Channel contention-based communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A channel contention-based communication method and apparatus are provided for use in wireless local area network systems supporting IEEE 802.11ax next-generation Wi-Fi protocols such as 802.11be, Wi-Fi 7, or EHT, or 802.11 series protocols such as the next-generation standard of 802.11be, Wi-Fi 8, and UHR, and can further be used in UWB-based wireless personal area network systems and sensing systems. The method includes: an AP transmits an MU-RTS frame; a STA receives the MU-RTS frame and performs UL transmission or P2P transmission within a first period based on the MU-RTS frame; the MU-RTS frame may include at least two user information fields or may not include a user information field; one user information field may correspond to one or more stations; and an embodiment of the present application can ensure multi-user concurrency as much as possible, thereby improving system efficiency.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202210999764.0, entitled "CHANNEL CONTENTION-BASED COMMUNICATION METHOD AND APPARATUS," filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on August 19, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] This application relates to the field of communication technologies, and more particularly to channel contention-based communication methods and apparatus. [Background technology]

[0003] A wireless local area network (WLAN) system operates on an unlicensed frequency band. The wireless channel of a wireless local area network is shared. Before transmission, channel access must first be performed. Before a station needs to transmit a wireless frame, the station must first listen to see if other stations are transmitting. If the result of listening to the channel is busy, transmission is temporarily stopped until the channel becomes idle. After the channel becomes idle, a random backoff must be further performed before data transmission to address collisions between multiple potentially transmitting stations through random backoff. After the random backoff process in the idle state of the channel is completed, the station may transmit a wireless frame.

[0004] In a commonly used enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA) contention mechanism, a station transmits its first frame after completing channel backoff. If there is a response frame for the first frame, after the response frame is successfully received, it indicates that channel contention is successful; otherwise, backoff needs to be performed again. If the first frame does not require a response frame, after the first frame is transmitted, it indicates that channel contention is successful. After successful channel contention, a station may reserve a period for data transmission. This period is called a transmission opportunity (TXOP). A station that successfully reserves a TXOP is called a TXOP holder. In a TXOP, only the TXOP holder can actively transmit data; other stations can only receive data or transmit corresponding response frames.

[0005] Utilizing the above solutions results in low system efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The embodiments of this application provide a channel contention-based communication method and apparatus to effectively improve system efficiency.

[0007] According to a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a channel contention-based communication method, the method including: receiving a multiple user (MU) request to send (RTS) (MU-RTS) frame, the MU-RTS frame including multiple user info fields, the user info fields including allocation duration fields, one user info field corresponding to one station, the allocation duration field indicating a first time period corresponding to the station corresponding to the user info field; and performing point-to-point (P2P) transmission within the first time period based on the MU-RTS frame.

[0008] In this embodiment of the present application, after a station (STA) receives an MU-RTS frame, if the user information field in the frame indicates the STA, the STA may know that an access point (AP) shares a period (e.g., a first period) in the TXOP with the STA. Thus, the STA may perform P2P transmission within the first period, and multiple STAs indicated by the multiple user information fields may all perform P2P transmission to perform simultaneous transmission, thereby improving system efficiency.

[0009] It may be understood that the first aspect may be applied to a scenario in which the primary and secondary stations are distinguished using the MU-RTS frame (i.e., the AP designates the primary and secondary stations using the MU-RTS frame). For example, the first aspect may be performed by a secondary station when the primary and secondary stations are distinguished using the MU-RTS frame. Alternatively, the first aspect may be applied to a scenario in which the primary and secondary stations are not distinguished (i.e., the AP designates the stations using the user information field rather than designating the primary and secondary stations using the MU-RTS frame). For example, the first aspect may be performed by a station designated using the user information field. Alternatively, the first aspect may be applied to a scenario in which the maximum transmit power of the station is indicated using the user information field in the MU-RTS frame. For example, the first aspect may be performed by a station designated using the user information field, and the station is allowed to perform P2P transmissions during a first period.

[0010] In a possible implementation, the step of performing P2P transmission within a first period based on the MU-RTS frame includes the steps of ignoring a network allocation vector (NAV) configured by the access point based on the MU-RTS frame, performing channel contention within the first period, and performing P2P transmission within the first period when the channel contention is successful.

[0011] In this embodiment of the present application, by ignoring the NAV configured by the AP, the STA has an opportunity to perform channel contention to perform P2P transmission in the case of channel contention, thereby ensuring the feasibility of the transmission opportunity sharing (TXOP sharing, TXS) packet detect (PD)-based spatial reuse (SR) mechanism provided in this embodiment of the present application. In this way, multi-user simultaneous transmission is supported, thereby improving system efficiency. It may be understood that ignoring the NAV configured by the AP may be equivalent to the NAV configured by the AP being 0, or may be equivalent to a case in which the STA may further perform subsequent operations based on the NAV configured by the AP being 0.

[0012] In a possible implementation, ignoring the NAV configured by the AP based on the MU-RTS frame includes at least one of the following: ignoring the NAV configured by the AP based on the value of the triggered TXOP sharing mode field in the MU-RTS frame; ignoring the NAV configured by the AP based on the number of user information fields in the MU-RTS frame; and ignoring the NAV configured by the AP based on the primary / secondary indication field in the user information field in the MU-RTS frame.

[0013] It may be understood that the STA's ignoring the NAV configured by the AP may also be understood as the STA knowing that it is allowed to share the first period or that it is allowed to perform the TXS_PD-based SR mechanism.

[0014] In a possible implementation, performing channel contention within the first time period includes performing a backoff based on a received power of a physical layer protocol data unit (PHY protocol data unit, PPDU) and a first clear channel assessment (CCA) threshold when the PPDU is received, the PPDU including an intra-basic service set (BSS) PPDU, an inter-BSS PPDU, or a PPDU that cannot be determined as an intra-BSS PPDU or an inter-BSS PPDU, and the first CCA threshold is greater than or equal to a CCA packet detection (CCA_PD) threshold.

[0015] In this embodiment of the present application, backoff is performed based on a first CCA threshold equal to or greater than the CCA_PD threshold to ensure that the maximum number of stations can perform channel contention. In this way, more stations can be supported in performing simultaneous transmissions, thereby improving system efficiency.

[0016] In this embodiment of the present application, the PPDU includes an intra-BSS PPDU, an inter-BSS PPDU, and a PPDU that cannot be determined as an intra-BSS PPDU or an inter-BSS PPDU. In other words, the type of PPDU is not limited. Even if a STA receives a PPDU from an intra-BSS, the STA can still perform P2P transmission. In this way, the feasibility of the TXS_PD-based SR mechanism is guaranteed, which allows multiple STAs to perform simultaneous transmission.

[0017] In a possible implementation, the PPDU comprises an intra-BSS PPDU.

[0018] In this embodiment of the present application, when an intra-BSS PPDU is received, backoff is performed based on the received power of the PPDU and the first CCA threshold. The TXS_PD-based SR mechanism works for intra-BSS PPDUs and can be distinguished from the existing overlapping basic service set (OBSS) packet detect (OBSS_PD)-based spatial reuse mechanism.

[0019] In a possible implementation, the step of performing backoff based on the received power of the PPDU and a first clear channel assessment (CCA) threshold includes a step of further performing backoff if the received power of the PPDU is less than or equal to the first CCA threshold, or a step of stopping backoff if the received power of the PPDU exceeds the first CCA threshold.

[0020] In a possible implementation, the plurality of user information fields includes at least one first user information field, and the station corresponding to the first user information field is a secondary station.

[0021] In a possible implementation, the first user information field is a user information field that is not the first of the multiple user information fields, or the first user information field further includes a primary / secondary indication field, which indicates that the station corresponding to the first user information field is a secondary station.

[0022] In this embodiment of the present application, by distinguishing between a primary station and a secondary station, it is possible to ensure that the primary station can perform transmission preferentially. Different secondary stations can access the channel through channel contention to perform P2P transmission. Furthermore, to ensure that resources are effectively utilized, the first period is utilized as much as possible. In addition, simultaneous transmission is further supported, thereby improving system efficiency.

[0023] In a possible implementation, the MU-RTS frame further includes a triggered transmission opportunity TXOP sharing mode field, where the value of the triggered TXOP sharing mode field is 2 or a value other than 0, 1, or 2.

[0024] In a possible implementation, the step of performing P2P transmission within a first period based on the MU-RTS frame includes the step of performing P2P transmission within the first period based on at least one of the following: an order of the corresponding user information fields, a primary / secondary indication field within the corresponding user information field, and a value of a triggered TXOP sharing mode field in the MU-RTS frame.

[0025] In this embodiment of the present application, based on the order of the user information fields or the primary / secondary indication field, a station can effectively know that it is a secondary station and can know that it can perform P2P transmission. Based on the value of the triggered TXOP sharing mode field, for example, 2 or 3, a station can know that it is allowed to perform simultaneous transmission, thereby allowing it to perform channel contention.

[0026] In a possible implementation, the user information field further includes a power indication field, which indicates a maximum transmission power of the station corresponding to the user information field during the first period.

[0027] In this embodiment of the present application, the user information field includes a power indication field, so that the corresponding station can perform P2P transmission based on the maximum transmission power indicated by the AP. By appropriately allocating the maximum transmission power, the interference between different stations can be effectively reduced, and multiple stations can perform P2P transmission within the first period.

[0028] In a possible implementation, performing P2P transmission within a first period based on the MU-RTS frame includes performing P2P transmission within the first period based on a maximum transmission power.

[0029] In a possible implementation, the step of performing P2P transmission within a first period based on the maximum transmission power includes a step of performing P2P transmission within the first period based on the maximum transmission power when the user information field includes a first indication field and the first indication field indicates that the station corresponding to the user information field is allowed to perform P2P transmission within the first period, or a step of performing P2P transmission within the first period based on the maximum transmission power when the MU-RTS frame includes a triggered TXOP sharing mode field and the value of the TXOP sharing mode field is 2 or a value other than 0, 1, or 2.

[0030] According to a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a channel contention-based communication method, the method including: receiving a multi-user request to send (MU-RTS) frame, the MU-RTS frame including a plurality of user information fields, the user information fields including allocation duration fields, one user information field corresponding to one station, the allocation duration field indicating a first time period corresponding to the station corresponding to the user information field; and performing an uplink UL transmission or a point-to-point P2P transmission within the first time period based on the MU-RTS frame.

[0031] In this embodiment of the present application, after a station (STA) receives an MU-RTS frame, if the user information field in the frame indicates the STA, the STA may know that the access point (AP) shares a period (e.g., a first period) in the TXOP with the STA. Therefore, the STA may perform UL transmission or P2P transmission within the first period, thereby effectively improving the possibility that the station will perform UL transmission or P2P transmission.

[0032] It may be understood that the second aspect may be applied to a scenario in which the primary and secondary stations are distinguished using the MU-RTS frame (i.e., the AP designates the primary and secondary stations using the MU-RTS frame). For example, the first aspect may be performed by a primary station when the primary and secondary stations are distinguished using the MU-RTS frame. Alternatively, the second aspect may be applied to a scenario in which the maximum transmit power of a station is indicated using the MU-RTS frame. For example, the second aspect may be performed by a station designated using the user information field, and the station is allowed to perform UL transmission or P2P transmission within the first period.

[0033] In a possible implementation, the plurality of user information fields includes one second user information field, where the second user information field corresponds to a primary station.

[0034] In a possible implementation, the second user information field is the first user information field of a plurality of user information fields, or the second user information field further includes a primary / secondary indication field, which indicates that the station corresponding to the second user information field is a primary station.

[0035] In this embodiment of the present application, by distinguishing between a primary station and a secondary station, it is possible to ensure that the primary station can perform transmission preferentially. Different secondary stations can access the channel through channel contention to perform P2P transmission. Furthermore, to ensure that resources are effectively utilized, the first period is utilized as much as possible. In addition, simultaneous transmission is further supported, thereby improving system efficiency.

[0036] In a possible implementation, the MU-RTS frame further includes a triggered transmission opportunity TXOP sharing mode field, where the value of the triggered TXOP sharing mode field is 2 or a value other than 0, 1, or 2.

[0037] In a possible implementation, the step of performing UL transmission or P2P transmission within a first period based on the MU-RTS frame includes the step of performing UL transmission or P2P transmission within the first period based on at least one of the following: an order of the corresponding user information field, a primary / secondary indication field within the corresponding user information field, and a value of a triggered TXOP sharing mode field in the MU-RTS frame.

[0038] In this embodiment of the application, based on the order of the user information fields or the primary / secondary indication field, a station can effectively know that it is a primary station and can know that it can perform P2P transmission or UL transmission.

[0039] In a possible implementation, the user information field further includes a power indication field, which indicates a maximum transmission power of the station corresponding to the user information field during the first period.

[0040] In a possible implementation, the step of performing UL transmission or P2P transmission within the first period based on the MU-RTS frame includes the step of performing UL transmission or P2P transmission within the first period based on a maximum transmission power.

[0041] In this embodiment of the present application, the user information field includes a power indication field, so that the corresponding station can perform P2P transmission based on the maximum transmission power indicated by the AP. By appropriately allocating the maximum transmission power, the interference between different stations can be effectively reduced, and multiple stations can perform P2P transmission within the first period.

[0042] In a possible implementation, the step of performing UL transmission or P2P transmission within a first period based on the maximum transmit power includes a step of performing UL transmission or P2P transmission within the first period based on the maximum transmit power when the user information field includes a first indication field and the first indication field indicates that the station corresponding to the user information field is allowed to perform UL transmission or P2P transmission within the first period, or a step of performing UL transmission or P2P transmission within the first period based on the maximum transmit power when the MU-RTS frame includes a triggered TXOP sharing mode field and the value of the TXOP sharing mode field is 2 or a value other than 0, 1, or 2.

[0043] According to a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a channel contention-based communication method, the method including: generating a multi-user request to transmit (MU-RTS) frame, the MU-RTS frame including a plurality of user information fields, the user information fields including allocation duration fields, one user information field corresponding to one station, the allocation duration field indicating a first time period corresponding to the station corresponding to the user information field; and transmitting the MU-RTS frame.

[0044] In this embodiment of the present application, an access point (AP) shares a period (e.g., a first period) within a TXOP with multiple stations (STAs). In this way, the period within a TXOP is effectively utilized, and spatial reuse capability is effectively improved through sharing the period with multiple STAs, thereby improving the communication efficiency of the system.

[0045] It may be understood that the third aspect may be performed by an AP. The second aspect may be applied to a scenario in which the AP designates primary and secondary stations using the MU-RTS frame, a scenario in which the AP does not designate primary and secondary stations using the MU-RTS frame but designates stations using the user information field, or a scenario in which the AP indicates the maximum transmit power of a station using the user information field in the MU-RTS frame.

[0046] In a possible implementation, the MU-RTS frame further includes a triggered transmission opportunity TXOP sharing mode field, where the value of the triggered TXOP sharing mode field is 2 or a value other than 0, 1, or 2.

[0047] In a possible implementation, the plurality of user information fields includes at least one first user information field, and the station corresponding to the first user information field is a secondary station.

[0048] In a possible implementation, the first user information field is a user information field that is not the first of the multiple user information fields, or the first user information field further includes a primary / secondary indication field, which indicates that the station corresponding to the first user information field is a secondary station.

[0049] In a possible implementation, the plurality of user information fields includes one second user information field, where the second user information field corresponds to a primary station.

[0050] In a possible implementation, the second user information field is the first user information field of a plurality of user information fields, or the second user information field further includes a primary / secondary indication field, which indicates that the station corresponding to the second user information field is a primary station.

[0051] In a possible implementation, the user information field further includes a power indication field, which indicates a maximum transmission power of the station corresponding to the user information field during the first period.

[0052] In a possible implementation, the user information field further includes a first indication field, which indicates that the station corresponding to the user information field is allowed to perform uplink UL transmission or point-to-point P2P transmission within the first period, or the first indication field indicates that the station corresponding to the user information field is allowed to perform P2P transmission within the first period.

[0053] According to a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a channel contention-based communication method, the method including: receiving a multi-user request to transmit (MU-RTS) frame, the MU-RTS frame including a first user information field and a second user information field, the first user information field corresponding to one station and the second user information field corresponding to one or more stations, the first user information field including a first allocation duration field, the first allocation duration field indicating a first time period corresponding to the station corresponding to the first user information field, and the second user information field including a second allocation duration field, the second allocation duration field indicating a second time period corresponding to the station corresponding to the second user information field; and performing, by the station corresponding to the second user information field, a point-to-point P2P transmission within the second time period based on the MU-RTS frame.

[0054] In this embodiment of the present application, the MU-RTS frame includes two user information fields. One user information field may correspond to one station, and the other user information field may correspond to one or more stations (it may be understood that the station is not specified), ensuring that multiple stations can perform simultaneous transmissions, thereby improving system efficiency. In addition, the two user information fields indicate two or more stations, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0055] It may be appreciated that the fourth aspect may be applied to a scenario in which one STA is specified using one user information field in the MU-RTS frame and no STAs are specified using other user information fields in the MU-RTS frame. For example, the performing entity may be a STA that is not specified by the AP using other user information fields.

[0056] In a possible implementation, the second user information field corresponding to one or more stations includes the value of the association identifier AID included in the second user information field being any value from 0, 2008 to 2044, and 2047 to 4094.

[0057] In this embodiment of this application, the purpose of the AP not specifying the STA can be achieved by utilizing the value of the AID in the second user information field, so that all stations receiving the MU-RTS frame can perform channel contention and perform P2P transmission.

[0058] In a possible implementation, the step of performing P2P transmission within the second period based on the MU-RTS frame by the station corresponding to the second user information field includes the station corresponding to the second user information field ignoring the network allocation vector NAV configured by the access point based on the MU-RTS frame, performing channel contention within the second period, and performing P2P transmission within the second period when the channel contention is successful.

[0059] In this embodiment of the application, ignoring the NAV configured by the AP based on the MU-RTS frame includes at least one of the following: ignoring the NAV configured by the AP based on the number of user information fields; ignoring the NAV configured by the AP based on the value of the AID in the second user information field; and ignoring the NAV configured by the AP based on the value of the triggered TXOP sharing mode field in the MU-RTS frame.

[0060] In a possible implementation, performing channel contention within the second period includes a step of performing backoff based on the received power of the PPDU and a first clear channel assessment (CCA) threshold when the station receives a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU), the PPDU including an intra-basic service set (BSS) PPDU, an inter-BSS PPDU, or a PPDU that cannot be determined as an intra-BSS PPDU or an inter-BSS PPDU, and the first CCA threshold is greater than or equal to a CCA packet detection threshold.

[0061] In a possible implementation, the PPDU comprises an intra-BSS PPDU.

[0062] In a possible implementation, the step of performing backoff based on the received power of the PPDU and a first clear channel assessment (CCA) threshold includes a step of further performing backoff if the received power of the PPDU is less than or equal to the first CCA threshold, or a step of stopping backoff if the received power of the PPDU exceeds the first CCA threshold.

[0063] According to a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a channel contention-based communication method, the method including: generating a multi-user request to transmit (MU-RTS) frame, the MU-RTS frame including a first user information field and a second user information field, the first user information field corresponding to one station and the second user information field corresponding to one or more stations, the first user information field including a first allocation duration field, the first allocation duration field indicating a first period corresponding to the station corresponding to the first user information field, and the second user information field including a second allocation duration field, the second allocation duration field indicating a second period corresponding to the station corresponding to the second user information field; and transmitting the MU-RTS frame.

[0064] In this embodiment of the present application, the MU-RTS frame includes two user information fields. One user information field may correspond to one station, and the other user information field may correspond to one or more stations (it may be understood that the station is not specified), ensuring that multiple stations can perform simultaneous transmissions, thereby improving system efficiency. In addition, the two user information fields indicate two or more stations, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0065] It may be appreciated that the fifth aspect may be applied to a scenario in which one STA is specified using one user information field in the MU-RTS frame and no STAs are specified using other user information fields in the MU-RTS frame. For example, the performing entity may be an AP.

[0066] In a possible implementation, the second user information field corresponding to one or more stations includes the value of the association identifier AID included in the second user information field being any value from 0, 2008 to 2044, and 2047 to 4094.

[0067] According to a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a channel contention-based communication method, the method including: receiving a multi-user request to transmit (MU-RTS) frame, the MU-RTS frame including a common information field, the common information field including a second indication field, the second indication field indicating whether multiple stations are allowed to share a first period, the first period being a period within a transmission opportunity (TXOP); and performing a point-to-point P2P transmission within the first period based on the MU-RTS frame when the second indication field indicates that multiple stations are allowed to share the first period.

[0068] In this embodiment of the present application, the common information field in the MU-RTS frame may include a second indication field, so that a STA receiving the MU-RTS frame can determine based on the second indication field that the STA is allowed to perform the TXS_PD-based SR mechanism, ensuring that multiple stations can perform simultaneous transmissions, thereby improving system efficiency and reducing signaling overhead.

[0069] It can be understood that the MU-RTS frame in this embodiment of this application may not include a user information field.

[0070] In a possible implementation, the common information field further includes a field indicating the first period.

[0071] In a possible implementation, the MU-RTS frame further includes a triggered transmission opportunity TXOP sharing mode field, where the value of the triggered TXOP sharing mode field is 2 or a value other than 0, 1, or 2.

[0072] It may be understood that when the common information field includes the second indication field, the value of the triggered TXOP sharing mode field may be 2 or a value other than 0, 1, or 2. When the common information field does not include the second indication field, the value of the triggered TXOP sharing mode field may be a value other than 0, 1, or 2, for example, 3. Therefore, a STA receiving an MU-RTS frame may know, based on the triggered TXOP sharing mode field, that the STA is allowed to perform the TXS_PD-based SR mechanism and can further perform P2P transmission within the first period. When the common information field does not include the second indication field, the value of the triggered TXOP sharing mode field may also be 2 or a value other than 0, 1, or 2. In this case, a STA receiving an MU-RTS frame may know, based on the case where the MU-RTS frame does not include the user information field, that the STA is allowed to perform the TXS_PD-based SR mechanism and can further perform P2P transmission within the first period.

[0073] In a possible implementation, the step of performing P2P transmission within a first period based on the MU-RTS frame includes ignoring a network allocation vector NAV configured by the access point based on the MU-RTS frame, performing channel contention within the first period, and when the channel contention is successful, performing P2P transmission within the first period.

[0074] In this embodiment of the application, ignoring the NAV configured by the AP based on the MU-RTS frame includes at least one of the following: ignoring the NAV configured by the AP based on the number of user information fields; ignoring the NAV configured by the AP based on a second indication field in the common information field; and ignoring the NAV configured by the AP based on the value of a triggered TXOP sharing mode field in the MU-RTS frame.

[0075] In a possible implementation, performing channel contention within the first period includes a step of performing backoff based on the received power of a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) and a first clear channel assessment (CCA) threshold when the station receives the PPDU, the PPDU including an intra-basic service set (BSS) PPDU, an inter-BSS PPDU, or a PPDU that cannot be determined as an intra-BSS PPDU or an inter-BSS PPDU, and the first CCA threshold is greater than or equal to a CCA packet detection threshold.

[0076] In a possible implementation, the PPDU comprises an intra-BSS PPDU.

[0077] In a possible implementation, the step of performing backoff based on the received power of the PPDU and a first clear channel assessment (CCA) threshold includes a step of further performing backoff if the received power of the PPDU is less than or equal to the first CCA threshold, or a step of stopping backoff if the received power of the PPDU exceeds the first CCA threshold.

[0078] According to a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a channel contention-based communication method, the method including: generating a multi-user request to transmit (MU-RTS) frame, the MU-RTS frame including a common information field, the common information field including a second indication field, the second indication field indicating whether multiple stations are allowed to share a first period, the first period being a period within a transmission opportunity (TXOP); and transmitting the MU-RTS frame.

[0079] In a possible implementation, the common information field further includes a field indicating the first period.

[0080] In a possible implementation, the MU-RTS frame further includes a triggered transmission opportunity TXOP sharing mode field, where the value of the triggered TXOP sharing mode field is 2 or a value other than 0, 1, or 2.

[0081] According to an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device configured to perform the method of the first aspect, the second aspect, the fourth aspect, the sixth aspect, or any possible implementation. The communication device includes a unit configured to perform the method of the first aspect, the second aspect, the fourth aspect, the sixth aspect, or any possible implementation. For example, the communication device includes a processing unit and a transceiver unit.

[0082] According to a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device configured to perform the method of the third aspect, the fifth aspect, the seventh aspect, or any possible implementation. The communication device includes a unit configured to perform the method of the third aspect, the fifth aspect, the seventh aspect, or any possible implementation. For example, the communication device includes a processing unit and a transceiver unit.

[0083] According to a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. The communication device includes a processor configured to perform the method set forth in the first aspect, the second aspect, the fourth aspect, the sixth aspect, or any possible implementation. Alternatively, the processor is configured to execute a program stored in a memory. When the program is executed, the method set forth in the first aspect, the second aspect, the fourth aspect, the sixth aspect, or any possible implementation is performed.

[0084] In a possible implementation, the memory is located external to the communication device.

[0085] In a possible implementation, the memory is located within the communication device.

[0086] In this embodiment of the application, the processor and memory may alternatively be integrated into one device. In other words, the processor and memory may alternatively be integrated.

[0087] In a possible implementation, the communication device further includes a transceiver configured to receive signals and / or transmit signals.

[0088] According to an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. The communication device includes a processor configured to perform the method of the third aspect, the fifth aspect, the seventh aspect, or any possible implementation. Alternatively, the processor is configured to execute a program stored in a memory. When the program is executed, the method of the third aspect, the fifth aspect, the seventh aspect, or any possible implementation is performed.

[0089] In a possible implementation, the memory is located external to the communication device.

[0090] In a possible implementation, the memory is located within the communication device.

[0091] In this embodiment of the application, the processor and memory may alternatively be integrated into one device. In other words, the processor and memory may alternatively be integrated.

[0092] In a possible implementation, the communication device further includes a transceiver configured to receive signals and / or transmit signals.

[0093] According to a twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip. The chip includes a logic circuit and an interface. The logic circuit is coupled to the interface. The interface is configured to input and / or output code instructions. The logic circuit is configured to execute the code instructions, thereby performing the method of the first aspect, the second aspect, the fourth aspect, the sixth aspect, or any possible implementation.

[0094] According to a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip. The chip includes a logic circuit and an interface. The logic circuit is coupled to the interface. The interface is configured to input and / or output code instructions. The logic circuit is configured to execute the code instructions, thereby performing the method of the third aspect, the fifth aspect, the seventh aspect, or any possible implementation.

[0095] According to a fourteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium is configured to store a computer program, which, when run on a computer, performs the method of the first aspect, the second aspect, the fourth aspect, the sixth aspect, or any possible implementation.

[0096] According to a fifteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium is configured to store a computer program. When the computer program is executed on a computer, the method of the third aspect, the fifth aspect, the seventh aspect, or any possible implementation is performed.

[0097] According to a sixteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program or computer code (also referred to as instructions), which, when run on a computer, performs the method of the first aspect, the second aspect, the fourth aspect, the sixth aspect, or any possible implementation.

[0098] According to a seventeenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program or computer code (also referred to as instructions), which, when run on a computer, performs the method of the third aspect, the fifth aspect, the seventh aspect, or any possible implementation.

[0099] According to an eighteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program, which, when run on a computer, performs the method of the first aspect, the second aspect, the fourth aspect, the sixth aspect, or any possible implementation.

[0100] According to a nineteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program, which, when run on a computer, performs the method of the third aspect, the fifth aspect, the seventh aspect, or any possible implementation.

[0101] According to a twentieth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, the communication system including an STA and an AP.

[0102] In a possible implementation, the STA is configured to perform the method of the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, and the AP is configured to perform the method of the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect.

[0103] In a possible implementation, the STA is configured to perform the method of the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect, and the AP is configured to perform the method of the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect.

[0104] In a possible implementation, the STA is configured to perform the method of the first aspect, the second aspect, or any possible implementation, and the AP is configured to perform the method of the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect.

[0105] In a possible implementation, the STA is configured to perform the method of the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect, and the AP is configured to perform the method of the fifth aspect or any possible implementation of the fifth aspect.

[0106] In a possible implementation, the STA is configured to perform the method of the sixth aspect or any possible implementation of the sixth aspect, and the AP is configured to perform the method of the seventh aspect or any possible implementation of the seventh aspect. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0107] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a TXOP sharing mechanism according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic flowchart of a channel contention-based communication method according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram of the structure of an MU-RTS frame according to an embodiment of this application. [Figure 5a] 1 is a diagram of a scenario of a channel contention-based communication method according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 5b] 5b is a schematic flowchart of a channel contention-based communication method corresponding to FIG. 5a according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 5c] FIG. 1 is a diagram of the structure of an MU-RTS TXS TF frame according to an embodiment of this application. [Figure 6a] 1 is a diagram of a scenario of a channel contention-based communication method according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 6b] 6b is a schematic flowchart of a channel contention-based communication method corresponding to FIG. 6a according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 6c] FIG. 1 is a diagram of the structure of an MU-RTS TXS TF frame according to an embodiment of this application. [Figure 7a] 1 is a diagram of a scenario of a channel contention-based communication method according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 7b] 7b is a schematic flowchart of a channel contention-based communication method corresponding to FIG. 7a according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 7c] FIG. 1 is a diagram of the structure of an MU-RTS TXS TF frame according to an embodiment of this application. [Figure 8a] 1 is a diagram of a scenario of a channel contention-based communication method according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 8b] 8b is a schematic flowchart of a channel contention-based communication method corresponding to FIG. 8a according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 8c] FIG. 1 is a diagram of the structure of an MU-RTS TXS TF frame according to an embodiment of this application. [Figure 9a] 1 is a diagram of a scenario of a channel contention-based communication method according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 9b] 9b is a schematic flowchart of a channel contention-based communication method corresponding to FIG. 9a according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 9c] FIG. 1 is a diagram of the structure of an MU-RTS TXS TF frame according to an embodiment of this application. [Figure 10] 1 is a diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 11] 1 is a diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 12] 1 is a diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0108] In the specification, claims, or accompanying drawings of this application, terms such as "first," "second," etc. are intended only to distinguish different objects and do not indicate a particular order. In addition, the terms "comprises," "comprises," and variations thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally further include other unlisted steps or units, or may optionally further include other inherent steps or units of the process, method, product, or device.

[0109] The term "embodiment" referred to in this specification means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with this embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. Phrases appearing in various places in this specification may not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, and are not an independent or optional embodiment exclusive of other embodiments. It is clearly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that an embodiment described in this specification can be combined with other embodiments.

[0110] The terms used in the following embodiments of this application are merely intended to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this application. As used in the specification and appended claims of this application, the singular terms "a," "an," "the," "above," "such," or "this" are also intended to include the plural terms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term "and / or" used in this application should also be understood to indicate and include any or all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. For example, "A and / or B" can represent three cases: only A is present, only B is present, and both A and B are present, and A and B may be singular or plural. The term "plurality" used in this application means two or more.

[0111] The technical solutions provided in this application may be applied to WLAN systems, such as Wi-Fi. For example, the methods provided in this application may be applied to IEEE 802.11 series protocols, such as the 802.11a / b / g protocol, the 802.11n protocol, the 802.11ac protocol, the 802.11ax protocol, the 802.11be protocol, or next-generation protocols. Examples are not listed one by one here. The technical solutions provided in this application may also be applied to wireless personal area networks (WPANs) based on UWB technology. For example, the methods provided in this application may be applied to IEEE 802.15 series protocols, such as the 802.15.4a protocol, the 802.15.4z protocol, the 802.15.4ab protocol, or future-generation UWB WPAN protocols. Examples are not listed one by one here. The technical solutions provided in this application may also be applied to other types of communication systems, such as an internet of things (IoT) system, a vehicle to X (V2X) system, or a narrowband internet of things (NB-IoT) system, such as devices in vehicle to X, internet of things nodes or sensors in the internet of things (IoT), smart cameras, smart remote controls, or smart water or electricity meters in smart homes, and sensors in smart cities. The technical solutions may also be applied to long term evolution (LTE) systems, fifth-generation (5G) communication systems, and new communication systems emerging in future communication developments (e.g., 6G), etc.

[0112] Although the embodiments of this application primarily use WLANs as an example, they particularly apply to networks conforming to the IEEE 802.11 series of standards, such as systems supporting Wi-Fi 7 and extreme high throughput (EHT) or systems supporting Wi-Fi 8, ultra high reliability (UHR), and ultra high reliability and throughput (UHRT). This is used as an illustrative example. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that aspects of this application can 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 primarily used in Europe), wide area networks (WANs), or other networks now known or developed in the future. Therefore, various aspects provided in this application are applicable to any suitable wireless network, regardless of the coverage area and wireless access protocol used.

[0113] The methods provided in this application may be implemented by a communication device in a wireless communication system, for example, an access point (AP) or a station (STA).

[0114] An access point is a device with wireless communication capabilities, supports communication or sensing using a WLAN protocol, and has the capability of communicating with or sensing other devices (e.g., stations or other access points) in a WLAN network. Of course, an access point may also have the capability of communicating with or sensing other devices. Alternatively, an access point is equivalent to a bridge connecting a wired network and a wireless network, and is mainly used to connect wireless network clients to each other and then connect the wireless network to Ethernet. In a WLAN system, an access point may be referred to as an access point station (AP STA). A device with wireless communication capabilities may be an entire device, or a chip or processing system mounted on the entire device. A device equipped with a chip or processing system may implement the methods and functions in the embodiments of this application under the control of the chip or processing system. An AP in the embodiments of this application is a device that provides services to STAs and may support 802.11 series protocols or subsequent protocols. For example, an access point may be an access point for a terminal (e.g., a mobile phone) to access a wired (or wireless) network, and is mainly deployed in a home, a building, or a campus. A typical coverage radius is tens of meters to hundreds of meters. Of course, an access point may alternatively be deployed outdoors. In another example, an AP may be a communication entity such as a communication server, a router, a switch, or a network bridge. An AP may include various forms such as a macro base station, a micro base station, and a relay station. Of course, an AP may alternatively be a chip and a processing system in these various forms of devices for implementing the methods and functions in the embodiments of this application.

[0115] A station is a device with wireless communication capabilities, supports communication or sensing using a WLAN protocol, and has the ability to communicate with or sense other stations or access points in a WLAN network. In a WLAN system, a station may be referred to as a non-access point station (non-AP STA). For example, a STA is any user communication device that enables a user to communicate with an AP or sense it to communicate with a WLAN. A device with wireless communication capabilities may be an entire device, or a chip or processing system embedded in the entire device. Devices equipped with such chips or processing systems may implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application under the control of the chip or processing system. For example, a station may be a wireless communication chip, a wireless sensor, or a wireless communication terminal, and may also be referred to as a user. In other examples, the station may be a mobile phone that supports Wi-Fi communication functionality, a tablet computer that supports Wi-Fi communication functionality, a set-top box that supports Wi-Fi communication functionality, a smart television that supports Wi-Fi communication functionality, a smart wearable device that supports Wi-Fi communication functionality, an in-vehicle communication device that supports Wi-Fi communication functionality, or a computer that supports Wi-Fi communication functionality.

[0116] WLAN systems can provide high-speed and low-latency transmission. With the continuous development of WLAN application scenarios, WLAN systems are being applied to more scenarios or industries, such as the Internet of Things industry, the Vehicle-to-X industry, the banking industry, enterprise offices, stadiums and exhibition halls, concert halls, hotel rooms, dormitories, hospital wards, classrooms, shopping malls and supermarkets, squares, roads, workshops, and warehouses. Of course, a device (e.g., an access point or station) supporting WLAN communication or sensing can be a sensor node in a smart city (e.g., a smart water meter, a smart electricity meter, or a smart air detection node), a smart device in a smart home (e.g., a smart camera, a projector, a display, a television, a speaker, a refrigerator, or a washing machine), a node in the Internet of Things, an entertainment terminal (e.g., a wearable device such as an augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR) device), a smart device in a smart office (e.g., a printer, a projector, a loudspeaker, or a speaker), a vehicle-to-X device in a vehicle-to-X, infrastructure in everyday life scenarios (e.g., a vending machine, a self-service navigation console in a shopping mall or supermarket, a self-service cash register device, or a self-service ordering machine), or a device in a large stadium or music venue, etc. For example, the access point and the station may be a device used in a vehicle-to-X, an Internet of Things node or a sensor in the Internet of Things, a smart camera, a smart remote control, and a smart water or electricity meter in a smart home, or a sensor in a smart city. The specific forms of the STA and the AP are not limited in the embodiments of this application and are merely examples for explanation purposes.

[0117] For example, a communication system to which the methods provided in this application can be applied may include an access point and a station. For example, this application may be applied to a scenario in which an AP communicates with or senses STAs in a WLAN. Optionally, the AP may communicate with or sense a single STA, or the AP may communicate with or sense multiple STAs simultaneously. Specifically, communication or sensing between an AP and multiple STAs may be further divided into downlink transmissions in which the AP simultaneously transmits signals to multiple STAs and uplink transmissions in which multiple STAs transmit signals to the AP. A WLAN communication protocol may be supported between the AP and the STAs. The communication protocol may include an IEEE 802.11 series protocol, for example, and may be applied to the 802.11be standard, and of course, may be applied to post-802.11be standards.

[0118] 1 is a diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of this application. The communication system may include one or more APs and one or more STAs. FIG. 1 shows two access points, such as AP1 and AP2, and three stations, such as STA1, STA2, and STA3. It may be understood that one or more APs may communicate with one or more STAs. Of course, APs may communicate with each other, and STAs may communicate with each other.

[0119] In Figure 1, an example is used in which the STA is a mobile phone and the AP is a router, but it can be understood that this does not mean that the types of APs and STAs in this application are limited. In addition, Figure 1 only shows two APs and three STAs as an example. There may be more or fewer APs or STAs. This is not limited in this embodiment of this application.

[0120] Currently, there is a TXOP sharing (TXS) mechanism. An AP serving as a TXOP holder may allocate a portion of the time resource within the remaining TXOP period (i.e., the first period in FIG. 2 ) to only one first station (e.g., STA1 shown in FIG. 2 ). The first station may perform P2P transmission with a second station (e.g., STA2 shown in FIG. 2 ) or transmit data to the AP within the allocated time. As shown in FIG. 2 , the AP serving as a TXOP holder transmits a multi-user (MU) request to send (RTS) (MU-RTS) TXS trigger frame (TF). The first station receiving the MU-RTS TXS TF may respond to the AP with a clear to send (CTS) frame. The first station transmits within the first period after completing the CTS transmission and waiting for a short inter-frame space (SIFS) duration, and finishes transmission before the first period ends. By utilizing this mechanism, collisions caused by channel contention of the first station can be reduced, thereby improving system efficiency. The P2P link used for P2P transmission shown in this embodiment of this application can be established by two STAs according to tunneled direct link setup (TDLS) or other P2P protocols. In other technical descriptions, P2P may also be referred to as D2D or TDLS, etc. Their essence is the same. The specific manner of P2P is not limited in the embodiment of this application.

[0121] However, the above TXS mechanism only allows an AP to share the duration of a TXOP with only one STA, which causes low system efficiency.

[0122] In light of this, the embodiments of this application provide a channel contention-based communication method and apparatus for realizing the simultaneity of multiple STAs, thereby improving system efficiency (which may also be understood as improving the spatial reuse capability of the system). For example, according to the embodiments of this application, a TXOP can be shared by multiple users to support simultaneous transmissions that occur at the same time. This not only improves the spatial reuse capability, but also effectively improves system communication efficiency.

[0123] 3 is a schematic flowchart of a channel contention-based communication method according to an embodiment of this application. For example, the method can be applied to the communication system shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the method includes the following steps:

[0124] 301: The AP generates an MU-RTS frame.

[0125] The MU-RTS frame may include at least one of the following fields: frame control, duration, receive address (RA), transmission address (TA), common info, user info list, padding, and frame check sequence (FCS). Figure 4 is a diagram of the structure of an MU-RTS frame according to an embodiment of this application. In this embodiment of this application, the MU-RTS frame may include one user information field, two user information fields, more than two user information fields, or no user information field. For a description of the number of user information fields, please refer to embodiments 1 to 5 below.

[0126] It may be understood that the MU-RTS frame shown in this embodiment of this application may include an MU-RTS TXS trigger frame, etc. The specific name of the MU-RTS frame is not limited in this embodiment of this application.

[0127] For example, the common information field may include at least one of the following fields: a trigger frame type and a triggered TXOP sharing mode. The triggered TXOP sharing mode field may indicate a TXOP sharing mode. For example, when the value carried in the triggered TXOP sharing mode field is 1, it may indicate that the station can only perform uplink transmission within a first period. In another example, when the value carried in the triggered TXOP sharing mode field is 2, it indicates that the station can perform UL transmission or P2P transmission within the first period. When the value carried in the triggered TXOP sharing mode field is 2, it indicates that the station can perform UL transmission or P2P transmission within the first period. This may be understood as follows: First, if one station performs UL transmission or P2P transmission within a first period, it indicates that the first station can perform UL transmission or P2P transmission within the first period, for example, in FIG. 2 . Second, one station performs an UL transmission or a P2P transmission within the first period, and at least one station performs a P2P transmission within the first period. In another example, when the value carried in the triggered TXOP sharing mode field is 3, the triggered TXOP sharing mode field is interpreted as follows: Third, at least one station may perform a P2P transmission within the first period. Fourth, one station may perform an UL transmission or a P2P transmission within the first period, and at least one station may perform a P2P transmission. In the second and fourth interpretation methods, the meaning of a triggered TXOP sharing mode field carrying 2 may be considered to be the same as the meaning of a field carrying 3.

[0128] The meaning indicated by "Triggered TXOP Sharing Mode field carrying 3" shown above is merely an example and should not be construed as a limitation on this embodiment of this application. It can be understood that the value carried in the specific field shown in this embodiment of this application may also be understood as the value of the specific field. To facilitate distinction between different understanding methods (e.g., similar descriptions such as 1st to 6th), different numbers are used for distinction in this embodiment of this application. However, this does not indicate that these numbers are related to each other, nor does it indicate an order for these numbers.

[0129] For example, the user information field may include at least one of the following fields: an association identifier (AID), a resource unit (RU) allocation, and an allocation duration. The association identifier field may indicate a station corresponding to the user information field. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the association identifier field may be utilized to carry a 12-bit association identifier (AID12) of the station corresponding to the user information field. In another example, the association identifier field may be utilized to carry a P2P identifier, which may correspond to one P2P sending party and one P2P receiving party. It may be understood that the P2P identifier carried in the association identifier field is different from the AID of any STA. In this way, it can be ensured that a station that obtains a P2P identifier can determine, based on the P2P identifier, whether the AP will allocate the first period to the station, or whether the station can use this TXS opportunity. The allocation duration field may indicate the first period. It may be understood that whether the first periods corresponding to the stations are the same is not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0130] For ease of explanation, the embodiments of this application are illustrated using "fields" as an example, and no particular distinction is made between "fields" and "subfields", etc. The fields illustrated in this embodiment of this application may also be referred to as fields.

[0131] 302: The AP transmits an MU-RTS frame, and the STA receives the MU-RTS frame in response.

[0132] 303: The STA performs UL transmission or P2P transmission within a first period based on the MU-RTS frame.

[0133] Step 303 may be implemented in the following manner. Implementation 1: The STA ignores the NAV configured by the AP based on the MU-RTS frame, performs channel contention within the first period, and performs P2P transmission within the first period in the case of channel contention.

[0134] Typically, a STA is allowed to access the channel to transmit a radio frame only when the physical carrier sense and virtual carrier sense are idle. Physical carrier sense is achieved through sensing the energy and radio frame signal on the channel. For example, when the received energy or the strength of the received radio frame is below a certain threshold, the physical carrier sense may be considered idle; otherwise, the physical carrier sense may be considered busy. Virtual carrier sense may be achieved by setting the NAV. When the NAV is not 0, the virtual carrier sense is busy. When the value of the NAV is 0, the virtual carrier sense is idle. Typically, after receiving a current radio frame, a STA may update its NAV based on the duration field in the radio frame. When the receiving address carried in the receiving address field in the radio frame is the STA's medium access control (MAC) address, the STA does not update its NAV. For radio frames whose receiving address is not the STA's MAC address, if the value carried in the duration field in the radio frame exceeds the STA's current NAV, the NAV needs to be updated based on the duration field.

[0135] When an AP shares a period (e.g., a first period) in a TXOP with at least two STAs, different STAs may mutually receive radio frames of other STAs. If a STA does not ignore the NAV configured by the AP, even if the AP shares the first period with the STA, the STA still cannot perform channel contention and therefore cannot perform P2P transmission due to the manner in which the NAV is set. Therefore, in this embodiment of the present application, the NAV configured by the AP may be ignored, thereby ensuring that the STA can perform channel contention and perform P2P transmission.

[0136] The NAV may include at least one of the following: a basic NAV and an intra-BSS (basic service set) NAV (intra-BSS NAV). The intra-BSS NAV may be updated using an intra-BSS PPDU. The basic NAV may be updated using an inter-BSS PPDU, or a PPDU that cannot be determined as an intra-BSS PPDU or an inter-BSS PPDU. In short, an inter-BSS PPDU is a PPDU from an inter-BSS transmitted by a STA, and an intra-BSS PPDU is a PPDU from an intra-BSS transmitted by a STA. The specific method for identifying an inter-BSS PPDU and an intra-BSS PPDU is not limited in this embodiment of this application. The STA may ignore the intra-BSS NAV configured by the AP.

[0137] Optionally, the STA may ignore the AP-configured NAV based on the value of the Triggered TXOP Sharing Mode field in the MU-RTS frame. For example, when the value carried in the Triggered TXOP Sharing Mode field in the MU-RTS frame is 3, the STA may ignore the AP-configured NAV. In another example, according to the second understanding scheme above, when the value carried in the Triggered TXOP Sharing Mode field is 2, the STA may ignore the AP-configured NAV.

[0138] Optionally, the STA may ignore the AP-configured NAV based on the number of user information fields included in the MU-RTS frame. For example, if the number of user information fields is 2 or greater, the STA may ignore the AP-configured NAV. In another example, if the number of user information fields is equal to 0, the STA may ignore the AP-configured NAV.

[0139] If a STA can ignore the NAV configured by the AP, it may be understood that the STA knows that it is allowed to perform the TXS_PD-based SR mechanism. The TXS_PD-based SR mechanism may be referred to as a mechanism for sharing a first period with multiple STAs, an SR mechanism allowing TXOP sharing, or a mechanism supporting simultaneous transmissions of multiple users. Examples are not listed one by one here. The names of the TXS_PD-based SR mechanisms shown in this embodiment of the present application are merely examples. The names are not limited. For example, the TXS_PD-based SR mechanism may be understood as at least one of the following: an AP is allowed to share a period within a TXOP (e.g., a first period) with a station configured to perform UL transmission or P2P transmission and at least one station configured to perform P2P transmission; or an AP is allowed to share a period within a TXOP with at least two stations configured to perform P2P transmission. For a specific description of the mechanism, please refer to the following Embodiments 1 to 5.

[0140] Optionally, the STA may ignore the NAV configured by the AP based on the common information field in the MU-RTS frame. For example, the common information field may include a second indication field. The second indication field may indicate whether TXOP shared packet detection is allowed, the second indication field may indicate whether TXOP shared spatial reuse (TXS SR) is allowed, the second indication field may indicate whether a period within a TXOP is allowed to be shared with multiple STAs, the second indication field may indicate whether simultaneous transmission of multiple users is supported, or the second indication field may indicate whether a TXS_PD-based SR mechanism is allowed. The second indication field may also be referred to as a field indicating whether TXS_PD is allowed, a TXS SR permission field, or the like. The specific name of the second indication field is not limited in this embodiment of this application. For example, the second indication field may occupy one bit, and a value of 0 carried in the second indication field may indicate that TXS_PD-based SR is not allowed in the first period, and a value of 1 carried in the second indication field may indicate that TXS_PD-based SR is allowed in the first period. If TXS_PD-based SR is allowed in the first period, it indicates that STAs may share the first period and may perform channel contention within the first period. Alternatively, the STA may ignore the NAV configured by the AP based on the second indication field. If TXS_PD-based SR is not allowed in the first period, it indicates that simultaneous transmission of multiple users is not supported. Therefore, a STA receiving an MU-RTS frame needs to perform transmission according to the method shown in FIG. 2 or an overlapping basic service set (OBSS) packet detect (OBSS_PD)-based spatial reuse mechanism.

[0141] It may be understood that in this embodiment of this application, ignoring the NAV configured by the AP may be equivalent to the NAV configured by the AP being 0, or may be equivalent to the case where the STA may further perform subsequent actions based on the NAV configured by the AP being 0.

[0142] For example, the STA performing channel contention within the first period includes implementing the following: Fifth, when a PPDU is received, a backoff is performed based on the received power of the PPDU and the first CCA threshold.

[0143] Typically, in addition to radio frames transmitted by the AP, a STA may also receive PPDUs transmitted by STAs in an intra-BSS, PPDUs transmitted by STAs in an inter-BSS, or PPDUs that cannot be determined as PPDUs transmitted by STAs in an intra-BSS or PPDUs transmitted by STAs in an inter-BSS.

[0144] Optionally, when the PPDU is an intra-BSS PPDU, the STA may perform backoff based on the received power of the PPDU and the first CCA threshold. In this implementation, when the PPDU is not an intra-BSS PPDU, the STA may determine whether the channel is idle or busy based on the received power of the PPDU and the CCA_PD threshold. If the received power of the PPDU exceeds the CCA_PD threshold, the STA may consider the channel to be busy. If the received power of the PPDU is equal to or less than the CCA_PD threshold, the STA may consider the channel to be idle. When the channel is idle, the STA may perform P2P transmission.

[0145] Optionally, when the PPDU is an intra-BSS PPDU, an inter-BSS PPDU, or a PPDU that cannot be determined as an intra-BSS PPDU or an inter-BSS PPDU, the STA may perform backoff based on the received power of the PPDU and the first CCA threshold. In this implementation, the STA may determine the type of the PPDU before performing backoff. Alternatively, this may be equivalent to the case where the type of the PPDU is not determined before the STA performs backoff, because the type of the PPDU may be an intra-BSS PPDU, an inter-BSS PPDU, or a PPDU that cannot be determined as an intra-BSS PPDU or an inter-BSS PPDU.

[0146] The first CCA threshold is equal to or greater than the CCA_PD threshold. The CCA_PD threshold may be equal to -82 dBm, and the first CCA threshold may be equal to -82 dBm, -72 dBm, or -68 dBm, etc. Examples are not listed here one by one. The first CCA threshold is equal to or less than the second CCA threshold. The second CCA threshold may be equal to -62 dBm. The specific value of the second CCA threshold may be determined based on a threshold used when a channel is determined to be busy through physical carrier sensing. For example, the second CCA threshold may be referred to as a CCA_ED threshold. The CCA_PD threshold may be defined in a standard. For usage scenarios of the CCA_PD threshold, please refer to the description above.

[0147] Optionally, the AP may add the value of the first CCA threshold to a beacon frame or a probe response frame. The value of the first CCA threshold may be another new element. Alternatively, a spatial reuse parameter set element may be reused, and a first CCA threshold field may be added to the element, and the first CCA threshold is indicated to the STA using the first CCA threshold field. Optionally, the first CCA threshold may alternatively be configured by the STA. The first CCA threshold may be referred to as a TXS_PD threshold. The specific name of the first CCA threshold is not limited in this embodiment of the application.

[0148] Performing backoff based on the received power of the PPDU and the first CCA threshold includes further performing backoff if the received power of the PPDU is less than or equal to the first CCA threshold, or stopping backoff if the received power of the PPDU exceeds the first CCA threshold.

[0149] If the received power of the PPDU is equal to or less than the first CCA threshold, the STA may consider the channel to be idle, ignore the PPDU received by the STA, or not update the NAV based on the duration field in the PPDU, and further perform a backoff process. If the STA performs backoff to 0 in the first period, the STA may perform P2P transmission before the end of the first period. It may be understood that if the STA obtains a transmission opportunity in the first period, the STA needs to reduce the maximum transmit power of the STA. For example, when the received power of the PPDU is equal to or greater than the CCA_PD threshold and equal to or less than the first CCA threshold, the maximum transmit power is set to P max0 -(P r -CCA), where P max0 is the maximum transmission power allowed by regulations, and P r is the received power of the PPDU, and CCA is the first CCA threshold. In another example, when the received power of the PPDU is equal to or less than the CCA_PD threshold, the maximum transmit power is Pmax0 It is possible.

[0150] If the received power of the PPDU exceeds the first CCA threshold, the STA may consider the channel to be busy and may not ignore the PPDU or the duration field in the PPDU. For example, the STA may update the NAV based on the duration field in the PPDU. After the NAV is updated, the STA considers the channel to be busy, i.e., stops backing off, because the NAV is not equal to 0.

[0151] Sixth, when no PPDU is received, channel contention is performed based on a second CCA threshold. If the channel energy exceeds the second CCA threshold, the channel is considered busy. If the channel energy is equal to or less than the second CCA threshold, the channel is considered idle. When the channel is idle, the STA may perform P2P transmission.

[0152] Implementation 2

[0153] The STA performs UL transmission or P2P transmission within the first period based on the MU-RTS frame and does not need to perform channel contention. In other words, when a particular STA determines based on the MU-RTS frame that the STA can perform UL transmission or P2P transmission, the STA may start UL transmission or P2P transmission without performing channel contention. For example, the STA may wait for a SIFS after the CTS is sent and perform UL transmission or P2P transmission.

[0154] Based on the above Implementation 1 and Implementation 2, the AP may share a period within a TXOP (e.g., a first period) with at least two STAs. In a possible implementation, one of the at least two STAs may perform UL transmission or P2P transmission within the first period (e.g., Implementation 2 above), and at least one of the at least two STAs may perform P2P transmission within the first period (e.g., Implementation 1 above). In this embodiment of the present application, the AP shares the first period with a STA available for UL transmission or P2P transmission and a STA available only for P2P transmission. In this manner, it is possible to ensure as much as possible that at least one STA can successfully perform transmission, thereby ensuring system efficiency. In addition, more stations are allowed to share the first period as much as possible, thereby ensuring simultaneous transmissions of multiple users, thereby improving system efficiency. In another possible implementation, at least two STAs perform P2P transmission within the first period (e.g., Implementation 1 above). In this embodiment of the present application, an AP shares a first period with multiple STAs, and the multiple STAs can perform P2P transmission. The fairness of the multiple STAs is guaranteed by maintaining the transmission consistency of the multiple STAs (i.e., performing all P2P transmissions). This can not only effectively reduce collisions caused by channel contention among the multiple STAs, but also improve the communication efficiency of the system.

[0155] In this embodiment of the present application, the AP can share a period in the TXOP with multiple STAs. In this way, the period in the TXOP is effectively utilized, and the spatial reuse capability is effectively improved through sharing the period with multiple STAs, thereby improving the communication efficiency of the system.

[0156] Currently, there is still an overlapping basic service set (OBSS) packet detect (OBSS_PD) spatial reuse mechanism. If a STA receives a PPDU and its NAV is 0, and the received PPDU is an inter-BSS PPDU or an intra-BSS PPDU that cannot be determined as an inter-BSS PPDU, the STA can perform backoff based on the PPDU's received power and the OBSS_PD threshold. Based on this mechanism, even if the AP shares a period within a TXOP with multiple STAs, if the NAV is not equal to 0 before the STA receives the PPDU and does not update its NAV based on the PPDU, the STA cannot perform backoff and cannot perform UL or P2P transmissions. Therefore, by using the OBSS_PD-based SR mechanism, the period within a TXOP cannot be shared with multiple STAs for use. In this case, the STA sets its NAV, and multiple different P2P transmissions may be mutually determined as intra-BSS transmissions. The OBSS_PD condition is not met.

[0157] The TXS_PD-based SR mechanism may take effect during the first period of the TXS mechanism. The OBSS_PD-based SR mechanism may take effect at any time. In other words, in this embodiment of the present application, the transmission of a TXS_PD-based SR PPDU and a corresponding response frame cannot exceed the first period. The TXS_PD-based SR mechanism may take effect on a PPDU that is intra-BSS and received by a STA, or a PPDU received from an intra-BSS, a PPDU received from an inter-BSS, or a PPDU that cannot be determined as an intra-BSS PPDU or an inter-BSS PPDU. The OBSS_PD-based SR mechanism only takes effect on a PPDU from an inter-BSS, or a PPDU that cannot be determined as an intra-BSS PPDU or an inter-BSS PPDU. A necessary condition for the OBSS_PD-based SR mechanism to be effective is that a PPDU contains either an inter-BSS PPDU or a PPDU that cannot be determined as an intra-BSS PPDU or an inter-BSS PPDU. However, when an AP shares a period within a TXOP with multiple STAs, most PPDUs received by the STA are intra-BSS PPDUs. Therefore, the OBSS_PD-based SR mechanism significantly limits the possibility that an AP can share a period within a TXOP with multiple STAs for use, limiting the possibility of simultaneous transmission. For the TXS_PD-based SR mechanism, the type of PPDU is not restricted. For example, even if a STA receives a PPDU from an intra-BSS, the STA can still perform P2P transmission, thereby ensuring the viability of the TXS_PD-based SR mechanism. In this way, multiple STAs can perform simultaneous transmission.

[0158] It can be understood that the first CCA threshold value shown in this embodiment of the present application may be the same as or different from the OBSS_PD threshold value, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0159] The method shown in FIG. 3 will be described below with reference to the specific structure of the MU-RTS frame.

[0160] Embodiment 1

[0161] Figure 5a is a diagram of a scenario of a channel contention-based communication method according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 5b is a schematic flowchart of a channel contention-based communication method corresponding to Figure 5a according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 5b, the method includes the following steps:

[0162] 501: The AP serving as a TXOP holder generates an MU-RTS TXS TF frame.

[0163] 502: The AP transmits an MU-RTS TXS TF frame, and in response, the primary STA receives the MU-RTS TXS TF frame, and the secondary STA receives the MU-RTS TXS TF frame.

[0164] FIG. 5c is a diagram of the structure of an MU-RTS TXS TF frame according to an embodiment of this application. The Allocation Duration field may indicate the length of the first period. The value carried in the Triggered TXOP Sharing Mode field in the frame may be 2 or 3. The frame may include at least two user information fields, each corresponding to one STA. In other words, the AP allocates the first period to the indicated STA. For a description of the association identifier field in the user information field, please refer to the description of step 301 in FIG. 3. The details will not be described again here. In this embodiment of this application, in the MU-RTS TXS TF frame, one user information field corresponds to the primary STA (may also be understood as indicating the primary STA), and at least one user information field corresponds to the secondary STA (may also be understood as corresponding to the secondary STA). As shown in FIG. 5a, STA1 may be understood as the primary STA or TXS primary user, and STA2 may be understood as the secondary STA or TXS secondary user.

[0165] Optionally, the MU-RTS TXS TF frame may not include a primary / secondary indication field. A station receiving an MU-RTS TXS TF frame may determine whether the station is a primary STA or a secondary STA based on the order of the user information fields corresponding to the station in the user information list field. For example, the user information field corresponding to the primary STA may be located in the first user information field in the MU-RTS TXS TF frame, and the user information field corresponding to the secondary STA may be located in the second user information field in the MU-RTS TXS TF frame and in the user information field following the second user information field. This may also be understood as a case where the user information field corresponding to the secondary STA is located in a user information field other than the first in the MU-RTS TXS TF frame. For example, the STA may determine that the STA is a primary STA based on the order of the user information fields corresponding to the STA. Therefore, the STA may perform UL transmission or P2P transmission within the first period. In another example, the STA may determine that the STA is a secondary STA based on the order of the user information fields corresponding to the STA. Therefore, the STA may perform P2P transmission within the first period.

[0166] Optionally, the user information field may include a primary / secondary indication field, which indicates that the corresponding station is a primary station or a secondary station. For example, when the value carried in the primary / secondary indication field is 0, it indicates that the STA corresponding to the user information field is a secondary STA. This may alternatively be understood as a case where the STA corresponding to the user information field can perform P2P transmission within the first period. In another example, when the value carried in the primary / secondary indication field is 1, it indicates that the STA corresponding to the user information field is a primary STA. This may alternatively be understood as a case where the STA corresponding to the user information field can perform UL transmission or P2P transmission within the first period.

[0167] The values ​​and corresponding meanings of the primary / secondary indication field shown here are merely examples. For example, when the value carried in the primary / secondary indication field is 0, it may indicate that the STA corresponding to the user information field is a primary STA, and when the value carried in the primary / secondary indication field is 1, it may indicate that the STA corresponding to the user information field is a secondary STA.

[0168] As shown in Figure 5c, the primary / secondary indication field may occupy one bit. The primary / secondary indication field may be an original reserved field in the MU-RTS TXS TF frame, etc. The location of the primary / secondary indication field is not limited in this embodiment of this application. It may be understood that the primary / secondary indication field may also be referred to as a TXS Primary User field or a TXS Secondary User field. In actual use, the AP may assign only one primary STA in the MU-RTS TXS TF frame, and all other remaining STAs are secondary STAs.

[0169] In this embodiment of the present application, the primary STA or the secondary STA may know that the primary STA or the secondary STA supports the TXS_PD-based SR mechanism based on the primary / secondary indication field in the corresponding user information field.

[0170] 503: The primary STA or the secondary STA determines whether the primary STA or the secondary STA can respond with a CTS frame. If the primary STA or the secondary STA can respond with a CTS frame, the primary STA or the secondary STA responds to the AP with a CTS frame after SIFS and ignores the NAV configured by the AP.

[0171] For example, if the result of the physical carrier sense of the primary or secondary STA is that the channel is idle and the basic NAV is equal to 0, the primary or secondary STA may respond with a CTS frame. If the basic NAV is not 0, the primary or secondary STA may not respond with a CTS frame even if the result of the physical carrier sense is that the channel is idle.

[0172] For a specific manner in which the primary STA or secondary STA ignores the NAV configured by the AP, please refer to the description of Implementation 1 above. Details will not be described again here. For example, the NAV configured by the AP may be ignored based on the value of the triggered TXOP sharing mode field, or the NAV configured by the AP may be ignored based on the number of user information fields (e.g., two or more) included in the MU-RTS TXS TF frame. In addition, the primary STA or secondary STA may further ignore the NAV configured by the AP based on the primary / secondary indication field in the user information field corresponding to the primary STA or secondary STA. For example, the user information field includes a primary / secondary indication field, which indicates that the AP allocates the first period to multiple STAs. This may be equivalent to a case in which the primary STA or secondary STA knows that it needs to ignore the NAV configured by the AP because multiple STAs perform channel contention within the first period.

[0173] 504: The primary STA sends a CTS frame, waits for a SIFS duration, then performs transmission within a first period, and ends the transmission before the first period ends.

[0174] It may be understood that the primary STA may perform UL transmission or P2P transmission.

[0175] 505: After transmitting the CTS frame, the secondary STA performs channel contention within a first period and utilizes the TXS_PD-based SR mechanism.

[0176] For an explanation of step 505, please refer to the explanation of Implementation 1 in FIG. 3. The details will not be described again here. It can be understood that the gray rectangular boxes in FIG. 5a represent slots occupied by backoff. For example, if one rectangular box represents one slot, FIG. 5a may indicate that STA2 uses four slots for backoff. After the arbitration interframe space (AIFS) and four slots after the CTS frame is transmitted, STA2 performs P2P transmission. Typically, one slot (aSlotTime) may be 9 μs, one SIFS duration (e.g., aSIFSTime) may be 16 μs, and one AIFS duration is AIFS=AIFSN×aSlotTime+aSIFSTime, where AIFSN may be 2 or more.

[0177] It can be understood that Figures 5a to 5c illustrate two STAs, i.e., one primary STA and one secondary STA, as examples only. In specific implementations, more secondary STAs may be further included. For specific implementations of these secondary STAs, please refer to the secondary STAs illustrated in Figures 5a and 5b. In this embodiment of this application, examples will not be listed one by one.

[0178] In this embodiment of the present application, by distinguishing between the primary STA and the secondary STA, it is possible to ensure that the primary station can perform transmission preferentially, and to reduce collisions caused by channel contention among multiple STAs as much as possible. Different secondary stations can access the channel through channel contention to perform P2P transmission. Therefore, to ensure that resources can be used effectively, the first period is utilized as much as possible. In addition, simultaneous transmission is further supported, thereby improving system efficiency.

[0179] Embodiment 2

[0180] Figure 6a is a diagram of a scenario of a channel contention-based communication method according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 6b is a schematic flowchart of a channel contention-based communication method corresponding to Figure 6a according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 6b, the method includes the following steps:

[0181] 601: An AP serving as a TXOP holder generates an MU-RTS TXS TF frame.

[0182] 602: The AP transmits an MU-RTS TXS TF frame, and in response, STA1 receives the MU-RTS TXS TF frame, and STA2 receives the MU-RTS TXS TF frame.

[0183] FIG. 6c is a diagram of the structure of an MU-RTS TXS TF frame according to an embodiment of this application. For a specific description of the MU-RTS TXS TF frame shown in FIG. 6c, please refer to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5c. The details will not be described again here. Unlike FIG. 5c, the frame shown in FIG. 6c does not include a primary / secondary indication field. It can be understood that in the MU-RTS TXS TF frame in this embodiment of this application, one user information field corresponds to STA1 and the other user information field corresponds to STA2. The MU-RTS TXS TF frame may include two user information fields, or may include three or more user information fields. In this embodiment of this application, examples are not listed one by one. For a STA receiving an MU-RTS TXS TF frame, it can be understood that if the user information field in the MU-RTS TXS TF frame indicates STA1, the STA can perform steps 603 and 604.

[0184] Both STA1 and STA2 shown in Figures 6a and 6b can be understood as STAs designated by the AP using the user information field. However, the AP does not designate the primary and secondary STAs. This can also be understood as a case where the AP does not distinguish between the primary and secondary STAs. This can also be understood as a case where a relationship similar to fair contention exists between STA1 and STA2.

[0185] 603: Determine whether it is possible to respond with a CTS frame, and if it is possible to respond with a CTS frame, respond with a CTS frame to the AP after a SIFS, ignoring the NAV configured by the AP.

[0186] For the method for determining whether to respond with a CTS frame, see Figure 5b, and the details will not be described again here.

[0187] For the specific manner in which the STA ignores the NAV configured by the AP, please refer to the description of Implementation 1 above. The details will not be described again here. For example, the NAV configured by the AP may be ignored based on the value of the triggered TXOP sharing mode field, or the NAV configured by the AP may be ignored based on the number of user information fields included in the MU-RTS TXS TF frame.

[0188] 604: After the CTS frame is transmitted, perform channel contention within a first period and utilize the TXS_PD-based SR mechanism.

[0189] For an explanation of step 604, please refer to the explanation of Implementation 1 in FIG. 3. The details will not be described again here. It can be understood that the gray rectangular boxes in FIG. 6a represent slots occupied by backoff. For example, if one rectangular box represents one slot, FIG. 6a can show that STA1 uses two slots for backoff. Two slots after the AIFS and CTS frames are transmitted, STA1 performs P2P transmission. STA2 uses four slots for backoff. Four slots after the AIFS and CTS frames are transmitted, STA2 performs P2P transmission.

[0190] It can be understood that Figures 6a to 6c only show two STAs, namely STA1 and STA2, as examples. In specific implementations, more STAs may be included. In this embodiment of this application, examples are not listed one by one.

[0191] It can be understood that if the value of the triggered TXOP sharing mode field in the MU-RTS TXS TF frame is 2 and there is only one user information field (as shown in the first understanding scheme of Figure 3), after sending a CTS, the STA indicated by the user information field only needs to wait for a SIFS to perform transmission and does not need to perform backoff.

[0192] In this embodiment of the present application, an AP shares a first period with multiple STAs, and all of the multiple STAs can perform P2P transmission. The transmission consistency of the multiple STAs is effectively maintained. In other words, all of the multiple STAs perform P2P transmission. This ensures fairness among the multiple STAs. This is easy to implement. In addition, it can further improve system efficiency.

[0193] Embodiment 3 Figure 7a is a diagram of a scenario of a channel contention-based communication method according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 7b is a schematic flowchart of a channel contention-based communication method corresponding to Figure 7a according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 7b, the method includes the following steps:

[0194] 701: An AP serving as a TXOP holder generates an MU-RTS TXS TF frame.

[0195] 702: The AP transmits an MU-RTS TXS TF frame, and in response, STA1 receives the MU-RTS TXS TF frame, and STA2 receives the MU-RTS TXS TF frame.

[0196] Figure 7c is a diagram of the structure of an MU-RTS TXS TF frame according to an embodiment of this application. For a specific description of the MU-RTS TXS TF frame shown in Figure 7c, please refer to Figures 4, 5c, and 6c. The details will not be described again here. It can be understood that User Information Field 1 shown in Figure 7c may be understood as the first User Information Field, and User Information Field 2 may be understood as the second User Information Field. For example, User Information Field 1 includes a first Allocation Duration Field, and User Information Field 2 includes a second Allocation Duration Field. The first period indicated by the first Allocation Duration Field may be the same as or different from the second period indicated by the second Allocation Duration Field. This is not limited in this embodiment of this application.

[0197] In this embodiment of the present application, the MU-RTS TXS TF frame includes two user information fields. For example, the first user information field may correspond to one STA. See FIG. 4 for an explanation of the association identifier field of the first user information field. A STA receiving the MU-RTS TXS TF frame may perform UL transmission or P2P transmission based on the first user information field (e.g., perform steps 703 and 704) if the user information field included in the frame indicates the STA. The association identifier field of the second user information field may carry any value among 0, 2008 to 2044, and 2047 to 4094. A STA receiving the MU-RTS TXS TF frame may know that the STA can perform P2P transmission (e.g., perform steps 703 and 705) based on the value of the association identifier field if the frame includes a user information field that does not indicate a STA.

[0198] In other words, a STA receiving an MU-RTS TXS TF frame may determine whether the AP designates the STA based on the association identifier field in the user information field. If the identifier carried in the association identifier field is the STA's AID12 or a P2P identifier associated with the STA, the STA may perform steps 703 and 704. If the identifier carried in the association identifier field is neither the STA's AID12 nor a P2P identifier associated with the STA, the STA may perform steps 703 and 705.

[0199] 7a and 7b, STA1 may be understood as a STA designated by an AP using a user information field, and STA2 may be understood as a STA not designated by an AP using a user information field. 7a and 7b show only one STA2 as an example. There may be more STA2. In this embodiment of this application, examples are not listed one by one.

[0200] 703: Determine whether it is possible to respond with a CTS frame, and if so, respond with a CTS frame to the AP after a SIFS and ignore the NAV configured by the AP.

[0201] For the method for determining whether to respond with a CTS frame, see Figure 5b, and the details will not be described again here.

[0202] For a specific manner in which STA1 or STA2 ignores the NAV configured by the AP, please refer to the description of Implementation 1 above. The details will not be described again here. For example, the NAV configured by the AP may be ignored based on the value of the triggered TXOP sharing mode field, or the NAV configured by the AP may be ignored based on the number of user information fields included in the MU-RTS TXS TF frame. In addition, STA2 may further ignore the NAV configured by the AP based on the association identifier field in the user information field corresponding to STA2. For example, if the value of the association identifier field is any value among 0, 2008 to 2044, and 2047 to 4094, STA2 may know that it needs to ignore the NAV configured by the AP. The value of the association identifier field in the user information field corresponding to STA1 may be any one of 1 to 2007.

[0203] 704: STA1 sends a CTS frame, waits for a SIFS duration, then performs transmission within a first period, and ends transmission before the first period ends.

[0204] It may be understood that the primary STA may perform UL transmission or P2P transmission.

[0205] 705: After transmitting the CTS frame, STA2 performs channel contention within a second period and utilizes the TXS_PD-based SR mechanism.

[0206] For an explanation of step 705, please refer to the explanation of Implementation 1 in Fig. 3. The details will not be described again here. For the gray rectangular part in Fig. 7b, please refer to Fig. 5a or Fig. 6a. The details will not be described again here.

[0207] It can be understood that Figures 5a to 5c show two STAs, i.e., one STA1 and one STA2, as examples only. In specific implementations, more STA2s may be further included. For specific implementations of these STA2s, please refer to the STA2s shown in Figures 7a and 7b. In this embodiment of this application, examples will not be listed one by one.

[0208] In this embodiment of the present application, the MU-RTS frame includes two user information fields. One user information field may correspond to one station, and the other user information field may correspond to one or more stations (it may be understood that the station is not specified), ensuring that multiple stations can perform simultaneous transmissions, thereby improving system efficiency. In addition, the two user information fields indicate two or more stations, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0209] Embodiment 4

[0210] Figure 8a is a scenario diagram of a channel contention-based communication method according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 8b is a schematic flowchart of a channel contention-based communication method corresponding to Figure 8a according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 8b, the method includes the following steps:

[0211] 801: The AP serving as the TXOP holder generates an MU-RTS TXS TF frame.

[0212] 802: The AP transmits an MU-RTS TXS TF frame, and in response, STA1 receives the MU-RTS TXS TF frame, and STA2 receives the MU-RTS TXS TF frame.

[0213] Figure 8c is a diagram of the structure of an MU-RTS TXS TF frame according to an embodiment of this application. For a specific description of the MU-RTS TXS TF frame shown in Figure 8c, please refer to Figure 4, Figure 5c, and Figure 6c. The details will not be described again here.

[0214] In this embodiment of the application, the MU-RTS TXS TF frame does not include a user information field. Optionally, the value of the triggered TXOP sharing mode field in the frame shown in FIG. 8c is 3. Therefore, all STAs receiving the MU-RTS TXS TF frame may perform steps 803 and 804 based on the value of the triggered TXOP sharing mode field. Optionally, the common information field shown in FIG. 8c includes a second indication field. For example, the value of the second indication field is 1. STAs receiving the MU-RTS TXS TF frame may know that the STA allows the TXS_PD-based SR mechanism in the first period based on the value of the second indication field. For a description of the second indication field, please refer to Implementation 1 of FIG. 3. The details will not be described again here. When the common information field includes the second indication field and the value of the second indication field indicates that the TXS_PD-based SR mechanism is allowed, the value of the triggered TXOP sharing mode field may be 2 or 3. This is not limited to this embodiment of this application.

[0215] Both STA1 and STA2 shown in Figures 8a and 8b can be understood as STAs that are not designated by the AP using the user information field and that receive MU-RTS TXS TF frames.

[0216] 803: Determine whether it is possible to respond with a CTS frame, and if so, respond with a CTS frame to the AP after a SIFS and ignore the NAV configured by the AP.

[0217] For the method for determining whether to respond with a CTS frame, see Figure 5b, and the details will not be described again here.

[0218] For a specific manner in which STA1 or STA2 ignores the NAV configured by the AP, please refer to the description of Implementation 1 above. The details will not be described again here. For example, STA1 or STA2 may ignore the NAV configured by the AP based on the value of the triggered TXOP sharing mode field. In addition, STA1 or STA2 may ignore the NAV configured by the AP based on the case in which the MU-RTS TXS TF frame does not include a user information field. In another example, STA1 or STA2 may further ignore the NAV configured by the AP based on a second indication field included in the common information field.

[0219] 804: After the CTS frame is transmitted, perform channel contention within a first period and utilize the TXS_PD-based SR mechanism.

[0220] For an explanation of step 804, please refer to the explanation of Implementation 1 in Fig. 3. The details will not be described again here. For the gray rectangular part in Fig. 8b, please refer to Fig. 5a or Fig. 6a. The details will not be described again here.

[0221] It can be understood that Figures 5a to 5c only show two STAs, i.e., one STA1 and one STA2, as examples. In specific implementations, more STAs may be included. In this embodiment of this application, examples are not listed one by one.

[0222] In this embodiment of the present application, the common information field in the MU-RTS frame may include a second indication field. Therefore, a STA receiving the MU-RTS frame may determine, based on the second indication information, that the STA is allowed to perform the TXS_PD-based SR mechanism, ensuring that multiple stations can perform simultaneous transmissions, thereby improving system efficiency and reducing signaling overhead.

[0223] It should be noted that in this embodiment of the application, the MU-RTS TXS TF frame may include one user information field, and the user information field may correspond to one STA. In other words, the AP allocates the first period to the indicated STA. Optionally, the MU-RTS TXS TF frame may further include a triggered TXOP sharing mode field, and the value of the triggered TXOP sharing mode field may be a value other than 0, 1, or 2. Based on the value of the TXOP sharing mode field, a station receiving the MU-RTS TXS TF frame may know that the station can perform the TXS_PD-based SR mechanism and may know that the station can share the first period allocated by the AP. Optionally, the user information field may include a field indicating whether the TXS_PD-based SR mechanism is allowed. Based on the field, the STA may know that the STA can perform the TXS_PD-based SR mechanism. In this case, the value of the triggered TXOP sharing mode field may be 2, or a value other than 0, 1, or 2. Optionally, the common information field in the MU-RTS TXS TF frame may include a second indication field. For a description of the second indication field, please refer to embodiment 4. The details will not be described again here.

[0224] When the MU-RTS TXS TF frame includes one user information field, the STA indicated by the user information field may wait for SIFS after sending CTS, may perform transmission, and does not perform backoff. For specific implementation of the STA, please refer to the description of the primary station in embodiment 1 or the description of STA1 in embodiment 3. The details will not be described again here.

[0225] Embodiment 5 Figure 9a is a scenario diagram of a channel contention-based communication method according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 9b is a schematic flowchart of a channel contention-based communication method corresponding to Figure 9a according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 9b, the method includes the following steps:

[0226] 901: An AP serving as a TXOP holder generates an MU-RTS TXS TF frame.

[0227] 902: The AP transmits an MU-RTS TXS TF frame, and in response, the primary STA receives an MU-RTS TXS TF frame, and the secondary STA receives an MU-RTS TXS TF frame.

[0228] Figure 9c is a diagram of the structure of an MU-RTS TXS TF frame according to an embodiment of this application. For a specific description of the MU-RTS TXS TF frame shown in Figure 9c, please refer to Figure 4, Figure 5c, and Figure 6c. The details will not be described again here.

[0229] In this embodiment of this application, the MU-RTS TXS TF frame includes multiple user information fields, and one user information field may correspond to one STA.

[0230] Optionally, the common information field in the MU-RTS TXS TF frame may include a second indication field, and a STA receiving the MU-RTS TXS TF frame may know that the STA supports the TXS_PD-based SR mechanism based on the second indication field. Of course, the common information field may not include the second indication field, and the STA may know that the STA supports the TXS_PD-based SR mechanism from the user information field corresponding to the STA.

[0231] In one example, each of the multiple user information fields may include a first indication field, which may indicate that the corresponding station is allowed to perform P2P transmission within the first time period. Alternatively, the first indication field may indicate that the corresponding station is allowed to perform UL transmission or P2P transmission within the first time period. The first indication field may also be referred to as a "TXS uplink or P2P" field or a "TXS UL / P2P field." For example, the first indication field may occupy one bit. A value of 0 in the first indication field may indicate that the STA indicated by the user information field can perform UL or P2P transmission within the first time period. A value of 1 in the first indication field indicates that the STA indicated by the user information field can only perform P2P transmission and cannot perform UL transmission within the first time period. It may be understood that the values ​​of the first indication field and the corresponding meanings of each value shown herein are merely examples. For example, a value of 1 in the first indication field may indicate that the STA indicated by the user information field can perform UL or P2P transmission within the first period, and a value of 0 in the first indication field indicates that the STA indicated by the user information field can only perform P2P transmission and cannot perform UL transmission within the first period.

[0232] In another example, among the multiple user information fields, a user information field designated by the AP and corresponding to a STA that needs to perform UL transmission or P2P transmission may include a first indication field. For example, the value of the first indication field is 0. Other user information fields in the MU-RTS TXS TF frame may not include the first indication field. A station receiving the frame may know that the station can perform P2P transmission within the first period based on the case where the user information field corresponding to the station does not include the first indication field.

[0233] For example, the first indication field may utilize an original reserved bit in the MU-RTS TXS TF frame. For example, the uplink dual carrier modulation (DCM) (UL DCM) field is reserved for the MU-RTS TXS TF frame. Therefore, the UL DCM field may be reused as the first indication field. It should be noted that a reserved bit, or a reserved bit in the original MU-RTS TXS TF frame, may be reused as the first indication field. Typically, the AP may fill the first indication field in at most one user information field with 0 (indicating that the STA indicated by the user information field can perform UL or P2P transmission within the first period) and fill all first indication fields in the remaining user information fields with 1. It should be noted that if the value of the triggered TXOP sharing mode field is a value other than 0, 1, or 2, the user information field may not include a first indication field.

[0234] In one example, each of the multiple user information fields may include a power indication field, and the power indication field may indicate the maximum transmission power of the station corresponding to the user information field during the first time period. The power indication field may also be referred to as a TXS Maximum TX Power field or the like. The name of the power indication field is not limited in this embodiment of the application. For example, the power indication field may occupy N bits, where the value of N depends on the number of possible values ​​of the maximum transmission power. For example, if the value of the power indication field is x, the maximum transmission power available to the corresponding STA when it is allowed to perform transmission within the first time period is P0+kx, where P0 is a reference power (e.g., a value of −20 dBm) and k is a proportionality coefficient (e.g., a value of 1). Here, the relationship between the value of the power indication field and the indicated maximum transmission power is merely an example. This is not limited in this embodiment of the application. Optionally, a value of 1 for all bits in the power indication field may indicate that the AP does not limit the transmit power of the corresponding STA. For example, the UL target receive power is reserved for the MU-RTS TXS TF frame and may therefore be reused as the power indication field. It should be noted that the reserved bits, or the reserved bits of the original MU-RTS TXS TF frame, may be reused as the power indication field.

[0235] In another example, at least one of the plurality of user information fields may include a power indication field, in which case the maximum transmit power of a STA that does not include a power indication field may be the same as the maximum transmit power of a STA that is located before the user information field corresponding to the STA and that includes a power indication field.

[0236] 903: Determine whether it is possible to respond with a CTS frame, and if so, respond with a CTS frame to the AP after a SIFS and ignore the NAV configured by the AP.

[0237] 904: Send a CTS, wait for a SIFS duration, then perform transmission within a first period, and end the transmission before the end of the first period. If the value of the first indication field in the user information field corresponding to the station receiving the MU-RTS TXS TF frame is 0, the STA can perform UL or P2P transmission within the first period. If the value of the first indication field in the user information field corresponding to the station receiving the MU-RTS TXS TF frame is 1, the STA can only perform P2P transmission in the first period. The maximum transmission power value available to the STA is the power value indicated by the power indication field.

[0238] In this embodiment of the present application, the user information field includes a power indication field, so that the corresponding station can perform P2P transmission based on the maximum transmission power indicated by the AP. By appropriately allocating the maximum transmission power, the interference between different stations can be effectively reduced, and multiple stations can be guaranteed to perform P2P transmission within the first period.

[0239] In the above embodiments, for parts not described in detail in one embodiment, please refer to other embodiments.

[0240] A communication device provided in an embodiment of this application is described below.

[0241] In this application, the communication device is divided into functional modules based on the above method embodiment. For example, functional modules corresponding to functions may be obtained through division, or two or more functions may be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional module. It should be noted that the division into modules in this application is an example and is merely a logical division of functions. In actual implementation, other division methods may be used. Below, the communication device in the embodiment of this application will be described in detail with reference to Figures 10 to 12.

[0242] 10 is a structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in FIG. 10, the communication device includes: a processing unit 1001 and a transceiver unit 1002.

[0243] In some embodiments of this application, the communication device may be the STA or chip described above, and the chip may be located within the STA. In other words, the communication device may be configured to perform the steps or functions performed by the STA in the above method embodiments (including FIG. 3). For example, the communication device is a secondary station when the primary and secondary stations are distinguished using the MU-RTS frame (e.g., embodiment 1), or is a station designated using the user information field (e.g., embodiment 2 or embodiment 5).

[0244] The transceiver unit 1002 is configured to receive an MU-RTS frame. The MU-RTS frame includes a plurality of user information fields. The user information fields include an allocation duration field. The user information fields correspond to one station. The allocation duration field indicates a first period corresponding to the station corresponding to the user information field.

[0245] The processing unit 1001 is configured to perform P2P transmission within a first period based on the MU-RTS frame.

[0246] In a possible implementation, the processing unit 1001 is particularly configured to ignore the NAV configured by the access point based on the MU-RTS frame, perform channel contention within a first period, and perform P2P transmission within the first period when the channel contention is successful.

[0247] In a possible implementation, the processing unit 1001 is particularly configured to perform at least one of the following: ignoring the NAV configured by the AP based on the value of the triggered TXOP sharing mode field in the MU-RTS frame; ignoring the NAV configured by the AP based on the number of user information fields in the MU-RTS frame; and ignoring the NAV configured by the AP based on the primary / secondary indication field in the user information field in the MU-RTS frame.

[0248] In a possible implementation, the processing unit 1001 is specifically configured to perform backoff based on the received power of a PPDU and a first CCA threshold when a PPDU is received, the PPDU including an intra-BSS PPDU, an inter-BSS PPDU, or a PPDU that cannot be determined as an intra-BSS PPDU or an inter-BSS PPDU, and the first CCA threshold is greater than or equal to a CCA packet detection threshold.

[0249] In a possible implementation, the processing unit 1001 is specifically configured to further perform backoff if the received power of the PPDU is less than or equal to a first CCA threshold, or to stop backoff if the received power of the PPDU exceeds the first CCA threshold.

[0250] In a possible implementation, the processing unit 1001 is particularly configured to perform P2P transmission within a first period based on at least one of the following: an order of corresponding user information fields, a primary / secondary indication field in the corresponding user information field, and a value of a triggered TXOP sharing mode field in the MU-RTS frame.

[0251] In a possible implementation, the processing unit 1001 is particularly configured to perform P2P transmission within a first period based on a maximum transmission power.

[0252] In a possible implementation, the processing unit 1001 is particularly configured to: perform P2P transmission within a first period based on a maximum transmission power when the user information field includes a first indication field and the first indication field indicates that the station corresponding to the user information field is allowed to perform P2P transmission within the first period; or perform P2P transmission within a first period based on a maximum transmission power when the MU-RTS frame includes a triggered TXOP sharing mode field and the value of the TXOP sharing mode field is 2 or a value other than 0, 1, or 2.

[0253] In some other embodiments of this application, the communication device may be the STA or chip described above, and the chip may be located within the STA. In other words, the communication device may be configured to perform the steps or functions performed by the STA in the above method embodiments (including FIG. 3). For example, the communication device is a primary station when primary and secondary stations are distinguished using an MU-RTS frame (e.g., embodiment 1), or a station indicated to perform UL transmission or P2P transmission using a first indication field (e.g., embodiment 5).

[0254] The transceiver unit 1002 is configured to receive a multi-user request to transmit (MU-RTS) frame. The MU-RTS frame includes a plurality of user information fields. The user information fields include an allocation duration field. The user information fields correspond to one station. The allocation duration field indicates a first period corresponding to the station corresponding to the user information field.

[0255] The processing unit 1001 is configured to perform, based on the MU-RTS frame, a UL transmission or a P2P transmission within a first period.

[0256] In a possible implementation, the processing unit 1001 is particularly configured to perform UL transmission or P2P transmission within a first period based on at least one of the following: the order of the corresponding user information fields, the primary / secondary indication field in the corresponding user information field, and the value of the triggered TXOP sharing mode field in the MU-RTS frame.

[0257] In a possible implementation, the processing unit 1001 is specifically configured to perform a UL transmission or a P2P transmission within a first period based on a maximum transmission power.

[0258] In a possible implementation, the processing unit 1001 is particularly configured to: perform UL transmission or P2P transmission within a first period based on a maximum transmission power when the user information field includes a first indication field and the first indication field indicates that a station corresponding to the user information field is allowed to perform UL transmission or P2P transmission within a first period; or perform UL transmission or P2P transmission within a first period based on a maximum transmission power when the MU-RTS frame includes a triggered TXOP sharing mode field and the value of the TXOP sharing mode field is 2 or a value other than 0, 1, or 2.

[0259] In some other embodiments of this application, the communication device may be the AP or chip described above, and the chip may be located in the AP. In other words, the communication device may be configured to perform the steps or functions performed by the AP in the above method embodiments (including FIG. 3, embodiment 1, embodiment 2, and embodiment 5), etc.

[0260] The processing unit 1001 is configured to generate a multi-user request to transmit (MU-RTS) frame. The MU-RTS frame includes a plurality of user information fields. The user information fields include an allocation duration field. The user information fields correspond to one station. The allocation duration field indicates a first period corresponding to the station corresponding to the user information field.

[0261] The transceiver unit 1002 is configured to transmit MU-RTS frames.

[0262] In some other embodiments of this application, the communication device may be the STA or chip described above, and the chip may be located within the STA. In other words, the communication device may be configured to perform the steps or functions performed by the STA in the method embodiments described above (including FIG. 3), etc. For example, the communication device may be an undesignated station in a scenario where one station is indicated using one user information field in the MU-RTS frame, and one or more stations indicated using other user information fields in the frame (i.e., no station is designated) (e.g., embodiment 3).

[0263] The transceiver unit 1002 is configured to receive a multi-user request to transmit (MU-RTS) frame. The MU-RTS frame includes a first user information field and a second user information field. The first user information field corresponds to one station. The second user information field corresponds to one or more stations. The first user information field includes a first allocation duration field. The first allocation duration field indicates a first period corresponding to the station corresponding to the first user information field. The second user information field includes a second allocation duration field. The second allocation duration field indicates a second period corresponding to the station corresponding to the second user information field.

[0264] The processing unit 1001 is configured to perform P2P transmission within a second period based on the MU-RTS frame.

[0265] In a possible implementation, the processing unit 1001 is particularly configured to ignore the network allocation vector NAV configured by the access point based on the MU-RTS frame, perform channel contention within a second period, and perform P2P transmission within the second period when the channel contention is successful.

[0266] In a possible implementation, the processing unit 1001 is specifically configured to perform backoff based on the received power of a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) and a first CCA threshold when the PPDU is received, the PPDU including an intra-basic service set BSS PPDU, an inter-BSS PPDU, or a PPDU that cannot be determined as an intra-BSS PPDU or an inter-BSS PPDU, and the first CCA threshold is greater than or equal to a CCA packet detection threshold.

[0267] In a possible implementation, the processing unit 1001 is specifically configured to further perform backoff if the received power of the PPDU is less than or equal to a first CCA threshold, or to stop backoff if the received power of the PPDU exceeds the first CCA threshold.

[0268] In some other embodiments of this application, the communication device may be the AP or chip described above, and the chip may be located within the AP. In other words, the communication device may be configured to perform the steps or functions performed by the AP in the above method embodiments (including FIG. 3 and embodiment 3), etc.

[0269] The processing unit 1001 is configured to generate a multi-user request to transmit (MU-RTS) frame. The MU-RTS frame includes a first user information field and a second user information field. The first user information field corresponds to one station. The second user information field corresponds to one or more stations. The first user information field includes a first allocation duration field. The first allocation duration field indicates a first period corresponding to the station corresponding to the first user information field. The second user information field includes a second allocation duration field. The second allocation duration field indicates a second period corresponding to the station corresponding to the second user information field.

[0270] The transceiver unit 1002 is configured to transmit MU-RTS frames.

[0271] In some other embodiments of this application, the communication device may be the STA or chip described above, and the chip may be located within the STA. In other words, the communication device may be configured to perform the steps or functions performed by the STA in the above method embodiments (including FIG. 3 and embodiment 4), etc.

[0272] The transceiver unit 1002 is configured to receive a multi-user request to transmit (MU-RTS) frame. The MU-RTS frame includes a common information field. The common information field includes a second indication field. The second indication field indicates whether multiple stations are allowed to share a first period. The first period is a period within a transmission opportunity (TXOP).

[0273] The processing unit 1001 is configured to perform point-to-point P2P transmission within the first period based on the MU-RTS frame when the second indication field indicates that multiple stations are allowed to share the first period.

[0274] In a possible implementation, the processing unit 1001 is particularly configured to ignore the network allocation vector NAV configured by the access point based on the MU-RTS frame, perform channel contention within a first period, and when the channel contention is successful, perform P2P transmission within the first period.

[0275] In a possible implementation, the processing unit 1001 is specifically configured to perform backoff based on the received power of the PPDU and a first clear channel assessment (CCA) threshold when a PPDU is received, the PPDU including an intra-basic service set BSS PPDU, an inter-BSS PPDU, or a PPDU that cannot be determined as an intra-BSS PPDU or an inter-BSS PPDU, and the first CCA threshold is greater than or equal to a CCA packet detection threshold.

[0276] In a possible implementation, the processing unit 1001 is specifically configured to further perform backoff if the received power of the PPDU is less than or equal to a first CCA threshold, or to stop backoff if the received power of the PPDU exceeds the first CCA threshold.

[0277] In some other embodiments of this application, the communication device may be the AP or chip described above, and the chip may be located within the AP. In other words, the communication device may be configured to perform steps or functions performed by the AP in the above method embodiments (including FIG. 3 and embodiment 4), etc.

[0278] The processing unit 1001 is configured to generate a multi-user request to transmit (MU-RTS) frame. The MU-RTS frame includes a common information field. The common information field includes a second indication field. The second indication field indicates whether multiple stations are allowed to share a first period. The first period is a period within a transmission opportunity (TXOP).

[0279] The transceiver unit 1002 is configured to transmit MU-RTS frames.

[0280] It can be understood that the specific descriptions of the transceiver unit and the processing unit described in this embodiment of this application are merely examples. For the specific functions or steps performed by the transceiver unit and the processing unit, please refer to the above method embodiment. The details will not be described again here.

[0281] In the above embodiment, for the description of the MU-RTS frame, the user information field, the common information field, and the triggered TXOP sharing mode field, please refer to the description in the above method embodiment, and the details will not be described again here.

[0282] The above describes the communication device in this embodiment of the present application. The following describes possible product forms of the communication device. It should be understood that any form of product having the functions of the communication device in FIG. 10 falls within the scope of protection of the embodiment of the present application. It should be further understood that the following description is merely an example, and the product form of the communication device in the embodiment of the present application is not limited thereto.

[0283] In a possible implementation, in the communication device shown in FIG. 10 , the processing unit may be one or more processors, and the transceiver unit 1002 may be a transceiver, or the transceiver unit 1002 may include a transmitting unit and a receiving unit. The transmitting unit may be a transmitter, and the receiving unit may be a receiver. The transmitting unit and the receiving unit may be integrated into one device, for example, a transceiver. In this embodiment of the present application, the processor and the transceiver may be combined, etc. The manner of connecting the processor and the transceiver is not limited in this embodiment of the present application. In the process of performing the above method, the process of transmitting information in the above method may be understood as a process of the processor outputting the information. When outputting information, the processor outputs the information to the transceiver, and the transceiver thereby transmits the information. After the information is output by the processor, other processing may further be required to be performed on the information before the information reaches the transceiver. Similarly, the process of receiving information in the above method may be understood as a process of receiving input information by the processor. When the processor receives input information, the transceiver receives the information and inputs the information to the processor. Additionally, after the transceiver receives the information, other processing may need to be performed on the information before it is input to the processor.

[0284] As shown in FIG. 11, the communications device 110 includes one or more processors 1120 and a transceiver 1112 .

[0285] In some embodiments of this application, the communication device may be configured to perform steps or functions such as those performed by the STA in the above-described method embodiments (including FIG. 3). For example, the communication device is a secondary station when the primary and secondary stations are distinguished using the MU-RTS frame (e.g., embodiment 1), or is a station designated using the user information field (e.g., embodiment 2 or embodiment 5).

[0286] The transceiver 1112 is configured to receive an MU-RTS frame. The MU-RTS frame includes a plurality of user information fields. The user information fields include an allocation duration field. The user information fields correspond to one station. The allocation duration field indicates a first period corresponding to the station corresponding to the user information field.

[0287] The processor 1120 is configured to perform P2P transmission within a first period based on the MU-RTS frame.

[0288] In a possible implementation, the processor 1120 is particularly configured to ignore the NAV configured by the access point based on the MU-RTS frame, perform channel contention within a first period, and perform P2P transmission within the first period when the channel contention is successful.

[0289] In a possible implementation, the processor 1120 is specifically configured to perform at least one of the following: ignoring the NAV configured by the AP based on the value of the triggered TXOP sharing mode field in the MU-RTS frame; ignoring the NAV configured by the AP based on the number of user information fields in the MU-RTS frame; and ignoring the NAV configured by the AP based on the primary / secondary indication field in the user information field in the MU-RTS frame.

[0290] In one possible implementation, the processor 1120 is specifically configured to perform backoff based on the received power of a PPDU when the PPDU is received, the PPDU including an intra-BSS PPDU, an inter-BSS PPDU, or a PPDU that cannot be determined as an intra-BSS PPDU or an inter-BSS PPDU, and a first CCA threshold value that is greater than or equal to a CCA packet detection threshold.

[0291] In a possible implementation, the processor 1120 is specifically configured to further perform backoff when the received power of the PPDU is less than or equal to a first CCA threshold, or to stop backoff when the received power of the PPDU exceeds the first CCA threshold.

[0292] In a possible implementation, the processor 1120 is specifically configured to perform P2P transmission within a first period based on at least one of the following: an order of corresponding user information fields, a primary / secondary indication field within the corresponding user information field, and a value of a triggered TXOP sharing mode field within the MU-RTS frame.

[0293] In a possible implementation, the processor 1120 is specifically configured to perform P2P transmission within a first period based on a maximum transmission power.

[0294] In a possible implementation, the processor 1120 is particularly configured to: perform P2P transmission within a first period based on a maximum transmission power when the user information field includes a first indication field and the first indication field indicates that the station corresponding to the user information field is allowed to perform P2P transmission within the first period; or perform P2P transmission within a first period based on a maximum transmission power when the MU-RTS frame includes a triggered TXOP sharing mode field and the value of the TXOP sharing mode field is 2 or a value other than 0, 1, or 2.

[0295] In some other embodiments of this application, the communication device may be configured to perform steps or functions such as those performed by the STA in the above-described method embodiments (including FIG. 3). For example, the communication device is a primary station when primary and secondary stations are distinguished using an MU-RTS frame (e.g., embodiment 1), or is a station indicated to perform UL transmission or P2P transmission using a first indication field (e.g., embodiment 5).

[0296] The transceiver 1112 is configured to receive a multi-user request to transmit (MU-RTS) frame. The MU-RTS frame includes a plurality of user information fields. The user information fields include an allocation duration field. The user information fields correspond to one station. The allocation duration field indicates a first period corresponding to the station corresponding to the user information field.

[0297] The processor 1120 is configured to perform, based on the MU-RTS frame, a UL transmission or a P2P transmission within a first period of time.

[0298] In a possible implementation, the processor 1120 is specifically configured to perform a UL transmission or a P2P transmission within a first period based on at least one of the following: an order of corresponding user information fields, a primary / secondary indication field within the corresponding user information field, and a value of a triggered TXOP sharing mode field within the MU-RTS frame.

[0299] In a possible implementation, the processor 1120 is specifically configured to perform UL transmission or P2P transmission within a first period based on a maximum transmission power.

[0300] In a possible implementation, the processor 1120 is particularly configured to: perform UL transmission or P2P transmission within the first period based on the maximum transmit power when the user information field includes a first indication field and the first indication field indicates that the station corresponding to the user information field is allowed to perform UL transmission or P2P transmission within the first period; or perform UL transmission or P2P transmission within the first period based on the maximum transmit power when the MU-RTS frame includes a triggered TXOP sharing mode field and the value of the TXOP sharing mode field is 2 or a value other than 0, 1, or 2.

[0301] In some other embodiments of this application, the communication device may be configured to perform steps or functions such as those performed by the AP in the above method embodiments (including FIG. 3, embodiment 1, embodiment 2, and embodiment 5).

[0302] The processor 1120 is configured to generate a multi-user request to transmit (MU-RTS) frame. The MU-RTS frame includes a plurality of user information fields. The user information fields include an allocation duration field. The user information fields correspond to one station. The allocation duration field indicates a first period corresponding to the station corresponding to the user information field.

[0303] The transceiver 1112 is configured to transmit the MU-RTS frame.

[0304] In some other embodiments of this application, the communication device may be the STA or chip described above, and the chip may be located within the STA. In other words, the communication device may be configured to perform the steps or functions performed by the STA in the method embodiments described above (including FIG. 3), etc. For example, the communication device may be an undesignated station in a scenario where one station is indicated using one user information field in the MU-RTS frame, and one or more stations indicated using other user information fields in the frame (i.e., no station is designated) (e.g., embodiment 3).

[0305] The transceiver 1112 is configured to receive a multi-user request to transmit (MU-RTS) frame. The MU-RTS frame includes a first user information field and a second user information field. The first user information field corresponds to one station. The second user information field corresponds to one or more stations. The first user information field includes a first allocation duration field. The first allocation duration field indicates a first period corresponding to the station corresponding to the first user information field. The second user information field includes a second allocation duration field. The second allocation duration field indicates a second period corresponding to the station corresponding to the second user information field.

[0306] The processor 1120 is configured to perform P2P transmission within a second period based on the MU-RTS frame.

[0307] In a possible implementation, the processor 1120 is particularly configured to ignore the network allocation vector NAV configured by the access point based on the MU-RTS frame, perform channel contention within a second period, and perform P2P transmission within the second period when the channel contention is successful.

[0308] In one possible implementation, the processor 1120 is specifically configured to perform backoff based on the received power of a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) and a first CCA threshold when the PPDU is received, the PPDU including an intra-basic service set BSS PPDU, an inter-BSS PPDU, or a PPDU that cannot be determined as an intra-BSS PPDU or an inter-BSS PPDU, and the first CCA threshold is greater than or equal to a CCA packet detection threshold.

[0309] In a possible implementation, the processor 1120 is specifically configured to further perform backoff when the received power of the PPDU is less than or equal to a first CCA threshold, or to stop backoff when the received power of the PPDU exceeds the first CCA threshold.

[0310] In some other embodiments of this application, the communication device may be configured to perform steps or functions such as those performed by the AP in the method embodiments described above (including FIG. 3 and embodiment 3).

[0311] The processor 1120 is configured to generate a multi-user request to transmit (MU-RTS) frame. The MU-RTS frame includes a first user information field and a second user information field. The first user information field corresponds to one station. The second user information field corresponds to one or more stations. The first user information field includes a first allocation duration field. The first allocation duration field indicates a first period corresponding to the station corresponding to the first user information field. The second user information field includes a second allocation duration field. The second allocation duration field indicates a second period corresponding to the station corresponding to the second user information field.

[0312] The transceiver 1112 is configured to transmit the MU-RTS frame.

[0313] In some other embodiments of this application, the communication device may be the STA or chip described above, and the chip may be located within the STA. In other words, the communication device may be configured to perform the steps or functions performed by the STA in the above method embodiments (including FIG. 3 and embodiment 4), etc.

[0314] The transceiver 1112 is configured to receive a multi-user request to transmit (MU-RTS) frame. The MU-RTS frame includes a common information field. The common information field includes a second indication field. The second indication field indicates whether multiple stations are allowed to share a first period. The first period is a period within a transmission opportunity (TXOP).

[0315] The processor 1120 is configured to perform point-to-point P2P transmission within the first period based on the MU-RTS frame when the second indication field indicates that multiple stations are allowed to share the first period.

[0316] In a possible implementation, the processor 1120 is particularly configured to ignore the network allocation vector NAV configured by the access point based on the MU-RTS frame, perform channel contention within a first period, and when the channel contention is successful, perform P2P transmission within the first period.

[0317] In one possible implementation, the processor 1120 is specifically configured to perform backoff based on the received power of the PPDU when a PPDU is received, the PPDU including an intra-basic service set BSS PPDU, an inter-BSS PPDU, or a PPDU that cannot be determined as an intra-BSS PPDU or an inter-BSS PPDU, and a first clear channel assessment (CCA) threshold value that is greater than or equal to a CCA packet detection threshold.

[0318] In a possible implementation, the processor 1120 is specifically configured to further perform backoff when the received power of the PPDU is less than or equal to a first CCA threshold, or to stop backoff when the received power of the PPDU exceeds the first CCA threshold.

[0319] In some other embodiments of this application, the communication device may be configured to perform steps or functions such as those performed by the AP in the method embodiments described above (including FIG. 3 and embodiment 4).

[0320] The processor 1120 is configured to generate a multi-user request to transmit (MU-RTS) frame. The MU-RTS frame includes a common information field. The common information field includes a second indication field. The second indication field indicates whether multiple stations are allowed to share a first period. The first period is a period within a transmission opportunity (TXOP).

[0321] The transceiver 1112 is configured to transmit the MU-RTS frame.

[0322] It can be understood that the specific description of the transceiver and the processor described in this embodiment of this application is merely an example. For the specific functions or steps performed by the transceiver and the processor, please refer to the above method embodiment. The details will not be described again here.

[0323] In the above embodiment, for the description of the MU-RTS frame, the user information field, the common information field, and the triggered TXOP sharing mode field, please refer to the description in the above method embodiment, and the details will not be described again here.

[0324] In each implementation of the communication apparatus shown in Figure 11, the transceiver may include a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver is configured to perform a receiving function (or operation). The transmitter is configured to perform a transmitting function (or operation). The transceiver is configured to communicate with other devices / apparatuses over a transmission medium.

[0325] Optionally, the communication device 110 may further include one or more memories 1130 configured to store program instructions and / or data, etc. The memory 1130 is coupled to the processor 1120. The coupling in this embodiment of the application may be an electrical, mechanical, or other form of indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, and is used to exchange information between the devices, units, or modules. The processor 1120 may operate in cooperation with the memory 1130. The processor 1120 may execute program instructions stored in the memory 1130. Optionally, at least one of the one or more memories may be included in the processor.

[0326] The specific connection medium between the transceiver 1112, the processor 1120, and the memory 1130 is not limited in this embodiment of the present application. In this embodiment of the present application, the memory 1130, the processor 1120, and the transceiver 1112 are connected through a bus 1140 in FIG. 11. The bus is represented using a thick line in FIG. 11. The connection manner between other components is merely an example for explanation and is not limited thereto. The bus may be determined as an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, or the like. For ease of notation, only one thick line is shown in FIG. 11 as a bus, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0327] In this embodiment of the present application, the processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component, etc., which may implement or perform the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in this embodiment of the present application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the methods disclosed in connection with the embodiments of the present application may be performed directly by a hardware processor, or may be performed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor.

[0328] In this embodiment of the application, the memory may include, but is not limited to, a non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), a random access memory (RAM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), a read-only memory (ROM), or a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM). The memory is any storage medium that can be utilized to carry or store program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be read and / or written by a computer (e.g., a communication device shown in this application). However, this is not limited thereto. The memory in this embodiment of the application may alternatively be a circuit or any other device capable of implementing a storage function and configured to store program instructions and / or data.

[0329] For example, the processor 1120 is primarily configured to process communication protocols and communication data, control the entire communication device, execute software programs, and process data of the software programs. The memory 1130 is primarily configured to store software programs and data. The transceiver 1112 may include control circuitry and an antenna. The control circuitry is primarily configured to convert between baseband signals and radio frequency signals and process the radio frequency signals. The antenna is primarily configured to receive and transmit radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. An input / output device, such as a touchscreen, display, or keyboard, is primarily configured to receive data input by a user and output data to a user.

[0330] After the communication device is powered on, the processor 1120 may read the software program in the memory 1130, interpret and execute the instructions of the software program, and process data of the software program. When data needs to be transmitted wirelessly, the processor 1120 performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted and then outputs the baseband signal to the radio frequency circuit. The radio frequency circuit performs radio frequency processing on the baseband signal and then sends the radio frequency signal through an antenna in the form of electromagnetic waves. When data is to be transmitted to the communication device, the radio frequency circuit receives the radio frequency signal through the antenna, converts the radio frequency signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor 1120. The processor 1120 converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0331] In other implementations, the radio frequency circuitry and antenna may be located independently of the processor that performs the baseband processing, for example, in a distributed scenario, the radio frequency circuitry and antenna may be located remotely independent of the communication device.

[0332] It can be understood that the communication device shown in this embodiment of the present application may further include more components than those in FIG. 11 , etc. This is not limited to this embodiment of the present application. The above methods performed by the processor and the transceiver are merely examples. For specific steps performed by the processor and the transceiver, please refer to the methods described above.

[0333] In another possible implementation, in the communication device shown in FIG. 10, the processing unit 1001 may be one or more logic circuits, and the transceiver unit 1002 may be an input / output interface, also referred to as a communication interface, interface circuit, or interface. Alternatively, the transceiver unit 1002 may be a transmitting unit and a receiving unit. The transmitting unit may be an output interface, and the receiving unit may be an input interface. The transmitting unit and the receiving unit may be integrated into one unit, for example, an input / output interface. As shown in FIG. 12, the communication device shown in FIG. 12 includes a logic circuit 1201 and an interface 1202. In other words, the processing unit 1001 may be implemented using the logic circuit 1201, and the transceiver unit 1002 may be implemented using the interface 1202. The logic circuit 1201 may be a chip, a processing circuit, an integrated circuit, a system on chip (SoC), or the like. The interface 1202 may be a communication interface, an input / output interface, a pin, or the like. For example, an example in which the above communication device is a chip is used in Figure 12. The chip includes a logic circuit 1201 and an interface 1202.

[0334] In this embodiment of the present application, the logic circuit and the interface may further be coupled to each other, and the specific connection manner between the logic circuit and the interface is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0335] In some embodiments of this application, the communication device may be configured to perform steps or functions such as those performed by the STA in the above-described method embodiments (including FIG. 3). For example, the communication device is a secondary station when the primary and secondary stations are distinguished using the MU-RTS frame (e.g., embodiment 1), or is a station designated using the user information field (e.g., embodiment 2 or embodiment 5).

[0336] The interface 1202 is configured to input an MU-RTS frame. The MU-RTS frame includes a plurality of user information fields. The user information fields include an allocation duration field. The user information fields correspond to one station. The allocation duration field indicates a first period corresponding to the station corresponding to the user information field.

[0337] The logic circuit 1201 is configured to perform a P2P transmission within a first period based on the MU-RTS frame.

[0338] In a possible implementation, the logic circuit 1201 is particularly configured to ignore the NAV configured by the access point based on the MU-RTS frame, perform channel contention within a first period, and perform P2P transmission within the first period when the channel contention is successful.

[0339] In a possible implementation, the logic circuit 1201 is specifically configured to perform at least one of the following: ignoring the NAV configured by the AP based on the value of the triggered TXOP sharing mode field in the MU-RTS frame; ignoring the NAV configured by the AP based on the number of user information fields in the MU-RTS frame; and ignoring the NAV configured by the AP based on the primary / secondary indication field in the user information field in the MU-RTS frame.

[0340] In one possible implementation, the logic circuit 1201 is specifically configured to perform backoff based on the received power of a PPDU when the PPDU is received, including an intra-BSS PPDU, an inter-BSS PPDU, or a PPDU that cannot be determined as an intra-BSS PPDU or an inter-BSS PPDU, and a first CCA threshold value that is greater than or equal to a CCA packet detection threshold.

[0341] In a possible implementation, the logic circuit 1201 is specifically configured to further perform backoff if the received power of the PPDU is less than or equal to a first CCA threshold, or to stop backoff if the received power of the PPDU exceeds the first CCA threshold.

[0342] In a possible implementation, the logic circuit 1201 is specifically configured to perform P2P transmission within a first period based on at least one of the following: an order of corresponding user information fields, a primary / secondary indication field within the corresponding user information field, and a value of a triggered TXOP sharing mode field within the MU-RTS frame.

[0343] In a possible implementation, the logic circuit 1201 is specifically configured to perform P2P transmission within a first period based on a maximum transmission power.

[0344] In a possible implementation, the logic circuit 1201 is particularly configured to: perform P2P transmission within a first period based on a maximum transmit power when the user information field includes a first indication field and the first indication field indicates that a station corresponding to the user information field is allowed to perform P2P transmission within the first period; or perform P2P transmission within a first period based on a maximum transmit power when the MU-RTS frame includes a triggered TXOP sharing mode field and the value of the TXOP sharing mode field is 2 or a value other than 0, 1, or 2.

[0345] In some other embodiments of this application, the communication device may be configured to perform steps or functions such as those performed by the STA in the above-described method embodiments (including FIG. 3). For example, the communication device is a primary station when primary and secondary stations are distinguished using an MU-RTS frame (e.g., embodiment 1), or is a station indicated to perform UL transmission or P2P transmission using a first indication field (e.g., embodiment 5).

[0346] The interface 1202 is configured to input a multi-user request to transmit (MU-RTS) frame. The MU-RTS frame includes a plurality of user information fields. The user information fields include an allocation duration field. The user information fields correspond to one station. The allocation duration field indicates a first period corresponding to the station corresponding to the user information field.

[0347] The logic circuit 1201 is configured to perform a UL transmission or a P2P transmission within a first period based on the MU-RTS frame.

[0348] In a possible implementation, the logic circuit 1201 is specifically configured to perform a UL transmission or a P2P transmission within a first period based on at least one of the following: an order of corresponding user information fields, a primary / secondary indication field within the corresponding user information field, and a value of a triggered TXOP sharing mode field within the MU-RTS frame.

[0349] In a possible implementation, the logic circuit 1201 is specifically configured to perform a UL transmission or a P2P transmission within a first period based on a maximum transmission power.

[0350] In a possible implementation, the logic circuit 1201 is particularly configured to: perform UL transmission or P2P transmission within a first period based on a maximum transmit power when the user information field includes a first indication field and the first indication field indicates that a station corresponding to the user information field is allowed to perform UL transmission or P2P transmission within a first period; or perform UL transmission or P2P transmission within a first period based on a maximum transmit power when the MU-RTS frame includes a triggered TXOP sharing mode field and the value of the TXOP sharing mode field is 2 or a value other than 0, 1, or 2.

[0351] In some other embodiments of this application, the communication device may be configured to perform steps or functions such as those performed by the AP in the above method embodiments (including FIG. 3, embodiment 1, embodiment 2, and embodiment 5).

[0352] The logic circuit 1201 is configured to generate a multi-user request to transmit (MU-RTS) frame. The MU-RTS frame includes a plurality of user information fields. The user information fields include an allocation duration field. The user information fields correspond to one station. The allocation duration field indicates a first period corresponding to the station corresponding to the user information field.

[0353] The interface 1202 is configured to output MU-RTS frames.

[0354] In some other embodiments of this application, the communication device may be configured to perform steps or functions such as those performed by the STAs in the method embodiments described above (including FIG. 3). For example, the communication device may be an undesignated station in a scenario where one station is indicated using one user information field in the MU-RTS frame, and one or more stations are indicated using other user information fields in the frame (i.e., no stations are designated) (e.g., embodiment 3).

[0355] The interface 1202 is configured to input a multi-user request to transmit (MU-RTS) frame. The MU-RTS frame includes a first user information field and a second user information field. The first user information field corresponds to one station. The second user information field corresponds to one or more stations. The first user information field includes a first allocation duration field. The first allocation duration field indicates a first period corresponding to the station corresponding to the first user information field. The second user information field includes a second allocation duration field. The second allocation duration field indicates a second period corresponding to the station corresponding to the second user information field.

[0356] The logic circuit 1201 is configured to perform P2P transmission within a second period based on the MU-RTS frame.

[0357] In a possible implementation, the logic circuit 1201 is particularly configured to ignore the network allocation vector NAV configured by the access point based on the MU-RTS frame, perform channel contention within a second period, and perform P2P transmission within the second period when the channel contention is successful.

[0358] In one possible implementation, the logic circuit 1201 is specifically configured to perform backoff based on the received power of a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) and a first CCA threshold when the PPDU is received, the PPDU including an intra-basic service set BSS PPDU, an inter-BSS PPDU, or a PPDU that cannot be determined as an intra-BSS PPDU or an inter-BSS PPDU, and the first CCA threshold is greater than or equal to a CCA packet detection threshold.

[0359] In a possible implementation, the logic circuit 1201 is specifically configured to further perform backoff if the received power of the PPDU is less than or equal to a first CCA threshold, or to stop backoff if the received power of the PPDU exceeds the first CCA threshold.

[0360] In some other embodiments of this application, the communication device may be configured to perform steps or functions such as those performed by the AP in the method embodiments described above (including FIG. 3 and embodiment 3).

[0361] Logic circuit 1201 is configured to generate a multi-user request to transmit (MU-RTS) frame. The MU-RTS frame includes a first user information field and a second user information field. The first user information field corresponds to one station. The second user information field corresponds to one or more stations. The first user information field includes a first allocation duration field. The first allocation duration field indicates a first period corresponding to the station corresponding to the first user information field. The second user information field includes a second allocation duration field. The second allocation duration field indicates a second period corresponding to the station corresponding to the second user information field.

[0362] The interface 1202 is configured to output MU-RTS frames.

[0363] In some other embodiments of this application, the communication device may be configured to perform steps or functions such as those performed by the STA in the method embodiments described above (including FIG. 3 and embodiment 4).

[0364] The interface 1202 is configured to input a multi-user request to transmit (MU-RTS) frame. The MU-RTS frame includes a common information field. The common information field includes a second indication field. The second indication field indicates whether multiple stations are allowed to share a first period. The first period is a period within a transmission opportunity (TXOP).

[0365] The logic circuit 1201 is configured to perform point-to-point P2P transmission within the first period based on the MU-RTS frame when the second indication field indicates that multiple stations are allowed to share the first period.

[0366] In a possible implementation, the logic circuit 1201 is particularly configured to ignore the network allocation vector NAV configured by the access point based on the MU-RTS frame, perform channel contention within a first period, and when the channel contention is successful, perform P2P transmission within the first period.

[0367] In one possible implementation, the logic circuit 1201 is specifically configured to perform backoff based on the received power of the PPDU when a PPDU is received, including an intra-basic service set BSS PPDU, an inter-BSS PPDU, or a PPDU that cannot be determined as an intra-BSS PPDU or an inter-BSS PPDU, and a first clear channel assessment (CCA) threshold value that is greater than or equal to a CCA packet detection threshold.

[0368] In a possible implementation, the logic circuit 1201 is specifically configured to further perform backoff if the received power of the PPDU is less than or equal to a first CCA threshold, or to stop backoff if the received power of the PPDU exceeds the first CCA threshold.

[0369] In some other embodiments of this application, the communication device may be the AP or chip described above, and the chip may be located within the AP. In other words, the communication device may be configured to perform steps or functions performed by the AP in the above method embodiments (including FIG. 3 and embodiment 4), etc.

[0370] The logic circuit 1201 is configured to generate a multi-user request to transmit (MU-RTS) frame. The MU-RTS frame includes a common information field. The common information field includes a second indication field. The second indication field indicates whether multiple stations are allowed to share a first period. The first period is a period within a transmission opportunity (TXOP).

[0371] The interface 1202 is configured to output MU-RTS frames.

[0372] It can be understood that the specific descriptions of the logic circuits and interfaces shown in this embodiment of this application are merely examples. For the specific functions or steps performed by the logic circuits and interfaces, please refer to the above method embodiments. The details will not be described again here.

[0373] In the above embodiment, for the description of the MU-RTS frame, the user information field, the common information field, and the triggered TXOP sharing mode field, please refer to the description in the above method embodiment, and the details will not be described again here.

[0374] It can be understood that the communication device shown in this embodiment of this application can implement the method provided in this embodiment of this application in the form of hardware or software, which is not limited to this embodiment of this application.

[0375] For the specific implementation of the embodiment shown in Figure 12, please refer to the above embodiment, and the details will not be described again here.

[0376] An embodiment of the present application further provides a wireless communication system. The wireless communication system includes a station (STA) and an access point (AP). The station and the AP may be configured to perform the method in any one of the above embodiments (e.g., FIG. 3, embodiments 1 to 5).

[0377] In addition, this application further provides a computer program, which is utilized to implement the actions and / or processes performed by the STA in the methods provided in this application.

[0378] This application further provides a computer program, which is utilized to implement the actions and / or processes performed by the AP in the methods provided in this application.

[0379] This application further provides a computer-readable storage medium that stores computer code that, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to perform the actions and / or processes performed by the STA in the methods provided in this application.

[0380] This application further provides a computer-readable storage medium that stores computer code that, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to perform the actions and / or processes performed by the AP in the methods provided in this application.

[0381] This application further provides a computer program product, which includes computer code or a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, performs the actions and / or processes performed by the STA in the methods provided in this application.

[0382] This application further provides a computer program product, which includes computer code or a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, performs the actions and / or processes performed by the AP in the methods provided in this application.

[0383] In some embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices, and methods may be implemented in other manners. For example, the described device embodiments are merely examples. For example, the division into units is merely a logical functional division. In actual implementation, other division methods may be used. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into other systems, or some features may be omitted or not implemented. In addition, the shown or discussed mutual couplings, direct couplings, or communication connections may be indirect connections, or communication connections via several interfaces, devices, or units, or may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms of connection.

[0384] The units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and the parts shown as units may or may not be physical units, and may be located in one place or distributed over multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual requirements to achieve the technical effects of the solutions provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0385] In addition, the functional units in the embodiments of this application may be integrated into one processing unit, each of the units may exist physically independently, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit. The integrated unit may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional unit.

[0386] When an integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, the integrated unit may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application may essentially be incorporated, or a portion of the technical solution may be incorporated in the form of a software product. The computer software product may be stored in a readable storage medium and include instructions for instructing a computer device (such as a personal computer, a server, or a network device) to perform all or part of the steps of the method described in the embodiments of this application. The readable storage medium may include any medium capable of storing program code, such as a USB flash drive, a removable hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0387] The above description is merely a specific implementation of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Any modifications or substitutions that are readily understood by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should fall within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be subject to the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. 1. A channel contention based communication method, the method comprising: receiving a multi-user request to send (MU-RTS) frame, the MU-RTS frame including a plurality of user information fields, the user information fields including allocation duration fields, one user information field corresponding to one station, the allocation duration field indicating a first period corresponding to the station corresponding to the user information field; performing point-to-point P2P transmission within the first period based on the MU-RTS frame; A method comprising:

2. The step of performing P2P transmission within the first period based on the MU-RTS frame includes: ignoring a network allocation vector NAV configured by an access point based on the MU-RTS frame, performing channel contention within the first period, and performing P2P transmission within the first period when the channel contention is successful. The method of claim 1.

3. The step of performing channel contention within the first time period comprises: performing a backoff based on a received power of a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) and a first clear channel assessment (CCA) threshold when the PPDU is received, the PPDU including an intra-basic service set (BSS) PPDU, an inter-BSS PPDU, or a PPDU that cannot be determined as an intra-BSS PPDU or an inter-BSS PPDU, and the first CCA threshold is greater than or equal to a CCA packet detection threshold; The method of claim 2.

4. The step of performing a backoff based on the received power of the PPDU and a first clear channel assessment (CCA) threshold includes: further performing a backoff if the received power of the PPDU is less than or equal to the first CCA threshold; or stopping backoff if the received power of the PPDU exceeds the first CCA threshold. Including, The method of claim 3.

5. The plurality of user information fields include at least one first user information field, and a station corresponding to the first user information field is a secondary station. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. the first user information field is a user information field that is not the first of the plurality of user information fields; or the first user information field further includes a primary / secondary indication field, and the primary / secondary indication field indicates that the station corresponding to the first user information field is the secondary station; The method of claim 5.

7. The MU-RTS frame further includes a triggered transmission opportunity TXOP sharing mode field, and the value of the triggered TXOP sharing mode field is 2 or a value other than 0, 1, or 2; The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. performing P2P transmission within the first period based on the MU-RTS frame includes performing P2P transmission within the first period based on at least one of the following: an order of corresponding user information fields; a primary / secondary indication field in the corresponding user information field; and the value of the triggered TXOP sharing mode field in the MU-RTS frame.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7.

9. the user information field further includes a power indication field, the power indication field indicating a maximum transmission power of the station corresponding to the user information field during the first time period; The method of claim 1.

10. The step of performing P2P transmission within the first period based on the MU-RTS frame includes: performing P2P transmission within the first time period based on the maximum transmission power; 10. The method of claim 9.

11. The step of performing P2P transmission within the first time period based on the maximum transmission power includes: performing P2P transmission within the first period based on the maximum transmission power when the user information field includes a first indication field and the first indication field indicates that the station corresponding to the user information field is allowed to perform P2P transmission within the first period; or performing P2P transmission within the first period based on the maximum transmission power when the MU-RTS frame includes a triggered TXOP sharing mode field and the value of the TXOP sharing mode field is 2 or a value other than 0, 1, or 2; Including, The method of claim 10.

12. 1. A channel contention based communication method, the method comprising: receiving a multi-user request to send (MU-RTS) frame, the MU-RTS frame including a plurality of user information fields, the user information fields including allocation duration fields, one user information field corresponding to one station, the allocation duration field indicating a first period corresponding to the station corresponding to the user information field; performing uplink UL transmission or point-to-point P2P transmission within the first period based on the MU-RTS frame; A method comprising:

13. the plurality of user information fields includes a second user information field, the second user information field corresponding to a primary station; The method of claim 12.

14. the second user information field is a first user information field of the plurality of user information fields; or the second user information field further includes a primary / secondary indication field, and the primary / secondary indication field indicates that the station corresponding to the second user information field is the primary station; The method of claim 13.

15. The MU-RTS frame further includes a triggered transmission opportunity TXOP sharing mode field, and the value of the triggered TXOP sharing mode field is 2 or a value other than 0, 1, or 2; The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14.

16. performing UL transmission or P2P transmission within the first time period based on the MU-RTS frame includes performing UL transmission or P2P transmission within the first time period based on at least one of the following: an order of corresponding user information fields; a primary / secondary indication field within the corresponding user information field; and the value of the triggered TXOP sharing mode field in the MU-RTS frame.

16. The method of claim 14 or 15.

17. the user information field further includes a power indication field, the power indication field indicating a maximum transmission power of the station corresponding to the user information field during the first time period; The method of claim 12.

18. The step of performing UL transmission or P2P transmission within the first period based on the MU-RTS frame includes: performing an UL transmission or a P2P transmission within the first time period based on the maximum transmission power; 18. The method of claim 17.

19. The step of performing UL transmission or P2P transmission within the first time period based on the maximum transmission power includes: performing UL transmission or P2P transmission within the first period based on the maximum transmit power when the user information field includes a first indication field and the first indication field indicates that the station corresponding to the user information field is allowed to perform UL transmission or P2P transmission within the first period; or performing UL transmission or P2P transmission within the first period based on the maximum transmit power when the MU-RTS frame includes a triggered TXOP sharing mode field and the value of the TXOP sharing mode field is 2 or a value other than 0, 1, or 2; 20. The method of claim 18.

20. 1. A channel contention based communication method, the method comprising: generating a multi-user request to send (MU-RTS) frame, the MU-RTS frame including a plurality of user information fields, the user information fields including an allocation duration field, one user information field corresponding to one station, the allocation duration field indicating a first period corresponding to the station corresponding to the user information field; transmitting the MU-RTS frame; A method comprising:

21. The MU-RTS frame further includes a triggered transmission opportunity TXOP sharing mode field, and the value of the triggered TXOP sharing mode field is 2 or a value other than 0, 1, or 2; 21. The method of claim 20.

22. The plurality of user information fields include at least one first user information field, and a station corresponding to the first user information field is a secondary station.

22. The method of claim 20 or 21.

23. the first user information field is a user information field that is not the first of the plurality of user information fields; or the first user information field further includes a primary / secondary indication field, and the primary / secondary indication field indicates that the station corresponding to the first user information field is the secondary station; 23. The method of claim 22.

24. the plurality of user information fields includes a second user information field, the second user information field corresponding to a primary station; The method according to any one of claims 20 to 23.

25. the second user information field is a first user information field of the plurality of user information fields; or the second user information field further includes a primary / secondary indication field, and the primary / secondary indication field indicates that the station corresponding to the second user information field is the primary station; 25. The method of claim 24.

26. the user information field further includes a power indication field, the power indication field indicating a maximum transmission power of the station corresponding to the user information field during the first time period; 22. The method of claim 20 or 21.

27. the user information field further includes a first indication field; The first indication field indicates that the station corresponding to the user information field is allowed to perform uplink UL transmission or point-to-point P2P transmission within the first period; or the first indication field indicates that the station corresponding to the user information field is allowed to perform P2P transmission within the first period; 27. The method of claim 26.

28. A communication device comprising a unit configured to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 27.

29. A communications device comprising a processor and a memory, the processor configured to store computer instructions, the processor configured to execute the computer instructions, thereby performing a method according to any one of claims 1 to 27.

30. 28. A computer-readable storage medium configured to store instructions that, when executed, perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 27.

31. 28. A communications device comprising a logic circuit and an interface, said logic circuit coupled to said interface, said interface configured to input and / or output code instructions, said logic circuit configured to execute said code instructions, thereby performing a method according to any one of claims 1 to 27.

32. A communication system including a station STA and an access point AP, wherein the STA is configured to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 19, and the AP is configured to perform the method of any one of claims 20 to 27.

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