Multi-link communication method and related apparatus

Abstract

Embodiments of this application disclose a multi-link communication method and a related apparatus.SOLUTION: The first station generates a radio frame. Here, the first station is one of the plurality of stations included in the first multi-link device. The first multi-link device includes a first station operating on a first link and a second station operating on a second link. The first station sends a radio frame on a first link. The first station sends a radio frame to a second station, where the radio frame includes capability indication information, and the capability indication information is used to indicate whether the first station and the second station support a simultaneous transceiving operation. According to the embodiments of this application, communication quality can be ensured.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular to a multi-link communication method and related apparatus.

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201910634696.6, filed with the China Patent Office on July 12, 2019, and entitled "MULTI-LINK COMMUNICATION METHOD AND RELATED APPARATUS," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. [Background technology]

[0003] With the development of wireless technology, multi-link devices can support multi-link communication, for example, simultaneously communicating in the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 60 GHz frequency bands. Multi-link devices can also switch between different frequency bands, even when there are a limited number of antennas, to select the optimal frequency band while ensuring communication quality. As more application traffic is carried by wireless networks, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi®) systems are evolving toward the goal of higher speeds. To increase the peak rate of stations in multi-link devices, multi-link aggregation communication has become an additional feature of next-generation wireless local area network (WLAN) technology. Multi-link aggregation communication involves cooperation between multiple links, but the multiple links are mutually limited. For example, it is difficult for wireless transceiver units to support full-duplex operation. If data is transmitted and received simultaneously on two links that do not support simultaneous transmission, communication quality cannot be ensured. summary Summary of the Invention

[0004] The embodiments of this application provide a multi-link communication method and related device to ensure communication quality.

[0005] According to a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a multi-link communication method. The method includes: a first station generates a radio frame; the first station is one of multiple stations included in a first multi-link device, the first multi-link device including a first station operating on a first link and a second station operating on a second link; and the first station transmits the radio frame on the first link, the radio frame including capability indication information, which is used to indicate whether the first station and the second station support simultaneous transmitting / receiving operations. The capability indication information is carried in the radio frame to indicate whether the first station operating on the first link and the second station operating on the second link support simultaneous transmitting / receiving operations of the first multi-link device. Another station receiving the capability indication information can determine whether the first station and the second station in the first multi-link device can support simultaneous transmitting / receiving operations of data. When the first station and the second station support simultaneous data transmission and reception, the other station can perform simultaneous transmission and reception with the first station and the second station, thereby improving communication efficiency. When the first station and the second station do not support simultaneous data transmission and reception, the other station can avoid simultaneous transmission and reception with the first station and the second station, thereby ensuring communication quality.

[0006] Regarding whether the first station and the second station support simultaneous transmitting and receiving operations, it can also be understood that the multilink device does not support simultaneous transmitting and receiving operations on the first link and the second link. The fact that the multilink device does not support simultaneous transmitting and receiving operations on the first link and the second link includes the fact that the multilink device does not support the first station transmitting a first-bandwidth physical layer protocol data unit PPDU on the first link while the second station receives a second-bandwidth physical layer protocol data unit PPDU on the second link, or the fact that the first station receives a first-bandwidth physical layer protocol data unit on the first link while the second station transmits a second-bandwidth physical layer protocol data unit on the second link. In this embodiment of the present application, "simultaneous transmitting / receiving" or "simultaneous" does not mean that the start and end times of the transmitting data are exactly the same as the start and end times of the receiving data, respectively, and may mean that there is a non-empty intersection between the first-bandwidth PPDU and the second-bandwidth PPDU in terms of time.

[0007] According to a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a multi-link communication method. The method includes: a third station receiving a radio frame transmitted by a first station in a plurality of stations included in a first multi-link device; wherein the first multi-link device includes a first station operating on a first link and a second station operating on a second link, and the radio frame includes capability indication information, which is used to indicate whether the first station and the second station support simultaneous transmission and reception operations. The third station then determines whether the first station and the second station support simultaneous transmission and reception operations based on the capability indication information. The third station, having received the capability indication information, can determine whether the first station and the second station in the first multi-link device are capable of simultaneous data transmission and reception. If the first station and the second station support simultaneous data transmission and reception, the third station performs simultaneous transmission and reception with the first station and the second station, thereby improving communication efficiency. When the first station and the second station do not support simultaneous transmission and reception of data, another station may avoid simultaneous transmission and reception with the first station and the second station, thereby ensuring communication quality.

[0008] In a possible design of the first aspect or a possible design of the second aspect, the capability indication information includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate whether the first station and the second station support simultaneous transmission and reception operations.

[0009] In another possible design of the first aspect or the second aspect, the simultaneous transmission and reception operation includes a first operation and a second operation, the first operation being a first station performing a transmission operation while the second station performing a reception operation, and the second operation being a first station performing a reception operation while the first station performing a reception operation, and the first indication information includes one-bit information, which is used to indicate whether both the first station and the second station support the first operation and the second operation.

[0010] In another possible design of the first aspect or the second aspect, the simultaneous transmission and reception operation includes a first operation and a second operation. The first operation is a first station performing a transmission operation while a second station performs a reception operation, and the second operation is a first station performing a reception operation while a first station performs a transmission operation. The first indication information includes two-bit information. The first bit of the two-bit information is used to indicate whether the first station and the second station support the first operation, and the second bit of the two-bit information is used to indicate whether the first station and the second station support the second operation.

[0011] In another possible design of the first aspect or the second aspect, the first indication information includes multiple pieces of one-bit information or multiple pieces of two-bit information, where one piece of one-bit information or one piece of two-bit information is used to indicate whether the first station using the first bandwidth and the second station using the second bandwidth support simultaneous transmission and reception operations, which implements the first station and the second station using different bandwidths to perform simultaneous transmission and reception operations.

[0012] In another possible design of the first aspect or the second aspect, the capability indication information includes second indication information, the second indication information including a threshold value, and the threshold value is used to indicate a minimum difference between the operating frequencies of the two links that support simultaneous transmission and reception operation. The third station can determine whether the first station and the second station support simultaneous transmission and reception operation based on the threshold value.

[0013] In another possible design of the first aspect or the second aspect, the capability indication information includes first indication information and second indication information. The second indication information includes a threshold value. The first indication information is used to indicate whether the first station and the second station support simultaneous transmission and reception when a difference between an operating frequency of the first station and an operating frequency of the second station is greater than the threshold value. Based on a joint indication of the first indication information and the second indication information, simultaneous transmission and reception is performed when both the first indication information and the second indication information match.

[0014] In another possible design of the first aspect or the second aspect, the first multilink device includes at least one multilink logical entity. The multilink logical entity includes at least one station. The capability indication information includes third indication information, which is used to indicate whether the first station and the second station are located within the same multilink logical entity. If the first station and the second station are located within the same multilink logical entity, data frames of the same service type can be transmitted in a multilink aggregation communication manner.

[0015] In another possible design of the first aspect or the second aspect, the radio frame includes an information element. The capability indication information is carried in the information element. The information element includes identification information of the second link. The information element includes a multiband element, a reduced neighbor report element, or a neighbor report element.

[0016] In another possible design of the first aspect or the second aspect, the radio frame includes a transmitting / receiving capability information element, the transmitting / receiving capability information element including an element ID, an element length, and capability indication information, and the capability indication information includes a link identifier of the first link and a link identifier of the second link. Whether the first station operating on the first link and any stations operating on other links in the first multilink device support simultaneous transmission and reception can be indicated by using the transmission and reception capability information element, without having to indicate each one using an information element, which reduces signaling overhead.

[0017] According to a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a multi-link communication method. The method includes: a first multi-link device receives a physical protocol data unit (PPDU) transmitted by a second multi-link device over a primary link; a plurality of links exist between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device, the plurality of links including a primary link and a secondary link adjacent to the primary link; a first multi-link device transmits a transmission prohibition time, where the transmission prohibition time is used to indicate a time during which a station operating on a secondary link of the first multi-link device is prohibited from transmitting data; in multi-link aggregation communication (aggregation of the primary link and the secondary link), setting the transmission prohibition time prohibits transmission of data over the secondary link, thereby avoiding simultaneous transmission and reception of data over adjacent links; thereby reducing interference and contention on the primary link.

[0018] In a possible design, the inhibit time includes a start time and an end time.

[0019] In another possible design, the prohibition time includes a start time and a duration.

[0020] In another possible design, the start point is the point at which a signal field in a physical layer preamble is obtained, the point at which it is determined that the receiving address in a media access control (MAC) frame header in a PPDU matches the address of a station operating on the primary link, or the point at which a frame check sequence (FCS) is received and a data packet is correctly received. Optionally, "obtaining" may also be interpreted as receiving, detecting, or parsing. The end point is the end point of a PPDU, the end point of a block acknowledgement (BA) in response to a PPDU, the end point of a BA in response to a PPDU plus a short interframe space (SIFS), or the end point of a transmission opportunity (TXOP) to which the PPDU belongs. Optionally, a point may also be referred to as a moment. In another possible design, if the secondary link is adjacent to multiple primary links, the start point is the minimum start value of multiple inhibit periods corresponding to the multiple primary links, and the end point is the maximum end value of multiple inhibit periods corresponding to the multiple primary links. Therefore, it is ensured that the transmission prohibition time set for the secondary link can meet the requirements of multiple primary links and that no interference or contention occurs among all the primary links.

[0021] In another possible design, when the secondary link is adjacent to multiple primary links, the time length is the maximum value of the multiple time lengths corresponding to the multiple primary links, thereby ensuring that the prohibition time set for the secondary link can meet the requirements of the multiple primary links and that no interference or contention occurs among all the primary links.

[0022] In another possible design, when a secondary link is adjacent to multiple primary links, a transmission prohibition time is set for each primary link in the above-described manner of setting start and end times, and multiple transmission prohibition times are recorded in the secondary links.

[0023] According to a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a first multi-link device configured to realize the methods and functions performed by the first multi-link device in the first and third aspects, and implemented by hardware / software, the hardware / software including modules corresponding to the aforementioned functions.

[0024] According to a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a second multi-link device configured to implement the methods and functions performed by the second multi-link device in the second aspect and implemented by hardware / software, the hardware / software including modules corresponding to the aforementioned functions.

[0025] According to a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a first multilink device, including a processor, a memory, and a communication bus. The communication bus is configured to implement connection and communication between the processor and the memory. The processor executes a program stored in the memory to implement the steps in the first and third aspects.

[0026] In a possible design, the first multi-link device provided in the present application may include a corresponding module configured to perform the operations of the first entity in the above method design. The module may be software and / or hardware.

[0027] According to a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a second multilink device including a processor, a memory, and a communication bus, the communication bus being configured to implement connection and communication between the processor and the memory, and the processor executing a program stored in the memory to implement the steps of the second aspect.

[0028] In a possible design, the second multi-link device provided in this application may include a corresponding module configured to perform the operations of the first multi-link device in the above method design. The module may be software and / or hardware.

[0029] According to an eighth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, the computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to perform the method in any one of the above aspects.

[0030] According to a ninth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when run on a computer, enable the computer to perform the method in any one of the above aspects.

[0031] According to a tenth aspect, there is provided a chip including a processor, the chip being configured to retrieve instructions from a memory and execute instructions stored in the memory, such that a communications device having the chip installed therein performs the method of any one of the above aspects.

[0032] According to an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides yet another chip. The chip may be a chip in a first multi-link device or a chip in a second multi-link device. The chip includes an input interface, an output interface, and a processing circuit. The input interface, the output interface, and the circuit are connected via an internal connection path. The processing circuit is configured to perform the method of any one of the above aspects.

[0033] According to a twelfth aspect, there is provided another chip including an input interface, an output interface, and a processor. Optionally, the chip further includes a memory. The input interface, the output interface, the processor, and the memory are connected via an internal connection path. The processor is configured to execute code in the memory. When the code is executed, the processor is configured to perform the method of any one of the above aspects.

[0034] According to a thirteenth aspect, there is provided an apparatus configured to carry out the method of any one of the above aspects. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0035] To describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or background art more clearly, the following describes the accompanying drawings which illustrate the embodiments of the present application or background art. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic architecture diagram of a communication system according to one embodiment of the present application. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the association between multi-link devices according to one embodiment of the present application. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart of a multi-link communication method according to one embodiment of the present application. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a multi-band element according to one embodiment of the present application. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of other fields included in a multilink element according to one embodiment of the present application. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a reduced neighbor report element according to one embodiment of the present application. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of other fields included in the Reduced Neighborhood Report element, according to one embodiment of the present application. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a neighborhood report element according to one embodiment of the present application. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of other fields included in a Neighborhood Report element according to one embodiment of the present application. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a transmit / receive capability information element according to one embodiment of the present application. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic flowchart of another multi-link communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of data transmission according to one embodiment of the present application. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a first multi-link device according to one embodiment of the present application. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of a second multi-link device according to one embodiment of the present application. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a first multi-link device according to one embodiment of the present application. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of a second multi-link device according to one embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] The following describes embodiments of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0037] FIG. 1 is a schematic architecture diagram of a communication system according to one embodiment of the present application. The communication system includes an access point device and a station device. The Multilink device in this embodiment of the present application may be a station device or an access point device. If the Multilink device is an access point device, it includes one or more access points (APs). If the Multilink device is a station device, it includes one or more stations (STAs). The architecture can also be widely used in application scenarios involving base stations (BSs) and user equipment (UEs). An AP can be an access point used by mobile users to access a wired network. APs are mainly deployed in homes, buildings, and campuses, with a typical coverage radius of tens to hundreds of meters. Alternatively, APs can be deployed outdoors. An AP corresponds to a bridge connecting a wired network and a wireless network. An AP is mainly used to connect wireless network clients to each other and then connect the wireless network to an Ethernet. Specifically, the AP may be a terminal device or a network device equipped with a Wi-Fi chip. The AP may be a device that supports the 802.11ax standard. Alternatively, the AP may be a device that supports multiple wireless local area network (WLAN) standards, such as 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, and 802.11a. The STA may be a wireless communication chip, a wireless sensor, or a wireless communication terminal.For example, the STA may be a mobile phone supporting Wi-Fi communication, a tablet computer supporting Wi-Fi communication, a set-top box supporting Wi-Fi communication, a smart TV supporting Wi-Fi communication, a smart wearable device supporting Wi-Fi communication, an in-vehicle communication device supporting Wi-Fi communication, or a computer supporting Wi-Fi communication. Optionally, the STA may support the 802.11ax standard. The STA may also support multiple wireless LAN standards, such as 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, and 802.11a.

[0038] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of association relationships between multilink devices according to one embodiment of the present application. The multilink device shown in FIG. 2 includes a first multilink device and a second multilink device. The first multilink device or the second multilink device may each include at least one multilink logical entity. One multilink logical entity may include one or more stations, and all stations operate on different links. STA 1 and STA 2 in the first multilink device belong to one multilink logical entity, and STA n in the first multilink device belongs to another multilink logical entity. STA 1 and STA 2 in the second multilink device belong to one multilink logical entity, and STA n in the second multilink device belongs to another multilink logical entity. When the first multilink device needs to communicate with the second multilink device, each station in the first multilink device must be associated with a corresponding station in the second multilink device. As shown in Figure 2, STA 1 in the first multilink device is associated with STA 1 in the second multilink device and operates on link 1. STA 2 in the first multilink device is associated with STA 2 in the second multilink device and operates on link 2. STA n in the first multilink device is associated with STA 6 in the second multilink device and operates on link n. In this manner, each station in the first multilink device can establish a connection with a corresponding station in the second multilink device on each link, thereby implementing multilink communication between the two multilink devices.

[0039] As more application traffic is carried by wireless networks, Wi-Fi systems are evolving toward the goal of higher speeds. Multi-link aggregation communication has become an alternative feature of next-generation wireless LAN technologies to increase the peak rate of stations in multi-link devices. Multi-link aggregation communication involves cooperation between multiple links, but there are limitations on the reciprocity between the links. For example, it is currently difficult for wireless transceiver units to support full-duplex operation. Two links close to each other cannot simultaneously transmit / receive, while two links far away from each other can. However, the simultaneous transmission / reception capabilities of each link are not demonstrated in conventional solutions. This impacts communication efficiency. When data is simultaneously transmitted and received on two links that do not support simultaneous transmission / reception, communication quality cannot be ensured. In addition, multi-link transmission has a primary link and a secondary link. If the primary link and the secondary link do not support simultaneous transmission and reception, the secondary link cannot transmit data while the primary link is receiving a data packet. However, since the secondary link itself does not perform backoff, the secondary link can only transmit together with another primary link. This may cause interference and contention conflict with data transmission on the primary link. To solve the above technical problem, the embodiments of the present application provide the following solutions:

[0040] 3 is a schematic flowchart of a multi-link communication method according to one embodiment of the present application. The method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0041] S301: A first station generates a radio frame, where the first station is one of multiple stations included in a first multilink device, and the first multilink device includes the first station operating on a first link and a second station operating on a second link.

[0042] It should be noted that the link is determined based on the operating frequency band of the station, or the operating frequency band and channel of the station. A frequency band may include multiple channels. When multiple stations operate in different frequency bands, the multiple stations operate on different links. Alternatively, when multiple stations operate in the same frequency band but on different channels, the multiple stations also operate on different links.

[0043] The first station and the second station may each be a non-AP STA or an AP STA. If both the first station and the second station are non-AP STAs, the wireless frame may be a probe request frame, an authentication frame, an association request frame, or a reassociation request frame. If both the first station and the second station are AP STAs, the wireless frame may be a beacon frame, a probe response frame, an association response frame, an authentication frame, or a reassociation response frame.

[0044] S302: A first station transmits a radio frame on a first link, and a third station in a second multi-link device receives the radio frame transmitted by the first station in the plurality of stations included in the first link device, where the radio frame includes capability indication information. The capability indication information is used to indicate whether the first station and the second station support simultaneous transmission and reception operations, and the third station in the second multi-link device can determine whether the first station and the second station support simultaneous transmission and reception operations based on the capability indication information.

[0045] Note that the third station may be operating on a single link rather than being a station in a multi-link arrangement, for example the third station is a station operating on the first link.

[0046] Optionally, the capability indication information includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate whether the first station and the second station support simultaneous transmit and receive operation.

[0047] The simultaneous transmission operation includes a first operation and a second operation, where the first operation is a first station performing a transmission operation while the second station performs a reception operation, and the second operation is a first station performing a transmission operation while the second station performs a reception operation. Alternatively, the first operation may be a first station performing a transmission operation while the second station performs a reception operation, and the second operation may be a first station performing a reception operation while the second station performs a transmission operation. This is not limited herein. The first indication information includes one bit of information, and the one bit of information is used to indicate whether both the first station and the second station support the first and second operations.

[0048] For example, the 1-bit information in the first indication information may be 0 or 1. When the 1-bit information is 1, it may indicate that both the first station and the second station support the first operation and the second operation. When the 1-bit information is 0, it indicates that neither the first station nor the second station supports the first operation and the second operation. The functions indicated by 0 and 1 may alternatively be interchangeable. This is not limited herein.

[0049] The simultaneous transmission and reception operation includes a first operation and a second operation. The first operation is a first station performing a transmission operation while a second station performing a reception operation, and the second operation is a first station performing a transmission operation while a first station performing a reception operation. Alternatively, the first operation may be a first station performing a transmission operation while a first station performing a reception operation, and the second operation may be a first station performing a reception operation while a first station performing a transmission operation. This is not limited herein. The first indication information includes two-bit information, the first bit of which is used to indicate whether the first station and the second station support the first operation, and the second bit of which is used to indicate whether the first station and the second station support the second operation.

[0050] For example, the 2-bit information may include 00, 10, 01, or 11. 00 may indicate that the first station and the second station do not support the first operation or the second operation. 10 may indicate that the first station and the second station support the first operation but not the second operation. 01 may indicate that the first station and the second station do not support the first operation but support the second operation. 11 may indicate that both the first station and the second station support the first operation and the second operation. The functions indicated by 0 and 1 can alternatively be interchanged. This is not limited herein.

[0051] Optionally, the first indication information includes multiple pieces of 1-bit information or multiple pieces of 2-bit information. One piece of 1-bit information or one piece of 2-bit information is used to indicate whether the first station using the first bandwidth and the second station using the second bandwidth support simultaneous transmission and reception operations. The first bandwidth is a bandwidth at which the first station transmits data and may include, but is not limited to, 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz, or 320 MHz. The second bandwidth is a bandwidth at which the second station transmits data and may include, but is not limited to, 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz, or 320 MHz.

[0052] For example, a first station can transmit data in a 20 MHz, 40 MHz, or 80 MHz bandwidth, and a second station can transmit data in an 80 MHz or 160 MHz bandwidth. There are six channel bandwidth configurations for the first and second stations: The first station transmits data in a 20 MHz bandwidth and the second station transmits data in an 80 MHz bandwidth. Alternatively, the first station transmits data in a 20 MHz bandwidth and the second station transmits data in a 160 MHz bandwidth. Alternatively, the first station transmits data in a 40 MHz bandwidth and the second station transmits data in an 80 MHz bandwidth. Alternatively, the first station transmits data in a 40 MHz bandwidth and the second station transmits data in a 160 MHz bandwidth. Alternatively, the first station transmits data in an 80 MHz bandwidth and the second station transmits data in an 80 MHz bandwidth. Alternatively, the first station transmits data in an 80 MHz bandwidth, and the second station transmits data in a 160 MHz bandwidth. The six channel bandwidth configurations described above may be indicated by using six 1-bits or six 2-bits. For example, the six channel bandwidth configurations described above may be indicated by using six 1-bits. If the first indication information is 100000, it may indicate that simultaneous transmission and reception operations performed using the first channel bandwidth configuration are supported. Specifically, it is supported that the first station receives (or transmits) data using a 20 MHz bandwidth, and the second station transmits (or receives) data using an 80 MHz bandwidth. If the first indication information is 0001000, it may indicate that simultaneous transmission and reception operations performed using a third channel bandwidth configuration are supported. Specifically, it is supported that the first station receives (or transmits) data using a 40 MHz bandwidth, and the second station transmits (or receives) data using an 80 MHz bandwidth. The same applies to other channel bandwidth configurations. Details are not described in this embodiment of the present application.

[0053] Optionally, the capability indication information may include second indication information. The second indication information includes a threshold value. The threshold value is used to indicate a minimum difference between the operating frequencies of two links that support simultaneous transmission and reception. Specifically, after receiving a radio frame, the third station of the second multilink device obtains an information element in the radio frame. Here, the information element includes identification information of the second link. The third node can determine the operating frequency of the second station operating on the second link of the first multilink device based on the identification information of the second link. The third node compares the operating frequency of the second station with the operating frequency of the first station transmitting the radio frame to determine the difference between the operating frequency of the first station and the operating frequency of the second station. If the difference between the operating frequency of the first station and the operating frequency of the second station is greater than (or equal to or greater than) the threshold value, the third station in the second multilink device can determine that the first and second stations in the first multilink device support simultaneous transmission and reception. If the difference between the operating frequency of the first station and the operating frequency of the second station is less than or equal to a threshold value, the third station in the second multilink device can determine that the first station and the second station in the first multilink device do not support simultaneous transmit and receive operation. The threshold value can be measured in bandwidth, for example, 5 MHz or 20 MHz.

[0054] Optionally, the capability indication information may include first indication information and second indication information. The second indication information includes a threshold value. The first indication information is used to indicate whether the first and second stations support simultaneous transmission and reception operation when the difference between the operating frequency of the first station and the operating frequency of the second station is greater than the threshold value. Furthermore, after receiving the radio frame, if the third station of the second multilink device determines that the difference between the operating frequency of the first station and the operating frequency of the second station is greater than (or equal to or greater than) the threshold value and determines that the first and second stations support simultaneous transmission and reception operation based on the first indication information, it can determine that the first and second stations support simultaneous transmission and reception operation. Alternatively, if the third station determines that the difference between the operating frequency of the first station and the operating frequency of the second station is greater than (or equal to or greater than) the threshold value but determines that the first and second stations do not support simultaneous transmission and reception operation based on the first indication information, it can determine that the first and second stations do not support simultaneous transmission and reception operation. When the third station determines that the difference between the operating frequency of the first station and the operating frequency of the second station is equal to or less than a threshold value, the third station determines that the first station and the second station do not support simultaneous transmission and reception operation, regardless of whether the first instruction information indicates simultaneous transmission and reception operation. Optionally, the first instruction information is set to a reserved value.

[0055] Optionally, the first multilink device includes at least one multilink logical entity (MLO entity). The multilink logical entity includes at least one station. The capability indication information includes third indication information. The third indication information is used to indicate whether the first station and the second station are in the same multilink logical entity. Furthermore, if the first station and the second station are located in the same MLO entity, the first station and the second station may transmit data frames of the same service type (traffic ID, TID) in a multilink aggregated communication scheme. If the first station and the second station are located in different MLO entities, the first station and the second station may transmit data frames in a multilink aggregated communication scheme, where the data frames are data frames of different service types.

[0056] Optionally, the radio frame includes an information element. The capability indication information is carried in the information element. The information element includes identification information of the second link. The information element may be a multi-band element, a reduced neighbor report element (RNR element), or a neighbor report element. The multi-band element may be used to indicate the link on which the second station operates. The RNR element and the neighbor report element are used to indicate neighboring nodes probed by the first station and to carry information about the probed neighboring nodes. The neighboring nodes may be stations other than the first station of the first multilink device, i.e., the second station. One or more of the first indication information, the second indication information, and the third indication information may be carried in the multi-band element, the RNR element, or the neighbor report element.

[0057] For example, FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a multi-band element according to one embodiment of the present application. The multi-band element may include one or more of a first indication information field, a second indication information field, and a third indication information field. The number of bits in the first indication information field, the second indication information field, and the third indication information field is not limited, and the positions of the first indication information field, the second indication information field, and the third indication information field are also not limited. The number of bits may be one or two. Optionally, the multi-band element may further include other fields. Optionally, the oval portion in FIG. 4 may include multiple fields shown in FIG. 5. The multiple fields may include a band ID field, a channel number field, and an operating class field. The band ID field, the channel number field, and the operating class field may be used to indicate the second link on which the second station operates. Optionally, the multiple fields may further include an element ID field, a length field, a multi-band control field, a beacon interval field, a multi-band connection capability field, a STA MAC address field, etc. The positions of the first indication information field, the second indication information field, the third indication information field, and the multiple fields shown in Fig. 5 in the multi-band element are not limited.

[0058] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a reduced neighbor report element (RNR element) according to an embodiment of the present application. The RNR element may include one or more of a first indication information field, a second indication information field, and a third indication information field. The number of bits in the first indication information field, the second indication information field, and the third indication information field is not limited, and the positions of the first indication information field, the second indication information field, and the third indication information field are also not limited. The number of bits may be one or two. Optionally, the RNR element may further include other fields. Optionally, the oval portion in FIG. 6 may include multiple fields shown in FIG. 7. The multiple fields may include a neighbor AP information field, which may further include a channel number field and an operating class field. Optionally, the multiple fields may further include an element ID field, a length field, etc. The positions of the first indication information field, the second indication information field, the third indication information field, and the multiple fields shown in FIG. 7 in the RNR element are not limited.

[0059] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a neighbor report element according to an embodiment of the present application. The neighbor report element may include one or more of a first indication information field, a second indication information field, and a third indication information field. The number of bits in the first indication information field, the second indication information field, and the third indication information field is not limited, and the positions of the first indication information field, the second indication information field, and the third indication information field are also not limited. The number of bits may be one or two. The neighbor report element may further include other fields. Optionally, the portion represented by an oval in FIG. 8 may include multiple fields shown in FIG. 9. The multiple fields may include a channel number field and an operating class field. Optionally, the multiple fields may further include an element ID field, a length field, a basic service set ID (BSSID) field, a BSSID information field, an optional subelement field, etc. The positions of the first indication information field, the second indication information field, the third indication information field, and the multiple fields shown in FIG. 9 in the Neighbor Report element are not limited.

[0060] The multiband element (or RNR element, or neighbor report element) is carried in a radio frame transmitted on the first link and carries an identifier of the second link. A third station receiving the multiband element on the first link can determine, based on the second link indicated by the multiband element, whether the first station on the first link and the second station on the second link support simultaneous transmission and reception operations, based on the first indication information and / or the second indication information. In this way, the multiband element (or RNR element, or neighbor report element) of the first link does not need to be carried, which can reduce signaling overhead.

[0061] Optionally, the radio frame includes a newly defined transmit / receive capability information element. The transmit / receive capability information element includes an element ID field, a length field, and a capability indication information field. The capability indication information includes a link identifier of the first link and a link identifier of the second link. The transmit / receive capability information element can be used to indicate whether the first station and the second station can transmit and receive simultaneously. As a result, whether the first station operating on the first link and any stations operating on other links in the first multilink device support simultaneous transmission and reception can be indicated by using the transmit / receive capability information element, without having to indicate each information element individually. This reduces signaling overhead.

[0062] For example, FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a transmit / receive capability information element according to one embodiment of the present application. The transmit / receive capability information element may include an element ID field, an element length field, and a capability indication information field. The capability indication information field may further include N capability indication units, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1. The capability indication units may include two link identifiers that need to be indicated to the first multilink device. For example, capability indication unit #1 may include a link identifier for link 1 and a link identifier for link 2, indicating that the station operating on link 1 and the station operating on link 2 in the first multilink device can support simultaneous transmit / receive operations. Capability indication unit #2 may include a link identifier for link 3 and a link identifier for link 4, indicating that the station operating on link 3 and the station operating on link 4 in the first multilink device can support simultaneous transmit / receive operations. The functions of the other capability indication units are similar. In this embodiment of the present application, details will not be described again. The link identifier may include a band ID, an operating class, a channel number, etc. Optionally, the capability indication unit may further include one or more of first indication information, second indication information, third indication information, etc. The functions of the first indication information, second indication information, and third indication information have been described in detail above. In this embodiment of this application, the details will not be described again.

[0063] It should be noted that the capability indication information included in the radio frame transmitted by the first multilink device may be used to indicate whether the first station operating on the first link and the second station operating on the second link support simultaneous transmit / receive operations. The capability indication information may also be used to indicate whether the first station operating on the first link and multiple stations operating on multiple other links in the first multilink device support simultaneous transmit / receive operations.

[0064] In this embodiment of the present application, capability indication information is carried in a radio frame to indicate whether a first station operating on a first link and a second station operating on a second link support simultaneous transmission and reception of the first multilink device. Another station receiving the capability indication information can determine whether the first station and the second station in the first multilink device can support simultaneous data transmission and reception. If the first station and the second station support simultaneous data transmission and reception, the other station can perform simultaneous transmission and reception with the first station and the second station, thereby improving communication efficiency. If the first station and the second station do not support simultaneous data transmission and reception, the other station can avoid performing simultaneous transmission and reception with the first station and the second station, thereby ensuring communication quality.

[0065] 11 is a schematic flowchart of another multi-link communication method according to one embodiment of the present application, which includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0066] S1101: A second multilink device transmits a physical protocol data unit (PPDU) to a first multilink device on a primary link, and the first multilink device receives the PPDU transmitted by the second multilink device on the primary link, where multiple links exist between the first multilink device and the second multilink device, and the multiple links include the primary link and a secondary link adjacent to the primary link.

[0067] In Figure 11, the first multilink device includes a first station and a second station, and the second multilink device includes a third station and a fourth station. The link between the first station and the third station is the primary link, and the link between the second station and the fourth station is the secondary link. When the primary link and the secondary link are close to each other, if the first station and the second station of the first multilink device transmit and receive data simultaneously, the secondary link will cause interference and contention with the transmission and reception of data on the primary link. It will be understood that the second multilink device may not be a device operating on a multilink, but may be a device operating on a single link, e.g., the primary link.

[0068] S1102: The first multilink device sets a transmission inhibit time, where the transmission inhibit time is used to indicate a time during which a station operating on a secondary link in the first multilink device is inhibited from transmitting data.

[0069] Optionally, when determining that a PPDU is to be transmitted to the first multi-link device, the first multi-link device can set a transmission inhibit time.

[0070] Specifically, after determining the inhibit time, the first station in the first multilink device can transmit a notification message including the inhibit time to the second station. After receiving the notification message, the second station sets the inhibit time on the secondary link. Alternatively, the inhibit time may be determined and set by a module in the first multilink device. This is not limited herein. The inhibit time includes a start time and an end time. Alternatively, the inhibit time includes a start time and a time length. The time length can be calculated by subtracting the start time from the end time of the inhibit time. Optionally, the time length is used to set a timer. For example, the second station may set a timer based on the time length, and the second station will not transmit data before the timer value decreases to 0. In other words, when the first station in the first multilink device receives data, the second station in the first multilink device is prohibited from transmitting data within the time frame indicated by the inhibit time.

[0071] In another possible implementation, the inhibit time on the secondary link includes only one time period, and the secondary link cannot transmit data during that time period. The time period is calculated by subtracting the start point from the end point of the inhibit time period, and the time period is used to set a timer.

[0072] The start point may be a time point within the physical layer preamble, for example, the time when a signal field within the physical layer preamble is acquired. "Obtaining" may also be interpreted as receiving, parsing, or detecting. Alternatively, the start point may be the time when a receive address (RA) within a media access control (MAC) header within the PPDU is determined to match the address of a station operating on the primary link. Alternatively, the start point may be the time when a frame check sequence (FCS) is received and the data packet is correctly received.

[0073] The end point may be the end point of the PPDU. Alternatively, the end point may be the end point of when a station operating on the primary link in the first multilink device responds with a block acknowledgment (BA) for the PPDU. Alternatively, the end point may be the end point of when a station operating on the primary link in the first multilink device responds with a BA for the PPDU plus a short interframe space (SIFS). Alternatively, the end point may be the end point of the transmission opportunity (TXOP) to which the PPDU belongs.

[0074] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of data transmission according to one embodiment of the present application. A first multilink device receives a PPDU transmitted by a second multilink device over the primary link. There are three time points (represented by vertical solid lines in the figure) in the process of receiving a PPDU, from left to right: a time point within the physical layer preamble; a time point when it is determined that the RA in the MAC header of the PPDU matches the address of a station operating on the primary link; and a time point when the FCS is received and the data packet is correctly received. Any of these time points can be used as the start of a transmission inhibit time. After receiving the PPDU, the first multilink device returns a block acknowledgement (BA) to the second multilink device over the primary link. From the completion of PPDU reception to the end of the TXOP, there are four time points (represented by vertical solid lines in the figure): the end of the PPDU; the end of the block acknowledgement (BA) in response to the PPDU; the BA in response to the PPDU plus a short interframe space (SIFS); and the end of the transmission opportunity (TXOP) to which the PPDU belongs. Any point in time can be used as the end point. For example, in the inhibit time shown in Figure 12, the point in time when it is determined that the RA in the MAC header of the PPDU matches the address of a station operating on the primary link is used as the start point, and the point in time when a block acknowledgement BA is received in response to the PPDU is used as the end point.

[0075] Optionally, when a secondary link is adjacent to multiple primary links, the multiple primary links may participate in setting the transmission prohibition time of the secondary link. One primary link corresponds to one transmission prohibition time. The start time is the smallest start value among the multiple transmission prohibition times corresponding to the multiple primary links. The end time is the largest end value among the multiple transmission prohibition times corresponding to the multiple primary links. The time length is the largest among the multiple time lengths corresponding to the multiple primary links. Therefore, the transmission prohibition time set for the secondary link can meet the requirements of the multiple primary links and ensure that no interference or contention occurs with all the primary links.

[0076] Optionally, when a secondary link is adjacent to multiple primary links, a transmission inhibition time is set for each primary link in the above-described manner of setting a start time and an end time, and multiple transmission inhibition times are recorded in the secondary links. When receiving on the primary link, the first multi-link station sets a transmission inhibition time corresponding to the primary link on the secondary link, so that the transmission inhibition time is set more accurately for each primary link.

[0077] In this embodiment of the present application, in multi-link aggregation (aggregation between primary link and secondary link) communication, a transmission prohibition time is set to prohibit data transmission on the secondary link, and to avoid simultaneous transmission and reception of data on adjacent links, which reduces interference and contention conflicts for the primary link.

[0078] The above describes the details of the method in the embodiment of this application. The following provides the apparatus in the embodiment of this application.

[0079] 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of a first multi-link device according to one embodiment of the present application. The first multi-link device may be configured to implement any of the methods and functions associated with the first multi-link device in any of the aforementioned embodiments. The first multi-link device may include a processing module 1301, a transmitting module 1302, and a receiving module 1303. Optionally, the transmitting module 1302 and the receiving module 1303 correspond to the baseband circuit and the radio frequency circuit included in the first multi-link device, respectively. Details of each module are as follows:

[0080] In one embodiment, The processing module 1301 is configured to generate a radio frame by using a first station, where the first station is one of multiple stations included in a first multilink device, and the first multilink device includes the first station operating on a first link and a second station operating on a second link. The transmitting module 1302 is configured to transmit a radio frame on a first link by using a first station, where the radio frame includes capability indication information, and the capability indication information is used to indicate whether the first station and the second station support simultaneous transmission and reception operations. The processing module 1301 and the transmitting module 1302 may be modules in the first station described above. For the contents and functions of the elements or fields included in the radio frame, please refer to the description in the above method embodiment. The details will not be described again here.

[0081] In another embodiment, The receiving module 1303 is configured to receive a physical protocol data unit (PPDU) transmitted by a second multilink device on a primary link, where there are multiple links between the first multilink device and the second multilink device, and the multiple links include a primary link and a secondary link adjacent to the primary link. The processing module 1301 is configured to set a transmission prohibition time, where the transmission prohibition time is used to indicate a period of time during which a station operating on a secondary link in the first multilink device is prohibited from transmitting data.

[0082] For the method of determining and setting the transmission prohibition time, please refer to the description of the above method embodiment, and the details will not be described again here.

[0083] For the implementation of the modules, please refer to the corresponding descriptions of the method embodiments shown in Figures 3 and 11. The modules are configured to perform the methods and functions performed by the first multilink device in the aforementioned embodiments.

[0084] 14 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a second multi-link device according to one embodiment of the present application. The second multi-link device may be configured to implement any of the methods and functions associated with the second multi-link device in any of the previous embodiments. The second multi-link device may include a receiving module 1401 and a processing module 1402. Optionally, the receiving module 1401 and the processing module 1402 may be modules included in the third station, and the receiving module 1401 corresponds to the baseband circuit included in the third station. Details of each module are as follows:

[0085] The receiving module 1401 is configured to receive, by using a third station, a radio frame transmitted by a first station among a plurality of stations included in a first multilink device, the first multilink device including the first station operating on a first link and a second station operating on a second link.

[0086] The radio frame includes capability indication information, and the capability indication information is used to indicate whether the first station and the second station support simultaneous transmit and receive operations.

[0087] The processing module 1402 is configured to determine whether the first station and the second station support simultaneous transmit and receive operations by using the third station based on the capability indication information.

[0088] For the contents and functions of the elements or fields included in the radio frame, please refer to the description of the above method embodiment, and the details will not be described again here.

[0089] For the implementation of the module, please refer to the corresponding description of the method embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 11. The module is configured to perform the methods and functions performed by the second multilink device in the aforementioned embodiment.

[0090] 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of a first multi-link device according to one embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 15, the first multi-link device may include at least one processor 1501, at least one communication interface 1502, at least one memory 1503, and at least one communication bus 1504.

[0091] The processor 1501 may be a central processing unit, a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array, or other programmable logic device, a transistor logic device, a hardware component, or any combination thereof. The processor may implement or execute various examples of the logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the subject matter disclosed herein. Alternatively, the processor may be a combination of processors that perform computing functions, such as one or more microprocessors, or a combination of a digital signal processor and a microprocessor. The communication bus 1504 may be a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, an Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus, or the like. Buses can be categorized as address buses, data buses, control buses, and the like. For ease of illustration, only one bold line is used to represent the buses in FIG. 15, but this does not imply that there is only one bus or only one type of bus. The communication bus 1504 is configured to provide connection and communication between these components. The communication interface 1502 in the device in this embodiment of the present application is configured to perform signaling or data communication with other node devices. The memory 1503 may include volatile memory, such as nonvolatile random-access memory (NVRAM), phase-change random-access memory (PRAM), magnetoresistive random-access memory (MRAM), etc.The memory 1503 may further include a non-volatile memory, for example, at least one magnetic disk storage device, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a flash storage device such as a NOR flash memory or a NAND flash memory, or a semiconductor device such as a solid state disk (SSD). Optionally, the memory 1503 may be at least one storage device remote from the processor 1501. Optionally, the memory 1503 may further store a group of program codes. Optionally, the processor 1501 may further execute a program stored in the memory 1503.

[0092] In one embodiment, the processor 1501 is configured to perform the following operations. generating a radio frame by using a first station, where the first station is one of a plurality of stations included in a first multilink device, and the first multilink device includes the first station operating on a first link and a second station operating on a second link; and Transmitting a radio frame on the first link using the first station, wherein the radio frame includes capability indication information used to indicate whether the first station and the second station support simultaneous transmission and reception.

[0093] For the contents and functions of the elements or fields included in the radio frame, please refer to the descriptions in the preceding method embodiments, and the details will not be described again here.

[0094] In another embodiment, the processor 1501 is further configured to perform the following operations: receiving a physical protocol data unit (PPDU) transmitted by a second multilink device over a primary link, where there are multiple links between the first multilink device and the second multilink device, and the multiple links include the primary link and a secondary link adjacent to the primary link; and Setting a transmission inhibition time, wherein the transmission inhibition time is used to indicate a period during which a station operating on a secondary link of the first multilink device is inhibited from transmitting data.

[0095] For the method of determining and setting the transmission prohibition time, please refer to the description in the above method embodiment, and the details will not be described again here.

[0096] Furthermore, the processor may further perform the operations of the first multi-link device in the foregoing embodiments of the present application by cooperating with the memory and the communication interface.

[0097] 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of a second multilink device according to one embodiment of the present application. As shown in the figure, the second multilink device may include at least one processor 1601, at least one communication interface 1602, at least one memory 1603, and at least one communication bus 1604.

[0098] The processor 1601 may be any of the various types of processors described above. The communication bus 1604 may be a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, an Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus, etc. Buses can be classified into address buses, data buses, control buses, etc. For ease of illustration, only one thick line is used to represent the buses in FIG. 16 , but this does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus. The communication bus 1604 is configured to implement connections and communication between these components. The communication interface 1602 in the device of this embodiment of this application is configured to perform signal communication or data communication with other node devices. The memory 1603 may be any of the various types of memory described above. Optionally, the memory 1603 may be at least one storage device remote from the processor 1601. The memory 1603 stores a group of program codes, and the processor 1601 executes the program in the memory 1603.

[0099] The processor 1601 receives, by using a third station, a radio frame transmitted by a first station among a plurality of stations included in a first multilink device, the first multilink device including the first station operating on a first link and a second station operating on a second link.

[0100] The radio frame includes capability indication information, and the capability indication information is used to indicate whether the first station and the second station support simultaneous transmit and receive operations.

[0101] The processor 1601 determines whether the first station and the second station support simultaneous transmit and receive operations by using the third station based on the capability indication information.

[0102] For the contents and functions of the elements or fields included in the radio frame, please refer to the descriptions in the preceding method embodiments, and the details will not be described again here.

[0103] Furthermore, the processor may further perform the operations of the second multi-link device in the aforementioned embodiments of the present application by cooperating with the memory and the communication interface.

[0104] One embodiment of this application further provides a chip system. The chip system includes a processor configured to support the first multi-link device or the second multi-link device and implement the functionality of any of the aforementioned embodiments, for example, generating or processing data and / or information in the aforementioned methods. In a possible design, the chip system may further include memory. The memory is used to store program instructions and data necessary for the first multi-link device or the second multi-link device. The chip system may include a single chip, or may include a chip and other individual components.

[0105] One embodiment of the present application further provides a processor coupled to the memory, the processor configured to perform any of the methods and functions associated with the first multi-link device or the second multi-link device in any of the aforementioned embodiments.

[0106] One embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product including instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform any of the methods and functions associated with the first multi-link device or the second multi-link device in any of the aforementioned embodiments.

[0107] One embodiment of the present application further provides an apparatus configured to perform any of the methods and functions associated with the first multi-link device or the second multi-link device in any of the previous embodiments.

[0108] An embodiment of the present application further provides a wireless communication system, the system including at least one first multilink device and at least one second multilink device according to any one of the previous embodiments.

[0109] All or part of the above-described embodiments can be implemented using software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When software is used to implement the embodiments, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the procedures or functions according to the embodiments of the present application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored on a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, or digital subscriber line) or wireless (e.g., infrared, radio, or microwave) methods. A computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium accessible by a computer, or a data storage device, such as a server or data center, that integrates one or more available media. The available media may be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., DVDs), semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks (SSDs)), etc.

[0110] The objectives, technical solutions and beneficial effects of this application are further described in detail in the above specific implementations. Any modifications, equivalent replacements or improvements made without departing from the spirit and principles of this application shall fall within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A multi-link communication method, comprising: generating, by the first multilink device, a radio frame; the first multilink device includes a first station operating on a first link and a second station operating on a second link; Steps and transmitting, by the first multilink device, the radio frame over the first link; the radio frame includes first indication information used to indicate whether the first station and the second station support simultaneous transmission and reception operation; and the simultaneous transmission and reception operation includes a first operation and a second operation; the first indication information includes 1-bit information; If the value of the one-bit information is 0, it indicates that both the first station and the second station support the first operation and the second operation. method.

2. The information element includes second indication information, and the second indication information includes a threshold value; and the threshold is used to indicate a minimum difference between the operating frequencies of two links supporting the simultaneous transmission and reception operation; The method of claim 1.

3. the first indication information comprises multiple pieces of one-bit information or multiple pieces of two-bit information; and the first station using a first bandwidth and the second station using a second bandwidth, A single piece of 1-bit information or a single piece of 2-bit information is used to indicate whether simultaneous transmit and receive operation is supported; 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the first multilink device includes at least one multilink logical entity; the multilink logical entity includes at least one station; The information element includes third indication information, and the third indication information is used to indicate whether the first station and the second station are located within the same multilink logical entity; 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The information element includes identification information of the second link, and the information element includes a multiband element, a reduced neighborhood report element, or a neighborhood report element; 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. the radio frame includes a transmission / reception capability information element; The transmission / reception capability information element includes an element ID, an element length, and the information element, and the information element includes a link identifier of the first link and a link identifier of the second link; 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

7. A multi-link communication method, comprising: receiving, by the third station, the radio frame transmitted by the first multilink device; the first multilink device includes a first station operating on a first link and a second station operating on a second link; the radio frame includes first indication information used to indicate whether the first station and the second station support simultaneous transmission and reception operation; Steps and determining, by the third station, whether the first station and the second station support simultaneous transmission and reception based on the first indication information; Including, the simultaneous transmission and reception operation includes a first operation and a second operation; the first indication information includes 1-bit information; If the value of the one-bit information is 0, it indicates that both the first station and the second station support the first operation and the second operation. method.

8. The information element includes second indication information, and the second indication information includes a threshold value; and the threshold is used to indicate a minimum difference between the operating frequencies of two links supporting the simultaneous transmission and reception operation; The method of claim 7.

9. the first indication information comprises multiple pieces of one-bit information or multiple pieces of two-bit information; and the first station using a first bandwidth and the second station using a second bandwidth, A single piece of 1-bit information or a single piece of 2-bit information is used to indicate whether simultaneous transmit and receive operation is supported; 9. The method according to claim 7 or 8.

10. the first multilink device includes at least one multilink logical entity; the multilink logical entity includes at least one station; The information element includes third indication information, and the third indication information is used to indicate whether the first station and the second station are located within the same multilink logical entity; 10. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9.

11. The information element includes identification information of the second link, and the information element includes a multiband element, a reduced neighborhood report element, or a neighborhood report element; 11. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10.

12. the radio frame includes a transmission / reception capability information element; The transmission / reception capability information element includes an element ID, an element length, and the information element, and the information element includes a link identifier of the first link and a link identifier of the second link; 11. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10.

13. A first multilink device used at a first station, The first multi-link device a processing module configured to generate a radio frame; the first multilink device includes a first station operating on a first link and a second station operating on a second link; a processing module; a transmission module configured to transmit the radio frame over the first link; the radio frame includes first indication information used to indicate whether the first station and the second station support simultaneous transmission and reception operation; a transmitting module, the simultaneous transmission and reception operation includes a first operation and a second operation; If the value of the one-bit information is 0, it indicates that both the first station and the second station support the first operation and the second operation. Device.

14. The information element includes second indication information, and the second indication information includes a threshold value; and the threshold is used to indicate a minimum difference between the operating frequencies of two links supporting the simultaneous transmission and reception operation; 14. The apparatus of claim 13.

15. the first indication information comprises multiple pieces of one-bit information or multiple pieces of two-bit information; and the first station using a first bandwidth and the second station using a second bandwidth, A single piece of 1-bit information or a single piece of 2-bit information is used to indicate whether simultaneous transmit and receive operation is supported; 15. Apparatus according to claim 13 or 14.

16. the first multilink device includes at least one multilink logical entity; the multilink logical entity includes at least one station; The information element includes third indication information, and the third indication information is used to indicate whether the first station and the second station are located within the same multilink logical entity; 16. Apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 15.

17. The information element includes identification information of the second link, and the information element includes a multiband element, a reduced neighborhood report element, or a neighborhood report element; 17. Apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 16.

18. the radio frame includes a transmission / reception capability information element; The transmission / reception capability information element includes an element ID, an element length, and the information element, and the information element includes a link identifier of the first link and a link identifier of the second link; 17. Apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 16.

19. a second multi-link device, a receiving module configured to receive radio frames transmitted by the first multilink device; the first multilink device includes a first station operating on a first link and a second station operating on a second link; the radio frame includes first indication information used to indicate whether the first station and the second station support simultaneous transmission and reception operations; a receiving module; a processing module configured to determine whether the first station and the second station support simultaneous transmission and reception operation by using a third station based on the first indication information; Including, the simultaneous transmission and reception operation includes a first operation and a second operation; the first indication information includes 1-bit information; If the value of the one-bit information is 0, it indicates that both the first station and the second station support the first operation and the second operation. Device.

20. The information element includes second indication information, and the second indication information includes a threshold value; and the threshold is used to indicate a minimum difference between the operating frequencies of two links supporting the simultaneous transmission and reception operation; 20. The apparatus of claim 19.

21. the first indication information comprises multiple pieces of one-bit information or multiple pieces of two-bit information; and the first station using a first bandwidth and the second station using a second bandwidth, A single piece of 1-bit information or a single piece of 2-bit information is used to indicate whether simultaneous transmit and receive operation is supported; 21. Apparatus according to claim 19 or 20.

22. the first multilink device includes at least one multilink logical entity; the multilink logical entity includes at least one station; The information element includes third indication information, and the third indication information is used to indicate whether the first station and the second station are located within the same multilink logical entity; 22. Apparatus according to any one of claims 19 to 21.

23. The information element includes identification information of the second link, and the information element includes a multiband element, a reduced neighborhood report element, or a neighborhood report element; 23. Apparatus according to any one of claims 19 to 22.

24. the radio frame includes a transmission / reception capability information element; The transmission / reception capability information element includes an element ID, an element length, and the information element, and the information element includes a link identifier of the first link and a link identifier of the second link; 22. Apparatus according to any one of claims 19 to 21.

25. A computer-readable storage medium, configured to store instructions; and The instructions, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to carry out the method of any one of claims 1 to 6. A computer-readable storage medium.

26. A computer-readable storage medium, configured to store instructions; and The instructions, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to carry out the method of any one of claims 7 to 12. A computer-readable storage medium.

27. 1. An apparatus comprising one or more processors and an input / output interface, The input / output interface is configured to handle the input and output of information or signaling of the device; and The one or more processing circuits are configured to execute instructions to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 6. Device.

28. 1. An apparatus comprising one or more processors and an input / output interface, The input / output interface is configured to handle the input and output of information or signaling of the device; and The one or more processing circuits are configured to execute instructions for performing the method of any one of claims 7 to 12. Device.

29. 1. An apparatus comprising a processor and a memory, the memory configured to store instructions; and When the instructions are executed on the processor, the device is capable of performing the method of any one of claims 1 to 6. Device.

30. 1. An apparatus comprising a processor and a memory, the memory configured to store instructions; and When the instructions are executed on the processor, the device is capable of performing the method of any one of claims 7 to 12. Device.

31. Apparatus configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

Images