frame. For example, the third PPDU indicates the bandwidth of the third PPDU. If the third PPDU indicates that the bandwidth of the third PPDU is greater than a first threshold (e.g., 160 MHz), the station device 220 determines that the PE period is 20 μs. Otherwise, if the bandwidth of the third PPDU indicates that the bandwidth is equal to or less than the first threshold, the station device 220 determines that the PE period is 16 μs.

[0214]

[0228] Additionally or alternatively, the PE period may be further determined based on the fourth PPDU carrying the trigger frame. For example, the fourth PPDU may indicate the resource unit (RU) size of the second PPDU. If the fourth PPDU indicates that the RU size is greater than a second threshold size (e.g., 2*996 RUs), the station device 220 determines that the PE period is 20 μs. Alternatively, if the fourth PPDU indicates that the number of RUs is equal to or less than the second threshold size, the station device 220 determines that the PE period is 16 μs.

[0215]

[0229] In some alternative embodiments, the third indicator may be an indicator longer than one bit, and the third indicator indicates that the PE period is one of 0 μs, 4 μs, 8 μs, 12 μs, 16 μs, and 20 μs. For example, the Default PE Period subfield of the EHT Operation Parameters field includes 3 bits. Values ​​of 0 through 5 in the Default PE Period subfield correspond to 0 μs, 4 μs, 8 μs, 12 μs, 16 μs, and 20 μs, respectively.

[0216]

[0230] At 1130, the station device 220 generates a second PPDU based on the PE period. At 1140, the station device 220 transmits the second PPDU.

[0217]

[0231] It should be understood that the specific settings of the first and second values ​​of the third indicator in the above-described embodiments are for illustration purposes only. In other embodiments, the first value of the third indicator may be 0 and the second value may be 1. Also, the EHT PE period indicator information may be carried in another field or subfield, for example, in B18 to B23 of the HE Operation Parameters field.

[0218]

[0232] According to the method provided in this embodiment of the present application, the processing period provided by the PE field can be flexibly set to 0 μs, 4 μs, 8 μs, 12 μs, 16 μs, or 20 μs based on the requirements for the TB PPDU requested by the TRS, which can meet different requirements for additional processing periods for different devices. In addition, in this method, the processing time of 16 μs or 20 μs can be further dynamically selected based on the network bandwidth or resource unit size, thereby improving the traditional packet expansion mechanism and improving the performance of the WLAN system.

[0219]

[0233] 12A through 12C are schematic diagrams of a communication device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication device 1201 shown in FIG. 12A may be implemented using the access device 210 shown in FIG. 2 or another suitable device. It should be understood that the communication device 1201 is merely an example and does not imply any limitation on the scope of the present disclosure. Embodiments of the present disclosure may also be embodied in different communication devices. It should be further understood that the communication device 1201 may further include other elements or entities. For ease of explanation, other elements or entities are not shown, but this does not mean that embodiments of the present disclosure do not have these elements or entities.

[0220]

[0234] As shown in FIG. 12A, the communication device 1201 includes a generating unit 1202 and a transceiver unit 1204. The generating unit 1202 is configured to generate a first PPDU and a second PPDU based on a first PE period and a second PE period shorter than the first PE period. The first PE period indicates a predetermined packet extension field period required for the first PPDU, and the second PE period indicates a packet extension period supported by the second PPDU. The generated first PPDU includes first padding bits and a target PE field, and the generated second PPDU includes second padding bits and a target PE field, where the target PE field corresponds to a third PE period not longer than the second PE period. The first padding bits and the target PE field correspond to a period not shorter than the first PE period.

[0221]

[0235] The transceiver unit 1204 is configured to transmit an A-PPDU including a first PPDU and a second PPDU. For example, the transceiver unit 1204 may transmit the first PPDU and the second PPDU on different frequency domain resources, and the first PPDU may be an MU PPDU. It should be understood that the first PPDU and the second PPDU may both be EHT PPDUs, or both be HE PPDUs, or a combination of EHT PPDUs and HE PPDUs. Furthermore, the A-PPDU may further include another PPDU other than the first PPDU and the second PPDU. This is not a limitation in the present application.

[0222]

[0236] The communication device 1210 shown in FIG. 12B may be implemented using the access device 210 shown in FIG. 2, or may be implemented using another suitable device. It should be understood that the communication device 1210 is merely an example and does not imply any limitation on the scope of the present disclosure. Embodiments of the present disclosure may also be embodied in different communication devices. It should be further understood that the communication device 1210 may further include other elements or entities. For ease of explanation, other elements or entities are not shown, but this does not mean that embodiments of the present disclosure do not have these elements or entities.

[0223]

[0237] As shown in FIG. 12B, the communication device 1210 includes a determining unit 1212 and a transceiver unit 1214. The determining unit 1212 is configured to determine a third packet extension period of an aggregate physical layer protocol data unit (A-PPDU) to be triggered based on a first packet extension period of a first physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) and a second packet extension period of a second PPDU. The A-PPDU includes a first PPDU and a second PPDU, and the third packet extension period is not greater than the second packet extension period and corresponds to a target packet extension field. The first packet extension period indicates a predetermined packet extension field period required for the first PPDU, and the second packet extension period is shorter than the first packet extension period and indicates a packet extension period supported by the second PPDU. The first PPDU includes first padding bits and a target packet extension field, and the second PPDU includes second padding bits and a target packet extension field. The first padding bit and the target packet extension field correspond to a duration no shorter than the first packet extension duration.

[0224]

[0238] The transceiver unit 1214 is configured to transmit the indication information to indicate the third packet extension period. For example, the indication information may be a third PPDU carrying EHT operation parameters.

[0225]

[0239] The communication device 1220 shown in FIG. 12C may be implemented using the station device 220 shown in FIG. 2, or may be implemented using another appropriate device. It should be understood that the communication device 1220 is merely an example and does not imply any limitation on the scope of the present disclosure. Embodiments of the present disclosure may also be embodied in different communication devices. It should be further understood that the communication device 1220 may further include other elements or entities. For ease of explanation, other elements or entities are not shown, but this does not mean that embodiments of the present disclosure do not have these elements or entities.

[0226]

[0240] 12B, the communication device 1220 includes a transceiver unit 1222, a determining unit 1224, and a generating unit 1226. The transceiver unit 1222 is configured to receive a third physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) carrying very high throughput EHT operating parameters. The EHT operating parameters include a third indicator, and the third indicator indicates a packet extension period. The transceiver unit 1222 is further configured to transmit a first PPDU.

[0227]

[0241] The determining unit 1224 is configured to determine the PE period based on EHT operation parameters. In some exemplary embodiments, the determining unit 1224 further determines the PE period based on a fourth PPDU carrying a TRS. For example, the fourth PPDU may indicate a bandwidth for the fourth PPDU or an aggregate physical layer protocol data unit (A-PPDU) including the fourth PPDU, and the determining unit 1224 is further configured to: determine the packet extension period to be 20 μs if the bandwidth is greater than a first threshold; or determine the packet extension period to be 16 μs if the bandwidth is equal to or less than the first threshold. In another example, the fourth PPDU may indicate a resource unit (RU) size of the fourth PPDU, and the determining unit 1224 is further configured to: determine the packet extension period to be 20 μs if the RU size is greater than a second threshold; or determine the packet extension period to be 16 μs if the RU size is equal to or less than the second threshold.

[0228]

[0242] The generating unit 1226 is configured to generate the first PPDU based on the PE period.

[0229]

[0243] It should be further understood that the operations and features described above with reference to Figures 4 through 11 are also applicable to the communication devices 1201 through 1203 and have the same effect. Details will not be described again here. The units or modules included in the communication devices 1201 through 1203 may be implemented in various ways, including software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, one or more units may be implemented using software and / or firmware, for example, using machine-executable instructions stored on a storage medium. In addition to, or as an alternative to, machine-executable instructions, some or all of the units in the communication device 1201 may be implemented at least in part using one or more hardware logic components. By way of non-limiting example, exemplary hardware logic components that may be used include field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), application-specific standard products (ASSPs), systems-on-chips (SOCs), and complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs).

[0230]

[0244] FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a device 1300 for implementing some embodiments of the present subject matter. The device 1300 can be configured to implement the access device 210 and the station devices 220 and 230 shown in FIG. 2. It should be understood that the device 1300 is used for illustrative purposes only and does not imply any limitation on the scope of the present subject matter. The embodiments of the present subject matter may be separately embodied in different devices. It should be further understood that the device 1300 may further include other elements or entities. For ease of explanation, other elements or entities are not shown, but this does not mean that the embodiments of the present subject matter do not have these elements or entities.

[0231]

[0245] As shown in FIG. 13, device 1300 includes processor 1310. Processor 1310 controls the operation and functionality of device 1300. For example, in some exemplary embodiments, processor 1310 can perform various operations by using instructions 1330 stored in memory 1320 coupled to processor 1310. Memory 1320 can be of any suitable type applicable to the local technology environment and can be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, including, but not limited to, semiconductor-based storage devices, magnetic storage devices and systems, and optical storage devices and systems. Although only one memory unit is shown in FIG. 13, multiple physically distinct memory units can be present in device 1300.

[0232]

[0246] The processor 1310 may be of any suitable type suited to the local technology environment, including, but not limited to, one or more of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), and a controller-based multi-core controller architecture. The device 1300 may also include multiple processors 1310. The processor 1310 is coupled to a communication unit 1340. The communication unit 1340 may transmit and receive information using wireless signals or via optical fibers, cables, and / or other components.

[0233]

[0247] When the device 1300 operates as the access device 210 or the station device 220, the processor 1310 can execute instructions to perform the operations and processes described above with reference to Figures 7 to 11. All of the features described above with reference to Figures 7 to 11 are applicable to the device 1300. Details will not be described again here.

[0234]

[0248] These modules and models may be stored in memory 1320 in the form of computer program code or instructions 1330. The processor executes the program code or instructions in memory 1320, causing device 1300 to perform the processes performed by access device 210 or station device 220 in Figures 8, 9, and 11.

[0235]

[0249] In general, the various exemplary embodiments herein may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. While some aspects may be realized in hardware, other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software that may be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device. When aspects of the exemplary embodiments herein are shown or described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or represented using some other diagram, it will be understood that the blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controllers, or other computing devices, or any combination thereof, as non-limiting examples.

[0236]

[0250] For example, exemplary embodiments herein may be described in the context of machine-executable instructions or computer-executable instructions. Machine-executable instructions are program modules that execute on a device, such as a target real or virtual processor. Typically, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data structures. In various exemplary embodiments, the functionality of the program modules may be combined or split among the illustrated program modules. The machine-executable instructions of a program module may be executed in a local or distributed device. In a distributed device, the program modules may be located in both local and remote storage media.

[0237]

[0251] The computer program code used to implement the methods disclosed herein may be written in one or more programming languages. The computer program code may be provided for a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, such that, when the program code is executed on the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, the functions / acts specified in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams are performed. The program code may run entirely on the computer, partially on the computer, as a separate software package, partially on the computer and partially on a remote computer, or entirely on a remote computer or server.

[0238]

[0252] In the present context, a machine-readable medium or computer-readable medium may be any tangible medium that contains or stores a program for, or has associated therewith, an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. A machine-readable medium may be a machine-readable signal medium or a machine-readable storage medium. A machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination thereof. More specific examples of machine-readable storage media include an electrical connection with one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination thereof.

[0239]

[0253] Furthermore, although operations are described in a particular order, this should not be construed as requiring such operations to be completed in the particular order shown, or in any sequential order, or as performing all of the described operations to achieve desired results. In some cases, multitasking or parallel processing may be beneficial. Similarly, while the above discussion includes specific implementation details, this should not be construed as limiting the scope of any invention or claims, but rather as a description of particular exemplary embodiments that may be specific to particular inventions. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate exemplary embodiments may also be combined in a single exemplary embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single exemplary embodiment may also be implemented separately in multiple exemplary embodiments or in any suitable subcombination.

[0240]

[0254] Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not limited to the specific features and acts. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. 1. A method of communication comprising: A method comprising: an access device transmitting ultra-high throughput EHT operation parameters to a station device, the EHT operation parameters including an indicator indicating a packet-extended PE period, a first value of the indicator indicating that the PE period is 16 μs or 20 μs, and a second value of the indicator indicating that the PE period is a period specified by high-efficiency HE operation parameters.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the PE period is used for packet expansion of a trigger-based physical layer protocol data unit (TB PPDU) triggered by a trigger response scheduling (TRS).

3. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicator is a single bit, the first value is 1, and the second value is 0.

4. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein a Default PE Duration subfield of the HE operating parameters includes 3 bits; when the value of the Default PE Duration subfield is 0 to 4, the Default PE Duration subfield corresponds to preset PE durations of 0 μs, 4 μs, 8 μs, 12 μs, and 16 μs, respectively; and values ​​5 to 7 of the Default PE Duration subfield are reserved values.

5. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first value of the indicator indicates that the PE period is 16 μs or 20 μs, the method further comprising: A method comprising: the access device transmitting a first PPDU to the station device, the first PPDU carrying indication information, the indication information indicating bandwidth information of the first PPDU, and the indication information being used to determine the PE period.

6. 1. A method of communication comprising: receiving, by a station device, very high throughput EHT operation parameters from an access device, the EHT operation parameters including an indicator indicating a packet extended PE period, a first value of the indicator indicating that the PE period is 16 μs or 20 μs, and a second value of the indicator indicating that the PE period is a period specified by high efficiency HE operation parameters; and the station device determining the PE period based on the EHT operating parameters; A method comprising:

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the PE period is used for packet expansion of a trigger-based physical layer protocol data unit (TB PPDU) triggered by a trigger response scheduling (TRS).

8. 8. The method of claim 6 or 7, wherein the indicator is a bit, the first value is 1, and the second value is 0.

9. 9. The method of claim 6, wherein a Default PE Duration subfield of the HE operating parameters includes 3 bits; when the value of the Default PE Duration subfield is 0 to 4, the Default PE Duration subfield corresponds to preset PE durations of 0 μs, 4 μs, 8 μs, 12 μs, and 16 μs, respectively; and values ​​5 to 7 of the Default PE Duration subfield are reserved values.

10. 10. The method of claim 6, wherein the first value of the indicator indicates that the PE period is 16 μs or 20 μs, the method further comprising: receiving, by the station device, a first PPDU from the access device, the first PPDU carrying indication information, the indication information indicating bandwidth information of the first PPDU; and If the bandwidth of the first PPDU is greater than a first threshold, the station device determines that the PE period is 20 μs; or If the bandwidth of the first PPDU is less than or equal to a first threshold, the station device determines that the PE period is 16 μs; A method comprising:

11. 1. A communication device, the communication device comprising:

1. A communications device comprising: a transceiver unit configured to transmit very high throughput EHT operation parameters, the EHT operation parameters including an indicator indicating a packet-extended PE period, a first value of the indicator indicating that the PE period is 16 μs or 20 μs, and a second value of the indicator indicating that the PE period is a period specified by high-efficiency HE operation parameters.

12. 12. The communication device according to claim 11, wherein the PE period is used for packet expansion of a trigger-based physical layer protocol data unit (TB PPDU) triggered by a trigger response scheduling (TRS).

13. 13. A communication device according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the indicator is one bit, the first value is one, and the second value is zero.

14. 14. A communication device according to claim 11, wherein the Default PE Duration subfield of the HE operation parameters includes 3 bits; when the value of the Default PE Duration subfield is 0 to 4, the Default PE Duration subfield corresponds to pre-set PE durations of 0 μs, 4 μs, 8 μs, 12 μs, and 16 μs, respectively; and values ​​5 to 7 of the Default PE Duration subfield are reserved values.

15. 15. The communication device of claim 11, wherein the first value of the indicator indicates that the PE period is 16 μs or 20 μs, and the transceiver unit is further configured to transmit a first PPDU, the first PPDU carrying indication information, the indication information indicating bandwidth information of the first PPDU, and the indication information being used to determine the PE period.

16. 1. A communication device, the communication device comprising: a transceiver unit configured to receive very high throughput EHT operation parameters, the EHT operation parameters including an indicator indicating a packet extended PE period, a first value of the indicator indicating that the PE period is 16 μs or 20 μs, and a second value of the indicator indicating that the PE period is a period specified by high efficiency HE operation parameters; and a determining unit configured to determine the PE period based on the EHT operating parameters; A communication device comprising:

17. 17. The communication device of claim 16, wherein the PE period is used for packet expansion of a trigger-based physical layer protocol data unit (TB PPDU) triggered by a trigger response scheduling (TRS).

18. 18. A communication device according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the indicator is one bit, the first value is one, and the second value is zero.

19. 19. A communication device according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein a Default PE Duration subfield of the HE operating parameters includes 3 bits; when the value of the Default PE Duration subfield is 0 to 4, the Default PE Duration subfield corresponds to pre-set PE durations of 0 μs, 4 μs, 8 μs, 12 μs, and 16 μs, respectively; and values ​​5 to 7 of the Default PE Duration subfield are reserved values.

20. 20. The communication device according to claim 16, wherein the first value of the indicator indicates that the PE period is 16 μs or 20 μs; the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a first PPDU, the first PPDU carrying indication information, the indication information indicating bandwidth information of the first PPDU; If the bandwidth of the first PPDU is greater than a first threshold, the determining unit is further configured to determine that the PE period is 20 μs; or If the bandwidth of the first PPDU is less than or equal to a first threshold, the determining unit is further configured to determine that the PE period is 16 μs.

21. 1. A communications device comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory containing computer program code; wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to operate together with the at least one processor to enable the communication device to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 10.

22. 11. A computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 10.

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