Communication method and device

Abstract

The present invention provides a communication method and apparatus applicable to multilink devices. [Solution] Method 600 in a wireless communication system includes step 620 in which a first access point (AP) transmits first information to a first station multilink device (STA MLD). The first information indicates whether a key basic service set (BSS) parameter corresponding to at least one AP of the first AP MLD has changed. In this way, if a key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP of the first AP MLD has changed, the first STA can know in a timely manner, thereby improving communication reliability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the priority of Chinese Patent Application No. 202210376192.0, titled "COMMUNICATION METHOD AND APPARATUS", filed on April 11, 2022, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] Embodiments of this application relate to the field of communications, and more specifically, to communication methods and apparatuses.

Background Art

[0003] In order to significantly increase the service transmission speed of a wireless local area network (WLAN) system, in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11ax standard based on the existing orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) technology, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) technology is further used. The OFDMA technology supports multiple nodes when transmitting and receiving data simultaneously. Thereby, an improvement in multi-station diversity is achieved.

[0004] The next-generation Wi-Fi standard, IEEE 802.11be, is called extremely high throughput (EHT) or Wi-Fi 7, and its most important technical objective is to significantly improve peak throughput. According to the IEEE 802.11be standard, WLAN devices support the coordination of multiple streams (the maximum number of spatial streams is 16), multiple frequency bands (e.g., 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz frequency bands), and multiple channels within the same frequency band to improve peak throughput and reduce service transmission latency. Multiple frequency bands or multiple channels are sometimes collectively referred to as multilink. Station devices of the next-generation IEEE 802.11 standard that support multiple links simultaneously are called multi-link devices (MLDs).

[0005] The Traffic Indication Map (TIM) broadcast function indicates that a station (STA) or a station multilink device can receive TIM frames within a specified time interval to obtain updates on the key basic service set (BSS) parameters of an access point (AP) associated with the station multilink device. However, in conventional techniques, the method by which the station multilink device obtains updates on the key BSS parameters affects the reliability of the communication. [Overview of the project]

[0006] Embodiments of this application provide a communication method and apparatus for improving the reliability of communications. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to a first aspect, a communication method is provided which is applied to a first access point multi-link device (AP MLD). This method may be performed by the first AP MLD or by a chip or circuit configured in the first AP MLD. This is not limited to the present application. Hereafter, a first AP MLD will be used as an example for illustrative purposes.

[0008] The method may include the step of a first AP of a first AP MLD generating first information, the first information indicating whether a key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP of the first AP MLD has changed. The first AP transmits the first information to a first station multi-link device (STA MLD).

[0009] Based on this solution, the first AP may, based on the first information, indicate to the first STA MLD whether the key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP in the first AP MLD has changed. Furthermore, the first STA may, based on the first information, determine whether to retrieve the key BSS parameter of the AP in the first AP MLD. In this way, if the key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP in the first AP MLD has changed, the first STA MLD can know this in a timely manner, and as a result, the first STA MLD and the first AP MLD can communicate normally, thereby helping to improve communication reliability.

[0010] With respect to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first information is a count value.

[0011] With respect to the first embodiment, in some implementations of the first embodiment, the value of the first information increases when the key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP of the first AP MLD changes.

[0012] With respect to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, if the key BSS parameter corresponding to the AP of the first AP MLD does not change, the value of the first information remains unchanged.

[0013] With respect to the first embodiment, in some implementations of the first embodiment, the first information is carried in a check beacon field.

[0014] Based on this solution, the check beacon field in this application can be reused, is highly flexible, and is easy to implement.

[0015] With respect to the first embodiment, in some implementations of the first embodiment, the check beacon field is carried in a traffic instruction map (TIM) frame.

[0016] Based on this solution, in this embodiment of the present application, non-multilink stations may be compatible, and as a result, non-multilink stations can also correctly analyze TIM frames, resulting in high scalability.

[0017] With respect to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first information indicates that a key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP in the first AP MLD changes, and the method further includes the step that the first AP receives a first frame, the first frame for requesting a key BSS parameter corresponding to an AP associated with a second STA, the second STA being a station in the first STA MLD and associated with the first AP MLD; the first AP transmits a second frame, the second frame including a key BSS parameter corresponding to an AP associated with the second STA.

[0018] Based on this solution, if the first STA determines that the key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP of the first AP MLD has changed, the first STA may further obtain the key BSS parameter of the AP associated with the second STA based on the first and second frames, thereby helping to improve the communication reliability of the first STA MLD.

[0019] With respect to the first embodiment, in some implementations of the first embodiment, the second STA is all the STAs of the first STA MLD.

[0020] With respect to the first embodiment, in some implementations of the first embodiment, the key BSS parameter includes one or more of the following: inclusion of a channel switching notification element, inclusion of an extended channel switching notification element, modification of an extended distributed channel access EDCA parameter element, inclusion of a quiet element, modification of a direct sequence spread spectrum DSSS parameter set, modification of a contention-free CF parameter set element, modification of a high-throughput HT operation element, inclusion of a wideband channel switching element, inclusion of a channel switching wrapper element, inclusion of an operation mode notification element, inclusion of a quiet channel element, modification of a very high-throughput VHT operation element, modification of a high-efficiency HE operation element, insertion of a broadcast TWT element, inclusion of a BSS color change notification element, modification of a multi-user EDCA parameter set element, modification of a spatial reuse parameter set element, and modification of an ultra-high-throughput operation element.

[0021] According to a second aspect, a communication method is provided which is applied to a first station multi-link device (STA MLD). This method may be performed by the first STA MLD or by a chip or circuit configured in the first STA MLD. This is not limited to the present application. Hereafter, a first STA MLD will be used as an example for illustrative purposes.

[0022] The method may include the step of a first STA of a first STA MLD receiving first information, the first information indicating whether a key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP of a first AP MLD changes. Based on the first information, the first STA determines whether a key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP of a first AP MLD changes.

[0023] Based on this solution, the first AP may, based on the first information, indicate to the first STA MLD whether the key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP in the first AP MLD has changed. Furthermore, the first STA may, based on the first information, determine whether to retrieve the key BSS parameter of the AP in the first AP MLD. In this way, if the key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP in the first AP MLD has changed, the first STA MLD can know this in a timely manner, and as a result, the first STA MLD and the first AP MLD can communicate normally, thereby helping to improve communication reliability.

[0024] Regarding the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first information is a count value.

[0025] With respect to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes the step of a first STA recording first information.

[0026] Regarding the second aspect, in some implementation forms of the second aspect, for the step in which the first STA determines whether the key BSS parameters corresponding to at least one AP of the first AP MLD change based on the first information, the step is that the first station determines whether the key BSS parameters corresponding to at least one AP of the first AP MLD change based on whether the value of the first information is the same as the value of the second information, where the second information is the information received before the first STA receives the first information, and the second information indicates whether the key BSS parameters corresponding to at least one AP of the first AP MLD change, and this step is included.

[0027] Regarding the second aspect, in some implementation forms of the second aspect, for the step in which the first station determines whether the key BSS parameters corresponding to at least one AP of the first AP MLD change based on whether the value of the first information is the same as the value of the second information, if the value of the first information is the same as the value of the second information, the first STA determines that the key BSS parameters corresponding to the AP of the first AP MLD have not changed, and / or if the value of the first information is different from the value of the second information, the first STA determines that the key BSS parameters corresponding to at least one AP of the first AP MLD have changed, and these steps are included.

[0028] Regarding the second aspect, in some implementation forms of the second aspect, the value of the first information is different from the value of the second information, and the method further includes the step in which the second STA of the first STA MLD receives a beacon frame, where the beacon frame includes the key BSS parameters corresponding to the AP associated with the second STA, and the second STA is within the first STA MLD and is a station associated with the first AP MLD.

[0029] Based on this solution, when the first STA determines that the key BSS parameters corresponding to at least one AP of the first AP MLD change, both the first STA and the second STA can receive beacon frames and obtain the key BSS parameters of the AP associated with the STA. In this way, the second STA of the first STA MLD can also obtain the key BSS parameters of the BSS where the second STA is located, thereby helping to improve the communication reliability of the second STA.

[0030] Regarding the second aspect, in some implementation forms of the second aspect, the value of the first information is different from the value of the second information. This method further includes the step of the first STA transmitting a first frame, where the first frame is for requesting the key BSS parameters corresponding to the AP associated with the second STA, and the second STA is a station within the first STA MLD and associated with the first AP MLD. The first station receives a second frame, and the second frame includes the key BSS parameters corresponding to the AP associated with the second STA.

[0031] Based on this solution, when the first STA determines that the key BSS parameters corresponding to at least one AP of the first AP MLD change, the first STA can further obtain the key BSS parameters of the AP associated with the second STA based on the first frame and the second frame, thereby helping to improve the communication reliability of the first STA MLD.

[0032] Regarding the second aspect, in some implementation forms of the second aspect, the second STA is all the STAs of the first STA MLD.

[0033] Regarding the second aspect, in some implementation forms of the second aspect, the first information is carried in the check beacon field.

[0034] Based on this solution, the check beacon field in this application can be reused, is highly flexible, and is easy to implement.

[0035] With respect to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the check beacon field is carried in a traffic instruction map (TIM) frame.

[0036] Based on this solution, in this embodiment of the present application, non-multilink stations may be compatible, and as a result, non-multilink stations can also correctly analyze TIM frames, resulting in high scalability.

[0037] With respect to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the key BSS parameter includes one or more of the following: inclusion of a channel switching notification element, inclusion of an extended channel switching notification element, modification of an EDCA parameter element, inclusion of a quiet element, modification of a DSSS parameter set, modification of a CF parameter set element, modification of an HT operation element, inclusion of a wideband channel switching element, inclusion of a channel switching wrapper element, inclusion of an operation mode notification element, inclusion of a quiet channel element, modification of a VHT operation element, modification of a HE operation element, insertion of a broadcast TWT element, inclusion of a BSS color change notification element, modification of a multi-user EDCA parameter set element, modification of a spatial reuse parameter set element, and modification of an ultra-high-throughput operation element.

[0038] According to a third embodiment, a communication device is provided. The device may be a first AP MLD, or a chip or circuit configured in the first AP MLD. Alternatively, the device may be a first AP of the first AP MLD, or a chip or circuit configured in the first AP of the first AP MLD.

[0039] The apparatus includes a processing unit configured to generate first information, the first information indicating whether a key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP of the apparatus changes, and a transceiver unit configured to transmit the first information to a first STA MLD.

[0040] Regarding the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the first information is a count value.

[0041] With respect to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the value of the first information increases when a key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP of the device changes.

[0042] With respect to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, if the key BSS parameter corresponding to the AP of the device does not change, the value of the first information remains unchanged.

[0043] With respect to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the first information is carried in a check beacon field.

[0044] With respect to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the check beacon field is carried in a traffic instruction map (TIM) frame.

[0045] With respect to a third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the first information indicates that a key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP of the device changes, and the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a first frame from a first STA, the first frame being for requesting a key BSS parameter corresponding to an AP associated with a second STA, the second STA being a station associated with the device and located within the first STA MLD, and to transmit a second frame to the first STA, the second frame being for a key BSS parameter corresponding to an AP associated with the second STA.

[0046] With respect to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the second STA is all the STAs of the first STA MLD.

[0047] With respect to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the key BSS parameter includes one or more of the following: inclusion of a channel switching notification element, inclusion of an extended channel switching notification element, modification of an extended distributed channel access EDCA parameter element, inclusion of a quiet element, modification of a direct sequence spread spectrum DSSS parameter set, modification of a contention-free CF parameter set element, modification of a high-throughput HT operation element, inclusion of a broadband channel switching element, inclusion of a channel switching wrapper element, inclusion of an operation mode notification element, inclusion of a quiet channel element, modification of a very high-throughput VHT operation element, modification of a high-efficiency HE operation element, insertion of a broadcast TWT element, inclusion of a BSS color change notification element, modification of a multi-user EDCA parameter set element, modification of a spatial reuse parameter set element, and modification of an ultra-high-throughput operation element.

[0048] According to a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided. The device may be a first STA MLD, or a chip or circuit configured on the first STA MLD. Alternatively, the device may be a first STA and / or second STA of the first STA MLD, or a chip or circuit configured on the first STA and / or second STA of the first STA MLD.

[0049] The apparatus may include a transceiver unit configured to receive first information, the first information indicating whether a key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP of a first AP MLD changes, and a processing unit configured to determine, based on the first information, whether a key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP of a first AP MLD changes.

[0050] Regarding the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the first information is a count value.

[0051] With respect to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the processing unit is further configured to record the first information.

[0052] With respect to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the processing unit is particularly configured to determine whether a key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP of the first AP MLD changes based on whether the value of the first information is the same as the value of the second information, the second information being information received before the device received the first information, and the second information indicating whether a key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP of the first AP MLD changes.

[0053] With respect to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the processing unit is particularly configured to determine that if the value of the first information is the same as the value of the second information, the key BSS parameter corresponding to the AP of the first AP MLD has not changed, and / or, if the value of the first information is different from the value of the second information, the key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP of the first AP MLD has changed.

[0054] With respect to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the value of the first information is different from the value of the second information, and the device further includes a first transceiver unit configured to receive beacon frames, the beacon frames include key BSS parameters corresponding to an AP associated with a second STA, and the second STA is a station located within the device and associated with a first AP MLD, the first transceiver unit.

[0055] With respect to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the value of the first information is different from the value of the second information, and the transceiver unit is further configured to transmit a first frame, the first frame being for requesting key BSS parameters corresponding to an AP associated with a second STA, the second STA being a station located within the device and associated with the first AP MLD, and to receive a second frame, the second frame being for including key BSS parameters corresponding to an AP associated with the second STA.

[0056] With respect to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the second STA is all the STAs of the device.

[0057] With respect to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the first information is carried in a check beacon field.

[0058] With respect to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the check beacon field is carried in a traffic instruction map (TIM) frame.

[0059] With respect to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the key BSS parameter includes one or more of the following: inclusion of a channel switching notification element, inclusion of an extended channel switching notification element, modification of an EDCA parameter element, inclusion of a quiet element, modification of a DSSS parameter set, modification of a CF parameter set element, modification of an HT operation element, inclusion of a broadband channel switching element, inclusion of a channel switching wrapper element, inclusion of an operation mode notification element, inclusion of a quiet channel element, modification of a VHT operation element, modification of a HE operation element, insertion of a broadcast TWT element, inclusion of a BSS color change notification element, modification of a multi-user EDCA parameter set element, modification of a spatial reuse parameter set element, and modification of an ultra-high-throughput operation element.

[0060] According to a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided, including a processor. The processor may be coupled to memory and configured to execute instructions in memory to perform a method according to the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, or a method according to the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect. Optionally, the device further includes memory. Optionally, the device further includes a communication interface, and the processor is coupled to the communication interface.

[0061] In one implementation configuration, this device is the first AP MLD. When this device is the first AP MLD, the communication interface may be a transceiver or an input / output interface.

[0062] In another implementation, this device is a chip located on the first AP MLD. When this device is a chip located on the first AP MLD, the communication interface may be an input / output interface.

[0063] In one implementation configuration, this device is a first STA MLD. When this device is a first STA MLD, the communication interface may be a transceiver or an input / output interface.

[0064] In another implementation, this device is a chip located on the first STA MLD. When this device is a chip located on the first STA MLD, the communication interface may be an input / output interface.

[0065] In another implementation, the device is a chip or a chip system.

[0066] Optionally, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface may be an input / output circuit.

[0067] According to the sixth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program. When the computer program is executed by the device, the device can implement a method according to the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, or a method according to the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect.

[0068] According to the seventh aspect, a computer program product including instructions is provided. When the instructions are executed by the computer, the device can perform a method according to the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, or a method according to the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect.

[0069] According to the eighth aspect, a communication system including the first AP MLD and the first STA MLD described above is provided. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0070] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing the structure of AP MLD and STA MLD according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 2(a)] This is a diagram showing the structure of a communication system according to an embodiment of this application. [Figure 2(b)] This is another diagram showing the structure of a communication system according to an embodiment of this application. [Figure 2(c)] This is yet another diagram showing the structure of a communication system according to an embodiment of this application. [Figure 3] This is a diagram showing the frame structure of a TIM frame according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 4] This is a diagram showing the frame structure of a TIM frame according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 5] This is a diagram showing the frame structure of a TIM frame according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 6] This is a diagram of a communication method according to one embodiment of the present application. [Figure 7]This is a block diagram of a communication device according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 8] This is a block diagram of a communication device according to one embodiment of the present application. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0071] The technical solution of this application will be described below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0072] In order to better understand the embodiments of this application, the relevant concepts in the embodiments of this application will be explained below.

[0073] 1. Multilink device The wireless communication systems to which the embodiments of this application can be applied may be wireless local area networks (WLANs) or cellular networks. The communication method may be implemented by a communication device within the wireless communication system, or by a chip or processor within the communication device. The communication device may be a wireless communication device that supports simultaneous transmission over multiple links. For example, the communication device is called a multi-link device or a multi-band device. Compared to a device that supports only single-link transmission, a multi-link device has higher transmission efficiency and higher throughput.

[0074] A multilink device includes one or more affiliated stations (STAs). An affiliated STA is a logical station and may operate on a single link. An affiliated station may be an access point (AP) or a non-access point station (non-AP STA). For ease of explanation, in this application, a multilink device whose affiliated station is an AP may be referred to as a multilink AP, multilink AP device, or AP multilink device (AP MLD). A multilink device whose affiliated station is a non-AP STA may be referred to as a multilink STA, multilink STA device, or STA multilink device (STA MLD). For ease of explanation, in embodiments of this application, "a multilink device includes an affiliated STA" may also be briefly described as "a multilink device includes an STA."

[0075] Note that a multilink device contains multiple logical stations, each operating on a single link, but multiple logical stations can operate on the same link.

[0076] A multilink device may conduct wireless communication in accordance with the 802.11 series protocol. For example, an extremely high throughput (EHT) compliant station, or an 802.11be compliant station, may communicate with other devices. Naturally, the other device may or may not be a multilink device.

[0077] For example, the multilink device in the embodiments of this application may be a single-antenna device or a multi-antenna device. For example, the multilink device may be a device having more than two antennas. The number of antennas included in the multilink device is not limited to the embodiments of this application. In the embodiments of this application, the multilink device may enable the transmission of the same access type service over different links, and even enable the transmission of the same data packets over different links, or it may not enable the transmission of the same access type service over different links, but may enable the transmission of different access types service over different links.

[0078] For example, a multilink device is a device having wireless communication capabilities, and the device may be the entire device, or a chip, processing system, etc., installed in the entire device, and the device on which the chip or processing system is installed may implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application under the control of the chip or processing system. For example, the STA MLD in the embodiments of this application may have wireless transceiver functionality, support the 802.11 series protocol, and communicate with an AP MLD, another STA MLD, or a single-link device. For example, an STA MLD is any user communication device that enables a user to communicate with an AP and further communicate with a WLAN. For example, an STA MLD may be a user device that can access the Internet, such as a tablet computer, desktop computer, laptop computer, notebook computer, ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), handheld computer, netbook, personal digital assistant (PDA), or mobile phone, an Internet of Things node in the Internet of Things, or an in-vehicle communication device in the Internet of Vehicles. Alternatively, an STA MLD may be a chip and processing system within these terminals.

[0079] In embodiments of this application, the AP MLD is a device that provides services to the STA MLD and may support the 802.11 series protocol. For example, the AP MLD may be a communication entity such as a communication server, router, switch, and network bridge, or it may include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, relay nodes, etc. Naturally, the AP MLD may alternatively be a chip and processing system within various forms of these devices, thereby implementing the methods and functions in embodiments of this application. In addition, the multilink device can support high-rate and low-latency transmission. With the continued development of application scenarios for wireless local area networks, multilink devices are also applicable to a wider range of scenarios, such as sensor nodes in smart cities (e.g., smart water meters, smart electricity meters, and smart air detection nodes), smart devices in smart homes (e.g., smart cameras, projectors, displays, televisions, speakers, refrigerators, and washing machines), Internet of Things nodes, entertainment terminals (e.g., wearable devices such as AR and VR devices), smart devices in smart offices (e.g., printers or projectors), Internet of Vehicle devices, and certain infrastructure in everyday life scenarios (e.g., vending machines, supermarket self-service navigation consoles, self-service cash registers, and self-service ordering machines). Specific forms of STA MLD and AP MLD are not particularly limited in the embodiments of this application and are described herein merely as examples. The 802.11 protocol may be a protocol that supports 802.11be or is compatible with 802.11be.

[0080] The frequency bands in which the multilink device operates may include, but are not limited to, sub 1 GHz, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, and the high frequency 60 GHz.

[0081] For example, the multilink device in the embodiments of this application may be a single-antenna device or a multi-antenna device. For example, the multilink device in the embodiments of this application may be a device having two or more antennas. The number of antennas included in the multilink device is not limited to the embodiments of this application.

[0082] Figure 1 shows the structure of an AP MLD and an STA MLD according to one embodiment of this application. Figure 1 shows a structure in which the AP MLD has multiple antennas and the STA MLD has a single antenna. The 802.11 standard focuses on the physical layer (PHY) and media access control (MAC) layers of the AP MLD and STA MLD.

[0083] 2. Link identifier A link identifier represents one station operating on a single link. In other words, if two or more stations exist on a single link, two or more link identifiers represent the stations. The links mentioned below may also represent stations operating on that link.

[0084] During data transmission between an AP MLD and an STA MLD, a link identifier may be used to identify a link or a station on a link. Prior to communication, the AP MLD and STA MLD may first negotiate or communicate the correspondence between the link identifier and the link or station on the link, or the AP of the AP MLD may broadcast the correspondence between the link identifier and the link or station on the link. Therefore, during data transmission, the link identifier is carried without transmitting a large amount of signaling information to indicate the link or station on the link. This reduces signaling overhead and improves transmission efficiency.

[0085] In one example, when establishing a basic service set (BSS), management frames such as beacon frames transmitted by an AP MLD carry elements, and the elements include a plurality of link identifier information fields. The link identifier information field may indicate the correspondence between a link identifier and a station operating on the link corresponding to the link identifier. The link identifier information field includes not only the link identifier but also one or more of the following information, namely, a Media Access Control (MAC) address, an operating set, and a channel number. One or more of the MAC address, the operating set, and the channel number may indicate one link. In the case of an AP, the MAC address of the AP is also the AP's BSSID (basic service set identifier). In another example, in a multi-link device association process, the AP MLD and the STA multi-link device negotiate a plurality of link identifier information fields. The association of a multi-link device means that one AP of the AP MLD is associated with one STA of the STA MLD. The association may be performed to assist in associating a plurality of STAs of the STA MLD with a plurality of APs of the AP MLD respectively. One STA is associated with one AP.

[0086] In subsequent communications, the AP MLD or the STA multi-link device uses the link identifier to represent the station / AP of the STA multi-link device. The link identifier may further represent one or more attributes of the MAC address, the operating set, and the channel number of the AP operating on the link. For example, the link identifier represents <AP operating set, channel number, MAC address>, and the MAC address of the AP is equivalent to the AP's BSSID (basic service set identifier).

[0087] The technical solutions provided in this application are applicable to WLAN scenarios, for example, systems supporting the IEEE 802.11 system standard, such as the next-generation Wi-Fi protocol IEEE 802.11ax, and wireless local area network systems supporting 802.11 series protocols such as 802.11be, Wi-Fi 7, or EHT, or in another example, the next generation of 802.11be, i.e., Wi-Fi 8, or may be applied to ultra-wideband (UWB) based wireless personal area network systems or sensing systems.

[0088] While the embodiments of this application are primarily described using an example in which an IEEE 802.11 network is deployed, those skilled in the art will readily understand that various embodiments of this application can be extended to other networks using various standards or protocols, such as BLUETOOTH®, high-performance radio LAN (HIPERLAN) (a wireless standard similar to the IEEE 802.11 standard and primarily used in Europe), wide area networks (WANs), personal area networks (PANs), or other known or future-developed networks. Therefore, regardless of the coverage used and the wireless access protocol used, the various embodiments provided in this application are applicable to any suitable wireless network.

[0089] 3. Basic Service Set (BSS) A BSS is used to describe a group of devices that can communicate with each other in a WLAN. A WLAN can contain multiple BSSs. Each BSS has a unique identifier called a Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID).

[0090] A single BSS may include multiple stations (STAs). A station can be an AP or a non-AP STA. Optionally, a single BSS may include one AP and multiple non-AP STAs associated with that AP.

[0091] Figures 2(a) to 2(c) are diagrams illustrating the structure of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 2(a) illustrates the communication system 100 to which the embodiment of the present application is applied, using a wireless local area network as an example. Figures 2(b) and 2(c) are diagrams illustrating the structure of communication systems 200 and 300, using an example in which a multilink device in a wireless local area network communicates with other devices via multiple links.

[0092] As shown in Figure 2(a), the communication system 100 includes stations 101 and 102. Stations 101 and 102 may communicate over multiple links to achieve the effect of improving throughput. Station 101 may be a multilink device, and station 102 may be a single-link device or a multilink device, etc. In one scenario, station 101 is an AP MLD and station 102 is an STA MLD or station (e.g., a single-link station). In another scenario, station 101 is an STA MLD and station 102 is an AP (e.g., a single-link AP) or AP MLD. In yet another scenario, station 101 is an AP MLD and station 102 is an AP MLD or AP. In yet another scenario, station 101 is an STA MLD and station 102 is an STA MLD or STA (e.g., a single-link station). Naturally, the wireless local area network may further include other devices. The number and types of devices shown in Figure 2(a) are merely examples.

[0093] As shown in Figure 2(b), the communication system 200 includes AP MLD201 and STA MLD202. AP MLD201 includes series AP1 and series AP2, STA MLD202 includes series STA1 and series STA2, and AP MLD201 and STA MLD202 communicate in parallel via links 1 and 2.

[0094] As shown in Figure 2(c), the communication system 300 includes AP MLD301, STA MLD302, STA MLD303, and STA304. Figure 2(c) shows a scenario in which AP MLD301 communicates with STA MLD302, STA MLD303, and STA304. AP MLD301 includes series AP 1, series AP2, and series AP3. STA MLD302 includes three series stations, namely STA1, STA2, and STA3. STA MLD303 includes two series stations, namely STA4 and STA5. STA304 is a single-link device. AP MLD301 may communicate with STA MLD302 individually via links 1, 2, and 3, with STA MLD303 via links 2 and 3, and with STA304 via link 1. For example, STA304 operates in the 2.4GHz frequency band, STA4 operates in the 5GHz frequency band and STA5 operates in the 6GHz frequency band in STA MLD303, STA1 operates in the 2.4GHz frequency band, STA2 operates in the 5GHz frequency band and STA3 operates in the 6GHz frequency band in STA MLD302. AP1, operating in the 2.4GHz frequency band and located in AP MLD301, can perform uplink or downlink data transmission with STA304 and STA1 in STA MLD302 via link 1. AP2, operating in the 5GHz frequency band and located in AP MLD301, can perform uplink or downlink data transmission with STA4, operating in the 5GHz frequency band and located in STA MLD303, via link 2, and can further perform uplink or downlink data transmission with STA2, operating in the 5GHz frequency band and located in STA MLD302, via link 2. Operating in the 6GHz frequency band, AP3 located in AP MLD301 can perform uplink or downlink data transmission with STA3 located in STA MLD302, which also operates in the 6GHz frequency band, via link 3, and further perform uplink or downlink data transmission with STA5 located in STA MLD via link 3.

[0095] Note that Figure 2(b) only shows that the AP MLD supports two frequency bands. Figure 2(c) only shows an example where the AP MLD 301 supports three frequency bands (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz), with each frequency band corresponding to one link, and the AP MLD 301 can operate on one or more links, such as Link 1, Link 2, or Link 3. On the AP side or STA side, a link as used herein may be further understood as a station operating on the link. In practical applications, the AP MLD and STA MLD may further support more or fewer frequency bands. In other words, the AP MLD and STA MLD may operate on more or fewer links. This is not limited to this embodiment of the present application.

[0096] The 802.11 protocol includes two operating modes for an STA: non-power saving mode and power saving mode. When an STA operates in non-power saving mode, it is always in an awake state, or active mode, regardless of whether data is being transmitted over the STA. When an STA operates in power saving mode, it can be in an awake state when data is being transmitted between the STA and the AP. When there is no data transmission between the STA and the AP, the STA can be in a doze state to reduce power consumption. The STA may send a frame to the AP to indicate whether it is in power saving mode. For example, setting the power saving bit in the frame control field in the MAC header of a frame to 1 indicates to the AP that the STA is in power saving mode, while setting the power saving bit in the frame control field in the MAC header of a frame to 0 indicates to the AP that the STA is in non-power saving mode.

[0097] In this application, "data transmission" and "transmitting data" generally refer to communications, and "data" generally refers to communications information, and is not limited to data information; it may also refer to signaling information, etc.

[0098] An STA can communicate with an AP for approximately the duration of the awake period, based on the wireless network management (WNM) power saving mechanism. At the start of each awake period, the AP sends a traffic indication map (TIM) frame to multiple corresponding STAs. The TIM frame is much shorter than a beacon frame. The TIM elements contained in the TIM frame inform multiple STAs whether there is a corresponding downlink traffic indication. Because the TIM frame is much shorter than a beacon frame, the STAs may benefit from power savings. In the WNM power saving mechanism, the TIM broadcast interval field in the TIM broadcast request frame sent by the STA or the TIM broadcast response frame replied by the AP indicates the awake period. The TIM broadcast interval is typically set to be greater than the beacon frame interval. After the awake period is negotiated, stations supporting TIM broadcasting only need to receive TIM frames during the awake period and do not need to periodically receive beacon frames.

[0099] Figure 3 shows the frame structure of a TIM frame according to one embodiment of this application. The TIM frame shown in Figure 3 is applicable to non-multilink stations.

[0100] As shown in Figure 3, the frame carrier within a TIM frame may include at least one of the following: a type field, an unprotected wireless network management (WNM) action field, a check beacon field, a timestamp field, and a TIM element. The timestamp field indicates clock information, the check beacon field indicates whether a key BSS parameter has been updated within the BSS where the station is located, and the TIM element informs the station whether there is a downlink unicast / multicast service.

[0101] For example, if a key BSS parameter in the BSS where the AP is located is updated, the value of the check beacon field increases by, for example, 1. For example, if the AP determines that a key BSS parameter has been updated in the BSS, it increases the value of the check beacon field by 1, and the initial value of the check beacon field is 0. The STA records the value of the check beacon field each time it receives it. If the value of the check beacon field of the most recently received service is different from the value of the check beacon field of the previously received service, the STA receives the beacon frame sent by the AP.

[0102] Figure 3 shows a TIM frame applicable to a single-link station. This solution does not consider the TIM broadcast mechanism of a multilink device. As a result, one station in a station multilink device cannot obtain information on whether the key BSS parameters corresponding to multiple APs in an AP multilink device have been updated, or whether the key BSS parameters in multiple BSSs managed by multiple APs have been updated.

[0103] Figures 4 and 5 show TIM frames in a multilink device communication scenario. For multilink devices, a TIM frame is also called a multilink TIM frame, and it includes an unprotected WNM action field. The action values ​​for the unprotected WNM action field are shown in Table 1.

[0104] [Table 1]

[0105] For example, as shown in Table 1, the action value is set to one of the reserved values, e.g., 2, to indicate that the TIM frame is a multilink TIM frame, thus distinguishing the multilink TIM frame from the conventional TIM frame shown in Figure 3. The specific value of the reserved value for the unprotected WNM action field is not limited to this embodiment of the present application. For example, it may be another value from 2 to 255. The value of 2 is merely an example for the purposes of this specification.

[0106] Figure 4 is a diagram of the frame structure of a TIM frame according to one embodiment of the present application. The TIM frame shown in Figure 4 is applicable to a multilink communication scenario. As shown in Figure 4, the frame carrier includes a type field, an unprotected WNM action field, a check beacon field, a TIM element field, and a link identifier information field. Optionally, the frame carrier may further include a timestamp field. In the multilink TIM frame shown in Figure 4, the check Beacon field indicates whether a key BSS parameter on the link, indicated by the link identifier information field, has been updated, and the TIM element indicates whether the station multilink device / station has downlink unicast / multicast service information.

[0107] Figure 5 is a diagram of the frame structure of a TIM frame according to one embodiment of the present application. The TIM frame shown in Figure 5 is applicable to a multilink communication scenario. As shown in Figure 5, in addition to the type and unprotected WNM action fields, the frame carrier further includes several link fields. When the number of link fields indicates multiple links, each link further includes a check beacon field, a TIM element field, and a link identifier information field. Optionally, the frame carrier may further include one or more timestamp fields. In the multilink TIM frame shown in Figure 5, each check beacon field corresponds to one link identifier information field, which indicates whether the link in the link identifier information field has key BSS parameter update information.

[0108] For example, in the case of a multilink TIM frame shown in Figure 4 or Figure 5, if the key BSS parameter of the BSS on which the link indicated by the link identifier information field is located is updated, or if the key parameter of the link indicated by the link identifier information field is updated, the value of the checkBeacon field increases by, for example, 1. For example, if the first AP determines that the key BSS parameter of the BSS on the link has been updated, it increases the value of the checkBeacon field corresponding to the link by 1. The BSS parameter may also be understood as a link parameter.

[0109] For example, each time, the multilink STA records the received value of the checkbeacon field corresponding to the link. If the value of the checkbeacon field corresponding to the most recently received service link is different from the last received value of the checkbeacon field corresponding to that link, the multilink STA receives a beacon frame transmitted from the multilink AP on that link.

[0110] While the solutions in Figures 4 and 5 consider multilink devices, a new multilink TIM frame is proposed, meaning that non-multilink stations cannot receive the multilink TIM frame, i.e., a compatibility issue exists. To support both multilink devices and non-multilink stations, the AP needs to transmit two types of frames: the TIM frame shown in Figure 3 and the multilink TIM frame shown in Figure 4 or 5.

[0111] In conclusion, in the case of a station multilink device, if one station supports the TIM broadcast function and other stations are in a dose state, the station may receive TIM frames within a specified time interval to obtain updates to the key BSS parameters corresponding to the APs associated with it. However, the station cannot obtain updates to the key BSS parameters corresponding to the APs associated with the other stations in the multilink device. Therefore, the station multilink device or station cannot communicate successfully with these APs.

[0112] With this in mind, embodiments of this application provide a communication method that helps improve the reliability of communications.

[0113] Figure 6 is a diagram of a communication method according to one embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 6, the method 600 includes the following steps.

[0114] S610: The first AP of the first AP MLD generates first information, which indicates whether the key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP of the first AP MLD has changed.

[0115] A WLAN may contain multiple BSSs, and each BSS may contain one AP and multiple STAs associated with that AP; that is, each AP corresponds to one BSS. Key BSS parameters are important parameters used to describe a BSS. Therefore, there is also a one-to-one correspondence between APs and key BSS parameters. "Key BSS parameters corresponding to an AP" can also be understood as the key BSS parameters of the BSS on which the AP is located, or the key BSS parameters of the AP. In multilink communication scenarios, "Key BSS parameters corresponding to an AP" can also be understood as the key BSS parameters of the BSS on which the link corresponding to the AP is located.

[0116] The first piece of information indicates whether the key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP in the first AP MLD changes. In other words, the first piece of information indicates whether the key BSS parameter corresponding to any AP in the first AP MLD changes, whether the key BSS parameter corresponding to all APs in the first AP MLD changes, or whether the key BSS parameter corresponding to each of the APs in the first AP MLD changes.

[0117] There may be one or more APs in the first AP MLD whose key BSS parameters change. There may be one or more key BSS parameter change events in a single AP.

[0118] The first piece of information may only indicate whether the key BSS parameter of an AP changes within the first AP MLD, and should not indicate the APs in which the key BSS parameter changes within the first AP MLD.

[0119] In addition, the first AP of the first AP MLD generates first information, which indicates whether the key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP of the first AP MLD changes. If the key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP of the first AP MLD changes, the first AP generates first information, which indicates that the key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP of the first AP MLD has changed. Alternatively, if the key BSS parameter corresponding to the AP of the first AP does not change, the first AP generates first information, which indicates that the key BSS parameter corresponding to the AP of the first AP MLD does not change.

[0120] The key BSS parameter changes, that is, the key BSS parameter is updated, or the key BSS parameter is updated.

[0121] Optionally, the APs whose key BSS parameters change may be the first AP, any AP other than the first AP in the first AP MLD, or multiple APs in the first AP MLD. The multiple APs may or may not include the first AP.

[0122] Key BSS parameter change events can be used to identify whether a key BSS parameter has changed. If a key BSS parameter has changed, it will be understood that a key BSS parameter change event is present in the beacon frame.

[0123] In one implementation, a key BSS parameter change event includes at least one of the following: Inclusion of a Channel Switch Announcement element, Inclusion of an Extended Channel Switch Announcement element, Modification of the EDCA parameters element, Inclusion of a Quiet element, Modification of the Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) Parameter Set, Modification of the Contention Free (CF) Parameter Set element, Modification of the High Throughput (HT) Operation element, Inclusion of a Wide Bandwidth Channel Switch element, Inclusion of a Channel Switch Wrapper element, Inclusion of an Operating Mode Announcement element. Notification element), Inclusion of a Quiet Channel element, Modification of the VHT (very high throughput) operation element, Modification of the HE (high efficient) operation elementThis includes modifications to the Operation element, insertion of a Broadcast Target Wake-Up Time (TWT) element, inclusion of the BSS Color Change Announcement element, modification of the Multi-User (MU) EDCA Parameter Set element, modification of the Spatial Reuse Parameter Set element, and modification of the EHT (extremely high throughput) Operation element.

[0124] In the case of AP MLD, it should be understood that any AP may obtain whether the value of the key BSS parameter of all APs related to the AP MLD has changed.

[0125] The first AP is an AP that establishes a TIM broadcast service with at least one station associated with the first AP. Optionally, the station belongs to the station MLD.

[0126] S620: The first AP transmits the first information to the first STA of the first STA MLD, and in response, the first STA of the first STA MLD receives the first information.

[0127] The first STA MLD and the first AP MLD are communication devices in a multilink communication scenario, the first AP is any AP belonging to the first AP MLD, the first SAT is an STA belonging to the first STA MLD, and the first STA is associated with the first AP, i.e., there is a communication link between the first AP and the first STA.

[0128] Optionally, the first AP transmits the first information to the first STA of the first STA MLD, that is, the first AP transmits the first information via the link on which the first AP operates.

[0129] Optionally, the first STA of the first STA MLD receives the first information, that is, the first STA receives the first information via the link on which the first STA operates.

[0130] The first station is the station that establishes the AP and TIM broadcast service associated with the first station. Optionally, the AP belongs to the AP MLD.

[0131] According to this embodiment, the first AP may, based on first information, indicate to the first STA MLD whether the key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP in the first AP MLD has changed. Furthermore, the first STA may, based on first information, determine whether to retrieve the key BSS parameter of the AP in the first AP MLD. In this way, when the key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP in the first AP MLD changes, the first STA can become aware of it in a timely manner, and as a result, the first STA MLD and the first AP MLD can communicate normally, thereby helping to improve communication reliability.

[0132] Optionally, this method further includes the following: S630: The first STA determines, based on the first information, whether the key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP of the first AP MLD changes.

[0133] Specifically, the first information may be an explicit instruction, meaning that the first STA may, after analyzing the first information, obtain whether a key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP of the first AP MLD has changed.

[0134] For example, the first piece of information is a count value. For example, if the key BSS parameters corresponding to one or more APs in the first AP MLD change, the value of the first piece of information increases. If the key BSS parameters corresponding to the APs in the first AP MLD do not change, the value of the first piece of information remains unchanged.

[0135] Specifically, the first information may alternatively be an implicit instruction, that is, after the first STA analyzes the first information, it may further obtain, according to its internal determination logic, whether the key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP of the first AP MLD has changed.

[0136] For example, the first piece of information is a bit value. For example, one bit reserved in an unprotected WNM action field may be used as the first piece of information. When the value of one bit is 1, it indicates that the key BSS parameter corresponding to one or more APs in the first AP MLD changes. When the value of one bit is 0, it indicates that the key BSS parameter corresponding to the AP in the first AP MLD does not change.

[0137] Optionally, the first STA may determine, based on the first information, whether to retrieve the key BSS parameter of the AP in the first AP MLD. For example, if the key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP in the first AP MLD changes, the changed key BSS parameter of the AP is retrieved.

[0138] In one possible implementation, the first piece of information is a count value.

[0139] If the key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP in the first AP MLD changes, the value of the first information increases.

[0140] Before S630, it should be understood that the first AP may transmit second information to the first STA of the first STA MLD. Correspondingly, the first STA of the first STA MLD receives second information, which is information transmitted by the first AP before the first information is transmitted and indicates whether a key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP of the first AP MLD has changed. An increase in the value of the first information can be understood as the value of the first information increasing compared to the value of the second information. No increase in the value of the first information can be understood as the value of the first information being equal to the value of the second information, or the value of the first information remaining unchanged compared to the value of the fifth information.

[0141] For example, the value of the second piece of information is 0. If the key BSS parameter corresponding to one AP in the first AP MLD changes before the first piece of information is sent, the value of the first piece of information is 1.

[0142] For example, the value of the second piece of information is 0. If multiple key BSS parameters corresponding to one AP in the first AP MLD change before the first piece of information is sent, the value of the first piece of information is 1.

[0143] In another example, the value of the second piece of information is 0. If the key BSS parameters corresponding to multiple APs in the first AP MLD change before the first piece of information is sent, the value of the first piece of information increases by 1, regardless of the specific number of multiple APs or the number of key BSS parameters of a single AP that changes.

[0144] If the key BSS parameter corresponding to the AP in the first AP MLD does not change, the value of the first information remains unchanged.

[0145] Similarly, the fact that the value of the first piece of information remains unchanged can be understood as the value of the first piece of information remaining unchanged compared to the value of the second piece of information.

[0146] Optionally, method 600 further includes the step of a first STA maintaining the first information.

[0147] Please understand that "record" may also be called preservation, maintenance, and storage.

[0148] In other words, the first STA records the value of the first piece of information it receives.

[0149] In one example, when the value of the first piece of information changes, the first STA records the value of the first piece of information. In other words, the first STA determines whether to update the value of the first piece of information based on whether the value of the first piece of information has changed.

[0150] In yet another example, after the first STA receives the first piece of information, regardless of whether the value of the first piece of information is the same as a previously recorded value, the first STA records the currently received piece of information and discards the previously recorded value.

[0151] Optionally, information recorded before the first STA records the first information is called the second information, which is received before the first information is received and indicates whether the key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP of the first AP MLD has changed.

[0152] After receiving the first information, the first STA may compare the first information with the second information to determine whether the key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP of the first AP MLD changes, based on whether the value of the first information is the same as the value of the second information.

[0153] For example, if the value of the first piece of information differs from the value of the second piece of information, the first STA determines that the key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP of the first AP MLD has changed.

[0154] In this case, the first STA MLD may further obtain key BSS parameters corresponding to the AP associated with the second STA in one of the following two ways, and the second STA is a station in the first STA MLD that has established an association with the first AP MLD.

[0155] Optionally, the second STA is associated with the first AP MLD and is all stations within the first STA MLD.

[0156] For example, suppose the first STA MLD includes three sequence STAs, designated as STA#1, STA#2, and STA#3. STA#1, STA#2, and STA#3 are the stations associated with the first AP MLD. In this case, the second STA is STA#1, STA#2, and STA#3.

[0157] Method 1: The second STA of the first STA MLD receives a beacon frame, and the beacon frame contains key BSS parameters corresponding to the AP associated with the second STA.

[0158] The first information received by the first STA triggers the second STA to receive a beacon frame, and it should be understood that "triggering" may also be called "enabling" or "causing".

[0159] It should be further understood that a trigger can be understood as an exchange of information between the first STA and the second STA. For example, if the second STA is in a dosed state, the second STA can change to an awake state, so the second STA can also obtain information from the first STA indicating that a key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP in the first AP MLD has changed. A trigger can also be understood as an internal processing process of the first STA MLD. In the case of the first STA MLD, if the first STA determines that a key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP in the first AP MLD has changed, all STAs in the first STA MLD obtain information associated with the STA indicating that the respective key BSS parameters corresponding to the APs in the first AP MLD have changed.

[0160] In other words, if the first STA determines that the key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP of the first AP MLD has changed, all second STAs of the first STA MLD receive the beacon frame.

[0161] Based on this solution, if the first STA determines that the key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP of the first AP MLD has changed, both the first and second STAs can receive the beacon frame and obtain the key BSS parameter of the AP associated with the STA. In this way, the second STA of the first STA MLD can also obtain the key BSS parameter of the BSS on which the second STA is located, thereby helping to improve the communication reliability of the second STA.

[0162] Method 2: The first STA transmits a first frame to the first AP, the first frame being for requesting the key BSS parameter corresponding to the AP associated with the second STA. Furthermore, after receiving the first frame, the first AP may transmit a second frame to the first STA, the second frame containing the key BSS parameter corresponding to the AP associated with the second STA.

[0163] Specifically, the second STA includes STA#1 and STA#2, with the AP associated with STA#1 being denoted as AP#1 and the AP associated with STA#2 being denoted as AP#2. In this case, the APs associated with the second STA are AP#1 and AP#2. If STA#1 determines that the key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP of the first AP MLD has changed, STA#1 may send a multilink probe request frame, which is intended to request the key BSS parameter corresponding to AP#1 and the key BSS parameter corresponding to AP#2.

[0164] In other words, if the first STA determines that the key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP in the first AP MLD has changed, the first STA may retrieve the key BSS parameters corresponding to all stations APs associated with the first AP MLD and located within the first STA MLD.

[0165] Specifically, the first frame may be a multilink probe request frame.

[0166] A multilink probe request frame may include link identifiers corresponding to one or more requested APs. Optionally, the multilink probe request frame may include the MLD identifier of a first AP MLD to which one or more APs belong. Optionally, one or more APs are associated APs corresponding to all stations in the first STA MLD.

[0167] Optionally, the link identifier corresponding to each AP is located in the per STA profile field of the multilink element, and the MLD identifier of the first AP MLD is located in the common information field of the multilink element.

[0168] Specifically, the second frame may be a multilink probe response frame.

[0169] The multilink probe response frame may include link identifiers corresponding to one or more requested APs. Optionally, the multilink probe response frame may include the MLD identifier of a first AP MLD to which one or more APs belong. Optionally, one or more APs are associated APs corresponding to all stations in the first STA MLD.

[0170] Optionally, the link identifier of each corresponding AP is located in the per STA profile subelement field of the multilink element, and the MLD identifier of the first AP MLD is located in the common information field of the multilink element. Each STA profile subelement field contains element information for one AP. For example, each STA profile subelement field may also contain information about changed key BSS parameters, i.e., it may contain the corresponding element. For example, if the key BSS parameter change event is Inclusion of a Channel Switch Announcement element, the corresponding element is the Channel Switch Announcement element.

[0171] Based on this solution, if the first STA determines that the key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP of the first AP MLD has changed, the first STA may further obtain the key BSS parameter of the AP associated with the second STA based on the first and second frames, thereby helping to improve the communication reliability of the first STA MLD.

[0172] Optionally, in Method 1 and Method 2, the second STA is a station operating on a link that is enabled.

[0173] For example, if the value of the first piece of information is the same as the value of the second piece of information, the first STA determines that the key BSS parameter corresponding to the AP of the first AP MLD has not changed.

[0174] There is one first piece of information, which can be selected at will.

[0175] Optionally, the first piece of information is transported via a check beacon field.

[0176] Specifically, the value of the check beacon field may indicate whether the key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP of the first AP MLD has changed.

[0177] Please understand that when the first piece of information is being transported via a check beacon field, there is one check beacon field.

[0178] Optionally, the first piece of information is transmitted in a TIM frame.

[0179] Specifically, the TIM frame may be reused, and the check beacon field within the TIM frame carries first information, for example, one octet.

[0180] Specifically, the structure of the TIM frame can be shown in Figure 3.

[0181] Based on this solution, this embodiment of the present application can be compatible with non-multilink stations, and as a result, non-multilink stations can also correctly analyze the TIM frame and know that the key BSS parameter corresponding to the AP of the first AP MLD does not change.

[0182] In one implementation, the initial value of the first piece of information in the first AP is 0.

[0183] Specifically, the first piece of information in the first AP MLD may be initialized to 0.

[0184] In one implementation, the initial value of the first information of the STA in the first STA MLD is 0.

[0185] Specifically, the first piece of information in the first STA MLD may be initialized to 0.

[0186] In another implementation, the initial value of the first piece of information in the first STA MLD is a value provided by the AP, and this value may also be called the initial value.

[0187] Specifically, once the association is established, the first AP may provide the first STA with the value of the first information in the association response frame. Alternatively, once the associated TIM broadcast service is established, the first AP may provide the first STA with the value of the first information in the TIM broadcast response frame.

[0188] In the following, the method 600 in this embodiment of the present application will be described in detail using the communication system 300 shown in Figure 2(c) as an example.

[0189] For example, Figure 2(c) is used as an example. Assume that the initial value of the check beacon fields for both AP 2 (an example of the first AP) in AP MLD301 (an example of the first AP MLD) and STA2 (an example of the first STA) in STA MLD302 (an example of the first STA MLD) is 0. STA2 is the station of the TIM broadcast service established with AP2 associated with STA2. Optionally, STA1 and STA3 are in a dosed state.

[0190] If any one of the key BSS parameters of AP1, AP2, and AP3 changes, AP2 may increment the value of the check beacon field by 1. For example, AP2 generates frame #1, and the value of the check beacon field for frame #1 is 1 (an example of first information).

[0191] AP2 sends frame #1 to STA2 via link 2, and STA2 receives frame #1. Based on the value of the check beacon field in frame #1 (1) and the previously recorded value of the check beacon field (0), STA2 determines that the key BSS parameter of at least one AP of AP MLD301 has changed.

[0192] The STA of STA MLD302 can obtain the changed key BSS parameter in the following way: Method 1: STA2 receives a beacon frame from AP2 via link 2, and the beacon frame includes key BSS parameters corresponding to AP2. STA1 and STA3 then enter an awakened state. STA1 receives a beacon frame from AP1 via link 1, and the beacon frame includes key BSS parameters corresponding to AP1. STA3 receives a beacon frame from AP3 via link 3, and the beacon frame includes key BSS parameters corresponding to AP3.

[0193] Method 2: STA2 sends a first frame to AP2 via link 2, which is intended to request the key BSS parameters of AP1 associated with STA1, the key BSS parameters of AP2 associated with STA2, and the key BSS parameters of AP3 associated with STA3. Furthermore, AP2 sends a second frame to STA2 via link 2, which is intended to include the key BSS parameters of AP1, the key BSS parameters of AP2, and the key BSS parameters of AP3. For example, the first frame is a multilink probe request frame, and the second frame is a multilink probe response frame.

[0194] According to this embodiment, the first AP may, based on first information, indicate to the first STA MLD whether the key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP in the first AP MLD has changed. Furthermore, the first STA may, based on first information, determine whether to retrieve the key BSS parameter of the AP in the first AP MLD. In this way, when the key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP in the first AP MLD changes, the first STA can become aware of it in a timely manner, and as a result, the first STA MLD and the first AP MLD can communicate normally, thereby helping to improve communication reliability.

[0195] The communication device provided in the embodiment of this application will be described below with reference to Figures 7 and 8.

[0196] Figure 7 is a block diagram of a communication device according to one embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 7, the device 400 may include a transceiver unit 410 and a processing unit 420. The transceiver unit 410 can communicate with the outside, and the processing unit 420 is configured to perform data processing. The transceiver unit 410 may also be called a communication interface or communication unit.

[0197] In one possible design, the device 400 may be the first AP MLD device in the embodiment of the method described above, or a chip configured to perform the functions of the first AP MLD device in the embodiment of the method described above. Alternatively, the device 400 may be the first AP of the first AP MLD, or a chip configured to perform the functions of the first AP of the first AP MLD.

[0198] Specifically, the apparatus includes a processing unit 420 configured to generate first information, the first information indicating whether a key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP of the apparatus changes, and a transceiver unit 410 configured to transmit the first information to a first STA MLD.

[0199] The first piece of information is optional; it is the count value.

[0200] Optionally, if the key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP of the device changes, the value of the first piece of information increases.

[0201] If, as an optional choice, the key BSS parameter corresponding to the device's AP does not change, the value of the first piece of information remains unchanged.

[0202] Optionally, the first piece of information is transported via a check beacon field.

[0203] Optionally, the check beacon field is carried in the traffic instruction map (TIM) frame.

[0204] Optionally, the first piece of information indicates that a key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP of the device changes, and the transceiver unit 410 is further configured to receive a first frame from a first STA, the first frame being for requesting a key BSS parameter corresponding to an AP associated with a second STA, the second STA being a station associated with the device and located within the first STA MLD, and to transmit a second frame to the first STA, the second frame containing a key BSS parameter corresponding to an AP associated with the second STA.

[0205] Optionally, the second STA is all the STAs of the first STA MLD.

[0206] Optionally, key BSS parameters include one or more of the following: inclusion of channel switching notification elements, inclusion of extended channel switching notification elements, modification of extended distributed channel access EDCA parameter elements, inclusion of quiet elements, modification of direct sequence spread spectrum DSSS parameter sets, modification of contention-free CF parameter set elements, modification of high-throughput HT operation elements, inclusion of broadband channel switching elements, inclusion of channel switching wrapper elements, inclusion of operation mode notification elements, inclusion of quiet channel elements, modification of very high-throughput VHT operation elements, modification of high-efficiency HE operation elements, insertion of broadcast TWT elements, inclusion of BSS color change notification elements, modification of multi-user EDCA parameter set elements, modification of spatial reuse parameter set elements, and modification of ultra-high-throughput operation elements.

[0207] For example, the transceiver unit 410 may be divided into a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. The receiving unit is configured to perform operations related to receiving the first AP MLD in the embodiment of the method, and the transmitting unit is configured to perform operations related to transmitting the first AP MLD in the embodiment of the method.

[0208] It should be understood that the above is used only as an example for understanding purposes. Apparatus 400 may further perform other steps, actions, or methods related to the first AP MLD in the embodiment of the method. Details are not described here.

[0209] In another possible design, the device 400 may be the first STA MLD device in the embodiment of the method described above, or a chip configured to perform the functions of the first STA MLD device in the embodiment of the method described above. Alternatively, the device 400 may be the first STA and / or second STA of the first STA MLD, or a chip configured to perform the functions of the first STA and / or second STA of the first STA MLD.

[0210] Specifically, the apparatus may include a transceiver unit 410 configured to receive first information, the first information indicating whether a key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP of a first AP MLD changes, and a processing unit 420 configured to determine, based on the first information, whether a key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP of a first AP MLD changes.

[0211] The first piece of information is optional; it is the count value.

[0212] Optionally, the processing unit 420 is further configured to record the first information.

[0213] Optionally, the processing unit 420 is configured to determine whether a key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP of the first AP MLD changes, based on whether the value of the first information is the same as the value of the second information, wherein the second information is information received before the device receives the first information, and the second information indicates whether a key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP of the first AP MLD changes.

[0214] Optionally, the processing unit 420 is configured to determine that if the value of the first information is the same as the value of the second information, the key BSS parameter corresponding to the AP of the first AP MLD has not changed, and / or, if the value of the first information is different from the value of the second information, the key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP of the first AP MLD has changed.

[0215] Optionally, the value of the first information differs from the value of the second information, and the device further includes a first transceiver unit configured to receive beacon frames, the beacon frames containing key BSS parameters corresponding to an AP associated with a second STA, and the second STA being a station located within the device and associated with a first AP MLD.

[0216] Optionally, the value of the first information is different from the value of the second information, and the transceiver unit 410 is further configured to transmit a first frame, the first frame being for requesting key BSS parameters corresponding to the AP associated with the second STA, the second STA being a station located within the device and associated with the first AP MLD, and to receive a second frame, the second frame being for including key BSS parameters corresponding to the AP associated with the second STA.

[0217] Optionally, the second STA is all STAs of the device.

[0218] Optionally, the first piece of information is transported via a check beacon field.

[0219] Optionally, the check beacon field is carried in the traffic instruction map (TIM) frame.

[0220] Optionally, key BSS parameters include one or more of the following: inclusion of channel switching notification elements, inclusion of extended channel switching notification elements, modification of EDCA parameter elements, inclusion of quiet elements, modification of DSSS parameter sets, modification of CF parameter sets, modification of HT operation elements, inclusion of broadband channel switching elements, inclusion of channel switching wrapper elements, inclusion of operation mode notification elements, inclusion of quiet channel elements, modification of VHT operation elements, modification of HE operation elements, insertion of broadcast TWT elements, inclusion of BSS color change notification elements, modification of multi-user EDCA parameter sets elements, modification of spatial reuse parameter sets elements, and modification of ultra-high-throughput operation elements.

[0221] For example, the transceiver unit 410 may be divided into a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. The receiving unit is configured to perform operations related to receiving the first STA MLD in the embodiment of the method, and the transmitting unit is configured to perform operations related to transmitting the first STA MLD in the embodiment of the method.

[0222] It should be understood that the device 400 herein is embodied in the form of a functional unit. The term “unit” herein may refer to an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor configured to run one or more software or firmware programs (e.g., a shared processor, a dedicated processor, or a group processor), memory, merged logic circuits, and / or other suitable components that support the described function.

[0223] It should be understood that the above is used only as an example for understanding purposes. Apparatus 400 may further perform other steps, actions, or methods related to the first STA MLD in the embodiment of the method. Details are not described here.

[0224] Figure 8 is a block diagram of a communication device 500 according to one embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 8, the communication device 500 includes at least one processor 510 and a transceiver 520. The processor 510 is coupled to memory and configured to execute instructions stored in memory in order to control the transceiver 520 to transmit and / or receive signals. Optionally, the communication device 500 further includes a memory 530 configured to store instructions.

[0225] It should be understood that the processor 510 and memory 530 may be integrated into a single processing unit. The processor 510 is configured to execute program code stored in memory 530 in order to perform the functions described above. In specific implementations, memory 530 may, alternatively, be integrated into the processor 510 or be independent of the processor 510.

[0226] It should be further understood that transceiver 520 may include a receiver (also called a receiver machine) and a transmitter (also called a transmitter machine). Transceiver 520 may further include an antenna. One or more antennas may be present. Transceiver 1020 may be a communication interface or interface circuit.

[0227] When the communication device 500 is a chip, the chip includes a transceiver unit and a processing unit. The transceiver unit may be an input / output circuit or a communication interface. The processing unit may be a processor, microprocessor, or integrated circuit integrated on the chip.

[0228] One embodiment of this application further provides a processing apparatus including a processor and an interface. The processor may be configured to perform the method of the embodiment of the method described above.

[0229] It should be understood that the processing unit may be a chip. For example, the processing unit may be a field programmable gate array (FPGA), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), system on chip (SoC), central processor unit (CPU), network processor (NP), digital signal processor (DSP), microcontroller unit (MCU), programmable logic device (PLD), or another integrated chip.

[0230] In the implementation process, the steps in the aforementioned method can be carried out using hardware integrated logic circuits within the processor or using instructions in the form of software. The steps of the method disclosed with reference to embodiments of this application may be carried out directly by a hardware processor or using a combination of hardware and software modules within the processor. The software modules may be located in mature storage media of the art, such as random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, or registers. The storage medium is located in memory, and the processor reads information from memory and, together with the processor hardware, carries out the steps in the aforementioned method. To avoid repetition, further details are not described here.

[0231] One embodiment of this application further provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions used to implement a method performed by a first AP MLD or a first STA MLD in an embodiment of the method described above.

[0232] One embodiment of this application further provides a computer program product including instructions. When the instructions are executed by a computer, the computer is able to implement a method that is performed by a first AP MLD or a first STA MLD in the embodiments of the method described above.

[0233] This application further provides a system comprising a first AP MLD or a first STA MLD.

[0234] All or part of the embodiments described above may be implemented using software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. If software is used to implement the embodiments, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. A computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer instructions are loaded into a computer and executed, all or part of the procedures or functions according to the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, computer instructions may be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center by wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, or digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, radio waves, or microwaves). The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium accessible by a computer, or a data storage device incorporating one or more available media, such as a server or data center. The usable media may include magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, or magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., high-density digital video discs (DVDs)), and semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks (SSDs)).

[0235] In embodiments of this application, words such as “example” or “for example” are used to indicate an example, an illustrative example, or to provide an explanation. Any embodiment or design scheme described as an “example” in this application is not described as being preferred over or having more advantages than other embodiments or design schemes. More precisely, the term “example” is used to present a concept in a particular manner.

[0236] It should be understood that the “embodiments” referred to throughout this specification mean that certain features, structures, or characteristics related to these embodiments are included in at least one embodiment of this application. Therefore, the embodiments included throughout this specification are not necessarily the same embodiment. In addition, these particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in one or more embodiments in some appropriate manner.

[0237] It should be understood that the sequence numbers of the processes described above do not imply execution sequences in the various embodiments of this application. The execution sequence of a process should be determined according to the function and internal logic of the process and should not be interpreted as any limitation to the implementation forms of the embodiments of this application. All node and message names in this application are merely names established for the purpose of facilitating explanation in this application and may differ in actual networks. It should not be understood that this application limits the names of various nodes and messages. Conversely, any name having the same or similar function as a node or message used in this application shall be considered a method or equivalent substitution in this application and shall fall within the scope of protection of this application.

[0238] In this application, “when” and “if” mean that the UE or base station will perform the corresponding processing in objective circumstances, but do not constitute any time limit, require the UE or base station to perform a decision action during the process, and do not imply any other limitations.

[0239] It should be noted that in the embodiments of this application, “pre-configuration,” “pre-setting,” etc., may be implemented by pre-storing corresponding code or tables in a device (e.g., a terminal device), or by another means that can indicate the relevant information. Specific implementations of “pre-configuration,” “pre-setting,” etc., are not limited in this application and may include, for example, pre-set rules or pre-set constants in the embodiments of this application.

[0240] In addition, the terms “system” and “network” may be used interchangeably in this specification. The term “and / or” in this specification describes only the relational relationship for the purposes of describing the related subjects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B may represent the following three cases: A alone exists, both A and B exist, and B alone exists.

[0241] In this specification, the term "at least one of..." refers to all or any combination of the listed items. For example, "at least one of A, B, and C" could refer to the following six cases: that only A is present, that only B is present, that only C is present, that both A and B are present, that both B and C are present, and that all of A, B, and C are present. In this specification, "at least one" means one or more. "More" means two or more.

[0242] In the embodiments of this application, it should be understood that “B corresponding to A” indicates that B is associated with A and that B can be determined based on A. However, it should be further understood that determining B based on A does not mean that B can be determined solely based on A. B can be determined alternatively based on A and / or other information. The terms “include,” “contain,” “have,” and their variations all mean “include, but not limited to,” unless specifically emphasized otherwise.

[0243] In the various embodiments of this application, the numbers 1, 2, and various other terms are used simply to distinguish them for the sake of clarity and are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. For example, different information is distinguished.

[0244] Those skilled in the art will recognize, in combination with the examples described in the embodiments disclosed herein, that the units and algorithmic steps may be implemented by electronic hardware, or by a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed by hardware or software will depend on the specific application and the design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art may use different methods to implement the functions described for each specific application, but such implementations should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0245] For the sake of simplicity, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the detailed operating processes of the aforementioned systems, devices, and units can be described by referring to the corresponding processes in the embodiments of the methods described above. Details will not be repeated here.

[0246] It should be understood that in some embodiments provided in this application, the disclosed systems, apparatus, and methods may be implemented in other ways. For example, the embodiments of the apparatus described are merely examples. For example, the division into units is merely a logical functional division, and other divisions may be used in actual implementation. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not performed. In addition, the mutual coupling, direct coupling, or communication connection shown or discussed may be implemented using several interfaces. Indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatus or units may be implemented in electronic, mechanical, or other forms.

[0247] Units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and parts shown as units may or may not be physical units, may be located in one place, or may be distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected based on the actual requirements in order to achieve the objectives of the solutions of the embodiments.

[0248] In addition, the functional units in the embodiments of this application may be integrated into a single processing unit, each unit may exist physically independently, or two or more units may be integrated into a single unit.

[0249] When functions are implemented in the form of software function units and sold or used as independent products, those functions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical solutions of this application, or parts of them that contribute to the prior art, or some of the technical solutions, may be implemented in the form of a software product. The software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for instructing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device) to perform all or part of the steps of the methods described in embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes any medium capable of storing program code, such as a USB flash drive, a removable hard disk, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0250] The foregoing description is merely a specific implementation of the present application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Any modifications or substitutions that are readily conceivable by a person skilled in the art within the scope of the art disclosed in this application shall also fall within the scope of protection of this application. Accordingly, the scope of protection of this application shall be subject to the scope of protection of the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0251] 100 Communication Systems 101 stations 102 stations 200 Communication Systems 201 AP MLD 202 STA MLD 300 Communication Systems 301 AP MLD 302 STA MLD 303 STA MLD 304 STA 400 equipment 410 Transceiver Unit 420 processing units 500 communication devices 510 Processor 520 transceiver 530 memory 600 ways

Claims

1. A step of generating first information by a first access point AP of a first access point multilink device AP MLD, wherein the first information indicates whether a key basic service set BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP of the first AP MLD changes. The first AP transmits the first information to the first station multilink device STA MLD, and A communication method that includes this.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first information is a count value.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the value of the first information increases when the key BSS parameter corresponding to the at least one AP of the first AP MLD changes.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein if the key BSS parameter corresponding to the AP of the first AP MLD does not change, the value of the first information remains unchanged.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first information is transported in a check beacon field.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the check beacon field is transported in a traffic instruction map (TIM) frame.

7. The first information indicates that the key BSS parameter corresponding to the at least one AP of the first AP MLD changes, and the method is, The steps include: receiving a first frame by the first AP, wherein the first frame is for requesting key BSS parameters corresponding to an AP associated with a second STA, and the second STA is a station located in the first STA MLD and associated with the first AP MLD; A step of transmitting a second frame by the first AP, wherein the second frame includes the key BSS parameter corresponding to the AP associated with the second STA, and The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising:

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the second STA is all the STAs of the first STA MLD.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the key BSS parameter includes one or more of the following: inclusion of a channel switching notification element, inclusion of an extended channel switching notification element, modification of the extended distributed channel access EDCA parameter element, inclusion of a quiet element, modification of the direct sequence spread spectrum DSSS parameter set, modification of the contention-free CF parameter set element, modification of the high-throughput HT operation element, inclusion of a broadband channel switching element, inclusion of a channel switching wrapper element, inclusion of an operation mode notification element, inclusion of a quiet channel element, modification of the very high-throughput VHT operation element, modification of the high-efficiency HE operation element, insertion of a broadcast TWT element, inclusion of the BSS color change notification element, modification of the multi-user EDCA parameter set element, modification of the spatial reuse parameter set element, and modification of the ultra-high-throughput operation element.

10. A step of receiving first information by a first STA of a first STA MLD, wherein the first information indicates whether a key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP of a first AP MLD has changed. The steps include: determining whether the key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP of the first AP MLD changes based on the first information, and A communication method that includes this.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the first information is a count value.

12. The method described above is The first step of recording the first information using the first STA. The method according to claim 10 or 11, further comprising:

13. The step of determining whether the key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP of the first AP MLD changes based on the first information by the first STA is, The first station determines whether the key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP of the first AP MLD changes, based on whether the value of the first information is the same as the value of the second information. Includes, The second information is information received before the first STA receives the first information, and the second information indicates whether the key BSS parameter corresponding to the at least one AP of the first AP MLD changes. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12.

14. The first station determines whether the key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP of the first AP MLD changes based on whether the value of the first information is the same as the value of the second information, If the value of the first information is the same as the value of the second information, the first STA determines that the key BSS parameter corresponding to the AP of the first AP MLD has not changed, and / or, If the value of the first information differs from the value of the second information, the first STA determines that the key BSS parameter corresponding to at least one AP of the first AP MLD has changed. The method according to claim 13, including the method described in claim 13.

15. If the value of the first information differs from the value of the second information, the method is Steps include receiving a beacon frame by a second STA of the first STA MLD, wherein the beacon frame includes key BSS parameters corresponding to an AP associated with the second STA, and the second STA is a station located in the first STA MLD and associated with the first AP MLD. The method according to claim 13 or 14, further comprising:

16. If the value of the first information differs from the value of the second information, the method is The steps include: transmitting a first frame by the first STA, wherein the first frame is for requesting key BSS parameters corresponding to an AP associated with a second STA, and the second STA is a station located in the first STA MLD and associated with the first AP MLD; A step of receiving a second frame by the first station, wherein the second frame includes the key BSS parameter corresponding to the AP associated with the second STA. The method according to claim 13 or 14, further comprising:

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the second STA is all the STAs of the first STA MLD.

18. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 17, wherein the first information is transported in a check beacon field.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the check beacon field is transported in a traffic instruction map (TIM) frame.

20. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 19, wherein the key BSS parameter includes one or more of the following: inclusion of a channel switching notification element, inclusion of an extended channel switching notification element, modification of the EDCA parameter element, inclusion of a quiet element, modification of the DSSS parameter set, modification of the CF parameter set element, modification of the HT operation element, inclusion of a broadband channel switching element, inclusion of a channel switching wrapper element, inclusion of an operation mode notification element, inclusion of a quiet channel element, modification of the VHT operation element, modification of the HE operation element, insertion of a broadcast TWT element, inclusion of the BSS color change notification element, modification of the multi-user EDCA parameter set element, modification of the space reuse parameter set element, and modification of the ultra-high throughput operation element.

21. A communication device comprising a unit or module configured to carry out the method described in any one of claims 1 to 9, or a unit or module configured to carry out the method described in any one of claims 10 to 20.

22. A communication device, Memory configured to store computer instructions, A processor and configured to execute the computer instructions stored in the memory, thereby enabling the communication device to perform the method described in any one of claims 1 to 9, or to enable the communication device to perform the method described in any one of claims 10 to 20. A communication device equipped with the following features.

23. A chip comprising a processor and an interface, configured to call a computer program from memory and execute the computer program stored in memory in order to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 or any one of claims 10 to 20.

24. A computer-readable storage medium configured to store a computer program, wherein the computer program includes instructions for carrying out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, or instructions for carrying out the method according to any one of claims 10 to 20.

25. A computer program product comprising computer program code, wherein when the computer program code is executed on a computer, the computer becomes capable of carrying out the method described in any one of claims 1 to 9, or the computer becomes capable of carrying out the method described in any one of claims 10 to 20.

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