MULTIPLE ACCESS POINT BASED OPERATING METHOD, DEVICE AND CHIP

Abstract

A multi-AP operation method, apparatus, device, storage medium, and product, belonging to the wireless communication technical field, includes transmitting a first frame (301) to a first station STA device to establish a multi-AP operation-based protected scheduled service period, where the multi-AP operation-based protected scheduled service period is a protected scheduled service period negotiated and established by the first AP device with at least one second AP device. The solution optimizes transmission interference between stations to reduce station transmission delays and improve station transmission efficiency.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present application relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and in particular to an operating method and apparatus based on multiple access points. and tip Regarding. [Background technology]

[0002] In Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), the Target Wake Time (TWT) mechanism is used to support energy-saving operations in large-scale Internet of Things (IoT) environments. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present application provides a method and apparatus for operating a multi-access point system. and tip The technical solution is as follows:

[0004] Book An embodiment of the present application provides a multi-AP based operation method, the method being performed by a first AP device, the method including: transmitting a first frame to a first station STA device to establish a protected scheduled service period based on multi-AP operation; The protected scheduled service period based on the multi-AP operation is a protected scheduled service period that is negotiated and established by the first AP device with at least one second AP device.

[0005] Book An embodiment of the present application provides a multi-AP based operation method, the method being performed by a first STA device, the method including receiving a first frame, the first frame being used by a first AP device to indicate to the first STA device that a protected scheduled service period based on multi-AP operation has been established; The protected scheduled service period based on the multi-AP operation is a protected scheduled service period that is negotiated and established by the first AP device with at least one second AP device.

[0006] Book In an embodiment of the present application, a multi-AP based operation device is provided, the device including: a transmitting module; The transmitting module is used to transmit a first frame to a first station STA device to establish a protected scheduled service period based on multi-AP operation; The protected scheduled service period based on the multi-AP operation is a protected scheduled service period that is negotiated and established by the first AP device with at least one second AP device.

[0007] Book In an embodiment of the present application, a multi-AP-based operation device is provided, wherein a receiving module is used to receive a first frame, and the first frame is used by a first AP device to indicate to the first STA device that a protected scheduled service period based on multi-AP operation has been established; The protected scheduled service period based on the multi-AP operation is a protected scheduled service period that is negotiated and established by the first AP device with at least one second AP device.

[0008] According to another aspect, a chip is provided, the chip including a processor, the processor being adapted to call up and execute a computer program from a memory, thereby causing a computing device to which the chip is attached to perform the above-described multi-access point based operating method. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture of a communication system provided in one embodiment of the present application; [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is an exemplary diagram of multi-AP cooperative operation provided in one embodiment of the present application. [Figure 3] 1 is a flowchart of a multi-access point-based operation method provided in an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 4] 1 is a flowchart of a multi-access point-based operation method provided in an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 5] 1 is a flowchart of a multi-access point-based operation method provided in an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 6] 1 is a flowchart of a multi-access point-based operation method provided in an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 7] 7 is a schematic diagram of a definition of a multi-AP operation information sub-domain according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 7 is a schematic diagram of a cooperating AP set information sub-domain format according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 9] 7 is a schematic diagram of a cooperative AP set information sub-domain format according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 10] FIG. 7 is an exemplary diagram of the establishment and operation flow of an R-TWT SP based on the operation of multiple APs according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 11] 1 is a schematic diagram of an R-TWT operation scenario based on multi-AP cooperation according to the present application; [Figure 12] 1 is an exemplary diagram of the main flow and operations of establishing R-TWT based on multi-AP cooperation according to the present application. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an R-TWT operation scene based on multi-AP cooperation according to the present application. [Figure 14] 1 is a schematic diagram of the establishment and operation of an R-TWT based on multi-AP cooperation according to the present application. [Figure 15] 1 is a schematic diagram of an R-TWT operation scene based on multi-AP cooperation according to the present application; [Figure 16] 1 is an exemplary diagram of the main flow and operation of establishing and operating an R-TWT based on multi-AP cooperation according to the present application. [Figure 17]1 is a schematic diagram of an R-TWT operation scene based on multi-AP cooperation according to the present application; [Figure 18] 1 is an exemplary diagram of the main flow and operation of establishing and operating an R-TWT based on multi-AP cooperation according to the present application. [Figure 19] 1 is a schematic diagram of a mixed mode scene based on multi-AP cooperation and multi-AP coordination according to the present application; [Figure 20] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an operating device based on multiple access points provided in an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 21] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an operating device based on multiple access points provided in an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 22] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an operating device based on multiple access points provided in an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 23] FIG. 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a computer device provided in an embodiment of the present application; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The network architectures and business scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are intended to more clearly explain the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and are not intended to limit the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application. Those skilled in the art can understand that with the evolution of network architectures and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application can also be applied to similar technical problems.

[0011] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN), Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), and other communication systems.

[0012] 1, there is shown a schematic diagram of a network architecture of a communication system 100 provided in one embodiment of the present application. The communication system 100 may include an access point 110 (i.e., AP) and a station 120 (i.e., STA) that accesses the network via the access point 110.

[0013] In some scenarios, an AP is also called an AP STA, that is, in a sense, an AP is also an STA.

[0014] In some scenarios, the STA is also called a non-AP STA.

[0015] The communication in the communication system 100 may be communication between an AP and a non-AP STA, communication between a non-AP STA and a non-AP STA, or communication between a STA and a peer STA. Here, a peer STA may refer to a device that communicates with the STA in a peer-to-peer manner. For example, the peer STA may be an AP or a non-AP STA.

[0016] An AP is a bridge that connects wired and wireless networks, and its main role is to connect wireless network clients and then access the wireless network to Ethernet. AP devices can be terminal devices (e.g., mobile phones) with Wi-Fi chips or network devices (e.g., wireless routers, wireless switches, or wireless relay devices).

[0017] It should be understood that the role of a STA in a communication system is not absolute. For example, in some scenarios, when a mobile phone is connected to a router, the mobile phone is a non-AP STA, and when the mobile phone is used as a hotspot for other mobile phones, the mobile phone plays the role of an AP.

[0018] The AP and non-AP STA may be devices applied in connected cars, Internet of Things (IoT) nodes, sensors, etc. in the Internet of Things (IoT), smart cameras, smart remote controls, smart water meters, smart electricity meters, etc. in smart homes, and sensors in smart cities.

[0019] In some embodiments, the non-AP STAs may support the 802.11be system. The non-AP STAs may also support multiple current and future 802.11 family wireless local area network systems, such as 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, and 802.11a.

[0020] In some embodiments, the AP may be a device that supports the 802.11be standard. The AP may also be a device that supports multiple current and future WLAN standards of the 802.11 family, such as 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, and 802.11a.

[0021] In an embodiment of the present application, the STA may be a mobile phone, a tablet, a computer, a virtual reality (VR) device, an augmented reality (AR) device, a wireless device in industrial control, a set-top box, a wireless device in self driving, an in-vehicle communication device, a wireless device in remote medical, a wireless device in a smart grid, a wireless device in transportation safety, a wireless device in a smart city or a wireless device in a smart home, a wireless communication chip / application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) / system-level chip (SOC) / , etc. that supports WLAN or WiFi technology.

[0022] The frequency bands that WLAN technology can support may include, but are not limited to, low frequency bands (eg, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz) and high frequency bands (eg, 60 GHz).

[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates one AP STA and two non-AP STAs as an example, and alternatively, the communication system 100 may include multiple AP STAs and other numbers of non-AP STAs, although embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.

[0024] It should be understood that a device having a communication function in a network / system in an embodiment of the present application can be referred to as a communication device. Taking the communication system 100 shown in FIG. 1 as an example, the communication device includes an access point 110 and a station 120 having a communication function. The access point 110 and the station 120 may be the above-mentioned specific devices, and detailed description thereof will be omitted here. The communication device may further include other devices in the communication system 100 (e.g., other network entities such as a network controller, a gateway, etc.), and the embodiment of the present application is not limited thereto.

[0025] The network architecture shown in FIG. 1 above includes two access points 110 and four stations 120, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit the number of access points 110 and stations 120, for example, the network architecture may include more access points 110 and stations 120.

[0026] It should be understood that the terms "system" and "network" are always used interchangeably herein. The term "and / or" herein merely describes the relationship between related objects and indicates that three types of relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent three cases: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. Furthermore, the character " / " herein generally indicates that the related objects before and after it are in an "or" relationship.

[0027] It should be understood that the "indication" described in the embodiments of the present application may be a direct indication, an indirect indication, or a reference to an association relationship. For example, "A indicates B" can indicate that A directly indicates B (e.g., B can be obtained through A), or that A indirectly indicates B (e.g., A indicates C, and B can be obtained through C), or that there is an association relationship between A and B.

[0028] In describing the embodiments of the present application, the term "correspondence" can indicate a direct or indirect correspondence between the two, or an association between the two, or the relationship between "indicating" and "being indicated," or the relationship between "arranging" and "arranged," etc.

[0029] In the embodiments of the present application, "predefined" may be implemented in a form in which a corresponding code, table, or other related information usable for instruction is pre-stored in a device (including, for example, an access point and a station), and the present application is not limited to the specific implementation form. For example, predefined may mean defined in a protocol.

[0030] In the embodiments of the present application, the "protocol" may refer to a standard protocol in the communication field, and may include, for example, a WiFi protocol and related protocols applied to future WiFi communication systems, but the present application is not limited thereto.

[0031] The access point 110 and the station 120 can be associated and communicate with each other through wireless local area network technology, where the association refers to the process of wireless link service negotiation between the STA and the AP, which is used to establish a wireless link between the STA and the AP.

[0032] 1) TWT

[0033] TWT is used to support energy-saving operations in large-scale Internet of Things environments. In 802.11ax, the TWT mechanism: 802. Building on 11ah, the scope of TWT work has been extended by adding support for trigger-based uplink transmission.

[0034] In TWT, a schedule consisting of a TWT time period is established between the terminal and the AP (the schedule is agreed upon by the terminal and the AP). After the negotiated time period arrives, the terminal wakes up and waits for a trigger frame sent by the AP to exchange data once. After completing this transmission, the terminal returns to sleep. Each terminal can negotiate with the AP independently, and each terminal has its own separate TWT time period.

[0035] TWT allows an AP to manage a Basic Service Set (BSS), reducing contention among stations and reducing wake-up times for stations using power consumption management modes. This is achieved by having stations operate in non-overlapping time and / or frequency domains and concentrating frame exchanges into predefined service periods. Therefore, to ensure the effectiveness of TWT, an AP typically requires that all relevant stations in a BSS be able to participate in TWT in order for the AP to perform scheduling. 802. According to the 11ax TWT protocol specification, HE (High-Efficiency, especially 802.An 11ax AP can request TWT participation from associated stations that declare that they support TWT. After receiving an instruction to join TWT from the AP, a non-AP station should perform individual TWT protocol negotiation or participate in broadcast TWT. In addition, the TWT service period (SP) includes a trigger-enabled SP and a non-trigger-enabled SP, and the TWT scheduling AP performs scheduling by transmitting a trigger frame in the trigger-enabled SP. At the same time, 802. 11ax specifies that, other than broadcast TWT SP, a TWT-scheduling station cannot transmit frames to a TWT scheduling AP, and in trigger-enabled broadcast TWT, a TWT-scheduling station cannot transmit frames that are not carried in a High Efficiency Trigger-Based Physical layer Protocol Data Unit (HE TB PPDU) to a TWT scheduling AP.

[0036] IEEE 802.11be provides for Restricted TWT operation to provide more predictable lower worst-case delay and jitter, and higher reliability for transmission of low-latency services by allowing APs to access protection and resource reservation mechanisms using enhanced intermediaries. Currently, Restricted TWT adds two main channel access rules in terms of channel access: an Extremely High Throughput (EHT) non-AP station (STA), as the owner of a Transmission Opportunity (TXOP), should ensure that if the TXOP is acquired outside of the restricted TWT service period, it ends the TXOP before the start of any one of the restricted TWT service periods; and the EHT AP schedules a quiet interval that overlaps with the restricted TWT service period to mask the operations within the TWT SP of legacy STAs that support the Quiet Element, but masking operations within the quiet interval are disabled for non-AP EHT STAs.

[0037] 2) Multi-AP coordination technology

[0038] Multi-AP cooperative operation modes include Coordinated Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (C-OFDMA), Coordinated Multi-user Multiple-in Multiple-out (C-MU-MIMO), Coordinated Spatial Reuse (C-SR), Joint Transmission (J-TX), Coordinated Beamforming (C-BF), etc. APs that support multi-AP cooperative operation can indicate their capabilities for multi-AP cooperative transmission schemes by transmitting beacon frames or other management frames.

[0039] The static multi-AP set is also called a candidate set, and any two or more APs in the set can perform multi-AP transmission (e.g., C-OFDMA, C-BF, C-SR, J-TX, etc.). The dynamic multi-AP set (also called an operation set) includes a Sharing AP used to obtain a TXOP and perform multi-AP transmission, and Shared AP(s) and STA(s) participating in the multi-AP transmission. Figure 2 shows an example of multi-AP cooperative operation. Here, the Sharing AP and Shared AP are defined based on the TXOP, and their roles can change in different TXOPs. The Sharing AP obtains the TXOP and initiates multi-AP transmission, and the Shared AP participates in the Sharing AP cooperation.

[0040] Currently, the R-TWT defined in IEEE 802.11be is limited to negotiating and establishing R-TWTs between a single AP and its associated non-AP stations (STAs) within a basic service set (BSS). In a multi-AP scenario, if R-TWT establishment can be achieved through collaboration among multiple APs, the AP collaboration method and how to coordinate R-TWT establishment must be considered. In particular, collaboration among multiple APs involves collaboration among multiple APs in the time, space, and frequency domains, sharing R-TWT information among multiple APs, establishing and managing R-TWTs based on the shared information, and coordinating channel access and transmission during the R-TWT service period (SP) established by neighboring APs. The following problems must be solved for multi-AP cooperative R-TWT establishment:

[0041] In multi-AP cooperative transmission, the initiator AP of cooperative transmission (Sharing AP) obtains a transmission opportunity (TXOP) through channel contention, and then transmits a frame triggering cooperative transmission to the shared AP to perform cooperative transmission. Therefore, for scheduled or planned multi-AP cooperative transmission, the key to scheduled multi-AP cooperative transmission is that one AP among the multiple APs obtains a TXOP at the scheduled time, and the other APs can perform cooperative transmission in response to the frame triggering cooperative transmission initiated by the AP. When the established R-TWT involves multi-AP cooperative operation in the time domain, space domain, and frequency domain (i.e., scheduling or planning multi-AP cooperative transmission), each AP may have stations that do not support multi-AP cooperative operation (e.g., legacy stations (Legacy STAs)) and stations that support multi-AP cooperative operation. Therefore, simply having one AP perform R-TWT scheduling is not sufficient for the AP operation; it is necessary to ensure that each AP participating in the scheduled multi-AP cooperative transmission performs R-TWT scheduling AP operation.

[0042] Referring to Figure 3, a flowchart of an operation method based on multiple access points provided in one embodiment of the present application is shown. The method can be performed by a first AP device. The first AP device may be any one of the access points 110 in the network architecture shown in Figure 1. The method can include the following steps:

[0043] Step 301: Send a first frame to a first station STA device to establish a protected scheduled service period based on multi-AP operation, where the protected scheduled service period based on multi-AP operation is a protected scheduled service period negotiated and established by the first AP device with at least one second AP device.

[0044] As described above, according to the solution shown in the embodiment of the present application, the first AP device can establish a protected scheduled service period for the first STA device based on multi-AP operation, thereby extending the protected scheduled service period for the frame exchange of the first STA device to multiple APs, and expanding the protection range of the frame exchange and optimizing the transmission interference between stations, thereby reducing the transmission delay of the station and improving the transmission efficiency of the station.

[0045] 4, a flowchart of a multi-access point-based operation method provided in one embodiment of the present application is shown. The method can be performed by a first STA device, which may be one of the stations 120 in the network architecture shown in FIG. 1. The method can include the following steps:

[0046] Step 401: receiving a first frame, the first frame being used to indicate to a first STA device that a first AP device has already established a protected scheduled service period based on multi-AP operation, where the protected scheduled service period based on multi-AP operation is a protected scheduled service period negotiated and established by the first AP device with at least one second AP device.

[0047] As described above, according to the solution shown in the embodiment of the present application, the first AP device can establish a protected scheduled service period for the first STA device based on multi-AP operation, thereby extending the protected scheduled service period for the frame exchange of the first STA device to multiple APs, and expanding the protection range of the frame exchange and optimizing the transmission interference between stations, thereby reducing the transmission delay of the station and improving the transmission efficiency of the station.

[0048] Referring to Figure 5, a flowchart of an operation method based on multiple access points provided in one embodiment of the present application is shown. The method can be performed by a second AP device. The second AP device may be any one of the access points 110 in the network architecture shown in Figure 1. The method can include the following steps:

[0049] Step 501: cooperate with a first AP device to establish a protected scheduled service period based on multi-AP operation for a first station STA device, where the protected scheduled service period based on multi-AP operation is a protected scheduled service period negotiated and established by the first AP device with at least one second AP device.

[0050] As described above, according to the solution described in the embodiment of the present application, the first AP device can cooperate with the second AP device to establish a protected scheduled service period for the first STA device based on multi-AP operation, thereby extending the protected scheduled service period for the frame exchange of the first STA device to multiple APs, and expanding the protection range of the frame exchange and optimizing the transmission interference between stations, thereby reducing the transmission delay of the station and improving the transmission efficiency of the station.

[0051] Based on the solutions shown in Figures 3 to 5 above, a flowchart of a multi-access point-based operation method provided in one embodiment of the present application is shown in Figure 6. The method can be performed by a first AP device, at least one second AP device, and a first STA device interacting with each other. The first STA device may be one of the stations 120 in the network architecture shown in Figure 1. The first AP device and the at least one second AP device may be at least two access points 110 in the network architecture shown in Figure 1. The method may include the following steps:

[0052] Step 601: The first AP device sends a second request to at least one second AP device, and the at least one second AP device receives the second request, and the second request is used to request the second AP device and the first AP device to cooperate to establish a protected scheduled service period based on multi-AP operation for the first STA device.

[0053] In some embodiments, the protected scheduled service period is a restricted target wake-up time R-TWT period.

[0054] Here, the first request may be transmitted wirelessly or via a wire.

[0055] In an embodiment of the present application, the above-mentioned protected scheduled service period is used by the first AP device and the second AP device to perform multi-AP cooperation-based operation, and the multi-AP cooperation-based operation includes allowing or preferentially ensuring that the first AP device and the second AP device cooperate through a specific cooperative transmission mode to only exchange frames with member stations of the protected scheduled service period, including the first STA device.

[0056] Alternatively, the above-mentioned protected scheduled service period is used by the first AP device and the second AP device to perform operations based on multi-AP coordination, and the operations based on multi-AP coordination include only allowing or preferentially ensuring frame exchange between the first AP device and the member stations of the protected scheduled service period including the first STA device in order to protect communications between the first AP device and the member stations of the protected scheduled service period including the first STA device, and at the same time, the second AP device coordinates or restricts transmissions of stations in the BSS in which the second AP device is located.

[0057] Alternatively, when the number of at least one second AP device is n, n is greater than or equal to 2, and n is an integer, the above-mentioned protected scheduled service period is used by the first AP device and some of the n second AP devices to perform operations based on multi-AP cooperation, and by the first AP device and other of the n second AP devices to perform operations based on multi-AP cooperation.

[0058] That is, the at least one second AP device may be an AP device that performs multi-AP cooperation with the first AP device (which may be referred to as multi-AP cooperation mode), or the at least one second AP device may be an AP device that performs multi-AP cooperation with the first AP device (which may be referred to as multi-AP cooperation mode), or when the number n of the at least one second AP device is greater than 1, the n second AP devices simultaneously include an AP device that performs multi-AP cooperation with the first AP device and an AP device that performs multi-AP cooperation with the first AP device (which may be referred to as mixed mode).

[0059] Here, the above-mentioned multi-AP cooperation may mean that multiple AP devices cooperate to provide service to a STA device, and the above-mentioned multi-AP cooperation may mean that one or more AP devices can provide channel protection for transmissions of stations in a BSS in which one or more other AP devices are located, for example, one or more AP devices can restrict the transmission operations of STA devices in a BSS in which one or more other AP devices are located within a protected scheduled time period so as to avoid interference with transmissions of stations in the BSS in which one or more other AP devices are located within the protected scheduled time period.

[0060] Here, in order for the second AP device to protect against communications between the first AP device and member stations of the protected scheduled service period, including the first STA device, the process by which the second AP device coordinates or restricts transmissions of stations in the BSS in which it is located may include, but is not limited to, the following:

[0061] Control all or some of the stations in the BSS in which the second AP device is located to end a transmission opportunity before a start time corresponding to a scheduled service period to be protected, or control all or some of the stations in the BSS in which the second AP device is located to end a transmission opportunity on a designated channel before a start time corresponding to a scheduled service period to be protected, or control all or some of the stations in the BSS in which the second AP device is located to be in a silent state during a time period corresponding to a scheduled service period to be protected, or control all or some of the stations in the BSS in which the second AP device is located to be in a silent state during a time period corresponding to a scheduled service period to be protected on a designated channel, or control all or some of the stations in the BSS in which the second AP device is located to end a transmission opportunity before a start time corresponding to a scheduled service period to be protected, and Control all or some of the stations in the BSS in which the device is located to be in a silent state during a time period corresponding to the scheduled service period to be protected, or control all or some of the stations in the BSS in which the second AP device is located to end a transmission opportunity on a designated channel before a start time corresponding to the scheduled service period to be protected, and control all or some of the stations in the BSS in which the second AP device is located to be in a silent state during a time period corresponding to the scheduled service period to be protected, or control all or some of the stations in the BSS in which the second AP device is located to end a transmission opportunity before a start time corresponding to the scheduled service period to be protected, and restrict a parameter set for competing for a TXOP that all or some of the stations in the BSS in which the second AP device is located use during a time period corresponding to the scheduled service period to be protected.

[0062] The above-mentioned methods for protecting some channels are merely exemplary illustrations, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited to the method by which the second AP device cooperates with or restricts the transmissions of stations in the BSS in which it is located.

[0063] In some embodiments, the particular cooperative transmission mode includes at least one of cooperative OFDMA, cooperative multi-user MIMO, cooperative spatial multiplexing, joint transmission, and cooperative beamforming.

[0064] In some embodiments, when operating based on multi-AP coordination, the duration of the first service period in the BSS corresponding to the first AP device and the duration of the third service period among the protected scheduled service periods do not overlap, in which case the above coordination method of multi-AP coordination can be referred to as an exclusive method.

[0065] Alternatively, among the protected scheduled service periods, the duration of the first service period in the BSS corresponding to the first AP device overlaps with the duration of the third service period, in which case the above-mentioned multi-AP cooperation method can be referred to as a non-exclusive method.

[0066] Here, the third service period is a scheduled service period within the BSS of the second AP device that operates based on multi-AP cooperation with the first AP device, and in the case of multi-AP cooperation, the BSS of the second AP device is an overlapping basic service set (OBSS) of the BSS of the first AP device.

[0067] In some embodiments, transmitting the second request to the second AP device includes, if the second AP device is an AP device operating based on multi-AP cooperation with the first AP device, transmitting a first sub-request to the second AP device, where the first sub-request is used to request the second AP device to establish a second service period in the BSS corresponding to the second AP device among the protected scheduled service periods. In response, if the second AP device is an AP device operating based on multi-AP cooperation with the first AP device, receiving the first sub-request transmitted by the first AP device.

[0068] In some embodiments, the first sub-request includes second attribute information of the protected scheduled service period, and the second attribute information of the protected scheduled service period includes at least one of priority information of the first STA device, a set of cooperating APs operating based on multi-AP cooperation, and a specific cooperative transmission mode corresponding to operation based on multi-AP cooperation.

[0069] In some embodiments, sending the second request to the second AP device includes sending a second sub-request to the second AP device if the second AP device is an AP device that performs operations based on multi-AP cooperation with the first AP device, and in response, receiving the second sub-request sent by the first AP device if the second AP device is an AP device that performs operations based on multi-AP cooperation with the first AP device.

[0070] The second sub-request includes third attribute information of the scheduled service period to be protected, and the third attribute information of the scheduled service period to be protected includes at least one of priority information of the first STA device and a coordination method corresponding to operation based on multi-AP coordination.

[0071] As an option, the third attribute information may further include information such as the start and end times of the scheduled service period to be protected.

[0072] Here, for a second AP device that performs a different multi-AP operation, the first AP device can send a different request to the second AP device to instruct the second AP device to perform a different multi-AP operation mode.

[0073] Step 602: The first AP device cooperates with the second AP device to establish a protected scheduled service period based on multi-AP operation for the first STA device.

[0074] Here, for the first AP device, the first AP device is protected in the first scheduled service period. AP When establishing a corresponding first service period within the BSS in which the device is located, a first broadcast message for establishing the first service period can be transmitted, and the first broadcast message includes first attribute information of the scheduled service period to be protected.

[0075] Among at least one second AP device, for a second AP device that operates based on multi-AP cooperation with the first AP device, the second AP device is AP When establishing a corresponding first service period in the BSS in which the device is located, a second broadcast message for establishing a second service period may be transmitted, in some embodiments, the second broadcast message including second attribute information of the protected scheduled service period.

[0076] In some embodiments, when operating on a multi-AP cooperative basis, the start time and end time of the first service period are the same as the start time and end time of the second service period.

[0077] In some embodiments, when operating based on multi-AP cooperation for a first AP device, a quiet time interval is further reported, and the quiet time interval is used to shield transmission operations within the protected scheduled service period of a second STA device in the BSS corresponding to the first AP device that does not support the protected scheduled service period.

[0078] Here, the second STA device that does not support the protected scheduled service period may be a legacy STA.

[0079] In some embodiments, when operating based on multi-AP cooperation for a second AP device, a quiet time interval is further reported, and the quiet time interval is used to shield transmission operations within the protected scheduled service period of a second STA device in the BSS corresponding to the second AP device that does not support the protected scheduled service period.

[0080] In some embodiments, the second STA device is another STA device that does not support the protected scheduled service period other than a STA device of the specified type, where the STA device of the specified type includes at least one of an EHT STA device and a UHR STA device.

[0081] In some embodiments, the quiet time interval may be disabled for STA devices of a specified type, and transmissions of STA devices of a specified type may be given priority.

[0082] In some embodiments, when the second AP device operates based on multi-AP coordination during the protected scheduled service period, the second AP device may further transmit a third broadcast message, which is used to coordinate or restrict transmissions during the protected scheduled service period of stations in the BSS in which the second AP device is located.

[0083] Here, the third broadcast message may be referred to as coordinated protection information corresponding to an overlapping basic service set (OBSS) TWT, and may include, for example, third attribute information such as the start and end times, priority, etc. of the scheduled service period to be protected.

[0084] In some embodiments, before step 601, the first STA device further sends a first request to the first AP device, and the first AP device receives the first request, which is used to request the establishment of a protected scheduled service period.

[0085] The establishment of the protected scheduled service period may be initiated by the first STA device, in which case the first frame may be a response frame to the first request.

[0086] In some embodiments, the first request includes first attribute information of the scheduled service period to be protected.

[0087] In another embodiment, the protected scheduled service period Establishment of can also be initiated proactively by the first AP device.

[0088] Step 603: To complete the establishment of a protected scheduled service period based on multi-AP operation for the first station STA device, the first AP device transmits a first frame to the first STA device, and the first STA device receives the first frame.

[0089] In some embodiments, the first frame includes first attribute information of the protected scheduled service period.

[0090] In some embodiments, the first attribute information of the protected scheduled service period includes at least one of the following information: a cooperating AP set that operates based on multi-AP cooperation, a specific cooperative transmission mode, a cooperating AP set that operates with the first AP device in local multi-AP cooperation, and a cooperation method corresponding to operation based on multi-AP cooperation.

[0091] Here, the above cooperative AP set may carry the identification of each AP device (which may include the identification of the first AP device) that performs multi-AP cooperative operation, and the above cooperative AP set may carry the identification of each AP device that performs multi-AP cooperative operation with the first AP device.

[0092] In some embodiments, the first attribute information of the protected scheduled service period is located in a multi-AP operation information subdomain included in a broadcast TWT parameter set domain.

[0093] In some embodiments, the broadcast TWT information subdomain in the broadcast TWT parameter set domain includes a multi-AP operation information presence subdomain, and the parameter value of the multi-AP operation information presence subdomain is used to indicate whether the multi-AP operation information subdomain exists in the broadcast TWT parameter set domain.

[0094] If the parameter value of the multi-AP operation information presence sub-domain is the first specified value, the broadcast TWT parameter set domain includes the multi-AP operation information sub-domain.

[0095] In some embodiments, the multi-AP operation information sub-domain includes at least one of a multi-AP operation control sub-domain, a cooperative AP set information sub-domain, and a cooperative AP set information sub-domain; The multi-AP operation control sub-domain includes at least one of a multi-AP operation mode sub-domain, a priority sub-domain, a cooperative AP set information existence sub-domain, a cooperative AP set information existence sub-domain, a multi-AP cooperative transmission scheme sub-domain, a multi-AP cooperation scheme sub-domain, and a reservation sub-domain; The multi-AP operation mode subdomain is used to indicate a multi-AP operation mode, the multi-AP operation mode including multi-AP cooperative-based operation and / or multi-AP cooperation-based operation; The priority subdomain is used to indicate the priority information of the first STA device; The cooperative AP set information existence subdomain is used to indicate whether the cooperative AP set information subdomain exists; The cooperative AP set information existence subdomain is used to indicate whether the cooperative AP set information subdomain exists; The multi-AP cooperative transmission mode subdomain is used to indicate a specific cooperative transmission mode corresponding to operation based on multi-AP cooperation; The multi-AP cooperation method sub-domain is used to indicate the cooperation method corresponding to the operation based on multi-AP cooperation; The cooperative AP set information subdomain is used to indicate each AP device in the cooperative AP set; The cooperative AP set information subdomain is used to indicate each AP device in the cooperative AP set.

[0096] Taking the protected scheduled service period as a restricted target wake-up time (R-TWT) period as an example, an embodiment of this application describes a broadcast TWT (restricted TWT) parameter set domain format definition based on multi-AP operation.

[0097] Specifically, a multi-AP operation information subdomain is added to the Broadcast TWT Parameter Set field, and a multi-AP operation information presence subdomain is added to the Broadcast TWT Info subdomain within it. A schematic diagram of the definition of the multi-AP operation information subdomain in a specific Broadcast TWT (restricted TWT) parameter set domain is shown in Figure 7. Each subdomain in Figure 7 is described as follows:

[0098] (1) Multi-AP operation information existence subdomain: Indicates whether a multi-AP operation information subdomain exists. When the multi-AP operation information existence subdomain is 1, it indicates that a multi-AP operation information subdomain exists. When the multi-AP operation information existence subdomain is 0, it indicates that a multi-AP operation information subdomain does not exist.

[0099] (2) The multi-AP operation information sub-domain includes a multi-AP operation control sub-domain, a cooperative AP set information sub-domain, and a cooperative AP set information sub-domain, where the multi-AP operation control sub-domain includes a multi-AP operation mode sub-domain, a priority sub-domain, a cooperative AP set information existence sub-domain, a cooperative AP set information existence sub-domain, a multi-AP cooperative transmission method sub-domain, a multi-AP cooperation method sub-domain, etc.

[0100] 1) Multi-AP operation mode subdomain: Indicates the multi-AP operation mode corresponding to the TWT, e.g., When the value of the multi-AP operation mode subdomain is 0, it represents a cooperative mode jointly established and shared by multiple APs constituting a cooperative AP set, where during the SP period corresponding to the established R-TWT, the cooperative APs cooperatively exchange frames with the member stations corresponding to the R-TWT SP according to a specific cooperative operation mode; When the value of the multi-AP operation mode subdomain is 1, it indicates a cooperative mode in which TWT establishment is performed cooperatively by one or more APs constituting a cooperative AP set, where during the SP period corresponding to the established R-TWT, associated stations in the BSS in which the cooperative AP is located adopt specific actions or measures to protect channel access and frame exchange of member stations corresponding to the TWT; A value of 2 in the multi-AP operation mode subdomain indicates a mixed mode in which the APs are jointly established and shared by the multi-APs that make up the cooperative AP set, and at the same time cooperate with one or more other APs that make up the cooperative AP set.

[0101] 2) Priority subdomain: This subdomain represents the priority type corresponding to the TWT. 0 indicates a normal requirement, 1 indicates a strong requirement, and 2 indicates a mandatory requirement.

[0102] 3) Cooperative AP set information existence: Indicates whether a cooperative AP set information subdomain exists. For example, when cooperative AP set information existence is 1, it indicates that a cooperative AP set information subdomain exists, and when cooperative AP set information existence is 0, it indicates that a cooperative AP set information subdomain does not exist.

[0103] 4) Cooperative AP set information existence: Indicates whether a cooperative AP set information subdomain exists. For example, when cooperative AP set information existence is 1, it indicates that a cooperative AP set information subdomain exists, and when cooperative AP set information existence is 0, it indicates that a cooperative AP set information subdomain does not exist.

[0104] 5) Multi-AP cooperative transmission mode subdomain: Represents the cooperative transmission mode of the multi-APs in the cooperative AP set during the R-TWT service cycle period corresponding to the R-TWT. For example, the value 1 represents cooperative OFDMA, 2 represents cooperative multi-user MIMO, 3 represents cooperative spatial multiplexing, 4 represents joint transmission, and 5 represents cooperative beamforming (C-BF). Other values ​​are reserved.

[0105] 6) Multi-AP Cooperative Sub-Domain: R -Represents the multi-AP cooperation method in the cooperative AP set corresponding to the R-TWT. For example, a value of 1 indicates that the cooperation method is exclusive R-TWT, i.e., requires that the service period SP of the R-TWT established by an AP in the cooperative AP set be completely offset in time from the SP corresponding to the R-TWT. A value of 2 indicates that the cooperation method is non-exclusive R-TWT, i.e., allows the SP corresponding to the R-TWT established by an AP in the cooperative AP set to overlap in time with the SP corresponding to the R-TWT. Other values ​​are reserved.

[0106] (3) Cooperative AP Set Information Subdomain: Used to identify information of each cooperative AP in the cooperative AP set corresponding to R-TWT, where the cooperative AP can be identified by any one of BSSID, BSS color, and cooperative AP group identification. A schematic diagram of the cooperative AP set information subdomain format can be shown in Figure 8.

[0107] (4) Cooperative AP Set Information Subdomain: Used to identify the information of each cooperative AP in the cooperative AP set corresponding to R-TWT, where the cooperative AP can be identified by any one of BSSID, BSS color, and cooperative AP group identification. A schematic diagram of the cooperative AP set information subdomain format can be shown in Figure 9.

[0108] Step 604: The first AP device and the second AP device perform a multi-AP cooperative operation or a multi-AP cooperative operation in a protected scheduled service period.

[0109] Specifically, for the first AP device, it can perform multi-AP cooperation-based operations in a protected scheduled service period.

[0110] Alternatively, operations based on multi-AP coordination are performed during the protected scheduled service period.

[0111] Alternatively, if the number of at least one second AP device is n and n is greater than or equal to 2, during the protected scheduled service period, operations based on multi-AP cooperation are performed with some of the n second AP devices, and operations based on multi-AP cooperation are performed with other of the n second AP devices.

[0112] For example, the above-mentioned first AP device performing multi-AP cooperation-based operation during a protected scheduled service period may include transmitting a second frame (which may be referred to as a multi-AP trigger frame / multi-AP cooperation trigger frame) to the second AP device when the first AP device competes for a transmission opportunity, and the second frame is used to trigger the first AP device and the second AP device to perform multi-AP cooperation-based operation during the protected scheduled service period.

[0113] Alternatively, the above-mentioned first AP device performing an operation based on multi-AP cooperation during a protected scheduled service period may include the first AP device receiving a second frame transmitted from a second AP device, and thereafter the first AP device and the second AP device being able to perform an operation based on multi-AP cooperation during the protected scheduled service period.

[0114] For any second AP device, operating on a multi-AP cooperative basis during the protected scheduled service period; or During the protected scheduled service period, the first AP device and the second AP device perform operations based on multi-AP coordination.

[0115] For example, performing multi-AP cooperation-based operations during a scheduled service period in which the second AP device is protected may include transmitting a second frame to the first AP device when competing for a transmission opportunity, the second frame being used to trigger the first AP device and the second AP device to perform multi-AP cooperation-based operations during the scheduled service period in which they are protected.

[0116] Alternatively, during the scheduled service period in which the second AP device is protected, the operation based on multi-AP cooperation is 1 This may include receiving a second frame transmitted by the AP device, after which the first AP device and the second AP device can perform operations based on multi-AP cooperation within the protected scheduled service period.

[0117] Taking the above-mentioned first AP device and one of the at least one second AP devices as an example, where the first AP device and the one of the at least one second AP device are AP1 and AP2, respectively, and the protected scheduled service period is a restricted target wake-up time (R-TWT) period, the establishment and operation method for the restricted R-TWT period based on multi-AP operation mainly includes the following three modes:

[0118] (1) Mode 1 - Multi-AP Cooperation: AP1 and AP2 operating based on multi-AP cooperation jointly establish a protected scheduled service period. For example, within an R-TWT SP, i.e., a scheduled service period (e.g., an R-TWT service period), AP1 and AP2 cooperatively exchange frames with member stations according to a specific cooperative operation mode, where AP1 and AP2 cooperatively operate in the time domain, space domain, and frequency domain. The cooperative operation modes include cooperative OFDMA, cooperative multi-user MIMO, cooperative spatial multiplexing, joint transmission, cooperative beamforming, etc. For example, within an R-TWT service period, AP1 and AP2 transmit to member station STA1-1 (associated with AP1 and / or AP2) corresponding to the R-TWT service period by joint transmission or cooperative beamforming, or within an R-TWT service period, AP1 and AP2 transmit to member stations STA1-1 (associated with AP1 and / or AP2) and STA2-1 (associated with AP2 and / or AP1) corresponding to the R-TWT service period by cooperative OFDMA, cooperative multi-user MIMO, or cooperative spatial multiplexing.

[0119] In multi-AP cooperative transmission, a cooperative transmission initiator AP (Sharing AP) obtains a transmission opportunity (TXOP) through channel contention and then transmits cooperatively to a shared AP by sending a frame triggering cooperative transmission. Therefore, for scheduled or scheduled multi-AP cooperative transmission, the key to scheduling multi-AP cooperative transmission is that one AP among the multiple APs obtains a TXOP at the scheduled time, and the other APs can perform cooperative transmission in response to the frame triggering cooperative transmission initiated by that AP. Therefore, R-TWT in Mode 1 is established jointly by multiple APs participating in cooperative transmission. Therefore, each AP participating in multi-AP cooperative transmission needs to perform an R-TWT scheduling AP operation, including one or more of the following operations:

[0120] 1) The AP carries a broadcast TWT element in the broadcast beacon frame to indicate the broadcast TWT service period (broadcast TWT SP). In particular, when any R-TWT membership is established, the AP declares the R-TWT scheduling information by carrying a broadcast TWT element including the R-TWT parameter set domain in the management frame it transmits.

[0121] 2) The AP shields the operations within the TWT SP of legacy STAs that support the Quiet Element by scheduling a quiet interval that overlaps with the restricted TWT service period, but the shielding operations within the quiet interval are disabled for certain non-AP STAs (e.g., EHT STAs, UHR STAs).

[0122] In particular, for any one AP among the cooperative multi-APs that jointly establish R-TWT in mode 1, or any one AP among the APs that support being a cooperative transmission initiator, after obtaining a TXOP in the R-TWT service period, it is necessary to ensure that it provides priority service to other cooperative APs and R-TWT member stations according to the scheduled multi-AP cooperative transmission mode.

[0123] (2) Mode 2—Multi-AP Cooperation: AP1 and AP2 each establish their own protected scheduled service period (e.g., R-TWT SP), where AP1 establishes R-TWT with its associated stations, AP1 shares the established R-TWT SP information with AP2, and AP2 controls the operation of itself and / or its associated stations to protect the channel access between AP1 and its corresponding member stations during the R-TWT SP period established by AP1.

[0124] In Mode 2, if the R-TWTs established by multiple APs overlap in time during their corresponding R-TWT service periods, a collision relationship exists between channel access and transmission in the BSS overlap region where each AP is located within the overlapping time. Also, in Mode 2, one of the APs supporting multi-AP cooperative transmission may initiate multi-AP cooperative transmission with another AP that also supports multi-AP cooperative transmission and member stations during the R-TWT SP period it established. However, since the other AP that also supports multi-AP cooperative transmission does not perform a scheduling AP operation corresponding to the R-TWT, the cooperative transmission is not scheduled in advance.

[0125] Mode 2 can be classified into the following types:

[0126] 1) The R-TWT SPs established by the two APs are completely offset in time (exclusive), and the R-TWT established by AP1 (or AP2) requires that its R-TWT SP be completely offset in time from the R-TWT SP of the R-TWT that its cooperating AP2 (or AP1) has already established or will establish in the future.

[0127] 2) The R-TWT SPs established by two APs can overlap in time (non-exclusive), and the R-TWT established by AP1 (or AP2) is allowed to partially overlap in time with the R-TWT SP of an R-TWT that has already been established or will be established in the future by its cooperating AP2 (or AP1). If the R-TWT SPs established by AP1 and AP2 partially overlap in time, the priority of the two R-TWTs is used to determine which R-TWT SP period to prioritize for channel access protection.

[0128] (3) Mixed mode - multi-AP cooperation + multi-AP cooperation: Multi-APs constituting a cooperative AP set jointly establish and share, and at the same time, establish and operate R-TWT in cooperation with one or more other APs constituting the cooperative AP set.

[0129] The establishment modes and features of R-TWT SP based on multi-AP operation can be shown in Table 1 below. [Table 1]

[0130] Referring to FIG. 10, an exemplary diagram of the establishment and operation flow of an R-TWT SP based on the operation of multiple APs according to an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0131] 10 , STA1 is associated with AP1 (and / or AP2), and AP1 and AP2 can transmit cooperatively to STA1, but the BSS in which AP3 is located is an OBSS of the BSS in which AP1 is located, and STA2 is associated with AP2, and STA3 is associated with AP3. STA1 sends a TWT request frame to AP1 to request the establishment of an R-TWT based on multi-AP operation, where the TWT request carries a TWT element including a restricted TWT parameter set domain, and the multi-AP operation information subdomain information in the restricted TWT parameter set domain includes the following: the multi-AP operation mode is mixed mode, the priority is mandatory, the cooperating AP set includes AP1 and AP2, the cooperating AP set includes AP3, the multi-AP cooperative transmission mode is cooperative transmission, and the multi-AP cooperation mode is exclusive. After receiving the TWT request frame, AP1 sends corresponding TWT requests to the corresponding cooperative APs and cooperative APs based on the cooperative AP set information and cooperative AP set information carried in the TWT request frame, and after receiving TWT responses instructing them to accept, it sends a TWT response to STA1 instructing them to accept.

[0132] After STA1 and AP1 complete the R-TWT establishment, AP1 and AP2 in the cooperative AP set broadcast the established R-TWT information, including the broadcast TWT element (including the restricted TWT parameter set domain), to their respective BSSs via beacon frames or other management frames. The established R-TWT ensures that AP1 and AP2 cooperate with STA1 in exchanging frames using a cooperative transmission method during the R-TWT service period (SP). AP3 in the cooperative AP set transmits, via beacon frames or other management frames, coordinated OBSS R-TWT scheduling information (corresponding to the R-TWT scheduling information established by STA1) that requires channel access protection, and performs specific operations for stations in the BSS in which AP3 is located to protect the transmission of member stations in the OBSS TWT (i.e., STA1) during the SP period.

[0133] Compared with a solution in which R-TWT is limited to negotiating and establishing R-TWT between a single AP and its associated non-AP stations within a basic service set, the R-TWT establishment and operation method based on multi-AP operation provided in the embodiments of the present application solves the problem of how multiple cooperating APs in a multi-AP scene operate cooperatively and / or how multiple cooperating APs establish and operate R-TWT in a cooperative manner, and avoids or reduces the interference that OBSS causes to the transmission of member stations during the R-TWT service period.

[0134] As described above, according to the solution shown in the embodiment of the present application, the first AP device can establish a protected scheduled service period for the first STA device based on multi-AP operation, thereby extending the protected scheduled service period for the frame exchange of the first STA device to multiple APs, and expanding the protection range of the frame exchange and optimizing the transmission interference between stations, thereby reducing the transmission delay of the station and improving the transmission efficiency of the station.

[0135] 3 to 6, AP1 and AP2 are two APs performing multi-AP operation, STA1-1, STA1-2, and STA1-3 are associated with AP1, while STA2-1 and STA2-2 are associated with AP2, and for cooperative transmission in multi-AP cooperative transmission, STA1-1 may also be simultaneously associated with AP2. R-TWT operation modes based on multi-AP operation include the following modes:

[0136] (1) Mode 1 (Multi-AP Cooperation): As shown in Figures 11 and 12, AP1 and AP2, which perform multi-AP cooperation, jointly establish a protected scheduled service period. During an R-TWT SP, i.e., a scheduled service period (e.g., an R-TWT service period), AP1 and AP2 cooperatively exchange frames with member stations according to a specific cooperative operation mode, where AP1 and AP2 cooperate in the time domain, space domain, and frequency domain. For example, during an R-TWT service period, AP1 and AP2 transmit to member station STA1-1 corresponding to the R-TWT service period using cooperative transmission or cooperative beamforming. A schematic diagram of an R-TWT operation scenario based on multi-AP cooperation can be shown in Figure 11. Alternatively, during an R-TWT service period, AP1 and AP2 transmit to member stations STA1-2 and STA2-1 corresponding to the R-TWT service period using cooperative OFDMA, cooperative multi-user MIMO, or cooperative spatial multiplexing, respectively.

[0137] In multi-AP cooperative transmission, a cooperative transmission initiator AP (Sharing AP) obtains a transmission opportunity through channel contention and then transmits a frame triggering cooperative transmission to a shared AP to perform cooperative transmission. Therefore, for scheduled or planned multi-AP cooperative transmission, the key to scheduled multi-AP cooperative transmission is that one AP among the multiple APs obtains a TXOP at the scheduled time, and the other APs can perform cooperative transmission in response to the frame triggering cooperative transmission initiated by the AP. Therefore, R-TWT in Mode 1 is established jointly by multiple APs participating in cooperative transmission, and therefore each AP participating in multi-AP cooperative transmission needs to perform the operation of an R-TWT scheduling AP.

[0138] As shown in FIG. 11, STA1-1 and AP1 and AP2 based on cooperative operation jointly establish a protected scheduled service period (e.g., R-TWT SP), that is, within the scheduled service period (e.g., R-TWT service period), AP1 and AP2 cooperatively exchange frames with the member station (STA1-1) according to a specific cooperative operation mode.

[0139] Here, an example diagram of the main flow and operations when station STA1-1 establishes R-TWT based on multi-AP cooperation is shown in Figure 12. Assume that AP1 and AP2 have already completed the process of establishing multi-AP cooperative transmission (e.g., using joint transmission). STA1-1 first initiates an R-TWT request to its associated access point AP1. After AP1 receives the R-TWT request, it negotiates with AP2 to establish R-TWT based on multi-AP cooperation, where it can specify the multi-AP cooperative transmission method (e.g., using joint transmission) for the R-TWT SP period. After AP1 and AP2 agree to establish R-TWT based on multi-AP cooperation, AP1 sends an R-TWT response to STA1-1 to confirm the successful establishment of R-TWT. After the establishment of the R-TWT based on multi-AP cooperation is completed, AP1 and AP2 each broadcast the established R-TWT information within their respective BSSs by carrying a broadcast TWT element in their beacon frames. During the R-TWT SP period, AP1 and AP2 preferentially adopt a scheduled cooperative transmission method (e.g., joint transmission) to communicate with R-TWT member stations (e.g., STA1-1) to transmit delay-sensitive data, or AP1 and AP2 are only allowed to adopt a scheduled cooperative transmission method (e.g., joint transmission) to communicate with R-TWT member stations (e.g., STA1-1) to transmit delay-sensitive data. 12 As shown in Fig. 1, after the start of the R-TWT service period, AP1 or AP2 obtains a transmission opportunity and initiates joint transmission of AP1 and AP2 to station STA1-1 by sending a multi-AP trigger frame (also called a multi-AP cooperative transmission trigger frame).

[0140] 13 shows an R-TWT operation scenario based on multi-AP cooperation (e.g., C-OFDMA or C-SR). AP1 and AP2 establish a scheduled service period (e.g., R-TWT SP) based on protected multi-AP cooperation. STA1-2 and STA2-1 are member stations of the scheduled service period (e.g., R-TWT SP). Here, the multi-AP cooperative transmission can employ cooperative OFDMA or cooperative spatial multiplexing (C-SR). During the service period, AP1 and AP2 employ a specific cooperative operation mode (e.g., cooperative OFDMA or cooperative spatial multiplexing) to communicate with STA1-2 and STA2-1, respectively, to transmit delay-sensitive data.

[0141] Here, a schematic diagram of stations STA1-2 and STA2-1 establishing and operating an R-TWT based on multi-AP cooperation (e.g., C-OFDMA or C-SR) may be shown in FIG. 14. Assume that AP1 and AP2 have already completed the establishment flow for multi-AP cooperative transmission (e.g., employing C-OFDMA or cooperative spatial multiplexing (C-SR)). STA1-2 first initiates an R-TWT request to its associated access point AP1. After receiving the R-TWT request, AP1 negotiates with AP2 to establish an R-TWT based on multi-AP cooperation, where the multi-AP cooperative transmission method for the R-TWT SP period may be specified (e.g., employing C-OFDMA or C-SR). After AP1 and AP2 agree to establish an R-TWT based on multi-AP cooperation, AP1 sends an R-TWT response to STA1-2 to confirm the successful establishment of the R-TWT. STA2-1 first initiates an R-TWT request to its associated access point AP1. After AP1 receives the R-TWT request, it negotiates with AP2 to establish an R-TWT based on multi-AP cooperation, where a multi-AP cooperative transmission method in the R-TWT SP period can be specified (e.g., C-OFDMA or C-SR can be adopted). After AP1 and AP2 both agree to establish an R-TWT based on multi-AP cooperation, AP1 sends an R-TWT response to STA2-1. 2 - 1(Similarly, STA2-1 initiates an R-TWT request to its associated access point AP2, and after AP2 receives the R-TWT request, it negotiates with AP1 to establish an R-TWT based on multi-AP cooperation. After AP1 and AP2 agree to the R-TWT establishment based on multi-AP cooperation, AP2 sends an R-TWT response to STA2-1 to confirm the successful establishment of the R-TWT, i.e., STA2-1 becomes a member of which the R-TWT SP has already been established.)

[0142] After the R-TWT based on multi-AP cooperation is established, AP1 and AP2 each broadcast the established R-TWT information by carrying a broadcast TWT element in a beacon frame within their respective BSSs. During the R-TWT SP period, AP1 and AP2 preferentially adopt a predetermined cooperative transmission method (e.g., C-OFDMA or C-SR) to communicate with their associated R-TWT member stations (STA1-2 and STA2-1) to transmit delay-sensitive data, or AP1 and AP2 are only allowed to adopt a predetermined cooperative transmission method (e.g., C-OFDMA or C-SR) to communicate with their associated R-TWT member stations (STA1-2 and STA2-1) to transmit delay-sensitive data. As shown in the figure, after the start of the R-TWT service period, AP1 or AP2 obtains a transmission opportunity and initiates communication with its associated stations STA1-2 and STA2-1 by sending a multi-AP trigger frame (also called a multi-AP cooperative transmission trigger frame).

[0143] (2) Mode 2 (multi-AP cooperation): AP1 or AP2 respectively establishes its own protected scheduled service period (e.g., R-TWT SP), where AP1 establishes R-TWT with its associated stations, AP1 shares the established R-TWT SP information with AP2, and AP2 controls the operation of itself and / or its associated associated stations to protect the channel access between AP1 and its corresponding member stations during the R-TWT SP period established by AP1. Figure 15 shows a schematic diagram of an R-TWT operation scenario based on multi-AP cooperation according to the present application.

[0144] Mode 2-Scenario 1: As shown in Figure 15, AP1 cooperates with AP2 to establish a protected scheduled service period (e.g., R-TWT SP). STA1-1 is a member station of the scheduled service period (e.g., R-TWT SP). STA1-1 exchanges frames with AP1 during the R-TWT SP, prioritizing the transmission of delay-sensitive data. AP2 is a cooperative AP and takes measures in the BSS in which AP2 is located to protect channel access and communication of STA1-1 during the R-TWT SP, such as restricting communication of related stations in the BSS in which AP2 is located during the R-TWT SP established by AP1 and STA1-1, or adjusting the transmit power of the related stations. Here, for AP2 and its associated stations, the R-TWT established by AP1 and STA1-1 is an OBSS R-TWT.

[0145] Here, an example diagram of the main flow and operation of R-TWT establishment and operation based on multi-AP cooperation may be as shown in Figure 16. It is assumed that AP1 and AP2 support spatial multiplexing operation, and STA1-1 and AP1, which are attempting to establish R-TWT, and AP2 and / or associated stations associated with AP2 (Note: associated stations may refer to stations whose initiated transmissions interfere with communication between STA1-1 and AP1), have already determined mutual transmission power limitations and / or acceptable received signal strength indicators (RSSIs) when performing spatial multiplexing. STA1-1 first initiates an R-TWT request to its associated access point AP1. After AP1 receives the R-TWT request, it negotiates with AP2 to establish an R-TWT based on multi-AP cooperation. The negotiations determine a spatial multiplexing transmission scheme for the R-TWT SP period, and determines a transmission power limit and / or acceptable RSSI requirement that conforms to the spatial multiplexing requirements for STA1-1's transmissions during the R-TWT service period, as well as a transmission power limit and / or acceptable RSSI requirement that conforms to the spatial multiplexing requirements for transmissions during the time period requiring protection corresponding to the R-TWT SP with AP2 and associated stations (Note: associated stations may refer to stations whose initiated transmissions interfere with communication between STA1-1 and AP1). After AP1 and AP2 agree to the establishment of the R-TWT based on multi-AP cooperation, AP1 sends an R-TWT response to STA1-1 to confirm the successful establishment of the R-TWT. At the same time, AP2 can establish an R-TWT for the BSS in which it is located by sending an unsolicited R-TWT response, establish a coordinated protection period corresponding to the BSS R-TWT (i.e., the R-TWT established by AP1 and STA1-1), and designate stations that meet the spatial multiplexing transmission requirements (i.e., meet the transmit power limitations and / or acceptable RSSI) as member stations. Here, the R-TWT SP established by AP1 and the coordinated protection period established by AP2 (i.e., the R-TWT SP established by AP2 in its BSS) are synchronized in time, i.e., their start and end times are synchronized.At the same time, to ensure that AP1 can obtain a transmission opportunity after its R-TWT SP start time and exchange frames with the R-TWT member stations, if AP2 is the transmission opportunity holder (TXOP holder) before the start of the coordinated protection period, it terminates its transmission opportunity (TXOP).

[0146] After the establishment of the R-TWT based on multi-AP cooperation is completed, AP1 broadcasts the established R-TWT information within the BSS in which it is located by carrying a broadcast TWT element in a beacon frame, while AP2 broadcasts within the BSS in which it is located the R-TWT period information it has established, i.e., the cooperative protection period information (e.g., the time period during which protection is required) corresponding to the BSS R-TWT (i.e., the R-TWT of the BSS in which AP1 is located) through a beacon frame. During the time period during which protection is required, the participating stations (Note: participating stations may refer to stations whose transmissions interfere with the communication of member stations during the R-TWT SP period of the BSS in which AP1 is located) adopt spatial multiplexing mode, i.e., limit the transmission power of the participating stations. In particular, in the example, limit the transmission power of AP2 during the time period during which protection is required to meet the transmission requirements of spatial multiplexing.

[0147] For the BSS in which AP1 is located, during the R-TWT SP period, AP1 communicates with the R-TWT member station STA1-1 preferentially to transmit delay-sensitive service data, where the transmission power of STA1-1 should meet the transmission power limit requirements of spatial multiplexing. In particular, AP1 can specify the uplink transmission power limit of station STA1-1 in the trigger frame transmitted during the R-TWT SP period. For the BSS in which AP2 is located, during the time period when protection corresponding to the BSS R-TWT is required, only or preferentially allow communication between participating stations that meet the spatial multiplexing transmission requirements (Note: participating stations may refer to stations whose transmissions interfere with the communication of member stations in the R-TWT SP period of the BSS in which AP1 is located) and other stations that do not interfere with the communication of member stations in the R-TWT SP period of the BSS in which AP1 is located. In particular, in the example, AP2's transmission needs to meet the spatial multiplexing transmission power limitation requirements. At the same time, AP2 can adopt a trigger-based transmission mode. Optionally, the trigger frame carries the uplink transmission power limitation information of participating stations that meet the spatial multiplexing transmission requirements (e.g., STA2-1 shown in FIG. 16, i.e., member stations in the coordinated protection period), which triggers the stations that meet the spatial multiplexing transmission requirements (e.g., STA2-1 shown in FIG. 16) to perform uplink transmission.

[0148] Mode 2-Scene 2:

[0149] 17, a schematic diagram of an R-TWT operation scenario based on multi-AP cooperation according to the present application is shown. As shown in FIG. 17, AP1 cooperates with AP2 during the establishment of a protected scheduled service period (e.g., R-TWT SP), STA1-1 is a member station of the scheduled service period (e.g., R-TWT SP), STA1-1 exchanges frames with AP1 during the R-TWT SP period and prioritizes the transmission of delay-sensitive data, AP2 is a cooperative AP and takes measures for the BSS in which AP2 is located to protect channel access and communication of STA1-1 during the R-TWT SP period, while simultaneously performing limited transmission with stations within the BSS that meet transmission requirements. For example, STA2-1 and AP2 exchange frames using limited transmit power during the R-TWT SP period established by STA1-1 and AP1.

[0150] Here, an example diagram of the main flow and operation of R-TWT establishment and operation based on multi-AP cooperation can be shown in Figure 18. It is assumed that AP1 and AP2 support R-TWT establishment and operation based on multi-AP cooperation and support spatial multiplexing operation (e.g., parameterized spatial reuse). STA1-1 first initiates an R-TWT request to its associated access point AP1. After AP1 receives the R-TWT request, it negotiates with AP2 to establish an R-TWT based on multi-AP cooperation, and decides to adopt a spatial multiplexing transmission method (e.g., PSR, Preferred-Spatial-Reuse) during the R-TWT SP period through negotiation. AP1 and STA1-1 are only allowed or given priority to transmit using transmission requests that support the spatial multiplexing provisions (e.g., transmission requests specified for PSR operation) during the R-TWT service period. At the same time, AP2 and associated stations (Note: associated stations may refer to stations whose initiated transmissions interfere with communication between STA1-1 and AP1) transmit using transmission power limit requests that comply with the spatial multiplexing provisions within the time period requiring protection corresponding to the R-TWT SP. After AP1 and AP2 agree to establish an R-TWT based on multi-AP cooperation, AP1 sends an R-TWT response to STA1-1 to confirm the successful establishment of the R-TWT. At the same time, AP2 sends an unsolicited R-TWT response to establish an R-TWT for the BSS in which AP2 is located, thereby establishing a coordinated protection period corresponding to the BSS R-TWT (i.e., the R-TWT established by AP1 and STA1-1). Here, the R-TWT SP established by AP1 and the coordinated protection period established by AP2 (i.e., the R-TWT SP established by AP2 for its BSS) are synchronized in time, i.e., their start and end times are synchronized.At the same time, to ensure that AP1 obtains a transmission opportunity after its R-TWT SP start time and exchanges frames with R-TWT member stations, AP2 takes one or more of the following measures: a) if AP2 is a transmission opportunity holder (TXOP holder) before the start of the coordinated protection period, it terminates the transmission opportunity (TXOP); b) AP2 goes silent for a specific time after the start of the coordinated protection period; and c) AP2 contends for the channel using EDCA parameters with lower priority than AP1 during the coordinated protection period.

[0151] In particular, the R-TWT SP established by AP2 in its BSS may be an R-TWT period based on trigger enable. For stations associated with AP2 that support R-TWT, AP2 can transmit triggered transmissions to stations that meet spatial multiplexing transmission requirements. At the same time, if these stations are transmission opportunity holders (TXOP holders) before the start of the R-TWT SP, AP2 can ensure that these stations terminate their TXOPs early. For stations associated with AP2 but that do not support R-TWT, AP2 can restrict the transmissions of these stations during the R-TWT SP period by scheduling silent intervals that overlap with the R-TWT SP (i.e., the coordinated protection period).

[0152] After the R-TWT establishment based on multi-AP cooperation is completed, AP1 broadcasts the established R-TWT information to the BSS in which it is located by carrying a broadcast TWT element in a beacon frame. AP2 broadcasts the R-TWT period information it established, i.e., the cooperative protection period information corresponding to the BSS R-TWT (i.e., the R-TWT of the BSS in which AP1 is located), to the BSS in which it is located by a beacon frame. During the cooperative protection period, the participating stations (Note: participating stations refer to stations whose transmissions interfere with the communication of member stations during the R-TWT SP period of the BSS in which AP1 is located) adopt spatial multiplexing mode, i.e., limit the transmission power of the participating stations. In particular, in this example, limit the transmission power of AP2 during the time period when protection is required to meet the transmission requirements of spatial multiplexing.

[0153] For the BSS in which AP1 is located, during the R-TWT SP period, AP1 communicates preferentially with the R-TWT member station STA1-1 to transmit delay-sensitive service data, where transmission between AP1 and STA1-1 should meet the transmission requirements supporting spatial multiplexing. In particular, with regard to PSR, AP1 can instruct the R-TWT SP period to employ PSR spatial multiplexing in the trigger frame (Parameterized Spatial Reuse Reception (PSRR) PPDU) to be transmitted during the R-TWT SP period to determine the transmit power limit of the Parameterized Spatial Reuse Transmission (PSRT) PPDU.

[0154] For the BSS in which AP2 is located, within the R-TWT SP (i.e., the coordinated protection period corresponding to the BSS R-TWT) established by it, only or preferentially permits communication with participating stations that meet the spatial multiplexing transmission requirements (Note: participating stations may refer to stations whose transmissions interfere with the communications of member stations in the R-TWT SP period of the BSS in which AP1 is located) and / or other stations that do not interfere with the communications of member stations in the R-TWT SP period of the BSS in which AP1 is located. In particular, in the example, AP2's transmission needs to meet the spatial multiplexing transmission power limitation requirements. At the same time, AP2 can adopt a trigger-based transmission mode. Optionally, the trigger frame carries the uplink transmission power limitation information of participating stations that meet the spatial multiplexing transmission requirements (e.g., STA2-1 shown in FIG. 18), which triggers the stations that meet the spatial multiplexing transmission requirements (e.g., STA2-1 shown in FIG. 18) to perform uplink transmission. In particular, when AP2 identifies a PSR opportunity, it initiates a transmission trigger frame (carried in a PSRT PPDU) within its BSS to trigger upstream transmissions of stations that meet the PSR transmission requirements (e.g., STA2-1 shown in FIG. 18).

[0155] (3) Mixed Mode: A schematic diagram of a mixed mode scenario based on multi-AP cooperation and multi-AP cooperation can be shown in Figure 19, where multiple APs constituting a cooperative AP set jointly establish and share, and at the same time, further cooperate with one or more other APs constituting the AP set to establish and operate R-TWT. AP1 and AP2 performing multi-AP cooperation jointly establish a protected scheduled service period. For example, within an R-TWT SP, i.e., a scheduled service period (e.g., an R-TWT service period), AP1 and AP2 cooperate to exchange frames with a member station (e.g., STA1) according to a specific cooperative operation mode. AP3 is a cooperative AP, and controls the operation of itself and / or its associated associated stations to provide corresponding channel access protection for cooperative transmissions between AP1 and AP2 and the corresponding member station (STA1) during the R-TWT service period SP jointly established by AP1 and AP2.

[0156] 20, a block diagram of a multi-access point-based operation device provided in one embodiment of the present application is shown. The device has a function for implementing the steps performed by the first AP device in the above multi-access point-based operation method. As shown in FIG. 20, the device may include a transmission module 2001.

[0157] The transmitting module 2001 is used to transmit a first frame to a first station STA device to establish a protected scheduled service period based on multi-AP operation; Here, the protected scheduled service period based on the multi-AP operation is a protected scheduled service period that is negotiated and established by the first AP device with at least one second AP device.

[0158] In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes an operation module, the operation module being adapted to perform the following operations: Performing a multi-AP cooperation-based operation during the protected scheduled service period, the multi-AP cooperation-based operation including allowing or preferentially ensuring that the first AP device and the second AP device only cooperate to exchange frames with member stations of the protected scheduled service period, including the first STA device, through a specific cooperative transmission mode; or During the protected scheduled service period, a multi-AP coordination-based operation is performed, the multi-AP coordination-based operation including only allowing or preferentially ensuring frame exchange between the first AP device and the member stations of the protected scheduled service period including the first STA device to provide protection for communication between the first AP device and the member stations of the protected scheduled service period including the first STA device, and simultaneously coordinating or restricting transmissions of stations in the BSS in which the second AP device is located; or When the number of at least one second AP device is n and n is greater than or equal to 2, during the protected scheduled service period, multi-AP cooperation-based operations are performed with some of the n second AP devices, and multi-AP cooperation-based operations are performed with other of the n second AP devices.

[0159] In some embodiments, when operating based on multi-AP cooperation, Among the protected scheduled service periods, a start time and an end time of a first service period in a BSS corresponding to the first AP device are the same as a start time and an end time of a second service period; Here, the second service period is a service period within a BSS corresponding to the second AP device that performs operations based on the multi-AP cooperation with the first AP device, among the protected scheduled service periods.

[0160] In some embodiments, the particular cooperative transmission mode includes at least one of cooperative OFDMA, cooperative multi-user MIMO, cooperative spatial multiplexing, joint transmission, and cooperative beamforming.

[0161] In some embodiments, the operation module is used to transmit a second frame to a second AP device when competing for a transmission opportunity, and the second frame is used to trigger the first AP device and the second AP device to perform multi-AP cooperation-based operation within the protected scheduled service period.

[0162] In some embodiments, the operation module is used to receive a second frame transmitted from the second AP device, and the second frame is used to trigger the first AP device and the second AP device to perform multi-AP cooperation-based operation within the protected scheduled service period.

[0163] In some embodiments, when operating based on multi-AP cooperation, the apparatus further includes a scheduling module: The scheduling module is used to notify a quiet time interval, and the quiet time interval is used to shield transmission operations within the protected scheduled service period of a second STA device in a BSS corresponding to the first AP device that does not support the protected scheduled service period.

[0164] In some embodiments, the second STA device is a STA device other than a specified type STA device that does not support the protected scheduled service period; The designated type of STA device includes at least one of an EHT STA device and a UHR STA device.

[0165] In some embodiments, when operating based on multi-AP coordination, The duration of a first service period in the BSS corresponding to the first AP device does not overlap with the duration of a third service period in the protected scheduled service period; or Among the protected scheduled service periods, a duration of a first service period in a BSS corresponding to the first AP device partially overlaps with a duration of a third service period; Here, the third service period is a scheduled service period within the BSS of the second AP device that operates based on the multi-AP cooperation with the first AP device, and the BSS of the second AP device is an overlapping basic service set (OBSS) of the BSS of the first AP device.

[0166] In some embodiments, the device further comprises a receiving module; The receiving module is used to receive a first request sent from the first STA device, and the first request is used to request that the protected scheduled service period be established.

[0167] In some embodiments, the first request includes first attribute information of the protected scheduled service period.

[0168] In some embodiments, the transmitting module is used to transmit the first frame to the first STA device, and the first frame includes first attribute information of the protected scheduled service period.

[0169] In some embodiments, the transmission module is further used to transmit a second request to the second AP device, the second request being used to request that the second AP device and the first AP device cooperate to establish the protected scheduled service period.

[0170] In some embodiments, the device further comprises a cycle establishment module; The cycle establishment module is used to establish a first service cycle in a BSS corresponding to the first AP device among the scheduled service cycles to be protected.

[0171] In some embodiments, the periodicity establishment module is used to send a first broadcast message for establishing the first service periodicity, and the first broadcast message includes first attribute information of the protected scheduled service periodicity.

[0172] In some embodiments, the first attribute information of the protected scheduled service period includes at least one of information on a cooperating AP set that operates based on multi-AP cooperation, a specific cooperative transmission mode, a cooperating AP set that operates with the first AP device in local multi-AP cooperation, and a cooperation method corresponding to operation based on multi-AP cooperation.

[0173] In some embodiments, the protected scheduled service period is a restricted target wake-up time (R-TWT) period.

[0174] In some embodiments, the first attribute information of the protected scheduled service period is located in a multi-AP operation information subdomain included in a broadcast TWT parameter set domain.

[0175] In some embodiments, a Broadcast TWT Information subdomain in the Broadcast TWT Parameter Sets domain includes a Multi-AP Operation Information Presence subdomain, and a parameter value of the Multi-AP Operation Information Presence subdomain is used to indicate whether the Multi-AP Operation Information subdomain exists in the Broadcast TWT Parameter Sets domain; If the parameter value of the multi-AP operation information presence sub-domain is a first specified value, the broadcast TWT parameter set domain includes the multi-AP operation information sub-domain.

[0176] In some embodiments, the multi-AP operation information sub-domain includes at least one of a multi-AP operation control sub-domain, a cooperative AP set information sub-domain, and a cooperative AP set information sub-domain; The multi-AP operation control sub-domain includes at least one of a multi-AP operation mode sub-domain, a priority sub-domain, a cooperative AP set information existence sub-domain, a cooperative AP set information existence sub-domain, a multi-AP cooperative transmission scheme sub-domain, a multi-AP cooperation scheme sub-domain, and a reservation sub-domain; The multi-AP operation mode sub-domain is used to indicate a multi-AP operation mode, and the multi-AP operation mode includes a multi-AP cooperation-based operation and / or a multi-AP coordination-based operation; The priority subdomain is used to indicate priority information of the first STA device; The cooperative AP set information existence sub-domain is used to indicate whether the cooperative AP set information sub-domain exists; The cooperative AP set information existence sub-domain is used to indicate whether the cooperative AP set information sub-domain exists; The multi-AP cooperative transmission mode sub-domain is used to indicate a specific cooperative transmission mode corresponding to operation based on multi-AP cooperation; The multi-AP cooperation sub-domain is used to indicate a cooperation method corresponding to an operation based on multi-AP cooperation; The cooperative AP set information sub-domain is used to indicate each AP device in the cooperative AP set; The cooperative AP set information subdomain is used to indicate each AP device in the cooperative AP set.

[0177] In some embodiments, the transmitting module is used to transmit a first sub-request to the second AP device when the second AP device is an AP device that operates based on multi-AP cooperation with the first AP device, and the first sub-request is used to request the second AP device to establish a second service period within the BSS corresponding to the second AP device among the protected scheduled service periods.

[0178] In some embodiments, the first sub-request includes second attribute information of the protected scheduled service period, and the second attribute information of the protected scheduled service period includes at least one of priority information of the first STA device, a cooperating AP set that operates based on multi-AP cooperation, and a specific cooperative transmission mode corresponding to operation based on multi-AP cooperation.

[0179] In some embodiments, the sending module is used to send a second sub-request to the second AP device when the second AP device is an AP device that performs multi-AP cooperation based operations with the first AP device; The second sub-request includes third attribute information of the protected scheduled service period, and the third attribute information of the protected scheduled service period includes priority information of the first STA device and at least one item of information on a coordination method corresponding to operation based on multi-AP coordination.

[0180] 21, a block diagram of a multi-access point-based operation device provided in one embodiment of the present application is shown. The device has a function for implementing the steps performed by the first STA device in the above multi-access point-based operation method. As shown in FIG. 21, the device may include: a receiving module 2101; The receiving module 2101 is used to receive a first frame, and the first frame is used to indicate to the first STA device that a protected scheduled service period based on multi-AP operation has been established; Here, the protected scheduled service period based on the multi-AP operation is a protected scheduled service period that is negotiated and established by the first AP device with at least one second AP device.

[0181] In some embodiments, the device comprises: Processing Module further comprising The processing module includes: During the protected scheduled service period, operations based on multi-AP cooperation are accepted. It is set up so that , the multi-AP cooperation-based operation includes allowing or preferentially ensuring that the first AP device and the second AP device only cooperate to exchange frames with member stations of the protected scheduled service period, including the first STA device, through a specific cooperative transmission mode; or Accepting multi-AP cooperation-based operations during the protected scheduled service period, the multi-AP cooperation-based operations including only allowing or preferentially ensuring frame exchanges between the first AP device and the member stations of the protected scheduled service period including the first STA device to provide protection for communications between the first AP device and the member stations of the protected scheduled service period including the first STA device, and simultaneously coordinating or restricting transmissions of stations in the BSS in which the second AP device is located; or When the number of at least one second AP device is n and n is greater than or equal to 2, during the protected scheduled service period, operations based on multi-AP cooperation performed by the first AP device and some of the n second AP devices, and operations based on multi-AP cooperation performed by the first AP device and other of the n second AP devices, are accepted.

[0182] In some embodiments, the particular cooperative transmission mode includes at least one of cooperative OFDMA, cooperative multi-user MIMO, cooperative spatial multiplexing, joint transmission, and cooperative beamforming.

[0183] In some embodiments, the device further comprises a transmitting module; The sending module is used to send a first request to a first AP device, where the first request is used to request that the protected scheduled service period be established.

[0184] In some embodiments, the first request includes first attribute information of the protected scheduled service period.

[0185] In some embodiments, the first frame includes first attribute information of the protected scheduled service period.

[0186] In some embodiments, the first attribute information of the protected scheduled service period includes at least one of information on a cooperating AP set that operates based on multi-AP cooperation, a specific cooperative transmission mode, a cooperating AP set that operates with the first AP device in local multi-AP cooperation, and a cooperation method corresponding to operation based on multi-AP cooperation.

[0187] In some embodiments, the protected scheduled service period is a restricted target wake-up time (R-TWT) period.

[0188] In some embodiments, the first attribute information of the protected scheduled service period is located in a multi-AP operation information subdomain included in a broadcast TWT parameter set domain.

[0189] In some embodiments, a broadcast TWT information subdomain in the broadcast TWT parameter set domain includes a multi-AP operation information presence subdomain, and a parameter value of the multi-AP operation information presence subdomain is used to indicate whether the multi-AP operation information subdomain exists in the broadcast TWT parameter set domain; If the parameter value of the multi-AP operation information presence sub-domain is a first specified value, the broadcast TWT parameter set domain includes the multi-AP operation information sub-domain.

[0190] In some embodiments, the multi-AP operation information sub-domain includes at least one of a multi-AP operation control sub-domain, a cooperative AP set information sub-domain, and a cooperative AP set information sub-domain; The multi-AP operation control sub-domain includes at least one of a multi-AP operation mode sub-domain, a priority sub-domain, a cooperative AP set information existence sub-domain, a cooperative AP set information existence sub-domain, a multi-AP cooperative transmission scheme sub-domain, a multi-AP cooperation scheme sub-domain, and a reservation sub-domain; The multi-AP operation mode sub-domain is used to indicate a multi-AP operation mode, and the multi-AP operation mode includes a multi-AP cooperation-based operation and / or a multi-AP coordination-based operation; The priority subdomain is used to indicate priority information of the first STA device; The cooperative AP set information existence sub-domain is used to indicate whether the cooperative AP set information sub-domain exists; The cooperative AP set information existence sub-domain is used to indicate whether the cooperative AP set information sub-domain exists; The multi-AP cooperative transmission mode sub-domain is used to indicate a specific cooperative transmission mode corresponding to operation based on multi-AP cooperation; The multi-AP cooperation sub-domain is used to indicate a cooperation method corresponding to an operation based on multi-AP cooperation; The cooperative AP set information sub-domain is used to indicate each AP device in the cooperative AP set; The cooperative AP set information subdomain is used to indicate each AP device in the cooperative AP set.

[0191] 22, a block diagram of a multi-access point-based operation device provided in one embodiment of the present application is shown. The device has a function for implementing the steps performed by the second AP device in the above multi-access point-based operation method. As shown in FIG. 22, the device may include: an establishing module 2201; The establishing module 2201 is used to cooperate with a first AP device to establish a protected scheduled service period based on multi-AP operation for a first station STA device; Here, the protected scheduled service period based on the multi-AP operation is a protected scheduled service period that is established by the first AP device through negotiation with at least one of the second AP devices.

[0192] In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes an operation module, the operation module being adapted to perform the following operations: Performing a multi-AP cooperation-based operation during the protected scheduled service period, the multi-AP cooperation-based operation including allowing or preferentially ensuring that the first AP device and the second AP device only cooperate to exchange frames with member stations of the protected scheduled service period, including the first STA device, through a specific cooperative transmission mode; or During the protected scheduled service period, operations based on multi-AP coordination are performed, and the operations based on multi-AP coordination include only allowing or preferentially ensuring frame exchange between the first AP device and the member stations of the protected scheduled service period including the first STA device in order to protect communications between the first AP device and the member stations of the protected scheduled service period including the first STA device, and at the same time, the second AP device coordinating or restricting transmissions of stations in the BSS in which it is located.

[0193] In some embodiments, when operating based on multi-AP cooperation, Among the protected scheduled service periods, a start time and an end time of a first service period in a BSS corresponding to the first AP device are the same as a start time and an end time of a second service period; Here, the second service period is a service period in the BSS corresponding to the second AP device among the scheduled service periods to be protected.

[0194] In some embodiments, the particular cooperative transmission mode includes at least one of cooperative OFDMA, cooperative multi-user MIMO, cooperative spatial multiplexing, joint transmission, and cooperative beamforming.

[0195] In some embodiments, the operation module is used to transmit a second frame to the first AP device when competing for a transmission opportunity, and the second frame is used to trigger the first AP device and the second AP device to perform multi-AP cooperation-based operation within the protected scheduled service period.

[0196] In some embodiments, the operation module is used to receive a second frame transmitted from the second AP device, and the second frame is used to trigger the first AP device and the second AP device to perform multi-AP cooperation-based operation within the protected scheduled service period.

[0197] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a scheduling module; The scheduling module is used to notify a quiet time interval when operating based on multi-AP cooperation, and the quiet time interval is used to shield transmission operations within the protected scheduled service period of a second STA device in a BSS corresponding to the second AP device that does not support the protected scheduled service period.

[0198] In some embodiments, the second STA device is a STA device other than a specified type STA device that does not support the protected scheduled service period; The designated type of STA device includes at least one of an EHT STA device and a UHR STA device.

[0199] In some embodiments, when operating based on multi-AP coordination, The duration of a first service period in the BSS corresponding to the first AP device and the duration of a third service period in the protected scheduled service period do not overlap; or Among the protected scheduled service periods, a duration of a first service period in a BSS corresponding to the first AP device and a duration of a third service period partially overlap; Here, the third service period is a scheduled service period in the BSS of the second AP device, and the BSS of the second AP device is an overlapping basic service set (OBSS) of the BSS of the first AP device.

[0200] In some embodiments, when performing operations based on multi-AP cooperation for the protected scheduled service period, the establishment module 2201 is used to send a second broadcast message to establish a second service period, which is a service period within the BSS corresponding to the second AP device among the protected scheduled service periods.

[0201] In some embodiments, when operating based on multi-AP coordination during the protected scheduled service period, the device further includes a transmission module used to transmit a third broadcast message, the third broadcast message being used to coordinate or restrict transmissions during the protected scheduled service period of stations in a BSS in which the second AP device is located.

[0202] In some embodiments, the device further comprises a receiving module; The receiving module is used to receive a second request sent from the first AP device, and the second request is used to request cooperation with the first AP device to establish the protected scheduled service period.

[0203] In some embodiments, the receiving module is used to receive a first sub-request transmitted from the first AP device when the second AP device is an AP device that performs multi-AP cooperation based operations with the first AP device; The first sub-request includes second attribute information of the protected scheduled service period, and the second attribute information of the protected scheduled service period includes at least one of priority information of the first STA device, a cooperating AP set that operates based on multi-AP cooperation, and a specific cooperative transmission mode corresponding to operation based on multi-AP cooperation.

[0204] In some embodiments, the receiving module is used to receive a second sub-request transmitted from the first AP device when the second AP device is an AP device that performs multi-AP cooperation based operations with the first AP device; The second sub-request includes third attribute information of the protected scheduled service period, and the third attribute information of the protected scheduled service period includes priority information of the first STA device and at least one item of information on a coordination method corresponding to operation based on multi-AP coordination.

[0205] In some embodiments, the protected scheduled service period is a restricted target wake-up time (R-TWT) period.

[0206] It should be noted that when the device provided in the above embodiment realizes its functions, only the division of each of the above functional modules is taken as an example to describe. In actual applications, the above functions will be realized by different functional modules according to actual needs, that is, the content structure of the device will be divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the functions described above.

[0207] Regarding the apparatus in the above embodiment, the specific manner in which each module performs an operation is described in detail in the embodiment relating to the method, and detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0208] 23, there is shown a structural schematic diagram of a computer device 2300 provided in one embodiment of the present application. The computer device 2300 may include a processor 2301, a receiver 2302, a transmitter 2303, a memory 2304 and a bus 2305.

[0209] The processor 2301 includes one or more processing cores, and the processor 2301 executes various functional applications and information processing by running software programs and modules.

[0210] The receiver 2302 and the transmitter 2303 can be implemented as a single communication component, which may be a single communication chip, which may also be called a transceiver.

[0211] The memory 2304 is connected to the processor 2301 via a bus 2305 .

[0212] The memory 2304 can be used to store a computer program, and the processor 2301 is used to execute the computer program to realize each step performed by the STAS device or AP device in the above method embodiments.

[0213] It should be noted that the memory 2304 can be implemented by any type of volatile or non-volatile memory, or a combination thereof, including, but not limited to, a magnetic or optical disk, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, an erasable programmable read-only memory, a static random access memory, a read-only memory, a magnetic memory, a flash memory, and a programmable read-only memory.

[0214] In an exemplary embodiment, the computing device includes a processor, a memory, and a transceiver (which may include a receiver and a transmitter, where the receiver is used to receive information and the transmitter is used to transmit information).

[0215] In a possible embodiment, when the computing device is an AP device, and the AP device is the first AP device in each of the above method embodiments, the transceiver is used to transmit a first frame to a first station STA device to establish a protected scheduled service period based on multi-AP operation, wherein the protected scheduled service period based on multi-AP operation is a protected scheduled service period that the first AP device negotiates and establishes with at least one second AP device.

[0216] In a possible embodiment, when the computing device is an AP device and the AP device is the second AP device in each of the above method embodiments, the processor is used to cooperate with the first AP device to establish a protected scheduled service period based on multi-AP operation for the first station STA device.

[0217] Here, if the computing device is an AP device, the processor can be used by the transceiver to execute all or some of the steps performed by the first AP device or the second AP device in the embodiments shown in Figures 3 to 6 above, and detailed descriptions will be omitted here.

[0218] In a possible embodiment, when the computing device is a STA device and the STA device is the first STA device in each of the above method embodiments, the transceiver is used to receive a first frame, and the first frame is used by the first AP device to indicate to the first STA device that it has already established a protected scheduled service period based on multi-AP operation.

[0219] Here, if the computing device is a STA device, the processor can be used by the transceiver to perform all or some of the steps performed by the first STA device in the embodiments shown in Figure 4 or Figure 6 above, and detailed description will be omitted here.

[0220] The present application further provides a computer program product, the computer program product including computer instructions stored in a computer-readable storage medium, wherein a processor of a computer device reads the computer instructions from the computer-readable storage medium and executes the computer instructions to cause the computer device to perform each step performed by the first STA device, the first AP device, or the second AP device in the methods shown in Figures 3 to 6 above.

[0221] The present application further provides a chip, which includes a processor, and the processor is used to call and execute a computer program from a memory, thereby causing a computer device to which the chip is attached to perform each step performed by the first STA device, the first AP device, or the second AP device in the methods shown in Figures 3 to 6 above.

[0222] The present application further provides a computer program, which, when executed by a processor of a computer device, causes the computer device to perform each step performed by the first STA device, the first AP device, or the second AP device in the methods shown in Figures 3 to 6 above.

Claims

1. 1. A multi-access point AP-based operation method executed by a first AP device, comprising: The method includes transmitting a first frame to a first station STA device to establish a protected scheduled service period based on multi-AP operation; The protected scheduled service period based on the multi-AP operation is a protected scheduled service period negotiated and established by the first AP device and at least one second AP device. An operation method based on multiple access points (AP).

2. The method further comprises: In the protected scheduled service period, a multi-AP cooperation-based operation is performed, and the multi-AP cooperation-based operation includes allowing or preferentially ensuring that the first AP device and the second AP device only cooperate to exchange frames with member stations of the protected scheduled service period, including the first STA device, in a specific cooperative transmission mode; or In the protected scheduled service period, a multi-AP cooperation-based operation is performed, the multi-AP cooperation-based operation including only allowing or preferentially ensuring frame exchange between the first AP device and the member stations of the protected scheduled service period including the first STA device in order to provide protection for communication between the first AP device and the member stations of the protected scheduled service period including the first STA device, and at the same time, the second AP device cooperates or restricts transmission of stations in the BSS in which it is located; or When the number of at least one second AP device is n, and n is greater than or equal to 2, during the protected scheduled service period, perform a multi-AP cooperation-based operation with some of the n second AP devices, and perform a multi-AP cooperation-based operation with other of the n second AP devices. The method of claim 1.

3. When performing operations based on multi-AP cooperation, Among the protected scheduled service periods, a start time and an end time of a first service period in a BSS corresponding to the first AP device are the same as a start time and an end time of a second service period; The second service period is a service period within a BSS corresponding to the first AP device and the second AP device that performs operations based on the multi-AP cooperation, among the protected scheduled service periods. The method of claim 2.

4. The particular cooperative transmission mode includes at least one of cooperative OFDMA, cooperative multi-user MIMO, cooperative spatial multiplexing, joint transmission, and cooperative beamforming. The method according to claim 2 or 3.

5. performing a multi-AP cooperation-based operation during the protected scheduled service period includes transmitting a second frame to the second AP device when competing for a transmission opportunity, the second frame being used to trigger the first AP device and the second AP device to perform a multi-AP cooperation-based operation during the protected scheduled service period; The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

6. performing a multi-AP cooperation-based operation during the protected scheduled service period includes receiving a second frame transmitted from the second AP device, the second frame being used to trigger the first AP device and the second AP device to perform a multi-AP cooperation-based operation during the protected scheduled service period; The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

7. When operating based on multi-AP cooperation, the method further includes broadcasting a quiet time interval, wherein the quiet time interval is used to shield transmission operations within the protected scheduled service period of a second STA device in a BSS corresponding to the first AP device that does not support the protected scheduled service period. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 6.

8. The second STA device is a STA device other than a designated type STA device that does not support the protected scheduled service period. the designated type of STA device includes at least one of an EHT STA device and an UHR STA device; The method of claim 7.

9. When performing operations based on multi-AP cooperation, The duration of a first service period and a third service period in the BSS corresponding to the first AP device among the protected scheduled service periods do not overlap; or a duration of a first service period and a duration of a third service period in the BSS corresponding to the first AP device among the protected scheduled service periods partially overlap; The third service period is a scheduled service period in a BSS of the second AP device that operates based on the multi-AP cooperation with the first AP device, and the BSS of the second AP device is an overlapping basic service set (OBSS) of the BSS of the first AP device. The method of claim 2.

10. The method further includes receiving a first request transmitted from the first STA device, the first request being used to request establishment of the protected scheduled service period. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 9.

11. the first request includes first attribute information of the protected scheduled service period; The method of claim 10.

12. Transmitting the first frame includes transmitting the first frame to the first STA device, and the first frame includes first attribute information of the protected scheduled service period. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 9.

13. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 12, further comprising: sending a second request to the second AP device, wherein the second request is used to request that the second AP device and the first AP device cooperate to establish the protected scheduled service period.

14. The method further includes establishing a first one of the protected scheduled service periods within a BSS corresponding to the first AP device. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 13.

15. Establishing a first service period within a BSS corresponding to the first device among the protected scheduled service periods includes transmitting a first broadcast message for establishing the first service period, wherein the first broadcast message includes first attribute information of the protected scheduled service period.

15. The method of claim 14.

16. The first attribute information of the protected scheduled service period includes at least one of information of a cooperative AP set that operates based on multi-AP cooperation, a specific cooperative transmission mode, a cooperative AP set that operates with the first AP device in local multi-AP cooperation, and a cooperation method corresponding to the operation based on multi-AP cooperation; 16. The method of claim 11, 12 or 15.

17. The protected scheduled service period is the restricted target wake-up time R-TWT period.

17. The method of claim 16.

18. The first attribute information of the protected scheduled service period is configured in a multi-AP operation information sub-domain included in a broadcast TWT parameter set domain; 18. The method of claim 17.

19. A broadcast TWT information subdomain in the broadcast TWT parameter set domain includes a multi-AP operation information existence subdomain, and a parameter value of the multi-AP operation information existence subdomain is used to indicate whether the multi-AP operation information subdomain exists in the broadcast TWT parameter set domain; If the parameter value of the multi-AP operation information existence sub-domain is a first specified value, the broadcast TWT parameter set domain includes the multi-AP operation information sub-domain; 20. The method of claim 18.

20. The multi-AP operation information sub-domain includes at least one of a multi-AP operation control sub-domain, a cooperative AP set information sub-domain, and a cooperative AP set information sub-domain; The multi-AP operation control sub-domain includes at least one of a multi-AP operation mode sub-domain, a priority sub-domain, a cooperative AP set information existence sub-domain, a cooperative AP set information existence sub-domain, a multi-AP cooperative transmission mode sub-domain, a multi-AP cooperation mode sub-domain, and a reservation sub-domain; The multi-AP operation mode sub-domain is used to indicate a multi-AP operation mode, and the multi-AP operation mode includes a multi-AP cooperation-based operation and / or a multi-AP coordination-based operation; The priority subdomain is used to indicate priority information of the first STA device; The cooperative AP set information existence sub-domain is used to indicate whether the cooperative AP set information sub-domain exists; The cooperative AP set information existence sub-domain is used to indicate whether the cooperative AP set information sub-domain exists; The multi-AP cooperative transmission mode sub-domain is used to indicate a specific cooperative transmission mode corresponding to a multi-AP cooperation-based operation; The multi-AP cooperation sub-domain is used to indicate a cooperation method corresponding to an operation based on multi-AP cooperation; The cooperative AP set information sub-domain is used to indicate each AP device in the cooperative AP set; The cooperative AP set information sub-domain is used to indicate each AP device in the cooperative AP set; 20. The method of claim 18 or 19.

21. Sending a second request to the second AP device includes, when the second AP device is an AP device that operates based on multi-AP cooperation with the first AP device, sending a first sub-request to the second AP device, wherein the first sub-request is used to request the second AP device to establish a second service period within the BSS corresponding to the second AP device among the protected scheduled service periods. The method of claim 13.

22. The first sub-request includes second attribute information of the protected scheduled service period, and the second attribute information of the protected scheduled service period includes at least one of priority information of the first STA device, a cooperative AP set that performs multi-AP cooperation-based operation, and a specific cooperative transmission mode corresponding to multi-AP cooperation-based operation.

22. The method of claim 21.

23. sending a second request to the second AP device includes, when the second AP device is an AP device that performs an operation based on multi-AP cooperation with the first AP device, sending a second sub-request to the second AP device; The second sub-request includes third attribute information of the protected scheduled service period, and the third attribute information of the protected scheduled service period includes at least one item of priority information of the first STA device and a cooperation method corresponding to an operation based on multi-AP cooperation. The method of claim 13.

24. A multi-access point (AP)-based operation method executed by a first STA device, comprising: The method includes receiving a first frame, the first frame being used by a first AP device to indicate to the first STA device that a protected scheduled service period based on multi-AP operation has been established; The protected scheduled service period based on the multi-AP operation is a protected scheduled service period negotiated and established by the first AP device and at least one second AP device. An operation method based on multiple access points (AP).

25. The method further comprises: Accepting a multi-AP cooperation-based operation during the protected scheduled service period, the multi-AP cooperation-based operation including allowing or preferentially ensuring that the first AP device and the second AP device only cooperate to exchange frames with member stations of the protected scheduled service period, including the first STA device, in a specific cooperative transmission mode; or Accepting multi-AP cooperation-based operations during the protected scheduled service period, the multi-AP cooperation-based operations including only allowing or preferentially ensuring frame exchanges between the first AP device and the member stations of the protected scheduled service period including the first STA device to provide protection for communications between the first AP device and the member stations of the protected scheduled service period including the first STA device, and simultaneously coordinating or restricting transmissions of stations in the BSS in which the second AP device is located; or When the number of at least one second AP device is n, and n is greater than or equal to 2, during the protected scheduled service period, accept an operation based on multi-AP cooperation performed by the first AP device and some of the n second AP devices, and accept an operation based on multi-AP cooperation performed by the first AP device and other of the n second AP devices; 25. The method of claim 24.

26. The particular cooperative transmission mode includes at least one of cooperative OFDMA, cooperative multi-user MIMO, cooperative spatial multiplexing, joint transmission, and cooperative beamforming.

26. The method of claim 25.

27. The method further includes sending a first request to the first AP device, the first request being used to request establishment of the protected scheduled service period.

27. The method of claim 25 or 26.

28. the first request includes first attribute information of the protected scheduled service period; 28. The method of claim 27.

29. the first frame includes first attribute information of the protected scheduled service period; The method according to any one of claims 25 to 28.

30. The first attribute information of the protected scheduled service period includes at least one of information of a cooperative AP set that operates based on multi-AP cooperation, a specific cooperative transmission mode, a cooperative AP set that operates with the first AP device in local multi-AP cooperation, and a cooperation method corresponding to the operation based on multi-AP cooperation; 30. The method of claim 28 or 29.

31. The protected scheduled service period is a restricted target wake-up time R-TWT period.

31. The method of claim 30.

32. The first attribute information of the protected scheduled service period is configured in a multi-AP operation information sub-domain included in a broadcast TWT parameter set domain; 32. The method of claim 31 .

33. A broadcast TWT information subdomain in the broadcast TWT parameter set domain includes a multi-AP operation information existence subdomain, and a parameter value of the multi-AP operation information existence subdomain is used to indicate whether the multi-AP operation information subdomain exists in the broadcast TWT parameter set domain; If the parameter value of the multi-AP operation information existence sub-domain is a first specified value, the broadcast TWT parameter set domain includes the multi-AP operation information sub-domain; 33. The method of claim 32.

34. The multi-AP operation information sub-domain includes at least one of a multi-AP operation control sub-domain, a cooperative AP set information sub-domain, and a cooperative AP set information sub-domain; The multi-AP operation control sub-domain includes at least one of a multi-AP operation mode sub-domain, a priority sub-domain, a cooperative AP set information existence sub-domain, a cooperative AP set information existence sub-domain, a multi-AP cooperative transmission mode sub-domain, a multi-AP cooperation mode sub-domain, and a reservation sub-domain; The multi-AP operation mode sub-domain is used to indicate a multi-AP operation mode, and the multi-AP operation mode includes a multi-AP cooperation-based operation and / or a multi-AP coordination-based operation; The priority subdomain is used to indicate priority information of the first STA device; The cooperative AP set information existence sub-domain is used to indicate whether the cooperative AP set information sub-domain exists; The cooperative AP set information existence sub-domain is used to indicate whether the cooperative AP set information sub-domain exists; The multi-AP cooperative transmission mode sub-domain is used to indicate a specific cooperative transmission mode corresponding to a multi-AP cooperation-based operation; The multi-AP cooperation sub-domain is used to indicate a cooperation method corresponding to an operation based on multi-AP cooperation; The cooperative AP set information sub-domain is used to indicate each AP device in the cooperative AP set; The cooperative AP set information sub-domain is used to indicate each AP device in the cooperative AP set; 34. The method of claim 32 or 33.

35. A multi-access point AP-based operation method executed by a second AP device, comprising: The method includes establishing, in cooperation with a first AP device, a protected scheduled service period based on multi-AP operation for a first station STA device; The protected scheduled service period based on the multi-AP operation is a protected scheduled service period that is negotiated and established by the first AP device with at least one of the second AP devices. An operation method based on multiple access points (AP).

36. The method further comprises: In the protected scheduled service period, a multi-AP cooperation-based operation is performed, and the multi-AP cooperation-based operation includes allowing or preferentially ensuring that the first AP device and the second AP device only cooperate to exchange frames with member stations of the protected scheduled service period, including the first STA device, in a specific cooperative transmission mode; or In the protected scheduled service period, an operation based on multi-AP cooperation is performed, the operation based on multi-AP cooperation including only allowing or preferentially ensuring frame exchange between the first AP device and the member stations of the protected scheduled service period including the first STA device in order to protect communication between the first AP device and the member stations of the protected scheduled service period including the first STA device, and at the same time, the second AP device coordinating or restricting transmission of stations in the BSS in which it is located.

36. The method of claim 35.

37. When performing operations based on multi-AP cooperation, Among the protected scheduled service periods, a start time and an end time of a first service period in a BSS corresponding to the first AP device are the same as a start time and an end time of a second service period; The second service period is a service period within the BSS corresponding to the second AP device among the protected scheduled service periods.

37. The method of claim 36.

38. The particular cooperative transmission mode includes at least one of cooperative OFDMA, cooperative multi-user MIMO, cooperative spatial multiplexing, joint transmission, and cooperative beamforming.

38. The method of claim 36 or 37.

39. performing a multi-AP cooperation-based operation during the protected scheduled service period includes transmitting a second frame to the first AP device when competing for a transmission opportunity, the second frame being used to trigger the first AP device and the second AP device to perform a multi-AP cooperation-based operation during the protected scheduled service period; 39. The method according to any one of claims 36 to 38.

40. performing a multi-AP cooperation-based operation during the protected scheduled service period includes receiving a second frame transmitted from the second AP device, the second frame being used to trigger the first AP device and the second AP device to perform a multi-AP cooperation-based operation during the protected scheduled service period; 39. The method according to any one of claims 36 to 38.

41. When operating based on multi-AP cooperation, the method further includes broadcasting a quiet time interval, wherein the quiet time interval is used to shield transmission operations within the protected scheduled service period of a second STA device in a BSS corresponding to the second AP device that does not support the protected scheduled service period.

41. The method according to any one of claims 36 to 40.

42. The second STA device is another STA device other than a designated type STA device that does not support the protected scheduled service period; the designated type of STA device includes at least one of an EHT STA device and an UHR STA device; 42. The method of claim 41.

43. When performing operations based on multi-AP cooperation, The duration of a first service period and a third service period in the BSS corresponding to the first AP device among the protected scheduled service periods do not overlap; or a duration of a first service period and a duration of a third service period in the BSS corresponding to the first AP device among the protected scheduled service periods partially overlap; The third service period is a scheduled service period in a BSS of the second AP device, and the BSS of the second AP device is an overlapping basic service set (OBSS) of the BSS of the first AP device.

37. The method of claim 36.

44. When the protected scheduled service period is operated based on multi-AP cooperation, establishing a protected scheduled service period based on multi-AP operation for the first station STA device in cooperation with the first AP device includes sending a second broadcast message to establish a second service period, and the second service period is a service period in the BSS corresponding to the second AP device among the protected scheduled service periods.

44. The method according to any one of claims 36 to 43.

45. When operating based on multi-AP cooperation during the protected scheduled service period, the method further includes transmitting a third broadcast message, wherein the third broadcast message is used to coordinate or restrict transmissions during the protected scheduled service period of stations in a BSS in which the second AP device is located.

44. The method according to any one of claims 36 to 43.

46. The method further includes receiving a second request transmitted from the first AP device, the second request being used to request establishment of the protected scheduled service period in cooperation with the first AP device.

46. ​​The method according to any one of claims 36 to 45.

47. receiving a second request transmitted from the first AP device includes, when the second AP device is an AP device that performs an operation based on multi-AP cooperation with the first AP device, receiving a first sub-request transmitted from the first AP device; The first sub-request includes second attribute information of the protected scheduled service period, and the second attribute information of the protected scheduled service period includes at least one of priority information of the first STA device, a cooperative AP set that performs multi-AP cooperation-based operation, and a specific cooperative transmission mode corresponding to multi-AP cooperation-based operation.

47. The method of claim 46.

48. receiving a second request transmitted from the first AP device includes, when the second AP device is an AP device that performs an operation based on multi-AP cooperation with the first AP device, receiving a second sub-request transmitted from the first AP device; The second sub-request includes third attribute information of the protected scheduled service period, and the third attribute information of the protected scheduled service period includes at least one item of priority information of the first STA device and a cooperation method corresponding to an operation based on multi-AP cooperation.

47. The method of claim 46.

49. The protected scheduled service period is a restricted target wake-up time R-TWT period.

49. The method according to any one of claims 35 to 48.

50. a transmitting module; The transmitting module is used to transmit a first frame to a first station STA device to establish a protected scheduled service period based on multi-AP operation; The protected scheduled service period based on the multi-AP operation is a protected scheduled service period negotiated and established by the first AP device and at least one second AP device. An operating device based on a multi-access point AP.

51. a receiving module, The receiving module is used to receive a first frame, and the first frame is used by a first AP device to indicate to the first STA device that a protected scheduled service period based on multi-AP operation has been established; The protected scheduled service period based on the multi-AP operation is a protected scheduled service period negotiated and established by the first AP device and at least one second AP device. An operating device based on a multi-access point AP.

52. an establishment module; The establishment module is used to establish a protected scheduled service period based on multi-AP operation for a first station STA device in cooperation with a first AP device; The protected scheduled service period based on the multi-AP operation is a protected scheduled service period that is negotiated and established by the first AP device with at least one of the second AP devices. An operating device based on a multi-access point AP.

53. An AP device, The AP device is implemented as a first AP device, and the AP device includes a processor, a memory, and a transceiver; The transceiver is used to transmit a first frame to a first station STA device to establish a protected scheduled service period based on multi-AP operation; The protected scheduled service period based on the multi-AP operation is a protected scheduled service period that is negotiated and established by the first AP device with at least one second AP device. AP device.

54. An STA device, The STA device is implemented as a first STA device, the STA device including a processor, a memory, and a transceiver; The transceiver is used to receive a first frame, and the first frame is used by a first AP device to indicate to the first STA device that a protected scheduled service period based on multi-AP operation has been established; The protected scheduled service period based on the multi-AP operation is a protected scheduled service period that is negotiated and established by the first AP device with at least one second AP device. STA device.

55. An AP device, The AP device is implemented as a second AP device, and the AP device includes a processor, a memory, and a transceiver; The processor is used to establish, in cooperation with the first AP device, a protected scheduled service period based on multi-AP operation for the first station STA device; The protected scheduled service period based on the multi-AP operation is a protected scheduled service period that is negotiated and established by the first AP device with at least one of the second AP devices. AP device.

56. A computer-readable storage medium, comprising: The storage medium stores a computer program, which is executed by a processor to cause a computer device to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 23, the method according to any one of claims 24 to 34, or the method according to any one of claims 35 to 49. A computer-readable storage medium.

57. A chip including a processor, The processor is used to cause a computer device to which the chip is attached to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 23, the method according to any one of claims 24 to 34, or the method according to any one of claims 35 to 49 by calling up and executing a computer program from a memory. Tips.

58. 1. A computer program product comprising: The computer program product includes computer instructions, the computer instructions being stored on a computer-readable storage medium, and a processor of a computing device reading the computer instructions from the computer-readable storage medium and executing the computer instructions to cause the computing device to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 23, or the method of any one of claims 24 to 34, or the method of any one of claims 35 to 49. Computer program products.

59. When executed by a processor of a computing device, the method causes the computing device to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 23, or the method of any one of claims 24 to 34, or the method of any one of claims 35 to 49. Computer program.

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