Communication method and communication device

Abstract

The embodiments of the present application are applied to, for example, wireless local area network systems supporting next-generation Wi-Fi protocols such as IEEE 802.11ax, e.g., 802.11be, Wi-Fi 7, or EHT. As another example, the embodiments of the present application are applied to wireless local area network systems supporting 802.11 series protocols such as the next-generation 802.11be protocol, Wi-Fi 8, UHR, and Wi-Fi AI. Alternatively, the embodiments of the present application may be applied to UWB-based wireless personal area network systems, transmission systems, and the like. The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and apparatus. In the method, a transmitting MLD transmits a first element to a receiving MLD by using a link, where the first element includes first information and second information. The second information more clearly indicates the link on which the TWT SP aligned with the individual TWT SP on the reference link indicated by the first information should be set up, thereby specifying a method for setting up aligned individual TWT SPs on multiple links by using one link.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202211262326.2, entitled "COMMUNICATION METHOD AND COMMUNICATION APPARATUS," filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on October 14, 2022, and Chinese Patent Application No. 202211330156.7, entitled "COMMUNICATION METHOD AND COMMUNICATION APPARATUS," filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on October 27, 2022, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communications, and more particularly to communication methods and devices. [Background technology]

[0003] Target wake time (TWT) is an energy-saving technique. The core idea is to set several periodic time periods so that some devices only need to be active during these time periods and can sleep during other time periods, thereby implementing energy savings. These active time periods are called TWT service periods (SPs). Two multi-link devices (MLDs) that support multi-link communication can each set up an individual TWT SP on each of multiple links, and each individual TWT SP can include multiple periodically occurring TWT service periods.

[0004] Some MLD devices can operate on only one link at a time. When an MLD device performs link switching, it is not expected that the TWT period set up on the previous link will be interrupted. Therefore, setting up aligned individual TWT SPs on multiple links is a reasonable solution. However, currently, methods are provided for setting up aligned individual TWT SPs on multiple links associated with two MLDs by using one link associated with two MLDs, but a method for setting up aligned individual TWT SPs on multiple links by using one link is not clearly provided. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present application provides a communication method and a communication device to specify a method for setting up individual TWT SPs aligned on multiple links by using one link. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to a first aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be performed by a receiving device, or can be performed by a chip or circuit configured in the receiving device. This is not limited in the present application. For ease of explanation, an example in which the method is performed by a receiving device is used below for explanation.

[0007] The method may include: a receiving device receiving a first frame, the first frame including a first element, the first element being used to request setting up an individual target wake time TWT service period SP, the first element including first information and second information, the first information indicating a first link on which the individual TWT SP is requested to be set up, the second information indicating N second links on which the individual TWT SP is requested to be set up, the N second individual TWT SPs set up on the N second links need to be aligned with the first individual TWT SP on the first link, the N second individual TWT SPs have a one-to-one correspondence with the N second links, the first link and the second link are communication links between the transmitting device and the receiving device, and the N second links are different links, and N is a positive integer. The receiving device sets up a first individual TWT SP on the first link and N second individual TWT SPs on N second links based on the first factor, and performs communication on the corresponding links based on the first individual TWT SP and the N second individual TWT SPs.

[0008] It should be understood that aligning a first individual TWT SP with a second individual TWT SP means that the times at which devices wake (i.e., the times at which data is transmitted and received) at the two individual TWT SPs are aligned.

[0009] It should be further appreciated that the transmitting device may transmit the first frame on any link associated with the transmitting device and the receiving device, and correspondingly, the receiving device may receive the first frame on any link.

[0010] In the above technical solution, the second information indicates a link on which the aligned individual TWT SP needs to be set up, and the first information indicates that multiple individual TWT SPs are aligned on multiple links by using the first link as a reference link. Thus, a method for setting up aligned individual TWT SPs on multiple links by using one link is specified.

[0011] In some implementations of the first aspect, the first element includes third information, where the third information indicates information about a first individual TWT SP, and the information about the first individual TWT SP includes a start time of the first individual TWT SP. Setting up the first individual TWT SP on the first link and setting up N second individual TWT SPs on the N second links based on the first element includes the receiving device setting up the first individual TWT SP on the first link based on the information about the first individual TWT SP. The receiving device determines information about the N second individual TWT SPs, where the information about the second individual TWT SP includes a start time of the second individual TWT SP, and the start time of the second individual TWT SP is determined based on the start time of the first individual TWT SP. The receiving device sets up the N second individual TWT SPs on the N second links based on the information about the N second individual TWT SPs.

[0012] Optionally, the information about the first individual TWT SP further includes wake intervals and wake durations in each wake interval of the first individual TWT SP.

[0013] It should be understood that when the first individual TWT SP and the second individual TWT SP are aligned, the wake intervals of the two individual TWT SPs are the same and the durations of the SPs in the wake intervals are the same. In this case, the receiving device can determine the wake interval and the duration of the SPs in the wake interval of the first individual TWT SP based on the wake interval and the duration of the SPs in the wake interval of the first individual TWT SP.

[0014] In the above technical solution, the first element includes information about individual TWT SPs on the reference link, and the receiving device can separately determine corresponding time points in the time axis of the N second links that are of the reference link start time by using the reference link start time as an alignment criterion.

[0015] In some implementation forms of the first aspect, after the start time of the second individual TWT SP is determined based on the start time of the first individual TWT SP, the second individual TWT SP is aligned with the first individual TWT SP.

[0016] In some implementations of the first aspect, the start time TWT of the second individual TWT SP is j TWT j =TWT i +TWT offset where TWT i is the start time of the first individual TWT SP, and offset The value of is equal to the difference between the Time Synchronization Function TSF timer of the first link and the TSF timer of the second link.

[0017] In some implementations of the first aspect, the first element further includes fourth information, and the fourth information indicates that the first element includes the second information.

[0018] In the above technical solution, the receiving device can be clearly notified whether the first element is used to set up an aligned TWT SP by using the fourth information, which helps the receiving device quickly determine whether an aligned TWT SP needs to be set up.

[0019] In some implementation forms of the first aspect, when the first element is a TWT element, the fourth information is an aligned TWT field within a control field of the TWT element.

[0020] In some implementation forms of the first aspect, when the first element is a TWT element, the first information is a link ID bitmap field or a link ID field in a TWT parameter information field of the TWT element, and the second information is an aligned TWT bitmap field in the TWT parameter information field.

[0021] In some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes the receiving device transmitting a second frame, the second frame including a second element, the second element including fifth information, and the fifth information indicating that the receiving device confirms acceptance of the setup of the individual TWT SPs on the first link and the N second links.

[0022] According to a second aspect, a communication method is provided. The method may be performed by a transmitting device, or may be performed by a chip or circuit configured in the transmitting device. This is not limited in the present application. For ease of explanation, an example in which the method is performed by a transmitting device is used below for explanation.

[0023] The method may include a transmitting device generating a first frame, the first frame including a first element, the first element being used to request setting up individual target wake time TWT service periods SP, the first element including first information and second information, the first information indicating a first link on which the individual TWT SP is requested to be set up, the second information indicating N second links on which the individual TWT SP is requested to be set up, the N second individual TWT SPs set up on the N second links need to be aligned with the first individual TWT SP on the first link, the N second individual TWT SPs correspond one-to-one to the N second links, the first link and the second link are communication links between the transmitting device and the receiving device, the N second links are different links, and N is a positive integer. The transmitting device transmits the first frame.

[0024] For the beneficial effects of the second aspect, please refer to the description of the first aspect, and the details will not be described again here.

[0025] In some implementation forms of the second aspect, the first element includes third information, the third information indicates information about the first individual TWT SP, and the information about the first individual TWT SP includes a start time of the first individual TWT SP.

[0026] In some implementations of the second aspect, aligning the second individual TWT SP with the first individual TWT SP includes aligning a start time of the first individual TWT SP with a start time of the first individual TWT SP.

[0027] In some implementations of the second aspect, the first element further includes fourth information, and the fourth information indicates that the first element includes the second information.

[0028] In some implementation forms of the second aspect, when the first element is a TWT element, the fourth information is an aligned TWT subfield in a control field of the TWT element.

[0029] In some implementation forms of the second aspect, when the first element is a TWT element, the first information is a Link ID Bitmap field or a Link ID field in a TWT Parameter Information field of the TWT element, and the second information is an Aligned TWT Bitmap subfield in the TWT Parameter Information field.

[0030] In some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes the transmitting device receiving a second frame, the second frame including a second element, the second element including fifth information, and the fifth information indicating that the receiving device confirms acceptance of the setup of the individual TWT SPs on the first link and the N second links.

[0031] According to a third aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be performed by a receiving device, or can be performed by a chip or circuit configured in the receiving device. This is not limited in the present application. For ease of explanation, an example in which the method is performed by a receiving device is used below for explanation.

[0032] The method may include a receiving device receiving a first frame, the first frame including M first elements, the first elements being used to request setting up individual TWT SPs, the first elements including first information and second information, the first information indicating a target link for which an individual target wake time TWT service period SP is requested to be set up, and the second information indicating information about the target individual TWT SPs on the target link, the M target individual TWT SPs corresponding to the M first elements being aligned, the target link being a communication link between the transmitting device and the receiving device, and M being an integer greater than 1. The receiving device sets up the M target individual TWT SPs on the M target links based on the information about the M target individual TWT SPs included in the M first elements, the M target links being different links. The receiving device performs communication on the corresponding links based on the M target individual TWT SPs.

[0033] It should be understood that the M target individual TWT SPs being aligned means that the times at which the device wakes (i.e., the times at which data is transmitted and received) at the M individual TWT SPs are aligned.

[0034] It should be further appreciated that the transmitting device may transmit the first frame on any link associated with the transmitting device and the receiving device, and correspondingly, the receiving device may receive the first frame on any link.

[0035] In the above technical solution, the second information already directly includes information about the target individual TWT SPs on the corresponding target links (i.e., the links to which the individual TWT SPs need to be aligned). Therefore, the receiving device only needs to read the parameters included in the second information to set up the aligned individual TWT SPs on the M target links by using one link, and does not need to perform additional calibration, thereby reducing the energy consumption of the receiving device.

[0036] In some implementation forms of the third aspect, the first element further includes third information, and the third information indicates that the first information indicates a target link.

[0037] In the above technical solution, the receiving device can be clearly notified whether each first element indicates a target link for setting up an aligned TWT SP by using the third information, which helps the receiving device quickly determine whether the link indicated by the first information is a link on which the aligned TWT SP needs to be set up.

[0038] In some implementation forms of the third aspect, when the first element is a TWT element, the third information is an aligned TWT field within a control field of the TWT element.

[0039] In some implementation forms of the third aspect, when the first element is a TWT element, the first information is a link ID bitmap field in a TWT parameter information field of the TWT element, and the second information is a TWT parameter information field.

[0040] In some implementation forms of the third aspect, when the first element is a TWT element, the first information is an aligned TWT bitmap field in a TWT parameter information field of the TWT element, and the second information is a TWT parameter information field.

[0041] In some implementations of the third aspect, the method further includes the receiving device transmitting a second frame, the second frame including a second element, the second element including fourth information, and the fourth information indicating that the receiving device confirms that it accepts the setup of individual TWT SPs on the M target links corresponding to the M first elements.

[0042] According to a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided. The method may be performed by a transmitting device, or may be performed by a chip or circuit configured in the transmitting device. This is not limited in the present application. For ease of explanation, an example in which the method is performed by a transmitting device is used below for explanation.

[0043] The method may include a transmitting device generating a first frame, the first frame including M first elements, the first elements being used to request setting up individual TWT SPs, the first elements including first information and second information, the first information indicating a target link for which an individual wake time TWT service period SP is requested to be set up, the second information indicating information about the target individual TWT SPs on the target link, the M target individual TWT SPs corresponding to the M first elements being aligned, the target link being a communication link between the transmitting device and the receiving device, and M being an integer greater than 1. The transmitting device transmits the first frame.

[0044] For the beneficial effects of the fourth aspect, please refer to the description of the third aspect, and the details will not be described again here.

[0045] In some implementations of the fourth aspect, the information about the target individual TWT SP includes a start time of the target individual TWT SP, and the start time TWT j TWT j =TWT i +TWT offset where TWTi is the point at which the start time of the target individual TWT SP is mapped to the time axis of the reference link, and offset The value of is equal to the difference between the TSF timer of the reference link and the TSF timer of the target link, where the reference link is any link within the communication link between the transmitting device and the receiving device.

[0046] In the above technical solution, the transmitting device calculates the TWTs on the time axes of the M target links by using the time axes of the reference link as a reference standard according to the above formula. i The corresponding moments of , ...

[0047] In some implementation forms of the fourth aspect, the first element further includes third information, and the third information indicates that the first information indicates a target link.

[0048] In some implementation forms of the fourth aspect, when the first element is a TWT element, the third information is an aligned TWT field within a control field of the TWT element.

[0049] In some implementation forms of the fourth aspect, when the first element is a TWT element, the first information is a link ID bitmap field in a TWT parameter information field of the TWT element, and the second information is a TWT parameter information field.

[0050] In some implementation forms of the fourth aspect, when the first element is a TWT element, the first information is an aligned TWT bitmap field in a TWT parameter information field of the TWT element, and the second information is a TWT parameter information field.

[0051] In some implementations of the fourth aspect, the method further includes the transmitting device receiving a second frame, the second frame including a second element, the second element including fourth information, and the fourth information indicating that the receiving device confirms acceptance of the setup of the individual TWT SPs on the M target links corresponding to the M first elements.

[0052] According to a fifth aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be performed by a receiving device, or can be performed by a chip or circuit configured in the receiving device. This is not limited in the present application. For ease of explanation, an example in which the method is performed by a receiving device is used below for explanation.

[0053] The method may include a receiving device receiving a first frame on a first link, the first frame including a first element, the first element being used to request setting up individual target wake time TWT service periods SP, the first element including second information, the second information indicating N second links on which the individual TWT SPs are requested to be set up, the N second individual TWT SPs set up on the N second links need to be aligned, the N second individual TWT SPs correspond one-to-one to the N second links, the N second links are different links, N is a positive integer, and the first link and the second link are communication links between the transmitting device and the receiving device. The receiving device sets up the N aligned second individual TWT SPs on the N second links by using the first link as a reference link. The receiving device performs communication on the corresponding links based on the N second individual TWT SPs.

[0054] In the above technical solution, the second information indicates a link on which the aligned individual TWT SP needs to be set up, and the multiple individual TWT SPs are aligned on the multiple links by using the first link on which the first frame is transmitted as a reference link. Thus, a method is specified for a transmitting device to set up aligned individual TWT SPs on the multiple links together with a receiving device by using one link.

[0055] In some implementations of the fifth aspect, the first element includes third information, where the third information indicates information about a first individual TWT SP on the first link, where the information about the first individual TWT SP includes a start time of the first individual TWT SP. Setting up N aligned second individual TWT SPs on the N second links by using the first link as a reference link includes the receiving device determining information about the N second individual TWT SPs, where the information about the second individual TWT SPs includes a start time of the second individual TWT SP, where the start time of the second individual TWT SP is determined based on the start time of the first individual TWT SP. The receiving device sets up the N second individual TWT SPs on the N second links based on the information about the N second individual TWT SPs.

[0056] It should be noted that in this method, even if information about the first individual TWT SP is configured, the first individual TWT SP may not actually be set up on the first link. The information about the first individual TWT SP on the first link is used only as reference information to set up the aligned individual TWT SP on the second link indicated by the second information. If the N second links indicated by the second information include the first link, the first individual TWT SP is actually set up on the first link. If the N second links indicated by the second information do not include the first link, the first individual TWT SP is not set up on the first link. In this case, the first individual TWT SP may be considered a virtual individual TWT SP and is the only reference TWT SP for setting up the aligned individual TWT SP.

[0057] In some implementation forms of the fifth aspect, the second individual TWT SP is aligned with the first individual TWT SP after the start time of the second individual TWT SP is determined based on the start time of the first individual TWT SP.

[0058] In some implementation forms of the fifth aspect, the start time TWT of the second individual TWT SP is j teeth, TWT j =TWT i +TWT offset where TWT i is the start time of the first individual TWT SP, and offset The value of is equal to the difference between the Time Synchronization Function TSF timer of the first link and the TSF timer of the second link.

[0059] In some implementation forms of the fifth aspect, the first element further includes fourth information, and the fourth information indicates that the first element includes the second information.

[0060] In some implementation forms of the fifth aspect, when the first element is a TWT element, the fourth information is an aligned TWT field within a control field of the TWT element.

[0061] In some implementation forms of the fifth aspect, when the first element is a TWT element, the second information is an aligned TWT bitmap field in a TWT parameter information field.

[0062] In some implementations of the fifth aspect, the method further includes the receiving device transmitting a second frame, the second frame including a second element, the second element including fifth information, and the fifth information indicating that the receiving device confirms acceptance of the setup of the individual TWT SPs on the N second links.

[0063] According to a sixth aspect, a communication method is provided. The method may be performed by a transmitting device, or may be performed by a chip or circuit configured in the transmitting device. This is not limited in the present application. For ease of explanation, an example in which the method is performed by a transmitting device is used below for explanation.

[0064] The method may include: a transmitting device generating a first frame, the first frame including a first element, the first element being used to request setting up individual target wake time TWT service periods SP, the first element including second information, the second information indicating N second links on which the individual TWT SPs are requested to be set up, the N second individual TWT SPs set up on the N second links need to be aligned, the N second individual TWT SPs correspond one-to-one to the N second links, the N second links are different links, and N is a positive integer. The transmitting device transmits the first frame on the first link, the N second individual TWT SPs are aligned by using the first link as a reference link, and the first link and the second link are communication links between the transmitting device and the receiving device.

[0065] For the beneficial effects of the sixth aspect, please refer to the description of the fifth aspect, and the details will not be described again here.

[0066] In some implementation forms of the sixth aspect, the first element includes third information, the third information indicating information about a first individual TWT SP on the first link, and the information about the first individual TWT SP including a start time of the first individual TWT SP.

[0067] In some implementation forms of the fifth aspect, aligning the second individual TWT SP with the first individual TWT SP includes aligning a start time of the first individual TWT SP with a start time of the first individual TWT SP.

[0068] In some implementation forms of the sixth aspect, the first element further includes fourth information, and the fourth information indicates that the first element includes the second information.

[0069] In some implementation forms of the sixth aspect, when the first element is a TWT element, the fourth information is an aligned TWT subfield in a control field of the TWT element.

[0070] In some implementation forms of the sixth aspect, when the first element is a TWT element, the second information is an aligned TWT bitmap subfield in a TWT parameter information field.

[0071] In some implementations of the sixth aspect, the method further includes the transmitting device receiving a second frame, the second frame including a second element, the second element including fifth information, and the fifth information indicating that the receiving device confirms acceptance of the setup of the individual TWT SPs on the N second links.

[0072] According to a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided. The device is configured to perform the method provided in the first aspect or the third aspect. Specifically, the device may include a module configured to perform the first aspect and any one of possible implementations of the first aspect, the third aspect and any one of possible implementations of the third aspect, or the fifth aspect and any one of possible implementations of the fifth aspect.

[0073] According to an eighth aspect, a communication device is provided. The device is configured to perform the method provided in the second aspect or the fourth aspect. Specifically, the device may include a module configured to perform the second aspect and any one of possible implementations of the second aspect, the fourth aspect and any one of possible implementations of the fourth aspect, or the sixth aspect and any one of possible implementations of the sixth aspect.

[0074] According to a ninth aspect, there is provided a communication device including a processor. The processor is coupled to a memory and may be configured to execute instructions in the memory to implement the method in any one of the first aspect and possible implementation forms of the first aspect, or the method in the third aspect and any one of possible implementation forms of the third aspect, or the method in the fifth aspect and any one of possible implementation forms of the fifth aspect. Optionally, the device further includes a memory. Optionally, the device further includes a communication interface, and the processor is coupled to the communication interface.

[0075] In one implementation, the device is a receiving device. When the device is a transmitting device, the communication interface may be a transceiver or an input / output interface.

[0076] In another implementation, the apparatus is a chip configured in a receiving device. When the apparatus is a chip configured in a transmitting device, the communication interface can be an input / output interface.

[0077] In another implementation, the device is a chip or a chip system.

[0078] Optionally, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface may be an input / output circuit.

[0079] According to a tenth aspect, there is provided a communication device including a processor. The processor may be configured to execute instructions in a memory to implement the method in the second aspect and any one of the possible implementation forms of the second aspect, or the method in the fourth aspect and any one of the possible implementation forms of the fourth aspect, or the method in the sixth aspect and any one of the possible implementation forms of the sixth aspect. Optionally, the device further includes a memory. Optionally, the device further includes a communication interface, and the processor is coupled to the communication interface.

[0080] In one implementation, the device is a transmitting device. When the device is a receiving device, the communication interface may be a transceiver or an input / output interface.

[0081] In another implementation, the apparatus is a chip configured in a transmitting device.When the apparatus is a chip configured in a receiving device, the communication interface can be an input / output interface.

[0082] In another implementation, the device is a chip or a chip system.

[0083] Optionally, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface may be an input / output circuit.

[0084] According to an eleventh aspect, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions. When the computer instructions are executed by an apparatus, the apparatus is enabled to implement the method of the first aspect and any one of its possible implementation forms, the method of the third aspect and any one of its possible implementation forms, or the method of the fifth aspect and any one of its possible implementation forms.

[0085] According to a twelfth aspect, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions. When the computer instructions are executed by an apparatus, the apparatus is enabled to implement the method of the second aspect and any one of possible implementation forms of the second aspect, the method of the fourth aspect and any one of possible implementation forms of the fourth aspect, or the method of the sixth aspect and any one of possible implementation forms of the sixth aspect.

[0086] According to a thirteenth aspect, there is provided a computer program product including instructions. The computer program product includes a computer program. When the computer program is executed by an apparatus, the apparatus is enabled to implement the method provided in the first aspect and any one of the possible implementation forms of the first aspect, the apparatus is enabled to implement the method in the third aspect and any one of the possible implementation forms of the third aspect, or the apparatus is enabled to implement the method in the fifth aspect and any one of the possible implementation forms of the fifth aspect.

[0087] According to a fourteenth aspect, there is provided a computer program product including instructions. The computer program product includes a computer program. When the computer program is executed by an apparatus, the apparatus is enabled to implement the method provided in the second aspect and any one of the possible implementation forms of the second aspect, the apparatus is enabled to implement the method in the fourth aspect and any one of the possible implementation forms of the fourth aspect, or the apparatus is enabled to implement the method in the sixth aspect and any one of the possible implementation forms of the sixth aspect.

[0088] According to a fifteenth aspect, there is provided a communication system including the above-mentioned transmitting device and the above-mentioned receiving device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0089] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario in which an embodiment of the present application is applicable; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a multi-link communication scenario. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an individual TWT SP. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram of setting up a TWT agreement between two MLDs through negotiation. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a TWT element. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an individual TWT parameter information field. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a Broadcast TWT Parameter Information field. [Figure 8] 1 is a schematic block diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of aligning individual TWT SPs on multiple links. [Figure 10] 1 is a schematic diagram of a field design of first information and second information in a TWT element according to the present application; [Figure 11]10 is a schematic diagram of another field design of first information and second information in a TWT element according to the present application. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a fourth information field design in a TWT element according to the present application. [Figure 13] 10 is a schematic diagram of another field design of the fourth information in a TWT element according to the present application. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of yet another field design of the fourth information in a TWT element according to the present application. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of yet another field design of the fourth information in a TWT element according to the present application. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of yet another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 18] 2 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 200 according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 19] 1 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 300 according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a chip system 1300 according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0090] The following describes the technical solutions of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0091] The technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are applicable to wireless local area network (WLAN) scenarios. For example, IEEE 802.11 related standards such as 802.11a / b / g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, and 802.11ax, as well as next-generation Wi-Fi protocols of IEEE 802.11ax, such as 802.11be, Wi-Fi 7, and Extremely High Throughput (EHT), 802.11ad, 802.11ay, and 802.11bf, are supported. In another example, next-generation protocols of 802.11be or Wi-Fi 8 are supported. The technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application may further be applied to ultra wide band (UWB)-based wireless personal area network systems, such as the 802.15 series standards, or to sensing systems, such as the 802.11 bf series standards. The 802.11n standard is referred to as high throughput (HT), the 802.11 ac standard is referred to as very high throughput (VHT), the 802.11 ax standard is referred to as high efficient (HE), and the 802.11 be standard is referred to as extremely high throughput (EHT). The 802.11 bf standard includes two main categories of standards: low frequency (Sub-7 GHz) and high frequency (60 GHz). Sub-7 GHz is primarily implemented based on standards such as 802.11 ac, 802.11 ax, 802.11 be, and future versions of 802.11 be. 60 GHz is primarily implemented based on standards such as 802.11 ad, 802.11 ay, and future versions of 802.11 ay.802.11 ad is sometimes referred to as the directional multi-gigabit (DMG) standard, and 802.11 ay is sometimes referred to as the enhanced directional multi-gigabit (EDMG) standard.

[0092] Although the embodiments of the present application are mainly described by using examples in which a WLAN network, particularly a network to which the IEEE 802.11 system standard is applied, those skilled in the art will readily understand that various aspects in the embodiments of the present application can be extended to other networks using various standards or protocols, such as a high performance radio local area network (HIPERLAN), a wireless wide area network (WWAN), a wireless personal area network (WPAN), or other networks known or developed in the future. Therefore, regardless of the coverage area and wireless access protocol used, various aspects provided in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to any suitable wireless network.

[0093] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application may further be applied to various communication systems, such as a WLAN communication system, a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) system, a long term evolution (LTE) system, an LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, an LTE time division duplex (TDD) system, a universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), a worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, a fifth generation (5G) system or a new radio (NR) system, a future sixth generation (6G) system, an internet of things (IoT) network, or a vehicle-to-vehicle (V2X) network.

[0094] The above-mentioned communication systems applicable to the present application are merely examples for illustration, and the communication systems applicable to the present application are not limited thereto, which are mentioned only once in this specification and will not be repeated hereinafter.

[0095] 1 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario to which an embodiment of the present application can be applied. As shown in FIG. 1, the resource configuration method provided in the present application is applicable to data communication between stations (STAs). The stations may be access point (AP) stations or non-access point stations (non-AP STAs). The access point station and the non-AP station are simply referred to as AP and non-AP station, respectively. Specifically, the solution of the present application is applicable to data communication between an AP and one or more non-AP stations (e.g., data communication between AP1 and non-AP STA1 and non-AP STA2), and also to data communication between APs (e.g., data communication between AP1 and AP2) and data communication between non-AP STAs (e.g., data communication between non-AP STA2 and non-AP STA3).

[0096] An access point may be an access point used by a terminal (e.g., a mobile phone) to access a wired (or wireless) network, and is mainly located in homes, buildings, and campuses. A typical coverage radius is several tens of meters or more than 100 meters. Of course, an access point may alternatively be located outdoors. An access point is equivalent to a bridge connecting a wired network and a wireless network. The main function of an access point is to connect various wireless network clients together and then connect the wireless network to an Ethernet.

[0097] Specifically, the access point may be a terminal or a network device having a Wi-Fi chip. The network device may be a server, a router, a switch, a bridge, a computer, a mobile phone, a relay station, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, a network device in a 5G network, a network device in a future 6G network, a network device in a public land mobile network (PLMN), etc. This is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. The access point may be a device that supports a Wi-Fi standard. For example, the access point may alternatively support one or more standards of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 family, such as 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11ad, and 802.11ay.

[0098] A non-AP station may be a wireless communication chip, a wireless sensor, a wireless communication terminal, etc., and may also be referred to as a user, user equipment (UE), access terminal, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, or user equipment. A non-AP station may be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, a computing device, another processing device connected to a wireless modem, an in-vehicle device, an Internet of Things device, a wearable device, a terminal device in a 5G network, a terminal device in a future 6G network, a terminal device in a PLMN, etc. This is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. A non-AP station may be a device that supports a WLAN standard. For example, a non-AP station may support one or more standards in the IEEE 802.11 family, such as 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11ad, and 802.11ay.

[0099] For example, a non-AP station may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a set-top box, a smart television, a smart wearable device, an in-vehicle communication device, a computer, an Internet of Things (IoT) node, a sensor, a smart camera, a smart remote control, or a smart water / electricity meter in a smart home and a sensor in a smart city.

[0100] The AP station or non-AP station may include a transmitter, a receiver, a memory, a processor, etc. The transmitter and receiver are configured to transmit and receive packet structures, respectively. The memory is configured to store signaling information, store pre-agreed preset values, etc. The processor is configured to analyze the signaling information, process associated data, etc.

[0101] The above-mentioned communication systems applicable to the present application are merely examples for illustration, and the communication systems applicable to the present application are not limited thereto, which are mentioned only once in this specification and will not be repeated hereinafter.

[0102] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, the following first explains several nouns or terms in the present application.

[0103] 1. Multi-link Communication: Next-generation WLAN standards are developing and evolving toward continuously improving throughput. WLAN system standards are primarily being studied and discussed in the IEEE 802.11 Standards Working Group. Based on the previous standard protocols 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax, the next-generation standard 802.11be uses EHT as its technical goal. One of the key existing technologies is multi-link communication. The core idea of ​​multi-link communication is that WLAN devices supporting the next-generation IEEE 802.11 standard, i.e., EHT devices, have the ability to transmit and receive on multiple bands, thereby enabling larger bandwidths to be used for transmission. This further improves throughput. Multi-band communication primarily includes, but is not limited to, the 2.4 GHz WiFi band, the 5 GHz WiFi band, and the 6 GHz WiFi band. Access and transmission performed on each band is referred to as one link. Therefore, access and transmission performed on multiple bands is referred to as multi-link. 802.11be provided a definition for a multi-link device MLD, ie a device that supports multi-link communication.

[0104] 2 is a schematic diagram of a multi-link communication scenario. FIG. 2 includes one AP MLD and one STA MLD. One AP MLD may include multiple access points (APs), for example, AP 1 and AP 2, and one STA MLD may include multiple stations (STAs), for example, STA 1 and STA 1. For example, link 1 and link 2 in FIG. 2 form two links, and communication between the AP MLD device and the STA MLD device on link 1 and link 2 may be referred to as multi-link communication.

[0105] 2. TWT: TWT is an energy-saving technology defined by Wi-Fi 6. The core idea is to set several periodic time periods so that some devices only need to remain active during these time periods and can sleep during other time periods, thereby implementing energy savings. TWT is classified into individual TWT and broadcast TWT. In individual TWT, each STA can independently set up a TWT agreement with the AP. Therefore, each STA can have its own active time period and sleep time period. In broadcast TWT, an AP can set up a common TWT agreement for a group of STAs, and multiple STAs operate during the same active time period and sleep during other time periods.

[0106] 3. Individual TWT: Individual TWT means that a TWT requesting station (hereinafter referred to as a requesting station for short) sends a TWT request message to a TWT responding station (hereinafter referred to as a responding station for short) to request that a wake time be set. After receiving the TWT request message, the responding station sends a TWT response message to the requesting station. After successful interaction, a TWT agreement is set up between the requesting station and the responding station. After reaching a TWT agreement, both the requesting station and the responding station should remain active for the agreed-upon time period to transmit and receive data. Outside the active time period, the station may perform hibernation to implement energy saving. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a STA can send a TWT request frame to an AP, which is used to request that a TWT agreement be set up. That is, the STA is the requesting station and the AP is the responding station, and vice versa. In response, the AP sends a TWT response frame to the STA, where the TWT response frame indicates that the AP accepts the setup of the TWT agreement. After a TWT agreement is set up, the agreed-upon active time period is referred to as the TWT SP. Each TWT agreement may include multiple equally long TWT service periods that occur periodically.

[0107] 4. Broadcast TWT: Unlike individual TWT, broadcast TWT provides a "batch management" mechanism. An AP can set up a series of periodically occurring TWT service periods with multiple STAs. During the service periods, multiple STAs need to remain active to communicate with the AP. An AP may convey information about one or more broadcast TWTs in a beacon frame, and each broadcast TWT is represented by a broadcast TWT identifier and the AP's MAC address. After receiving the beacon frame, if a STA intends to join a broadcast TWT, the STA can send a broadcast TWT setup request message to the AP to join the broadcast TWT. During broadcast TWT setup, the STA needs to specify the broadcast TWT identifier to request joining a specific broadcast TWT. After joining the broadcast TWT, the STA can wake up based on the service period indicated by the TWT parameter set to communicate with the AP. Note that if a STA supports broadcast TWT but does not explicitly join a broadcast TWT ID, the STA joins a broadcast TWT with broadcast TWT ID=0 by default. Similar to individual TWTs, the parameter set for a broadcast TWT also specifies the wake interval of the TWT service period and the duration of each TWT service period. In addition, the parameters for a broadcast TWT further include a lifecycle of the broadcast TWT, which is in units of beacon intervals and indicates the duration of the set-up broadcast TWT.

[0108] In 802.11be Draft 2.0, the individual TWT function has been extended to accommodate multi-link communication scenarios. An MLD can set up individual TWT agreements over multiple links with another MLD in the following ways: Method 1: According to the 802.11ax protocol, an MLD can set up individual TWT agreements and corresponding individual TWT SPs over each link. Method 2: According to 802.11be Draft 2.0, an MLD can send a TWT request message over one link to set up TWT agreements over multiple links and corresponding individual TWT SPs over each of the multiple links.

[0109] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of setting up a TWT agreement between two MLDs through negotiation by using Method 2 described above. There are two MLDs in FIG. 4: one AP MLD and one non-AP MLD. TWT agreement(s) need to be set up between the two MLDs through negotiation. As shown in FIG. 3, the AP MLD has three associated AP stations, AP1, AP2, and AP3, operating at 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz, respectively. The non-AP MLD has three associated non-AP stations, STA1, STA2, and STA3. Three links are set up between the AP MLD and the non-AP MLD: Link 1 between AP1 and STA1, Link 2 between AP2 and STA2, and Link 3 between AP3 and STA3. TWT agreements are set up between the stations in the two MLDs by transmitting TWT elements. First, the TWT elements and parameter information of the TWT elements will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0110] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of a TWT element. As shown in FIG. 5, the TWT element includes an Element ID field, a Length field, a Control field, and a TWT Parameter Information field. The Control field includes fields such as a Null Data Packet (NDP) Paging Indicator field, a Responder Power Management Mode subfield, a Negotiation Type subfield, and a TWT Information Frame Disable field. The Negotiation Type subfield indicates one of two individual TWT types and two other broadcast TWT types. For example, when the Negotiation Type subfield indicates an individual TWT type, as shown in FIG. 6, the TWT Parameter Information field in FIG. 5 includes a Request Type field, a Target Wake Time field, a TWT Group Assignment field, a Nominal Minimum TWT Wake Duration field, a TWT Wake Duration Mantissa field, a TWT Channel field, an NDP Paging field, and a Link ID Bitmap subfield. For example, when the Negotiation Type subfield indicates a Broadcast TWT type, the TWT Parameter Information field in Figure 5 includes a Request Type field, a Target Wake Time field, a Nominal Minimum TWT Wake Duration field, a TWT Wake Duration Mantissa field, a Broadcast TWT Channel subfield, and a Restricted TWT Traffic Information field, as shown in Figure 7. For the number of bits or octets occupied by each field, please refer to the descriptions in the corresponding accompanying drawings, and they will not be described one by one again here.

[0111] For ease of distinction, it should be understood that the target wake time in Figure 7 may be referred to as the start time of the individual TWT SP in embodiments of the present application, and it should be further understood that the start time is the start time of the individual TWT SP in the first SP wake interval.

[0112] When the AP MLD in FIG. 4 attempts to set up TWT agreements with a Non-AP MLD on multiple links (e.g., Link 1, Link 2, and Link 3) by using one link (e.g., Link 1), the following two methods can be used:

[0113] Method 1: As shown in FIG. 4, an AP MLD can send a TWT request frame on link 1 to request the setup of a TWT agreement between two MLDs on multiple links, and the request frame carries a TWT element. In addition, the value of the Link ID Bitmap Present field of the Control field in the TWT element is set to 1. In this case, the Individual TWT Parameter Information field of the TWT element carries a Link ID Bitmap subfield. The number of bits in the Link ID Bitmap subfield is the same as the number of links between the two MLDs. Each bit in the Bitmap subfield corresponds to a link between the two MLDs. When a bit in the Link ID Bitmap subfield is set to 1, it means that a TWT agreement is requested to be setup on the link corresponding to the bit whose value is 1. When multiple bits are set to 1, the two MLDs can simultaneously setup a TWT agreement on multiple links corresponding to multiple bits whose value is 1. In this case, the TWT parameter information in the TWT element applies to the links corresponding to the bits whose value is 1 in the Link ID Bitmap subfield of the element.

[0114] Method 2: As shown in Figure 4, the AP MLD still sends a TWT request frame on Link 1, but the request frame carries multiple TWT elements. In addition, the value of the Link ID Bitmap Present field in the Control field of one or more TWT elements may be set to 1. In this case, the Individual TWT Parameter Information field of these TWT elements carries the Link ID Bitmap subfield. Similarly, the TWT parameter information in a TWT element applies to the link corresponding to the bit with a value of 1 in the Link ID Bitmap subfield of the element, and all TWT element information is independent of each other.

[0115] For some MLD devices, such as devices in enhanced multilink single radio (EMLSR), enhanced multilink multi-radio (EMLMR), and non-simultaneously transmit and receive (NSTR) modes, aligned individual TWT SPs on multiple links are important for device energy conservation because these devices can only operate on one link at a time. When an MLD device performs a link switch, the TWT period set up on the previous link is not expected to be interrupted. Therefore, setting up aligned TWT SPs on multiple links is a reasonable solution. However, from the above two methods, we can see that existing methods for setting up TWT agreements do not clearly describe how to set up aligned individual TWT SPs on multiple links by using a single link. One TWT parameter information field applies to multiple links, and the time synchronization function (TSF) timer for each link is different. Therefore, the same parameter in the TWT parameter information field (e.g., the value of the target wake time field in the TWT parameter information field) actually has an offset on different links, in other words, the starting points of multiple individual TWT SPs are not aligned. As a result, the individual TWT SPs on different links are unaligned.

[0116] Based on the above-mentioned method 1, currently, proposal 802.11-22 / 0552r4 proposes a method for setting up aligned individual TWT SPs on multiple links by using one TWT element. Specifically, the method for calculating the target wake time on each link is as follows: TWT i =TWT ti +TWT offset

[0117] During the ceremony, TWT i is the target wake time corresponding to the ith link indicated in the Link ID Bitmap subfield, and TWT ti is the point at which the target wake time indicated in the carried TWT element is mapped onto the time axis of the i-th link, and TWT offset The value of TWT offset =TSF0-TSF i where TSF0 is the TSF time of the link with the smallest link ID among the links associated with the two MLDs, and TWT i is the TSF time of the i-th link.

[0118] In the above method, by using TSF0 as a reference, the corresponding TWT for each link is calculated. offset is calculated. This is equivalent to aligning the target wake times corresponding to each link by using the target wake time of the link with the smallest link ID. Therefore, aligned individual TWT SPs can be set up on multiple links by using one TWT element. However, this method requires TSF calibration to be performed twice when the receiving MLD calculates the target wake time for each link, which increases the complexity. In addition, the negotiation process between the two MLDs does not specify whether aligned individual TWT SPs are required to be set up.

[0119] In view of this, the present application provides a communication method for effectively solving the above technical problems. The following describes in detail the method provided in the present application.

[0120] 8 is a schematic block diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. It should be understood that the transmitting device and the receiving device in this embodiment are MLDs. For example, the transmitting device in FIG. 8 may be an AP MLD, and the receiving device may be a STA MLD, or vice versa.

[0121] S810: The transmitting device generates a first frame. The first frame includes a first element, which is used to request setting up individual TWT SPs, and the first element includes first information and second information. The first information indicates a first link on which the individual TWT SPs are requested to be set up, and the second information indicates N second links on which the individual TWT SPs are requested to be set up, and the N second individual TWT SPs set up on the N second links need to be aligned with the first individual TWT SPs on the first link. The N second individual TWT SPs correspond one-to-one to the N second links, the first link and the second link are communication links between the transmitting device and the receiving device, and the N second links are different links, where N is a positive integer.

[0122] It should be understood that the individual TWT SPs in this application may be referred to as individual TWT agreements, and each individual TWT SP includes multiple equal-length TWT SPs that appear periodically as shown in FIG.

[0123] It should be further understood that aligning two individual TWT SPs indicates that the wake times of the devices (i.e., the times when data can be transmitted and received) at the two individual TWT SPs are aligned. For example, the communication links between the transmitting device and the receiving device include Link 1, Link 2, Link 3, and Link 4. If the first information indicates Link 1 and the second information indicates Link 2 and Link 3, then individual TWT SP 1 on Link 1, individual TWT SP 2 on Link 2, and individual TWT SP 3 on Link 3 are aligned, as shown in FIG. 9. Location point T1 is the wake start time point of each individual TWT SP in the first wake interval, and T is the wake duration of each individual TWT SP in the wake interval. However, note that because the TSF timers of the three links are different, the time points corresponding to location T1 on the time axis for Link 1, Link 2, and Link 3 are different. For example, position T on link 1 corresponds to time point 1 on the time axis of link 1, position T on link 2 corresponds to time point 2 on the time axis of link 1, and position T on link 3 corresponds to time point 3 on the time axis of link 3.

[0124] Optionally, the first link may be any one of a plurality of communication links between the transmitting device and the receiving device, for example, the first link is the communication link over which the first frame is transmitted.

[0125] It can be seen that in this method, the second information indicates a link on which the aligned individual TWT SP needs to be set up, and the first information explicitly indicates that multiple individual TWT SPs are aligned on multiple links by using the first link as a reference link. Thus, a method is specified for a transmitting device to set up aligned individual TWT SPs on multiple links together with a receiving device by using one link. Therefore, in this application, the first link indicated by the first information may also be referred to as a reference link. The two descriptions may be interchangeable hereinafter.

[0126] S820: The transmitting device transmits a first frame. Correspondingly, the receiving device receives the first frame.

[0127] It should be understood that the transmitting device transmits the first frame on any link associated with the transmitting device and the receiving device, and correspondingly, the receiving device receives the first frame on the link.

[0128] S830: The receiving device sets up a first individual TWT SP on the first link and sets up N second individual TWT SPs on N second links based on the first factor.

[0129] Optionally, the first element further includes third information, where the third information indicates information about the first individual TWT SP, the information about the first individual TWT SP including a start time of the first individual TWT SP, a wake interval of the first individual TWT SP, and a duration of the first individual TWT SP in the wake interval.

[0130] In this embodiment of the present application, when the first element is a TWT element, it can be understood that the start time of the first individual TWT SP is related to the value of the TWT field of the Individual TWT Parameter Information field, the wake interval of the first individual TWT SP is the value of the TWT Wake Interval Mantissa field of the Individual TWT Parameter Information field, and the duration of the first individual TWT SP is the value of the Nominal Minimum TWT Wake Duration field of the Individual TWT Parameter Information field.

[0131] For aligned individual TWT SPs on multiple links, it should be understood that the wake intervals and durations of the aligned individual TWT SPs can be obtained based on the third information, and these parameters are constant and do not vary based on the TSF timer of the link. Only the start times of the aligned individual TWT SPs are offset due to the TSF timer. Therefore, the key to determining aligned TWT SPs is to determine the start times of the aligned individual TWT SPs.

[0132] Specifically, in this step, the receiving device can set up the first individual TWT SP on the first link based on the information about the first individual TWT SP in the third information. In addition, the receiving device can determine the start time of the second individual TWT SP based on the start time of the first individual TWT SP included in the information about the first individual TWT SP. Start time of the second individual TWT SP TWT j teeth, TWT j =TWT i +TWT offset (1) where TWT i is the start time of the first individual TWT SP, and offset The value of TWT offset =TSF j +TSF i where TSF i is the TSF time corresponding to the first link, and j is the TSF time corresponding to the second link. In other words, the transmitting device uses the time axis of the reference link as a reference standard to calculate the TWT on the time axis of the second link according to the above formula. i The receiving device then determines a wake interval and duration of a second individual TWT SP based on the wake interval of the first individual TWT SP and the duration of the first individual TWT SP, and sets up the second individual TWT SP on the second link based on the information.

[0133] Specifically, when the first element is a TWT element, i The value of can be obtained by mapping the value of the Target Wake Time subfield in the TWT Parameter Information field of the first element to the TSF timer of the first link. The Target Wake Time subfield has a total of 16 bits, which correspond to the values ​​of bits 10 to 25 of the TSF timer. i The value of can be obtained by replacing bits 10 to 25 of the TSF timer of the first link with the value of the Target Wake Time subfield of the first element. It can be understood that the value of the Target Wake Time subfield in the TWT Parameter Information field of the first element is an absolute value. Therefore, the value obtained by mapping the value of the Target Wake Time subfield to the TSF timer of the first link matches the value obtained by mapping the value of the Target Wake Time subfield to the TSF timer of another second link.

[0134] TWT i and TWT j It can be understood that can be considered as moments at the same time position and corresponding to the time axis of the first link and the time axis of the second link, respectively.

[0135] It can be seen that the third information directly indicates the start time of the TWT SP on the reference link, and the start time of the second individual TWT SP can be calibrated based on the synchronization time difference between the reference link and the second link. Compared with the solution of setting up aligned TWT SPs proposed in proposal 802.11-22 / 0552r4, for a link, the receiving end performs calibration only once, thereby reducing the complexity of calculating the start time of aligned individual TWT SPs on the link.

[0136] For example, when the first element is a TWT element, the field corresponding to the third information is the TWT parameter information field of the TWT element. Because the meanings of the first information and the second information are different from the meanings of the information indicated by the current field in the TWT element, the following provides possible field design schemes for the first information and the second information in the TWT element.

[0137] Method 1: As shown in Figure 10, a new field is added after the Link ID Bitmap subfield in the Individual TWT Parameter Information field of the TWT element as a field corresponding to the second information. The name of the field is not limited in this application. For ease of explanation, the newly added field is referred to as the Aligned TWT Bitmap field in this application. For example, the length of the newly added Aligned TWT Bitmap field is 2 octets.

[0138] In Scheme 1, the Link ID Bitmap subfield is considered as a field corresponding to the first information and can indicate the first link (i.e., the reference link). In other words, the information about the TWT SP on the link indicated by the newly added Aligned TWT Bitmap subfield is calculated based on the information about the TWT SP on the reference link. The Aligned TWT Bitmap subfield indicates the link between the transmitting device and the receiving device on which the TWT SP aligned with the first link is set up. For example, the link indication method is to set the bit corresponding to the link in the Aligned TWT Bitmap subfield to 1.

[0139] Method 2: As shown in Figure 11, a new field (i.e., an Aligned TWT Bitmap subfield) is added after the Link ID Bitmap subfield of the Individual TWT Parameter Information field of the TWT element as a field corresponding to the second information, and the existing Link ID Bitmap field is modified to the Link ID field as a field corresponding to the first information. For example, the length of the newly added Aligned TWT Bitmap field is 2 octets.

[0140] Specifically, in this way, the two octets of the original Link Bitmap subfield are modified into one octet. The first four bits of the one octet can indicate the first link (the ID of the first link ranges from 0 to 15), and the last four bits of the one octet are used as a reserved field. As can be seen by comparing Scheme 2 with Scheme 1, one octet is saved, but the field design logic is the same.

[0141] Optionally, the first element further includes fourth information, and the fourth information indicates that the first element includes the second information. For example, the fourth information is 1-bit information. When the value of the 1-bit is 1, it indicates that the first information includes the second information, or when the value of the 1-bit is 0, it indicates that the first information does not include the second information.

[0142] For example, the first element is a TWT element. The following provides a possible element design scheme for the fourth information in the TWT element:

[0143] Scheme 1: As shown in Figure 12, one reserved bit in the control field of the TWT element is used as a field corresponding to the fourth information. The name of the field is not limited in this application. For ease of explanation, the field is referred to as the aligned TWT field in this application.

[0144] For example, when the value of the Aligned TWT field is 1, it indicates that the TWT parameter information field carried in the TWT element is a parameter that needs to be used to determine multiple aligned TWT SPs, or when the value of the Aligned TWT field is 0, it indicates that the TWT parameter information field carried in the TWT element is not a parameter that needs to be used to determine multiple aligned TWT SPs, or it is not specified whether the TWT parameter information field carried in the TWT element is a parameter that needs to be used to align TWT SPs. The reverse is also true, and a specific setting method is not limited in this embodiment.

[0145] Method 2: As shown in Figure 13, a 2-bit field indication is added to the control field of the TWT element as a field corresponding to the fourth information. The name of the field is not limited in this application. For ease of explanation, the field is referred to as the aligned TWT field in this application. In this case, since only one 1-bit is used in the existing control field and the number of bits is insufficient, one octet (8 bits) needs to be added, and the seven unused bits are used as a reserved field.

[0146] For example, when the value of the Aligned TWT field is 00, it indicates that the TWT parameter information field carried in the TWT element is a parameter that needs to be used to determine multiple aligned TWT SPs, or when the value of the Aligned TWT field is 01, it indicates that the TWT parameter information field carried in the TWT element is not a parameter that needs to be used to determine multiple aligned TWT SPs, or when the value of the Aligned TWT field is 10, it indicates that it is not specified whether the TWT parameter information field carried in the TWT element is a parameter that needs to be used to align TWT SPs. The specific setting method is not limited in this embodiment.

[0147] For example, in this application, the Aligned TWT Bitmap field is present when the value of the Aligned TWT field indicates that the TWT Parameter Information field carried in the TWT element is a parameter that needs to be used to determine multiple aligned TWT SPs. Otherwise, the Aligned TWT Bitmap field is not present. Therefore, the Aligned TWT field in this application may also be referred to as the Aligned TWT Bitmap Present field.

[0148] Method 3: As shown in FIG. 14, based on FIG. 10, a one-octet field is added after the Link ID Bitmap subfield of the Individual TWT Parameter Information field of the TWT element, and a 2-bit subfield indication in the newly added field is used as a field corresponding to the fourth information. The name of the field is not limited in this application. For ease of explanation, the field is referred to as the Aligned TWT field in this application. In this case, if the Link ID Bitmap subfield exists, one octet (8 bits) is added after the Link ID Bitmap subfield, and the six unused bits are used as a reserved field.

[0149] Scheme 4: As shown in Figure 15, based on Figure 11, two of the four reserved bits in the link ID subfield of Figure 11 are used as a field corresponding to the fourth information. The name of the field is not limited in this application. For ease of explanation, the field is referred to as the aligned TWT field in this application.

[0150] For example, in Method 3 and Method 4, when the value of the Aligned TWT field is 00, it indicates that the TWT parameter information field carried in the TWT element is a parameter that needs to be used to determine multiple aligned TWT SPs, or when the value of the Aligned TWT field is 01, it indicates that the TWT parameter information field carried in the TWT element is not a parameter that needs to be used to determine multiple aligned TWT SPs, or when the value of the Aligned TWT field is 10, it indicates that it is not specified whether the TWT parameter information field carried in the TWT element is a parameter that needs to be used to align TWT SPs. The specific setting method is not limited in this embodiment.

[0151] For example, in this application, the Aligned TWT Bitmap field is present when the value of the Aligned TWT field indicates that the TWT Parameter Information field carried in the TWT element is a parameter that needs to be used to determine multiple aligned TWT SPs. Otherwise, the Aligned TWT Bitmap field is not present. Therefore, the Aligned TWT field in this application may also be referred to as the Aligned TWT Bitmap Present field.

[0152] Optionally, the Aligned TWT field may not be added to the control field of the TWT element (i.e., the fourth information is not included), and the Aligned TWT Bitmap subfield (i.e., the second information) is always present. Specifically, when requesting to set up individual TWT SPs, the transmitting device does not explicitly indicate whether to set up aligned SPs on multiple links, and the receiving end determines whether to set up aligned TWT SPs by using the indication in the Aligned TWT Bitmap subfield. Other behaviors of the receiving and transmitting devices remain unchanged. For example, if the values ​​of some bits in the Aligned TWT Bitmap subfield are 0, TWT SPs aligned with the reference link do not need to be set up on these links whose bit values ​​are 0; or, if the values ​​of some bits in the TWT Bitmap subfield are 1, TWT SPs aligned with the reference link are set up on these links whose bit values ​​are 1.

[0153] S840: The transmitting device and the receiving device communicate with each other on the corresponding link based on the first individual TWT SP and the N second individual TWT SPs.

[0154] Optionally, before the receiving device decides to accept the sending device's request for the first element, the method includes:

[0155] S850: The receiving device transmits a second frame, the second frame including a second element, the second element including fifth information, the fifth information indicating that the receiving device confirms that it accepts the setup of the individual TWT SPs on the first link and the N second links. In response, the transmitting device receives the second frame.

[0156] It should be understood that the above describes a process in which a receiving device sets up multiple individual TWT SPs on multiple links based on the first factor after accepting a transmitting device's request to set up TWT SPs. In practice, the receiving device may alternatively reject the request. Based on specific signaling, the following provides a possible complete implementation procedure in which each of MLD 1 (transmitting device) and MLD 2 (receiving device) sets up aligned individual TWT SPs on multiple links by using the above-mentioned solution.

[0157] MLD1 transmits a TWT setup frame (i.e., an example of a first frame) to MLD2 over the link associated with MLD1 and MLD2. MLD1 carries a TWT element (i.e., an example of a first element) in the TWT setup frame and carries a value indicating Suggest TWT or Demand TWT in the TWT Setup Command field of the request type field of the TWT element. Suggest TWT or Demand TWT indicates that the TWT setup frame is a request to initiate TWT SP setup. Suggest TWT or Demand TWT enables MLD1 to initiate a TWT SP setup request and carry a set of TWT parameter information (i.e., an example of third information). MLD1 must further set the Aligned TWT field (an example of fourth information) of the TWT Control field to 1 (or 00) to indicate that the TWT element also carries the Aligned TWT Bitmap field (an example of second information). Additionally, the Aligned TWT Bitmap field indicates the link on which an individual TWT SP aligned with the reference link is expected to be set up, and the reference link is indicated by the Link ID Bitmap subfield or the Link ID field (i.e., an example of the first information).

[0158] Correspondingly, after receiving the TWT setup frame sent by MLD1, MLD2 determines, based on the TWT element in the TWT setup frame, that the TWT setup frame is an individual TWT SP setup request. Using the link ID bitmap (or link ID) field and the aligned TWT bitmap field in the TWT element, MLD2 can determine the link on which MLD1 is about to set up the aligned TWT SP and determine the link that is the reference link. Based on the TWT field in the individual TWT parameter information field, the start time of the individual TWT SPs that need to be aligned on the multiple requested links can be calculated according to Equation (1). Finally, based on other information in the individual TWT parameter information field, such as the nominal minimum TWT wake duration field and the TWT wake interval mantissa field, information such as the duration and wake interval of the aligned individual TWT SPs requested to be set up can be calculated. After obtaining all the necessary information in this way, MLD2 determines, based on the obtained information, whether to accept the TWT SP setup request initiated by MLD1. The following describes in detail whether MLD2 receives the request from MLD1.

[0159] In a possible scenario, MLD2 accepts the request. In this case, MLD2 transmits a TWT Setup frame (i.e., an example of a second frame) including a TWT element to MLD1. If the value of the TWT Request subfield in the request type field of the TWT element is equal to 0, it indicates that the TWT Setup frame is a response frame. The TWT element carries a value indicating Accept TWT (i.e., an example of the fifth information) in the TWT Setup Command field in the request type field. Accept TWT indicates confirmation of acceptance of MLD1's request. Optionally, the control field of the TWT element may carry an Aligned TWT subfield, which is set to 1 (or 00). The meaning of the subfield is the same as that described above, and the details will not be explained again here. Optionally, the TWT element may carry an individual TWT parameter information field that is the same as that in the received TWT element, or it may not carry an individual TWT parameter information field.

[0160] In another possible scenario, MLD2 does not accept the request. In this case, MLD2 sends a TWT Setup frame (i.e., an example of a second frame) containing a TWT element to MLD1. If the value of the TWT Request subfield in the request type field of the TWT element is equal to 0, it indicates that the TWT Setup frame is a response frame. The TWT element carries a value indicating Reject TWT in the TWT Setup Command field of the request type field. Reject TWT indicates that MLD1's request is not accepted. Optionally, the control field of the TWT element may carry an aligned TWT subfield, which may be set to any value. Optionally, the TWT element may carry an individual TWT parameter information field that is the same as that in the received TWT element, or it may not carry an individual TWT parameter information field.

[0161] In yet another possible scenario, MLD2 may not accept the request but may provide proposed parameters to MLD1. In this case, MLD2 transmits a TWT Setup frame (i.e., an example of a second frame) containing a TWT element to MLD1. If the value of the TWT Request subfield in the Request Type field of the TWT element is equal to 0, it indicates that the TWT Setup frame is a response frame. The TWT element carries a value indicating Alternate TWT or Dictate TWT in the TWT Setup Command field within the Request Type field. Alternate TWT or Dictate TWT indicates that MLD1's request is not accepted, but proposed TWT SP parameters may be provided to MLD1. The proposed parameters are carried in the Individual TWT Parameter Information field of the TWT element, and the Aligned TWT subfield in the Control field of the TWT element indicates whether the proposed TWT SP parameters are Aligned TWT SPs. For example, if the Aligned TWT subfield in the Control field of the TWT element is set to 1, it indicates that the proposed TWT SP is Aligned TWT SPs. If the Aligned TWT subfield is set to 0, it indicates that the proposed TWT SP can be an aligned or non-aligned TWT SP.

[0162] 16 is a schematic block diagram of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. It should be understood that the transmitting device and the receiving device in this embodiment are MLDs. For example, the transmitting device in FIG. 16 can be an AP MLD, and the receiving device can be a STA MLD, and vice versa.

[0163] S1610: The transmitting device generates a first frame. The first frame includes a first element, which is used to request setting up individual TWT SPs, and the first element includes second information. The second information indicates N second links on which the individual TWT SPs are requested to be set up, the N second individual TWT SPs set up on the N second links need to be aligned, and the N second individual TWT SPs correspond one-to-one to the N second links. The N second links are different links, N is a positive integer, and the second links are communication links between the transmitting device and the receiving device.

[0164] S1620: The transmitting device transmits a first frame on a first link. N second individual TWT SPs are aligned by using the first link as a reference link. Correspondingly, the receiving device receives the first frame on the first link.

[0165] It should be understood that the first link is the communication link between the transmitting device and the receiving device.

[0166] Compared with the method shown in FIG. 8, it can be seen that the first element in the method does not need to indicate the first information. If the first element does not indicate the first information, the first link indicated by the first information in FIG. 8 may be the link on which the first element is transmitted. In this way, the second information indicates the link on which the aligned individual TWT SP needs to be set up, and multiple individual TWT SPs are aligned on multiple links by using the first link as a reference link. Thus, a method is specified in which a transmitting device sets up aligned individual TWT SPs on multiple links together with a receiving device by using one link.

[0167] This method can be further understood as follows: When the first element includes the second information, the first information is obviously absent. In this way, the second information indicates the link on which the aligned individual TWT SPs need to be set up, and the multiple individual TWT SPs are aligned on the multiple links by using the first link on which the first frame is transmitted as the reference link. Thus, a method is specified for a transmitting device to set up aligned individual TWT SPs on the multiple links together with a receiving device by using one link.

[0168] S1630: The receiving device sets up N aligned second individual TWT SPs on the N second links by using the first link as a reference link.

[0169] Optionally, the first element further includes third information, where the third information indicates information about a first individual TWT SP on the first link, the information about the first individual TWT SP including: a start time of the first individual TWT SP, a wake interval of the first individual TWT SP, and a duration of the first individual TWT SP in the wake interval.

[0170] It should be noted that in this method, even if information about the first individual TWT SP is configured, the first individual TWT SP may not actually be set up on the first link. The information about the first individual TWT SP on the first link is used only as reference information to set up the aligned individual TWT SP on the second link indicated by the second information. If the N second links indicated by the second information include the first link, the first individual TWT SP is actually set up on the first link. If the N second links indicated by the second information do not include the first link, the first individual TWT SP is not set up on the first link. In this case, the first individual TWT SP may be considered a virtual individual TWT SP and is the only reference TWT SP for setting up the aligned individual TWT SP.

[0171] In this embodiment of the present application, when the first element is a TWT element, it can be understood that the start time of the first individual TWT SP is related to the value of the TWT field of the Individual TWT Parameter Information field, the wake interval of the first individual TWT SP is the value of the TWT Wake Interval Mantissa field of the Individual TWT Parameter Information field, and the duration of the first individual TWT SP is the value of the Nominal Minimum TWT Wake Duration field of the Individual TWT Parameter Information field.

[0172] For multiple individual TWT SPs aligned on multiple links, it should be understood that the wake intervals and durations of the multiple individual TWT SPs may be obtained based on the third information, and these parameters are constant and do not vary based on the TSF timer of the link. Only the start times of the multiple individual TWT SPs are offset due to the TSF timer. Therefore, the key to determining the multiple aligned TWT SPs is to determine the start times of the multiple TWT SPs.

[0173] Specifically, in this step, the receiving device can determine the start time of the second individual TWT SP based on the start time of the first individual TWT SP included in the information about the first individual TWT SP. j teeth, TWT j =TWT i +TWT offset (2) where TWT i is the start time of the first individual TWT SP, and offset The value of TWT offset =TSF j +TSF i where TSF i is the TSF time corresponding to the first link, and jis the TSF time corresponding to the second link. In other words, the transmitting device uses the time axis of the reference link as a reference standard to calculate the TWT on the time axis of the second link according to the above formula. i The receiving device then determines a wake interval and duration of a second individual TWT SP based on the wake interval of the first individual TWT SP and the duration of the first individual TWT SP, and sets up the second individual TWT SP on the second link based on the information.

[0174] Specifically, when the first element is a TWT element, i The value of can be obtained by mapping the value of the Target Wake Time subfield in the TWT Parameter Information field of the first element to the TSF timer of the first link. The Target Wake Time subfield has a total of 16 bits, which correspond to the values ​​of bits 10 to 25 of the TSF timer. i The value of can be obtained by replacing bits 10 to 25 of the TSF timer of the first link with the value of the Target Wake Time subfield of the first element. It can be understood that the value of the Target Wake Time subfield in the TWT Parameter Information field of the first element is an absolute value. Therefore, the value obtained by mapping the value of the Target Wake Time subfield to the TSF timer of the first link matches the value obtained by mapping the value of the Target Wake Time subfield to the TSF timer of another second link.

[0175] TWT i and TWT j It can be understood that can be considered as moments at the same time position and corresponding to the time axis of the first link and the time axis of the second link, respectively.

[0176] It can be seen that the third information directly indicates the start time of the TWT SP on the reference link, and the start time of the second individual TWT SP can be calibrated based on the synchronization time difference between the reference link and the second link. Compared with the solution of setting up aligned TWT SPs proposed in proposal 802.11-22 / 0552r4, for a link, the receiving end performs calibration only once, thereby reducing the complexity of calculating the start time of aligned individual TWT SPs on the link.

[0177] For example, when the first element is a TWT element, the field corresponding to the third information is the TWT parameter information field of the TWT element. For possible field design manners of the second information in the TWT element, please refer to the description of the embodiment corresponding to Figure 8. The details will not be described again in this specification.

[0178] S1640: The transmitting device and the receiving device communicate with each other on the corresponding links based on the N second individual TWT SPs.

[0179] Optionally, before the receiving device decides to accept the sending device's request for the first element, the method includes:

[0180] S1650: The receiving device transmits a second frame, the second frame including a second element, the second element including fifth information, and the fifth information indicating that the receiving device confirms that it accepts the setup of the individual TWT SPs on the N second links. In response, the transmitting device receives the second frame.

[0181] It should be understood that the above describes a process in which a receiving device sets up multiple individual TWT SPs on multiple links based on the first factor after accepting a transmitting device's request to set up TWT SPs. In practice, the receiving device may alternatively reject the request. Based on specific signaling, the following provides a possible complete implementation procedure in which each of MLD 1 (transmitting device) and MLD 2 (receiving device) sets up aligned individual TWT SPs on multiple links by using the above-mentioned solution.

[0182] MLD1 transmits a TWT setup frame (i.e., an example of a first frame) to MLD2 over the link associated with MLD1 and MLD2. MLD1 carries a TWT element (i.e., an example of a first element) in the TWT setup frame and carries a value indicating Suggest TWT or Demand TWT in the TWT Setup Command field of the request type field of the TWT element. Suggest TWT or Demand TWT indicates that the TWT setup frame is a request to initiate TWT SP setup. Suggest TWT or Demand TWT enables MLD1 to initiate a TWT SP setup request and carry a set of TWT parameter information (i.e., an example of third information). MLD1 must further set the Aligned TWT field (an example of fourth information) of the TWT Control field to 1 (or 00) to indicate that the TWT element also carries the Aligned TWT Bitmap field (an example of second information). Also, the Aligned TWT Bitmap field indicates the link on which the individual TWT SP aligned with the reference link is expected to be set up, where the reference link is the link on which the TWT setup frame is transmitted.

[0183] Correspondingly, after receiving the TWT setup frame sent by MLD1, MLD2 determines based on the TWT element in the TWT setup frame that the TWT setup frame is an individual TWT SP setup request. Using the aligned TWT bitmap field in the TWT element, MLD2 determines the link on which MLD1 is attempting to set up the aligned TWT SP, and determines that the link on which the TWT setup frame is received is the reference link. Based on the TWT field in the individual TWT parameter information field, the start times of the individual TWT SPs that need to be aligned on the multiple requested links can be calculated according to Equation (2). Finally, based on other information in the individual TWT parameter information field, such as the nominal minimum TWT wake duration field and the TWT wake interval mantissa field, information such as the duration and wake interval of the aligned individual TWT SPs requested to be set up can be calculated. After obtaining all the necessary information in this way, MLD2 determines based on the obtained information whether to accept the TWT SP setup request initiated by MLD1. The following describes in detail whether MLD2 receives the request from MLD1.

[0184] In a possible scenario, MLD2 accepts the request. In this case, MLD2 transmits a TWT Setup frame (i.e., an example of a second frame) including a TWT element to MLD1. If the value of the TWT Request subfield in the request type field of the TWT element is equal to 0, it indicates that the TWT Setup frame is a response frame. The TWT element carries a value indicating Accept TWT (i.e., an example of the fifth information) in the TWT Setup Command field in the request type field. Accept TWT indicates confirmation of acceptance of MLD1's request. Optionally, the control field of the TWT element may carry an Aligned TWT subfield, which is set to 1 (or 00). The meaning of the subfield is the same as that described above, and the details will not be explained again here. Optionally, the TWT element may carry an individual TWT parameter information field that is the same as that in the received TWT element, or it may not carry an individual TWT parameter information field.

[0185] In another possible scenario, MLD2 does not accept the request. In this case, MLD2 sends a TWT Setup frame (i.e., an example of a second frame) containing a TWT element to MLD1. If the value of the TWT Request subfield in the request type field of the TWT element is equal to 0, it indicates that the TWT Setup frame is a response frame. The TWT element carries a value indicating Reject TWT in the TWT Setup Command field of the request type field. Reject TWT indicates that MLD1's request is not accepted. Optionally, the control field of the TWT element may carry an aligned TWT subfield, which may be set to any value. Optionally, the TWT element may carry an individual TWT parameter information field that is the same as that in the received TWT element, or it may not carry an individual TWT parameter information field.

[0186] In yet another possible scenario, MLD2 may not accept the request but may provide proposed parameters to MLD1. In this case, MLD2 transmits a TWT Setup frame (i.e., an example of a second frame) containing a TWT element to MLD1. If the value of the TWT Request subfield in the Request Type field of the TWT element is equal to 0, it indicates that the TWT Setup frame is a response frame. The TWT element carries a value indicating Alternate TWT or Dictate TWT in the TWT Setup Command field within the Request Type field. Alternate TWT or Dictate TWT indicates that MLD1's request is not accepted, but proposed TWT SP parameters may be provided to MLD1. The proposed parameters are carried in the Individual TWT Parameter Information field of the TWT element, and the Aligned TWT subfield in the Control field of the TWT element indicates whether the proposed TWT SP parameters are Aligned TWT SPs. For example, if the Aligned TWT subfield in the Control field of the TWT element is set to 1, it indicates that the proposed TWT SP is Aligned TWT SPs. If the Aligned TWT subfield is set to 0, it indicates that the proposed TWT SP can be an aligned or non-aligned TWT SP.

[0187] Hereinafter, the present application provides another communication method to effectively solve the above technical problems, which will be described in detail below.

[0188] 17 is a schematic block diagram of yet another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. It should be understood that the transmitting device and the receiving device in this embodiment are MLDs. For example, the transmitting device in FIG. 17 may be an AP MLD, and the receiving device may be a STA MLD, or vice versa.

[0189] S1710: The transmitting device generates a first frame. The first frame includes M first elements, where the first elements are used to request setting up individual TWT SPs, and the first elements include first information and second information. The first information indicates a target link on which the individual TWT SPs are requested to be set up, and the second information indicates information about the target individual TWT SPs on the target link, and the M target individual TWT SPs corresponding to the M first elements are aligned. The target link is a communication link between the transmitting device and the receiving device, and M is an integer greater than 1.

[0190] It should be understood that the M target links corresponding to the M first elements are different links.

[0191] Optionally, the information about the target individual TWT SP includes a start time of the target individual TWT SP, a wake interval of the target individual TWT SP, and a duration of the target individual TWT SP.

[0192] It should be further appreciated that the difference between this method and the method of Figure 8 is that the second information already directly contains information about the target individual TWT SP on the corresponding target link (i.e., the link to which the individual TWT SP needs to be aligned).

[0193] It should be noted that the transmitting device must further ensure that the wake intervals of the target individual TWT SPs on the M target links are consistent and that the durations of the target individual TWT SPs in the wake intervals are consistent to ensure that all individual TWT SPs set up on the M target links are aligned.

[0194] From the above description, it can be seen that for multiple individual TWT SPs aligned on multiple links, these parameters, i.e., the wake intervals and durations of the multiple individual TWT SPs, are constant and do not vary based on the TSF timers of the links. Only the start times of the multiple individual TWT SPs are offset due to the TSF timers. Therefore, the key to determining multiple aligned TWT SPs by the transmitting device is to determine the start times of the TWT SPs on the multiple links. Therefore, the transmitting device can determine the start times of the target individual TWT SPs corresponding to each of the M target links based on the same link (i.e., one reference link).

[0195] Target individual TWT SP start time TWT j teeth, TWT j =TWT i +TWT offset (3) where TWT i is the corresponding point in time at which the start time of the target individual TWT SP is mapped to the time axis of the reference link. For example, offset The value of TWT is calculated using the following formula: offset =TSF j -TSF i and TSF i is the TSF time corresponding to the reference link, and j is the TSF time corresponding to the target link. In other words, the transmitting device calculates the TWTs on the time axes of the M target links according to the above formula by using the time axis of the reference link as a reference standard. i Optionally, the reference link is any link within the communication link between the sending device and the receiving device.

[0196] Optionally, the reference link is pre-set or pre-configured. For example, the reference link may be the link on which the first frame is transmitted, or may be designated as the target link corresponding to the first element of the M first elements, or a designated link, for example, the link with the smallest link ID.

[0197] S1720: The transmitting device transmits a first frame. Correspondingly, the receiving device receives the first frame.

[0198] It should be further understood that the transmitting device transmits the first frame on any link associated with the transmitting device and the receiving device, and correspondingly, the receiving device receives the first frame on the link.

[0199] S1730: The receiving device sets up M target individual TWT SPs on the M target links based on information about the M target individual TWT SPs included in the M first elements.

[0200] In a possible implementation, if the first information indicates only one link and the link is a target link, the receiving device sets up M target individual TWT SPs on the M target links based on information about the M target individual TWT SPs included in the M first elements. Because the information transmitted by the transmitting device regarding the M target individual TWT SPs is information obtained by performing alignment and calibration, the M target individual TWT SPs set up by the receiving device are aligned.

[0201] In another possible implementation, when the first information indicates multiple links, including a target link, after receiving the multiple first elements, the receiving device cannot determine which link among the multiple links is the target link based on the first information. The receiving device first determines information about TWT SPs on the multiple links based on information about TWT SPs indicated by the second information. Because the TSF timers of all the links are different, the start times of the target individual TWT SPs indicated by the second information are actually offset on the time axes of different links. In other words, the start times of the target individual TWT SPs are not aligned. In this way, the information about TWT SPs on the multiple links indicated by the M first information in the M first elements can be determined, and the information about TWT SPs on the multiple links indicated by the M first information can be compared to determine which link among the multiple links in all the first information is the target link.

[0202] Optionally, the first element further includes third information, and the third information indicates that the target link exists in one or more links indicated by the first information. For example, the third information is 1-bit information. If the value of the 1-bit is 1, it indicates that the target link exists in one or more links indicated by the first information, or if the value of the 1-bit is 0, it indicates that the target link does not exist in one or more links indicated by the first information. If the third information is 2-bit information, the indication method is the same as the indication method of 1-bit, and details will not be described again in this specification.

[0203] In a possible specific implementation form, when the first element is a TWT element, the field corresponding to the first information is a Link ID Bitmap field in the TWT parameter information field of the TWT element or an Aligned TWT Bitmap subfield in the TWT parameter information field of the TWT element field, the field corresponding to the second information is a field related to information about the TWT SP in the TWT parameter information field of the TWT element, and the field corresponding to the third information can reuse the design of the Aligned TWT field in the embodiment shown in Figure 8. The details will not be described again in this specification.

[0204] Optionally, in the above-described implementation, the Aligned TWT field may not be added to the control field (i.e., the first element) of the TWT element (in other words, the third information is not included). Specifically, when requesting to set up an individual TWT SP, the transmitting device does not explicitly indicate whether the multiple links indicated by the Link ID Bitmap subfield include the target link, and the receiving end determines whether the multiple links indicated by the Link ID Bitmap subfield include the target link according to the method described above. Other behaviors of the receiving device and the transmitting device remain unchanged.

[0205] S1740: The transmitting device and the receiving device communicate with each other on the corresponding links based on the M target individual TWT SPs.

[0206] Optionally, before the receiving device decides to accept the sending device's request for the first element, the method includes:

[0207] S1750: The receiving device transmits a second frame, the second frame including a second element, the second element including fourth information, the fourth information indicating that the receiving device confirms that it accepts the setup of individual TWT SPs on the M target links corresponding to the M first elements. In response, the transmitting device receives the second frame.

[0208] It should be understood that the above describes a process in which a receiving device sets up multiple individual TWT SPs on multiple links based on the M first factors after accepting a transmitting device's request to set up TWT SPs. In practice, the receiving device may alternatively reject the request. Based on specific signaling, the following provides a possible complete implementation procedure in which each of MLD 1 (transmitting device) and MLD 2 (receiving device) sets up aligned individual TWT SPs on multiple links by using the above-mentioned solution.

[0209] MLD1 transmits a TWT setup frame (i.e., an example of a first frame) to MLD2 on the associated link. MLD1 carries multiple TWT elements (i.e., an example of M first elements) in the TWT setup frame, and carries a value indicating Suggest TWT or Demand TWT in the TWT Setup Command field of the Request Type field of each TWT element. Suggest TWT or Demand TWT indicates that the TWT setup frame is a request to initiate TWT SP setup. Suggest TWT or Demand TWT allows the MLD to initiate the request and carry a set of TWT parameter information. Each TWT element carries a Link ID Bitmap subfield (i.e., an example of first information) to indicate one or more links requested to be set up. If the Aligned TWT subfield (an example of third information) is set to 1 (or 00), it indicates that one or more links indicated by the Link ID Bitmap subfields carried in the TWT element include the target link. By using the calculation method described in equation (3), MLD1 determines the value of the TWT subfield in the individual TWT parameter information field of the target link corresponding to each TWT element (i.e., the position between the starting units of the first individual TWT included in the second information), ensuring that the TWT SPs on all target links calculated by the receiving end are aligned and the receiving end does not need to perform additional calibration.

[0210] Correspondingly, after receiving the TWT setup frame sent by MLD1, MLD2 may determine, based on the TWT elements in the TWT setup frame, that the TWT setup frame is an individual TWT SP setup request, and may use the link ID bitmap subfield in each TWT element to determine the links on which MLD1 will attempt to set up the TWT SP. The start times of the TWT SPs on one or more links indicated by the link ID bitmap subfield may be obtained using the TWT subfield of the individual TWT parameter information field in each TWT element. Based on the start times of the TWT SPs on all links indicated by the link ID bitmap subfields in all TWT elements, it may determine which link the TWT SPs on are aligned (in other words, which link is the target link). Finally, based on other information in the individual TWT parameter information field, such as the nominal minimum TWT wake duration field and the TWT wake interval mantissa subfield, information such as the duration and wake interval of the TWT SP requested to be set up may be calculated. After obtaining all necessary information, MLD2 decides whether to accept MLD1's application. The following will specifically explain whether MLD 2 receives the request from MLD 1.

[0211] In a possible scenario, MLD2 accepts the request. In this case, MLD2 sends a TWT Setup frame (i.e., an example of a second frame) including a TWT element to MLD1. If the value of the TWT Request subfield in the request type field of the TWT element is equal to 0, it indicates that the TWT Setup frame is a response frame. The TWT element carries a value indicating Accept TWT (i.e., an example of fourth information) in the TWT Setup Command field in the request type field. Accept TWT indicates that the request from MLD1 is accepted. Optionally, the control field of the TWT element may carry an aligned TWT subfield, which is set to 1 (or 00). The meaning of the subfield is the same as that described above, and the details will not be explained again here. Also, the TWT element may not carry the individual TWT parameter information field.

[0212] In another possible scenario, MLD2 does not accept the request. In this case, MLD2 sends a TWT Setup frame (i.e., an example of a second frame) containing a TWT element to MLD1. If the value of the TWT Request subfield in the request type field of the TWT element is equal to 0, it indicates that the TWT Setup frame is a response frame. The TWT element carries a value indicating Reject TWT in the TWT Setup Command field of the request type field. Reject TWT indicates that MLD1's request is not accepted. Optionally, the control field of the TWT element may carry an aligned TWT subfield, which may be set to any value. Optionally, the TWT element may carry an individual TWT parameter information field that is the same as that in the received TWT element, or it may not carry an individual TWT parameter information field.

[0213] In yet another possible scenario, MLD2 may not accept the request but may provide proposed parameters to MLD1. In this case, MLD2 transmits a TWT Setup frame (i.e., an example of a second frame) containing a TWT element to MLD1. If the value of the TWT Request subfield in the Request Type field of the TWT element is equal to 0, it indicates that the TWT Setup frame is a response frame. The TWT element carries a value indicating Alternate TWT or Dictate TWT in the TWT Setup Command field within the Request Type field. Alternate TWT or Dictate TWT indicates that MLD1's request is not accepted, but proposed TWT SP parameters may be provided to MLD1. The proposed parameters are carried in the Individual TWT Parameter Information field of the TWT element, and the Aligned TWT subfield in the Control field of the TWT element indicates whether the proposed TWT SP parameters are Aligned TWT SPs. For example, if the Aligned TWT subfield in the Control field of the TWT element is set to 1, it indicates that the proposed TWT SP is Aligned TWT SPs. If the Aligned TWT subfield is set to 0, it indicates that the proposed TWT SP can be an aligned or non-aligned TWT SP.

[0214] Although this specification focuses on setting up aligned individual TWT SPs on multiple links by using one link, it should be noted that this application is also applicable to setting up aligned broadcast TWT SPs on multiple links by using one link. The difference is that when an AP MLD broadcasts and sets up aligned broadcast TWT SPs on multiple links, the AP MLD must first carry one or more TWT elements in a beacon to broadcast the corresponding TWT SP parameters. After receiving the beacon, the non-AP MLD selects whether to send a TWT setup frame to the AP MLD. If the non-AP MLD chooses to send a TWT setup frame to the AP MLD, the subsequent process is consistent with the aligned individual TWT SP setup process. Also, to set up aligned broadcast TWT SPs, the carried TWT element must be a broadcast TWT element. When the non-AP MLD initiates a request to the AP MLD to set up aligned broadcast TWT SPs on multiple links, the non-AP MLD transmits a TWT setup frame carrying one or more broadcast TWT elements. After receiving the TWT setup frame, the AP MLD decides whether to accept the request. If the AP MLD accepts the request, the same TWT element will be carried in the beacon for parameter broadcasting, and the subsequent process is the same as that of the previous method.

[0215] It should be understood that the meaning of the fields and subfields is not specifically defined in the embodiments of the present application.

[0216] It should be further understood that the value of each sequence number of the above processes does not mean the order of execution sequence, and the execution order of each process should be determined based on the function and internal logic of each process, and should not be construed as any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0217] It should be further understood that in the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified or there is no logical contradiction, the terms and / or descriptions in different embodiments are consistent and can refer to each other, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined based on their internal logical relationships to form new embodiments.

[0218] It should be further understood that in some of the above-mentioned embodiments, devices in existing network architectures are mainly used as examples for explanation. It should be understood that the embodiments of the present application are not limited to a specific form of the device. For example, all devices that can implement the same function in the future are applicable to the embodiments of the present application.

[0219] In the method embodiments described above, it may be understood that the methods and operations implemented by a device (such as a transmitting device or a receiving device) may be implemented by a component (e.g., a chip or circuit) of the device.

[0220] The above describes in detail the methods provided in the embodiments of the present application with reference to Figures 1 to 17. The above methods are mainly described in terms of interactions between a transmitting device and a receiving device. It can be understood that to implement the above functions, the transmitting device and the receiving device include corresponding hardware structures and / or software modules for performing the functions.

[0221] Those skilled in the art should be able to recognize that the units and algorithm steps in this application can be implemented by hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software, in combination with the examples described in the embodiments disclosed herein. Whether a function is performed by hardware or by hardware driven by computer software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art may use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but the implementation form should not be considered to go beyond the scope of this application.

[0222] The following describes in detail a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application with reference to FIGS. 18 to 20 . It should be understood that the description of the device embodiment corresponds to the description of the method embodiment. Therefore, for content not described in detail, please refer to the above-mentioned method embodiment. For conciseness, some content will not be described again. In an embodiment of the present application, functional modules of a transmitting device or a receiving device may be obtained through division based on the above-mentioned method example. For example, a functional module may be obtained through division based on function, 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 in the embodiment of the present application, division into modules is an example and is merely a logical functional division. In an actual implementation, a different division scheme may be used. An example in which each functional module is obtained through division based on its corresponding function will be used below for explanation.

[0223] The above describes in detail the data transmission method provided in the present application, and the following describes a communication device provided in the present application. In a possible implementation, the device is configured to implement steps or procedures corresponding to the receiving device in the above-mentioned method embodiment. In another possible implementation, the device is configured to implement steps or procedures corresponding to the transmitting device in the above-mentioned method embodiment.

[0224] 18 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 200 according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 18, the device 200 may include a communication unit 210 and a processing unit 220. The communication unit 210 can communicate with the outside, and the processing unit 220 is configured to perform data processing. The communication unit 210 may also be referred to as a communication interface or a transceiver unit.

[0225] In a possible design, the apparatus 200 may implement steps or procedures performed by the transmitting device in the above-described method embodiments, where the processing unit 220 is configured to perform processing-related operations of the transmitting device in the above-described method embodiments, and the communication unit 210 is configured to perform transmission-related operations of the transmitting device in the above-described method embodiments.

[0226] In yet another possible design, the apparatus 200 may implement steps or procedures performed by the receiving device in the above-described method embodiments, where the communication unit 210 is configured to perform reception-related operations of the receiving device in the above-described method embodiments, and the processing unit 220 is configured to perform processing-related operations of the receiving device in the above-described method embodiments.

[0227] It should be understood that the apparatus 200 herein is presented in the form of a functional unit. The term "unit" herein may refer to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (e.g., a shared processor, a dedicated processor, or a group processor) configured to execute one or more software or firmware programs, a memory, a merge logic circuit, and / or another suitable component supporting the described functionality. In optional examples, those skilled in the art may understand that the apparatus 200 may specifically be a transmitting device in the above-described embodiments and may be configured to perform procedures and / or steps corresponding to the transmitting device in the above-described method embodiments, or that the apparatus 200 may specifically be a receiving device in the above-described embodiments and may be configured to perform procedures and / or steps corresponding to the receiving device in the above-described method embodiments. To avoid repetition, details will not be described again here.

[0228] The apparatus 200 in the above-mentioned solution has a function of implementing a corresponding step performed by a transmitting device in the above-mentioned method, or the apparatus 200 in the above-mentioned solution has a function of implementing a corresponding step performed by a receiving device in the above-mentioned method. The function may be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-mentioned function. For example, a communication unit may be replaced with a transceiver (e.g., a transmitting unit of the communication unit may be replaced with a transmitter, and a receiving unit of the communication unit may be replaced with a receiver), and another unit such as a processing unit may be replaced with a processor to separately perform transmitting / receiving operations and processing-related operations in the method embodiments.

[0229] Furthermore, the communication unit may alternatively be a transceiver circuit (e.g., may include a receiving circuit and a transmitting circuit), and the processing unit may be a processing circuit. In this embodiment of the present application, the device in FIG. 18 may be an AP or STA in the above-mentioned embodiments, or may be a chip or a chip system, for example, a system on chip (SoC). The communication unit may be an input / output circuit or a communication interface. The processing unit is a processor, a microprocessor, or an integrated circuit integrated on a chip. This is not limited herein.

[0230] 19 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 300 according to an embodiment of the present application. The device 300 includes a processor 310 and a transceiver 320. The processor 310 and the transceiver 320 communicate with each other via an internal connection path. The processor 310 is configured to execute instructions to control the transceiver 320 to transmit and / or receive signals.

[0231] Optionally, the apparatus 300 may further include a memory 330, which communicates with the processor 310 and the transceiver 320 via an internal connection path. The memory 330 is configured to store instructions, and the processor 310 can execute the instructions stored in the memory 330. In a possible implementation, the apparatus 300 is configured to implement procedures and steps corresponding to the transmitting device in the above-mentioned method embodiments. In another possible implementation, the apparatus 300 is configured to implement procedures and steps corresponding to the receiving device in the above-mentioned method embodiments.

[0232] It should be understood that the apparatus 300 may specifically be the transmitting device or receiving device in the above-described embodiments, or may be a chip or chip system. Correspondingly, the transceiver 320 may be a transceiver circuit of a chip. This is not limited herein. Specifically, the apparatus 300 may be configured to perform steps and / or procedures corresponding to the transmitting device or receiving device in the above-described method embodiments. Optionally, the memory 330 may include read-only memory and random access memory and provide instructions and data to the processor. Part of the memory may further include non-volatile random access memory. For example, the memory may further store information about device types. The processor 310 may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory. Furthermore, when the processor 310 executes the instructions stored in the memory, the processor 310 is configured to perform steps and / or procedures in the above-described method embodiments corresponding to the transmitting device or receiving device.

[0233] In the implementation process, the steps in the above-mentioned method can be implemented by using hardware integrated logic circuits in a processor or by using instructions in the form of software. The steps of the method disclosed with reference to the embodiments of the present application can be directly performed and achieved by using a hardware processor, or can be performed and achieved by using a combination of hardware and software modules in a processor. The software modules can be located in a mature storage medium in the art, such as a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory, an electrically erasable programmable memory, or a register. The storage medium is located in the memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and completes the steps in the above-mentioned method in combination with the hardware of the processor. To avoid repetition, details will not be described again here.

[0234] It should be noted that the processor in the embodiments of the present application may be an integrated circuit chip and have signal processing capabilities. In the implementation process, the steps in the above-mentioned method embodiments may be implemented by using hardware integrated logic circuits in the processor or by using instructions in the form of software. The processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or another programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component. The processor in the embodiments of the present application can implement or execute the methods, steps, and logical block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or the processor may be any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the methods disclosed with reference to the embodiments of the present application may be directly performed and achieved by using a hardware decoding processor, or may be performed and achieved by using a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software modules may be located in mature storage media in the art, such as random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, or registers. The storage medium is located in the memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and completes the steps in the above-mentioned method in combination with the processor's hardware.

[0235] It can be understood that the memory in this embodiment of the present application can be volatile or nonvolatile memory, or can include volatile and nonvolatile memory. Nonvolatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM) used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, many forms of RAM may be used, such as static random access memory (static RAM, SRAM), dynamic random access memory (dynamic RAM, DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (synchronous DRAM, SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (double data rate SDRAM, DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (enhanced SDRAM, ESDRAM), synchlink dynamic random access memory (synchlink DRAM, SLDRAM), and direct rambus random access memory (direct rambus RAM, DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory of the systems and methods described herein includes, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0236] It should be noted that the memory (storage module) may be integrated into the processor when the processor is a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component. It should be further noted that memory as described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0237] 20 is a schematic diagram of a chip system 1300 according to one embodiment of the present application. The chip system 1300 (also sometimes referred to as a processing system) includes a logic circuit 1310 and an input / output interface 1320.

[0238] The logic circuit 1310 may be a processing circuit in the chip system 1300. The logic circuit 1310 is coupled and connected to a storage unit and can call instructions in the storage unit, so that the chip system 1300 can implement the methods and functions in the embodiments of the present application. The input / output interface 1320 may be an input / output circuit in the chip system 1300, and outputs information processed by the chip system 1300 or inputs data or signaling to be processed into the chip system 1300 for processing.

[0239] Specifically, for example, if chip system 1300 is installed in a transmitting device, logic circuit 1310 is coupled to input / output interface 1320, and logic circuit 1310 can transmit a first frame via input / output interface 1320. The first frame can be generated by logic circuit 1310. In another example, if chip system 1300 is installed in a receiving device, logic circuit 1310 is coupled to input / output interface 1320, and logic circuit 1310 can receive the first frame via input / output interface 1320, and logic circuit 1320 determines information about the TWT SP on the link based on the first frame.

[0240] In one solution, the chip system 1300 is configured to implement the operations performed by the transmitting device in the method embodiments described above.

[0241] For example, the logic circuit 1310 is configured to implement processing-related operations performed by the transmitting device in the above-described method embodiments, e.g., the processing-related operations performed by the transmitting device in the embodiments shown in FIG. 8, FIG. 16, or FIG. 17, and the input / output interface 1320 is configured to implement transmission and / or reception-related operations performed by the transmitting device in the above-described method embodiments, e.g., the processing-related operations performed by the transmitting device in the embodiments shown in FIG. 8, FIG. 16, or FIG. 17.

[0242] In another solution, the chip system 1300 is configured to implement the operations performed by the receiving device in the method embodiments described above.

[0243] For example, the logic circuitry 1310 is configured to implement processing-related operations performed by the receiving device in the above-described method embodiments, e.g., the processing-related operations performed by the receiving device in the embodiments shown in FIG. 8, FIG. 16, or FIG. 17, and the input / output interface 1320 is configured to implement transmission- and / or reception-related operations performed by the receiving device in the above-described method embodiments, e.g., the processing-related operations performed by the receiving device in the embodiments shown in FIG. 8, FIG. 16, or FIG. 17.

[0244] Additionally, the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium that stores computer instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the operations and / or procedures performed by a transmitting device or a receiving device in an embodiment of the method of the present application to be performed.

[0245] The present application further provides a computer program product, which includes computer program code or instructions that, when executed on a computer, perform the operations and / or procedures performed by a sending device or a receiving device in an embodiment of the method of the present application.

[0246] In addition, the present application further provides a communication system including the transmitting device and the receiving device in the embodiments of the present application.

[0247] It should be further noted that memory, as described herein, is intended to include, without being limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0248] Those skilled in the art will recognize that, in combination with the examples described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the units and algorithm steps can be implemented by electronic hardware or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether a function is implemented by hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art may use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to exceed the scope of the present application. For convenient and concise explanation, those skilled in the art will clearly understand that for detailed operation processes of the above-described systems, devices, and units, please refer to the corresponding processes in the above-described method embodiments. Details will not be described again herein. In the multiple embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the described device embodiments are merely examples. For example, the division into units is merely a logical functional division, and other divisions may be used in actual implementations. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be omitted or not implemented. In addition, the shown or described mutual couplings or direct couplings or communication connections may be implemented through some interfaces. Indirect couplings or communication connections between devices or units may be implemented electronically, mechanically, or in other forms. Units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and parts displayed as units may or may not be physical units, located in one location, or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected based on actual requirements for achieving the objectives of the solutions of the embodiments. In addition, functional units in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, and each unit may exist physically alone, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0249] When a function is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, the function may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application may essentially, or a portion of the technical solution, be implemented in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes a plurality of instructions for instructing a computer device (which may be 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 the present application. The above-mentioned storage medium includes any medium capable of storing program code, such as a USB flash drive, a removable hard disk, a ROM, a RAM, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0250] It should be understood that the reference throughout this specification to an "embodiment" means that the particular feature, structure, or characteristic associated with this embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present application. Thus, references to embodiments throughout the specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, these particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0251] It should be further understood that ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" referred to in the embodiments of the present application are intended to distinguish between multiple objects, and are not intended to limit the size, content, order, chronological order, priority, importance, etc. of the multiple objects. For example, first information and second information do not indicate a difference in the amount of information, content, priority, importance, etc.

[0252] It should be further understood that in this application, both "when" and "if" refer to the corresponding processing performed by the network element at the time of interest, are not intended to be time-limited, do not require that the determining action be performed during implementation of the network element, and do not imply any other limitations.

[0253] It should be further understood that, in this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "plurality" means two or more. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions means any combination of these items, including any combination of singular or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b, and c.

[0254] Unless otherwise specified, it should be further understood that expressions used in this application similar to the expression "the item includes any one or more of A, B, and C" generally mean that the item can be any one of A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B, and C; A and A; A, A, and A; A, A, and B; A, A, and C; A, B, and B; A, C, and C; B and B; B, B, and B; B, B, and C; C and C; C, C, and C; and other combinations of A, B, and C. In the above description, three elements A, B, and C are used as an example to illustrate the optional case of an item. When the expression is "the item includes at least one of A, B, ..., and X," in other words, when the expression includes more elements, the applicable case of the item can also be obtained according to the above rules.

[0255] It should be understood that the term "and / or" in this specification describes only the relational relationship between associated objects and indicates that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B may represent the following three cases: only A is present, both A and B are present, and only B is present. A and B may be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates an "or" relationship between associated objects. For example, A / B indicates A or B.

[0256] In the embodiments of the present application, it should be further understood that "B corresponding to A" represents that B is associated with A, and B can be determined based on A. However, it should be further understood that determining A based on B does not mean that B is determined based only on A, i.e., B can alternatively be determined based on A and / or other information.

[0257] The above description is merely a specific implementation of the present application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present application. Any variations or replacements that can be easily devised by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present application shall fall within the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present application shall be subject to the scope of protection of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0258] 200 Communication Equipment 210 Communication Unit 220 Processing Unit 300 Communication Equipment 310 processor 320 Transceiver 330 memory 1300 Chip System 1310 Logic Circuits 1320 Input / Output Interface

Claims

1. receiving a first frame, the first frame including a first element, the first element being used to request setting up an individual target wake time TWT service period SP, the first element including first information and second information, the first information indicating a first link on which an individual TWT SP is requested to be set up, the second information indicating N second links on which individual TWT SPs are requested to be set up, the N second individual TWT SPs set up on the N second links need to be aligned with the first individual TWT SP on the first link, the N second individual TWT SPs correspond one-to-one to the N second links, the first link and the second link are communication links between a transmitting device and a receiving device, the N second links are different links, and N is a positive integer; setting up the first individual TWT SP on the first link and the N second individual TWT SPs on the N second links based on the first factor; performing communication over the corresponding link based on the first individual TWT SP and the N second individual TWT SPs; A communication method, including:

2. the first element includes third information, the third information indicating information about the first individual TWT SP, the information about the first individual TWT SP including a start time of the first individual TWT SP; The step of setting up the first individual TWT SP on the first link and the N second individual TWT SPs on the N second links based on the first factor includes: setting up the first individual TWT SP on the first link based on the information about the first individual TWT SP; determining information about the N second individual TWT SPs, wherein the information about the second individual TWT SPs includes start times of the second individual TWT SPs, and the start times of the second individual TWT SPs are determined based on the start times of the first individual TWT SPs; setting up the N second individual TWT SPs on the N second links based on the information about the N second individual TWT SPs; Including, The method of claim 1.

3. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the second individual TWT SP is aligned with the first individual TWT SP after the start time of the second individual TWT SP is determined based on the start time of the first individual TWT SP.

4. the start time TWT of the second individual TWT SP j teeth, TWT j =TWT i +TWT offset The equation is satisfied, During the ceremony, TWT i is the start time of the first individual TWT SP, and offset the value of is equal to the difference between the Time Synchronization Function TSF timer of the first link and the TSF timer of the second link; The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first element further includes fourth information, the fourth information indicating that the first element includes the second information.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein when the first element is a TWT element, the fourth information is an aligned TWT field within a control field of the TWT element.

7. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the first element is the TWT element, the first information is a Link ID Bitmap field or a Link ID field in a TWT Parameter Information field of the TWT element, and the second information is an Aligned TWT Bitmap field in the TWT Parameter Information field.

8. The method comprises: transmitting a second frame, the second frame including a second element, the second element including fifth information, the fifth information indicating that the receiving device confirms acceptance of the setup of the individual TWT SPs on the first link and the N second links; The method of any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising:

9. generating a first frame, the first frame including a first element, the first element being used to request setting up an individual target wake time TWT service period SP, the first element including first information and second information, the first information indicating a first link on which an individual TWT SP is requested to be set up, the second information indicating N second links on which individual TWT SPs are requested to be set up, the N second individual TWT SPs set up on the N second links need to be aligned with the first individual TWT SP on the first link, the N second individual TWT SPs correspond one-to-one to the N second links, the first link and the second link are communication links between a transmitting device and a receiving device, the N second links are different links, and N is a positive integer; transmitting the first frame; A communication method, including:

10. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first element includes third information, the third information indicating information about the first individual TWT SP, and the information about the first individual TWT SP including a start time of the first individual TWT SP.

11. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein aligning the second individual TWT SP with the first individual TWT SP comprises aligning a start time of the first individual TWT SP with the start time of the first individual TWT SP.

12. 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the first element further includes fourth information, and the fourth information indicates that the first element includes the second information.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein when the first element is a TWT element, the fourth information is an aligned TWT subfield in a control field of the TWT element.

14. 14. The method according to claim 9, wherein when the first element is the TWT element, the first information is a Link ID Bitmap field or a Link ID field in a TWT Parameter Information field of the TWT element, and the second information is an Aligned TWT Bitmap subfield in the TWT Parameter Information field.

15. The method comprises: receiving a second frame, the second frame including a second element, the second element including fifth information, the fifth information indicating that the receiving device confirms acceptance of the setup of the individual TWT SPs on the first link and the N second links; The method of any one of claims 9 to 14, further comprising:

16. receiving a first frame, the first frame including M first elements, the first elements being used to request setting up individual target wake time TWT service periods SP, the first elements including first information and second information, the first information indicating a target link on which an individual TWT SP is requested to be set up, the second information indicating information about the target individual TWT SP on the target link, the M target individual TWT SPs corresponding to the M first elements being aligned, the target link being a communication link between a transmitting device and a receiving device, and M being an integer greater than 1; setting up the M target individual TWT SPs on M target links based on information about the M target individual TWT SPs included in the M first elements, where the M target links are different links; performing communication on the corresponding links based on the M target individual TWT SPs; A communication method, including:

17. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first element further includes third information, the third information indicating that the first information indicates the target link.

18. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein when the first element is a TWT element, the third information is an aligned TWT field within a control field of the TWT element.

19. 19. The method according to claim 16, wherein when the first element is the TWT element, the first information is a Link ID Bitmap field in a TWT Parameter Information field of the TWT element, and the second information is the TWT Parameter Information field.

20. 19. The method according to claim 16, wherein when the first element is the TWT element, the first information is an aligned TWT bitmap field in a TWT parameter information field of the TWT element, and the second information is the TWT parameter information field.

21. The method comprises: transmitting a second frame, the second frame including a second element, the second element including fourth information, the fourth information indicating that the receiving device confirms acceptance of the setup of the individual TWT SPs on the M target links corresponding to the M first elements; The method of any one of claims 16 to 20, further comprising:

22. generating a first frame, the first frame including M first elements, the first elements being used to request setting up individual wake time TWT service periods SP, the first elements including first information and second information, the first information indicating a target link on which an individual TWT SP is requested to be set up, the second information indicating information about the target individual TWT SP on the target link, the M target individual TWT SPs corresponding to the M first elements being aligned, the target link being a communication link between a transmitting device and a receiving device, and M being an integer greater than 1; transmitting the first frame; A communication method, including:

23. The information about the target individual TWT SP includes a start time of the target individual TWT SP, and the start time TWT j teeth, TWT j =TWT i +TWT offset The equation is satisfied, During the ceremony, TWT i is the time point at which the start time of the target individual TWT SP is mapped to the time axis of the reference link, and offset the value of is equal to the difference between the TSF timer of the reference link and the TSF timer of the target link, and the reference link is any link within the communication link between the transmitting device and the receiving device; 23. The method of claim 22.

24. 24. The method of claim 22 or 23, wherein the first element further includes third information, the third information indicating that the target link is present in the first information.

25. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein when the first element is a TWT element, the third information is an aligned TWT field within a control field of the TWT element.

26. 26. The method of claim 22, wherein when the first element is the TWT element, the first information is a Link ID Bitmap field in a TWT Parameter Information field of the TWT element, and the second information is the TWT Parameter Information field.

27. The method comprises: receiving a second frame, the second frame including a second element, the second element including fourth information, the fourth information indicating that the receiving device confirms acceptance of the setup of the individual TWT SPs on the M target links corresponding to the M first elements; 27. The method of any one of claims 22 to 26, further comprising:

28. a communication unit configured to receive a first frame, the first frame including a first element, the first element being used to request setting up an individual target wake time TWT service period SP, the first element including first information and second information, the first information indicating a first link on which an individual TWT SP is requested to be set up, the second information indicating N second links on which individual TWT SPs are requested to be set up, the N second individual TWT SPs set up on the N second links need to be aligned with the first individual TWT SP on the first link, the N second individual TWT SPs correspond one-to-one to the N second links, the first link and the second link are communication links between a transmitting device and a receiving device, the N second links are different links, and N is a positive integer; a processing unit configured to set up the first individual TWT SP on the first link and the N second individual TWT SPs on the N second links based on the first factor; Equipped with the processing unit is further configured to perform communication on the corresponding link based on the first individual TWT SP and the N second individual TWT SPs. Communication equipment.

29. a processing unit configured to generate a first frame, the first frame including a first element, the first element being used to request setting up an individual target wake time TWT service period SP, the first element including first information and second information, the first information indicating a first link on which an individual TWT SP is requested to be set up, the second information indicating N second links on which individual TWT SPs are requested to be set up, the N second individual TWT SPs set up on the N second links need to be aligned with the first individual TWT SP on the first link, the N second individual TWT SPs correspond one-to-one to the N second links, the first link and the second link are communication links between a transmitting device and a receiving device, the N second links are different links, and N is a positive integer; a communication unit configured to transmit the first frame; A communication device comprising:

30. a communication unit configured to receive a first frame, the first frame including M first elements, the first elements being used to request setting up individual TWT SPs, the first elements including first information and second information, the first information indicating a target link for which an individual target wake time TWT service period SP is requested to be set up, the second information indicating information about the target individual TWT SPs on the target link, and the M target individual TWT SPs corresponding to the M first elements are aligned, the target link being a communication link between a transmitting device and a receiving device, where M is an integer greater than 1; a processing unit configured to set up the M target individual TWT SPs on M target links based on information about the M target individual TWT SPs included in the M first elements, the M target links being different links; Equipped with the processing unit is further configured to perform communication on the corresponding link based on the M target individual TWT SPs. Communication equipment.

31. a processing unit configured to generate a first frame, the first frame including M first elements, the first elements being used to request setting up individual TWT SPs, the first elements including first information and second information, the first information indicating a target link for which an individual wake time TWT service period SP is requested to be set up, the second information indicating information about the target individual TWT SPs on the target link, the M target individual TWT SPs corresponding to the M first elements being aligned, the target link being a communication link between a transmitting device and a receiving device, M being an integer greater than 1; a communication unit configured to transmit the first frame; A communication device comprising:

32. 1. A communications device comprising a processor configured to execute computer instructions stored in a memory, whereby the device performs a method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, or to cause the device to perform a method according to any one of claims 9 to 15, or to cause the device to perform a method according to any one of claims 16 to 21, or to cause the device to perform a method according to any one of claims 22 to 27.

33. 1. A computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions that, when executed on a computer, perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 8, or perform the method of any one of claims 9 to 15, or perform the method of any one of claims 16 to 21, or perform the method of any one of claims 22 to 27.

34. A chip comprising a processor and a communication interface, wherein the processor reads instructions stored in a memory via the communication interface to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 8, or to perform the method of any one of claims 9 to 15, or to perform the method of any one of claims 16 to 21, or to perform the method of any one of claims 22 to 27.

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