Data transmission method and communication device

Abstract

A data transmission method and a communication device are provided, which may be applied to a wireless local area network system supporting IEEE 802.11ax next-generation Wi-Fi protocols, such as 802.11be, Wi-Fi 7, or EHT, or in another example, 802.11 series protocols such as the next-generation protocols of 802.11be and Wi-Fi 8. The method includes: a first station generating a first frame and transmitting the first frame to a wireless access point, where the first frame is for indicating that the first station has transmission target data that needs to be transmitted. The first station clearly notifies the wireless access point of the fact that the first station has transmission target data that needs to be transmitted by using the first frame. In this way, even if the wireless access point obtains a transmission opportunity for transmitting its own data, the wireless access point can clearly know that the first station has transmission target data that needs to be transmitted. Therefore, the wireless access point may allocate the remaining transmission time in the transmission opportunity of the wireless access point to the first station, or schedule the first station, as a result, the first station can transmit the transmission target data in a timely manner, thereby reducing the transmission waiting time of the transmission target data.

Description

Technical Field

[0001]

[0001] Cross - reference to Related Applications This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202210783464.9, titled "Data Transmission Method and Communication Device", filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on June 27, 2022, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002]

[0002] Technical Field This application is related to the field of Wireless Fidelity technology, and in particular, to a data transmission method and a communication device.

Background Art

[0003]

[0003] A wireless local area network (WLAN) operates in an unlicensed frequency band. Specifically, any device compliant with the wireless frequency specification can transmit or receive data on that frequency band. A wireless access point located within a WLAN system acquires one transmit opportunity (TXOP) through a channel access process. On the condition that one TXOP is acquired, the wireless access point can transmit data frames, control frames, and management frames, and receive response frames in the acquired TXOP.

[0004]

[0004] In a possible scenario, among the TXOPs preempted by the wireless access point, the station may have higher-priority data that needs to be transmitted to the wireless access point. For example, the station needs to transmit low-latency data to the wireless access point. Regarding the wireless access point, if the wireless access point does not know that the station has data to be transmitted to the wireless access point, the wireless access point does not notify the station of the available transmission opportunities within the TXOP. As a result, the station cannot transmit the data to the wireless access point in time and cannot meet the transmission delay requirements such as low-latency service data.

Summary of the Invention

[0005]

[0005] This application provides a data transmission method and a communication device, so that the transmission requirements of low-latency services can be met.

[0006]

[0006] According to a first aspect, an embodiment of this application provides a data transmission method. The method may be executed by a first station. The first station may be a communication device or a communication apparatus that can support the communication device when implementing the functions required in the method, for example, a chip system. For example, the first station may be a first communication device, or a chip disposed in the first communication device, or another component configured to implement the functions of the first communication device.

[0007]

[0007] The method includes: a first station generating a first frame and transmitting the first frame to an access point, where the first frame is for indicating that the first station has data to be transmitted that needs to be transmitted. The first station clearly notifies the access point that the first station has data to be transmitted by using the first frame. In this way, even if the access point obtains a transmission opportunity for transmitting its own data, the access point can clearly know that the first station has data to be transmitted. Therefore, the access point may allocate the remaining transmission time in its transmission opportunity to the first station, or schedule the first station, so that the first station can transmit the data to be transmitted in a timely manner, thereby reducing the transmission waiting time of the data to be transmitted.

[0008]

[0008] In a possible implementation, the first frame includes a More Data field, and the More Data field is for indicating that the first station has data to be transmitted that needs to be transmitted. The first station indicates that it has data to be transmitted by using the More Data field without additionally adding or defining a new field.

[0009]

[0009] In a possible implementation, the first frame is an acknowledgement frame, for example, an acknowledgement (ACK) frame or a block acknowledgement (BA) frame.

[0010]

[0010] In a possible implementation, the first frame is a specific frame, and the specific frame further includes the identification information of the first station. For example, the specific frame may be a Clear to send to self (CTS-to-Self) frame. The CTS-to-Self frame includes a More data field and a Receiver address field, and the Receiver address field may indicate the identification information of the first station, for example, the address information of the first station.

[0011]

[0011] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the first station determines that in the process of the wireless access point transmitting data to the second station, the wireless access point can receive a specific frame of the first station. It can be understood that the wireless access point has limited full-duplex capabilities, that is, in the data transmission process, the wireless access point can only receive specific frames of a specific type, for example, it can receive CTS-to-Self frames. In this case, the first station can avoid the case where the wireless access point does not know that there is transmission target data that needs to be transmitted by the first station by using the CTS-to-Self frame to notify the wireless access point that the first station has the transmission target data that needs to be transmitted, because the wireless access point cannot receive frames other than the specific frame transmitted by the first station.

[0012]

[0012] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: a step in which a first station receives transmission opportunity information transmitted by an access point, where the transmission opportunity information is for indicating a first transmission time; and a step in which the first station transmits transmission target data to the access point within the first transmission time. The first transmission time is all or part of the transmission time of the remaining transmission opportunities within the first transmission opportunity. The first transmission opportunity is a channel transmission opportunity obtained by the access point for transmitting data to the first station.

[0013]

[0013] In a possible implementation, the first station receiving the transmission opportunity information transmitted by the access point includes: the first station receiving a reverse direction grant (RDG) or a More presentation protocol data unit (PPDU) field transmitted by the access point. In other words, the first transmission time assigned to the first station can be specified by the access point by using the RDG or the More PPDU field. For example, the first transmission time is all of the transmission time of the remaining transmission opportunities in the first transmission opportunity.

[0014]

[0014] In a possible implementation, the transmission opportunity information is a transmission opportunity sharing trigger frame, the transmission opportunity sharing trigger frame includes an allocation duration field, and the allocation duration field is for indicating the first transmission time. That is, the first station can determine the first transmission time assigned to the first station by the access point based on the transmission opportunity sharing mechanism. For example, the first transmission time is part or all of the transmission time of the remaining transmission opportunities in the first transmission opportunity.

[0015]

[0015] In a possible implementation, the transmission opportunity information is for further indicating that the first station is permitted to transmit uplink data or point-to-point (P2P) data. When the transmission opportunity information is a transmission opportunity sharing trigger frame, the transmission opportunity information is for further indicating that the first station is permitted to transmit uplink data or P2P data.

[0016]

[0016] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the first station receiving a trigger frame transmitted by the wireless access point, and based on the trigger frame, transmitting uplink data to the wireless access point, where the trigger frame is for scheduling the first station to transmit the uplink data. The first station notifies the wireless access point that it has transmission target data that needs to be transmitted by the first station, and the wireless access point may schedule the first station to transmit the uplink data by using the trigger frame. For example, in order to reduce the latency of the transmission target data of the first station, the trigger frame may include a first transmission time allocated to the first station and for transmitting the transmission target data.

[0017]

[0017] In a possible implementation, the more data field is for further indicating that the priority of the data to be transmitted by the first station is higher than the priority of the data transmitted by the wireless access point to the first station. When the priority of the data to be transmitted by the first station is higher than the priority of the data transmitted by the wireless access point to the first station, the first station uses the more data field to notify the wireless access point that it has data to be transmitted that needs to be transmitted, so as to avoid an increase in the transmission latency of the data with a higher priority, because the data to be transmitted by the first station is preferentially transmitted.

[0018]

[0018] In a possible implementation, the more data field is for indicating that the first station has data to be transmitted that needs to be transmitted to the wireless access point, which includes that the more data field is for indicating that the data to be transmitted by the first station is low-latency data or latency-sensitive data. It can be understood that low-latency data or latency-sensitive data requires low transmission latency and needs to be preferentially transmitted. The first station indirectly indicates whether it has data to be transmitted that needs to be transmitted to the wireless access point by indicating that the data to be transmitted is some type of data, and indicates that the priority of the data to be transmitted by the first station is higher than the priority of the data that needs to be transmitted by the wireless access point. In this way, the wireless access point can determine whether to allocate the first transmission time to the first station, so as to avoid the case where data with a long latency due to the wireless access point defaulting to allocate the first transmission time to the first station is preferentially transmitted.

[0019]

[0019] In a possible implementation, the first frame further includes a first field, and the first field is for indicating the access type and / or service identifier of the data to be transmitted by the first station. The service identifier may indicate the priority of service data transmission, and the access type may indicate the priority of channel access, that is, indirectly indicate the priority of service data transmission. The first station clearly notifies the wireless access point of the priority of the data to be transmitted that needs to be transmitted by the first station to the wireless access point by using the more data field and the first field. As a result, the wireless access point can be assisted when determining whether to allocate the first transmission time to the first station, and it is guaranteed that the data with low latency requirements is preferentially transmitted.

[0020]

[0020] In a possible implementation, the first frame further includes a second field, and the second field is for indicating the remaining time regarding discarding the data to be transmitted by the first station. A shorter remaining time regarding discarding the data to be transmitted indicates a higher priority of the data to be transmitted. That is, the priority of the data to be transmitted is indirectly indicated by using the remaining time regarding discarding the data to be transmitted. As a result, the wireless access point determines whether to allocate the first transmission time to the first station to guarantee that the data with low latency requirements is preferentially transmitted.

[0021]

[0021] In a possible implementation, the first frame further includes a third field, and the third field is for indicating the duration that the first station expects to be assigned by the wireless access point. The duration that the first station expects to be assigned by the wireless access point may be understood as the duration that the first station requests to be assigned by the wireless access point. In addition to notifying the first wireless node that the first station has transmission target data that needs to be transmitted to the first wireless access point, the first station may further request the duration assigned by the wireless access point. As a result, the wireless access point can assign an appropriate duration to the first station, save resources, and improve resource availability.

[0022]

[0022] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the first station receiving first capability information transmitted by the wireless access point, where the first capability information indicates that the wireless access point is capable of transmitting or receiving a frame with the more data field set to 1. By using the first capability information, the first station can avoid transmitting a frame with the more data field set to 1 to a wireless access point that cannot transmit or receive a frame with the more data field set to 1, that is, the first station can avoid a case where it cannot notify the first access point of the transmission target data that needs to be transmitted to the first access point.

[0023]

[0023] In a possible implementation, the first capability information is carried in the More Data Acknowledgment field, and a More Data Acknowledgment field set to 1 indicates that the wireless access point can transmit or receive a frame with the More Data field set to 1.

[0024]

[0024] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the first station transmitting second capability information to the wireless access point, where the second capability information indicates that the first station can transmit or receive a frame with the More Data field set to 1. By using the second capability information, the first station can notify the wireless access point whether the first station can transmit or receive a frame with the More Data field set to 1, and as a result, the wireless access point can clearly determine whether to transmit a frame with the More Data field set to 1 to the first station.

[0025]

[0025] In a possible implementation, the second capability information is carried in the More Data Acknowledgment field, and a More Data Acknowledgment field set to 1 indicates that the first station can transmit or receive a frame with the More Data field set to 1.

[0026]

[0026] According to a second aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a data transmission method. The method may be executed by a wireless access point. The wireless access point may be a communication device or a communication apparatus capable of supporting a communication device when implementing functions required in the method, such as a chip system. For example, the wireless access point may be a second communication device, or a chip disposed in the second communication device, or another component configured to implement the functions of the second communication device.

[0027]

[0027] The method is as follows: The wireless access point receives a first frame transmitted by a first station and transmits transmission opportunity information to the first station; or the wireless access point receives a first frame transmitted by a first station and transmits a trigger frame to the first station. The first frame is for indicating that the first station has transmission target data that needs to be transmitted. The transmission opportunity information is for indicating a first transmission opportunity. The first transmission opportunity is all or part of the remaining transmission opportunities within the first transmission opportunity. The first transmission opportunity is a channel transmission opportunity obtained by the wireless access point for transmitting data to the first station. The trigger frame is for scheduling the first station to transmit uplink data.

[0028]

[0028] In a possible implementation, the first frame includes a more data field, and the more data field is for indicating that the first station has transmission target data that needs to be transmitted to the wireless access point.

[0029]

[0029] In a possible implementation, the first frame is an acknowledgment frame.

[0030]

[0030] In a possible implementation, the first frame is a specific frame, and the specific frame further includes identification information of the first station.

[0031]

[0031] In a possible implementation, the wireless access point can receive a specific frame of the first station in the process of transmitting data to a second station.

[0032]

[0032] In a possible implementation, the wireless access point transmitting the transmission opportunity information to the first station includes the wireless access point transmitting an RDG or a MORE PPDU field to the first station.

[0033]

[0033] In a possible implementation, the transmission opportunity information is a transmission opportunity sharing trigger frame, the transmission opportunity sharing trigger frame includes an allocation duration field, and the allocation duration field is for indicating a first transmission time.

[0034]

[0034] In a possible implementation, the transmission opportunity information is further for indicating that the first station is permitted to transmit uplink data or P2P data.

[0035]

[0035] In a possible implementation, the MORE data field is further for indicating that the priority of the data to be transmitted by the first station is higher than the priority of the data transmitted by the wireless access point to the first station.

[0036]

[0036] In a possible implementation, the MORE data field is for indicating that the first station has data to be transmitted, including that the MORE data field is for indicating that the data to be transmitted by the first station is low-latency data or latency-sensitive data.

[0037]

[0037] In a possible implementation, the first frame further includes a first field, and the first field is for indicating the access type and / or service identifier of the data to be transmitted by the first station.

[0038]

[0038] In a possible implementation, the first frame further includes a second field, where the second field is for indicating a remaining time related to discarding the data to be transmitted by the first station, and a shorter remaining time related to discarding the data to be transmitted indicates a higher priority of the data to be transmitted.

[0039]

[0039] In a possible implementation, the first frame further includes a third field, where the third field is for indicating a duration that the first station expects to be assigned by the wireless access point.

[0040]

[0040] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the wireless access point sending first capability information to the first station, where the first capability information indicates that the wireless access point is capable of sending or receiving a frame with the more data field set to 1.

[0041]

[0041] In a possible implementation, the first capability information is carried in the more data acknowledgment field, and a more data acknowledgment field set to 1 indicates that the wireless access point is capable of sending or receiving an acknowledgment frame with the more data field set to 1.

[0042]

[0042] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the wireless access point receiving second capability information sent by the first station, where the second capability information indicates that the first station is capable of sending or receiving a frame with the more data field set to 1.

[0043]

[0043] In a possible implementation, the second capability information is carried in the More Data Acknowledgment field, and a More Data Acknowledgment field set to 1 indicates that the first station is capable of sending or receiving a frame in which the More Data field is set to 1.

[0044]

[0044] For the beneficial effects of the second aspect and the implementation of the second aspect, please refer to the description of the beneficial effects of the first aspect and the implementation of the first aspect.

[0045]

[0045] According to a third aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication device. The communication device has a function of performing operations in any of the method embodiments of the first aspect and the second aspect. For the beneficial effects, please refer to the description of the beneficial effects of the implementation of the first aspect and the second aspect. Details are not described again here.

[0046]

[0046] The communication device may be a station and is configured to execute the method executed by the first station in the first aspect, or the communication device may be a device capable of implementing the method provided in the first aspect, such as a chip or a chip system. In a possible design, the communication device includes corresponding means or modules for executing the method in the first aspect. For example, the communication device includes a processing unit (which may also be referred to as a processing module or a processor) and / or a transceiver unit (which may also be referred to as a transceiver module or a transceiver). The transceiver unit may include a transmission unit and a reception unit, or the transmission unit and the reception unit may be understood as being the same functional module. Alternatively, the transceiver unit may also be understood as a general term for the transmission unit and the reception unit, and the transmission unit and the reception unit may be different functional modules. These units (modules) may execute the corresponding functions in the method example of the first aspect. For details, please refer to the detailed description in the method example. The details will not be described again here.

[0047]

[0047] The communication device may be a wireless access point, configured to execute the method executed by the wireless access point in the second aspect, or the communication device may be a device capable of implementing the method provided in the second aspect, for example, a chip or a chip system. In a possible design, the communication device includes corresponding means or modules for executing the method in the second aspect. For example, the communication device includes a processing unit (which may also be called a processing module or a processor) and / or a transceiver unit (which may also be called a transceiver module or a transceiver). The transceiver unit may include a transmission unit and a reception unit, or it may be understood that the transmission unit and the reception unit are the same functional module. Alternatively, the transceiver unit is also understood as a general term for the transmission unit and the reception unit, and the transmission unit and the reception unit may be different functional modules. These units (modules) may execute the corresponding functions in the method example of the second aspect. For details, please refer to the detailed description in the method example. The details will not be described again here.

[0048]

[0048] According to a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. The communication device may execute a method according to any one of the first aspect and the second aspect. The communication device includes a communication interface and a processor, and optionally further includes a memory. The memory is configured to store a computer program. The processor is coupled to the memory and the communication interface. When the processor reads the computer program or instructions, the communication device becomes capable of executing the method executed by the first station or the wireless access point in the foregoing method. The communication interface may be implemented by an antenna, a feeder, a codec, etc. in the communication device.

[0049]

[0049] According to a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. The communication device includes an input / output interface and a logic circuit. The input / output interface is configured to input and / or output information. The logic circuit is configured to execute a method according to any one of the first aspect and the second aspect.

[0050]

[0050] According to a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip system. The chip system includes a processor, and may further include a memory and / or a communication interface configured to implement a method according to any one of the first aspect and the second aspect. In a possible implementation, the chip system further includes a memory configured to store a computer program. The chip system may include a chip, or may include a chip and another discrete element. The communication interface may be an input / output interface of the chip, for example, an input / output pin.

[0051]

[0051] According to a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system. The communication system includes at least one station and at least one wireless access point. The station is configured to execute a method executed by a first station according to the first aspect, and the wireless access point is configured to execute a method executed by the wireless access point according to the second aspect.

[0052]

[0052] According to an eighth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program. When the computer program is executed, a method according to any one of the first aspect and the second aspect is implemented.

[0053] According to a ninth aspect, a computer program product is provided. The computer program product includes computer program code. When the computer program code is executed, a method according to any one of the first aspect and the second aspect is executed.

[0054] For the beneficial effects of the third aspect to the ninth aspect and the implementation of the third aspect to the ninth aspect, please refer to the description of the beneficial effects of the first aspect and the second aspect, and the implementation of the first aspect and the second aspect.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0055]

Figure 1

[0055] FIG. 1 is a network architecture diagram of a WLAN to which the embodiments of the present application are applicable.

Figure 2

[0056] FIG. 2 is another network architecture diagram of a WLAN to which the embodiments of the present application are applicable.

Figure 3

[0057] FIG. 3 is a frame structure diagram of a frame control field according to an embodiment of the present application.

Figure 4

[0058] FIG. 4 is a format diagram of a QoS information field for an AP according to an embodiment of the present application.

Figure 5

[0059] FIG. 5 is a format diagram of a QoS Info field for an STA according to an embodiment of the present application.

Figure 6

[0060] FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of a data transmission method according to an embodiment of the present application.

Figure 7

[0061] FIG. 7 is a frame format diagram of a CTS frame according to an embodiment of the present application.

Figure 8

[0062] FIG. 8 is a structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

Figure 9

[0063] Figure 9 is another structural diagram of the communication device according to the embodiment of the present application.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0056]

[0064] The technical solution provided in the present application is applicable to the WLAN scenario, for example, the IEEE 802.11 system standard, such as the 802.11a / b / g standard, 802.11n standard, 802.11ac standard, 802.11ax standard, or the next-generation standard of the 802.11ax standard, such as the 802.11be standard, Wi-Fi 7, EHT, or in another example, the next-generation standard of 802.11be, Wi-Fi 8, or the next-generation standard of Wi-Fi8. Alternatively, the technical solution provided in the present application is applicable to a wireless local area network system, such as the Internet of Things (IoT) network, or the Vehicle-to-X (V2X) network. Of course, the technical solution provided in the present application is alternatively applicable to another possible communication system, such as the long term evolution (LTE) system or the new radio (NR) system, or another next-generation mobile communication system, such as the sixth generation (6G) communication system, or another similar communication system.

[0057]

[0065] Embodiments of the present application are mainly described by using examples of deployed WLAN networks, particularly networks to which the IEEE 802.11 system standard is applied. However, various aspects of the present application may be extended to other networks using various standards or protocols, such as Bluetooth, high performance radio LAN (HIPERLAN) (a wireless standard similar to the IEEE 802.11 standard and mainly used in Europe), and wide area network (WAN), personal area network (PAN), or other networks known or to be developed in the future. It will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that, accordingly, regardless of the coverage used and the wireless access protocol used, the various aspects provided in the present application are applicable to any suitable wireless network.

[0058]

[0066] For example, FIG. 1 is a diagram of a WLAN network architecture to which the embodiments of the present application are applicable. In FIG. 1, the WLAN includes one wireless access point (AP), and the AP may be associated with one or more stations (STA). As shown in FIG. 1, an example where the AP is associated with two STAs is used. For example, the STAs associated with the AP include STA1 and STA2. Some APs may schedule wireless resources for the associated STAs and / or unassociated STAs and transmit data for the STAs on the scheduled wireless resources. For example, the AP can schedule wireless resources for STA1 and STA2 and transmit data including uplink data information and / or downlink data information for STA1 and STA2 on the scheduled wireless resources. Further, the embodiments of the present application are applicable to communication between APs. For example, the APs can communicate with each other via possible data links. The embodiments of the present application are also applicable to communication between STAs. For example, the AP and STA in the embodiments of the present application may be wireless communication devices that support parallel transmission on multiple links, and are, for example, called multi-link devices (MLD) or multi-band devices (MBD), and have higher transmission efficiency and higher throughput. In the embodiments of the present application, an AP that supports communication in multiple links may sometimes be called an MLD AP, and an STA that supports communication on multiple links, that is, a multi-link STA, may sometimes be called a non-Access Point Station (non-AP STA). It should be understood that the number of APs and STAs in FIG. 1 is merely an example, and may be more or less.

[0059]

[0067] Figure 2 is a diagram of a multi-link communication network architecture according to an embodiment of the present application. In Figure 2, one multi-link AP and one multi-link STA are used as examples, showing that multi-link devices in a wireless local area network communicate with another device via multiple links. The multi-link AP may include a plurality of logical stations. As shown in Figure 2, the multi-link AP includes associated AP-1 and associated AP-2. The multi-link STA may also include a plurality of logical stations. As shown in Figure 2, the multi-link STA includes associated STA-1 and associated STA-2. Each logical station operates on one link, and multiple logical stations are allowed to operate on the same link. For example, the multi-link AP and the multi-link STA communicate in parallel via Link 1 and Link 2. The frequency bands on which the multi-link devices operate may include, but are not limited to, sub-1 GHz, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, and millimeter-wave 60 GHz. For example, the frequency band of Link 1 is 2.4 GHz, and the frequency band of Link 2 is 5 GHz.

[0060]

[0068] The multi-link device in the embodiment of the present application may be a single-antenna device or a multi-antenna device. For example, the multi-link device may be a device having more than two antennas. The number of antennas included in the multi-link device is not limited in the embodiment of the present application. In the embodiment of the present application, the multi-link device allows the same type of access service to be transmitted on different links, and may even allow the same data packet to be transmitted on different links; or it does not allow the same type of access service to be transmitted on different links, but may allow different types of access services to be transmitted on different links.

[0061] The multi-link device is capable of performing wireless communication according to the 802.11 series protocols. For example, a station compliant with Extremely High Throughput (EHT), or a station compliant with or compatible with a station compliant with 802.11be performs communication with another device. Of course, the other device may or may not be a multi-link device.

[0062]

[0069] The STA in the embodiments of the present application may be a wireless communication chip, a wireless sensor, or various user terminals, user devices, access devices, subscriber stations, subscriber units, mobile stations, user agents, user equipment, or other names having a wireless communication function.

[0063] The user terminal may be various handheld devices, in-vehicle devices, wearable devices, computing devices, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem having a wireless communication function; various forms of user equipment (UE), mobile stations (MSs), terminals, terminal equipment, portable communication devices, handheld devices, portable computing devices, entertainment devices, game devices or systems, global positioning system devices, or any other suitable devices configured to perform network communication via a wireless medium, etc.

[0064] For example, the STA may be a mobile phone supporting Wi-Fi communication function, a tablet computer supporting Wi-Fi communication function, a set-top box supporting Wi-Fi communication function, a smart TV supporting Wi-Fi communication function, a smart wearable device supporting Wi-Fi communication function, an in-vehicle communication device supporting Wi-Fi communication function, a computer supporting Wi-Fi communication function, etc. The STA may also be a router, a switch, a bridge, etc.

[0065] In this case, for the sake of simplicity of explanation, the above-mentioned devices are collectively referred to as a station or STA. Optionally, the STA may support the 802.11be standard. Alternatively, the station may support a plurality of WLAN standards of the 802.11 family, such as 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11be, Wi-Fi 7, Wi-Fi 8, or the next-generation standard of Wi-Fi 8. When the various STAs described above are placed in a vehicle (for example, placed inside the vehicle or mounted inside the vehicle), they may all be considered as terminal devices mounted on the vehicle. For example, the in-vehicle terminal device is also called an on-board unit (OBU). Alternatively, the STA in this application may be an in-vehicle module, an in-vehicle assembly, an in-vehicle element, an in-vehicle chip, or an in-vehicle unit incorporated into the vehicle as one or more components or units. The vehicle can implement the method in this application by means of a built-in STA.

[0066]

[0070] In the embodiments of this application, a communication device configured to implement the functions of a STA may be a STA, or may be a device capable of supporting a STA when implementing functions, such as a chip system. The device may be installed in a STA. In the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application, an example in which a device configured to implement the functions of a STA is a STA is used to explain the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0067]

[0071] The AP in the embodiments of this application is a device arranged in a wireless communication network and provides a wireless communication function to a STA associated with the AP. Of course, the AP may alternatively be arranged outdoors. The AP corresponds to a bridge connecting a wired network and a wireless network. The main function of the AP is to connect various wireless network clients together and then connect the wireless network to Ethernet. The AP may be used as a hub of a communication system, or may be a communication device such as a base station, a router, a gateway, a repeater, a communication server, a switch, or a bridge with a Wi-Fi chip. The base station may include macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, etc. in various forms. In this case, for the sake of simplicity of description, the above devices are collectively referred to as APs. Also, the AP is capable of supporting the 802.11be standard or the next-generation standard of 802.11be, such as a WLAN standard like Wi-Fi 8. The AP is also capable of supporting WLAN standards such as 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, and 802.11a.

[0068]

[0072] In the embodiments of this application, the communication device configured to implement the functions of an AP may be an AP, or may be a device capable of supporting an AP when implementing the functions, such as a chip system. The device may be installed in the AP. In the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application, an example in which the device configured to implement the functions of an AP is an AP is used to describe the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0069]

[0073] In the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified, the quantity of a noun indicates "singular noun or plural noun", that is, "one or more". "At least one" means one or more, and "plural" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects and indicates that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B may indicate three cases: only A exists, both A and B exist, and only B exists, where A and B may be singular or plural. The character " / " usually indicates an "or" relationship between related objects. For example, A / B indicates A or B. "At least one of the following items (items or pieces))" or a similar expression means any combination of these items, including any combination of a single item (piece) or multiple items (pieces). For example, at least one of a, b, and c indicates a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, a and b and c, where a, b, and c may be singular or plural.

[0070]

[0074] Ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of this application are used to distinguish a plurality of objects and are not intended to limit the size, content, order, chronological order, application scenario, priority, importance, etc. of the plurality of objects. For example, the first station and the second station may be the same station or different stations. Further, the plurality of names do not indicate that the priorities, application scenarios, importance, etc. of the two stations are different. In this specification, "an embodiment of this application" means that a specific feature, structure, or characteristic related to the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of this invention. Therefore, "an embodiment of this application" appearing throughout this specification does not necessarily mean the same embodiment. Further, these specific features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in one or more embodiments in any suitable manner.

[0071]

[0075] Embodiments of the present application may be applied to a WLAN system. WLAN operates in an unlicensed frequency band. Specifically, any device compliant with the radio frequency specifications can transmit or receive data on the frequency band. A device located within the WLAN system acquires one TXOP through a random channel access process. On the condition that one TXOP is acquired, the device can transmit data frames, control frames, and management frames or receive response frames within the acquired TXOP. A device that acquires a TXOP may be called a TXOP holder, and the TXOP holder may be an AP or an STA. A TXOP includes the duration required by the TXOP holder to transmit one or more data and corresponding immediate response frames (where the immediate response frames may be an acknowledgment frame, a block acknowledgment frame, etc.). The TXOP holder can acquire a TXOP and transmit data to a TXOP responder without interference within the acquired TXOP. The TXOP responder may be an AP or an STA.

[0072]

[0076] When a TXOP responder (e.g., an AP) has transmission target data that needs to be transmitted to a TXOP holder (e.g., an STA), the TXOP responder can send an acknowledgment frame (e.g., an ACK frame or a BA frame) including a More Data field to the STA to indicate that the AP has transmission target data that needs to be transmitted to the STA. For example, the acknowledgment frame includes a frame control field, and the frame control field includes a More Data field. When the More Data field is set to 1, it indicates that the STA is in the power saving mode and the AP has transmission target data that needs to be transmitted to the STA.

[0073]

[0077] Figure 3 is a diagram of the frame structure of a Frame Control field according to an embodiment of the present application. Specifically, the frame control field includes a 2-bit Protocol Version field, a 2-bit Type field, a 4-bit Subtype field, a 1-bit to distribution system (To DS) field, a 1-bit from distribution system (From DS) field, a 1-bit more fragment (More Frag) field, a 1-bit Retry field, a 1-bit power management (Pwr Mgt) field, a 1-bit more data field, a 1-bit Protected Frame field, and a 1-bit indicating whether an HT control field exists + HTC (+HTC) field may be included. The power management field is for indicating the power management mode of the station after completing one frame sequence of the exchange. When the power management field is set to 0, it indicates that the station is in the active mode. When the power management field is set to 1, it indicates that the station is in the power saving mode. Currently, the protocol does not support power saving of the AP. Therefore, the power management field is always set to 0 by the AP. When the station is in the power saving mode, the station can switch between the Awake state and the Doze state when certain conditions are met.

[0074]

[0078] When a STA in power-saving mode receives an acknowledgment frame with the More Data field set to 1, the STA maintains an awake state and waits for the AP to transmit the data to be transmitted to the STA. By using an acknowledgment frame with the More Data field set to 1, the AP notifies the STA in power-saving mode. The mechanism that has data to be transmitted to the STA by the AP is also called the More Data ACK (Acknowledgment) mechanism.

[0075]

[0079] The More Data ACK mechanism needs to be supported by both the AP and the STA, that is, both the AP and the STA need to support the More Data ACK mechanism. In the present application, "supporting the More Data ACK mechanism" may mean having the ability to transmit or receive an acknowledgment frame with the More Data field set to 1, that is, it is possible to transmit or receive an acknowledgment frame with the More Data field set to 1. Correspondingly, "not supporting the More Data ACK mechanism" means not having the ability to transmit or receive an acknowledgment frame with the More Data field set to 1, that is, it is not possible to transmit or receive an acknowledgment frame with the More Data field set to 1.

[0076]

[0080] Whether the AP or the STA supports the More Data ACK mechanism may be indicated by using the Quality of Service Information (QoS Info) field. In the case of the AP, the format of the QoS information field is shown in FIG. 4. Specifically, the QoS Info field 4-bit Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA) Parameter Set Update Count field, 1-bit Q-Ack field, 1-bit Queue Request field, 1-bit TXOP Request field, and 1-bit More Data Ack field may be included. The EDCA Parameter Set Update Count field is for indicating that the EDCA parameters or MU EDCA parameters have changed. The Q-Ack field is for indicating whether Q-Ack is supported. The Queue Request field is for indicating whether the AP supports the processing of the non-zero Queue Size subfield within the QoS control field carried in the QoS data frame. The TXOP Request field is for indicating whether the AP supports the processing of the non-zero TXOP Duration Requested subfield within the QoS control field carried in the QoS data frame. In the case of a high efficiency (HE) AP, when the More Data Ack field is set to 1, it indicates that the HE AP is capable of transmitting unicast ACK frames and BA frames with More Data set to 1; otherwise, the field is set to 0. In the case of a non-HE AP, the More Data Ack field is a reserved field.

[0077]

[0081] For a STA, the format of the QoS information field is shown in FIG. 5. Specifically, the QoS Info field 1-bit voice service access category (AC_VO) Unscheduled Automatic Power Saving Delivery (U-APSD) flag field 1-bit video service access category (AC_VI) U-APSD flag field 1-bit background service access category (AC_BK) U-APSD flag field 1-bit best effort service access category (AC_BE) U-APSD flag field 1-bit Q-Ack field 1-bit Max service period Length (Max SP Length) field, and 1-bit More data Ack field It may include. When the AC_VO U-APSD flag field is set to 1, it indicates that the voice service access category is both trigger-enabled and delivery-enabled. When the AC_VI U-APSD flag field is set to 1, it indicates that the video service access category is both trigger-enabled and delivery-enabled. When the AC_BK U-APSD flag field is set to 1, it indicates that the background service access category is both trigger-enabled and delivery-enabled. When the AC_BE U-APSD flag field is set to 1, it indicates that the best effort service access category is both trigger-enabled and delivery-enabled. The Q-Ack field is for indicating whether Q-Ack is supported. The Max SP Length field is for indicating the maximum amount of buffer units that can be received during the service period. In the case of a non-AP non-HE station, when the More Data Ack field is set to 1, it indicates that the STA can process an ACK frame with More Data set to 1 and maintain the awake state. In the case of a non-AP HE station, when the More Data Ack field is set to 1, it indicates that the STA can process an ACK frame and a BA frame with More Data set to 1 and maintain the awake state.

[0078]

[0082] In a possible scenario, during the TXOP period of the TXOP holder, the TXOP responder has higher-priority data that needs to be sent to the TXOP holder. For example, the TXOP responder has low-latency data or latency-sensitive data that needs to be sent to the TXOP holder. Since the TXOP is acquired and used by the TXOP holder, the TXOP responder cannot directly use the TXOP acquired by the TXOP holder. If the TXOP holder is unaware that the TXOP responder has data to be sent to the TXOP holder, the TXOP holder will naturally not allocate the available TXOP to the TXOP responder. As a result, the low-latency data of the TXOP responder cannot be timely sent to the TXOP holder, and the transmission delay requirements such as low-latency services cannot be met.

[0079]

[0083] In an embodiment of the present application, during the period of the TXOP acquired by the TXOP holder, if the TXOP responder has data that needs to be sent to the TXOP holder, the TXOP responder can notify the TXOP holder that the TXOP responder has data that needs to be sent to the TXOP holder. Accordingly, the TXOP holder allocates the available transmission time in the acquired TXOP to the TXOP responder, and the TXOP responder uses the allocated transmission time to send the data to the TXOP holder. Since the TXOP responder sends the data by using the transmission time in the TXOP acquired by the TXOP holder, the TXOP responder does not need to wait for the TXOP and then sends the data to the current TXOP holder by random channel access, that is, sends the data preferentially. Accordingly, the data transmission delay can be reduced, and the transmission requirements of low-latency services can be met.

[0080]

[0084] Hereinafter, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0081]

[0085] Embodiments of the present application provide a data transmission method. The method may be applied to a WLAN system, for example, the system shown in FIG. 1. For example, the TXOP holder is an AP, and the TXOP responder is an STA. In the system shown in FIG. 1, the TXOP holder may be the AP in FIG. 1, and the TXOP responder may be STA1 or STA2. Further, the AP and STA in the embodiments of the present application may be wireless communication devices that support parallel transmission on multiple links. For example, in the embodiments of the present application, the TXOP holder may be AP-1 or AP-2 in the multi-link AP of FIG. 2, and the TXOP responder may be STA-1 or STA-2 in the multi-link STA. There may be multiple TXOP holders and multiple TXOP responders. For ease of explanation, hereinafter, an example will be used in which the TXOP holder is an AP and the TXOP responder includes a first STA and / or a second STA. It should be understood that when the AP is a multi-link AP, the TXOP holder may be AP-1 or AP-2 in the multi-link AP. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, "if" and "in case" in the embodiments of the present application may be replaced; unless otherwise specified, "when" and "in case" may be replaced. In the embodiments of the present application, the steps indicated by the dashed line indicate that the step is an optional step and not an essential step.

[0082]

[0086] FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of a data transmission method according to an embodiment of the present application. In the present application, the fact that the first STA has transmission target data that needs to be transmitted means that the first STA has transmission target data that needs to be transmitted to the AP, that is, it may include the fact that the first STA needs to transmit uplink data. The fact that the first STA has transmission target data that needs to be transmitted may alternatively mean that the first STA has transmission target data that needs to be transmitted to another STA, that is, it may include the fact that the first STA needs to transmit P2P data.

[0083] For example, in the frame control field included in the frame transmitted by the first STA, when the "to distribution system" field is set to 1 and the "from distribution system" field is set to 0, it indicates that the first STA needs to transmit uplink data, or in the frame control field included in the frame transmitted by the first STA, when the "to distribution system" field is set to 0 and the "from distribution system" field is set to 1, it indicates that the first STA needs to transmit downlink data, or in the frame control field included in the frame transmitted by the first STA, when the "to distribution system" field is set to 0 and the "from distribution system" field is set to 0, it indicates that the first STA needs to transmit P2P data.

[0084]

[0087] S601: The first STA transmits a first frame to the AP. In response, the AP receives the first frame transmitted by the first STA, and the first frame indicates that the first STA has transmission target data that needs to be transmitted.

[0085]

[0088] The first STA may be a STA associated with the AP. When the first STA has transmission target data that needs to be transmitted, the first STA can notify the AP that the first STA has transmission target data that needs to be transmitted by using the first frame. In one example, the first frame may include a more data field, and the more data field can indicate that the first STA has transmission target data that needs to be transmitted. That is, the first STA reuses the more data field to notify the AP that the first STA has transmission target data that needs to be transmitted. For example, the more data field occupies 1 bit. When the value of the 1 bit is "0", it indicates that the first STA does not have transmission target data that needs to be transmitted. Correspondingly, when the value of the 1 bit is "1", it indicates that the first STA has transmission target data that needs to be transmitted. Optionally, in the case of a trigger-based physical layer convergence procedure (PLCP) protocol data unit (TB-PPDU), the more data may also be set to 0 to indicate the absence of transmission target data.

[0086]

[0089] The specific name of the first frame is not limited in this embodiment of the present application. For example, the first frame may be referred to as an immediate response frame or an acknowledgment frame. In this embodiment of the present application, as an example, it should be noted that the first STA uses the more data field to indicate that the first STA has transmission target data that needs to be transmitted. The specific field indicating that the first STA has transmission target data that needs to be transmitted is not limited in this embodiment of the present application. For example, the first STA may alternatively use another field or a reserved field in the PPDU to indicate that the first STA has transmission target data that needs to be transmitted.

[0087]

[0090] In a possible implementation, the first frame is an acknowledgment frame, for example, an ACK frame or a BA frame. Specifically, for example, the ACK frame or the BA frame may include a frame control field, and the frame structure of the frame control field is shown in FIG. 3. Optionally, the BA frame may carry a buffer status report (BSR) or a newly defined buffer report, and the more data field in the BA frame is for indicating whether the BA frame carries a BSR or a newly defined buffer report, and specifies whether the first STA has transmission target data that needs to be transmitted. When the more data field is set to 1, it indicates that the BA frame carries a BSR or a newly defined buffer report, and the BSR or the newly defined buffer report can specify whether the first STA has transmission target data that needs to be transmitted.

[0088]

[0091] Considering the reply function of the AP, for example, the AP has limited full-duplex capabilities, that is, in the process of transmitting data to a certain STA, the AP can only receive specific frames transmitted by another STA. For example, after obtaining the TXOP, the AP uses the TXOP to transmit downlink data to the second STA. During the period when the AP uses the TXOP to transmit downlink data to the second STA, the first STA has transmission target data that needs to be transmitted. In this case, if the first STA still sends an ACK frame or a BA frame to the AP, the AP cannot receive the ACK frame or the BA frame, so the AP cannot know that the first STA has transmission target data that needs to be transmitted.

[0089]

[0092] Therefore, in this embodiment of the present application, in the process of transmitting data to the second STA, if the AP determines that it can only receive specific frames transmitted by the first STA, the first STA may notify the AP that the first STA has transmission target data that needs to be transmitted by using the specific frame, that is, the first frame is the specific frame. The specific frame may include a more data field, and the more data field is for indicating the existence of transmission target data that needs to be transmitted. In order for the AP to clearly determine who has the transmission target data that needs to be transmitted, the specific frame further includes the identification information of the first station.

[0090]

[0093] In a possible implementation, the specific frame is a CTS-to-Self frame. For example, the CTS-to-Self frame includes a more data field and a receiver address field, and the receiver address field indicates the address information of the first station. For example, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the format of the CTS frame. The CTS frame is 2-bit frame control field, 2-bit duration field, 6-bit receiver address field, and 4-bit frame check sequence (FCS) field.

[0091] When the receiver address field is set to the transmitter address, it should be understood that the CTS frame is referred to as a CTS-to-Self frame. The duration field can indicate the first transmission time, and the receiver address field can indicate the address information of the first station. The AP can receive the CTS-to-Self frame transmitted by the first STA and determine whether the first STA has the data to be transmitted based on the more data field and the receiver address field in the CTS-to-Self frame. It should be noted that the specific implementation of a specific frame is not limited to this embodiment of the present application. For example, a specific frame may be a frame other than the CTS-to-Self frame, provided that the frame includes the identification information of the first station and the more data field.

[0092]

[0094] The first AP can receive the first frame transmitted by the first STA and determine, based on the more data field in the first frame, that the first STA has transmission target data that needs to be transmitted. In an implementation, when the priority of the data that needs to be transmitted by the first STA is higher than the priority of the data that needs to be transmitted by the current AP, the AP can enable the first STA to transmit the data preferentially. Conversely, when the priority of the data that needs to be transmitted by the first STA is lower than the priority of the data that needs to be transmitted by the current AP, the AP does not need to enable the first STA to transmit the data preferentially. In addition to notifying the first STA that there is transmission target data that needs to be transmitted to ensure that high-priority data is transmitted preferentially, the first STA further notifies the AP of the priority of the first STA's transmission target data to assist the AP in determining whether to allocate the first transmission time to the first STA, thereby avoiding the case where data with a long waiting time due to the AP defaulting to allocate the first transmission time to the first STA is transmitted preferentially.

[0093]

[0095] In this embodiment of the present application, the AP can implicitly or explicitly indicate whether the priority of the transmission target data of the first STA is higher than the priority of the data that needs to be transmitted by the AP. For example, the following several indication methods may be included.

[0094]

[0096] In indication method 1, in addition to indicating that the first STA has transmission target data that needs to be transmitted, the More Data field further indicates that the priority of the transmission target data of the first STA is higher than the priority of the data transmitted by the current AP. For example, the More Data field further indicates that the priority of the transmission target data of the first STA is higher than the priority of the data transmitted by the current AP to the first STA. When the priority of the transmission target data of the first STA is higher than the priority of the data transmitted by the current AP to the first STA, it may be considered that the first STA notifies the AP that it has transmission target data that needs to be transmitted by using the More Data field. The AP can clearly determine, by using the More Data field, that the priority of the transmission target data of the first STA is higher than the priority of the data transmitted by the current AP to the first STA, and the AP needs to enable the first STA to transmit data preferentially. Optionally, when the priority of the transmission target data of the first STA is not higher than the priority of the data transmitted by the current AP to the first STA, the first STA does not notify the AP that there is transmission target data that needs to be transmitted.

[0095]

[0097] In indication method 2, the More Data field can indicate the data type of the transmission target data of the first STA. Different data types correspond to different priorities. Therefore, the AP can further determine whether the priority of the transmission target data of the first STA is higher than the priority of the data transmitted by the current AP based on the data type indicated by the More Data field.

[0096]

[0098] The classification of data types is not limited in this embodiment of the present application. For example, the data type may be classified based on the transmission latency requirements of the data. The data type may include low-latency data or latency-sensitive data, and common latency data, and the priority of the low-latency data or latency-sensitive data is higher than the priority of the common latency data. It should be understood that the low-latency data and the common latency data are relative. For example, if the latency of a specific part of the data is less than the first latency threshold, the data is low-latency data. Correspondingly, if the latency of a specific part of the data is greater than the first latency threshold, the data is common latency data. Therefore, more data fields indicate low-latency data or latency-sensitive data, and the AP can determine that the priority of the data to be transmitted by the first STA is higher than the priority of the data transmitted by the AP.

[0097]

[0099] In the indication method 3, the first frame further includes a first field, and the first field can indicate the access category (AC) and / or the traffic identifier (TID) of the data to be transmitted by the first STA.

[0098]

[0100] It should be understood that the TID may be used to indicate the priority of the service. For example, the TID occupies 4 bits, and the value range of the TID is from 0 to 15. Different TIDs correspond to different priorities. The first frame includes a More Data field and a first field. After receiving the first frame and determining, based on the More Data field, that there is transmission target data that needs to be transmitted by the first STA, the AP further determines the priority of the transmission target data of the first STA based on the TID indicated by the first field, and determines whether the priority of the transmission target data of the first STA is higher than the priority of the data transmitted by the current AP. It should be noted that the first field may be a newly defined field or an already defined field. The specific name of the first field is not limited in this embodiment of the present application. For example, the first field may be a TID information field, or the first field may be one or more of the "to distribution system" field, "from distribution system" field, More Fragment field, and Retry field in the frame control field shown in FIG. 3.

[0099]

[0101] Different ACs correspond to different priorities during channel access. For example, if the AC can occupy 2 bits, there are access category voice (AC_VO), access category video (AC_VI), access category background (AC_BK), access category best effort (AC_BE), etc.

[0100] That is, AC_VO indicates that the access type is a voice stream, AC_VI indicates that the access type is a video stream, AC_BE indicates that the access type is a best effort stream, and AC_BK indicates that the access type is a background stream. Optionally, Priority of voice stream > Priority of video stream > Priority of best effort stream > Priority of background stream. In other words, the order of priority is: AC-VO, AC-VI, AC-BE, and AC-BK. It is possible to understand that a higher priority indicates a lower required latency. After receiving the first frame and determining that there is transmission target data that needs to be transmitted by the first STA based on the more data field, the AP further determines the priority of the transmission target data of the first STA based on the AC indicated by the first field, and determines whether the priority of the transmission target data of the first STA is higher than the priority of the data transmitted by the current AP.

[0101]

[0102] In indication method 4, the first frame may further include a second field, and the second field may indicate the remaining time for discarding the transmission target data of the first STA. A shorter remaining time for discarding the transmission target data of the first STA indicates a higher priority of the transmission target data of the first STA.

[0102]

[0103] The first frame transmitted by the first STA to the AP may include a More Data field and a second field. The More Data field can indicate that there is transmission target data that needs to be transmitted by the first STA, and the second field indicates the remaining time regarding discarding the transmission target data of the first STA. After receiving the first frame and determining, based on the More Data field, that there is transmission target data that needs to be transmitted by the first STA, the AP further determines the priority of the transmission target data of the first STA based on the remaining time indicated by the second field, which is the remaining time regarding discarding the transmission target data, and determines whether the priority of the transmission target data of the first STA is higher than the priority of the data transmitted by the current AP.

[0103]

[0104] For example, a plurality of remaining times regarding discarding the transmission target data may be predefined, and different remaining times correspond to different indexes. Table 1 shows the correspondence between the remaining time regarding discarding the transmission target data of the first STA and the index. As shown in Table 1, the second field indicates 3, which can indicate that the remaining time regarding discarding the transmission target data of the first STA is less than 1.5 ms. It should be noted that the first field may be a newly defined field or an already defined field. The specific name of the second field is not limited in this embodiment of the present application. For example, the second field may be a Retry field, a Protection Frame field, or some +HTC field that indicates whether there is an HT control field in the frame control field shown in Figure 3.

[0104] Table 1

[0105]

Table 1

[0105] Any one of the foregoing indication methods may indicate that the first STA has transmission target data that needs to be transmitted, and may further indicate whether the priority of the transmission target data of the first STA is higher than the priority of the data that needs to be transmitted by the current AP. In this way, the AP can determine whether the first STA can preferentially transmit the transmission target data. As a result, high-priority data is preferentially transmitted, thereby reducing the data transmission latency.

[0106]

[0106] In an alternative solution of this embodiment of the present application, it should be further noted that the protocol may allow the BA frame to aggregate several TIDs, ACs, or low-latency data frames.

[0107] After determining that there is transmission target data that requires the first STA to transmit, the AP can allocate a specific duration to the first STA so that the first STA transmits the transmission target data. If the first STA has a large amount of transmission target data, the duration required to transmit the transmission target data is long, and the duration allocated to the first STA by the AP may be short. This is insufficient for the first STA to complete transmitting the transmission target data. Conversely, the amount of transmission target data of the first STA is small. Specifically, the duration required to transmit the transmission target data is short. If the duration allocated to the first STA by the AP is short, resource waste is caused. Therefore, in this embodiment of the present application, in addition to notifying the AP that there is transmission target data that requires the first STA to transmit, the first STA can further notify the AP of the duration that the first STA expects to be allocated by the AP. The duration that the first STA expects to be allocated by the AP can be determined by the first STA based on the transmission target data. The AP allocates the duration to the first STA based on the duration that the first STA expects to be allocated, saves resources, and improves resource availability.

[0108]

[0108] For example, in addition to the more data field, the first frame may further include a third field, and the third field can indicate the duration that the first STA expects to be allocated by the AP. After receiving the first frame and determining, based on the more data field, that there is transmission target data that requires the first STA to transmit, the AP further determines the duration allocated to the first STA so that the first STA transmits the transmission target data based on the third field. It should be noted that the third field may be a newly defined field or an already defined field. The specific name of the third field is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0109]

[0109] S602: The AP transmits the transmission opportunity information to the first STA. In response, the first STA receives the transmission opportunity information transmitted by the AP, and the transmission opportunity information indicates the first transmission time.

[0110]

[0110] The AP determines that it has the data to be transmitted that requires the first STA to transmit. The AP can allocate a specific duration (for example, what is called the first transmission time) to the first STA so that the first STA transmits the data to be transmitted. For example, the AP can transmit the transmission opportunity information to the first STA, and the transmission opportunity information may indicate the first transmission time. The AP transmits the transmission opportunity information to the first STA in the following two implementations.

[0111]

[0111] In Implementation 1, the AP may transmit a Reverse Direction Grant (RDG) to the first STA, and the RDG can be used to instruct the first STA to permit all the transmission times of the remaining transmission opportunities in the first transmission opportunity. In other words, the first transmission time is all the transmission times of the remaining transmission opportunities in the first transmission opportunity. After receiving the RDG transmitted by the AP, the first STA can transmit the data to be transmitted to the AP at the first transmission time. If the first STA completes the transmission of the data to be transmitted and there is still available transmission time within the first transmission time, the first STA may also transmit the RDG to the AP to permit the remaining transmission time at the first transmission time for the AP to use.

[0112]

[0112] Alternatively, the AP may reuse the MORE PPDU field to allocate the first transmission time to the first STA. For example, the AP can transmit a second frame to the first STA. The second frame includes the MORE PPDU field. The fact that the MORE PPDU field is set to 1 indicates that all the remaining transmission times in the first transmission opportunity are permitted for the first STA. After receiving the second frame transmitted by the AP, the first STA can transmit the data to be transmitted to the AP at the first transmission time. If the first STA completes the transmission of the data to be transmitted and there is still available transmission time within the first transmission time, the first STA may also transmit a third frame including the MORE PPDU field set to 0 to the AP to transfer the remaining transmission time in the first transmission time to the AP.

[0113]

[0113] In Implementation 2, the AP can allocate the duration for transmitting the data to be transmitted to the first STA based on the TXOP Sharing (TXS) mechanism.

[0114]

[0114] For example, the transmission opportunity information is a multi-user request to send (MU-RTS) TXS trigger frame. The AP can send the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame to the first STA, and the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame includes an Allocation Duration field for indicating the first transmission time. The first transmission time may be the transmission time of all or part of the remaining transmission opportunities in the first transmission opportunity. Optionally, if the first frame does not carry the expected allocated duration information, the AP sets the Allocation Duration field to the transmission time of all the remaining transmission opportunities to provide a long duration to the first STA, and can avoid as much as possible the case where the first STA has a sufficient duration to complete the transmission of the data to be transmitted.

[0115]

[0115] Optionally, the transmission opportunity information may be further for indicating that the first STA is permitted to transmit uplink data or P2P data. It will also be understood that when the AP sends the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame to the first STA, the TXOP sharing mode subfield may also be for further indicating that the first STA is permitted to transmit uplink data or P2P data.

[0116]

[0116] It can be understood that TXS has two modes, namely Mode 1 and Mode 2. Mode 1 allows the STA to transmit only uplink data by using the allocated time. Mode 2 allows the STA to transmit P2P data or uplink data by using the allocated time. The specific supported mode may be specified by using the TXOP sharing mode subfield in the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame. When the TXOP sharing mode subfield indicates Mode 2, the first STA can transmit data to another STA and can also transmit uplink data to the AP. If the first frame does not carry the type of the data to be transmitted (uplink data or P2P data), the AP may set the TXOP sharing mode subfield to 2 to allow the first STA to transmit P2P data or uplink data.

[0117]

[0117] S603: The AP transmits a trigger frame to the first STA. In response, the first STA receives the trigger frame transmitted by the AP, and the trigger frame is for scheduling the first STA to transmit data.

[0118]

[0118] The AP determines that the first STA has transmission target data that needs to be transmitted within the period of the TXOP obtained by the AP. The AP can schedule the first STA to perform data transmission. For example, the AP transmits a trigger frame to the first STA to schedule the first STA to transmit data. The trigger frame may include the first transmission time assigned to the first STA by the AP, that is, the uplink trigger-based PPDU length. The first STA transmits the transmission target data to the AP based on the received trigger frame. For example, the first STA transmits uplink data to the AP at the first transmission time. Optionally, the first STA may transmit a buffer report to the AP at the first transmission time. In addition to the first transmission time, it can be understood that the trigger frame further includes other scheduling information for scheduling the first STA to transmit the transmission target data. Since the other scheduling information for scheduling the first STA to transmit the transmission target data is not the focus of interest in this embodiment of the present application, the details are not described here.

[0119]

[0119] It should be noted that either S602 or S603 may be executed. For example, the AP may execute S602 and not execute S603; or the AP may execute S603 and not execute S602.

[0120]

[0120] In this embodiment of the present application, the first STA notifies the AP that it has transmission target data that needs to be transmitted by reusing the more data field. Even if the AP has acquired a TXOP for transmitting the AP's data, the AP can clearly know that the first STA has transmission target data that needs to be transmitted. Therefore, the AP can allocate the remaining transmission time in the AP's TXOP to the first STA or schedule the first STA so that the first STA can transmit the transmission target data within the time, thereby reducing the transmission delay of the transmission target data.

[0121]

[0121] By using the more data field, the first STA notifies that there is transmission target data that needs to be transmitted, and it can be understood that the AP needs to have the ability to receive a frame in which the more data field is set to 1. That the AP has the ability to receive a frame in which the more data field is set to 1 may be understood as that the AP can receive (or support receiving) a frame in which the more data field is set to 1. However, the first STA may not know whether the AP can receive a frame in which the more data field is set to 1.

[0122]

[0122] Therefore, in a possible implementation, the AP can notify the first STA whether the AP can transmit or receive a frame in which the more data field is set to 1. The first STA determines that the AP can transmit or receive a frame in which the more data field is set to 1, and the first STA indicates that there is transmission target data that needs to be transmitted by using the more data field.

[0123]

[0123] S604: The AP transmits the first capability information to the first STA, and in response, the first STA receives the first capability information transmitted by the AP.

[0124]

[0124] The first capability information indicates that the AP can transmit or receive a frame with the More Data field set to 1. The first capability information may be carried in the EHT Operation element field. For example, 1-bit indication information is added to the EHT Operation element to specify whether the AP can transmit or receive a frame with the More Data field set to 1.

[0125]

[0125] Alternatively, the first capability information may be carried in the More Data ACK field, i.e., the AP reuses the More Data ACK field to indicate whether a frame with the More Data field set to 1 can be transmitted or received. For example, setting the More Data ACK field to 1 indicates that the AP can transmit or receive a frame with the More Data field set to 1; or setting the More Data ACK field to 0 indicates that the AP cannot transmit or receive a frame with the More Data field set to 1.

[0126]

[0126] The AP transmitting the first capability information to the first STA may be the AP transmitting the fourth frame to the first STA. The fourth frame includes a Frame Control field, the Frame Control field includes a QoS Info field, and the structure of the QoS Info field is shown in FIG. 5.

[0127] When the AP is an extremely high throughput (EHT) AP, if the More Data ACK field is set to 1, it indicates that the EHT AP can transmit or receive ACK frames and BA frames with More Data set to 1. On the other hand, when the More Data ACK field is set to 0, it indicates that the EHT AP cannot transmit or receive ACK frames and BA frames with More Data set to 1. The EHT AP may send ACK frames and BA frames with the More Data field set to 1 to a STA in power saving mode to notify the STA to maintain an awake state. The EHT AP has transmission target data that needs to be sent to the STA.

[0128] In the case of a high efficiency (HE) AP, if the More Data Ack field is set to 1, it indicates that the HE AP can transmit ACK frames with More Data set to 1; otherwise, the field is set to 0.

[0129] In the case of a non-HE AP, the More Data Ack field is a reserved field. When an EHT STA receives an ACK frame or BA frame with More Data set to 1, if the EHT STA is in power saving mode, the EHT STA maintains an awake state. Alternatively, when an EHT STA receives an ACK frame or BA frame with More Data set to 1, the EHT STA can grant the acquired TXOP to the AP by using the RDG mechanism. Certainly, if the EHT STA is in power saving mode, the EHT STA needs to maintain an awake state.

[0130]

[0127] S605: The first STA transmits the second capability information to the AP. Correspondingly, the AP receives the second capability information transmitted by the first STA.

[0131]

[0128] The second capability information indicates that the first STA can send or receive a frame with the More Data field set to 1. If the AP does not know whether the STA can send or receive a frame with the More Data field set to 1, the first STA notifies the AP that it has transmission target data that needs to be transmitted by using a frame with the More Data field set to 1. It should be understood that the AP may not receive a frame transmitted by the first STA with the More Data field set to 1. Therefore, in a possible implementation, the first STA may also notify the AP whether the first STA can send or receive a frame with the More Data field set to 1. The AP determines that the first STA can send or receive a frame with the More Data field set to 1, and the AP receives a frame transmitted by the first STA and having the More Data field set to 1.

[0132]

[0129] Similar to the first capability information, the second capability information may also be carried in the EHT operation element. One bit of the EHT operation element is for indicating whether the AP can send or receive a frame with the More Data field set to 1. Alternatively, the second capability information may be carried in the More Data ACK field, that is, the first STA reuses the More Data ACK field to indicate whether a frame with the More Data field set to 1 can be sent or received. For example, when the More Data ACK field is set to 1, it indicates that the first STA can send or receive a frame with the More Data field set to 1.

[0133]

[0130] For the first STA to send the second capability information to the AP, it may be that the first STA sends a frame control field to the AP. The frame control field includes a QoS Info field, and the structure of the QoS Info field is shown in FIG. 5. When the first STA is a non-AP non-HE STA and the More Data ACK field is set to 1, it indicates that the first STA supports sending or receiving an ACK frame and a BA frame with More Data set to 1, and maintains an awake state. On the other hand, when the More Data ACK field is set to 0, it indicates that the first STA cannot send or receive an ACK frame and a BA frame with More Data set to 1.

[0134] When the first STA is a non-AP STA and the More Data ACK field is set to 1, it indicates that the first STA can send or receive an ACK frame and a BA frame with More Data set to 1 and maintain an awake state. For example, the first STA can send an ACK frame or a BA frame with More Data set to 1 to the AP to indicate that the first STA has transmission target data that needs to be transmitted. When the AP receives an ACK frame or a BA frame sent by the first STA and with More Data set to 1, the AP can allocate a duration for transmitting the transmission target data to the first STA.

[0135]

[0131] It should be noted that the execution order of S604 and S605 is not limited, that is, S604 may be executed before S605, or may be executed after S605. Furthermore, by default, the AP may assume that the first STA can send or receive a frame with More Data set to 1. Similarly, by default, the first STA may assume that it can send or receive a frame with More Data set to 1 by the AP. Therefore, S604 and S605 are not essential steps and are shown by dashed lines in FIG. 6. If it is necessary to execute S604, S604 may be executed before S601. If it is necessary to execute S605, S605 may be executed before S601.

[0136]

[0132] In the foregoing embodiments of the present application, the method provided in the embodiments of the present application has been separately described from the perspectives of the AP, the first STA, and the interaction between the AP and the first STA. To implement the functions in the method provided in the embodiments of the present application, the AP and the STA include a hardware structure and / or a software module, and it is possible to implement the foregoing functions 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 the foregoing functions is executed 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.

[0137]

[0133] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, a communication device in an embodiment of the present application configured to implement the foregoing method will be described. Therefore, all of the foregoing content may be used in the following embodiments. Repeated content will not be described again.

[0138]

[0134] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a communication device 800 according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 800 can correspondingly implement the functions or steps performed by the first STA or AP in the embodiment of the foregoing method. The communication device may include a processing module 810 and a transceiver module 820. Optionally, the communication device may further include a storage unit. The storage unit can be configured to store instructions (codes or programs) and / or data. The processing module 810 and the transceiver module 820 can be coupled to the storage unit. For example, the processing module 810 can read instructions (codes or programs) and / or data in the storage unit and implement the corresponding method. The foregoing units may be arranged independently, or may be partially or fully integrated.

[0139]

[0135] For example, the communication device 800 can correspondingly implement the behaviors and functions of the first STA in the embodiment of the foregoing method. For example, the communication device 800 may be an STA, or may be a component (such as a chip or a circuit) used in an STA. The transceiver module 820 is configured to execute all transmission or reception operations performed by the first STA in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, for example, S601, S602, S603, and S604 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, and / or may be configured to support another process of the technology described in the present specification. The processing module 810 is configured to execute all operations except the transmission or reception operations performed by the first STA in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6. For example, the processing module 810 generates the first frame and / or is configured to support another process of the technology described in the present specification.

[0140]

[0136] In a possible implementation, the processing module 810 is configured to generate a first frame, where the first frame is for indicating that the communication device 800 has transmission target data that needs to be transmitted; and the transceiver module 820 is configured to transmit the first frame to the AP.

[0141]

[0137] In an optional implementation, the first frame includes a more data field, and the more data field is for indicating that the communication device 800 has transmission target data that needs to be transmitted.

[0142]

[0138] In an optional implementation, the first frame is an acknowledgment frame, for example, an ACK frame or a BA frame.

[0143]

[0139] In an optional implementation, the first frame is a specific frame, and the specific frame further includes the identification information of the communication device 800.

[0144]

[0140] In an optional implementation, the processing module 810 is further configured to determine that the AP can receive the specific frame of the communication device 800 in the process of transmitting data to the second STA.

[0145]

[0141] In an optional implementation, the transceiver module 820 receives the transmission opportunity information transmitted by the AP; and is configured to transmit the transmission target data to the AP within a first transmission time, where the transmission opportunity information is for indicating the first transmission time. The first transmission time is all or part of the transmission time of the remaining transmission opportunities within the first transmission opportunity. The first transmission opportunity is a channel transmission opportunity obtained by the AP for transmitting data to the communication device 800.

[0146]

[0142] In the implementation of the option, the transceiver module 820 is specifically configured to receive the RDG or more PPDU field transmitted by the AP.

[0147]

[0143] In the implementation of the option, the transmission opportunity information is a transmission opportunity sharing trigger frame, and the transmission opportunity sharing trigger frame includes an allocation duration field, and the allocation duration field is for indicating a first transmission time.

[0148]

[0144] In the implementation of the option, the transmission opportunity information is further for indicating that the communication device 800 is permitted to transmit uplink data or P2P data.

[0149]

[0145] In the implementation of the option, the transceiver module 820 is further configured to: receive a trigger frame transmitted by the AP, and based on the trigger frame, transmit uplink data to the AP. The trigger frame is for scheduling the communication device 800 to transmit uplink data.

[0150]

[0146] In the implementation of the option, the more data field is further for indicating that the priority of the data to be transmitted by the communication device 800 is higher than the priority of the data transmitted by the AP to the communication device 800.

[0151]

[0147] In the implementation of the option, the more data field is for indicating that the communication device 800 has data to be transmitted, which includes that the more data field is for indicating that the data to be transmitted by the communication device 800 is low-latency data or latency-sensitive data.

[0152]

[0148] In the implementation of the option, the first frame further includes a first field, and the first field is for indicating the access type and / or service identifier of the data to be transmitted by the communication device 800.

[0153]

[0149] In the implementation of the option, the first frame further includes a second field, and the second field is for indicating the remaining time related to discarding the data to be transmitted by the communication device 800. A shorter remaining time related to discarding the data to be transmitted indicates a higher priority of the data to be transmitted.

[0154]

[0150] In the implementation of the option, the first frame further includes a third field, and the third field is for indicating the duration that the communication device 800 expects to be assigned by the AP.

[0155]

[0151] In the implementation of the option, the transceiver module 820 is further configured to receive the first capability information transmitted by the AP. The first capability information indicates that the AP is capable of transmitting or receiving a frame with the more data field set to 1.

[0156]

[0152] In the implementation of the option, the first capability information is carried in the more data acknowledgment field, and the more data acknowledgment field set to 1 indicates that the AP is capable of transmitting or receiving a frame with the more data field set to 1.

[0157]

[0153] In the implementation of the option, the transceiver module 820 is further configured to transmit the second capability information to the AP. The second capability information indicates that the communication device 800 is capable of transmitting or receiving a frame with the more data field set to 1.

[0158]

[0154] In a possible implementation, the second capability information is carried in the more data acknowledgment field, and the more data acknowledgment field set to 1 indicates that the communication device 800 is capable of transmitting or receiving a frame with the more data field set to 1.

[0159]

[0155] For example, the communication device 800 can correspondingly implement the behaviors and functions of the AP in the foregoing method embodiments. For example, the communication device 800 may be an AP, or may be a component (such as a chip or a circuit) used in the AP. The transceiver module 820 is configured to execute all the transmitting or receiving operations performed by the AP in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, for example, S601 to S605 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, and / or may be configured to support another process of the technology described in this specification. The processing module 810 is configured to execute all the operations except the transmitting or receiving operations performed by the first device in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6. For example, the processing module 810 is configured to generate the first capability information and / or support another process of the technology described in this specification.

[0160]

[0156] In a possible implementation, the transceiver module 820 is configured to receive a first frame transmitted by a first STA and transmit transmission opportunity information to the first STA; or the transceiver module 820 is configured to receive a first frame transmitted by a first STA and transmit a trigger frame to the first STA, where the first frame is for indicating that the first STA has transmission target data that needs to be transmitted, the transmission opportunity information is for indicating a first transmission opportunity, the first transmission opportunity is all or part of the remaining transmission opportunities within the first transmission opportunity, the first transmission opportunity is a channel transmission opportunity obtained by the communication device 800 for transmitting data to the first STA, and the trigger frame is for scheduling the first STA to transmit uplink data.

[0161]

[0157] In an optional implementation, the first frame includes a more data field, and the more data field is for indicating that the first STA has transmission target data that needs to be transmitted to the communication device 800.

[0162]

[0158] In an optional implementation, the first frame is an acknowledgment frame.

[0163]

[0159] In an optional implementation, the first frame is a specific frame, and the specific frame further includes identification information of the first STA.

[0164]

[0160] In an optional implementation, the communication device 800 can receive a specific frame of the first STA in the process of transmitting data to the second STA.

[0165]

[0161] In an optional implementation, the transceiver module 820 is further configured to transmit an RDG or a more PPDU field to the first station.

[0166]

[0162] In the implementation of the option, the transmission opportunity information is a transmission opportunity sharing trigger frame, and the transmission opportunity sharing trigger frame includes an allocation duration field, and the allocation duration field is for indicating a first transmission time.

[0167]

[0163] In the implementation of the option, the transmission opportunity information is further for indicating that the first station is permitted to transmit uplink data or P2P data.

[0168]

[0164] In a possible implementation, the more data field is further for indicating that the priority of the data to be transmitted by the first STA is higher than the priority of the data transmitted by the communication device 800 to the first STA.

[0169]

[0165] In the implementation of the option, the more data field is for indicating that the first STA has data to be transmitted that needs to be transmitted to the communication device 800, which includes that the more data field is for indicating that the data to be transmitted by the first STA is low-latency data or latency-sensitive data.

[0170]

[0166] In the implementation of the option, the first frame further includes a first field, and the first field is for indicating the access type and / or service identifier of the data to be transmitted by the first STA.

[0171]

[0167] In the implementation of the option, the first frame further includes a second field, and the second field is for indicating the remaining time related to discarding the data to be transmitted by the first STA. A shorter remaining time related to discarding the data to be transmitted indicates a higher priority of the data to be transmitted.

[0172]

[0168] In the implementation of the option, the first frame further includes a third field, and the third field is for indicating the duration that the first STA expects to be assigned by the communication device 800.

[0173]

[0169] In the implementation of the option, the transceiver module 820 is further configured to transmit first capability information to the first STA, and the first capability information indicates that the communication device 800 is capable of transmitting or receiving a frame with the more data field set to 1.

[0174]

[0170] In the implementation of the option, the first capability information is carried in the more data acknowledgment field, and the more data acknowledgment field set to 1 indicates that the communication device 800 is capable of transmitting or receiving an acknowledgment frame with the more data field set to 1.

[0175]

[0171] In the implementation of the option, the transceiver module 820 is further configured to receive second capability information transmitted by the first STA, and the second capability information indicates that the first STA is capable of transmitting or receiving a frame with the more data field set to 1.

[0176]

[0172] In the implementation of the option, the second capability information is carried in the more data acknowledgment field, and the more data acknowledgment field set to 1 indicates that the first STA is capable of transmitting or receiving a frame with the more data field set to 1.

[0177]

[0173] In this embodiment of the present application, it should be understood that the processing module 810 may be implemented by a processor or a processor-related circuit element, and the transceiver module 820 may be implemented by a transceiver, a transceiver-related circuit element, or a communication interface.

[0178]

[0174] FIG. 9 shows a communication device 900 according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 900 may be an AP or may be capable of implementing the functions of an AP in the method provided in the embodiment of the present application. Alternatively, the communication device 900 may be a STA and may be capable of implementing the functions of a STA in the method provided in the embodiment of the present application. Alternatively, the communication device 900 may be a device capable of supporting an AP when implementing the corresponding functions in the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, or may be a device capable of supporting a STA when implementing the corresponding functions in the method provided in the embodiment of the present application. The communication device 900 may be a chip or a chip system. In this embodiment of the present application, the chip system may include a chip or may include a chip and another discrete element. In a hardware implementation, the transceiver module 820 may be the transceiver 910. The communication device 900 includes at least one processor 920 configured to implement or support the communication device 900 when implementing the functions of the first STA or AP in the method provided in the embodiment of the present application. The processor 920 is mainly configured to process communication protocols and communication data, control the entire communication device, execute software programs, and process the data of software programs. For example, the processor 920 generates the first frame described above. The processor 920 may include a first frame identification component, and the first frame identification component may further include a more data field identification component and, optionally, may further include a first field identification component. When the first frame includes a more data field, the communication device 900 indicates that there is transmission target data that needs to be transmitted by using the more data field. When the first frame includes a more data field and a first field, the communication device 900 indicates that there is transmission target data that needs to be transmitted by using the more data field, and the priority of the transmission target data is determined by using the first field.Specifically, the first frame identification component may be configured to use the data transmission method provided in this embodiment of the present application.

[0179]

[0175] The communication device 900 may further include at least one memory 930 configured to store program instructions and / or data. The memory 930 is coupled to the processor 920. The coupling in this embodiment of the present application may be an indirect coupling or communication connection in an electrical form, a mechanical form, or another form between devices, units, or modules, and is used for information exchange between devices, units, or modules. The processor 920 may operate in cooperation with the memory 930. The processor 920 is capable of executing the program instructions and / or data stored in the memory 930, and as a result, the communication device 900 implements the corresponding method. At least one of the at least one memory may be disposed within the processor.

[0180]

[0176] Communication device 900 may further include a transceiver 910 configured to communicate with another device via a transmission medium. As a result, the devices within communication device 900 can communicate with another device. For example, when the communication device is an AP, the other device is a STA; or when the communication device is a STA, the other device is an AP. Processor 920 may transmit or receive data via transceiver 910. Transceiver 910 may specifically be a transceiver and may include a radio frequency circuit and an antenna. The radio frequency circuit is mainly configured to perform conversion between a baseband signal and a radio frequency signal and process the radio frequency signal. The antenna is mainly configured to transmit or receive a radio frequency signal in the form of an electromagnetic wave. An input / output device, such as a touch screen, a display, or a keyboard, is mainly configured to receive data input by a user and output the data to the user. The radio frequency unit may be independent of communication device 900 or may be integrated into communication device 900. The antenna may be a remote antenna independent of communication device 900 or may be an antenna integrated into communication device 900.

[0181]

[0177] Communication device 900 may be an independent device or may be part of a larger device. For example, communication device 900 may be an independent integrated circuit (IC), chip, chip system, or subsystem; a set including one or more ICs, optionally, the set of ICs may include a storage element configured to store data and instructions; an ASIC, such as a modem; a module that can be incorporated into another device; and may also include a receiver, an intelligent terminal, a wireless device, a handheld device, a mobile unit, an in-vehicle device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, etc.

[0182]

[0178] In this embodiment of the present application, the specific connection medium between the transceiver 910, the processor 920, and the memory 930 is not limited. In this embodiment of the present application, in FIG. 9, the memory 930, the processor 920, and the transceiver 910 are connected to each other via a bus 940. The bus is represented by a thick line in FIG. 9. The connection methods between other components are only described schematically and are not used as limitations. The bus may be classified into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of expression, in FIG. 9, only one thick line represents the bus, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0183]

[0179] In this embodiment of the present application, the processor 920 may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field-programmable gate array, or another programmable logic device, an individual gate or transistor logic device, or an individual hardware element, and may be capable of implementing or executing the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the method disclosed with reference to the embodiments of the present application may be directly executed by a hardware processor, or may be executed by using a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor.

[0184]

[0180] In this embodiment of the present application, the memory 930 may be a non-volatile memory, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), or alternatively, a volatile memory, for example, a random access memory (RAM). The memory is any other medium capable of transporting or storing the expected program code in the form of instructions or data structures, and is accessible by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory in the embodiment of the present application may alternatively be a circuit or any other device capable of realizing a storage function and configured to store program instructions and / or data.

[0185]

[0181] It should be noted that the communication device in the foregoing embodiment may be a terminal, a circuit, a chip used in a terminal, or other combined devices, elements, etc., and may have the functions of a terminal. When the communication device is a terminal, the transceiver module may be a transceiver and may include an antenna, a radio frequency circuit, etc. The processing module may be a processor, for example, a central processing unit (CPU). When the communication device is a component having the functions of a terminal, the transceiver module may be a radio frequency unit, and the processing module may be a processor. When the communication device is a chip or a chip system, the transceiver module may be an input / output interface of the chip or the chip system, and the processing module may be a processor of the chip or the chip system.

[0186]

[0182] In a possible product form, the AP or STA described in the embodiment of the present application may alternatively be implemented by using the following: One or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logical devices (PLDs), controllers, state machines, gate logic, individual hardware elements, or any other suitable circuits, or any combination of circuits capable of performing the various functions described in the present application.

[0187]

[0183] APs in various product forms have some functions of the APs in the embodiments of the foregoing method, and it should be understood that the details are not described again here; STAs in various forms have some functions of the STAs in the embodiments of the foregoing method, and the details are not described again here.

[0188]

[0184] Embodiments of the present application further provide a communication system. Specifically, the communication system includes STAs and APs, or may further include more APs and access network devices. For example, the communication system includes STAs and APs configured to perform the foregoing related functions in FIG. 6. The AP is configured to perform the foregoing related functions of the AP in FIG. 6. The STA is configured to perform the foregoing related functions of the STA in FIG. 6. For example, the STA may execute, for example, S601, S602, S604, and S605 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, and the AP may execute S601 to S605 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6.

[0189]

[0185] Embodiments of the present application further provide a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium contains instructions. When the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer can be enabled to execute the method executed by the AP or STA in FIG. 6.

[0190]

[0186] Embodiments of this application further provide a computer program product. The computer program product includes computer program code. When the computer program code is executed on a computer, the computer can execute the method executed by the AP or STA in FIG. 6.

[0191]

[0187] Embodiments of this application provide a chip system. The chip system includes a processor and may further include a memory, and is configured to implement the functions of the AP or STA in the foregoing method. The chip system may include a chip, or may include a chip and other individual elements. The processor may be configured to execute baseband-related processing, for example, but not limited to; the transceiver may be configured to perform radio frequency transmission or reception, for example, but not limited to. Also, the foregoing components may be separately arranged on separate chips from each other, or at least some or all of the components may be arranged on the same chip. For example, the processor may be divided into an analog baseband processor and a digital baseband processor. The analog baseband processor and the transceiver may be integrated on the same chip, and the digital baseband processor may be arranged on an independent chip. With the continuous development of integrated circuit technology, the number of elements integrated on the same chip is increasing. For example, the digital baseband processor may be integrated on the same chip as a plurality of application processors (for example, but not limited to, a geometric processor and a multimedia processor). The chip may be called a system-on-a-chip. Whether the components are arranged independently on different chips or integrated and arranged on one or more chips depends on the specific requirements of the product design. The specific implementation of the device is not limited in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0192]

[0188] Embodiments of this application further provide a communication device. The communication device includes a processor and an interface. The processor is configured to execute the data processing method in any of the foregoing method embodiments. It should be understood that the communication device may be a chip. The processor may be implemented by hardware or by software. When the processor is implemented by hardware, the processor may be a logic circuit, an integrated circuit, etc. When the processor is implemented by software, the processor may be a general-purpose processor and is implemented by reading software code stored in a memory. The memory may be integrated with the processor or may be provided outside the processor and exist independently.

[0193]

[0189] Embodiments of this application further provide a communication system. The communication system includes at least one AP and at least one STA. Any AP is configured to perform the functions performed by the AP in any of the foregoing method embodiments, and any STA is configured to perform the functions performed by the first STA in any of the foregoing method embodiments.

[0194]

[0190] It should be understood that the sequence numbers of the foregoing processes do not mean the execution sequences in various embodiments of this application. The execution sequence of a process should be determined based on the functions and internal logic of the process and should not be construed as any limitation to the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0195]

[0191] In addition, the term "for example" in the embodiments of this application is used to represent an example or an explanation. Any embodiment or implementation solution described as an "example" in the embodiments of this application should not be described as being more preferred than another embodiment or implementation solution. That is, the term "for example" is intended to represent a concept in a specific way.

[0196]

[0192] In some or all of the embodiments of this application, the methods can be implemented by using software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When software is used to implement the embodiments, some or all of the embodiments may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the procedures or functions according to the embodiments of the present invention occur, either in whole or in part. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, a computer network, a network device, a user device, or another programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from a website, a computer, a server, or a data center to another website, a computer, a server, or a data center in a wired manner (such as coaxial cable, optical fiber, or digital subscriber line (DSL)) or a wireless manner (such as infrared, wireless, or microwave). The computer-readable storage medium may be any usable medium accessible by a computer or a data storage device integrating one or more usable media, such as a server or a data center. The usable medium may be a magnetic medium (such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, or a magnetic tape), an optical medium (such as a digital video disc (DVD)), a semiconductor medium (such as an SSD), etc.

[0197]

[0193] It is obvious that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the scope of this application. Thus, this application is intended to cover these modifications and variations of this application, provided that they fall within the scope of protection defined by the following claims and their equivalent technologies.

Claims

1. A data transmission method, comprising: a step in which a first station generates a first frame, the first frame being for indicating that the first station has transmission target data that needs to be transmitted; and a step in which the first station transmits the first frame to a wireless access point; The method comprising the above steps.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first frame includes a more data field, and the more data field is for indicating that the first station has the transmission target data that needs to be transmitted.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first frame is an acknowledgment frame.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first frame is a specific frame, and the specific frame further includes identification information of the first station.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising: a step in which the first station determines that the wireless access point can receive the specific frame of the first station in a process of transmitting data to a second station; The method comprising the above steps.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: a step in which the first station receives transmission opportunity information transmitted by the wireless access point, the transmission opportunity information being for indicating a first transmission time, the first transmission time being the transmission time of all or part of the remaining transmission opportunities in a first transmission opportunity, and the first transmission opportunity being a channel transmission opportunity obtained by the wireless access point for transmitting data to the first station; and a step in which the first station transmits the transmission target data to the wireless access point within the first transmission time; The method comprising the above steps.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: The step in which the first station receives a trigger frame transmitted by the wireless access point, wherein the trigger frame is for scheduling the first station to transmit uplink data; and The step in which the first station transmits the uplink data to the wireless access point based on the trigger frame; A method comprising the above steps. **Claim 8** In the method according to any one of claims 2 to 7, the more data field is further for indicating that the priority of the data to be transmitted is higher than the priority of the data transmitted by the wireless access point to the first station. A method. **Claim 9** In the method according to any one of claims 2 to 7, the more data field is for indicating that the first station has the data to be transmitted that needs to be transmitted. It is said that: The method includes that the more data field is for indicating that the data to be transmitted by the first station is low-latency data or latency-sensitive data. **Claim 10** In the method according to any one of claims 2 to 7, the first frame further includes a first field, and the first field is for indicating the access type and / or service identifier of the data to be transmitted. A method. **Claim 11** In the method according to any one of claims 2 to 7, the first frame further includes a second field, and the second field is for indicating the remaining time related to discarding the data to be transmitted. A shorter remaining time related to discarding the data to be transmitted indicates a higher priority of the data to be transmitted. A method. **Claim 12** In the method according to any one of claims 2 to 7, the first frame further includes a third field, and the third field is for indicating the duration expected to be allocated by the wireless access point. A method. **Claim 13** In the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further: The method includes a step in which the first station receives first capability information transmitted by the wireless access point, and the first capability information indicates that the wireless access point is capable of transmitting or receiving a frame in which the more data field is set to 1.

14. In the method according to claim 13, the first capability information is carried in a more data acknowledgment field, and the more data acknowledgment field set to 1 indicates that the wireless access point is capable of transmitting or receiving the frame in which the more data field is set to 1.

15. In the method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, further: The method includes a step in which the first station transmits second capability information to the wireless access point, and the second capability information indicates that the first station is capable of transmitting or receiving a frame in which the more data field is set to 1.

16. In the method according to claim 15, the second capability information is carried in a more data acknowledgment field, and the more data acknowledgment field set to 1 indicates that the first station is capable of transmitting or receiving the frame in which the more data field is set to 1.

17. A data transmission method, comprising: A step in which a wireless access point receives a first frame transmitted by a first station, the first frame being for indicating that the first station has transmission target data that needs to be transmitted; and A step in which the wireless access point transmits transmission opportunity information to the first station, the transmission opportunity information being for indicating a first transmission opportunity, the first transmission opportunity being all or part of the transmission opportunities remaining in the first transmission opportunity, and the first transmission opportunity being a channel transmission opportunity acquired by the wireless access point for transmitting data to the first station; or The step in which the wireless access point transmits a trigger frame to the first station, wherein the trigger frame is for scheduling the first station to transmit uplink data; A method comprising the above.

18. In the method according to claim 17, the first frame includes a more data field, and the more data field is for indicating that the first station has the data to be transmitted. A method.

19. In the method according to claim 17 or 18, the first frame is an acknowledgment frame. A method.

20. In the method according to claim 17 or 18, the first frame is a specific frame, and the specific frame further includes identification information of the first station. A method.

21. In the method according to claim 20, further: The wireless access point is capable of receiving the specific frame of the first station in the process of transmitting data to the second station. A method.

22. In the method according to any one of claims 18 to 21, the more data field is further for indicating that the priority of the data to be transmitted is higher than the priority of the data transmitted by the wireless access point to the first station. A method.

23. In the method according to any one of claims 18 to 21, the more data field is for indicating that the first station has the data to be transmitted, which means: The method includes that the more data field is for indicating that the data to be transmitted by the first station is low-latency data or delay-sensitive data.

24. In the method according to any one of claims 18 to 21, the first frame further includes a first field, and the first field is for indicating the access type and / or service identifier of the data to be transmitted. A method.

25. In the method according to any one of claims 18 to 21, the first frame further includes a second field, the second field is for indicating a remaining time related to discarding the data to be transmitted, and a shorter remaining time related to discarding the data to be transmitted indicates a higher priority of the data to be transmitted.

26. In the method according to any one of claims 18 to 21, the first frame further includes a third field, the third field is for indicating a duration that the first station expects to be assigned by the wireless access point.

27. In the method according to any one of claims 17 to 26, further: the step that the wireless access point transmits first capability information to the first station, the first capability information indicates that the wireless access point is capable of transmitting or receiving a frame in which the more data field is set to 1.

28. In the method according to claim 27, the first capability information is carried in the more data acknowledgment field, and the more data acknowledgment field set to 1 indicates that the wireless access point is capable of transmitting or receiving the frame in which the more data field is set to 1.

29. In the method according to any one of claims 17 to 28, further: the step that the wireless access point receives second capability information transmitted by the first station, the second capability information indicates that the first station is capable of transmitting or receiving a frame in which the more data field is set to 1.

30. In the method according to claim 29, the second capability information is carried in the more data acknowledgment field, and the more data acknowledgment field set to 1 indicates that the first station is capable of transmitting or receiving the frame in which the more data field is set to 1.

31. A communication device including a processing module and a transceiver module, wherein: The processing module is configured to generate a first frame, where the first frame is for indicating that the communication device has transmission target data that needs to be transmitted; and The transceiver module is a device configured to transmit the first frame to a wireless access point.

32. In the device according to claim 31, the first frame includes a more data field, and the more data field is for indicating that the first station has the transmission target data that needs to be transmitted. Device.

33. In the device according to claim 31 or 32, the first frame is an acknowledgment frame. Device.

34. In the device according to claim 31 or 32, the first frame is a specific frame, and the specific frame further includes identification information of the communication device. Device.

35. In the device according to claim 34, the processing module further: The wireless access point is configured to determine that in the process of transmitting data to a second station, it can receive the specific frame of the first station. Device.

36. In the device according to any one of claims 31 to 35, further: The transceiver module is configured to receive transmission opportunity information transmitted by the wireless access point, where the transmission opportunity information is for indicating a first transmission time, and the first transmission time is all or part of the transmission time of the remaining transmission opportunities in a first transmission opportunity, and the first transmission opportunity is a channel transmission opportunity obtained by the wireless access point for transmitting data to the first station; and The transceiver module is configured to transmit the transmission target data to the wireless access point within the first transmission time. Device.

37. In the device according to any one of claims 31 to 35, further: The transceiver module is configured to receive a trigger frame transmitted by the wireless access point, the trigger frame being for scheduling the communication device to transmit uplink data; and The transceiver module is configured to transmit the uplink data to the wireless access point based on the trigger frame. **Claim 38** The device according to any one of claims 32 to 37, wherein the more data field is further for indicating that the priority of the data to be transmitted is higher than the priority of the data transmitted by the wireless access point to the communication device. **Claim 39** In the device according to any one of claims 32 to 37, the more data field is for indicating that the communication device has the data to be transmitted that needs to be transmitted, and The more data field includes that the data to be transmitted by the communication device is low-latency data or latency-sensitive data. **Claim 40** The device according to any one of claims 32 to 37, wherein the first frame further includes a first field, and the first field is for indicating the access type and / or service identifier of the data to be transmitted. **Claim 41** The device according to any one of claims 32 to 37, wherein the first frame further includes a second field, and the second field is for indicating the remaining time related to discarding the data to be transmitted, and a shorter remaining time related to discarding the data to be transmitted indicates a higher priority of the data to be transmitted. **Claim 42** The device according to any one of claims 32 to 37, wherein the first frame further includes a third field, and the third field is for indicating the duration expected to be allocated by the wireless access point. **Claim 43** In the device according to any one of claims 31 to 42, further: The transceiver module is configured to receive first capability information transmitted by the wireless access point, and the first capability information indicates that the wireless access point is capable of transmitting or receiving a frame in which the more data field is set to 1, apparatus.

44. The apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the first capability information is carried in a more data acknowledgment field, and the more data acknowledgment field set to 1 indicates that the wireless access point is capable of transmitting or receiving the frame in which the more data field is set to 1, apparatus.

45. The apparatus according to any one of claims 31 to 44, further: The transceiver module is configured to transmit second capability information to the wireless access point, and the second capability information indicates that the first station is capable of transmitting or receiving a frame in which the more data field is set to 1, apparatus.

46. The apparatus according to claim 45, wherein the second capability information is carried in a more data acknowledgment field, and the more data acknowledgment field set to 1 indicates that the first station is capable of transmitting or receiving the frame in which the more data field is set to 1, apparatus.

47. A communication apparatus including a processing module and a transceiver module, comprising: The transceiver module is configured to receive a first frame transmitted by a first station and transmit transmission opportunity information to the first station, the first frame being for indicating that the first station has transmission target data that needs to be transmitted, the transmission opportunity information being for indicating a first transmission opportunity, the first transmission opportunity being all or part of the transmission opportunities remaining in the first transmission opportunity, the first transmission opportunity being a channel transmission opportunity acquired by the wireless access point for transmitting data to the first station; or the wireless access point transmits a trigger frame to the first station, the trigger frame being for scheduling the first station to transmit uplink data; and The apparatus, wherein the processing module is configured to determine the first frame.

48. The apparatus according to claim 47, wherein the first frame includes a more data field, and the more data field is for indicating that the first station has the transmission target data that needs to be transmitted.

49. The apparatus according to claim 47 or 48, wherein the first frame is an acknowledgment frame.

50. The apparatus according to claim 47 or 48, wherein the first frame is a specific frame, and the specific frame further includes identification information of the first station.

51. In the apparatus according to claim 50, the processing module further: is configured to receive the specific frame of the first station in a process of transmitting data to a second station.

52. In the apparatus according to any one of claims 48 to 51, the more data field is further for indicating that the priority of the transmission target data is higher than the priority of the data transmitted by the wireless access point to the first station.

53. In the apparatus according to any one of claims 48 to 51, the more data field is for indicating that the first station has the data to be transmitted that needs to be transmitted. An apparatus, including that the more data field is for indicating that the data to be transmitted of the first station is low-latency data or latency-sensitive data.

54. An apparatus according to any one of claims 48 to 51, wherein the first frame further includes a first field, and the first field is for indicating the access type and / or service identifier of the data to be transmitted.

55. An apparatus according to any one of claims 48 to 51, wherein the first frame further includes a second field, and the second field is for indicating the remaining time related to discarding the data to be transmitted, and a shorter remaining time related to discarding the data to be transmitted indicates a higher priority of the data to be transmitted.

56. An apparatus according to any one of claims 48 to 51, wherein the first frame further includes a third field, and the third field is for indicating the duration that the first station expects to be allocated by the wireless access point.

57. In the apparatus according to any one of claims 47 to 56, the transceiver module further: Is configured to transmit first capability information to the first station, and the first capability information indicates that the communication device is capable of transmitting or receiving a frame with the more data field set to 1.

58. In the apparatus according to claim 57, the first capability information is carried in a more data acknowledgment field, and the more data acknowledgment field set to 1 indicates that the wireless access point is capable of transmitting or receiving the frame with the more data field set to 1.

59. In the apparatus according to any one of claims 47 to 58, the transceiver module further: A device configured to receive second capability information transmitted by the first station, the second capability information indicating that the first station is capable of transmitting or receiving a frame in which the more data field is set to 1.

60. The device according to claim 59, wherein the second capability information is carried in a more data acknowledgment field, and the more data acknowledgment field set to 1 indicates that the first station is capable of transmitting or receiving the frame in which the more data field is set to 1.

61. A communication device including a processor and a memory, the memory being configured to store a computer program, and the processor being configured to execute the computer program stored in the memory, whereby the communication device executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, or the communication device executes the method according to any one of claims 17 to 30.

62. A communication system including a first station and a wireless access point, the first station being configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, and the wireless access point being configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 17 to 30.

63. A chip including at least one processor and an interface, the processor being configured to read and execute instructions stored in a memory; when the instructions are executed, the chip is capable of executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, or capable of executing the method according to any one of claims 17 to 30.

64. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, wherein the computer program includes program instructions; when the program instructions are executed by a computer, the computer is enabled to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, or the computer is enabled to execute the method according to any one of claims 17 to 30, the storage medium.

65. A computer program product storing a computer program, wherein when the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer is enabled to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, or the computer is enabled to execute the method according to any one of claims 17 to 30, the computer program product.

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