Communication method and device

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus for reducing power consumption of a multilink device is provided. In the method, an access point multilink device generates a first physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU), the first PPDU carries a first indication, the first indication indicating that a wake-up of the first access point in a doze state is allowed, or the first indication indicating that a wake-up of the first access point in a doze state is not allowed; and the access point multilink device transmits the first PPDU via the first access point. This application is applicable to a wireless local area network system supporting IEEE 802.11 ax next generation Wi-Fi protocols, for example, 802.11 series protocols such as 802.11 be or EHT.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202210291249.7, entitled "COMMUNICATION METHOD AND APPARATUS", filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on March 23, 2022, and Chinese Patent Application No. 202210323888.7, entitled "COMMUNICATION METHOD AND APPARATUS", filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on March 29, 2022, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0002]

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD TECHNICAL FIELD This application relates to the field of wireless communication technologies, and in particular to communication methods and devices. [Background technology]

[0003]

[0003] The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11be draft requires that multicast data frames be replicated and transmitted on all links of an access point (AP) multi-link device (MLD), and multicast management frames are required to be transmitted independently on the corresponding links of the AP MLD.

[0004]

[0004] However, this method of transmitting multicast data frames and multicast management frames requires all links in the AP MLD to wake up periodically to receive the multicast data frames and multicast management frames buffered on the AP side, which does not lead to power saving of the AP MLD. Therefore, the related art proposes that the APs in the AP MLD can switch to a power saving (Doze) state, and a wake-up request may be sent to wake up the APs in the Doze state.

[0005]

[0005] However, when the battery level is extremely low, the NSTR mobile AP MLD may not expect the AP of the NSTR mobile AP MLD to be activated. As a result, the control on the AP MLD in the related art is not flexible enough. Summary of the Invention

[0006]

[0006] The present application provides a communication method and apparatus for improving the flexibility of controlling an access point multilink device.

[0007]

[0007] According to a first aspect, there is provided a communication method including the following processes: an access point multilink device generates a first physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU), the first PPDU carrying first indication information, the first indication information indicating that waking up of the first access point in a doze state or a power saving state is allowed, or the first indication information indicating that waking up of the first access point in the doze state is not allowed; the access point multilink device transmits the first PPDU.

[0008]

[0008] The power state of the first access point may include an awake state and a doze state. The first access point is capable of receiving and transmitting message packets in the awake state. Specifically, the access point multilink device can receive and transmit message packets via the first access point in the awake state. The first access point cannot receive or transmit message packets in the doze state. Specifically, the access point multilink device cannot receive or transmit message packets via the first access point in the doze state, thereby reducing the power consumption of the access point multilink device to which the first access point belongs.

[0009]

[0009] Optionally, a default state of the power save mode is a doze state. In other words, the first access point is in a doze state by default in the power save mode. Specifically, the first indication information may indicate that the first access point in the power save mode is allowed to wake up, or the first indication information may indicate that the first access point in the power save mode is not allowed to wake up.

[0010]

[0010] In the method, when a first access point in the access point multilink device is in a doze state, the access point multilink device can use the first indication information of the first PPDU to notify whether the first access point in the doze state is allowed to wake up. If the first indication information indicates that the first access point in the doze state is allowed to wake up, the first access point can be woken up. If the first indication information indicates that the first access point in the doze state is not allowed to wake up, the first access point can maintain the doze state. Thus, the flexibility of controlling AP MLD can be improved.

[0011]

[0011] An access point multilink device includes one or more access points. Generally, at least one of the one or more access points is configured to receive and transmit message packets (e.g., control frames and / or data frames). For example, an access point multilink device includes a first access point and a second access point, and there may be one or more first access points. The first access point is in a doze state (or power saving, where the default state in the power saving mode is the doze state), and the second access point is in an awake state (or in an active mode, where in the active mode the second access point is always in the awake state).

[0012]

[0012] For example, the method may be implemented through interaction between an access point multilink device and a station multilink device. For example, the access point multilink device transmits a first PPDU to the station multilink device. When the first access point is in a doze state (or power saving mode), the access point multilink device transmits the first PPDU to the station multilink device via a second access point, and the second access point is in an awake state.

[0013]

[0013] In a possible implementation, the first instruction information includes a wake-up enable field, which indicates that waking up of the first access point in a doze state is allowed or indicates that waking up of the first access point in a doze state is not allowed.

[0014]

[0014] The wake-up enable field may occupy one or more bits.

[0015]

[0015] For example, a wake-up enable field is added to the Reduced Neighbor Report element, where the wake-up enable field occupies one bit. When a bit is set to 1, it indicates that waking up the first access point in the doze state is allowed. When a bit is set to 0, it indicates that waking up of the first access point in the doze state is not allowed.

[0016]

[0016] Optionally, the wake-up enable field indicates whether the first access point is allowed to wake up in a power save mode or whether the first access point is not allowed to wake up in a power save mode, with the default state of the power save mode being the doze state.

[0017]

[0017] In a possible implementation, the first indication information includes a power management mode field, which indicates a power management mode of the first access point.

[0018]

[0018] The power management mode field may occupy multiple bits.

[0019]

[0019] For example, a power management mode field is added to the reduced neighbor report element, where the power management mode field occupies two bits and indicates a power management mode of the first access point. In some power management modes, state switching of the first access point is allowed. For example, in the power management mode, the first access point in a doze state is allowed to be woken up. In some power management modes, state switching of the first access point is not allowed. For example, in the power management mode, the first access point in a doze state is not allowed to be woken up.

[0020] In a possible implementation, when the power management mode field is set to a first value, it indicates that the first access point is in an active mode, in which case the first access point remains awake and no state switching is allowed.

[0021]

[0021] In a possible implementation, when the power management mode field is set to a second value, it indicates that the first access point is in a power saving mode and state switching (e.g., switching from a doze state to an awake state or switching from an awake state to a doze state) is permitted. In this case, the default state of the first access point is the doze state, and based on certain conditions, the first access point switches from the doze state to the awake state or switches from the awake state to the doze state.

[0022] For example, conditions for switching from a doze state to an awake state include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: Determining that there is data to be sent or received, receiving a wake-up request, waking up periodically, etc.; Conditions for switching from an awake state to a doze state include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: Determining that no data is present to be transmitted or received, receiving indications of power saving, periodic power saving, or the like.

[0023] In a possible implementation, when the power management mode field is set to a third value, it indicates that the first access point is in a sleep mode, in which case the first access point remains in a doze state, no state switching is allowed, and the first access point is not allowed to be woken up.

[0024]

[0024] In a possible implementation, when the first indication information indicates that the first access point in the doze state is allowed to wake up, the station multilink device can determine whether to wake up the first access point. For example, the station multilink device may determine to wake up the first access point when there is data to be transmitted, or may determine not to wake up the first access point when there is no data to be transmitted.

[0025]

[0025] When determining to wake up the first access point, the station multilink device may wake up the first access point by sending a second PPDU. For example, after the access point multilink device sends the first PPDU, the access point multilink device may further receive a second PPDU sent by the station multilink device, where the second PPDU carries second indication information, and the second indication information is used to wake up the first access point corresponding to one or more links.

[0026]

[0026] After receiving the second PPDU, the access point multilink device can wake up the first access point corresponding to one or more links. Generally, one link corresponds to one access point.

[0027]

[0027] Optionally, if there is data to be transmitted between the multiple station multilink device and the access point multilink device, the access point multilink device may receive a second PPDU transmitted by the multiple station multilink device.

[0028]

[0028] The second PPDU may reuse an existing frame structure or may be in accordance with a newly defined frame structure.

[0029]

[0029] In this implementation, when the first access point is allowed to be woken up, the access point multilink device wakes up the first access point based on instruction information sent by the station multilink device, thereby enabling further power saving and ensuring flexibility of control.

[0030]

[0030] In a possible implementation, the second instruction information includes a link instruction field, and the link instruction field indicates the link that is requested to be activated. In this implementation, the link instruction field specifies the link that is requested to be activated and requests waking up the first access point corresponding to the link.

[0031]

[0031] For example, the link indication field may be a Link Bitmap field.

[0032]

[0032] In a possible implementation, the second PPDU includes a control field, and the second indication information is carried in the control field, and the control field specifies the link that is requested to be activated. In this implementation, the control field specifies the link that is requested to be activated and requests waking up the first access point corresponding to the link.

[0033]

[0033] For example, the control field may be an access point assistance request control field, and the access point assistance request control field carries the second indication information.

[0034]

[0034] In a possible implementation, the access point assistance request control field further carries third instruction information, and the third instruction information indicates that the access point assistance request control field is used to wake up a first access point (which is in a doze state) of the specified access point multilink device.

[0035]

[0035] In the related art, the access point assistance request control field is used to request the access point multilink device to send a trigger frame on the corresponding link. Therefore, to distinguish from the meaning shown in the related art, in this implementation, the third indication information can indicate that the access point assistance request control field is used to wake up the first access point to improve control accuracy.

[0036]

[0036] In a possible implementation, the access point multilink device transmits a third PPDU to the station multilink device, where the third PPDU indicates the first access point that has finally been successfully woken up. In this implementation, after waking up the first access point, the access point multilink device can inform the station multilink device of the first access point that has been woken up.

[0037]

[0037] Optionally, the first access point finally activated and indicated by the third PPDU may be all or some of the first access points requested by the second PPDU to wake up.

[0038]

[0038] For example, the frame format of the third PPDU may be the same as or different from the frame format of the second PPDU.

[0039]

[0039] In a possible implementation, the access point multilink device transmits a fourth PPDU to the station multilink device on the woken up link, the fourth PPDU implying that the first access point corresponding to the link has been woken up. In this implementation, the access point multilink device can inform the station multilink device that the first access point has been woken up.

[0040]

[0040] For example, the fourth PPDU may be a trigger frame or a PS Poll frame.

[0041]

[0041] Optionally, the access point transmitting the fourth PPDU may be all or part of the first access point requested by the second PPDU to be woken up.

[0042]

[0042] In a possible implementation, the access point multilink device may receive a wake-up request by default, and optionally may signal a corresponding wake-up delay to indicate that the first access point switches from a doze state to an awake state after the wake-up delay.

[0043]

[0043] The wake-up delay relates to the time required for the first access point to switch from a doze state to an awake state after receiving a wake-up request.

[0044]

[0044] For example, the first PPDU includes a wake-up delay field, where the wake-up delay field indicates a delay for the first access point to switch from a doze state to an awake state.

[0045] In another example, the access point multilink device transmits a fifth PPDU, the fifth PPDU including a wake-up delay field, and in response, the station multilink device receives the fifth PPDU.

[0046]

[0046] Optionally, the fifth PPDU may further include a power save operation support field, which indicates whether the wake-up delay field is present.

[0047]

[0047] Optionally, the fifth PPDU may further include a mode switch count field, which indicates a remaining time for the first access point to switch from a current mode to a target mode, where the remaining time may be expressed as a number of TBTTs of the corresponding link.

[0048]

[0048] The fifth PPDU may further include a power management information field, where the power management information field carries the wake-up field and the mode switch count field. Optionally, the fifth PPDU may further include seventh indication information, where the seventh indication information indicates whether the power management information field is present.

[0049]

[0049] In some scenarios, the access point multilink device may transmit the fifth PPDU when the first access point is in a power saving mode.

[0050]

[0050] In a possible implementation, a first access point in a power saving mode receives a wake-up request from one or more station multilink devices. After receiving the wake-up request, the first access point switches from a doze state to an awake state, and may switch back to the doze state under certain conditions to reduce power consumption.

[0051]

[0051] For example, the one or more station multilink devices transmit fourth indication information on the link on which the first access point is located.

[0052]

[0052] If all station multilink devices sending wake-up requests set the fourth indication information of the last PPDU sent by the station multilink devices to the first access point to 0, the first access point can switch from an awake state to a doze state and reduce power consumption.

[0053]

[0053] For example, the fourth instruction information is a more data field.

[0054]

[0054] In another example, when the channel is idle, the first access point may switch from an awake state to a doze state to reduce power consumption.

[0055]

[0055] In a possible implementation, the access point multilink device transmits a reduced neighbor report element, where a target beacon transmission time information set field corresponding to a first access point and in the reduced neighbor report element carries only a multilink device parameter field, and the corresponding target beacon transmission time information length is set to a first length value, so that legacy stations will ignore the first access point. In this implementation, the access point multilink device carries only a multilink device parameter field, so that legacy stations will ignore the first access point (or the first link corresponding to the first access point).

[0056]

[0056] In a possible implementation, the access point multilink device transmits a reduced neighbor report element, where a target beacon transmission time information field type field corresponding to a first access point and in the reduced neighbor report element is set to a fourth value, so that legacy stations ignore the first access point. In this implementation, the access point multilink device sets the target beacon transmission time information field type field to a fourth value (or sets the target beacon transmission time information field type field to a first type value), so that legacy stations ignore the first access point (or the first link corresponding to the first access point).

[0057]

[0057] In a possible implementation, the access point multilink device transmits a reduced neighbor report element, where a target beacon transmission time information set field corresponding to a first access point and within the reduced neighbor report element carries only a multilink device parameter field, a corresponding target beacon transmission time information length is set to a first length value, and a corresponding target beacon transmission time information field type field is set to a fourth value, so that legacy stations ignore the first access point. In this implementation, the access point multilink device carries only a multilink device parameter field, so that legacy stations ignore the first access point (or the first link corresponding to the first access point).

[0058]

[0058] In a possible implementation, the access point multilink device transmits a sixth PPDU, and the sixth PPDU carries a fifth indication, which indicates that transmission outside a restricted target wake time (rTWT) service period (SP) is permitted or transmission outside the rTWT SP is not permitted. In this implementation, the fifth indication indicates that transmission and reception of data outside the rTWT SP is prohibited, so that the station multilink device is prevented from transmitting data to the access point multilink device outside the SP, thereby further saving energy.

[0059]

[0059] For example, the fifth indication information may be a newly added Transmission allowed Out of TWT SP field, which may occupy one or more bits.

[0060] In a possible implementation, the first PPDU includes a power management mode field, which further indicates a periodic power saving mode, which by default specifies that no transmissions outside the rTWT SP are allowed, thereby further saving energy.

[0061]

[0061] In a possible implementation, when the TWT protocol is set up between the first access point and the corresponding first station, the first access point of the access point multilink device switches to an awake state before the TWT SP. In this implementation, the first access point automatically wakes up if it is in a power saving mode, and the first station does not need to send a wake-up request. The power management mode here does not need to be set to a periodic power saving mode.

[0062]

[0062] According to a second aspect, a communication method is provided, the method including the following process: a station multilink device receives a first PPDU, the first PPDU carries first indication information, the first indication information indicates that the first access point in a doze state is allowed to wake up, or the first indication information indicates that the first access point in a doze state is not allowed to wake up; and the station multilink device determines whether to wake up the first access point.

[0063]

[0063] For example, if there is data to be transmitted or received, the station multilink device decides to wake up the first access point; or, if there is no data to be transmitted or received, the station multilink device decides not to wake up the first access point.

[0064]

[0064] In a possible implementation, the first instruction information includes a wake-up enable field, which indicates that waking up of the first access point in a doze state is allowed or that waking up of the first access point in a doze state is not allowed.

[0065]

[0065] In a possible implementation, the first indication information includes a power management mode field, where the power management mode field indicates a power management mode of the first access point.

[0066]

[0066] In a possible implementation, when the power management mode field is a first value, it indicates that the first access point operates in an active mode, the state of the first access point remains in an awake state, and no state switching is allowed.

[0067]

[0067] In a possible implementation, when the power management mode field is a second value, it indicates that the first access point operates in a power saving mode and state switching is allowed, for example, after receiving a wake-up request, the first access point switches from a doze state to an awake state, and switches from the awake state back to the doze state when a certain condition is met.

[0068]

[0068] In a possible implementation, when the power management mode field is a third value, it indicates that the first access point operates in a sleep mode, the state of the first access point remains in a doze state, and no state switching is allowed to wake up the first access point.

[0069]

[0069] In a possible implementation, the first indication information indicates that the first access point in a doze state is permitted to be woken up.

[0070]

[0070] After the station multilink device determines whether to allow the first access point to wake up, the station multilink device may further send a second PPDU, where the second PPDU carries second instruction information, and the second instruction information is used to wake up the first access point corresponding to one or more links.

[0071]

[0071] In a possible implementation, the station multilink device may further receive a seventh PPDU transmitted by the access point multilink device, the seventh PPDU carrying sixth indication information, which is used to wake up a first station corresponding to one or more links.

[0072]

[0072] In a possible implementation, the second instruction information or the sixth instruction information includes a link instruction field, which indicates a link that is requested to be woken up.

[0073]

[0073] In a possible implementation, the second PPDU or the seventh PPDU includes a control field, and the second indication information or the sixth indication information is carried in the control field.

[0074]

[0074] In a possible implementation, the control field is an access point assistance request control field, and the access point assistance request control field carries the second indication information or the sixth indication information.

[0075]

[0075] In a possible implementation, the access point assistance request control field further carries third instruction information, and the third instruction information indicates that the access point assistance request control field is used to wake up a first access point that is in a doze state and is in the specified access point multilink device.

[0076]

[0076] In a possible implementation, the station multilink device receives a third PPDU, the third PPDU indicating the first access point that has been woken up.

[0077]

[0077] In a possible implementation, the station multilink device receives a fourth PPDU on a woken up link, the fourth PPDU indicating that a first access point corresponding to the link is woken up.

[0078]

[0078] In a possible implementation, the first PPDU includes a wake-up delay field, where the wake-up delay field indicates a delay for the first access point to switch from a doze state to an awake state.

[0079]

[0079] In a possible implementation, the station multilink device receives a fifth PPDU, where the fifth PPDU includes a wake-up delay field.

[0080]

[0080] In a possible implementation, the fifth PPDU may further include a power saving operation support field, which indicates whether the wake-up delay field is present.

[0081]

[0081] In a possible implementation, the first access point in a power saving mode is woken up by one or more station multilink devices, and the station multilink devices may further send fourth indication information, and the fourth indication information is set to 0 to indicate that the station corresponding to the first access point has no data to be transmitted, so that the first access point of the access point multilink devices switches back to a doze state to reduce power consumption.

[0082]

[0082] In a possible implementation, the fourth indication information is information indicated by a more data field.

[0083]

[0083] In a possible implementation, a station multilink device receives a reduced neighborhood report element, where a target beacon transmission time information set field corresponding to a first access point and within the reduced neighborhood report element carries a multilink device parameter field, and the target beacon transmission time information length is set to a first length value, such that legacy stations ignore the first access point.

[0084]

[0084] In a possible implementation, a station multilink device receives a reduced neighborhood report element, where a target beacon transmission time information field type corresponding to a first access point and within the reduced neighborhood report element is set to a first type value, resulting in legacy stations ignoring the first access point.

[0085]

[0085] In a possible implementation, a station multilink device receives a reduced neighborhood report element, where a target beacon transmission time information set field corresponding to a first access point and within the reduced neighborhood report element carries a multilink device parameter field, the target beacon transmission time information length is set to a first length value, and the corresponding target beacon transmission time information field type is set to a first type value, such that legacy stations ignore the first access point.

[0086]

[0086] According to a third aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device may be the access point multilink device or station multilink device described above, or may be a chip disposed in the access point multilink device or station multilink device. The communication device may implement the method in any one of the aspects described above.

[0087]

[0087] The communication device includes a processing unit and a transceiver unit.

[0088]

[0088] When the communication device is an access point multilink device, for example, the processing unit is configured to generate a first PPDU, the first PPDU carrying first instruction information, where the first instruction information indicates that wake-up of the first access point in a doze state is allowed, or the first instruction information indicates that wake-up of the first access point in a doze state is not allowed; and the transceiver unit is configured to transmit the first PPDU.

[0089]

[0089] In a possible implementation, the first instruction information includes a wake-up enable field, which indicates that waking up of the first access point in a doze state is allowed or that waking up of the first access point in a doze state is not allowed.

[0090]

[0090] In a possible implementation, the first instruction information includes a power management mode field, which indicates that waking up of the first access point in a doze state is permitted or that waking up of the first access point in a doze state is not permitted.

[0091]

[0091] In a possible implementation, the power management mode field further indicates that the first access point is in an active mode, and / or the power management mode field further indicates that the first access point is in a sleep mode.

[0092]

[0092] In a possible implementation, the first indication information indicates that the first access point, which is in a doze state, is permitted to be woken up.

[0093]

[0093] The transceiver unit is further configured to receive a second PPDU transmitted by the station multilink device, the second PPDU carrying second instruction information, and the second instruction information is used to wake up a first access point corresponding to one or more links.

[0094]

[0094] In a possible implementation, the second instruction information includes a link instruction field, the link instruction field indicating the link that is requested to be woken up; or the second instruction information includes identifiers of multiple station multilink devices and a link instruction field corresponding to the identifier of each station multilink device; or the second instruction information is carried in a control field, the control field indicating the link that is requested to be woken up.

[0095]

[0095] In a possible implementation, multiple station multilink devices respond to the same multicast address or the same broadcast address.

[0096]

[0096] In a possible implementation, the second PPDU includes a control field, which carries the second indication information.

[0097]

[0097] In a possible implementation, the control field is an access point assistance request control field, and the access point assistance request control field carries the second indication information.

[0098]

[0098] In a possible implementation, the access point assistance request control field carries third instruction information, and the third instruction information indicates that the access point assistance request control field is used to wake up a first access point in a specified access point multilink device.

[0099]

[0099] In a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to transmit a third PPDU to the station multilink device, the third PPDU indicating the first access point that has been woken up.

[0100]

[0100] In a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to transmit a fourth PPDU to the station multilink device on the woken up link, the fourth PPDU indicating that a first access point corresponding to the link has woken up.

[0101]

[0101] In a possible implementation, the first PPDU includes a wake-up delay field, where the wake-up delay field indicates a delay for the first access point to switch from a doze state to an awake state.

[0102]

[0102] In a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to transmit a fifth PPDU, the fifth PPDU including a wake-up delay field.

[0103]

[0103] In a possible implementation, the fifth PPDU further includes a power saving operation supported field, where the power saving operation supported field indicates whether the wake-up delay field is present.

[0104]

[0104] In a possible implementation, a first access point in a power saving mode is woken up by one or more station multilink devices.

[0105]

[0105] The processing unit is further configured to switch the first access point from an awake state to a doze state when fourth instruction information transmitted by the one or more station multilink devices is received and the fourth instruction information is set to 0.

[0106]

[0106] In a possible implementation, the fourth indication information is information indicated by a more data field.

[0107]

[0107] In a possible implementation, the processing unit is further configured to switch the first access point from an awake state to a doze state when the channel is in an idle state.

[0108]

[0108] In a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to transmit a reduced neighborhood report element, wherein a target beacon transmission time information set field corresponding to the first access point and within the reduced neighborhood report element carries a multilink device parameter field and a target beacon transmission time information length is set to a first length value, such that legacy stations ignore the first access point.

[0109]

[0109] In a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to transmit a reduced neighborhood report element, wherein a target beacon transmission time information field type corresponding to the first access point and within the reduced neighborhood report element is set to a first type value, such that legacy stations ignore the first access point.

[0110]

[0110] In a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to transmit a sixth PPDU, the sixth PPDU carrying fifth indication information, the fifth indication information indicating that transmission is permitted outside the service period or that transmission is not permitted outside the service period.

[0111]

[0111] In a possible implementation, the first PPDU includes a power management mode field, which further indicates a periodic power saving mode.

[0112]

[0112] When the communication apparatus is a station multilink device, for example, the transceiver unit is configured to receive a first physical layer protocol data unit PPDU, the first PPDU carrying first instruction information, where the first instruction information indicates that wake-up of the first access point in a doze state is allowed, or the first instruction information indicates that wake-up of the first access point in a doze state is not allowed; and the processing unit is configured to determine whether to wake up the first access point.

[0113]

[0113] In a possible implementation, the first instruction information includes a wake-up enable field, which indicates that waking up of the first access point in the doze state is allowed or that waking up of the first access point in the doze state is not allowed.

[0114]

[0114] In a possible implementation, the first instruction information includes a power management mode field, the power management mode field indicating that waking up of the first access point in a doze state is permitted or that waking up of the first access point in a doze state is not permitted.

[0115]

[0115] In a possible implementation, the power management mode field informs the first access point to switch to an awake mode and / or the power management mode field informs the first access point to switch to a doze mode.

[0116]

[0116] In a possible implementation, the first indication information indicates that the first access point in a doze state is permitted to be woken up.

[0117]

[0117] The transceiver unit is further configured to transmit a second PPDU, the second PPDU carrying second instruction information, and the second instruction information is used to wake up a first access point corresponding to the one or more links.

[0118]

[0118] In a possible implementation, the second instruction information includes a link instruction field, the link instruction field indicating the link that is requested to be woken up; or the second instruction information includes identifiers of multiple station multilink devices and a link instruction field corresponding to the identifier of each station multilink device; or the second instruction information is carried within a control field, the control field indicating the link that is requested to be woken up.

[0119]

[0119] In a possible implementation, multiple station multilink devices respond to the same multicast address or the same broadcast address.

[0120]

[0120] In a possible implementation, the second PPDU includes a control field, which carries the second indication information.

[0121]

[0121] In a possible implementation, the control field is an access point assistance request control field, and the access point assistance request control field carries the second indication information.

[0122]

[0122] In a possible implementation, the access point assistance request control field further carries third instruction information, and the third instruction information indicates that the access point assistance request control field is used to wake up a first access point in the specified access point multilink device.

[0123]

[0123] In a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a third PPDU, the third PPDU indicating the first access point that has been woken up.

[0124]

[0124] In a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a fourth PPDU on the woken up link, the fourth PPDU indicating that a first access point corresponding to the link has been woken up.

[0125]

[0125] In a possible implementation, the first PPDU includes a wake-up delay field, where the wake-up delay field indicates a delay for the first access point to switch from a doze state to an awake state.

[0126]

[0126] In a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a fifth PPDU, the fifth PPDU including a wake-up delay field.

[0127]

[0127] In a possible implementation, the fifth PPDU further includes a power saving operation supported field, where the power saving operation supported field indicates whether the wake-up delay field is present.

[0128]

[0128] In a possible implementation, the first access point in a power saving mode is woken up by one or more station multilink devices; and the transceiver unit is further configured to send fourth indication information, where the fourth indication information is set to 0, indicating that the corresponding station has no data to be transmitted.

[0129]

[0129] In a possible implementation, the fourth indication information is information indicated by a more data field.

[0130]

[0130] In a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is configured to: receive a reduced neighborhood report element, where a target beacon transmission time information set field corresponding to the first access point and within the reduced neighborhood report element carries a multilink device parameter field and the target beacon transmission time information length is set to a first length value, such that legacy stations ignore the first access point; or the transceiver unit is further configured to: receive a reduced neighborhood report element, where a target beacon transmission time information field type corresponding to the first access point and within the reduced neighborhood report element is set to a first type value, such that legacy stations ignore the first access point.

[0131]

[0131] In a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a sixth PPDU, the sixth PPDU carrying fifth indication information, the fifth indication information indicating that transmission is permitted outside the service period or that transmission is not permitted outside the service period.

[0132]

[0132] In a possible implementation, the first PPDU includes a power management mode field, which further indicates a periodic power saving mode.

[0133]

[0133] According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a communications device including a processor configured to perform the method of any one of the above aspects.

[0134]

[0134] Optionally, the apparatus further includes a memory, the memory storing instructions, and the processor executing the instructions in the memory, thereby performing the method in any one of the aforementioned aspects.

[0135]

[0135] Optionally, the memory is located internal or external to the device.

[0136]

[0136] Optionally, the apparatus further includes an interface circuit, the processor being coupled to the interface circuit.

[0137]

[0137] Optionally, there are one or more processors and one or more memories.

[0138]

[0138] Optionally, the memory may be integrated with the processor, or the memory and the processor may be located separately.

[0139]

[0139] In a specific implementation process, the memory may be a non-transitory memory, such as a read-only memory (ROM). The memory and the processor may be integrated into one chip, or may be separately located on different chips. The type of memory and the manner in which the memory and the processor are located are not limited to the embodiments of the present application.

[0140]

[0140] The communication device may be a chip, and the processor may be implemented by using hardware, or may be implemented by using software. When the processor is implemented by using hardware, the processor may be a logic circuit, an integrated circuit, etc. When the processor is implemented by using software, the processor may be a general-purpose processor, and is implemented by reading the software code stored in the memory. The memory may be integrated into the processor, or may be located outside the processor and exist independently.

[0141] According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a processor including an input circuit, an output circuit, and a processing circuit configured to receive a signal via the input circuit and to transmit a signal via the output circuit, such that the processor performs the method of any one of the preceding aspects.

[0142]

[0142] In a specific implementation process, the processor may be a chip, the input circuit may be an input pin, the output circuit may be an output pin, and the processing circuit may be a transistor, a gate circuit, a trigger, various logic circuits, etc. The input signal received by the input circuit may be, for example, but not limited to, received and input by a receiver. The signal output by the output circuit may be, for example, but not limited to, output to a transmitter and transmitted by the transmitter. The input circuit and the output circuit may be the same circuit, and the circuit is configured as an input circuit and an output circuit at different times. The specific implementation of the processor and various circuits is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0143]

[0143] According to a sixth aspect, there is provided a computer program product, the computer program product including a computer program (which may also be referred to as code or instructions) that, when executed, enables a computer to carry out the method of any one of the preceding aspects.

[0144]

[0144] According to a seventh aspect, a computer readable medium is provided. The computer readable medium stores a computer program (which may also be referred to as code or instructions). When the computer program is executed on a computer, the computer is enabled to perform the method in any one of the previous aspects.

[0145] According to an eighth aspect, a chip system is provided. The chip system includes a processor and an interface configured to support a communication device in performing the functions of any one of the aspects described above. In a possible design, the chip system further includes a memory. The memory is configured to store necessary information and data of the communication device. The chip system may include a chip, or may include a chip and another discrete component.

[0146]

[0146] According to a ninth aspect, there is provided a functional entity, the functional entity being configured to perform the method in any one of the previous aspects.

[0147]

[0147] According to a tenth aspect, there is provided a communication system including an access point multilink device according to the first aspect and a station multilink device according to the second aspect.

[0148]

[0148] For the technical effects provided by any one of the implementations in the second aspect to the tenth aspect, please refer to the technical effects provided by the first aspect. Details will not be described again.

[0149]

[0149] It should be noted that the communication methods provided in the first aspect and the second aspect may be used separately or in combination, which is not limited in the present case. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0150] [Figure 1]

[0150] Figure 1 is a diagram of a multilink device. [Diagram 2]

[0151] FIG. 2 is a diagram of the structure of a communication system. [Diagram 3]

[0152] FIG. 3 is a diagram of the structure of a communication system. [Figure 4]

[0153] FIG. 4 is a diagram of a communication process according to an embodiment of the present application. [Diagram 5]

[0154] FIG. 5 is a diagram of a frame structure of a reduced neighborhood report element according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 6]

[0155] FIG. 6 is a diagram of a frame structure of a reduced neighborhood report element according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 7A]

[0156] FIG. 7A is a diagram of a frame structure of a reduced neighborhood report element according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 7B]

[0157] FIG. 7B is a diagram of a frame structure of a reduced neighborhood report element according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 8]

[0158] FIG. 8 is a diagram of an access point assistance request control field format according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 9]

[0159] FIG. 9 is a diagram of an access point assistance request control field format according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 10]

[0160] FIG. 10 is a diagram of a unicast TWT according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 11]

[0161] FIG. 11 is a diagram of a Broadcast TWT element format according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 12]

[0162] FIG. 12 is a diagram of a frame structure of a Multi-link Element according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 13A]

[0163] FIG. 13A is a diagram of a Presence Bitmap field format according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 13B]

[0164] FIG. 13B is a diagram of a Multi-Link Control field format according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 13C]

[0165] FIG. 13C is a diagram of a Power Management Information field format according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 13D]

[0166] FIG. 13D is a diagram of a common information field format according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 13E]

[0167] FIG. 13E is a diagram of a format of a STA information field according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 13F]

[0168] FIG. 13F is a diagram of a STA control field format according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 14]

[0169] FIG. 14 is a diagram of a frame structure of a reduced neighborhood report element according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 15]

[0170] FIG. 15 is a diagram of a frame structure of a Target beacon transmission time (TBTT) information field according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 16]

[0171] FIG. 16 is a diagram of a frame structure of a Basic Service Set Parameter (BSS Parameter) field according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 17]

[0172] FIG. 17 is a structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 18]

[0173] FIG. 18 is a structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 19]

[0174] FIG. 19 is a structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0151]

[0175] The technical solutions of the present application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0152]

[0176] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application may be applied to various communication systems, such as wireless local area network (WLAN) communication systems, long term evolution (LTE) systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems, 5th generation (5G) systems, new radio (NR), future 6th generation (6G) systems, etc.

[0153]

[0177] For example, the embodiments of the present application may be applied to a WLAN system, and any protocol in the IEEE 802.11 series of protocols used by WLANs, such as 802.11a / b / g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11bf, and future 802.11 protocols, may be applied to the embodiments of the present application. The methods provided in the present application may be implemented by a communication device in a wireless communication system, or a chip or processor within the communication device. Correspondingly, the communication device supports communication according to the IEEE 802.11 series of protocols. Although the embodiments of the present application are primarily described using networks deployed using IEEE 802.11 as an example, one skilled in the art will readily appreciate that aspects of the present application may be extended to other networks using a variety of standards or protocols, such as Bluetooth, high performance radio local area networks (LANs) (HIPERLANs) (a wireless standard similar to the IEEE 802.11 standard used primarily in Europe), wide area networks (WANs), wireless local area networks (WLANs), personal area networks (PANs), or other networks now known or later developed. Thus, various aspects provided herein are applicable to any suitable wireless network, regardless of the coverage and wireless access protocol used.

[0154]

[0178] WLANs may operate in low and high frequency bands. Low frequency bands include sub-1 gigahertz (GHz), 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, etc., and high frequency bands include 60 GHz, etc. 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) and previous multi-band wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) are configured with multiple links, where each link typically sets up a different basic service set (BSS), and communication can take place on only one link at a time with stations in the BSS to which the link belongs. The operations on the links are not fully coordinated.

[0155]

[0179] In the IEEE 802.11 next generation Wi-Fi extremely high throughput (EHT) protocol, the ultra-large bandwidth of the new 6 GHz frequency band is used to transmit information packets, and multiple discontinuous links may also be aggregated to form an ultra-large bandwidth by using a multi-link cooperation technique. A device capable of implementing the multi-link cooperation technique is called a multi-link device (MLD). The MLD includes an access point (AP) MLD and / or a non-AP (non-AP) MLD. For example, a non-AP MLD may be a station (STA) MLD. The MLD may have multiple radio frequency modules operating on different frequency bands, channels, or links. For example, the frequency bands based on which the MLD operates may be all or part of sub-1 GHz, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, and high frequency 60 GHz. This is not limited in the present case. An MLD includes one or more affiliated stations, where a station may be an AP or a STA. Each affiliated station has its own media access control (MAC) address. As shown in Figure 1, STA1 has its own low MAC address, i.e., link address 1, and STA2 has its own low MAC address, i.e., link address 2. The MLD also has a high MAC address, i.e., the MLD MAC address.

[0156]

[0180] MLD may aggregate larger bandwidth and use multi-link coordination techniques, for example, to share the MAC layer on multiple links to transmit message packets flexibly, or to send message packets of the same service to the same station simultaneously. AP MLD can set up associations with non-AP MLDs on one link to quickly set up associations on multiple links.

[0157]

[0181] 2 is a diagram of the architecture of a communication system to which the embodiment of the present application is applicable. The communication system includes one or more AP MDLs and one or more non-AP MDLs. The AP MLD includes AP1 and AP2, and the non-AP MLD includes STA1 and STA2. Optionally, the communication system may further include one or more legacy STAs. The communication system shown in the embodiment of the present application is only an example for explanation, and the communication system to which the present application is applicable is not limited thereto. This is uniformly described in the present application, and the details will not be described again below.

[0158]

[0182] As shown in FIG. 3, the AP MLD includes AP1 and AP2.

[0159] AP1 includes AP1 PHY, AP1 lower MAC, and upper MAC. AP2 includes AP2 PHY, AP2 lower MAC, and upper MAC. AP1 and AP2 share the upper MAC. Non-AP MLD includes STA1 and STA2.

[0160] STA1 includes a STA1 PHY, a STA1 lower MAC, and an upper MAC. STA2 includes a STA2 PHY, a STA2 lower MAC, and an upper MAC. STA1 and STA2 share the upper MAC, AP1 and STA1 are connected via link 1, and AP2 and STA2 are connected via link 2.

[0161]

[0183] When multiple links are set up, the non-AP MLD sends an Association Request frame on link 1, which carries the STA side information for link 1 and the STA side information for link 2. The Association Request frame may carry a Multi-link Element, which is used to carry information about the MLD and the stations in the MLD. The AP MLD sends an Association Response frame on link 1, which carries the AP side information for link 1 and the AP side information for link 2. In this way, STA1 and STA2 of the non-AP MLD establish association with AP1 and AP2 of the AP MLD, respectively. The link used to exchange Association Request / Response frames (Link 1) is referred to as the Transmitted Link, and the other link (Link 2) is referred to as the Non-transmitted Link.

[0162]

[0184] Before the multiple links are set up, the STA can discover the presence of the AP by a scanning method such as active scanning or passive scanning, and associate with the AP to set up a connection, thereby performing the setup of multiple links. It is easy to understand that the purpose of associating the STA with the AP and setting up a connection is to set up one or more links (e.g., link 1 and link 2 in FIG. 2) used for communication between the STA and the AP.

[0163]

[0185] In the passive scanning process, the STA can receive management frames (e.g., Beacon frames or broadcast Probe Response frames) transmitted by the AP on a channel. For example, the STA can search for the Beacon frames transmitted by the AP through jumping on various channels. Once the STA obtains the management information of the AP through the Beacon frames, the STA can further communicate with the AP through Probe Request frames or Probe Response frames to obtain other information from the AP.

[0164]

[0186] In the active scanning process, a STA can actively broadcast a probe request frame when a beacon frame is not detected through listening. After receiving the probe request frame, if certain conditions (the conditions are not limited in the embodiments of the present application) are met, the AP can initiate random channel access to reply with a probe response frame.

[0165]

[0187] To assist STAs in fast scanning, APs can carry a Reduced Neighbor Report Element in a beacon frame or a probe response frame to report the relevant information of the corresponding APs. In this way, during scanning, STAs can obtain information about nearby APs and select suitable APs for association, so that STAs do not need to continuously scan channels and the scanning time of STAs can be reduced. According to the 802.11be specification, an affiliated AP should carry information about other affiliated APs that belong to the same AP MLD as its affiliated AP in the Reduced Neighbor Report Element. For a STA, nearby APs refer to APs in the vicinity of the STA, and for an AP, nearby APs refer to APs in the vicinity of the AP.

[0166]

[0188] Two MLDs (e.g., AP MLD and non-AP MLD) can communicate with each other on a setup link (e.g., link 1 and link 2). If the channel spacing between two radio frequency modules in an MLD is large enough, the links corresponding to the two radio frequency modules can operate independently and do not interfere with each other. If two links in an MLD support transmitting data on one link and receiving data on the other link at the same time, the two links support simultaneous transmit and receive (STR). Otherwise, the two links support NSTR.

[0167]

[0189] The implementation of AP MLD is NSTR Mobile AP MLD. According to the 802.11 be protocol, NSTR Mobile AP MLD does not support STR (i.e., it normally supports NSTR), and another type of AP MLD supports STR. NSTR Mobile AP MLD can implement the function of AP MLD in non-AP MLD by using software. In one scenario, a mobile phone may be configured as NSTR Mobile AP MLD to enable association with another device. For an NSTR link pair in NSTR Mobile AP MLD, one link may be defined as a Primary Link and the other link may be defined as a Non-primary Link. The AP corresponding to the Primary Link is called the Primary AP, and the AP corresponding to the Non-primary Link is called the Non-primary AP. Non-primary APs are not allowed to send Beacon frames and reply with Probe Response frames, which can prevent legacy STAs from associating with non-primary APs. Non-AP MLD can carry non-primary link related information on the primary link to enforce operation using the non-primary link.

[0168]

[0190] To reduce the power consumption of the MLD and to implement power saving in the MLD, stations such as non-primary APs may be doze when not needed, and stations in the doze state may be woken up by using a wake-up request. However, in some cases, for example, when the NSTR Mobile AP MLD is at a very low battery level and operates in a low battery level mode, the NSTR Mobile AP MLD may not want to be woken up. Thus, an embodiment of the present application provides a method of communication for an access point in the doze state to indicate whether it is authorized to be woken up.

[0169]

[0191] 4 shows a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. The method includes the following steps:

[0170]

[0192] S401: An access point multilink device (hereinafter referred to as AP MLD) generates a first PPDU. The first PPDU carries first indication information, and the first indication information indicates that a first access point (hereinafter referred to as AP) in a doze state is allowed to wake up, or indicates that a first AP in a doze state is not allowed to wake up.

[0171]

[0193] In general, the power state of an AP includes an awake state or a doze state. In a possible example, in a power save mode (PS mode), the AP can switch between an awake state and a doze state, and the default state in the power save mode is the doze state. Unless otherwise specified, the power state in the power save mode is the doze state.

[0172]

[0194] S402: The AP MLD transmits a first PPDU.

[0173]

[0195] Optionally, the AP MLD includes a first AP and a second AP, where the first AP is in a doze state and the second AP is in an awake state, and the AP MLD is capable of transmitting a first PPDU through the second AP.

[0174]

[0196] For example, an AP MLD sends a first PPDU to a station multilink device (hereinafter referred to as a non-AP MLD or a STA MLD). In response, the non-AP MLD receives the first PPDU, and the non-AP MLD determines whether to wake up the first AP based on the first PPDU.

[0175]

[0197] In the implementation, if the first indication information indicates that the first AP in the doze state is not allowed to be woken up, the non-AP MLD determines not to wake up the first AP. If the first indication information indicates that the first AP in the doze state is allowed to be woken up, the non-AP MLD may determine whether to wake up the first AP based on whether there is data to be transmitted or received. For example, if there is data to be transmitted or received, the non-AP MLD determines to wake up the first AP; alternatively, if there is no data to be transmitted or received, the non-AP MLD determines not to wake up the first AP. It can be understood that this is merely an example of the non-AP MLD determining whether to wake up the first AP.

[0176]

[0198] In the above solution, when the first AP in the AP MLD is in a doze state, the AP MLD can indicate whether to allow the first AP in the doze state to wake up by using the first indication information of the first PPDU. If the first indication information indicates that the first AP in the doze state is allowed to wake up, the first AP can be woken up. If the first indication information indicates that the first AP in the doze state is not allowed to wake up, the first AP can remain in the doze state. Therefore, the flexibility of controlling the AP MLD can be improved.

[0177]

[0199] A first AP in a doze state being allowed to wake up may mean that the first AP is allowed to be woken up by using a wake-up request and / or that the first AP is allowed to be woken up periodically. A first AP in a doze state being not allowed to wake up may mean that the first AP is not allowed to be woken up by using a wake-up request and / or that the first AP is not allowed to be woken up periodically.

[0178]

[0200] In implementation 1.1, the first indication information includes a wake-up enable field, and the wake-up enable field indicates that the first AP in the doze state is allowed to wake up or that the first AP in the doze state is not allowed to wake up.

[0179]

[0201] The wake-up enable field may occupy one or more bits. If the wake-up enable field has a first value (e.g., a bit equal to 1 or 0), the wake-up enable field may indicate that the first AP in the doze state is allowed to be woken up. If the wake-up enable field has a second value (e.g., a bit equal to 0 or 1), the wake-up enable field may indicate that the first AP in the doze state is not allowed to be woken up.

[0180]

[0202] For example, in this implementation 1.1, the wake-up enable field may be carried in a reduced neighbor report element (RNR element) for indication.

[0181]

[0203] In the related art, the frame structure of the RNR element in the beacon frame is shown in Figure 5, and includes an MLD identity (ID) field (occupying 8 bits), a Link ID field (occupying 4 bits), a BSS Parameters Change Count field (occupying 8 bits), a Power Management Mode field (occupying 1 bit), a Doze field (occupying 1 bit), and a Reserved field (occupying 2 bits). When the Power Management Mode field is set to 0, it indicates the active mode; when the Power Management Mode field is set to 1, it indicates the Power Save mode. When the Power Management Mode field is set to 1, the Doze field is valid; when the Doze field is set to 0, it indicates the active state; when the Doze field is set to 1, it indicates the doze state. When a non-primary AP is in an active mode, the power state of the non-primary AP is the Awake state. When a non-primary AP is in a power saving mode, the power state of the non-primary AP can be switched between the Awake state and the Doze state.

[0182]

[0204] Different from Figure 5, Figure 6 shows the frame structure of the RNR element, including an MLD ID field (occupying 8 bits), a Link ID field (occupying 4 bits), a BSS Parameter Change Count field (occupying 8 bits), a Power Management Mode field (occupying 1 bit), a Doze field (occupying 1 bit), a Wake-up Enable field (occupying 1 bit), and a Reserved field (occupying 1 bit). If the Doze field is set to 1, the Wake-up Enable field is enabled. If the Wake-up Enable field is set to 1, it indicates that the first AP in the doze state is allowed to wake up. If the Wake-up Enable field is set to 0, it indicates that the first AP in the doze state is not allowed to wake up.

[0183]

[0205] In implementation 1.2, the first instruction information includes a power management mode field, and the power management mode field indicates that the first AP in the doze state is allowed to wake up or that the first AP in the doze state is not allowed to wake up.

[0184]

[0206] The power management mode field may occupy one or more bits.

[0185]

[0207] Optionally, the power management mode field may further indicate that the first AP is in an active mode and / or indicate that the first AP is in a sleep mode.

[0186]

[0208] For example, when the power management mode field is set to a third value, it indicates that the first AP is in an active mode, the first AP remains in an awake state, and no state switching is allowed; When the power management mode field is set to a fourth value, it indicates that the first AP is in the PS mode, the default state of the first AP is in the doze state, and state switching is allowed; When the power management mode field is set to the fifth value, it indicates that the first AP is in a sleep mode, the first AP remains in a doze state, state switches are not allowed, and wake-up is not allowed (e.g., non-AP MLD is not allowed to send a wake-up request for wake-up).

[0187]

[0209] In this implementation 1.2, the power management mode field can be carried in the RNR element for indication.

[0188]

[0210] Unlike Figure 5, Figure 7A shows a frame structure of an RNR element, including an MLD ID field (occupying 8 bits), a Link ID field (occupying 4 bits), a BSS Parameter Change Count field (occupying 8 bits), a Power Management Mode field (occupying 2 bits), and a Reserved field (occupying 2 bits). In one example, Table 1 shows the power management modes indicated by the Power Management Mode field.

[0189] If the power management mode field is set to 00 (i.e., the third value is 00), it indicates that the first AP is in active mode.

[0190] If the power management mode field is set to 10 (ie, the fourth value is 10), it indicates that the first AP is in the PS mode.

[0191] If the power management mode is set to 11 (i.e., the fifth value is 11), it indicates that the first AP is in a sleep mode.

[0192] Table 1 further indicates that the power management mode field is set to a sixth value as Reserved (eg, the sixth value is 01).

[0193] Table 1

[0194] [Table 1]

[0211] Different from Fig. 5, Fig. 7B further shows the frame structure of the RNR element, including an MLD ID field (occupying 8 bits), a Link ID field (occupying 4 bits), a BSS Parameter Change Count field (occupying 8 bits), a Power Management Mode field (occupying 2 bits), a Doze field (occupying 1 bit), and a Reserved field (occupying 1 bit). For the power management mode indicated by the Power Management Mode field, please refer to the example in Table 1. The details will not be described again here.

[0195]

[0212] If the first indication indicates that the first AP in the doze state is allowed to be woken up, the first AP is allowed to be woken up by using a wake-up request and / or is allowed to be woken up periodically.

[0196]

[0213] If the wake-up is performed by using a wake-up request, after S402, the non-AP MLD can send a second PPDU to the AP MLD, and the AP MLD receives the second PPDU, where the second PPDU carries second indication information, and the second indication information is used to wake up the first AP corresponding to the one or more links.

[0197]

[0214] It can be understood that the AP MLD may also send a seventh PPDU to the non-AP MLD, and the non-AP MLD receives the seventh PPDU, where the seventh PPDU carries sixth indication information, and the sixth indication information is used to wake up a first STA corresponding to one or more links.

[0198]

[0215] The frame structure of the second PPDU transmitted by the non-AP MLD may be the same as or different from the frame structure of the sixth PPDU transmitted by the AP MLD.

[0199]

[0216] In implementation 2.1, the second instruction information or the sixth instruction information includes a link instruction field, and the link instruction information indicates the link (or the first STA or the first AP corresponding to the link) that is requested to be woken up.

[0200]

[0217] The link indication field may occupy one or more bits. For example, MLD supports 16 links, so the link indication field may occupy 16 bits, each bit corresponding to one link. If a bit is set to the seventh value (e.g., 1 or 0), it indicates that the link corresponding to the bit is requested to be woken up. If a bit is set to the eighth value (e.g., 0 or 1), it indicates that the link corresponding to the bit is not woken up.

[0201]

[0218] For example, the link indication field may be a link bitmap field.

[0202]

[0219] Optionally, the link indication field may be carried in a Link Recommendation frame, the frame type of which may be an EHT Action frame.

[0203]

[0220] Table 2 shows the field format in a Link Recommendation frame, including the Category field, the EHT Action field, and the Link Bitmap field (occupying 16 bits). The sequence numbers in the table may refer to the order.

[0204] Table 2

[0205] [Table 2]

[0221] For example, implementation 2.1 is applicable to a scenario in which a non-AP MLD transmits a link indication field to an AP MLD. For another example, implementation 2.1 is applicable to a unicast scenario. In this scenario, a non-AP MLD may be used as a transmitter for transmitting a link indication field to an AP MLD, or an AP MLD may be used as a transmitter for transmitting a link indication field to a non-AP MLD. Of course, in some cases, implementation 2.1 is applicable to a multicast scenario or a broadcast scenario. An AP MLD can transmit the seventh PPDU separately to each non-AP MLD in multiple non-AP MLDs, which is equivalent to carrying a link indication field in a unicast frame for indication.

[0206]

[0222] In implementation 2.2, the second indication information (or the sixth indication information) includes identifiers of multiple station multilink devices (or multiple access point multilink devices) and a link indication field corresponding to the identifier of each station multilink device.

[0207]

[0223] The similarities between the link indication fields in Implementation 2.2 and Implementation 2.1 will not be described in detail.

[0208]

[0224] Identifiers of multiple station Multilink devices may be represented by an association ID (AID) List element. The link indication field may be a Multi-Link Traffic element, indicating information about the preferred link to be used for transmission.

[0209]

[0225] Optionally, multiple Station Multilink devices may respond to the same multicast address or the same broadcast address.

[0210]

[0226] Table 3 shows the field format in a Link Recommendation frame, including a Category field, an EHT Action field, an AID List element, and a Multilink Traffic element. The sequence numbers in the table may refer to the order.

[0211] Table 3

[0212] [Table 3]

[0227] For example, implementation 2.2 is applicable to a multicast scenario or a broadcast scenario. As another example, implementation 2.2 is applicable to a scenario in which an AP MLD sends a link indication field to a non-AP MLD. Of course, in some cases, implementation 2.2 is applicable to a unicast scenario.

[0213]

[0228] In implementation 2.3, the second PPDU (or the seventh PPDU) includes a Control field, and the second indication information (or the sixth indication information) is carried in the Control field, and the Control field indicates the link that is requested to wake up.

[0214]

[0229] The control field may occupy one or more bits, for example, MLD supports 16 links, so the control field may occupy 16 bits, each bit corresponding to one link.

[0215]

[0230] For example, the control field may be an AP assistance request (ARR) control field, and the ARR control field includes the second indication (or the sixth indication). For example, the ARR control field is carried in an HT control field in a MAC protocol data unit (MPDU) frame header.

[0216] FIG. 8 shows the format of the ARR control field, which includes an Assisted AP Link ID Bitmap field (occupying 16 bits) and a Reserved field (occupying 4 bits).

[0217]

[0231] Optionally, the access point assistance request control field may further carry a third indication, the third indication indicating that the access point assistance request control field is used to wake up a first AP in a doze state within the specified access point multilink device.

[0218]

[0232] In the related art, the ARR control field is used by the STA MLD to request the AP MLD to send a trigger frame on a specified link to assist the non-AP MLD in performing synchronization. In order to distinguish whether the ARR control field is used to request the AP MLD to send a trigger frame on the corresponding link (i.e., the specified link) or to request the AP MLD to wake up on the corresponding link, If the third indication information is a ninth value (e.g., a bit is 0 or 1), the third indication information is used to request the AP MLD to wake up on the corresponding link; or If the third indication information is the tenth value (for example, one bit is 0 or 1), the third indication information is used to request the AP MLD to send a trigger frame on the corresponding link.

[0219]

[0233] Figure 9 shows the format of the ARR Control field, including an Assisted AP Link ID Bitmap field (occupying 16 bits), a Type field (occupying 1 bit), and a Reserved field (occupying 3 bits). If the Type field is set to 0, the AP MLD is requested to send a trigger frame on the corresponding link. If the Type field is set to 1, it indicates that the AP MLD is requested to wake up on the corresponding link. The Assisted AP Link ID Bitmap field indicates the link that is requested to wake up. For example, a non-AP MLD requests to wake up the corresponding link by sending a wake-up request carrying the ARR Control field.

[0220]

[0234] When the first AP switches from a doze state to an awake state, it may assume that all STAs that do not transmit an ARR control field (type field is set to 1) and correspond to the first AP are in a doze state, and that all STAs that transmit an ARR control field (type field is set to 1) and correspond to the first AP are in a power save mode or active mode and in an awake state.

[0221]

[0235] Implementation 2.3 is applicable to unicast scenarios or to multicast or broadcast scenarios.

[0222]

[0236] In implementation 2.4, the second instruction information (or the sixth instruction information) includes a More Data field, and the More Data field indicates a request to wake up the corresponding link to the first AP.

[0223]

[0237] The more data field may occupy one or more bits.

[0224]

[0238] The More Data field may be used to inform the AP MLD whether there is data to be transmitted.

[0225] If the More Data field is set to an eleventh value (e.g., a bit is 1 or 0), it indicates that there is data to be transmitted or received, and the link corresponding to the first AP is requested to wake up.

[0226] If the More Data field is set to a twelfth value (e.g., one bit is 0 or 1), it indicates that there is no data to be transmitted or received, and the link corresponding to the first AP is not woken up.

[0227]

[0239] For example, a non-AP MLD transmits an MPDU on a primary link, where the MPDU includes a More Data field used to inform the first AP whether the data to be transmitted or received is transmitted on the non-primary link.

[0228]

[0240] For another example, the non-AP MLD transmits an MPDU on a non-primary link, where the MPDU includes a More Data field used to notify the first AP whether data to be transmitted or received is transmitted on the non-primary link.

[0229]

[0241] For another example, the non-AP MLD transmits a synchronization (sync) MPDU on a primary link and a non-primary link, where the synchronization MPDU includes a more data field, and the more data field is used to inform the first AP whether there is data to be transmitted or received. The more data fields in the synchronization MPDUs transmitted on the primary link and the non-primary link are set to the same value.

[0230]

[0242] When the AP is woken up periodically, a periodic active time period and a periodic doze time period may be set according to the TWT technique to control the AP to be woken up periodically, the AP is in an awake state in the active time period and in a doze state in the doze time period.

[0231]

[0243] The TWT includes an individual TWT and a broadcast TWT.

[0232]

[0244] In an individual TWT, each STA may set up a TWT protocol with the AP separately, and each STA may have a corresponding active time period and a corresponding doze time period.

[0233]

[0245] As shown in Figure 10, a STA is used as a TWT request station (TWT request STA) to send a TWT request frame to an AP to request to set an awake time; an AP is used as a TWT response station (TWT response STA) to send a TWT response frame to the TWT request STA. A TWT protocol is set up between the TWT request STA and the TWT response STA. The TWT protocol may include one or more rTWT SPs.

[0234]

[0246] After the TWT protocol is set up, the TWT requester STA and the TWT responder STA remain awake in the negotiated rTWT SP to facilitate data reception and transmission. Outside of the time period, the TWT requester STA and / or the TWT responder STA may implement power saving by dozing.

[0235]

[0247] It can be understood that the TWT requesting STA may alternatively be an AP, and the TWT responding STA may be a STA.

[0236]

[0248] In Broadcast TWT, a group of STAs can set up a public TWT protocol with an AP, and the group of STAs may support the same Active time period and the same Doze time period.

[0237]

[0249] An AP can carry information about one or more broadcast TWTs in a beacon frame, and each broadcast TWT is represented by the AP's MAC address and a broadcast TWT identifier (TWT ID). After receiving a beacon frame, if a STA intends to join a broadcast TWT, the STA can send a broadcast TWT setup request message to the AP to join the broadcast TWT. During the broadcast TWT setup, the STA needs to specify the broadcast TWT ID to request to join a specific broadcast TWT. After joining the broadcast TWT, the STA can wake up and communicate with the AP based on the SP indicated by the TWT parameter set. It should be noted that if a STA supports broadcast TWT but does not explicitly join a broadcast TWT ID, the STA joins the broadcast TWT with broadcast TWT ID=0 by default.

[0238]

[0250] The TWT parameter set may indicate the period of occurrence of rTWT SPs and the duration of each rTWT SP, and may further indicate the life cycle of a broadcast TWT, which is in units of beacon frame intervals and indicates the duration of a setup broadcast TWT.

[0239]

[0251] FIG. 11 shows the format of a Broadcast TWT element, including an Element ID field, a Length field, a Control field, and a TWT Parameter Information field.

[0240] The control fields include a neighbor discovery protocol (NDP) Paging Indicator field, a Responder PS mode field, a Negotiation Type field, a TWT Information Frame Disabled field, a Wake Duration Unit field, and a Reserved field.

[0241] The TWT Parameter Information field includes a Request Type field, a Target Wake Time field, a Nominal Minimum TWT Wake Duration field, a TWT Wake Interval Mantissa field, and a Broadcast TWT Info field.

[0242] The Request Type field includes a TWT Request field, a TWT Setup Command field, a Trigger field, a Last Broadcast Parameter Set field, a Flow Type field, a Broadcast TWT Recommendation field, a TWT Wake Interval Exponent field, and a Reserved field.

[0243] The Broadcast TWT information field includes a Reserved field, a Broadcast TWT ID field, and a Broadcast TWT Persistence field.

[0244]

[0252] AP MLD can add Link Unavailability information to a reserved field in the RNR element to indicate whether a link is available. For example, if the Link Unavailability information is set to 1, it indicates that the corresponding link is unavailable for transmission, and if the Link Unavailability information is set to 0, it indicates that the corresponding link is available for transmission.

[0245]

[0253] Alternatively, the AP MLD can specify the Link Unavailability Count time and the Link Unavailability Duration in the per-STA Profile field in the Multi-link element in the beacon frame. The frame structure of the Multi-link element is shown in FIG. 12 and includes an Element ID field, a Length field, an Element ID Extension field, a Multi-Link Control field, a Common Info field, and a Link Info field, where the Common Info field carries common information of multiple stations in the MLD and information about the MLD. The Link Info field carries information about the stations on each link in the MLD and includes one or more Per-STA Profile fields. The Per-STA Profile field includes a Subelement ID field, a Length field, and a Data field. The Data field includes the STA Control field, the STA Info field, and the STA Profile field. The STA Profile field includes one or more Fields, one or more Elements, and a Non-Inheritance Element. The Multilink Control field carries the type of the Multilink element (e.g., the two variants defined in the current protocol, Basic variant and Probe Request variant, or another type) and a Presence Bitmap field indicating which fields are not present.

[0246] The format of the presence bitmap field may be as shown in FIG. 13A and includes an MLD MAC Address Present field (occupying 1 bit), a Link ID Info Present field (occupying 1 bit), a BSS Parameters Change Count Present field (occupying 1 bit), a Medium Synchronization Delay Information Present field (occupying 1 bit), an enhanced multi-link (EML) Capabilities Present field (occupying 1 bit), an MLD Capabilities Present field (occupying 1 bit), and a Reserved field (occupying 6 bits).

[0247]

[0254] However, the AP MLD cannot accurately determine when to execute the instruction by using the link unavailability information or the per-STA profile fields, and therefore data may still be sent or received outside the SP.

[0248]

[0255] In implementation 3.1, the AP sends a sixth PPDU, where the sixth PPDU carries a fifth indication, and the fifth indication indicates that transmission is permitted outside the rTWT SP or that transmission is not permitted outside the rTWT SP. In this implementation, the AP uses the fifth indication to indicate that data reception and transmission outside the rTWT SP is prohibited. This can prevent data transmission and reception from being performed outside the rTWT SP, thereby further saving power.

[0249]

[0256] For example, the fifth indication information includes a Transmission allowed Out of TWT SP field, and the Transmission allowed Out of TWT SP field may occupy one or more bits.

[0250] When the Out of TWT SP Transmission Allowed field is set to the thirteenth value (eg, a bit is 1 or 0), it indicates that transmission outside the rTWT SP is allowed.

[0251] When the outside TWT SP transmission allowed field is set to a 14th value (eg, a bit is 0 or 1), it indicates that no transmission is allowed outside the rTWT SP.

[0252]

[0257] Optionally, a TWT out-of-SP transmission permission field can be added to the TWT element.

[0253]

[0258] In implementation 3.2, the first PPDU includes a power management mode field, which further indicates a periodic power save mode, which may be indicated by default as no transmission is allowed outside the rTWT SP.

[0254]

[0259] For example, if the power management mode field in Table 1 is set to a sixth value (eg, the sixth value is 01), it indicates a periodic power save mode.

[0255]

[0260] In implementation 3.3, if the fifth indication indicates that transmission outside the rTWT SP is not permitted, the power management mode field further indicates a periodic power save mode. In other words, implementation 3.3 is a combination of implementations 3.1 and 3.2.

[0256]

[0261] For a STA MLD that does not support the TWT protocol, if the AP MLD operates in periodic power save mode, the STA MLD is not allowed to use the AP MLD and a non-primary link for transmission. If the STA MLD supports and is capable of the TWT protocol and the AP MLD operates in periodic power save mode, the STA MLD is allowed to use the AP MLD and a non-primary link for transmission in the SP.

[0257]

[0262] In implementation 3.4, when the first AP is in a power saving mode (e.g., a doze state in a power saving mode) and a TWT protocol is set up between the first AP and a corresponding STA, i.e., a member station, the first AP can automatically wake up before or when a TWT SP starts, and the corresponding STA does not need to send a wake-up request for waking up.

[0258]

[0263] Optionally, the first AP and the corresponding member STAs automatically wake up before the TWT SP starts to perform data exchange. The channel access can be initiated based on the parameter information indicated by the network allocation vector synchronization delay (NAVSyncDelay) or the medium synchronization delay information subfield of the multilink element. For example, the channel access may be initiated after the wake-up. The duration between the time when the first AP switches to the awake state and the time when the TWT SP starts is not limited in this case.

[0259]

[0264] In this implementation, the power management mode field may not indicate a periodic power save mode.

[0260]

[0265] Furthermore, the first AP in the power saving mode does not transmit a beacon frame, in which case another AP (e.g., the second AP) in the AP MLD may carry a TWT element in the link information of the first AP in the multilink element when transmitting a beacon frame.

[0261]

[0266] According to implementations 3.1 to 3.4, after the first AP in power saving mode in the AP MLD is woken up by one or more STA MLDs, the STA MLD can determine that the first AP in the AP MLD is in an awake state in the following implementations.

[0262]

[0267] In implementation 4.1, the AP MLD sends a third PPDU to the STA MLD, where the third PPDU indicates the first AP that will eventually be woken up.

[0263]

[0268] Optionally, the AP MLD may send a third PPDU on the primary link or on a non-primary link.

[0264]

[0269] For example, after receiving the second PPDU (e.g., a link recommendation frame), the AP MLD can reply with a corresponding eighth PPDU (e.g., a link recommendation frame). The eighth PPDU includes a link indication field to indicate the link (or the first AP corresponding to the link) that will eventually be woken up. For example, if the MLD supports 16 links, the link indication field may occupy 16 bits, with each bit corresponding to one link. When a bit is set to 1 or 0, it indicates that the link corresponding to that bit will be woken up. When a bit is set to 0 or 1, it indicates that the link corresponding to that bit will not be woken up.

[0265]

[0270] In implementation 4.2, the AP MLD sends a fourth PPDU to the STA MLD on the link to be woken up, where the fourth PPDU implicitly indicates that the first AP corresponding to the link is woken up.

[0266]

[0271] Optionally, the AP MLD is capable of sending a fourth PPDU on a non-primary link.

[0267]

[0272] For example, the fourth PPDU may be a trigger frame or a PS-poll frame.

[0268]

[0273] In implementation 4.3, the AP MLD accepts wake-up requests by default and switches from the doze state to the awake state after the wake-up delay.

[0269]

[0274] The wake-up delay is the time for the first AP to switch from the doze state to the awake state. In other words, the wake-up delay is determined based on the delay required for the first AP to switch from the doze state to the awake state. For example, the delay for the first AP to switch from the doze state to the awake state is T, and the awake delay may be T+t or Tt. Optionally, after receiving the wake-up request, the first AP needs a time t to analyze the wake-up request and then a time T to switch from the doze state to the awake state. In this case, the wake-up delay may be T+t.

[0270]

[0275] For example, the first PPDU may further include a wake-up delay field, where the wake-up delay field indicates a delay for the first AP to switch from a doze state to an awake state.

[0271]

[0276] In another example, the AP MLD transmits a fifth PPDU, where the fifth PPDU includes a wake-up delay field, where the wake-up delay field indicates a delay for the first AP to switch from a doze state to an awake state.

[0272]

[0277] Optionally, the fifth PPDU further includes a power save operation supported field, which indicates whether the wake-up delay field is present.

[0273]

[0278] For example, the wake-up delay field and the optional power save operation supported field are carried in the multilink control field.

[0274] FIG. 13B is a diagram of a possible format of the Multilink Control field, including a Maximum Number of Simultaneous Links field (occupying 4 bits), a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) Support field (occupying 1 bit), a TID-to-link Mapping Negotiation Supported field (occupying 2 bits), a Frequency Separation For STR field (occupying 5 bits), an AAR Support field (occupying 1 bit), a Power Save Operation Support field (occupying 1 bit), and a Wakeup Delay field (occupying 2 bits). If the Power Save Operation Support field is set to 1 or 0, the Wakeup Delay field is present. If the Power Save Operation Support field is set to 0 or 1, the Wakeup Delay field is not present.

[0275]

[0279] The Wake-up Delay field indicates the delay required for the first AP to switch from the doze state to the awake state. See Table 4 for an example of the delay indicated by the Wake-up Delay field. When the wake-up delay field is set to a first value, e.g., 00 (or 1), it indicates that the wake-up delay is 0 microseconds (µs). When the wake-up delay field is set to a second value, e.g., 01 (or 1), it indicates that the wake-up delay is 32 μs. When the wakeup delay field is set to a third value, such as 10 (or 2), it indicates that the wakeup delay is 64 μs. When the wakeup delay field is set to the fourth value, e.g., 11 (or 3), it indicates that the wakeup delay is 128 μs.

[0276] Table 4

[0277] [Table 4]

[0280] After the wake-up delay, the first AP may be considered to switch to an awake state. Correspondingly, after the wake-up delay, the non-AP MLD can initiate channel access by using the first STA (which is in an awake state) corresponding to the first AP, and the AP MLD and the non-AP MLD can communicate over the link between the first AP and the first STA.

[0278]

[0281] The fifth PPDU may include a mode switch count field, which indicates the remaining time for the first AP to switch from the current mode to the target mode, e.g., the mode switch count field indicates the number of TBTTs still required for the mode switch.

[0279]

[0282] For example, a wake-up delay field and an optional mode switch count field are carried in the Power Management Information field. Figure 13C is a diagram of a possible format of the Power Management Information field, including a power management mode field (occupying 2 bits), a wake-up delay field (occupying 2 bits), a reserved field (occupying 4 bits), and a mode switch count field (occupying 8 bits). For modes indicated by the power management mode field, see Table 1. For delays indicated by the wake-up delay field, see Table 4.

[0280]

[0283] The fifth PPDU can carry a beacon frame. For the mode switch count field, if the field corresponds to a non-primary link of the NSTR Mobile AP MLD, the TBTT corresponding to the field refers to the TBTT of the primary link, i.e., the number of TBTTs that are still required for the first AP corresponding to the primary link to perform a mode switch, because the NSTR Mobile AP MLD does not transmit beacon frames on the non-primary link.

[0281]

[0284] The power management information field may be carried in the common information field and / or in the link information field.

[0282]

[0285] If the power management information field is carried in the common information field, FIG. 13D is a diagram of a possible format of the common information field, including a common information length field (occupying 1 octet), an MLD MAC Address field (occupying 6 octets), a Link ID information field (occupying 0 or 1 octet), a BSS parameter change count field (occupying 0 or 1 octet), a media synchronization delay information field (occupying 0 or 2 octets), an EML capabilities field (occupying 0 or 2 octets), an MLD capabilities field (occupying 0 or 2 octets), and a power management information field (occupying 0 or 2 octets).

[0283]

[0286] When the power management information field is carried in the link information field, FIG. 13E is a diagram of a possible format of the STA information field, including a STA information length field (occupying 1 octet), a STA MAC address field (occupying 0 or 6 octets), a Beacon Interval field (occupying 0 or 2 octets), a delivery traffic indication map (DTIM) information field (occupying 0 or 2 octets), an NSTR indication bitmap field (occupying 0 or 1 or 2 octets), a BSS parameter change count field (occupying 0 or 1 octet), and a power management information field (occupying 0 or 2 octets).

[0284]

[0287] The fifth PPDU may include a seventh indication, where the seventh indication indicates whether a mode switch count field is present. For example, the seventh indication is added to the STA control field to indicate whether a power management information field is present. FIG. 13F is a diagram of a possible format of the STA control field, including a Link ID field (occupying 4 bits), a Complete Profile field (occupying 1 bit), a STA MAC Address Present field (occupying 1 bit), a Beacon Interval Present field (occupying 1 bit), a DTIM Information Present field (occupying 1 bit), an NSTR Link Pair field (occupying 1 bit), an NSTR Bitmap Size field (occupying 1 bit), a BSS Parameter Change Count Present field (occupying 1 bit), a Power Management Information Present field (occupying 1 bit), and a Reserved field (occupying 4 bits). For example, if the value of the Power Management Information Present field is 1, it indicates that the power management information field is present. If the value of the Power Management Information Present field is 0, it indicates that the power management information field is not present.

[0285]

[0288] According to implementations 4.1 to 4.3, after a first AP in power saving mode in AP MLD is woken up by one or more non-AP MLDs, in some cases the first AP may switch from an awake state to a doze state again.

[0286]

[0289] For example, when the channel is in an idle state, the first AP may switch from an awake state to a doze state.

[0287]

[0290] The channel may be idle periodically.

[0288]

[0291] For another example, when the first AP switches to be in an awake state, if all non-AP MDLs that sent a wake-up request set their more data fields to 0, the first AP can switch from the awake state to a doze state.

[0289]

[0292] Specifically, one or more STA MLDs may send a fourth indication information to the AP MLD. When the AP MLD receives the fourth indication information sent by one or more STA MLDs, and the fourth indication information indicates a fifteenth value, the first AP of the AP MLD can switch from an awake state to a doze state.

[0290]

[0293] The fourth instruction information may occupy one or more bits. For example, the fourth instruction information occupies one bit, and when the one bit is set to 0 (i.e., the fifteenth value is set to 0), the first AP switches from an awake state to a doze state.

[0291]

[0294] For example, the fourth indication information is information indicated by the more data field, and indicates whether there is data to be transmitted. Optionally, when the AP MLD performs data reception and transmission with multiple STA MLDs, if all STA MLDs transmit the more data field to the AP MLD and the more data field is set to 0, the AP MLD determines that the STA corresponding to the first AP in all STA MLDs does not have data to be transmitted, and the first AP in the AP MLD can switch to a doze state. The data to be transmitted may be referred to as a buffered unit (BU).

[0292]

[0295] For example, one or more STA MLDs may send a data frame with a more data field set to 0, a quality of service (QoS) null frame, or a control frame to the AP MLD to inform the first AP to switch from an awake state to a doze state.

[0293]

[0296] If the STA MLD wants to retransmit data after the first AP switches to the doze state, the STA MLD can wake up the first AP again by using implementations 3.1 to 3.3.

[0294]

[0297] The above method provided in the embodiment of the present application may be applied to a regular AP MLD, and there is no legacy STA on the link corresponding to the regular AP MLD. If there is a legacy STA, and the AP MLD wants to disable the link (i.e., the STA MLD associated with the AP MLD cannot map the traffic identifier (TID) of the STA MLD to the link), or if the AP MLD wants to configure the link as a clean link (i.e., the link is dedicated to the transmission of low-latency services), the AP MLD can make the legacy frames transmitted on the link to be configured unidentifiable by the STA, so that the legacy STA will not use the associated link to transmit data. For example, there are link 1, link 2, and link 3 in the AP MLD, and the AP MLD wants to configure link 3 as a clean link. The AP MLD can configure the clean link. In this way, the legacy STA cannot be associated with link 3 even if the legacy STA finds that the link is available.

[0295]

[0298] For example, the AP MLD may send a Reduced Neighbor Report element, where a target beacon transmission time information set (TBTT info set) field corresponding to the first AP and within the Reduced Neighbor Report element carries a multilink device parameters (MLD Parameters) field, and a TBTT info length is set to a first length value (e.g., 3), such that legacy STAs ignore the first AP or the first link corresponding to the first AP.

[0296]

[0299] For example, the AP MLD may transmit a Beacon frame on the first link, where the Beacon frame carries a Reduced Neighbor Report element.

[0297]

[0300] Optionally, the TBTT info Field Type in the Reduced Neighborhood Report element may be set to 0 or 1.

[0298]

[0301] Optionally, the TBTT Information Field Type in the Reduced Neighborhood Report element may be set to 0 or 1.

[0299]

[0302] For another example, the AP MLD may send a reduced neighbor report element, and a TBTT information field type corresponding to the first AP and within the reduced neighbor report element is set to a 16th value (e.g., the 16th value is set to 1), such that the legacy STA ignores the first AP or the first link corresponding to the first AP.

[0300]

[0303] The reduced neighbor report element format may be as shown in FIG. 14. The reduced neighbor report element includes an Element ID field, a Length field, and one or more Neighbor AP info fields. The Neighbor AP info field includes a TBTT info Header field, an Operating Class field, a Channel Number field, and one or more TBTT information set fields. The TBTT information header field includes a TBTT information field type field, a Filtered neighbor AP field, a Reserved field, a TBTT info count field, and a TBTT information length field. The TBTT information set field includes one or more TBTT information fields.

[0301]

[0304] The Operating Class field indicates the operating class of the operating channel of the reported AP, with 0 being the reserved value for the Operating Class field.

[0302]

[0305] The Channel Number field indicates the channel number corresponding to the operating channel of the reported AP, where 0 is a reserved value for the Channel Number field. The STA is able to determine the specific location of the AP's channel on the frequency band based on the Operating Class field and the Channel Number field.

[0303]

[0306] The TBTT Information Field Type field indicates the TBTT information type. This field and the TBTT Information Length field indicate the format of the TBTT information field, where 1, 2, and 3 are reserved values ​​for the TBTT Information Field Type field.

[0304]

[0307] The Filtered Neighbor APs field indicates whether the service set identifiers (SSIDs) of all basic service sets (BSSs) carried in the Neighbor AP Information field match the SSIDs in the probe request frame.

[0305]

[0308] The reserved field occupies 1 bit.

[0306]

[0309] The TBTT information count field indicates the number of TBTT information fields contained in the TBTT information set field.

[0307]

[0310] The TBTT information length field indicates the length of each TBTT information field. The format of the information carried in TBTT information fields of different lengths may be as shown in Table 5.

[0308] Table 5

[0309] [Table 5] TIFF2025512778000007.tif49170

[0311] A possible format of the TBTT information field is shown in FIG. 15 and includes a Neighbor AP target beacon transmission time offset (Neighbor AP TBTT offset) field, a Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID) field, a Short SSID field, a BSS parameters field, a 20 MHz PSD field, and an MLD parameters field.

[0310]

[0312] The Neighbor AP TBTT Offset field occupies 0 or 1 octet and indicates the offset between the BSS sending the report and the beacon frame transmission time of the reported BSS, where the unit is time units (TU), i.e., 1024 microseconds or 1 millisecond. A value of 254 in the field indicates that the offset is 254 TU or greater, and a value of 255 in the field indicates that the particular offset is unknown.

[0311]

[0313] The BSSID field is an optional field that occupies 0 or 6 octets and indicates the BSSID that corresponds to the reported BSS.

[0312]

[0314] The Short SSID field is an optional field, occupying 0 or 4 octets, and indicates the SSID of the BSS.

[0313]

[0315] The BSS parameters field is an optional field, occupying 0 or 1 octet, and indicates the relevant parameters of the BSS. As shown in Figure 16, the BSS parameters field may include On-channel Tunneling (OCT) recommended field, Same SSID field, Multiple BSSID field, Transmitted BSSID field, Member Of ESS With 2.4 / 5 GHz Co-Located AP field, Unsolicited Probe Response Active field, Co-located AP field, and Reserved field. The OCT recommended field is located in bit 0 position and indicates that the reported BSS expects to exchange managed media protocol data units (MPDUs) with the reported AP through the OCT mechanism. The Same SSID field is placed in bit 1 position and indicates whether the reported AP and the AP transmitting the element have the same SSID. The Multiple BSSID field is placed in bit 2 position and indicates whether the reported AP is part of a multiple BSSID set. The Transmitted BSSID field is placed in bit 3 position. If the reported AP is part of a multiple BSSID set, it further indicates whether the reported AP is a transmitted or non-transmitted BSSID. The Member of ESS with 2.4 / 5 GHz Co-located AP field is placed in bit 4 position and indicates whether the reported AP is co-located with a 2.4 / 5 GHz AP (i.e., whether the reported AP is a 6 GHz-only AP) and whether it is a member of an Extended Service Set.The Unsolicited Probe Response Active field is located in the bit 5 position and indicates whether the reported AP enables active probe responses. The Peer-located AP field is located in the bit 6 position and indicates whether the reported AP and the AP that sent the report are in the same location. The Reserved field is located in the bit 7 position.

[0314]

[0316] The 20 MHz PSD field is an optional field, occupying 0 or 1 octet, indicating the maximum transmit power spectral density.

[0315]

[0317] The MLD parameters field occupies 0 or 3 octets and indicates the relevant MLD parameters. It may contain the following subfields: Multilink Device Identifier (MLD ID) field, Link ID field, BSS Parameters Change Count field, and Reserved field. The MLD ID field occupies 8 bits and indicates the AP MLD identifier. The Link ID field occupies 4 bits and indicates the link identifier corresponding to the reported AP. The BSS Parameters Change Count field occupies 8 bits. If a key update occurs in the reported AP, the value of this field is incremented. Otherwise, the value of this field remains unchanged. The Reserved field occupies 4 bits.

[0316]

[0318] The above implementations can be used separately or in combination.

[0317]

[0319] It can be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the Access Point MultiLink device (or a component (e.g., a chip or circuit) of the Access Point MultiLink device) and / or the Station MultiLink device (or a component of the Station MultiLink device) may perform some or all of the steps in the embodiments of the present application. These steps or operations are merely examples. Other operations or variations of various operations may also be performed in the embodiments of the present application. Furthermore, steps may be performed in a different order than presented in the embodiments of the present application, and not all operations in the embodiments of the present application may be performed.

[0318]

[0320] It should be noted that in the following embodiments of the present application, the names of messages or the names of parameters in the messages of devices are merely examples, and the messages or parameters may have other names in specific implementations. This is not particularly limited in the embodiments of the present application. Furthermore, the sequence, name, value, information carried, meaning, or octets / bits occupied by the fields in the frame structure are merely examples. This is not particularly limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0319]

[0321] In the foregoing embodiments provided in the present application, the methods provided in the embodiments of the present application are described separately in terms of the interaction between the access point multilink device and the station multilink device. To implement the functions in the methods provided in the embodiments of the present application, the access point link device or the station multilink device includes a hardware structure and / or a software module, and the functions can be implemented in the form of a hardware structure, a software module, or a combination of a hardware structure and a software module. Whether a function among a plurality of functions is implemented by using a hardware structure, a software module, or a combination of a hardware structure and a software module depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0320]

[0322] Hereinafter, a communication device configured to implement the above method in the embodiment of the present application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Therefore, all of the above contents may be used in the following embodiment. The repeated contents will not be described again.

[0321]

[0323] FIG. 17 is a possible representation of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1700 can be configured to perform the functions or steps performed by the access point multilink device or the station multilink device in the above-mentioned method embodiments. The communication device can include an optional processing unit 1701 and a transceiver unit 1702. Optionally, a storage unit may be further included. The storage unit may be configured to store instructions (codes or programs) and / or data. The processing unit 1701 and the transceiver unit 1702 can be coupled to the storage unit. For example, the processing unit 1701 can read the instructions (codes or programs) and / or data in the storage unit and perform the corresponding method. The above-mentioned units may be independently arranged or may be partially or fully integrated.

[0322]

[0324] In some possible implementations, the communication device 1700 may correspondingly implement the behavior and functions of the access point link device in the above method embodiments. For example, the communication device 1700 may be an AP MLD or may be a component (e.g., a chip or circuit) used in the AP MLD. The transceiver unit 1702 may be configured to perform all the receiving or transmitting operations performed by the access point link device in the above embodiments, such as S402 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, and / or other processes used to support the techniques described herein. The processing unit 1701 is configured to perform all the operations except the receiving and transmitting operations performed by the access point multilink device in the above embodiments, such as generating the first PPDU in S401 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, and / or other processes used to support the techniques described herein.

[0323]

[0325] For example, the processing unit 1701 is configured to generate a first PPDU, where the first PPDU carries first instruction information, where the first instruction information indicates that wake-up of the first access point in a doze state is allowed, or the first instruction information indicates that wake-up of the first access point in a doze state is not allowed; and the transceiver unit 1702 is configured to transmit the first PPDU by the first access point.

[0324]

[0326] In an optional manner, the first indication information includes a wake-up enable field, the wake-up enable field indicating that the first access point in the doze state is allowed to wake up or that the first access point in the doze state is not allowed to wake up.

[0325]

[0327] In an optional manner, the first indication information includes a power management mode field, the power management mode field indicating that waking up of the first access point in the doze state is permitted or that waking up of the first access point in the doze state is not permitted.

[0326]

[0328] In an optional manner, the power management mode field further indicates that the first access point is to switch to an active mode, and / or the power management mode field further indicates that the first access point is to switch to a sleep mode.

[0327]

[0329] In an optional manner, the first indication indicates that the first access point, which is in a doze state, is authorized to be woken up.

[0328]

[0330] The transceiver unit 1702 is further configured to receive a second PPDU transmitted by the station multilink device, the second PPDU carrying second instruction information, where the second instruction information is used to wake up a first access point corresponding to the one or more links.

[0329]

[0331] In an optional manner, the second indication information includes a link indication field, the link indication field indicating the links that are requested to be woken up; or the second indication information includes identifiers of a plurality of station multilink devices and a link indication field corresponding to each station multilink device identifier; or the second indication information is carried in a control field, the control field indicating the links that are requested to be woken up.

[0330]

[0332] In an optional scheme, multiple station Multilink devices may respond to the same multicast address or the same broadcast address.

[0331]

[0333] In an optional manner, the second PPDU includes a control field, which carries second indication information.

[0332]

[0334] In the optional scheme, the control field is an access point assistance request control field, and the access point assistance request control field carries second indication information.

[0333]

[0335] In an optional manner, the access point assistance request control field further carries a third indication, the third indication indicating that the access point assistance request control field is used to wake up a first access point in a doze state in the designated access point multilink device.

[0334]

[0336] In an optional manner, the transceiver unit 1702 is further configured to transmit a third PPDU to the station multilink device, the third PPDU indicating the first access point that has been woken up.

[0335]

[0337] In an optional manner, the transceiver unit 1702 is further configured to transmit a fourth PPDU to the station multilink device on the woken up link, the fourth PPDU indicating that a first access point corresponding to the link has woken up.

[0336]

[0338] In an optional scheme, the first PPDU includes a wake-up delay field, the wake-up delay field indicating a delay for the first access point to switch from a doze state to an awake state.

[0337]

[0339] In a possible implementation, the transceiver unit 1702 is further configured to transmit a fifth PPDU, the fifth PPDU including a wake-up delay field.

[0338]

[0340] In a possible implementation, the fifth PPDU further includes a power save operation field, where the power save operation field indicates whether a wake-up delay field is present.

[0339]

[0341] In an optional scheme, a first access point in a power save mode is woken up by one or more station multilink devices.

[0340]

[0342] The processing unit 1701 is further configured to switch the first access point from an awake state to a doze state when fourth indication information sent by the one or more station multilink devices is received and the fourth indication information is set to 0.

[0341]

[0343] In the optional method, the fourth indication information is information indicated by a more data field.

[0342]

[0344] In a possible implementation, the processing unit is further configured to switch the first access point from an awake state to a doze state when the channel is in an idle state.

[0343]

[0345] In an optional manner, the transceiver unit 1702 is further configured to transmit a reduced neighbor report element, where a target beacon transmission time information set field corresponding to the first access point and within the reduced neighbor report element carries a multilink device parameter field and a target beacon transmission time information length is set to a first length value, such that legacy stations ignore the first access point.

[0344]

[0346] In an optional manner, the transceiver unit 1702 is further configured to transmit a reduced neighbor report element, where a target beacon transmission time information field type corresponding to the first access point and within the reduced neighbor report element is set to a first type value, such that legacy stations ignore the first access point.

[0345]

[0347] In an optional manner, the transceiver unit 1702 is further configured to transmit a sixth PPDU, the sixth PPDU carrying fifth indication information, the fifth indication information indicating that transmission is permitted outside the service period or that transmission is not permitted outside the service period.

[0346]

[0348] In a possible implementation, the first PPDU includes a power management mode field, the power management mode field further indicating a periodic power save mode.

[0347]

[0349] In some possible implementations, the communication device 1700 may correspondingly implement the behavior and functions of the station multilink device in the above method embodiments. For example, the communication device 1700 may be a non-AP MLD or a STA MLD, or may be a component (e.g., a chip or circuit) used in a non-AP MLD or a STA MLD. The transceiver unit 1702 may be configured to perform all the receiving or transmitting operations performed by the station multilink device in the above embodiments, such as S402 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, and / or other processes used to support the techniques described herein. The processing unit 1701 is configured to perform all the operations except the receiving and transmitting operations performed by the station multilink device in the above embodiments, such as determining whether to wake up the first access point, and / or other processes used to support the techniques described herein.

[0348]

[0350] For example, the transceiver unit 1702 is configured to receive a first PPDU, where the first PPDU carries first instruction information, where the first instruction information indicates that the first access point in a doze state is allowed to wake up, or the first instruction information indicates that the first access point in a doze state is not allowed to wake up; and the processing unit 1701 is configured to determine, based on the first PPDU, whether to wake up the first access point.

[0349]

[0351] In an optional manner, the first indication includes a wake-up enable field, the wake-up enable field indicating that the first access point in the doze state is allowed to wake up or that the first access point in the doze state is not allowed to wake up.

[0350]

[0352] In an optional manner, the first indication information includes a power management mode field, the power management mode field indicating that waking up of the first access point in the doze state is permitted or that waking up of the first access point in the doze state is not permitted.

[0351]

[0353] In an optional manner, the power management mode field informs the first access point to switch to an awake mode and / or the power management mode field informs the first access point to switch to a doze mode.

[0352]

[0354] In an optional manner, the first indication indicates that the first access point in a doze state of the power save mode is permitted to be woken up.

[0353]

[0355] The transceiver unit 1702 is further configured to transmit a second PPDU, where the second PPDU carries second instruction information, where the second instruction information is used to wake up a first access point corresponding to the one or more links.

[0354]

[0356] In an optional manner, the second indication information includes a link indication field, the link indication field indicating the links that are requested to be woken up; or the second indication information includes identifiers of a plurality of station multilink devices and a link indication field corresponding to each station multilink device identifier; or the second indication information is carried within a control field, the control field indicating the links that are requested to be woken up.

[0355]

[0357] In an optional scheme, multiple station Multilink devices may respond to the same multicast address or the same broadcast address.

[0356]

[0358] In an optional manner, the second PPDU includes a control field, which carries second indication information.

[0357]

[0359] In the optional scheme, the control field is an access point assistance request control field, and the access point assistance request control field carries second indication information.

[0358]

[0360] In an optional manner, the access point assistance request control field further carries a third indication, the third indication indicating that the access point assistance request control field is used to wake up a first access point in a doze state in the designated access point multilink device.

[0359]

[0361] In a possible implementation, the transceiver unit 1702 is further configured to receive a third PPDU, the third PPDU indicating the first access point that has been woken up.

[0360]

[0362] In a possible implementation, the transceiver unit 1702 is further configured to receive a fourth PPDU on the woken up link, the fourth PPDU indicating that a first access point corresponding to the link has been woken up.

[0361]

[0363] In an optional scheme, the first PPDU includes a wake-up delay field, the wake-up delay field indicating a delay for the first access point to switch from a doze state to an awake state.

[0362]

[0364] In an optional manner, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a fifth PPDU, the fifth PPDU including a wake-up delay field.

[0363]

[0365] In an optional manner, the fifth PPDU further includes a power save operation field, where the power save operation field indicates whether a wake-up delay field is present.

[0364]

[0366] In an optional manner, the first access point in the power saving mode is woken up by one or more station multilink devices; and the transceiver unit 1702 is further configured to send fourth instruction information, where the fourth instruction information is set to 0, informing the first access point to switch from the awake state to the doze state.

[0365]

[0367] In the optional method, the fourth indication information is information indicated by a more data field.

[0366]

[0368] In an optional manner, the transceiver unit 1702 is configured to: receive a reduced neighbor report element, where a target beacon transmission time information set field corresponding to the first access point and within the reduced neighbor report element carries a multilink device parameter field and a target beacon transmission time information length is set to a first length value, such that legacy stations ignore the first access point; or the transceiver unit 1702 is further configured to receive a reduced neighbor report element, where a target beacon transmission time information field type corresponding to the first access point and within the reduced neighbor report element is set to a first type value, such that legacy stations ignore the first access point.

[0367]

[0369] In an optional manner, the transceiver unit 1702 is further configured to receive a sixth PPDU, the sixth PPDU carrying a fifth indication information, the fifth indication information indicating that transmission is permitted outside the service period or that transmission is not permitted outside the service period.

[0368]

[0370] In an optional scheme, the first PPDU includes a power management mode field, the power management mode field further indicating a periodic power save mode.

[0369]

[0371] It should be noted that the communication device 1700 can be configured to execute the above-mentioned method embodiments. For specific steps, descriptions and corresponding beneficial effects, please refer to the above-mentioned method embodiments. Details will not be described again here.

[0370]

[0372] It should be understood that the processing unit 1701 in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented by a processor / processing circuitry or circuit components associated with a processor / processing circuitry, and the transceiver unit 1702 may be implemented by a transceiver / transceiver interface, circuit components associated with a transceiver / transceiver interface, or a communication interface.

[0371]

[0373] 18 is a possible representation of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1800 may include a processor 1801 and a transceiver 1805, and may further include an optional memory 1802. The communication device may be used as a PPDU generating and transmitting device in the present application, or may be used as a PPDU receiving device in the present application.

[0372]

[0374] The transceiver 1805 may be referred to as a transceiver unit, a transceiver machine, a transceiver circuit, etc., and is configured to implement a transceiver function. The transceiver 1805 may include a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver may be referred to as a receiver machine, a receiver circuit, etc., and is configured to implement a receiving function. The transmitter may be referred to as a transmitter machine, a transmitter circuit, etc., and is configured to implement a transmitting function.

[0373]

[0375] The memory 1802 can store a computer program or software code or instruction 1804, which may also be referred to as firmware. The processor 1801 can control the MAC layer and the PHY layer by executing the computer program or software code or instruction 1803 in the processor 1801 or by calling the computer program or software code or instruction 1804 stored in the memory 1802 to implement the PPDU communication method provided in the following embodiments of the present application. The processor 1801 may be a central processing unit (CPU), and the memory 1802 may be, for example, a read-only memory (ROM) or a random access memory (RAM).

[0374]

[0376] The processor 1801 and transceiver 1805 described in this application may be implemented in an integrated circuit (IC), an analog IC, a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), a hybrid signal IC, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a printed circuit board (PCB), an electronic device, or the like.

[0375]

[0377] The communication device 1800 may further include an antenna 1806. The modules / units included in the communication device 1800 are merely examples for illustration purposes, and are not limiting in this application.

[0376]

[0378] As mentioned above, the communication device 1800 described in the above embodiment may be an AP MLD or a STA MLD. However, the scope of the communication device described in the present application is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device may not be limited by Fig. 18. An AP MLD includes one or more APs, and a STA MLD includes one or more STAs.

[0377]

[0379] The AP may be a multi-antenna / multi-radio frequency AP or may be a single-antenna / single-radio frequency AP. The antenna / radio frequency AP is configured to transmit / receive data packets. In an implementation, the antenna part or radio frequency part of the AP may be separated from the main body part of the AP and may be in a remote layout structure. In an implementation, the STA may be a single-antenna / radio frequency STA or may be a multi-antenna / multi-radio frequency STA and may be a device having more than two antennas. The antenna / radio frequency STA is configured to transmit / receive data packets. In an implementation, the antenna part or radio frequency part of the STA may be separated from the main body part of the STA and may be in a remote layout structure.

[0378]

[0380] The communication device in this application may alternatively be a separate device or part of a larger device. For example, the implementation of the communication device may be as follows: (1) An independent integrated circuit IC, chip, chip system, or chip subsystem; (2) a set having one or more ICs, optionally the IC set also including a storage component configured to store data or instructions; (3) A module capable of being embedded in another device; (4) Receivers, intelligent terminals, wireless devices, handsets, mobile units, vehicle-mounted devices, cloud devices, artificial intelligence devices, etc.; or (5)Others, etc.

[0379]

[0381] For the case where the implementation of the communication device is a chip or a chip system, please refer to the diagram of the chip structure shown in Figure 19. The chip shown in Figure 19 includes a processor 1901 and an interface 1902. There may be one or more processors 1901 and there may be multiple interfaces 1902. The interface 1902 is configured to receive and transmit signals. Optionally, the chip or chip system may include a memory 1903. The memory 1903 is configured to store program instructions and data required for the chip or chip system.

[0380]

[0382] Moreover, the embodiments of the present application do not limit the protection scope and applicability of the claims. Those skilled in the art can make adaptive changes to the functions and arrangements of elements in the present application, or can omit, substitute, or add various processes or components as appropriate, without departing from the scope of the embodiments of the present application.

[0381]

[0383] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores a computer program; when the computer-readable storage medium is executed by a computer, the functions of the aforementioned method embodiments are implemented.

[0382]

[0384] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, which, when executed by a computer, performs the functions of the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0383]

[0385] An embodiment of the present application further provides a chip system. The chip system includes a processor and an interface, and is configured to support a communication transmission device in performing functions related to an access point or station in the aforementioned method embodiments, for example, in determining or processing at least one of the data and information in the aforementioned method. In a possible design, the chip system further includes a memory. The memory is configured to store necessary information and data of the communication device. The chip system may include a chip, or may include a chip and another discrete component.

[0384]

[0386] An embodiment of the present application provides a functional entity, which is configured to perform the aforementioned communication method.

[0385]

[0387] An embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which includes an access point multilink device and a station multilink device implementing the aforementioned communication method.

[0386]

[0388] It should be understood that the sequence numbers of the processes do not mean the execution sequence in various embodiments of the present application. The execution sequence of the processes needs to be determined according to the functions and internal logic of the processes, and should not be construed as any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0387]

[0389] Those skilled in the art can recognize that in combination with the examples described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the units and algorithm steps may be implemented by electronic hardware or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether a function is implemented by hardware or software depends on the design constraints of a specific application and technical implementation. Those skilled in the art may use different methods to implement the described functions of each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to go beyond the scope of the present application.

[0388]

[0390] For convenience and concise description, those skilled in the art will clearly understand that for the detailed operation processes of the above-mentioned systems, devices and units, please refer to the corresponding processes in the method embodiments, and the details will not be described again here.

[0389]

[0391] In some embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, device, and method may be implemented in other ways. For example, the described device embodiment is merely an example. For example, the division into units is merely a logical division of functions, and may be divided in other ways in actual implementation. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not implemented. Furthermore, the shown or described mutual couplings or direct couplings or communication connections may be implemented through some interface. Indirect couplings or communication connections between devices or units may be implemented in an electrical, mechanical, or other form.

[0390]

[0392] The units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and the parts shown as units may or may not be physical units, and may be located in one place or distributed among multiple network units. All or part of the units may be selected based on actual requirements to achieve the implementation purpose of the embodiment.

[0391]

[0393] Furthermore, the functional units in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated into a single processing unit, and each unit may exist physically alone, or two or more units may be integrated into a single unit.

[0392]

[0394] When a function is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, the function can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical implementation of the present application may be essentially, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a part of the technical implementation 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, a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in the embodiments of the present application. The storage medium includes any medium capable of storing 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.

[0393]

[0395] The sequence of steps of the methods in the embodiments of the present application may be adjusted, combined or removed based on actual requirements.

[0394]

[0396] The modules / units of the apparatus in the embodiments of the present application may be combined, divided or deleted based on actual requirements.

[0395]

[0397] "And / or" in the present application describes an association relationship for describing related objects, and represents that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B can represent three cases: only A exists, both A and B exist, and only B exists. The character " / " generally represents an "or" relationship between related objects. In the present application, "at least one" means one or more, and "multiple" means two or more. It should also be understood that in the description of the present application, terms such as "first", "second" are only used for distinction and explanation, and should not be understood as an indication or suggestion of relative importance, nor as an indication or suggestion of sequence.

[0396]

[0398] Furthermore, in this application, unless otherwise specified, the same or similar parts in the embodiments should be cross-referenced. In the embodiments and implementations / methods / implementation methods in the embodiments of this application, the terms and / or descriptions are consistent and can be cross-referenced between different embodiments and between implementations / methods / implementation methods in the embodiments, unless otherwise specified or unless logical conflict occurs. The technical features in different embodiments and the implementations / methods / implementation methods in the embodiments may be combined to form new embodiments, implementations, methods, or implementation methods based on the internal logical relationships of the technical features.

[0397]

[0399] The above embodiments are only intended to describe the technical implementation of the present application, and are not intended to limit the present application. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that the technical implementation described in the above embodiments can be further modified, or equivalent substitutions can be made for some technical features thereof, without departing from the scope of the technical implementation of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. 13. A method of communication comprising: an access point multilink device generating a first physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU), the first PPDU carrying first indication information, the first indication information indicating that a wake-up of the first access point in a doze state is allowed or the first indication information indicating that a wake-up of the first access point in a doze state is not allowed; and the access point multilink device transmitting the first PPDU; The method includes:

2. The method of claim 1, the first indication information includes a wake-up enable field, the wake-up enable field indicating that the first access point in the doze state is allowed to wake up, or indicating that the first access point in the doze state is not allowed to wake up; or The method of claim 1, wherein the first instruction information includes a power management mode field, the power management mode field indicating that wake-up of the first access point in the doze state is allowed or indicating that wake-up of the first access point in the doze state is not allowed.

3. The method according to claim 2, The power management mode field further indicates that the first access point is in an active mode; and / or The method of claim 1, wherein the power management mode field further indicates that the first access point is in a sleep mode.

4. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first indication indicates that the first access point in the doze state is allowed to wake up; and After the access point multilink device transmits the first PPDU from the access point, the method further comprises: The method includes a step of receiving, by the access point multilink device, a second PPDU transmitted by a station multilink device, the second PPDU carrying second instruction information, the second instruction information being used to wake up a first access point corresponding to one or more links.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the second PPDU includes an access point assistance request control field, the access point assistance request control field carrying the second indication information.

6. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the access point assistance request control field further includes third instruction information, the third instruction information indicating that the access point assistance request control field is used to wake up a first access point in a designated access point multilink device.

7. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 6, further comprising: the access point multilink device transmitting a third PPDU to the station multilink device, the third PPDU indicating the first access point being activated; or sending a fourth PPDU to the station multilink device on an activated link, the fourth PPDU indicating that a first access point corresponding to the link is activated; The method includes:

8. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 6, further comprising:

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising: a step of transmitting a fifth PPDU by the access point multilink device, the fifth PPDU including a wake-up delay field, the wake-up delay field indicating a delay for the first access point to switch to an awake state.

9. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the fifth PPDU further includes a power save operation support field, the power save operation support field indicating whether the wake-up delay field is present.

10. 10. The method according to claim 4, wherein the first access point in a power saving mode is woken up by one or more station multilink devices; the method further comprises: receiving a fourth indication information sent by the one or more station Multilink devices, and when the fourth indication information is set to 0, switching the first access point of the access point Multilink device from an awake state to a doze state; or switching the first access point of the access point multilink device from an awake state to a doze state when a channel is in an idle state; The method includes:

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the fourth indication information is information specified by a more data field.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising: the access point multilink device transmitting a reduced neighbor report element, where a target beacon transmission time information set field corresponding to the first access point and within the reduced neighbor report element carries a multilink device parameter field, and a target beacon transmission time information length is set to a first length value, such that legacy stations will ignore the first access point; or the access point multilink device transmitting a reduced neighbor report element, wherein a target beacon transmission time information field type corresponding to the first access point and in the reduced neighbor report element is set to a first type value, such that legacy stations will ignore the first access point; The method includes:

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising: the access point multilink device transmitting a sixth PPDU, the sixth PPDU carrying a fifth indication, the fifth indication indicating that transmission is allowed outside a service period or indicating that transmission is not allowed outside a service period; and / or 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the first PPDU includes a power management mode field, the power management mode field further indicating a periodic power save mode.

14. 13. A method of communication comprising: receiving, by a station multilink device, a first physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU), the first PPDU carrying first indication information, the first indication information indicating that a wake-up of the first access point in a doze state is allowed or the first indication information indicating that a wake-up of the first access point in a doze state is not allowed; and determining whether the station multilink device should wake up the first access point; The method includes:

15. 15. The method of claim 14, the first indication information includes a wake-up enable field, the wake-up enable field indicating that the first access point in the doze state is allowed to wake up, or indicating that the first access point in the doze state is not allowed to wake up; or The method of claim 1, wherein the first instruction information includes a power management mode field, the power management mode field indicating that wake-up of the first access point in the doze state is allowed or indicating that wake-up of the first access point in the doze state is not allowed.

16. 16. The method of claim 15, The power management mode field may further inform the first access point to switch to an awake mode; and / or The power management mode field further informs the first access point to switch to a doze mode.

17. 17. The method according to claim 14, wherein the first indication indicates that the first access point in the doze state is allowed to wake up; and After the step of the station multilink device determining whether to wake up the first access point, the method further comprises: The method includes a step of the station multilink device transmitting a second PPDU, the second PPDU carrying second instruction information, and the second instruction information is used to wake up a first access point corresponding to one or more links.

18. 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the second PPDU includes an access point assistance request control field, the access point assistance request control field carrying the second indication information.

19. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the access point assistance request control field further includes third indication information, the third indication information indicating that the access point assistance request control field is used to wake up a first access point in a designated access point multilink device.

20. 20. The method of any one of claims 17 to 19, further comprising: receiving a third PPDU by the station multilink device, the third PPDU indicating an activated first access point; or receiving, by the station multilink device, a fourth PPDU on an activated link, the fourth PPDU indicating that a first access point corresponding to the link is activated; The method includes:

21. 20. The method of any one of claims 17 to 19, further comprising:

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising: receiving a fifth PPDU by the station multilink device, the fifth PPDU including a wake-up delay field, the wake-up delay field indicating a delay for the first access point to switch to an awake state.

22. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the fifth PPDU includes a power save operation support field, the power save operation support field indicating whether the wake up delay field is present.

23. 23. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 22, wherein the first access point in a power saving mode is activated by one or more station multilink devices; the method further comprising: The method includes a step of the one or more station multilink devices transmitting fourth instruction information, the fourth instruction information being set to 0 to notify the first access point to switch from an awake state to a doze state.

24. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the fourth indication information is information specified by a more data field.

25. 25. The method of any one of claims 14 to 24, further comprising: receiving, by the station multilink device, a reduced neighborhood report element, wherein a target beacon transmission time information set field corresponding to the first access point and within the reduced neighborhood report element carries a multilink device parameter field, and a target beacon transmission time information length is set to a first length value, such that legacy stations will ignore the first link; or receiving, by the station multilink device, a reduced neighborhood report element, wherein a target beacon transmission time information set field corresponding to the first access point and within the reduced neighborhood report element carries a target beacon transmission time information field type, and the target beacon transmission time information field type is set to a first type value such that legacy stations will ignore the first link; The method includes:

26. 26. The method of any one of claims 14 to 25, further comprising: receiving a sixth PPDU, the sixth PPDU carrying a fifth indication, the fifth indication indicating that transmission is permitted outside of a service period or indicating that transmission is not permitted outside of a service period; and / or 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the first PPDU includes a power management mode field, the power management mode field further indicating a periodic power save mode.

27. A communication device including a processing unit and a transceiver unit: The processing unit is configured to generate a first physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU), the first PPDU carrying first indication information, the first indication information indicating that a wake-up of the first access point in a doze state is allowed or the first indication information indicating that a wake-up of the first access point in a doze state is not allowed; and The transceiver unit is configured to transmit the first PPDU.

28. 28. The apparatus of claim 27, the first indication information includes a wake-up enable field, the wake-up enable field indicating that the first access point in the doze state is allowed to wake up, or indicating that the first access point in the doze state is not allowed to wake up; or the first instruction information includes a power management mode field, the power management mode field indicating that wake-up of the first access point in the doze state is allowed or indicating that wake-up of the first access point in the doze state is not allowed.

29. 29. The apparatus of claim 28, The power management mode field further indicates that the first access point is in an active mode; and / or The power management mode field further indicates that the first access point is in a sleep mode.

30. 30. The method of claim 27, wherein the first indication indicates that waking up of the first access point in the doze state is permitted; and The transceiver unit is further configured to receive a second PPDU transmitted by a station multilink device, the second PPDU carrying second instruction information, the second instruction information being used to wake up a first access point corresponding to one or more links.

31. 31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the second PPDU includes an access point assistance request control field, the access point assistance request control field carrying the second indication information.

32. 32. The method of claim 31, wherein the access point assistance request control field further includes third instruction information, the third instruction information indicating that the access point assistance request control field is used to wake up a first access point in a designated access point multilink device.

33. 33. The apparatus of any one of claims 30 to 32, wherein the transceiver unit further comprises: sending a third PPDU to the station multilink device, the third PPDU indicating the activated first access point; or The apparatus is configured to transmit a fourth PPDU to the station multilink device on an activated link, the fourth PPDU indicating that a first access point corresponding to the link is activated.

34. 33. The apparatus of any one of claims 30 to 32, further comprising: The transceiver unit is configured to transmit a fifth PPDU, the fifth PPDU including a wake-up delay field, the wake-up delay field indicating a delay for the first access point to switch to an awake state.

35. 35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the fifth PPDU further comprises a power save operation support field, the power save operation support field indicating whether the wake up delay field is present.

36. 36. The apparatus according to any one of claims 30 to 35, wherein the first access point in a power saving mode is activated by one or more station multilink devices; The processing unit is further configured to: switch the first access point of the communication apparatus from an awake state to a doze state when fourth indication information sent by the one or more station multilink devices is received, and the fourth indication information is set to 0; or An apparatus configured to switch the first access point of the communication device from an awake state to a doze state when a channel is idle.

37. 37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the fourth indication information is information specified by a more data field.

38. 38. The apparatus of any one of claims 27 to 37, comprising: The transceiver unit is further configured to: transmit a reduced neighbor report element, wherein a target beacon transmission time information set field corresponding to the first access point and within the reduced neighbor report element carries a multilink device parameter field, and a target beacon transmission time information length is set to a first length value, such that legacy stations will ignore the first access point; or The apparatus, wherein the transceiver unit is further configured to: transmit a reduced neighborhood report element, wherein a target beacon transmission time information field type corresponding to the first access point and within the reduced neighborhood report element is set to a first type value, such that legacy stations will ignore the first access point.

39. 39. The apparatus according to any one of claims 27 to 38, wherein the transceiver unit is further configured to transmit a sixth PPDU, the sixth PPDU carrying a fifth indication, the fifth indication indicating that transmission is allowed outside a service period or that transmission is not allowed outside a service period; and / or The apparatus, wherein the first PPDU includes a power management mode field, the power management mode field further indicating a periodic power save mode.

40. A communication device including a processing unit and a transceiver unit: the transceiver unit is configured to receive a first physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU), the first PPDU carrying a first indication, the first indication indicating that a wake-up of the first access point in a doze state is allowed or the first indication indicating that a wake-up of the first access point in a doze state is not allowed; and The apparatus, wherein the processing unit is configured to determine whether to wake up the first access point.

41. 41. The apparatus of claim 40, the first indication information includes a wake-up enable field, the wake-up enable field indicating that the first access point in the doze state is allowed to wake up, or indicating that the first access point in the doze state is not allowed to wake up; or the first instruction information includes a power management mode field, the power management mode field indicating that wake-up of the first access point in the doze state is allowed or indicating that wake-up of the first access point in the doze state is not allowed.

42. 42. The apparatus of claim 41, The power management mode field may further inform the first access point to switch to a powered-up mode; and / or The power management mode field further informs the first access point to switch to a doze state.

43. 43. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the first indication indicates that waking up of the first access point in the doze state is permitted; and the transceiver unit is further configured to transmit a second PPDU, the second PPDU carrying second instruction information, the second instruction information being used to wake up a first access point corresponding to one or more links.

44. 44. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the second PPDU includes an access point assistance request control field, the access point assistance request control field carrying the second indication information.

45. 45. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the access point assistance request control field further includes third indication information, the third indication information indicating that the access point assistance request control field is used to wake up a first access point in a designated access point multilink device.

46. 46. ​​The apparatus of any one of claims 43 to 45, wherein the transceiver unit further comprises: receiving a third PPDU indicating the first access point being activated; or The apparatus is configured to receive a fourth PPDU on an activated link, the fourth PPDU indicating that a first access point corresponding to the link is activated.

47. 46. ​​The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a fifth PPDU, the fifth PPDU including a wake-up delay field, the wake-up delay field indicating a delay for the first access point to switch to an awake state.

48. 48. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the fifth PPDU includes a power save operation supported field, the power save operation supported field indicating whether the wake up delay field is present.

49. 49. The apparatus of any one of claims 43 to 48, wherein the first access point in a power saving mode is activated by one or more station multilink devices; the transceiver unit is further configured to transmit fourth instruction information, the fourth instruction information being set to 0 to inform the first access point to switch from an awake state to a doze state.

50. 50. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the fourth indication information is information specified by a more data field.

51. 51. Apparatus according to any one of claims 40 to 50, comprising: the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a reduced neighbor report element, wherein a target beacon transmission time information set field corresponding to the first access point and within the reduced neighbor report element carries a multilink device parameter field and a target beacon transmission time information length is set to a first length value, such that legacy stations will ignore the first link; or The transceiver unit is further configured to receive a reduced neighborhood report element, wherein a target beacon transmission time information set field corresponding to the first access point and within the reduced neighborhood report element carries a target beacon transmission time information field type, and the target beacon transmission time information field type is set to a first type value such that legacy stations will ignore the first link.

52. 52. The apparatus according to any one of claims 40 to 51, wherein the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a sixth PPDU, the sixth PPDU carrying a fifth indication, the fifth indication indicating that transmission is allowed outside a service period or that transmission is not allowed outside a service period; and / or The apparatus, wherein the first PPDU includes a power management mode field, the power management mode field further indicating a periodic power save mode.

53. A communications device including a processor, the processor coupled to a memory; the memory is configured to store a computer program; and A communications device, wherein the processor is configured to execute the computer program stored in the memory, such that the device performs the method of any one of claims 1 to 13.

54. A communications device including a processor, the processor coupled to a memory; the memory is configured to store a computer program; and A communications device, wherein the processor is configured to execute the computer program stored in the memory, such that the device performs the method of any one of claims 14 to 26.

55. 27. A computer readable storage medium containing a computer program which, when run on a computer, performs the method of any one of claims 1 to 26.

56. 27. A computer program product comprising a computer program, which, when said computer program is run on a computer, performs the method according to any one of claims 1 to 26.

57. A communication system comprising an access point multilink device configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13 and a station multilink device configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 14 to 26.

58. A chip system including a processor and a memory, the processor coupled to the memory, the memory configured to store a program or instructions, the program or instructions being executed by the processor to perform a method according to any one of claims 1 to 26.

Images