Multi-link communication method and multi-link device

Abstract

The embodiment of the present application provides a multi-link communication method and a multi-link device. The multi-link device receives a first A-MPDU and a second A-MPDU via a first link and a second link, respectively, the first A-MPDU and the second A-MPDU have the same traffic identifier, and the first A-MPDU is received before the second A-MPDU. The method includes: the multi-link device determines a start sequence number or an end sequence number of a scoreboard on the first link based on the first A-MPDU received via the second link, the multi-link device transmits a first block acknowledgement frame via the first link based on the start sequence number or the end sequence number of a scoreboard on the first link and the received second A-MPDU, and the first block acknowledgement frame is used to acknowledge a reception status of the second A-MPDU. According to the method of the present application, a receiving device of a different link can correctly feed back a reception status of all MPDUs in a received A-MPDU.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] [Technical field] TECHNICAL FIELD Embodiments of the present application relate to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a multi-link communication method and a multi-link device. [Background technology]

[0002] With the development of wireless technology, a multi-link device can support multi-link communication, for example, simultaneously communicate in frequency bands of 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz, and select an optimal frequency band to ensure the communication quality of the multi-link device.

[0003] In a multi-link communication scenario, an access point multi-link device can transmit data packets corresponding to the same traffic identifier to a station multi-link device along multiple links. If the station of each link maintains a local scoreboard, the existing block acknowledgement mechanism may not allow the stations of different links to correctly feedback the reception status of all MPDUs in a received aggregated medium access control protocol data unit (A-MPDU).

[0004] Therefore, in a multi-link communication scenario, how to ensure that receiving devices of different links can correctly feedback the receiving status of all MPDUs in the received A-MPDU is currently a technical problem that needs to be urgently solved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The embodiments of the present application provide a multi-link communication method and a multi-link device. In a multi-link communication scenario, when a data transmitting end transmits multiple A-MPDUs corresponding to the same TID along multiple links to a data receiving end, receiving devices of different links can correctly feedback the reception status of all MPDUs of the received A-MPDU.

[0006] According to a first aspect, there is provided a multi-link communication method, the multi-link device receiving a second aggregate medium access control protocol data unit (A-MPDU) via a first link and a first A-MPDU via a second link, the first A-MPDU and the second A-MPDU having the same traffic identifier, the first A-MPDU being received before the second A-MPDU, the method including: the multi-link device determining a start sequence number or an end sequence number of a scoreboard on the first link based on the first A-MPDU received via the second link; The multi-link device transmits a first block acknowledgment frame via the first link based on the starting sequence number or the ending sequence number of a scoreboard on the first link and the received second A-MPDU, and the first block acknowledgment frame is used to acknowledge the reception status of the second A-MPDU.

[0007] According to the above-mentioned method, in an embodiment of the present application, in a multi-link communication scenario, when a data transmitting end transmits multiple A-MPDUs corresponding to the same TID along multiple links to a data receiving end, receiving devices of different links can correctly feed back the reception status of all MPDUs of the received A-MPDU.

[0008] Specifically, in this embodiment of the present application, the scoreboard of the first receiving device remains synchronized with the scoreboards of the receiving devices of other links without using information in the reorder buffer, so that the first receiving device can process the received A-MPDU according to the existing scoreboard context update rules and correctly record the reception status of all MPDUs in the A-MPDU based on the newly determined starting sequence number or ending sequence number of the scoreboard, and no information will be reported erroneously.

[0009] Referring to the first aspect, in some possible implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: the multilink device determines a start sequence number or an end sequence number of a scoreboard on the second link based on the first A-MPDU received via the second link; The multi-link device transmits a second block acknowledgment frame via the second link based on the starting sequence number or the ending sequence number of a scoreboard on the second link and the received first A-MPDU, and the second block acknowledgment frame is used to acknowledge the reception status of the first A-MPDU.

[0010] With reference to the first aspect, in some possible implementations of the first aspect, a window size of a scoreboard on the first link is the same as a window size of a scoreboard on the second link.

[0011] Referring to the first aspect, in some possible implementations of the first aspect, the multilink device includes a first receiving device on the first link and a second receiving device on the second link, and the multilink device determining a starting sequence number or an ending sequence number of a scoreboard on the first link based on the first A-MPDU received on the second link includes: The first receiving device determines a start sequence number or an end sequence number of the scoreboard of the first receiving device based on the start sequence number or the end sequence number of the scoreboard of the second receiving device, and the start sequence number or the end sequence number of the scoreboard of the second receiving device corresponds to the first A-MPDU.

[0012] Since the first receiving device obtains the updated start sequence number or end sequence number of the scoreboard of the second receiving device (or the second receiving device synchronizes with the scoreboard of the first receiving device), in this embodiment of the present application, the scoreboard of the first receiving device can be synchronized with the scoreboard of the second receiving device. Thus, in this embodiment of the present application, the first receiving device can process the received A-MPDU according to the existing scoreboard context control update rule, and correctly record the reception status of all MPDUs in the A-MPDU based on the newly determined start sequence number or end sequence number of the scoreboard, and the information will not be erroneously reported.

[0013] Referring to the first aspect, in some possible implementations of the first aspect, the multilink device includes a first receiving device on the first link and a second receiving device on the second link, and the multilink device determining a starting sequence number or an ending sequence number of a scoreboard on the first link based on the first A-MPDU received on the second link includes: The first receiving device determines a start sequence number or an end sequence number of the scoreboard of the first receiving device based on a start sequence number or an end sequence number of the common scoreboard of the multi-link device, and the start sequence number or the end sequence number of the common scoreboard of the multi-link device is determined based on the first A-MPDU.

[0014] Since the second receiving device records the updated start sequence number or end sequence number of the scoreboard in the common scoreboard, the first receiving device can synchronize with the scoreboard of the first receiving device by obtaining the start sequence number or end sequence number of the common scoreboard. Thus, in this embodiment of the present application, the first receiving device can process the received A-MPDU according to the existing scoreboard context update rule, and correctly record the reception status of all MPDUs in the A-MPDU based on the newly determined start sequence number or end sequence number of the scoreboard, and information will not be erroneously reported.

[0015] Referring to the first aspect, in some possible implementations of the first aspect, the multilink device includes a first receiving device on the first link and a second receiving device on the second link, and the multilink device determining a starting sequence number or an ending sequence number of a scoreboard on the first link based on the first A-MPDU received via the second link includes: The first receiving device receives a starting sequence number transmitted by a transmitting device on the first link, the starting sequence number is combined with the first A-MPDU, and the first receiving device determines a starting sequence number or an ending sequence number of the scoreboard of the first receiving device based on the starting sequence number.

[0016] According to the above-mentioned technical solution, in this embodiment of the present application, the first receiving device can update or synchronize the start sequence number or end sequence number of the scoreboard of the first receiving device by receiving the start sequence number sent by the first transmitting device, so that the received A-MPDU can be processed according to the scoreboard context update rule, and the reception status of all MPDUs in the A-MPDU can be correctly recorded based on the newly determined start sequence number or end sequence number of the scoreboard, and information will not be reported erroneously.

[0017] Referring to the first aspect, in some possible implementations of the first aspect, the starting sequence number is conveyed in an additional block acknowledgement request frame or a block acknowledgement request frame.

[0018] With reference to the first aspect, in some possible implementations of the first aspect, the multilink device includes a second receiving device on the second link, and the method further includes: the multilink device transmits indication information over the second link, the indication information indicating that the second receiving device is unable to synchronize with a starting sequence number or an ending sequence number of a scoreboard of any of the receiving devices of any link.

[0019] According to the above-mentioned technical solution, in this embodiment of the present application, the first receiving device can update or synchronize the start sequence number or end sequence number of the scoreboard of the first receiving device by receiving the start sequence number sent by the first transmitting device, so that the received A-MPDU can be processed according to the scoreboard context update rule, and the reception status of all MPDUs in the A-MPDU can be correctly recorded based on the newly determined start sequence number or end sequence number of the scoreboard, and information will not be reported erroneously.

[0020] With reference to the first aspect, in some possible implementations of the first aspect, the first block acknowledgement frame of the first A-MPDU is transmitted before the second A-MPDU is received.

[0021] According to a second aspect, there is provided a multi-link device, the multi-link device receiving a second aggregate medium access control protocol data unit (A-MPDU) via a first link and a first A-MPDU via a second link, the first A-MPDU and the second A-MPDU having the same traffic identifier, and the first A-MPDU being received before the second A-MPDU. The processing unit is configured to determine a start sequence number or an end sequence number of a scoreboard on the first link based on the first A-MPDU received via the second link, and the processing unit determines a start sequence number or an end sequence number of a scoreboard on the first link based on the start sequence number or the end sequence number of a scoreboard on the first link and the received second A-MPDU. block a processing unit further configured to determine an acknowledgement frame, the first block acknowledgement frame being used to acknowledge a reception status of the second A-MPDU; a transceiver unit configured to transmit the first block acknowledgement frame over the first link; Includes.

[0022] Regarding the second aspect, in some possible embodiments of the second aspect, the processing unit is configured to determine a starting sequence number or an ending sequence number of a scoreboard on the second link based on the first A-MPDU received via the second link. The processing unit is configured to determine a second block acknowledgement frame based on the starting sequence number or the ending sequence number of a scoreboard on the second link and the received first A-MPDU, the second block acknowledgement frame being used to acknowledge a reception status of the first A-MPDU. The transceiver unit is configured to transmit the second block acknowledgement frame via the second link.

[0023] Referring to the second aspect, in some possible implementations of the second aspect, a window size of the scoreboard on the first link is the same as a window size of the scoreboard on the second link.

[0024] With reference to the second aspect, in some possible implementations of the second aspect, the multilink device includes a first communication device on the first link and a second communication device on the second link, the first communication device includes a processing module configured to determine a start sequence number or an end sequence number of a scoreboard of the first communication device based on a start sequence number or an end sequence number of a scoreboard of the second communication device, the start sequence number or the end sequence number of the scoreboard of the second communication device corresponding to the first A-MPDU.

[0025] With reference to the second aspect, in some possible implementations of the second aspect, the multilink device includes a first communication device on the first link and a second communication device on the second link, and the first communication device includes a processing module. The processing module is configured to determine a start sequence number or an end sequence number of a scoreboard of the first communication device based on a start sequence number or an end sequence number of a common scoreboard of the multilink device. The start sequence number or the end sequence number of the common scoreboard of the multilink device corresponds to the first A-MPDU.

[0026] With reference to the second aspect, in some possible implementations of the second aspect, the multi-link device includes a first communication device on the first link and a second communication device on the second link, the first communication device including a processing module and a transceiver module. The transceiver module is configured to receive a starting sequence number transmitted by a transmitting device on the first link, the starting sequence number being combined with the first A-MPDU. The processing module is configured to determine a starting sequence number or an ending sequence number of a scoreboard of the first communication device based on the starting sequence number. The starting sequence number is combined with the first A-MPDU.

[0027] Referring to the second aspect, in some possible implementations of the second aspect, the starting sequence number is conveyed in an additional block acknowledgement request frame or a block acknowledgement request frame.

[0028] Referring to the second aspect, in some possible implementations of the second aspect, the multilink device includes a second communication device on the second link, and the transceiver unit transmits indication information over the second link, the indication information indicating that the second communication device is unable to synchronize with a starting sequence number or an ending sequence number of a scoreboard of a communication device of any link.

[0029] With reference to the second aspect, in some possible implementations of the second aspect, the first block acknowledgement frame of the first A-MPDU is transmitted before the second A-MPDU is received.

[0030] According to a third aspect, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium storing program instructions which, when executed by a computer, enable the computer to perform the method of the first aspect and any one of the possible implementations of the first aspect.

[0031] According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to perform the method of the first aspect and any one of the possible implementations of the first aspect. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0033] [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an association relationship between multi-link devices according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0034] [Diagram 3]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a scoreboard context control operation according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0035] [Figure 4] 2 is a schematic diagram of a receiving device receiving and feeding back an aggregated medium access control protocol data unit according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0036] [Diagram 5] 1 is a schematic flowchart of a multi-link communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0037] [Figure 6] 4 is a schematic flowchart of yet another multi-link communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0038] [Figure 7] 4 is a schematic flowchart of another multi-link communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0039] [Figure 8A] 4 is a schematic flowchart of yet another multi-link communication method according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 8B] 4 is a schematic flowchart of yet another multi-link communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0040] [Figure 9] 2 is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of indication information according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0041] [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a multi-link device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0042] [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of another multi-link device according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0043] The following describes the technical solutions of the embodiments in this application with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0044] The technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application is applicable to a wireless local area network (WLAN) scenario. For example, the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application is applicable to IEEE 802.11 system standards, such as 802.11a / b / g standard, 802.11n standard, 802.11ac standard, 802.11ax standard, or next-generation standards, such as 802.11be standard or further next-generation standards.

[0045] The technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application is applicable to a wireless local area network (WLAN) scenario. For example, the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application is applicable to IEEE 802.11 system standards, such as 802.11a / b / g standard, 802.11n standard, 802.11ac standard, 802.11ax standard, or next-generation standards, such as 802.11be standard or further next-generation standards.

[0046] Although the embodiments of the present application are mainly described using an example in which a WLAN network, particularly a network to which the IEEE 802.11 system standard is applied, those skilled in the art will easily understand that various aspects of the embodiments of the present application can be extended to other networks using various standards or protocols, such as Bluetooth, high performance radio local area network (HIPERLAN), wide area network (WAN), personal area network (PAN), and other networks known or developed in the future. Therefore, regardless of the coverage area and wireless access protocol used, various aspects provided in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to any suitable wireless network.

[0047] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application are applicable to various communication systems, such as global system for mobile communications (GSM), code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) systems, general packet radio service (GPRS), long term evolution (LTE) systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems, universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication systems, fifth generation (5G) systems or new radio (NR) systems, sixth generation (6G) systems, and internet of things (IoT) networks or vehicle to X, The present invention may further be applied to wireless local area network systems such as vehicle-to-everything (V2X).

[0048] The above communication systems used in this application are merely illustrative examples and are not limiting. A unified description is provided here, and the details will not be described again below.

[0049] The terminal in the embodiment of the present application may be a user equipment (UE), an access terminal, a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a user terminal, a terminal, a wireless communication device, a user agent, or a user equipment. The terminal may alternatively be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a Wireless Local Loop (WLL) station, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, a computing device, another processing device connected to a wireless modem, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, a terminal in a 5G network, a terminal in a future 6G network, a terminal in a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), etc. This is not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0050] The network device in the embodiment of the present application may be a device configured to communicate with a terminal. The network device may be a Base Transceiver Station (BTS) in a Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) or Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system, or a NodeB (NodeB, NB) in a Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) system, or an evolved NodeB (eNB or eNodeB) in an LTE system, or a radio controller in a Cloud Radio Access Network (CRAN) scenario. Alternatively, the network device may be a relay station, an access point, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, a network device in a 5G network, a terminal in a future 6G network, a network device in a PLMN network, etc. This is not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0051] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario according to the present application. In Fig. 1, an access point (AP) may be a communication server, a router, or a switch, or any of the above network devices. A station (STA) may be a mobile phone or a computer, or any of the above terminals. This is not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0052] It should be understood that the technical solution in the embodiment of the present application is applicable to the communication between an AP and one or more STAs, applicable to the intercommunication between APs, and applicable to the intercommunication between STAs. For ease of explanation, the embodiment of the present application is described using an example in which an AP simply communicates with one or more STAs. However, this description method does not limit the actual scope of application of the technical solution in the embodiment of the present application. A unified description is provided here, and the details will not be described again below.

[0053] The access point may be an access point used by a terminal (e.g., a mobile phone) to access a wired (or wireless) network, and is mainly deployed in a home, a building, or a campus. The typical coverage radius is several tens of meters or more than 100 meters. Of course, alternatively, the access point may be deployed outdoors. The access point is equivalent to a bridge connecting a wired network and a wireless network. The main function of the access point is to connect various wireless network clients and connect the wireless network to Ethernet. Specifically, the access point may be a terminal (e.g., a mobile phone) or a network device (e.g., a router) equipped with a Wi-Fi chip. The access point may be a device supporting the 802.11be standard. Alternatively, the access point may be a device supporting multiple WLAN standards of the 802.11 family, such as 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, and the next generation 802.11be. The access points of this application may be HE APs or EHT APs, or may be access points applicable to future generation Wi-Fi standards.

[0054] The station may be a wireless communication chip, a wireless sensor, a wireless communication terminal, etc., and may also be referred to as a user. For example, the station may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a set-top box, a smart television set, a smart wearable device, an in-vehicle communication device, a computer, etc., that supports Wi-Fi communication functions. Optionally, the station may support the 802.11be standard. Alternatively, the station may support the 802.11 family of WLAN standards, such as 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, and the next generation 802.11be.

[0055] For example, the access points and stations may be Internet of Vehicles, Internet of Things nodes or the like in the Internet of Things (IoT), smart cameras, smart remote controls, smart water or electricity meters or the like in a smart home, sensors in a smart city, etc.

[0056] The wireless communication system provided in the embodiment of the present application may be a WLAN or a cellular network. The method may be implemented by a communication device in the wireless communication system or a chip or processor in the communication device. The communication device may be a wireless communication device that supports parallel transmission of multiple links, for example, a multi-link device (MLD). Compared with a device that only supports single-link transmission, the multi-link device has high transmission efficiency and high throughput. The multi-link device includes one or more affiliated stations STAs. An affiliated STA is a logical station and may operate on one link. An affiliated STA may be an AP or a non-AP STA. For ease of explanation, in this application, a multi-link device with an AP as an affiliated station may be referred to as a multi-link AP, a multi-link AP device, or an AP multi-link device (AP MLD). A multi-link device with an affiliated station as a non-AP STA may be referred to as a multi-link STA, a multi-link STA device, or an STA multi-link device (non-AP MLD).

[0057] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the association relationship between multi-link devices according to an embodiment of the present application. The AP MLD shown in FIG. 2 can include multiple APs, and the STA MLD can include multiple STAs. When the AP MLD needs to communicate with the STA MLD, each AP in the AP MLD needs to be associated with the corresponding STA in the STA MLD. As shown in FIG. 2, AP1 in the AP MLD is associated with STA1 in the STA MLD and operates on link 1. AP2 in the AP MLD is associated with STA2 in the STA MLD and operates on link 2. APn in the AP MLD is associated with STAn in the STA MLD and operates on link n. In this way, each AP in the AP MLD can establish a connection to the corresponding STA in the STA MLD on each link, and perform multi-link communication between the two MLDs.

[0058] In order to better understand the technical solutions disclosed in the embodiments of the present application, the following briefly describes some technical terms in the embodiments of the present application.

[0059] First, block acknowledgment (BA) mechanism It is.

[0060] The 802.11n protocol defines a BA mechanism, which aggregates multiple "acknowledgments" into one frame to improve channel efficiency.

[0061] The BA mechanism is initiated by exchanging an add block acknowledgement (ADDBA) request frame and an ADDBA response frame. For example, a data transmitting end (originating end) (hereinafter abbreviated as "transmitting end") sends an ADDBA request frame to a data receiving end (receiving end) (hereinafter abbreviated as "receiving end"), and the receiving end returns an ADDBA response frame to the transmitting end. Through the above procedure, a BA mechanism (or "BA session") is successfully established between the transmitting end and the receiving end. Next, the transmitting end sends multiple media access control protocol data units (mac protocol data units, MPDUs) to the receiving end. The multiple MPDUs sent by the transmitting end to the receiving end are aggregated into one aggregated media access control protocol data unit (A-MPDU). The transmitting end sends a BA request (BAR) frame to the receiving end. The receiving end returns a BA frame to the transmitting end to acknowledge the reception status of all MPDUs in the A-MPDU sent by the transmitting end.

[0062] In the aggregation procedure, the sender determines a window, i.e., (WinStart O , WinSize O ) to control the amount of MPDUs included in one A-MPDU. One A-MPDU includes a maximum of 1024 MPDUs. However, the maximum amount of MPDUs included in one A-MPDU may be changed according to future standards.

[0063] Currently, there are two BA mechanisms: full-state BA mechanism and partial-state BA mechanism. The former needs to maintain the scoreboard state for the entire BA session, which means that the receiving end needs to maintain all active BA session states, increasing the load on the receiving end. The latter only needs to buffer the most recently active BA session states, which means that the BA session The memory used to store the state can be reused by different BA sessions, implementing backward compatibility with the full-state BA mechanism.

[0064] The second is the scoreboard context control behavior.

[0065] A receiver implementing the full-state operation of the high throughput immediate block ack agreement (this can be a non-AP in a downlink scenario or an AP in an uplink scenario) needs to understand that it maintains the block acknowledgment record (BA record) of the protocol according to the following rules:

[0066] The receiver maintains one block acknowledgment record, which consists of a bitmap indexed by sequence number, a 12-bit unsigned integer starting sequence number, WinStart, which is used to indicate the minimum sequence number position in the bitmap. R ,WinEnd, which is used to indicate the maximum sequence number in the current send window. R , the maximum window size, i.e. WinSize, set to the small value of the bitmap length (802.11ax protocol) R , the buffer size field of the ADDBA response frame for establishing the block acknowledgment protocol.

[0067] For ease of explanation, in the present embodiment, the scoreboard of the receiving device is based on three parameters: WinStart R , WinSize R , and WinEnd R The example defined by WinStart is used for illustration. R indicates the starting sequence number of the scorecard, and WinSize Rindicates the scorecard window size, and WinEnd R indicates the ending sequence number of the scorecard.

[0068] After receiving the A-MPDU sent by the transmitting end, the receiving end performs de-aggregation control on the A-MPDU to obtain multiple MPDUs. Each MPDU in the A-MPDU has a sequence number (SN), and the SN indicates the sequence of each MPDU in the A-MPDU. Specifically, when fragmentation and reassembly are not used, the SN is the value of the sequence number subfield of the received data frame. When fragmentation and reassembly are used, the SN is the value of the MPDU sequence number subfield of the received data frame.

[0069] The receiving end performs a scoreboard context control operation for each MPDU, delivers the received MPDU to a receive reordering buffer after scoring, sorts the MPDUs according to the SN sequence, and delivers the correctly received MPDU to the upper layer. If an incorrectly received MPDU appears during the reordering process, the SN corresponding to the MPDU is set to WinStart B For MPDUs after SN, the receiving end can deliver the MPDU and the correctly received MPDUs to the upper layer only after receiving the MPDU corresponding to SN.

[0070] 3 is a schematic diagram of a scoreboard context control operation according to an embodiment of the present application, the details of which are shown in FIG.

[0071] For example, the receiving end de-aggregates one A-MPDU and obtains four MPDUs whose SNs are 102, 103, 105 and 100, respectively. The receiving end marks the bit position corresponding to the SN in the scoreboard with 1, where "1" indicates that the MPDU corresponding to the SN is correctly received, forms a bitmap based on the score result, and places the bitmap in a BA frame as an acknowledgment of the corresponding A-MPDU. In FIG. 3, the WinStart R =98, WinSize R =11, and WinEnd R =109.

[0072] It is important to understand that a sequence number space can contain 4096 SNs, and that the scoreboard window may move within the sequence number space.

[0073] Once the BA session is established, the scoreboard is initialized. WinStart R The SSN can be set to the start sequence number (SSN) provided by the ADDBA request frame. When an MPDU arrives, if the SN of the MPDU is within the interval indicated by the scoreboard, the receiving end uses the SN to index the scoreboard and record that the MPDU was received correctly. If the SN is outside the space indicated by the scoreboard but R From WinStart R +2 11 (within half of the sequence number space), the receiving end moves the scorecard's window to the right until the new SN is included in the rightmost edge of the scorecard's window (this can be understood as follows: the receiving end moves to the WinEnd R Change it to WinEnd R (The WinStart Ris made equal to the SSN provided by the BAR frame, and a BA frame is returned conveying the recorded contents of the scoreboard.

[0074] Specifically, upon receiving an MPDU carrying an SN, the receiving end checks whether the MPDU has a scoreboard record for the corresponding BA session. A BA session is identified by a transmitter address (TA) and a TID. If there is no scoreboard record, the receiving end can create a scoreboard for the BA session and reuse the memory of another session. If there is a scoreboard record, the receiving end can use the following three cases (which can be understood as scoreboard context control rules) to decide whether the scoreboard window needs to be moved (for details, see standard chapter number 802.11 REVme_D1.010.25.6 HT-immediate block ack extensions):

number

[0075] In the first case, the receiving end marks the bit position corresponding to the SN with a 1 to indicate that the MPDU has been correctly received. Reception The end moves the scoreboard window to the right so that the rightmost edge of the scoreboard window contains SN, and WinEnd R Mark all bit positions between and the SN of the MPDU as "0" and add the SN of the MPDU to the WinEnd R In the third case, the receiving end does not perform any operation, that is, does not feed back the receiving status of the MPDU.

[0076] In the multi-link communication scenario shown in FIG. 2, it should be understood that each link maintains its own scoreboard context control. This can be understood as each receiving device having a scoreboard context control. For ease of explanation, in the following, the scoreboard context control of each receiving device is collectively referred to as the scoreboard of the receiving device, and there is a common scoreboard of the MLD. The receiving device of each link uses its own scoreboard context control to feedback the reception status of the MPDU received by the receiving device. The common scoreboard can be used to record parameter information of the scoreboards of other receiving devices, for example, the start sequence number and / or end sequence number of the scoreboard of each receiving device, or information recording the scoreboards of all receiving devices. In this embodiment of the present application, the common scoreboard is maintained by some or all receiving devices of the MLD, and each receiving device can record information about the scoreboard of the receiving device in the common scoreboard.

[0077] In the multi-link communication scenario shown in Figure 2, the AP MLD can transmit multiple A-MPDUs corresponding to the same TID to the STA MLD along multiple links, which may cause the receiving device (the receiving device is the STA in the downlink scenario, and the receiving device is the AP in the uplink scenario) to be unable to correctly feedback the reception status of all MPDUs in the received A-MPDU.

[0078] For example, the same TID corresponds to four A-MPDUs, and the aggregate length of each A-MPDU is 1024, in other words, each A-MPDU contains 1024 MPDUs, and the acknowledgement policy of each A-MPDU is immediate block acknowledgement. The first STA receives the first A-MPDU, the second STA receives the second A-MPDU and the third A-MPDU, and the first STA receives the fourth A-MPDU. The SN of the first A-MPDU is from 0 to 1023, the SN of the second A-MPDU is from 1024 to 2047, the SN of the third A-MPDU is from 2048 to 3071, and the SN of the fourth A-MPDU is from 3072 to 4095. After the first STA transmits the BA frame corresponding to the first A-MPDU, the WinStart of the scoreboard of the first STA R is equal to 0, and WinEnd R The SN of the 4th A-MPDU is 3072 to 4095, and the SN is equal to 3072. R (1023) and in the range of 0+2048≦SN<0. This makes it impossible for the first STA to correctly feed back the reception status of all MPDUs in the 4A-MPDU. For details, see FIG. 4A.

[0079] Alternatively, the same TID corresponds to 5 A-MPDUs, the aggregate length of each A-MPDU is 1024, and the acknowledgement policy of each A-MPDU is immediate block acknowledgement. The first STA receives the first A-MPDU, the second STA receives the second A-MPDU, the third A-MPDU, and the fourth A-MPDU, and the first STA receives the fifth A-MPDU. The SN of the first A-MPDU is 0 to 1023, the SN of the second A-MPDU is 1024 to 2047, the SN of the third A-MPDU is 2048 to 3071, the SN corresponding to the fourth A-MPDU is 3072 to 4095, and the SN of the fifth A-MPDU is 0 to 1023. After the first STA transmits the BA frame corresponding to the first A-MPDU, the WinStart of the scoreboard of the first STA R is equal to 0, and WinEnd Ris equal to 1023. If all MPDUs in the 1A-MPDU are received successfully, the SN of the 5A-MPDU remains from 0 to 1023, and the SN of the 5A-MPDU actually belongs to a new record cycle. If the first STA records the reception status of all MPDUs in the 1A-MPDU, and all MPDUs are received successfully, the corresponding bit positions of the scoreboard of the first STA are all 1. Some MPDUs in the 5A-MPDU are received erroneously. Because the bit position records of the BA corresponding to the SNs of some MPDUs are still 1, the first STA cannot correctly feed back some MPDUs that are received erroneously. For details, refer to FIG. 4B.

[0080] 4 is a schematic diagram of a receiving device receiving and feeding back an aggregated medium access control protocol data unit according to an embodiment of the present application. For specific content, please refer to FIG. 4.

[0081] As defined in the prior art, the first STA can use the information in the reorder buffer to update the scoreboard of the first STA. The first STA receives the A-MPDU and records the reception status of the A-MPDU. If the SN of the A-MPDU is WinStart R +2 11 ≦SN <WinStart R In the range of WinStart B +2 11 ≦SN <WinStart B If the Receive reordering buffer control operation does not meet the criteria (for details, see chapter 802.11 REVme_D1.010.25.6.6 of the standard), the scoreboard of the first STA is R <SN<WinStart R +2 11The scoreboard context control update rule is maintained according to the scoreboard context control update rule that is obtained when the reorder buffer is in the range of 0. If the first STA cannot update the scoreboard of the first STA using the information in the reorder buffer, the first STA must use the partial state BA mechanism to record the buffered scoreboard at the following time, and discard the buffered scoreboard to release the occupied resources. 1) After the transmission of a BA frame, before the scoreboard context control of the next received A-MPDU belonging to the same sender and the same TID as the BA frame is processed; and 2) The scoreboard context control of the next received A-MPDU that is not sent at the end of the current TXOP and belongs to the same source and the same TID as the BA frame is processed at the end of the current transmission opportunity (TXOP) and before in the new TXOP.

[0082] However, in the conventional technology, when the first STA receives the 5th A-MPDU, the first STA cannot correctly feed back the reception status of the 5th A-MPDU. In addition, in the conventional technology, the first STA needs to have a function of updating the scoreboard context control of the first STA using the information of the reorder buffer. This increases the processing load of the station.

[0083] In view of the above technical problems, an embodiment of the present invention provides a multi-link communication method and communication device, which can ensure that in a multi-link communication scenario, when a data transmitting end transmits multiple A-MPDUs corresponding to the same TID along multiple links to the same data receiving end, receiving devices of different links can correctly feed back the reception status of all MPDUs of the received A-MPDU.

[0084] It should be noted that the technical solutions disclosed in the embodiments of the present application are applicable to uplink and downlink communication scenarios. For ease of description, in the embodiments of the present application, the receiving device is a data receiving end, and the receiving device may be an AP in the AP MLD or a STA (non-AP) in the STA MLD. In the embodiments of the present application, the transmitting device is a data transmitting end, and the transmitting device may be an AP in the AP MLD or a STA (non-AP) in the STA MLD. In addition, the first receiving device and the first transmitting device operate on the first link, and the second receiving device and the second transmitting device operate on the second link. For the first link and the second link, please refer to the above description.

[0085] It should be noted that the window of the scoreboard of the receiving device moves, which corresponds to the start sequence number and the end sequence number of the scoreboard of the receiving device changing. In the following, the two expressions are used simultaneously, but the meaning is the same. A unified explanation is provided here, and the details will not be described again below.

[0086] Even if the scoreboard window moves or the start sequence number and the end sequence number change, the receiving party basically records the reception status of all MPDUs in the received A-MPDU according to the above rule. For ease of explanation, the embodiment of the present application uses two representation methods, that is, moving the scoreboard window or changing the start sequence number and the end sequence number, but does not exclude other representation methods that are essentially the same but have different formats.

[0087] With reference to FIGS. 5 to 8B, the following describes a multi-link communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0088] 5 is a schematic flowchart of a multi-link communication method according to an embodiment of the present application, the details of which are shown in FIG.

[0089] S510: The multilink device determines the starting sequence number or the ending sequence number of the scoreboard on the first link based on the first A-MPDU received via the second link.

[0090] In addition, the multi-link device receives the 2A-MPDU via the first link and receives the 1A-MPDU via the second link. The 1A-MPDU and the 2A-MPDU have the same traffic identifier, and the 1A-MPDU is received before the 2A-MPDU. The multi-link device may be an AP MLD or a STA MLD as shown in FIG. 2. The multi-link device includes a first receiving device on the first link and a second receiving device on the second link.

[0091] Specifically, the multi-link device determines a starting sequence number or an ending sequence number of the scoreboard of the first receiving device based on the first A-MPDU received by the second receiving device, and the starting sequence number or the ending sequence number of the scoreboard of the first receiving device corresponds to the first A-MPDU received via the second link.

[0092] Note that the 1A-MPDU is transmitted by the second transmitting device of the 2nd MLD to the second receiving device of the 1st MLD along the 2nd link, and the 2A-MPDU is transmitted by the first transmitting device of the 2nd MLD to the first receiving device of the 1st MLD along the 1st link. The 1A-MPDU and the 2A-MPDU are two A-MPDUs having the same TID and transmitted by the 2nd MLD to the 1st MLD via different links.

[0093] It should be noted that the 1A-MPDU is first transmitted by the 2nd transmitting device to the 2nd receiving device, and the transmission time of the 1st BA frame of the 1A-MPDU is before the reception time of the 2nd A-MPDU. It should be understood that the reception time can be understood as the "reception start time".

[0094] Specifically, after the second receiving device receives the 1A-MPDU transmitted by the second transmitting device, the second receiving device completes recording the receiving status of all MPDUs in the 1A-MPDU according to the existing scoreboard context control operation rules.

[0095] In addition, the process in which the first receiving device determines the start sequence number or the end sequence number of the scoreboard of the first receiving device can be understood as the process in which the second receiving device synchronizes with the scoreboard of the first receiving device based on the scoreboard of the second receiving device. A specific synchronization method will be described below.

[0096] For ease of explanation, this embodiment of the present application is described using an example in which the first receiving device determines the start sequence number or end sequence number of the scoreboard of the first receiving device. However, the first receiving device determining the start sequence number or end sequence number of the scoreboard of the first receiving device can also be regarded as the second receiving device synchronizing with the start sequence number or end sequence number of the scoreboard of the first receiving device. A unified description is provided here, and details will not be described again below.

[0097] For example, in the scenario shown in Fig. 4(a), the first A-MPDU is A-MPDU3 and the second A-MPDU is A-MPDU4. If the first receiving device cannot complete the association between the start sequence number or the end sequence number in the scoreboard of the first receiving device and A-MPDU3 before receiving A-MPDU4, the first receiving device cannot correctly record the reception status of all MPDUs in A-MPDU4.

[0098] The first receiving device may obtain the start sequence number or the end sequence number of the scoreboard of the second receiving device, or may obtain the start sequence number or the end sequence number of the common scoreboard of the first MLD, or may receive the SSN transmitted from the first transmitting device, and completes the association between the start sequence number or the end sequence number of the scoreboard of the first receiving device and the 1A-MPDU. The SSN is associated with the 1A-MPDU, which will be described later.

[0099] The first receiving device and the second receiving device belong to a first MLD, and the first transmitting device and the second transmitting device belong to a second MLD.

[0100] It should be noted that the 1A-MPDU may move the window of the scoreboard of the second receiving device, ie the 1A-MPDU may change the starting sequence number or the ending sequence number of the scoreboard of the second receiving device.

[0101] In a possible implementation, the first A-MPDU does not move the window of the scoreboard of the second receiver device, but the scoreboard of the first receiver device remains synchronized with the scoreboard of the second receiver device.

[0102] S520: The multi-link device transmits a first block acknowledgment frame via the first link based on the start sequence number or end sequence number of the scoreboard on the first link and the received second A-MPDU, and acknowledges the reception status of the second A-MPDU using the first block acknowledgment frame.

[0103] Specifically, the first receiving device of the multi-link device records the reception status of all MPDUs of the second A-MPDU received by the first receiving device based on the start sequence number or end sequence number determined by the scoreboard of the first receiving device, and after recording is completed, transmits a second block acknowledgment frame to the transmitting device via the first link, and uses the second block acknowledgment frame to acknowledge the reception status of the second A-MPDU.

[0104] In addition, the first receiving device can process the second A-MPDU based on the starting sequence number or the ending sequence number determined by the scoreboard, and can correctly record the reception status of all MPDUs in the second A-MPDU.

[0105] It should be understood that the 1A-MPDU is an A-MPDU before the 2A-MPDU, or the 1A-MPDU is received before the 2A-MPDU, and the 1A-MPDU and the 2A-MPDU have the same TID. The first receiving device does not receive the 1A-MPDU, but the start sequence number or the end sequence number of the scoreboard of the first receiving device corresponds to the 1A-MPDU. In this way, the first receiving device can correctly feedback the reception status of all MPDUs of the 2A-MPDU according to the existing scoreboard context control update rule.

[0106] The window size of the scoreboard of the first receiving device is the same as the window size of the scoreboard of the second receiving device.

[0107] The first receiving device is any receiving device in the first MLD, the second receiving device is any receiving device in the first MLD, the first transmitting device is any transmitting device in the second MLD, the second transmitting device is any transmitting device in the second MLD, the first receiving device and the first transmitting device operate on a first link, and the second receiving device and the second transmitting device operate on a second link.

[0108] Alternatively, the first receiving device needs to determine the starting sequence number or the ending sequence number of the scoreboard corresponding to the first A-MPDU before receiving the second A-MPDU.

[0109] According to the above-mentioned method, in an embodiment of the present application, in a multi-link communication scenario, when a data transmitting end transmits multiple A-MPDUs corresponding to the same TID along multiple links to a data receiving end, receiving devices of different links can correctly feed back the reception status of all MPDUs of the received A-MPDU.

[0110] Specifically, in this embodiment of the present application, the scoreboard of the first receiving device remains synchronized with the scoreboards of the receiving devices of other links without using information in the reorder buffer, so that the first receiving device can process the received A-MPDU according to the existing scoreboard context update rules and correctly record the reception status of all MPDUs in the A-MPDU based on the newly determined starting sequence number or ending sequence number of the scoreboard, and no information will be reported erroneously.

[0111] In the following, the technical solution shown in FIG. 5 will be further explained with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8B.

[0112] 6 is a schematic flowchart of yet another multi-link communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. The method includes the following steps:

[0113] S610: The second transmitting device transmits the first A-MPDU to the second receiving device.

[0114] In response to this, the second receiving device receives the first A-MPDU transmitted by the second transmitting device.

[0115] The second receiving device belongs to the first MLD, and the second transmitting device belongs to the second MLD. The second receiving device and the second transmitting device operate on a second link between the first MLD and the second MLD.

[0116] In addition, the first A-MPDU may be any A-MPDU transmitted from the second transmitting device to the second receiving device, or may be one of multiple A-MPDUs transmitted from the second transmitting device to the second receiving device.

[0117] S620: The second receiving device determines a starting sequence number or an ending sequence number of the scoreboard of the second receiving device, where the starting sequence number or the ending sequence number of the scoreboard of the second receiving device corresponds to the first A-MPDU.

[0118] Specifically, the second receiving device receives the first A-MPDU and de-aggregates the first A-MPDU to obtain a plurality of MPDUs, each of which has an SN. The second receiving device performs scoreboard context control operations on the MPDUs. The SNs of the MPDUs are the same as those of the WinStart R <<SN<>WinEnd R , the window of the scoreboard of the second receiving device does not need to be moved, and the second receiving device only needs to maintain the scoreboard of the second receiving device according to the first rule of the scoreboard context control update rule. R <SN<WinStart R +2 11 , the window of the scoreboard of the second receiving device will move gradually in the receiving process until the receiving status of all MPDUs of the first A-MPDU is recorded.

[0119] Furthermore, the start sequence number or end sequence number of the scoreboard of the second receiving device corresponds to the 1A-MPDU, which indicates that the scoreboard of the second receiving device can correctly record the reception status of all MPDUs of the 1A-MPDU.

[0120] In addition, the correspondence between the start sequence number or the end sequence number of the scoreboard of the second receiving device and the 1A-MPDU can be understood as follows: if the SN of all MPDUs in the 1A-MPDU is WinEnd R <SN<WinStart R +2 11 Therefore, the second receiving device can correctly record the receiving status of all MPDUs of the 1A-MPDU.

[0121] It should be understood that the window size of the scoreboard of the second receiving device can cover all MPDUs contained in one A-MPDU, so the end sequence number of the scoreboard of the second receiving device is equal to the SN of the last MPDU of the first A-MPDU, and there is no limitation as to whether the start sequence number of the scoreboard of the second receiving device needs to be equal to the SN of the first MPDU of the first A-MPDU.

[0122] Optionally, the second receiving device transmits a first block acknowledgement frame to the second transmitting device, where the first block acknowledgement frame is used to acknowledge the receiving status of the first A-MPDU.

[0123] S630: The second receiving device transmits the starting sequence number or the ending sequence number of the scoreboard of the second receiving device to the first receiving device.

[0124] In response, the first receiving device receives the starting sequence number or the ending sequence number of the scoreboard of the second receiving device transmitted by the second receiving device.

[0125] For example, the 1A-MPDU may move the window of the scoreboard of the second receiving device, i.e., the 1A-MPDU may change the start sequence number or the end sequence number of the scoreboard of the second receiving device. Of course, the window of the scoreboard of the second receiving device does not have to be moved.

[0126] For example, before the first A-MPDU is received, the WinStart R is SN#A, WinEnd R After the first A-MPDU is received, the WinStart R is SN#C, WinEnd R is SN#D. SN#C is greater than SN#A, and SN#D is greater than SN#B. Therefore, the first A-MPDU moves the window of the scoreboard of the second receiving device.

[0127] In another example, the SN of the first A-MPDU is between 1024 and 2047. Before the first A-MPDU is received, the WinStart R is equal to 0, and WinEnd R The first A-MPDU moves or changes the window of the scoreboard of the second receiving device. For example, after the first A-MPDU is received, the WinStart R is equal to 1024, and WinEnd R is equal to 2047.

[0128] In addition, since the first A-MPDU moves the window of the scoreboard of the second receiving device, so that the receiving device of the other link can correctly feedback the reception status of the A-MPDU received by the receiving device, the second receiving device synchronizes the start sequence number or end sequence number of the scoreboard corresponding to the first A-MPDU with the receiving device of the other link or with the MLD, for example, a common scoreboard of the first receiving device.

[0129] It should be understood that the second receiving device sends the start sequence number or end sequence number of the scoreboard of the second receiving device to the first receiving device before the second receiving device sends the first BA frame to the second transmitting device, or after sending the first BA frame, before processing the scoreboard context control of the next received A-MPDU that belongs to the same transmitting end and the same TID as the first BA frame, or before the second receiving device processes the next received A-MPDU that is not sent at the end of the current TXOP and belongs to the same transmitting end and the same TID as the first BA frame at the end of the current TXOP and in a new TXOP. The first BA frame is sent from the second receiving device to the second transmitting device and is used to acknowledge the reception status of all MPDUs in the first A-MPDU. It should be noted that in this embodiment of the present application, the acknowledgement policy of each A-MPDU is immediate block acknowledgement. A unified description is provided here, and details will not be described again below.

[0130] In addition, both the second receiving device and the first receiving device belong to the first MLD, and the start sequence number or end sequence number of the scoreboard of the second receiving device that the second receiving device transmits to the first receiving device is not transmitted via a wireless interface, but is transmitted using an internal information exchange method between the first receiving device and the second receiving device, for example, between the low MAC of the first receiving device and the low MAC of the second receiving device, or between the low MAC and high MAC of the first receiving device.

[0131] Note that the 1A-MPDU is transmitted from the 2nd MLD to the 1st MLD along the 2nd link, and the 2nd A-MPDU is transmitted from the 2nd MLD to the 1st MLD along the 1st link. The transmission time of the 1st BA frame of the 1A-MPDU is earlier than the reception time of the 2nd A-MPDU.

[0132] In addition, the process of the second receiving device transmitting the start sequence number or end sequence number of the scoreboard of the second receiving device to the first receiving device can be understood as the process of the second receiving device synchronizing with the scoreboard of the first receiving device.

[0133] S640: The first receiving device determines the starting sequence number or the ending sequence number of the scoreboard of the first receiving device based on the starting sequence number or the ending sequence number of the scoreboard of the second receiving device.

[0134] The first receiving device synchronizes with the start sequence number or end sequence number of the scoreboard of the first receiving device based on the start sequence number or end sequence number of the scoreboard of the second receiving device.

[0135] For example, when a second receiving device transmits a starting sequence number of the scoreboard of the second receiving device to a first receiving device, the first receiving device transmits a WinStart R =WinEnd R -WinSize R+1 to determine the end sequence number of the scoreboard of the first receiving device. When the second receiving device sends the end sequence number of the scoreboard of the second receiving device to the first receiving device, the first receiving device determines the start sequence number of the scoreboard of the first receiving device according to the above formula after changing the end sequence number of the scoreboard of the first receiving device.

[0136] In the example of S630, the second receiving device transmits the start sequence number and the end sequence number of the scoreboard of the second receiving device to the first receiving device. In this way, the first receiving device can directly determine the start sequence number and the end sequence number of the scoreboard of the first receiving device based on the start sequence number and the end sequence number of the scoreboard of the second receiving device transmitted by the second receiving device.

[0137] The window size of the scoreboard of the first receiving device is the same as the window size of the scoreboard of the second receiving device. In this way, the second receiving device transmits the start sequence number or the end sequence number of the scoreboard to the first receiving device, but the first receiving device may be synchronized with the scoreboard of the second receiving device.

[0138] It should be understood that when the first transmitting device transmits the second A-MPDU to the first receiving device, the first receiving device obtains the start sequence number or the end sequence number of the scoreboard of the second receiving device transmitted by the second receiving device before the first receiving device receives the second A-MPDU, in other words, the first receiving device needs to update or synchronize with the start sequence number or the end sequence number of the scoreboard of the first receiving device before the first receiving device receives the second A-MPDU, that is, the reception start time of the second A-MPDU is later than the transmission time of the first BA frame of the first A-MPDU.

[0139] S650: The first transmitting device transmits the second A-MPDU to the first receiving device.

[0140] In response to this, the first receiving device receives the second A-MPDU transmitted by the first transmitting device.

[0141] S660: The first receiving device transmits a second block acknowledgement frame to the first transmitting device according to the start sequence number or the end sequence number of the scoreboard of the first receiving device and the second A-MPDU, and uses the second block acknowledgement frame to acknowledge the second A-MPDU. Reception status Acknowledge the response.

[0142] Specifically, the first receiving device records the reception status of all MPDUs in the second A-MPDU based on the newly determined starting sequence number or ending sequence number of the scoreboard. The first A-MPDU and the second A-MPDU are two adjacent A-MPDUs having the same TID and transmitted on different links. Before the first receiving device receives the second A-MPDU, the starting sequence number or ending sequence number of the scoreboard of the first receiving device corresponds to the first APDU. In this way, the first receiving device can correctly record the reception status of all MPDUs in the second A-MPDU.

[0143] Specifically, the first receiving device records the reception status of all MPDUs in the second A-MPDU using the newly determined start sequence number or end sequence number of the scoreboard, and then transmits a second block acknowledgement frame to the first transmitting device, and transmits the second A-MPDU using the second block acknowledgement frame. Reception status Acknowledge the response.

[0144] In this way, the first receiving device records the reception status of all MPDUs in the A-MPDU received by the first receiving device based on the newly determined start sequence number or end sequence number of the scoreboard. In this embodiment of the present application, the first receiving device correctly records the reception status of all MPDUs in the A-MPDU and sends a corresponding block acknowledgement frame to the first transmitting device, so that the first transmitting device can determine the reception status of all MPDUs in the second A-MPDU sent by the first transmitting device.

[0145] In response, the first transmitting device receives the second block acknowledgement frame (which may be understood as an acknowledgement frame) transmitted by the first receiving device.

[0146] It should be understood that the 2nd A-MPDU and the 1st A-MPDU have the same TID, and the 1st A-MPDU is the A-MPDU before the 2nd A-MPDU. However, the 1st A-MPDU is transmitted on the 2nd link, and the 2nd A-MPDU is transmitted on the 1st link. The reception start time of the 2nd A-MPDU is later than the transmission time of the 1st BA frame of the 1st A-MPDU.

[0147] Since the start sequence number or the end sequence number of the scoreboard of the first receiving device corresponds to the first A-MPDU, the first receiving device follows the second rule of the scoreboard context control update rules mentioned above, i.e., WinEnd R <SN<WinStart R +2 11 It should be understood that the reception status of all MPDUs of the 2nd A-MPDU can be correctly recorded according to the above.

[0148] Specifically, the first receiving device determines (or synchronizes with) the start sequence number or end sequence number of the scoreboard of the first receiving device based on the start sequence number or end sequence number of the scoreboard of the second receiving device corresponding to the first A-MPDU transmitted from the second receiving device. Therefore, the first receiving device can correctly record the reception status of all MPDUs of the second A-MPDU transmitted from the first transmitting device.

[0149] It should be noted that the process of synchronizing the first receiving device with the scoreboard of the first receiving device may be understood to have been completed by the second receiving device.

[0150] According to the above-mentioned method, in an embodiment of the present application, in a multi-link communication scenario, when a data transmitting end transmits multiple A-MPDUs corresponding to the same TID along multiple links to a data receiving end, receiving devices of different links can correctly feed back the reception status of all MPDUs of the received A-MPDU.

[0151] Since the first receiving device obtains the updated start sequence number or end sequence number of the scoreboard of the second receiving device (or the second receiving device synchronizes with the scoreboard of the first receiving device), in this embodiment of the present application, the scoreboard of the first receiving device can be synchronized with the scoreboard of the second receiving device. Thus, in this embodiment of the present application, the first receiving device can process the received A-MPDU according to the existing scoreboard context control update rule, and correctly record the reception status of all MPDUs in the A-MPDU based on the newly determined start sequence number or end sequence number of the scoreboard, and the information will not be erroneously reported.

[0152] 7 is a schematic flowchart of another multi-link communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. The method includes the following steps:

[0153] S710 and S720 are the same as steps S610 and S620 described above.

[0154] S730: The second receiving device determines the starting sequence number or the ending sequence number of the common scoreboard of the first multilink device based on the starting sequence number or the ending sequence number of the scoreboard of the second receiving device.

[0155] In addition, since the 1A-MPDU moves the window of the scoreboard of the second receiving device (or the 1A-MPDU does not move the window of the scoreboard of the second receiving device, or the second receiving device may synchronize with the common scoreboard of the first multilink device), the second receiving device synchronizes the start sequence number or end sequence number of the scoreboard corresponding to the 1A-MPDU with the common scoreboard of the first MLD so that the receiving device of the other link can correctly record the reception status of the A-MPDU received by the receiving device. For example, the second receiving device records the new start sequence number or end sequence number of the scoreboard of the second receiving device in the common scoreboard.

[0156] It should be understood that the second receiving device may determine the starting sequence number or ending sequence number of the common scoreboard based on the starting sequence number or ending sequence number of the scoreboard of the second receiving device before the second receiving device transmits the first BA frame to the second transmitting device, or after transmitting the first BA frame, before processing the scoreboard context control of the next received A-MPDU belonging to the same transmitting end and the same TID as the first BA frame, or before the second receiving device processes the next received A-MPDU that is not transmitted at the end of the current TXOP and belongs to the same transmitting end and the same TID as the first BA frame at the end of the current TXOP and in a new TXOP.

[0157] The common scoreboard of the first MLD may be maintained by all receiving devices of the first MLD, or may be maintained by a receiving device whose scoreboard transmission window changes. For example, after determining that the scoreboard transmission window has moved or changed, the second receiving device may synchronize (which may be understood as determining, changing, or adjusting) the starting sequence number or the ending sequence number of the common scoreboard. The receiving devices of the other links may obtain (which may be understood as changing or determining) the starting sequence number or the ending sequence number of the common scoreboard to synchronize (which may be understood as changing or determining) the scoreboards of the receiving devices. For example, the receiving device may obtain (which may be understood as changing or determining) the starting sequence number or the ending sequence number of the common scoreboard of the higher MAC layer.

[0158] In addition, the common scoreboard may be configured to record common information used by all receiving devices, such as the updated start sequence number or end sequence number of the scoreboard of the second receiving device described above, or it may be other information.

[0159] In one example, the initial state of the common scoreboard of the first MLD may be blank or may contain the starting or ending sequence numbers of all the receiving devices' scoreboards. However, some receiving devices may actively change or synchronize the starting or ending sequence numbers of the common scoreboard based on whether the starting or ending sequence numbers of the receiving device's scoreboard change. This allows receiving devices of other links to use the common scoreboard to synchronize with the receiving device's scoreboard.

[0160] Furthermore, the process of the second receiving device synchronizing with the common scoreboard of the first multi-link device can be understood as the process of the second receiving device synchronizing with the scoreboard of the first receiving device using the common scoreboard of the first multi-link device.

[0161] According to the above solution, in the present embodiment of the present application, the receiving device of any link can correctly record the receiving status of all MPDUs in the received A-MPDU according to the second rule of the scoreboard context control update rule without using the information in the reorder buffer, thereby reducing the load on the receiving device.

[0162] S740: The first receiving device determines the starting sequence number or the ending sequence number of the scoreboard of the first receiving device based on the starting sequence number or the ending sequence number of the common scoreboard of the first multilink device.

[0163] The first receiving device is synchronized with the scoreboard of the first receiving device based on the common scoreboard.

[0164] For example, if a starting sequence number is recorded in the common scoreboard, the first receiving device changes the starting sequence number in the scoreboard of the first receiving device and then executes WinStart R =WinEnd R -WinSize R +1 to determine the end sequence number of the scoreboard of the first receiving device. If the end sequence number is recorded in the common scoreboard, the first receiving device changes the end sequence number of the scoreboard of the first receiving device and then determines the start sequence number of the scoreboard of the first receiving device according to the above formula.

[0165] In addition, the first receiving device may note whether the common scoreboard has changed before receiving the A-MPDU, and if it determines that the starting sequence number or the ending sequence number of the common scoreboard has changed, the first receiving device may synchronize with its scoreboard based on the common scoreboard.

[0166] For example, the first receiving device may directly synchronize with the scoreboard of the first receiving device based on the common scoreboard of the first multilink device, or the first receiving device may synchronize with the scoreboard of the first receiving device based on the common scoreboard at a specific time or frequency, or the first multilink device may directly synchronize with the scoreboard of the first receiving device based on the common scoreboard.

[0167] In the example of S730, the second receiving device determines the start sequence number and the end sequence number of the common scoreboard of the first MLD based on the start sequence number and the end sequence number of the scoreboard of the second receiving device. In this manner, the first receiving device may determine (synchronize) the start sequence number and the end sequence number of the scoreboard of the first receiving device based on the start sequence number and the end sequence number of the common scoreboard.

[0168] It should be understood that when the first transmitting device transmits the second A-MPDU to the first receiving device, the first receiving device obtains the start sequence number or the end sequence number of the scoreboard of the second receiving device transmitted by the second receiving device before the first receiving device receives the second A-MPDU, in other words, the first receiving device needs to update or synchronize with the start sequence number or the end sequence number of the scoreboard of the first receiving device before the first receiving device receives the second A-MPDU. The transmission time of the first BA frame of the first A-MPDU is earlier than the reception time of the second A-MPDU.

[0169] In addition, the first receiving device may obtain the starting sequence number or the ending sequence number of the common scoreboard as follows: the first receiving device sends request information to the first MLD (e.g., at a high MAC layer), and the first MLD sends the starting sequence number or the ending sequence number of the common scoreboard to the first receiving device; or, after the first MLD determines that the starting sequence number or the ending sequence number of the common scoreboard has changed, it may directly send the starting sequence number or the ending sequence number of the common scoreboard to the first receiving device.

[0170] S750 and S760 are the same as steps S650 and S660 described above.

[0171] According to the above-mentioned method, in an embodiment of the present application, in a multi-link communication scenario, when a data transmitting end transmits multiple A-MPDUs corresponding to the same TID along multiple links to a data receiving end, receiving devices of different links can correctly feed back the reception status of all MPDUs of the received A-MPDU.

[0172] Since the second receiving device records the updated start sequence number or end sequence number of the scoreboard in the common scoreboard, the first receiving device can synchronize with the scoreboard of the first receiving device by obtaining the start sequence number or end sequence number of the common scoreboard. In this way, in this embodiment of the present application, the first receiving device can process the received A-MPDU according to the existing scoreboard context update rule, and correctly record the reception status of all MPDUs in the A-MPDU based on the newly determined start sequence number or end sequence number of the scoreboard, and the information will not be erroneously reported.

[0173] 8A and 8B are schematic flowcharts of yet another multi-link communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. The method includes the following steps:

[0174] S810 and S820 are the same as steps S610 and S620 described above.

[0175] S830: The second receiving device sends indication information to the second sending device, where the indication information indicates that the second receiving device cannot synchronize with the starting sequence number or the ending sequence number of the scoreboard of any receiving device.

[0176] In response to this, the second transmitting device receives the instruction information transmitted by the second receiving device.

[0177] Specifically, when the second receiving device determines that the first A-MPDU has been received and the scoreboard window has moved, the second receiving device may send an indication to the second transmitting device, where the indication indicates that the second receiving device cannot synchronize with the start sequence number or the end sequence number of the scoreboard of any of the receiving devices, including the first receiving device.

[0178] Furthermore, the process of the second receiving device transmitting instruction information to the second transmitting device may be understood as the process of the second receiving device synchronizing with the scoreboard of the first receiving device using the second transmitting device.

[0179] S840: The second transmitting device communicates information with the first transmitting device.

[0180] Specifically, the first sending device and the second sending device belong to a second MLD, and therefore the second sending device may instruct the first sending device in an internal information exchange manner that the first sending device needs to send a start sequence number (SSN) to the first receiving device in order to synchronize with the scoreboard of the first receiving device (this may be understood as helping the second receiving device to synchronize with the scoreboard of the first receiving device).

[0181] S850: The first sending device sends a starting sequence number to the first receiving device.

[0182] In response, the first receiving device receives the starting sequence number transmitted by the first transmitting device.

[0183] It should be understood that the SSN is combined with the 1A-MPDU. Specifically, after receiving the 1A-MPDU, the second receiving device determines the start sequence number or the end sequence number of the scoreboard of the second receiving device, and sends indication information to the second transmitting device, where the indication information indicates that the second receiving device cannot synchronize with the scoreboard of any receiving device. The first transmitting device decides to send the SSN to the first receiving device after communicating with the second transmitting device based on internal information.

[0184] It should be understood that the binding relationship may be realized as follows: The SSN may be the sequence number of the first MPDU whose receiving state needs to be recorded in the first A-MPDU, or may not be the sequence number of the first MPDU whose receiving state needs to be recorded in the first A-MPDU. However, the SSN is sent from the first transmitting device to the first receiving device after the second receiving device sends the indication information to the second transmitting device. Thus, the SSN is bound to the first A-MPDU. S860: The first receiving device determines the starting sequence number or the ending sequence number of the scoreboard of the first receiving device according to the starting sequence number.

[0185] Specifically, the first receiving device obtains the SSN transmitted from the first transmitting device, sets the starting sequence number of the scoreboard of the first receiving device to the SSN, and changes the ending sequence number of the scoreboard of the first receiving device accordingly to determine the ending sequence number of the scoreboard of the first receiving device.

[0186] Therefore, the first receiving device can correctly record the reception status of all MPDUs in the second A-MPDU by synchronizing or changing the starting sequence number or the ending sequence number of the scoreboard of the first receiving device based on the SSN.

[0187] In addition, the time when the first transmitting device transmits the SSN to the first receiving device may be after the second receiving device transmits the first BA frame corresponding to the first A-MPDU and before the second receiving device receives the next A-MPDU, or before the second receiving device processes the scoreboard context of the next received A-MPDU that is not transmitted at the end of the current TXOP and belongs to the same transmitting end and the same TID as the first BA frame at the end of the current TXOP and in the new TXOP. Also, the first transmitting device needs to transmit the SSN to the first receiving device before the first transmitting device transmits the second A-MPDU to the first receiving device.

[0188] In addition, the SSN transmitted by the first transmitting device to the first receiving device may be conveyed in a BAR frame, an ADDBA request frame, or other information.

[0189] S870 and S880 are the same as steps S650 and S660 described above.

[0190] According to the above-mentioned method, in an embodiment of the present application, in a multi-link communication scenario, when a data transmitting end transmits multiple A-MPDUs corresponding to the same TID along multiple links to a data receiving end, receiving devices of different links can correctly feed back the reception status of all MPDUs of the received A-MPDU.

[0191] According to the above-mentioned technical solution, in this embodiment of the present application, the first receiving device can update or synchronize the start sequence number or end sequence number of the scoreboard of the first receiving device by receiving the start sequence number sent by the first transmitting device, so that the received A-MPDU can be processed according to the scoreboard context update rule, and the reception status of all MPDUs in the A-MPDU can be correctly recorded based on the newly determined start sequence number or end sequence number of the scoreboard, and information will not be reported erroneously.

[0192] 9 is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of the indication information according to an embodiment of the present application, the details of which are shown in FIG.

[0193] The indication information sent from the second receiving device to the second transmitting device is conveyed in an extreme high throughput MAC capabilities information field, which includes near end signaling point priority access supported, EHT operation mode control support, and Subfields , triggered TXOP sharing mode 1 Supported (triggered TXOP sharing mode 1 support) Subfields , triggered TXOP sharing mode 2 support Subfields , restricted target wake time support Subfields , a subcarrier space traffic description support subfield, a maximum MPDU length subfield, a scoreboard context assisted subfield, and a Reserved subfield.

[0194] The Scoreboard Context Support subfield in the above mentioned fields is an indication information, which indicates that the second receiving device cannot synchronize with the starting sequence number or the ending sequence number of the scoreboard of any receiving device. B in Figure 9 indicates a bit. For example, B2 indicates the second bit, B8 indicates the eighth bit, etc. The next row indicates the bits that each subfield occupies.

[0195] In this embodiment of the present application, the SN of the MPDU is WinStart B +2 11 ≦SN <WinStart B If the SN belongs to WinEnd, the scoreboard of the receiving device will R <SN<WinStart R +2 11 According to the scoreboard context control update rule obtained when the SN is in the range of , the receiving status of the MPDU corresponding to the SN is correctly recorded according to the above technical solution.

[0196] 10 is a schematic diagram of a multilink device according to an embodiment of the present application. The multilink device includes a processor 1001, a memory 1002, and a communication interface 1003. The processor 1001, the memory 1002, and the communication interface 1003 are connected to each other via a bus 1004.

[0197] It should be understood that the multilink device shown in FIG. 10 may be a transmitting device, a first receiving device, or a second receiving device.

[0198] The memory 1002 may include, but is not limited to, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Read-Only Memory (ROM), an Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), or a Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM). The memory 1002 is configured to store relevant instructions and relevant data.

[0199] The processor 1001 may be one or more central processing units (CPUs). 10 When 01 is a CPU, the CPU may be a single-core CPU or a multi-core CPU.

[0200] If the multilink device is a transmitting device (which may include a first transmitting device and a second transmitting device), Multilink Device The processor 1001 is configured to read program codes stored in the memory 1002 and perform the following operations.

[0201] The transmitting device is configured to transmit the A-MPDU to the receiving device and receive a block acknowledgement frame, or the second transmitting device receives an indication sent by the second receiving device, the indication indicating that the second receiving device cannot synchronize with the starting sequence number or the ending sequence number of the scoreboard of any receiving device, or the first transmitting device transmits an SSN to the first receiving device.

[0202] It should be understood that the sending device may be configured to perform steps or methods related to the sending device in the above method embodiments. This is just an example for the purpose of description in this specification. For specific contents, please refer to the contents in the above method embodiments.

[0203] When the multi-link device is a second receiving device, the processor 1001 of the multi-link device is configured to read the program code stored in the memory 1002 to perform the following operations: receive a first A-MPDU, determine a start sequence number or an end sequence number of the scoreboard of the second receiving device, and the start sequence number or the end sequence number of the scoreboard of the second receiving device corresponds to the first A-MPDU.

[0204] It should be understood that the second receiving device may be configured to perform the steps or methods related to the second receiving device in the above-mentioned method embodiments. This is merely an example for the purpose of description in this specification. For specific contents, please refer to the contents in the above-mentioned method embodiments.

[0205] When the multi-link device is a first receiving device, the processor 1001 of the multi-link device is configured to read the program code stored in the memory 1002 and perform the following operations: determine a starting sequence number or an ending sequence number of the scoreboard of the first receiving device, where the starting sequence number or the ending sequence number of the scoreboard of the first receiving device corresponds to a first A-MPDU transmitted by a second access point to the second receiving device, and receive a second A-MPDU transmitted by the first transmitting device.

[0206] It should be understood that the first receiving device may be configured to execute the steps or methods related to the first receiving device in the above-mentioned method embodiments. This is merely an example for the purpose of description in this specification. For specific contents, please refer to the contents in the above-mentioned method embodiments.

[0207] For the implementation of each operation in Fig. 10, please refer to the corresponding description of the method shown in Fig. 5 to Fig. 8B. The description here is merely an example, and a detailed description will be omitted.

[0208] 11 is a schematic diagram of yet another multi-link device according to an embodiment of the present application. The multi-link device may be used in a transmitting device or a receiving device and configured to implement the method of the above embodiment. The multi-link device includes a transceiver unit 1101 and a processing unit 1102. The transceiver unit 1101 and the processing unit 1102 are described below by taking an example.

[0209] If the multilink device is a transmitting device, the transceiver unit 1101 is configured to receive a block acknowledgement frame transmitted by a receiving device. The processing unit 1102 is configured to perform steps or methods related to a BA session.

[0210] When the multi-link device is a second receiving device, the transceiver unit 1101 is configured to receive the 1A-MPDU and send the start sequence number or the end sequence number of the scoreboard of the second receiving device to the first receiving device, and the processing unit 1102 is configured to determine the start sequence number or the end sequence number of the scoreboard of the corresponding second receiving device based on the 1A-MPDU.

[0211] When the multi-link device is a first receiving device, the transceiver unit 1101 is configured to receive a second A-MPDU and receive a start sequence number or an end sequence number of the scoreboard of the second receiving device sent by the second receiving device, and the processing unit 1102 is configured to determine a start sequence number or an end sequence number of the scoreboard of the first receiving device based on the start sequence number or the end sequence number of the scoreboard of the second receiving device.

[0212] In addition, for the implementation of each operation in Figure 11, please refer to the corresponding description of the method shown in the above embodiment, and the details will not be described again here.

[0213] It should be noted that the aforementioned multi-link device may include a first communication device (e.g., the aforementioned first receiving device) and a second communication device (e.g., the aforementioned second receiving device). The first communication device may include a processing module and a transceiver module. The processing module is configured to perform the aforementioned operations or steps related to the first communication device, and the transceiver module is configured to perform the aforementioned operations or steps related to the first communication device. These descriptions are also applicable to the second communication device. Details will not be described again here.

[0214] The embodiment of the present application further provides a chip, the chip includes a processor configured to retrieve instructions stored in the memory from the memory and execute the instructions, so that a communication device equipped with the chip can perform the method of the above example. The chip may be the above multi-link device. For example, the chip is an AP MLD or a STA MLD.

[0215] An embodiment of the present application further provides another chip including an input interface, an output interface, a processor, and a memory. The input interface, the output interface, the processor, and the memory are connected using an internal connection path. The processor is configured to execute code in the memory. When the code is executed, the processor is configured to execute the method of the above example.

[0216] An embodiment of the present application further provides a processor, configured to be coupled to the memory and configured to perform methods and functions associated with the receiving device or the transmitting device of any of the previous embodiments.

[0217] In another embodiment of the present application, a computer program product is provided, which, when executed on a computer, performs the methods in the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0218] According to another embodiment of the present application, a computer readable storage medium is provided, the computer readable storage medium storing a computer program, which, when executed by a computer, performs the method in the above embodiment.

[0219] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the term "multiple" means two or more than two, unless otherwise specified. "At least one (piece) of the following items" or similar expressions means any combination of these items, and represents any combination of a single item (piece) or multiple items (pieces). For example, at least one item (piece) of a, b, or c may represent a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b, and c, where a, b, and c may be singular or plural. Furthermore, in order to clearly describe the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, terms such as first and second are used in the embodiments of the present application to distinguish between the same items or similar items that basically provide the same function or purpose. Those skilled in the art may understand that terms such as "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity or execution order, and terms such as "first" and "second" do not indicate clear differences. Furthermore, in the embodiments of the present application, terms such as "example" or "for example" are used to represent an example, illustration, or explanation.

[0220] Any embodiment or design scheme described in the present application as an "example" or "for example" may be used interchangeably with other embodiments or design schemes. Yo Rather, the use of phrases such as "example" and "for example" is intended to present relevant concepts in a particular way for ease of understanding.

[0221] Unless otherwise specified, " / " in the description of the embodiments of the present application represents an "or" relationship between related objects. For example, A / B may represent A or B. In the present application, "and / or" represents only an association relationship that describes related objects, and represents that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B may represent the following three cases: only A exists, both A and B exist, and only B exists. A and B may be singular or plural.

[0222] It should be understood that references throughout the specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic associated with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present application.

[0223] Therefore, the appearance of "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. The sequence numbers of the processes described above do not imply the order of execution in the various embodiments of the present application. The order of execution of the processes should be determined based on the functions and internal logic of the processes, and should not be considered as a limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0224] It is understood that references throughout the specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic associated with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present application.

[0225] Therefore, the embodiments throughout the specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in one or more embodiments using any suitable manner. It is understood that the sequence numbers of the above processes do not refer to the order of execution in various embodiments of the present application. The order of execution of the processes should be determined based on the functions and internal logic of the processes, and should not be considered as a limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0226] Those skilled in the art may recognize that the units and algorithms can be implemented by electronic hardware or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware in combination with the examples described in the embodiments disclosed herein. Whether a function is implemented by hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art may use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but the implementation should not be considered to go beyond the scope of this application.

[0227] For the purpose of convenience and concise description, the detailed operation processes of the above-mentioned systems, devices, and units are referred to the corresponding processes in the above-mentioned method embodiments, and the details are not described again here, which can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art. In some embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices, and methods may be implemented in other ways. For example, the described device embodiments are merely examples. For example, the division into units is merely a logical functional division, and may be other divisions in actual implementation. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some functions may be ignored or not performed.

[0228] Furthermore, the shown or discussed mutual couplings or direct couplings or communication connections may be implemented through some interfaces. Indirect couplings or communication connections between devices or units may be implemented in electronic, mechanical, or other forms.

[0229] The units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separated. The parts shown as units may or may not be physical units, i.e., they may be located in one place or distributed in multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected based on actual requirements to achieve the purpose of the solution of the embodiment. Furthermore, the functional units in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, and each of the units may exist physically alone, or two or more units are integrated into one unit.

[0230] When the functions are implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, the functions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical solution of the present application is basically, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or the whole or part of the technical solution is, computer The computer software product may be implemented in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes some instructions for instructing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device) to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in the embodiments of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes any medium that can store program code, such as a USB flash drive, a removable hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0231] The above description is merely a specific implementation of the present application, and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present application. Any variations or replacements that are readily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present application should be encompassed within the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present application should be subject to the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. 1. A multi-link communication method, comprising: a multi-link device receiving a second aggregate medium access control protocol data unit (A-MPDU) over a first link and a first A-MPDU over a second link, the first A-MPDU and the second A-MPDU having the same traffic identifier, and the first A-MPDU being received before the second A-MPDU, the method comprising: determining, by the multilink device, a starting sequence number or an ending sequence number of a scoreboard on the first link based on the first A-MPDU received via the second link; transmitting a first block acknowledgement frame via the first link based on a start sequence number or an end sequence number of a scoreboard on the first link and the received second A-MPDU, by the multilink device, the first block acknowledgement frame being used to acknowledge a reception status of the second A-MPDU; The method includes:

2. The method comprises: determining, by the multilink device, a starting sequence number or an ending sequence number of a scoreboard on the second link based on the first A-MPDU received via the second link; transmitting a second block acknowledgement frame via the second link based on a start sequence number or an end sequence number of a scoreboard on the second link and the received first A-MPDU, by the multilink device, wherein the second block acknowledgement frame is used to acknowledge a reception status of the first A-MPDU; The method of claim 1 further comprising:

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein a window size of a scoreboard on the first link is the same as a window size of a scoreboard on the second link.

4. the multilink device includes a first receiver on the first link and a second receiver on the second link; The step of determining, by the multilink device, a start sequence number or an end sequence number of a scoreboard on the first link based on the first A-MPDU received via the second link, comprises: determining, by the first receiving device, a starting sequence number or an ending sequence number of a scoreboard of the first receiving device based on a starting sequence number or an ending sequence number of a scoreboard of the second receiving device; The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a starting sequence number or an ending sequence number of a scoreboard of the second receiving device corresponds to the first A-MPDU.

5. the multilink device includes a first receiver on the first link and a second receiver on the second link; The step of determining, by the multilink device, a start sequence number or an end sequence number of a scoreboard on the first link based on the first A-MPDU received via the second link, comprises: determining, by the first receiving device, a start sequence number or an end sequence number of a scoreboard of the first receiving device based on a start sequence number or an end sequence number of a common scoreboard of the multilink device; The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the starting sequence number or the ending sequence number of the common scoreboard of the multilink devices is determined based on the first A-MPDU.

6. the multilink device includes a first receiver on the first link and a second receiver on the second link; The step of determining, by the multilink device, a start sequence number or an end sequence number of a scoreboard on the first link based on the first A-MPDU received via the second link, comprises: receiving, by the first receiving device, a starting sequence number transmitted by a transmitting device on the first link, the starting sequence number being associated with the first A-MPDU; determining, by the first receiving device, a starting sequence number or an ending sequence number of a scoreboard of the first receiving device based on the starting sequence number; The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising:

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the starting sequence number is conveyed in an extra block acknowledgment request frame or a block acknowledgment request frame.

8. the multilink device includes a second receiving device on the second link, the method comprising: transmitting, by the multilink device, an indication over the second link, the indication indicating that the second receiving device is unable to synchronize with a starting sequence number or an ending sequence number of a scoreboard of a receiving device of any link; The method of claim 1 further comprising:

9. The method according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first block acknowledgement frame of the first A-MPDU is transmitted before the second A-MPDU is received.

10. 1. A multi-link device, the multi-link device receiving a second aggregate medium access control protocol data unit (A-MPDU) via a first link and a first A-MPDU via a second link, the first A-MPDU and the second A-MPDU having the same traffic identifier, the first A-MPDU being received before the second A-MPDU, the multi-link device: a processing unit configured to determine a start sequence number or an end sequence number of a scoreboard on the first link based on the first A-MPDU received via the second link, the processing unit being further configured to determine a first acknowledgement frame based on the start sequence number or the end sequence number of a scoreboard on the first link and the received second A-MPDU, the first block acknowledgement frame being used to acknowledge a reception status of the second A-MPDU; a transceiver unit configured to transmit the first block acknowledgement frame over the first link; A multi-link device including:

11. the processing unit is configured to determine a starting sequence number or an ending sequence number of a scoreboard on the second link based on the first A-MPDU received via the second link; the processing unit is configured to determine a second block acknowledgement frame based on a start sequence number or an end sequence number of a scoreboard on the second link and the received first A-MPDU, the second block acknowledgement frame being used to acknowledge a reception status of the first A-MPDU; the transceiver unit is configured to transmit the second block acknowledgment frame over the second link.

11. The multi-link device of claim 10.

12. 12. A multi-link device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein a window size of the scoreboard on the first link is the same as a window size of the scoreboard on the second link.

13. the multilink device includes a first communication device on the first link and a second communication device on the second link, the first communication device including a processing module; the processing module is configured to determine a starting sequence number or an ending sequence number of a scoreboard of the first communication device based on a starting sequence number or an ending sequence number of a scoreboard of the second communication device; The multi-link device according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein a start sequence number or an end sequence number of a scoreboard of the second communication device corresponds to the first A-MPDU.

14. the multilink device includes a first communication device on the first link and a second communication device on the second link, the first communication device including a processing module; The processing module is configured to determine a starting sequence number or an ending sequence number of a scoreboard of the first communication device based on a starting sequence number or an ending sequence number of a common scoreboard of the multilink device; The multi-link device according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein a start sequence number or an end sequence number of a common scoreboard of the multi-link device corresponds to the first A-MPDU.

15. the multilink device includes a first communication device on the first link and a second communication device on the second link, the first communication device including a processing module and a transceiver module; the transceiver module is configured to receive a starting sequence number transmitted by a transmitting device on the first link, the starting sequence number being combined with the first A-MPDU; the processing module is configured to determine a starting sequence number or an ending sequence number of a scoreboard of the first communication device based on the starting sequence number; A multi-link device according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the starting sequence number is bound to the first A-MPDU.

16. 16. The multi-link device of claim 15, wherein the starting sequence number is conveyed in an additional block acknowledgement request frame or a block acknowledgement request frame.

17. the multilink device includes a second communication device on the second link; 11. The multi-link device of claim 10, wherein the transceiver unit is configured to transmit indication information over the second link, the indication information indicating that the second communication device is unable to synchronize with a starting sequence number or an ending sequence number of a scoreboard of a communication device of any link.

18. The multi-link device according to any one of claims 10 to 17, wherein the first block acknowledgement frame of the first A-MPDU is transmitted before the second A-MPDU is received.

19. A computer readable storage medium containing a computer program or instructions, which when executed on a computer enables the computer to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

20. A computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

Images