Communication methods and related devices

Abstract

The present invention provides a communication method, communication device, and storage medium that reduce overhead and improve throughput. [Solution] The method includes the steps of generating a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) and transmitting the PPDU. The first signal field of the PPDU includes a resource unit allocation subfield and a user field for each user, the resource unit allocation subfield indicating the frequency domain resources of the user in each user field, the user in each user field includes a first user using coupled source channel coding, the PPDU further includes a second signal field for the first user using coupled source channel coding, the second signal field for the first user indicates the coupled source channel coding parameters of the first user's source layer, and the second signal field for the first user is located on the first user's frequency domain resources.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the priority of Chinese Patent Application No. 202210248453.0, titled "Communication Method and Related Device", filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on March 14, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] This application relates to the field of communication technologies, and particularly to communication methods and related devices.

Background Art

[0003] Currently, in order to improve the quality of wireless video or picture transmission, joint source and channel coding (JSCC) technology has been proposed. When the JSCC technology is applied to some of multiple users, the JSCC signal field needs to be carried in the broadcast signal field so that all users can receive the signal field. The signal field received by users using JSCC transmission contains JSCC-related signal information, and the signal field received by users not using JSCC transmission does not contain JSCC-related signal information. However, the JSCC-related signal information occupies many bits, and the length of the JSCC-related signal information can be variable in different physical layer protocol data units (PPDUs). Therefore, for users not using JSCC transmission, the long JSCC signal information causes a large overhead and affects the throughput rate. Also, the lengths of different user fields are different in one signal field. For example, the length of the user field of users using JSCC transmission is different from the length of the user field of users not using JSCC transmission. Furthermore, the length of the user field is variable, making it very complicated for all users to read the signal field.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method and related apparatus for reducing the complexity of signal field reading by all users, reducing overhead for users who do not support JSCC transmission, and improving throughput rates. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to a first embodiment, a communication method is provided. The method includes the steps of generating a physical protocol data unit (PPDU) such that the PPDU includes a first signal field, the first signal field includes a resource unit allocation subfield and at least one user field corresponding to each user, the resource unit allocation subfield indicating a frequency domain resource allocated to the user corresponding to each user field, the user corresponding to each user field including a first user using coupled source channel coding, the PPDU further includes a second signal field for the first user, the second signal field for the first user indicating a source layer coupled source channel coding parameter corresponding to the first user, and the second signal field for the first user lies on the frequency domain resource allocated to the first user; and transmitting the PPDU. In the aforementioned technical solution, the PPDU includes a first signal field, which includes a resource unit allocation subfield and at least one user field corresponding to each user, where the resource unit allocation subfield indicates the frequency domain resource allocated to the user corresponding to each user field. This indicates that the frequency domain resource can be allocated to both users who use JSCC transmission and those who do not use JSCC transmission and those corresponding to each user field. Furthermore, for users using JSCC transmission, the PPDU may further include a second signal field located on the frequency domain resource allocated to the user, where the second signal field indicates the combined source channel coding parameters of the source layer corresponding to the user. In other words, for users using JSCC transmission, the JSCC signal information is indicated to be located in a separate signal field of the user's frequency domain resource. Therefore, when reading the first signal field, users using JSCC transmission do not need to read a large amount of information in the same field. This reduces the complexity of reading the first signal field by users using JSCC transmission.Furthermore, only users using JSCC can obtain JSCC signal information relevant to them, and users who do not use JSCC transmission do not need to read JSCC signal information, thus reducing the number of signal fields they need to read. This further reduces the complexity of reading signal fields for users who do not use JSCC transmission. Moreover, for users who do not use JSCC transmission, the PPDU does not include a second signal field, i.e., it does not contain lengthy JSCC signal information. This reduces overhead and improves throughput.

[0006] A second aspect provides a communication method, the method comprising: receiving a PPDU, the PPDU comprising a first signal field, the first signal field comprising a resource unit allocation subfield and at least one user field corresponding to each user, the resource unit allocation subfield indicating a frequency domain resource allocated to the user corresponding to each user field, the user corresponding to each user field comprising a first user using coupled source channel coding, the PPDU further comprising a second signal field of the first user, the second signal field of the first user indicating a coupled source channel coding parameter of the source layer corresponding to the first user, and the second signal field of the first user located on the frequency domain resource allocated to the first user; obtaining the coupled source channel coding parameter of the source layer corresponding to the first user on the frequency domain resource allocated to the first user; and performing coupled source channel decoding based on the coupled source channel coding parameter of the source layer corresponding to the first user. In the aforementioned technical solution, for users using JSCC transmission, the PPDU may further include a second signal field located on the frequency domain resource allocated to the user, where the second signal field indicates the coupled source channel coding parameters of the source layer corresponding to the user. In other words, for users using JSCC transmission, the JSCC signal information is indicated to be located in another signal field of the user's frequency domain resource. Therefore, when reading the first signal field, users using JSCC transmission do not need to read a large amount of information within the same field. This reduces the complexity of reading the first signal field by users using JSCC transmission. Furthermore, since only users using JSCC can obtain JSCC signal information relevant to the user, and users not using JSCC transmission do not need to read JSCC signal information, users not using JSCC transmission need to read fewer signal fields. This further reduces the complexity of reading signal fields by users not using JSCC transmission.Furthermore, for users who do not use JSCC transmission, the PPDU does not include a second signal field, meaning it lacks lengthy JSCC signal information. This reduces overhead and improves throughput.

[0007] According to a third aspect, a communication device is provided. The device includes a processing module and a transceiver module. The processing module is configured to generate a PPDU, the PPDU including a first signal field, the first signal field including a resource unit allocation subfield and at least one user field corresponding to each user, the resource unit allocation subfield indicating the frequency domain resources allocated to the user corresponding to each user field, and the user corresponding to each user field including a first user using coupled source channel coding. The PPDU further includes a second signal field for the first user, the second signal field for the first user indicating the coupled source channel coding parameters of the source layer corresponding to the first user, and the second signal field for the first user lies on the frequency domain resources allocated to the first user. The transceiver module is configured to transmit the PPDU.

[0008] According to a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided. The device includes a processing module and a transceiver module. The transceiver module is configured to receive a PPDU, the PPDU including a first signal field, the first signal field including a resource unit allocation subfield and at least one user field corresponding to each user, the resource unit allocation subfield indicating the frequency domain resource allocated to the user corresponding to each user field, and the user corresponding to each user field including a first user using coupled source channel coding. The PPDU further includes a second signal field for the first user, the second signal field for the first user indicating the coupled source channel coding parameters of the source layer corresponding to the first user, and the second signal field for the first user lies on the frequency domain resource allocated to the first user. The processing module is configured to obtain the coupled source channel coding parameters of the source layer corresponding to the first user on the frequency domain resource allocated to the first user. The processing module is further configured to perform combined source channel decoding based on the combined source channel coding parameters of the source layer corresponding to the first user.

[0009] Optionally, with respect to any one of the first to fourth embodiments, the first signal field further includes instructional information indicating that the first user is using a coupled source channel coded transmission. Since the first signal field further includes instructional information indicating that the first user is using a coupled source channel coded transmission, the first user will know that they need to read the second signal field further.

[0010] Optionally, instruction information indicating that the first user should use a combined source channel coded transmission with respect to any one of the first to fourth embodiments is contained within the user field corresponding to the first user. Since the first user can read the instruction information indicating that the first user should use a combined source channel coded transmission in the first user's user field, it can be seen that the first user can know that it needs to read a second signal field further.

[0011] Optionally, with respect to any one of the first to fourth embodiments, the user field corresponding to the first user further includes a modulation coding scheme field, the modulation coding scheme field indicating that the first user is using coupled source channel coded transmission. It is understood that the first user can learn the instruction information indicating that the first user is using coupled source channel coded transmission by reading the modulation coding scheme located in the first user's user field, and that the first user is able to learn that it is necessary to further read the second signal field.

[0012] Optionally, with respect to one of the first to fourth embodiments, the resource unit allocation subfield indicates the layer frequency domain resource in each source layer for the user corresponding to each user field. This indicates that a single layer frequency domain resource in a single source layer may be allocated to the user corresponding to each user field. Therefore, layer frequency domain resources in different source layers are different, and a user's reading of a field on a layer frequency domain resource in a source layer does not affect a user's reading of a field on a layer frequency domain resource in another source layer.

[0013] Optionally, with respect to any one of the first through fourth embodiments, the user fields corresponding to different source layers of the first user use the same station identifier field. It can be seen that different source layers of a user using combined source channel coding may correspond to different user fields.

[0014] Optionally, with respect to any one of the first through fourth embodiments, the number of source layers for the first user is equal to the number of user fields using the same station identifier field, where the station identifier field identifies the first user. It can be seen that the number of user fields using the same station identifier field implicitly indicates the number of source layers for the first user. This reduces overhead.

[0015] Optionally, with respect to any one of the first to fourth embodiments, the second signal field of the first user further indicates at least one of the total number of source layers for the first user and the identifier of one source layer corresponding to the first user. A user using combined source channel coding can, based on the second signal field, further know the total number of source layers for the user and / or the identifier of one source layer corresponding to the user, and thus the user can better read the data in the source layers.

[0016] Optionally, with respect to any one of the first to fourth embodiments, the combined source channel coding parameters of the source layer corresponding to the first user include at least one of the combined source channel coding parameters of one source layer corresponding to the first user and the combined source channel coding parameters shared by all source layers of the first user. Users using combined source channel coding can better read data in the source layer by knowing the combined source channel coding parameters required by the user.

[0017] Optionally, with respect to any one of the first to fourth embodiments, the resource unit allocation subfield indicates the total frequency domain resources across all source layers for the user corresponding to each user field. This indicates that the total frequency domain resources across all source layers may be allocated to the user corresponding to each user field.

[0018] Optionally, with respect to any one of the first to fourth embodiments, the second signal field of the first user further includes a layer resource unit allocation field, the layer resource unit allocation field indicating at least one of the total number of source layers of the first user and the layer frequency domain resources of the first user in each source layer. It is understood that a user using coupled source channel coding can know at least one of the total number of source layers of the user and the layer frequency domain resources of the user in each source layer, based on the layer resource unit allocation field.

[0019] Optionally, with respect to any one of the first to fourth embodiments, the first user's layer frequency domain resources in each source layer are predefined frequency domain resources. Since the first user's layer frequency domain resources in each source layer are predefined frequency domain resources, it can be seen that no additional instructions are needed in the PPDU. This reduces overhead. Furthermore, the first user can perform decoding based on a fixed frequency domain resource size.

[0020] Optionally, with respect to any one of the first to fourth embodiments, the combined source channel coding parameters of the source layer corresponding to the first user include at least one of the combined source channel coding parameters of each source layer corresponding to the first user and the combined source channel coding parameters shared by all source layers of the first user. Users using combined source channel coding can better read data in the source layer by knowing the combined source channel coding parameters required by the user.

[0021] Optionally, with respect to any one of the first to fourth embodiments, the second signal field of the first user further includes a signal A field and a signal B field, wherein the signal A field lies on the total frequency domain resources of the first user across all source layers, and the signal B field lies on the layer frequency domain resources of one source layer corresponding to the first user, and the signal A field indicates a combined source channel coding parameter shared by all source layers of the first user, and the signal B field indicates a combined source channel coding parameter of one source layer corresponding to the first user. Since the signal A field lies on the total frequency domain resources of the first user across all source layers, the parameter indicated by the signal A field is a common parameter corresponding to different source layers, and the signal B field lies on the layer frequency domain resources of the source layer corresponding to the first user, i.e., the parameter indicated by the signal B field is a parameter corresponding to one source layer, it can be seen that the first user can separately read and parse the parameters required by each source layer in order to reduce the complexity of reading the signal field by the first user.

[0022] Optionally, with respect to any one of the first to fourth embodiments, the combined source channel coding parameter of one source layer corresponding to the first user further includes the length of the physical layer service data unit of one source layer corresponding to the first user or the number of symbols carried in the data field corresponding to one source layer of the first user. Since the first user can further know, based on the second signal field, the length of the physical layer service data unit of the source layer or the number of symbols carried in the data field corresponding to the source layer of the first user, the first user can better parse the data by knowing the mapping relationship between the data contained in one source layer and the data contained in all source layers.

[0023] Optionally, with respect to any one of the first to fourth embodiments, the first user carries different source layers on the allocated time-domain resources and / or frequency-domain resources. Since the first user carries different source layers on the allocated time-domain resources and / or frequency-domain resources, it can be seen that time-frequency resources can be used more effectively for data transmission.

[0024] Optionally, with respect to any one of the first to fourth embodiments, the PPDU further includes a general-purpose signal field, the first signal field further includes a general-purpose signal overflow field, and the general-purpose signal field and / or the general-purpose signal overflow field indicate that the PPDU is a PPDU for coupled source channel transmission. Since the general-purpose signal field and / or the general-purpose signal overflow field indicate that the PPDU is a PPDU for coupled source channel transmission, it can be seen that the user can know the function of the PPDU.

[0025] According to a fifth aspect, a communication method is provided. The method includes the steps of generating a PPDU, wherein the PPDU comprises a general-purpose signal field and a third signal field, the third signal field comprising a general-purpose signal overflow field, the general-purpose signal field and / or the general-purpose signal overflow field indicating that the PPDU is a PPDU for single-user coupled source channel transmission, the third signal field further comprising a resource unit allocation subfield, a layer block field, and one user field corresponding to a user, the resource unit allocation subfield indicating the layer frequency domain resources at each source layer for the user corresponding to the user field, and the layer block field indicating the coupled source channel coding parameters at each source layer for the user corresponding to the user field, and transmitting the PPDU. A single user using coupled source channel transmission can read data on the layer frequency domain resources at each source layer, after knowing the functionality of the PPDU based on the general-purpose signal field and / or the general-purpose signal overflow field, and further knowing the coupled source channel coding parameters at each source layer based on the layer block field, so that a single user using coupled source channel transmission can obtain data at different source layers. Furthermore, the user can read and parse the parameters required by each source layer separately. This reduces the complexity of signal field reading by the user. In addition, overhead is reduced because the PPDU contains only one user field.

[0026] A communication method is provided according to a sixth aspect of the method, the method comprising the steps of receiving a PPDU, wherein the PPDU includes a general signal field and a third signal field, the third signal field including a general signal overflow field, the general signal field and / or the general signal overflow field indicating that the PPDU is a PPDU for single-user coupled source channel transmission, the third signal field further including a resource unit allocation subfield, a layer block field, and a user field corresponding to a user, the resource unit allocation subfield indicating the layer frequency domain resources at each source layer of the user corresponding to the user field, and the layer block field indicating the coupled source channel coding parameters for each source layer of the user corresponding to the user field, and performing coupled source channel decoding based on the coupled source channel coding parameters for each source layer of the user corresponding to the user field. A single user using coupled source channel transmission can read data on the layer frequency domain resources at each source layer after knowing the functionality of the PPDU based on the generic signal field and / or generic signal overflow field, and further knowing the coupled source channel coding parameters of each source layer based on the layer block field. Thus, a single user using coupled source channel transmission can obtain data at different source layers. The user can also read and parse the parameters required by each source layer separately. This reduces the complexity of signal field reading by the user. Furthermore, overhead is reduced because the PPDU contains only one user field.

[0027] According to a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided. The device includes a processing module and a transceiver module. The processing module generates a PPDU, where the PPDU includes a general-purpose signal field and a third signal field, the third signal field includes a general-purpose signal overflow field, and the general-purpose signal field and / or the general-purpose signal overflow field are configured to indicate that the PPDU is a PPDU for single-user combined source channel transmission. The third signal field further includes a resource unit allocation sub-field, a layer block field, and a user field corresponding to the user, the resource unit allocation sub-field indicates the layer frequency domain resources in each source layer of the user corresponding to the user field, and the layer block field indicates the combined source channel coding parameters of each source layer of the user corresponding to the user field. The transceiver module is configured to transmit the PPDU.

[0028] According to an eighth aspect, a communication device is provided. The device includes a processing module and a transceiver module. The transceiver module receives a PPDU, where the PPDU includes a general-purpose signal field and a third signal field, the third signal field includes a general-purpose signal overflow field, and the general-purpose signal field and / or the general-purpose signal overflow field are configured to indicate that the PPDU is a PPDU for single-user combined source channel transmission. The third signal field further includes a resource unit allocation sub-field, a layer block field, and a user field corresponding to the user, the resource unit allocation sub-field indicates the layer frequency domain resources in each source layer of the user corresponding to the user field, and the layer block field indicates the combined source channel coding parameters of each source layer of the user corresponding to the user field. The processing module is configured to perform combined source channel decoding based on the combined source channel coding parameters of each source layer of the user corresponding to the user field.

[0029] Optionally, for any one of the fifth to eighth aspects, the third signal field further includes a combined source channel signal field, and the combined source channel signal field indicates combined source channel encoding parameters shared by all source layers of the user corresponding to the user field. A single user using combined source channel transmission can know the combined source channel encoding parameters shared by all source layers based on the combined source channel signal field, so it can be seen that the user does not need to obtain the combined source channel encoding parameters shared by all source layers every time the user parses the data in the source layer. Also, since the combined source channel encoding parameters shared by all source layers are included by one signal field, the overhead is reduced.

[0030] According to a ninth aspect, a chip is provided. The chip includes at least one logic circuit and an input / output interface, and the logic circuit is configured to read and execute stored instructions. When the instructions are executed, the chip is enabled to perform the method according to any one of the first aspect, the second aspect, the fifth aspect, or the sixth aspect.

[0031] According to a tenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, and the computer program includes program instructions. When the program instructions are executed by a computer, the computer is enabled to perform the method according to any one of the first aspect, the second aspect, the fifth aspect, or the sixth aspect.

[0032] According to the eleventh aspect, a communication device is provided, including a processor and a transceiver. The processor is configured to assist the communication device in performing the corresponding function in the manner of the first, second, fifth, or sixth aspect. The transceiver is configured to assist communication between the communication device and another communication device other than the communication device. The communication device may further include a memory, which is configured to be coupled to the processor, and the memory stores program instructions and data required by the communication device. The transceiver may be incorporated into the communication device or independent of the communication device; this is not limited herein.

[0033] According to the twelfth aspect, a computer program product including instructions is provided. When the computer program product is running on a computer, the computer is enabled to perform any one of the methods of the first, second, fifth, or sixth aspects.

[0034] According to the 13th aspect, a communication system is provided that includes one or more of the following: a first device performing a method according to either the first or fifth aspect, and a second device performing a method according to either the second or sixth aspect.

[0035] The following is a brief description of the attached drawings used to illustrate the embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0036] [Figure 1] This is the procedure for conventional data transmission solutions. [Figure 2A] This is a schematic flowchart of a combined source-channel coded data transmission solution. [Figure 2B] This is a schematic flowchart of a combined source-channel coded data transmission solution. [Figure 3] This is a diagram of a WLAN network architecture according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 4]This is a diagram showing a hardware structure applicable to a communication device according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 5] This is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 6] This is a schematic flowchart of yet another communication method according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 7] This is a PPDU frame structure according to one embodiment of the present application, corresponding to a case where the resource unit allocation subfield indicates a layer frequency domain resource. [Figure 8] This is yet another frame structure of a PPDU corresponding to a case where the resource unit allocation subfield indicates a layer frequency domain resource, according to one embodiment of the present application. [Figure 9] This is a PPDU frame structure according to one embodiment of the present application, corresponding to a case where the resource unit allocation subfield indicates total frequency domain resources. [Figure 10] This is yet another frame structure of a PPDU according to one embodiment of the present application, corresponding to the case where the resource unit allocation subfield indicates total frequency domain resources. [Figure 11] This is yet another frame structure of a PPDU according to one embodiment of the present application, corresponding to the case where the resource unit allocation subfield indicates total frequency domain resources. [Figure 12] This is yet another frame structure of a PPDU according to one embodiment of the present application, corresponding to the case where the resource unit allocation subfield indicates total frequency domain resources. [Figure 13] This is yet another frame structure of a PPDU according to one embodiment of the present application, corresponding to the case where the resource unit allocation subfield indicates total frequency domain resources. [Figure 14A] This is a frame structure for a PPDU according to one embodiment of the present application, which corresponds to a case where different source layers are transported by time-frequency resources. [Figure 14B]This is a frame structure for a PPDU according to one embodiment of the present application, which corresponds to a case where different source layers are transported by time-frequency resources. [Figure 15] This is the frame structure of a PPDU in a single-user transmission scenario according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 16] This is a diagram showing the structure of a communication device according to one embodiment of this application. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0037] The following describes the technical solutions of embodiments of this application with reference to the accompanying drawings. The terms “system” and “network” may be used interchangeably in embodiments of this application. Unless otherwise specified, “ / ” indicates an “or” relationship between related objects. For example, A / B may mean A or B. The terms “and / or” in this application merely describe a relationship of association for describing related objects, and indicate that there may be three such relationships. For example, A and / or B may mean that only A exists, both A and B exist, and only B exists, where A and B may each be singular or plural. Also in the description of this application, “plural” means two or more unless otherwise specified. “At least one of the following items” or similar expressions mean any combination of these items, including any single item or any combination of multiple items. For example, at least one item (item) a, b, or c may represent a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b, and c, where a, b, and c may be singular or plural. Also, in order to clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the embodiments of this application use terms such as “first,” “second,” etc. to distinguish the same or similar items that provide essentially the same network element or purpose. Those skilled in the art will understand that the terms such as “first,” “second,” etc. do not limit the number or execution order, and do not indicate a clear distinction.

[0038] References to “one embodiment,” “several embodiments,” etc., in the embodiments of this application indicate that one or more embodiments of this application include certain features, structures, or characteristics described in relation to the embodiments. Accordingly, phrases such as “in one embodiment,” “in some embodiments,” “in some other embodiments,” and “in other embodiments,” appearing elsewhere in this specification, do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Instead, these phrases mean “one or more, but not all, embodiments,” unless otherwise specifically emphasized. The terms “include,” “contain,” “have,” and their variations all mean “include, but not limited to,” unless otherwise specifically emphasized.

[0039] The object, technical solution, and beneficial effects of this application will be described in more detail in the following specific embodiments. It should be understood that the following description is merely a description of specific embodiments of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Any modifications, substitutions of equivalents, or improvements made based on the technical solution of this application shall fall within the scope of protection of this application.

[0040] In the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise stated or unless there is a logical inconsistency, the terminology and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and may be referenced to one another, and the technical features of different embodiments may be combined on the basis of their internal logical relationships to form new embodiments.

[0041] The following explains some of the terms used in this application. It should be understood that if these terms are used in other parts of this application, no further explanation or description will be provided.

[0042] 1. Joint Source and Channel Coding (JSCC) Solution As information technology develops and society progresses, people have increasingly greater demands for information, and they propose higher requirements for integrated services such as voice, data, pictures, and video, as well as various types of multimedia services, to be enjoyed anytime, anywhere. Therefore, multimedia communication has become a focal point of people's attention. Video is a crucial part of multimedia data, possessing a range of advantages such as accuracy, real-time nature, intuitiveness, clarity, and sharpness, providing users with a visual experience that greatly enriches traditional services. In the coming years, wireless video services will have a broader development outlook. Therefore, wireless video encoding and transmission technologies are also becoming a current research hotspot in the field of multimedia communication.

[0043] Figure 1 shows the procedure for a conventional data transmission solution. As shown in Figure 1, after compression and channel coding steps are performed on the application layer data at the transmitting end, such as video or picture data, the application layer data is transmitted over the channel to the receiving end. The receiving end performs channel decoding and data decompression processes on the received data to obtain the application layer data transmitted by the receiving end.

[0044] Due to the limited bandwidth of wireless channels, video data needs to be efficiently compressed. However, it is well known that techniques used in video coding, such as predictive coding and variable-length coding, while efficiently compressing the bitstream, make the bitstream susceptible to channel bit errors, and that wireless channels are interfered with by various types of noise, resulting in high bit error rates. Therefore, how to transmit high-quality video over wireless mobile networks is a serious challenge. Coding is one of the key issues. Coding is mainly classified into source coding and channel coding. The main metric for source coding is coding efficiency, while the main purpose of channel coding is to improve the reliability of information transmission. Digital video communication systems based on separate source and channel coding require not only physical layer adaptive algorithms but also video bitrate control modules. If the video bitrate does not match the channel capacity, a cliff effect similar to that of the physical layer occurs. That is, if the channel noise is greater than the predicted value, the reconstructed video is severely distorted, or if the channel noise is less than the predicted value, the distortion is not reduced.

[0045] Therefore, wireless video transmission must adapt seamlessly to channel conditions; that is, the transmitting end does not need to change the transmission method based on channel conditions, and the video quality at the receiving end corresponds to the real-time channel conditions.

[0046] To address the aforementioned problems, a coupled source-channel coding and decoding solution for adaptive channels is proposed. As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the transmitting end device divides the picture frames in a picture or video into blocks and performs a discrete cosine transform (DCT) on the blocks. Since most of the energy in the graph is concentrated in the low-frequency portion obtained after the DCT transform, the picture frames can be compressed by the DCT transform. The picture data obtained after the DCT transform is then quantized and stratified based on the importance of the data. Rateless coding, e.g., channel coding 1 to channel coding N shown in Figures 2A and 2B, is performed separately for the stratified picture data of different bit planes. The coded data is mapped to resource blocks via bit splicing and symbol modulation. Control information includes information such as block size, bandwidth, coding, modulation, and stratification bit width in the processes described above. After channel modulation and coding are performed separately for the control information, the control information is also mapped to the corresponding resource blocks and transmitted together with the data information.

[0047] At the receiving end, after synchronization, channel estimation, and equalization processing are performed on the received signal, the receiving end device acquires control information and data information via resource demapping. Subsequently, the receiving end device performs symbol decomposition and demodulation of the data information based on the control information to acquire soft information, and then performs channel decoding by acquiring 0 / 1 bit probabilities using a probabilistic propagation transmission method. Finally, the information is combined based on probabilities to reconstruct the original source information. According to the combined source-channel coding solution shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the quality of wireless video or picture transmission can be improved.

[0048] 2. Combined Source Channel Transmission Combined source channel transmission may also be referred to as hierarchical transmission, user multiple physical layer service data unit (PSDU) transmission, etc., as is not limited herein. In one possible embodiment, data may be split via combined source channel transmission into one base layer and at least one enhancement layer.

[0049] 3. Source Layer One source layer corresponds to one PSDU. Users using combined source channel coding correspond to multiple source layers, i.e., multiple PSDUs. Users not using combined source channel coding correspond to one source layer, i.e., one PSDU.

[0050] 4. Layer frequency domain resources A layer frequency domain resource is a frequency domain resource of the source layer. In other words, a layer frequency domain resource is a frequency domain resource allocated to the source layer. A frequency domain resource can be a resource unit (RU) or a multi-resource unit (MRU).

[0051] 5. Combined Source Channel Coding Parameters Combined source channel coding parameters can be classified into combined source channel coding parameters for a single source layer and combined source channel coding parameters shared by all source layers.

[0052] The combined source channel coding parameters of a single source layer may include at least one of the following: the modulation coding scheme of the source layer, the source distribution probability of the source layer, and the length of the physical layer service data unit of the source layer. The source distribution probability is the probability of binary 0 or binary 1. The length of the physical layer service data unit of the source layer may also be called the number of symbols carried in the data field corresponding to the source layer. The modulation coding scheme of the source layer is the modulation scheme of the physical layer service data unit of the source layer, and the modulation schemes include BPSK / QPSK / 8-PSK / 16QAM / 64QAM / 256QAM, etc. The length of the physical layer service data unit of the source layer may indicate a mapping relationship between the physical layer service data unit and a different bit plane, where one physical layer service data unit may correspond to one bit plane, or one physical layer service data unit may correspond to multiple bit planes.

[0053] The combined source channel coding parameters shared by all source layers may include at least one of the following: frame rate, color recognition method (RGB / YUV), picture size (resolution), pixel depth, quantization step, DCT or discrete wavelet transformation (DWT) size, number of DCT blocks in each code block, number of DCT coefficient quantization bit planes, and number of code blocks. The frame rate is the frame rate per second, and typical supported frame rates are 60 / 90 / 120. The picture size is the size of the picture, including height and depth, and typical supported picture sizes are 1080P (1920*1080) / 4K (3840*2160) / 2048*1024 / 4096*2048. Pixel depth is the color depth of each pixel, and typical values ​​for pixel depth are 8 bits / 10 bits. Quantization step is the quantization order. DCT transform or discrete wavelet transform size is the size of the DCT / DWT transform, and typical values ​​for the DCT transform or discrete wavelet transform size are 4*4 / 8*8 / 16*16 / 32*32. The number of DCT blocks in each code block is the number of DCT blocks in the JSCC code block carried in each data field, and typical values ​​for the number of DCT blocks in each code block are 10 / 15 / 20 / 25. The number of DCT coefficient quantization bit planes is the number of bit planes formed by sequentially arranging each quantized DCT coefficient from the most significant bit to the least significant bit, and typical values ​​for the number of DCT coefficient quantization bit planes are 8 / 10 / 12. The number of code blocks is the number of picture code blocks carried in each data field.

[0054] The foregoing is intended to provide a brief explanation of the meanings of nouns (communication terms) used in the embodiments of this application for a better understanding of the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0055] It should be understood that embodiments of this application may be applied to wireless local area network (WLAN) scenarios and may be applied to IEEE 802.11 system standards, e.g., 802.11ax, 802.11be, or next-generation standards. Alternatively, embodiments of this application may be applied to wireless local area network systems, e.g., Internet of Things (IoT) networks or vehicle-to-vehicle / vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2X) networks. Naturally, embodiments of this application may further be applied to other possible communication systems, e.g., LTE systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems, universal mobile telecommunication systems (UMTS), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication systems, and future 6G communication systems.

[0056] The following uses an example in which embodiments of this application are applicable to a WLAN scenario. It should be understood that WLAN has evolved from the 802.11a / g standards and has progressed through the currently discussed 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, and 802.11be. 802.11n is sometimes called high throughput (HT), 802.11ac is sometimes called very high throughput (VHT), 802.11ax is sometimes called high efficiency (HE) or Wi-Fi 6, and 802.11be is sometimes called extremely high throughput (EHT) or Wi-Fi 7. Pre-HT standards such as 802.11a / b / g are collectively referred to as non-HT.

[0057] Figure 3 is a diagram of a WLAN network architecture according to one embodiment of the present application. In Figure 3, an example is used in which the WLAN includes one wireless access point (AP) and two stations (STAs). The STAs associated with the AP can receive wireless frames transmitted by the AP and can also transmit wireless frames to the AP. Furthermore, the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to communication between APs, for example, APs may communicate with each other by using a distributed system (DS), and the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to communication between STAs. It should be understood that the number of APs and STAs in Figure 3 is merely an example, and there may be more or fewer APs and STAs.

[0058] An access point may be an access point for terminal devices (e.g., mobile phones) to access a wired (or wireless) network, and is primarily located in homes, buildings, and campuses, with a typical coverage radius ranging from tens to hundreds of meters. Of course, access points may also be located outdoors. An access point acts as a bridge connecting wired and wireless networks, and its primary function is to connect various wireless network clients to each other and then connect the wireless network to Ethernet. Specifically, an access point may be a terminal device (e.g., a mobile phone) or a network device (e.g., a router) with a Wi-Fi chip. An access point may be a device that supports the 802.11be standard. Alternatively, an access point may be a device that supports multiple wireless local area network (WLAN) standards in the 802.11 family, such as 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, and the next generation of 802.11be. The access point of this application may be a high-efficiency (HE) AP, an extremely high-throughput (EHT) AP, or an access point applicable to future generations of Wi-Fi standards.

[0059] The STA in the embodiments of this application may be a user terminal, user equipment, access device, subscriber station, subscriber unit, mobile station, user agent, user device, or other device having wireless communication capabilities. A user terminal may include various devices having wireless communication capabilities, such as handheld devices, in-vehicle devices, wearable devices, computing devices, other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, various forms of user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), terminal, terminal equipment, portable communication devices, handheld devices, portable computing devices, entertainment devices, game devices or systems, global positioning system devices, or any other suitable device configured to perform network communication over a wireless medium. For example, an STA may be a router, switch, bridge, etc. For ease of explanation, the above devices are collectively referred to as stations or STAs in this specification.

[0060] The AP and STA in the embodiments of this application may be APs and STAs applicable to the IEEE 802.11 system standard. An AP is a device located in a wireless communication network that provides wireless communication functionality to an associated STA. An AP may be used as the central hub of a communication system and is typically a network-side product that supports MAC and PHY in the 802.11 system standard, and may be a communication device such as a base station, router, gateway, repeater, communication server, switch, or bridge. A base station may include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, etc. For the sake of simplicity, the above-mentioned devices are collectively referred to as APs in this specification. An STA is typically a terminal product that supports media access control (MAC) and physical layer (PHY) in the 802.11 system standard, such as a mobile phone or notebook computer.

[0061] The communication method provided in this application may be applied to a wireless communication system. The wireless communication system may be a wireless local area network or a cellular network. The method may be implemented by a communication device of 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 multilink simultaneous transmission. For example, the communication device may be 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. A multi-link 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 the sake of clarity, in this application, a multilink device whose affiliated station is an AP may be referred to as a multilink AP, a multilink AP device, or an AP multilink device, and a multilink device whose affiliated station is a non-AP STA may be referred to as a multilink STA, a multilink STA device, or an STA multilink device.

[0062] Furthermore, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are applicable to multiple system architectures. The network architectures and service scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As network architectures evolve and new service scenarios emerge, those skilled in the art will recognize that the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application will also be applicable to similar technical problems.

[0063] Optionally, the wireless access point, station, etc. in Figure 3 may be implemented by a single device, jointly by multiple devices, or as a single functional module within a single device. This is not particularly limited to the embodiments of this application. It will be understood that the aforementioned functions may be network elements within a hardware device, software functions running on dedicated hardware, or virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform).

[0064] For example, each device in Figure 3 may be implemented using the communication device 400 in Figure 4. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a hardware structure applicable to a communication device according to one embodiment of the present application. The communication device 400 includes at least one processor 401, a communication line 402, a memory 403, and at least one communication interface 404.

[0065] The processor 401 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits configured to control the program execution of the solution of this application.

[0066] The communication line 402 may include a path for transmitting information between the aforementioned components.

[0067] The communication interface 404 is any transceiver-type device (such as an antenna) and is configured to communicate with another device or a communication network such as Ethernet, RAN, or wireless local area network (WLAN).

[0068] The memory 403 may be, but is not limited to, a read-only memory (ROM) or another type of static storage device capable of storing static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM) or another type of dynamic storage device capable of storing information and instructions, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or another optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compact discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital multipurpose discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), a magnetic disk storage medium or another magnetic storage device, or any other medium capable of carrying or storing expected program code in the form of instructions or data structures and accessible by a computer. The memory may exist independently or be connected to the processor via a communication line 402. Alternatively, the memory may be integrated with the processor. The memory provided in embodiments of this application may typically be non-volatile. Memory 403 is configured to store computer-executable instructions for performing the solutions of this application, and the processor 401 controls the execution of the computer-executable instructions. The processor 401 is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions stored in memory 403 to perform the methods provided in the following embodiments of this application.

[0069] Optionally, the computer executable instructions of the embodiments of this application may be called application program code. This is not particularly limited to the embodiments of this application.

[0070] In one possible embodiment, the processor 401 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 in Figure 4.

[0071] In one possible embodiment, the communication device 400 may include multiple processors, such as processors 401 and 407 in Figure 4. Each of the processors may be a single-core (single-CPU) processor or a multi-core (multi-CPU) processor. A processor as used herein may be one or more devices, circuits, and / or processing cores configured to process data (e.g., computer program instructions).

[0072] In one possible embodiment, the communication device 400 may further include an output device 405 and an input device 406. The output device 405 communicates with the processor 401 and can display information in multiple ways. For example, the output device 405 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light-emitting diode (LED) display device, a cathode ray tube (CRT) display device, or a projector. The input device 406 communicates with the processor 401 and can receive user input in multiple ways. For example, the input device 406 may be a mouse, a keyboard, a touchscreen device, or a sensor device.

[0073] The aforementioned communication device 400 may be a general-purpose device or a dedicated device. In specific implementations, the communication device 400 may be a portable computer, a network server, a palmtop computer (personal digital assistant, PDA), a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a wireless terminal device, an embedded device, or a device having a structure similar to that of Figure 4. The type of communication device 400 is not limited to the embodiments of this application.

[0074] After the communication device is powered on, the processor 401 may read the software program in the memory 403, interpret and execute the instructions of the software program, and process the data of the software program. When the data needs to be transmitted wirelessly, the processor 401 performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted, and then outputs the baseband signal to the radio frequency circuit, which performs radio frequency processing on the baseband signal, and then transmits the radio frequency signal in electromagnetic wave form via the antenna. When the data is transmitted to the communication device, the radio frequency circuit receives the radio frequency signal via the antenna, converts the radio frequency signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor 401, which converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0075] In another embodiment, the radio frequency circuit and antenna may be located independently of the processor for baseband processing. For example, in a distributed scenario, the radio frequency circuit and antenna may be located independently of the communication equipment.

[0076] The following describes the technical solutions provided in embodiments of this application with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will be understood that the first device may be an AP or STA in Figure 3, the second device may be an AP or STA in Figure 3, and the third device may be an AP or STA in Figure 3. This is not limited to this specification. The following describes the technical solutions provided in embodiments of this application by using an example in which the first device is an AP and the second and third devices are STAs. In Figure 5, the second device is a device corresponding to a first user using coupled source channel coding, and the third device is a device corresponding to a second user not using coupled source channel coding. In Figure 6, the second device is a device corresponding to one user field.

[0077] Figure 5 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to one embodiment of this application. It should be understood that the embodiment in Figure 5 is for multi-user transmission. As shown in Figure 5, the method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps.

[0078] 501: A first device generates a PPDU, the PPDU comprising a first signal field, the first signal field comprising a resource unit allocation subfield and at least one user field corresponding to each user, the resource unit allocation subfield indicating the frequency domain resources allocated to the user corresponding to each user field, the user corresponding to each user field comprising a first user using coupled source channel coding, the PPDU further comprising a second signal field for the first user, the second signal field for the first user indicating the coupled source channel coding parameters of the source layer corresponding to the first user, and the second signal field for the first user lies on the frequency domain resources allocated to the first user.

[0079] Optionally, the first signal field including at least one user field corresponding to each user may be understood as including at least one user field corresponding to a first user using combined source channel coding and one user field corresponding to a second user not using combined source channel coding. There may be one or more first users, and there may be one or more second users; this is not limited herein. It should be understood that one first user may correspond to at least one user field, and one second user may correspond to one user field.

[0080] To allow the user to know whether to use coupled source-channel coded transmission, the solution can also be implemented in one of the following ways:

[0081] Method 1.1: The first signal field further includes instructional information that instructs the first user to use coupled source channel coded transmission.

[0082] Method 1.2: Multiple user fields corresponding to a first user indicate that the first user will use combined source channel coded transmission.

[0083] Method 1.1 can be understood as having instruction information instructing the first user to use combined source channel coded transmission within the user field corresponding to the first user. For further details, please refer to one of the following methods.

[0084] Method 2.1: A first user corresponds to one user field, and instruction information indicating that the first user should use coupled source channel coded transmission may be contained within the user field corresponding to the first user. That is, the user field corresponding to the first user may further include a modulation coding scheme field, which indicates that the first user should use coupled source channel coded transmission. For example, the number of bits in the modulation coding scheme field is 5, i.e., the value of the modulation coding scheme field may be in the range of 0 to 31. If the value of the modulation coding scheme field is in the range of 0 to 15, it indicates a different modulation coding scheme for the first user, and if the value of the modulation coding scheme field is any value between 16 and 31, it indicates that the first user should use coupled source channel coded transmission. It should be understood that the specific values ​​indicating that the first user should use coupled source channel coded transmission and the specific values ​​indicating a different modulation coding scheme for the first user are not limited herein.

[0085] Method 2.2: A first user corresponds to one user field, and instruction information indicating that the first user should use combined source channel coded transmission may be contained within the user field corresponding to the first user. That is, the user field corresponding to the first user may further include a combined source channel coded instruction field, which indicates that the first user should use combined source channel coded transmission. Alternatively, the first user using combined source channel coded transmission may be indicated by a reserved field, and if the reserved field indicates that the first user should use combined source channel coded transmission, the name of the reserved field may be changed, and the specific name is not limited. Optionally, the user field corresponding to the first user may further include a modulation coding scheme field, which indicates the base layer modulation coding scheme corresponding to the first user. For example, when the number of bits in the modulation coding scheme field is 5, and the value of the modulation coding scheme field is any value from 16 to 31, it indicates the base layer modulation coding scheme corresponding to the first user. Alternatively, the value of the modulation coding scheme field can be any value, the value may not represent any meaning, and the STA may ignore the modulation coding scheme field.

[0086] Method 2.3: The first user corresponds to multiple user fields, and the instruction information that tells the first user to use coupled source channel coded transmission may be located in one or more of the multiple user fields corresponding to the first user. That is, each of one or more user fields includes a modulation coding scheme field, and the modulation coding scheme field indicates that the first user should use coupled source channel coded transmission. For example, the number of bits in the modulation coding scheme field is 5, i.e., the value of the modulation coding scheme field can be in the range of 0 to 31. If the value of the modulation coding scheme field is in the range of 0 to 15, it indicates a different modulation coding scheme for the first user, and if the value of the modulation coding scheme field is any value between 16 and 31, it indicates that the first user should use coupled source channel coded transmission.

[0087] Method 2.4: A first user corresponds to multiple user fields, and instruction information indicating that the first user should use combined source channel coded transmission may be located in one or more of the multiple user fields corresponding to the first user. That is, each of one or more user fields may further include a combined source channel coded instruction field, which indicates that the first user should use combined source channel coded transmission. Alternatively, the first user using combined source channel coded transmission may be indicated by a reserved field, and if the reserved field indicates that the first user should use combined source channel coded transmission, the name of the reserved field may be changed, and the specific name is not limited. Optionally, each of the multiple user fields corresponding to the first user may further include a modulation coding scheme field, which indicates the base layer modulation coding scheme corresponding to the first user. For example, when the number of bits in the modulation coding scheme field is 5, and the value of the modulation coding scheme field is any value from 16 to 31, it indicates the base layer modulation coding scheme corresponding to the first user. Alternatively, the value of the modulation coding scheme field can be any value, the value may not represent any meaning, and the STA may ignore the modulation coding scheme field.

[0088] Optionally, one user field corresponding to one second user may also include a modulation coding scheme field. For Method 2.1 or Method 2.3, in one possible embodiment, the modulation coding scheme field in the user field corresponding to the second user indicates that the second user does not use coupled source channel coded transmission; that is, the modulation coding scheme field explicitly indicates that the second user does not use coupled source channel coded transmission. For example, if the value of the modulation coding scheme field is any value from 0 to 15, it indicates the modulation coding scheme used by the second user and also indicates that the second user does not use coupled source channel coded transmission. In another possible embodiment, the modulation coding scheme field indicates the modulation coding scheme used by the second user; that is, the modulation coding scheme field implicitly indicates that the second user does not use coupled source channel coded transmission. For example, if the value of the modulation coding scheme field is any value from 0 to 15, it indicates the modulation coding scheme used by the second user.

[0089] Optionally, one user field corresponding to one second user may also include a combined source channel coding instruction field. For Scheme 2.2 or Scheme 2.4, the combined source channel coding instruction field in the user field corresponding to the second user indicates the modulation coding scheme used by the second user and also indicates that the second user does not use combined source channel coding transmission.

[0090] Method 1.2 can be understood as indicating whether coupled source-channel coded transmission is used by using several user fields. In one possible embodiment, one of several user fields corresponding to a first user may further include a modulation coding scheme field corresponding to one source layer, the modulation coding scheme field indicating the source layer's modulation coding scheme. For example, the number of bits in the modulation coding scheme field is 5, i.e., the value of the modulation coding scheme field can be in the range of 0 to 31. If the value of the modulation coding scheme field is any value from 0 to 15, it indicates the source layer's modulation coding scheme. Naturally, one user field corresponding to a second user indicates that the second user does not use coupled source-channel coded transmission. In one possible embodiment, the user field corresponding to the second user may further include a modulation coding scheme field corresponding to one source layer, the modulation coding scheme field indicating the source layer's modulation coding scheme. For example, the number of bits in the modulation coding scheme field is 5, i.e., the value of the modulation coding scheme field can be in the range of 0 to 31. If the value of the modulation coding scheme field is any value between 0 and 15, it indicates the modulation coding scheme of the source layer.

[0091] The resource unit allocation subfield indicating the frequency domain resources allocated to the user corresponding to each user field can be understood in one of the following ways, but is not limited herein.

[0092] Method 3.1: The resource-unit allocation subfield indicates the layer frequency domain resources in each source layer for the user corresponding to each user field. That is, the resource-unit allocation subfield indicates the layer frequency domain resources for the first user in each source layer and the layer frequency domain resources for the second user in one source layer. This indicates that a single layer frequency domain resource may be allocated to the user corresponding to each user field. Therefore, layer frequency domain resources in different source layers are different, and a user's reading of a field on a layer frequency domain resource in a source layer does not affect a user's reading of a field on a layer frequency domain resource in another source layer.

[0093] Method 3.2: The resource-unit allocation subfield indicates the total frequency domain resources for the user corresponding to each user field across all source layers. That is, the resource-unit allocation subfield indicates the total frequency domain resources for the first user across all source layers and the total frequency domain resources for the second user across all source layers. This indicates that the total frequency domain resources across all source layers may be allocated to the user corresponding to each user field.

[0094] Note that a second user who does not use combined source-channel coding will have to deal with a single source layer. Therefore, the size of the frequency-domain resources in Scheme 3.1 and Scheme 3.2 is the same.

[0095] Method 3.1 may be implemented when a first user using combined source channel coding corresponds to multiple user fields, and a second user not using combined source channel coding corresponds to one user field. Specifically, for a first user using combined source channel coding, when the first device performs resource allocation, the first device may consider different source layers as data corresponding to different user fields, that is, it may allocate corresponding RUs or MRUs to the data of each source layer. For a second user not using combined source channel coding, when the first device performs resource allocation, the first device may consider one source layer as data corresponding to one user field, and allocate corresponding RUs or MRUs to the data of one source layer.

[0096] If, optionally, the resource unit allocation subfield indicates the layer frequency domain resources in each source layer for the user corresponding to each user field, then the user fields corresponding to different source layers of the first user use the same station identifier field. That is, all station identifier fields contained in user fields corresponding to different source layers indicate the first user.

[0097] If the resource unit allocation subfield indicates the layer frequency domain resources in each source layer for the user corresponding to each user field, the number of source layers corresponding to the first user may be implicitly or explicitly indicated, and is not limited herein. In one possible embodiment, implicitly indicating the number of source layers corresponding to the first user can be understood as the number of source layers for the first user being equal to the number of user fields using the same station identifier field, where the station identifier field indicates the first user. In one possible embodiment, explicitly indicating the number of source layers corresponding to the first user can be understood as the second signal field of the first user further indicating at least one of the total number of source layers for the first user and the identifier of one source layer corresponding to the first user, i.e., one second signal field of the first user further indicating at least one of the total number of source layers for the first user and the identifier of one source layer corresponding to the first user. For example, the second signal field of the first user includes a layer number field, which indicates the total number of source layers for the first user. Another example is that the second signal field of the first user includes a layer identifier field, which indicates the identifier of one source layer corresponding to the first user. Alternatively, the user field corresponding to the first user further indicates the total number of source layers for the first user. For example, the user field corresponding to the first user includes a layer number field, which indicates the total number of source layers for the first user.

[0098] Furthermore, if the resource unit allocation subfield indicates the layer frequency domain resources in each source layer for the user corresponding to each user field, then the number of second signal fields for the first user, the number of source layers corresponding to the first user, and the number of user fields corresponding to the first user are all the same. That is, one source layer corresponds to one second signal field of the first user. In other words, the PPDU contains multiple second signal fields for the first user. One second signal field of the first user further indicates at least one of the total number of source layers for the first user and the identifier of one source layer corresponding to the first user. This is equivalent to all source layer identifiers for the first user being indicated by multiple second signal fields of the first user.

[0099] If the PPDU includes multiple second signal fields of the first user, the combined source channel coding parameters of the source layer corresponding to the first user include at least one of the combined source channel coding parameters of one source layer corresponding to the first user and the combined source channel coding parameters shared by all source layers of the first user. The combined source channel coding parameters of one source layer corresponding to the first user include at least one of the modulation coding scheme of one source layer corresponding to the first user and the probability of the source distribution of one source layer corresponding to the first user. The combined source channel coding parameters shared by all source layers of the first user may include at least one of the frame rate, color discrimination method, picture size, pixel depth, quantization step, DCT transform or discrete wavelet transform size, number of DCT blocks included in each code block, number of DCT coefficient quantization bit planes, and number of code blocks. In another possible embodiment, at least one of the following may reside in the frame header or frame body of a media access control (MAC) frame corresponding to a first user: frame rate, color discrimination method, picture size, pixel depth, quantization step, DCT transform or discrete wavelet transform size, number of DCT blocks included in each code block, number of DCT coefficient quantization bit planes, and number of code blocks. The MAC frame resides in each data field corresponding to the first user. Users using combined source channel coding will find that knowing the combined source channel coding parameters required by the user will allow them to better read the data in the source layer.

[0100] Method 3.2 may be implemented when a first user using combined source channel coding corresponds to one user field, and a second user not using combined source channel coding corresponds to one user field.

[0101] If, optionally, the resource unit allocation subfield indicates the total frequency domain resources across all source layers for the user corresponding to each user field, the layer frequency domain resources for the first user in each source layer may be indicated by the first user's second signal field or predefined in the protocol. Specifically, any one of the following methods may be used for implementation, but is not limited herein.

[0102] Method 4.1: The first user's second signal field further includes a layer resource unit allocation field, which indicates at least one of the total number of source layers for the first user and the first user's layer frequency domain resources in each source layer. A user using coupled source channel coding can be found to know at least one of the total number of source layers for the user and the user's layer frequency domain resources in each source layer, based on the layer resource unit allocation field.

[0103] Method 4.2: The first user's layer frequency domain resources in each source layer are predefined frequency domain resources. Since the first user's layer frequency domain resources in each source layer are predefined frequency domain resources, it can be seen that no additional instructions are needed in the PPDU. This reduces overhead. Also, the first user can perform decoding based on a fixed frequency domain resource size.

[0104] With respect to Method 4.1, in one possible embodiment, the value of the Layer Resource Unit Allocation field indicates at least one of the total number of source layers for the first user and the layer frequency domain resources for the first user in each source layer.

[0105] For example, in the second row of Table 1, RU242-RU242 indicates that the total number of source layers for the first user is 2, and the size of the first user's layer frequency domain resources in each of the two source layers is RU242. That is, if the value of the layer resource unit allocation field is 0, it indicates that the total number of source layers for the first user is 2, and the size of the first user's layer frequency domain resources in each of the two source layers is RU242. In the third row of Table 1, RU242-RU242-RU242 indicates that the total number of source layers for the first user is 3, and the size of the first user's layer frequency domain resources in each of the three source layers is RU242. That is, if the value of the layer resource unit allocation field is 1, it indicates that the total number of source layers for the first user is 3, and the size of the first user's layer frequency domain resources in each of the three source layers is RU242. In the fifth row of Table 1, RU484-RU242 indicates that the total number of source layers for the first user is 2, the size of the first user's layer frequency domain resource in one source layer is RU484, and the size of the first user's layer frequency domain resource in the other source layer is RU242. That is, if the value of the layer resource unit allocation field is 3, it indicates that the total number of source layers for the first user is 2, the size of the first user's layer frequency domain resource in one source layer is RU484, and the size of the first user's layer frequency domain resource in the other source layer is RU242. The same applies to other values ​​of the layer resource unit allocation field in Table 1. Details will not be repeated here. In this application, it should be understood that RUs or MRUs of different sizes are RUs or MRUs predefined in the standard, including their size and location. For example, RU2*996+484-tone MRU includes two 996-tone RUs and one 484-tone RU, predefined in the standard.

[0106] [Table 1]

[0107] In addition to the combinations in the table, other combinations are also possible, such as RU484+242-RU242 and RU996+484-RU484. Different source layers have different resource sizes. Larger resources may be allocated to the enhancement layer so that more bits are carried at low bit rates.

[0108] As another example, if the total frequency domain resource size for the first user is the same across all source layers, the values ​​in the Layer Resource Unit Allocation field will differ. For example, if the total frequency domain resource size for the first user across all source layers is RU2*996, refer to Table 2 for the values ​​in the Layer Resource Unit Allocation field. Referring to Table 2, you can see that the total frequency domain resource size for the first user is the same across all source layers, and the different values ​​in the Layer Resource Unit Allocation field can indicate different numbers of source layers for the first user. As shown in Table 2, when the value of the Layer Resource Unit Allocation field is 0, the total number of source layers for the first user is 4, and the size of the first user's layer frequency domain resources in each of the 4 source layers is RU484. When the value of the Layer Resource Unit Allocation field is 1, the total number of source layers for the first user is 2, and the size of the first user's layer frequency domain resources in each of the 2 source layers is RU996. When the value of the Layer Resource Unit Allocation field is 2, the total number of source layers for the first user is 3, the size of the first user's layer frequency domain resources in one source layer is RU996, and the size of the first user's layer frequency domain resources in each of the other source layers is RU484. As another example, if the total frequency domain resources for the first user across all source layers is RU3*996, please refer to Table 3 for the value of the Layer Resource Unit Allocation field. The explanation of Table 3 is the same as that of Table 2. Details will not be repeated here.

[0109] [Table 2]

[0110] [Table 3]

[0111] For method 4.1, in another possible embodiment, the layer resource unit allocation field includes a layer number field and an index field, where the layer number field is located before or after the index field, the layer number field indicates the total number of source layers for the first user, and the index field indicates the layer frequency domain resources for the first user in each source layer. The value of the index field will be different when the number of source layers is different, provided that the size of the total frequency domain resources for the first user in all source layers is the same.

[0112] For example, referring to Table 4, we can see that if the total number of source layers for the first user is 2, the value of the index field can be any one of 0 to 4. If the value of the index field is 0, the size of the first user's layer frequency domain resources in each of the two source layers is RU242. If the value of the index field is 1, the size of the first user's layer frequency domain resources in one source layer is RU484, and the size of the first user's layer frequency domain resources in the other source layer is RU242. The same applies to the other values ​​of the index field in Table 4. We will not repeat the details here.

[0113] [Table 4]

[0114] Method 4.2 can be understood as either the standard provides a unique allocation method for the total RU or MRU, and the first user's layer frequency domain resources in each source layer do not need to be further specified, or the number of layers is specified for the total RU or MRU, and a unique allocation method for the corresponding number of layers is predetermined in the standard, and the allocation on a layer resource basis does not need to be further specified, i.e., the total RU or MRU specifies the number of all source layers for the first user, and although the number of source layers differs, the layer frequency domain resources in each source layer under that number are predetermined in the standard. For example, if the size of the first user's total frequency domain resources across all source layers is RU996, and the number of all source layers for the first user is 2, then the allocation method in this case corresponds only to RU484-RU484. That is, if the number of all source layers for the first user is 2, the size of the first user's layer frequency domain resources in each of the two source layers is RU484.

[0115] For example, if the layer frequency domain resources of the first user in each source layer are predefined frequency domain resources, in one possible embodiment, the total number of source layers for the first user is indicated by the first user's second signal field, i.e., the first user's second signal field further includes a layer resource unit allocation field, which indicates the total number of source layers for the first user. In another possible embodiment, the user field corresponding to the first user indicates the total number of source layers for the first user, i.e., the user field corresponding to the first user further indicates the number of source layers corresponding to the first user. For example, the user field corresponding to the first user includes a layer number field, which indicates the number of source layers corresponding to the first user.

[0116] If the resource unit allocation subfield indicates the total frequency domain resources across all source layers for the user corresponding to each user field, the coupled source channel coding parameters for the source layer corresponding to the first user can be understood in one of the following ways:

[0117] Method 5.1: The combined source channel coding parameters for a source layer corresponding to a first user include at least one of the combined source channel coding parameters for each source layer corresponding to the first user and the combined source channel coding parameters shared by all source layers of the first user. The combined source channel coding parameters for one source layer corresponding to a first user may include at least one of the modulation coding scheme for one source layer corresponding to the first user and the probability of the source distribution for one source layer corresponding to the first user. That is, the PPDU includes one second signal field of the first user. Users using combined source channel coding can be found to be able to better read the data in the source layer by knowing the combined source channel coding parameters required by the user.

[0118] Method 5.2: The second signal field of the first user further includes a signal A field and a signal B field, where the signal A field lies on the total frequency domain resources of the first user across all source layers, and the signal B field lies on the layer frequency domain resources of one source layer corresponding to the first user, where the signal A field indicates the combined source channel coding parameters shared by all source layers of the first user, and the signal B field indicates the combined source channel coding parameters of one source layer corresponding to the first user. That is, the PPDU includes one second signal field of the first user and has multiple signal B fields, for example, the number of signal B fields is the same as the number of source layers corresponding to the first user. Since signal A field lies on the total frequency domain resources of the first user across all source layers, and the parameters indicated by signal A field are common parameters corresponding to different source layers, and signal B field lies on the layer frequency domain resources of the source layer corresponding to the first user, i.e., the parameters indicated by signal B field are parameters corresponding to one source layer, it can be seen that the first user can separately read and parse the parameters required by each source layer in order to reduce the complexity of reading the signal fields by the first user.

[0119] Method 5.3: The combined source channel coding parameter of the source layer corresponding to the first user is the combined source channel coding parameter of one source layer corresponding to the first user. The combined source channel coding parameter of one source layer corresponding to the first user includes at least one of the combined source channel coding parameter of one source layer corresponding to the first user and the combined source channel coding parameter shared by all source layers of the first user. That is, the PPDU includes multiple second signal fields of the first user, and one second signal field of the first user indicates at least one of the combined source channel coding parameter of one source layer corresponding to the first user and the combined source channel coding parameter shared by all source layers of the first user. Users using combined source channel coding can be better able to read data in the source layer by knowing the combined source channel coding parameter required by the user.

[0120] In one possible embodiment, method 5.1 may be combined with method 4.1 or method 4.2. In another possible embodiment, method 5.2 may be combined with method 4.1 or method 4.2. When method 5.2 is combined with method 4.1, it should be understood that the signal A field further indicates at least one of the total number of source layers for the first user and the layer frequency domain resources for the first user in each source layer. That is, the signal A field further includes a layer resource unit allocation field. In another possible embodiment, method 5.3 may be combined with method 4.1 or method 4.2.

[0121] Furthermore, in one possible embodiment, for method 5.1 or method 5.3, one second signal field of the first user further indicates all source layer identifiers of the first user, and for method 5.2, one signal B field further indicates one source layer identifier corresponding to the first user, which is equivalent to indicating all source layer identifiers of the first user by multiple signal B fields.

[0122] In one possible embodiment, the combined source channel coding parameter of one source layer corresponding to the first user may further include the length of the physical layer service data unit of one source layer for the first user, or the number of symbols carried in the data field corresponding to one source layer for the first user. It should be understood that the number of data fields for the first user is the same as the number of source layers corresponding to the first user. Since the first user can further know the length of the physical layer service data unit of the source layer or the number of symbols carried in the data field corresponding to the source layer for the first user based on the second signal field, it can be seen that the first user can better parse the data by knowing the mapping relationship between the data contained in one source layer and the data contained in all source layers.

[0123] Optionally, the first user carries different source layers on the allocated time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources. For example, a user using coupled source-channel coding may carry different source layers only in the time domain, or may carry different source layers in both the time domain and the frequency domain. Since the first user carries different source layers on the allocated time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources, it can be seen that time-frequency resources can be used more effectively for data transmission.

[0124] Optionally, the PPDU further includes a general-purpose signal field, the first signal field further includes a general-purpose signal overflow field, and the general-purpose signal field and / or general-purpose signal overflow field indicate that the PPDU is a PPDU for coupled source channel transmission. The PPDU being a PPDU for coupled source channel transmission may be indicated by the PPDU type and compression mode fields in the general-purpose signal field, or by bits B20-B24 or B25 of the first symbol in the general-purpose signal field, or by bit B2 or B8 of the second symbol in the general-purpose signal field. The PPDU being a PPDU for coupled source channel transmission may also be indicated by at least one bit in the general-purpose signal overflow field. It should be understood that bits B20-B24 of the first symbol in the general-purpose signal field are disregard bits, bit B25 of the first symbol in the general-purpose signal field is a validate bit, bit B2 of the second symbol in the general-purpose signal field is a validate bit, and bit B8 of the second symbol in the general-purpose signal field is a validate bit. The meaning of these bits changes after they indicate that the PPDU is a PPDU for coupled source channel transmission, and the specific names are not limited herein.

[0125] After step 501, steps 502 through 504 may be performed. Naturally, steps 505 and 506 may also be performed. Specifically, Figure 5 may include steps 501 through 504, or Figure 5 may include steps 501, 505, and 506, or Figure 5 may include steps 501 through 506. It will be understood that there is no required order in which steps 502 through 504 and steps 505 and 506 are performed. In other words, steps 502 through 504 may be performed before either step 505 or step 506, or after either step 505 or step 506, or simultaneously with either step 505 or step 506.

[0126] 502: The first device sends a PPDU.

[0127] In response, the second device receives the PPDU.

[0128] 503: The second device obtains the source layer coupled source channel coding parameters corresponding to the first user on the frequency domain resources allocated to the first user.

[0129] If the resource-unit allocation subfield indicates the layer frequency domain resources in each source layer for the user corresponding to each user field, step 503 can be understood as the second device obtaining the combined source channel coding parameters for the source layer on the layer frequency domain resources in each source layer for the first user. The second device may also obtain the combined source channel coding parameters shared by all source layers of the first user on the layer frequency domain resources in each source layer for the first user. If the resource-unit allocation subfield indicates the layer frequency domain resources in each source layer for the user corresponding to each user field, it can be seen that a user using combined source channel coding can better read the data in the source layer by knowing the combined source channel coding parameters required by the user.

[0130] If the resource unit allocation subfield indicates the total frequency domain resources across all source layers for the user corresponding to each user field, then step 503 may be understood as one of the following:

[0131] Method 6.1: Referring to Method 5.1, the second device obtains the combined source channel coding parameters for each source layer corresponding to the first user over the total frequency domain resources of all source layers of the first user. The second device may further obtain the combined source channel coding parameters shared by all source layers of the first user over the total frequency domain resources of all source layers of the first user.

[0132] Method 6.2: Referring to Method 5.2, the second device obtains the combined source channel coding parameters of the source layers on the layer frequency domain resources of each source layer of the first user. That is, the second device obtains the combined source channel coding parameters of the source layers by reading the corresponding signal B field on the layer frequency domain resources of each source layer of the first user. The second device may further obtain the combined source channel coding parameters shared by all source layers of the first user on the total frequency domain resources of all source layers of the first user. That is, the second device obtains the combined source channel coding parameters shared by all source layers of the first user by reading the signal A field on the total frequency domain resources of all source layers of the first user.

[0133] Method 6.3: Referring to Method 5.3, the second device obtains the combined source channel coding parameters of the source layers on the layer frequency domain resources of each source layer of the first user. The second device may further obtain the combined source channel coding parameters shared by all source layers of the first user on the layer frequency domain resources of each source layer of the first user.

[0134] For any of methods 6.1 through 6.3, if the resource unit allocation subfield indicates the total frequency domain resources across all source layers for a user corresponding to each user field, then a user using combined source channel coding can better read the data at the source layer by knowing the combined source channel coding parameters required by the user.

[0135] 504: The second device performs combined source channel decoding based on the combined source channel coding parameters of the source layer corresponding to the first user.

[0136] For one source layer corresponding to the first user, step 504 can be understood as the second device performing combined source channel decoding based on the combined source channel coding parameters of the one source layer corresponding to the first user and the combined source channel coding parameters shared by all source layers of the first user.

[0137] 505: The first device sends a PPDU.

[0138] In response, the third device receives the PPDU.

[0139] 506: Each user field corresponds to a user further including a second user who does not use combined source channel coding, and the third device acquires data on the frequency domain resources allocated to the second user.

[0140] The acquisition of data on frequency domain resources allocated to the second user by a third device can be understood as the third device acquiring data on frequency domain resources allocated to the second user by using the corresponding data fields.

[0141] In the aforementioned technical solution, it can be seen that the first device can allocate frequency domain resources to both users who use JSCC transmission and those corresponding to each user field, and users who do not use JSCC transmission and those corresponding to each user field. Furthermore, for users using JSCC transmission, the PPDU may further include a second signal field located on the frequency domain resource allocated to the user, where the second signal field indicates the coupled source channel coding parameters of the source layer corresponding to the user. In other words, for users using JSCC transmission, the JSCC signal information is indicated to be located in a separate signal field of the user's frequency domain resource. Therefore, when reading the first signal field, users using JSCC transmission do not need to read a large amount of information in the same field. This reduces the complexity of reading the first signal field by users using JSCC transmission. Moreover, since only users using JSCC can obtain the JSCC signal information relevant to the user, and users who do not use JSCC transmission do not need to read the JSCC signal information, users who do not use JSCC transmission need to read fewer signal fields. This further reduces the complexity of reading signal fields by users who do not use JSCC transmission. Furthermore, for users who do not use JSCC transmission, the PPDU does not include a second signal field, meaning it lacks lengthy JSCC signal information. This reduces overhead and improves throughput.

[0142] Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart of yet another communication method according to one embodiment of the present application. It should be understood that the embodiment in Figure 6 is for single-user transmission. As shown in Figure 6, the method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps.

[0143] 601: A first device generates a PPDU, the PPDU comprising a general-purpose signal field and a third signal field, the third signal field comprising a general-purpose signal overflow field, the general-purpose signal field and / or the general-purpose signal overflow field indicating that the PPDU is a PPDU for single-user coupled source channel transmission, the third signal field further comprising a resource unit allocation subfield, a layer block field, and a user field corresponding to a user, the resource unit allocation subfield indicating the layer frequency domain resources at each source layer for the user corresponding to the user field, and the layer block field indicating the coupled source channel coding parameters at each source layer for the user corresponding to the user field.

[0144] That a PPDU is a PPDU for single-user coupled source channel transmission may be indicated by the PPDU type and compression mode fields in the general-purpose signal field, or that a PPDU is a PPDU for single-user coupled source channel transmission may be indicated by bits B20-B24 or B25 of the first symbol in the general-purpose signal field, or that a PPDU is a PPDU for single-user coupled source channel transmission may be indicated by bit B2 or B8 of the second symbol in the general-purpose signal field. That a PPDU is a PPDU for single-user coupled source channel transmission may also be indicated by at least one bit in the general-purpose signal overflow field. Please note that bits B20-B24 of the first symbol in the general-purpose signal field are disregard bits, bit B25 of the first symbol in the general-purpose signal field is a validate bit, bit B2 of the second symbol in the general-purpose signal field is a validate bit, and bit B8 of the second symbol in the general-purpose signal field is a validate bit. The meaning of these bits changes after they indicate that PPDU is a PPDU for single-user coupled source channel transmission, and specific names are not limited herein.

[0145] The fact that the resource unit allocation subfield indicates the layer frequency domain resources in each source layer for the user corresponding to the user field can be understood as meaning that when resource allocation is performed, the first device can allocate RUs or MRUs corresponding to the data in each source layer.

[0146] Optionally, the layer block field may include layer fields corresponding to each source layer of the user corresponding to a user field, one of which indicates the combined source channel coding parameters for one source layer of the user corresponding to the user field. The combined source channel coding parameters for one source layer of the user corresponding to a user field may include at least one of the modulation coding scheme for one source layer of the user corresponding to the user field and the probability of the source distribution for one source layer of the user corresponding to the user field. In one possible embodiment, the combined source channel coding parameters for one source layer of the user corresponding to a user field may further include the length of the physical layer service data unit for one source layer of the user corresponding to the user field, or the number of symbols carried in the data field corresponding to one source layer of the user corresponding to the user field. It should be understood that the number of data fields of the user corresponding to a user field is the same as the number of source layers of the user corresponding to the user field.

[0147] Optionally, a third signal field further includes a combined source channel signal field, which indicates a combined source channel coding parameter shared by all source layers of the user corresponding to a user field. The combined source channel coding parameter shared by all source layers of the user corresponding to a user field may include at least one of the following: frame rate, color recognition method, picture size, pixel depth, quantization step, DCT transform or discrete wavelet transform size, number of DCT blocks included in each code block, number of DCT coefficient quantization bit planes, and number of code blocks. In another possible embodiment, at least one of the following may reside in the frame header or frame body of the MAC frame. The MAC frame resides in each data field of the user corresponding to a user field. A single user using combined source channel transmission can know the combined source channel coding parameters shared by all source layers based on the combined source channel signal field. Therefore, the user does not need to obtain these parameters each time they parse data at the source layer. Furthermore, overhead is reduced because the combined source channel coding parameters shared by all source layers are contained within a single signal field.

[0148] 602: The first device sends a PPDU.

[0149] In response, the second device receives the PPDU.

[0150] The second device may receive a PPDU from the first device. In response, the first device may send a PPDU to the second device.

[0151] 603: The second device performs combined source channel decoding based on the combined source channel coding parameters of each source layer of the user corresponding to the user field.

[0152] For one source layer of the user corresponding to a user field, step 603 can be understood as the second device performing combined source channel decoding based on the combined source channel coding parameters of one source layer of the user corresponding to the user field and the combined source channel coding parameters shared by all source layers of the user corresponding to the user field.

[0153] A single user using coupled source channel transmission can read data on the layer frequency domain resources at each source layer after knowing the functionality of the PPDU based on the generic signal field and / or generic signal overflow field, and further knowing the coupled source channel coding parameters of each source layer based on the layer block field. Thus, a single user using coupled source channel transmission can obtain data at different source layers. The user can also read and parse the parameters required by each source layer separately. This reduces the complexity of signal field reading by the user. Furthermore, overhead is reduced because the PPDU contains only one user field.

[0154] The following describes several possible frame structures of the PPDU according to embodiments of this application with reference to the attached drawings. Note that in this application, XT is a standard code for future generations of standards and is not limited to a specific name.

[0155] In a multi-user transmission scenario, if the resource unit allocation subfield indicates the layer frequency domain resources at each source layer for the user corresponding to each user field, please refer to Figure 7 or Figure 8 for the PPDU frame structure. In Figure 7 or Figure 8, please understand that one JSCC user corresponds to multiple user fields, and one non-JSCC user corresponds to one user field.

[0156] In one possible embodiment, Figure 7 shows the frame structure of a PPDU corresponding to a case where the resource unit allocation subfield indicates a layer frequency domain resource, according to one embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 7, the PPDU includes at least one of the JSCC user's XT-SIG field and JSCC-SIG field at each source layer. The PPDU includes a legacy-short training field (L-STF), a legacy-long training field (L-LTF), a legacy signal field (L-SIG), a repeated legacy signal field (RL-SIG), a universal signal field (U-SIG), the JSCC user's XT-STF field at each source layer, the JSCC user's XT-LTF field at each source layer, the JSCC user's data field at each source layer, and the JSCC user's packet extension at each source layer. The extension (PE) field may further include at least one of the following: the XT-STF field for a non-JSCC user in one source layer, the XT-LTF field for a non-JSCC user in one source layer, the data field for a non-JSCC user in one source layer, and the packet extension field for a non-JSCC user in one source layer. The JSCC user in Figure 7 may be understood as the first user in Figure 5, and the non-JSCC user in Figure 7 may be understood as the second user in Figure 5. The XT-SIG field in Figure 7 is the first signaling field in Figure 5, and the JSCC-SIG field in Figure 7 is the second signaling field in Figure 5. Note that Figure 7 is merely an example, and it may further include the relevant fields of other JSCC users in different source layers, or the relevant fields of other non-JSCC users in one source layer, etc.

[0157] In Figure 7, the XT-SIG field may further include at least one of the following: RU allocation subfield-1, RU allocation subfield-2 (if present), and at least one user block (only two user blocks are shown in Figure 7). The XT-SIG field may further include at least one of the following: U-SIG overflow field, cyclic redundancy check (CRC) and tail field, and cyclic redundancy check and tail field (if present) padding (if present). A user block may include at least one user field as well as a cyclic redundancy check and tail field, and different user blocks may use different cyclic redundancy check codes. As shown in Figure 7, a user block located after the cyclic redundancy check and the trailing field (if present) may include user field 1, user field 2, and the cyclic redundancy check and trailing field, while a user block prior to the padding field (if present) may include user field 3, user field 4, and the cyclic redundancy check and trailing field.

[0158] The user field may include at least one of the station identifier (STA-ID) field and the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) field. In one possible embodiment, the user field may further include a combined source channel coding instruction field, the specific location and length of which it is the combined source channel coding instruction field is not limited. For example, in the above-described scheme 2.2 or scheme 2.4, one user field corresponding to one JSCC user may further include a combined source channel coding instruction field. Naturally, one user field corresponding to one non-JSCC user may also include a combined source channel coding instruction field. In one possible scheme, the user field may further include at least one of the reserved field, the number of spatial streams (NSS) field, the beamformed field, and the coding field. As shown in Figure 7, each of user fields 1 through 4 may include at least one of the station identifier field and the modulation coding scheme field, and user fields 1 through 4 may further include at least one of the reserved field, spatial stream number field, beamforming field, and coding field. Please note that Figure 7 only shows the fields included in user field 1.

[0159] The JSCC-SIG field for a JSCC user in a single source layer may further include a layer number field and a layer identifier (layer ID) field. For example, if the total number of source layers corresponding to a JSCC user is explicitly specified, the JSCC-SIG field for a JSCC user in a single source layer may further include a layer number field.

[0160] Furthermore, the JSCC-SIG field of a JSCC user in a single source layer may further indicate the combined source channel coding parameters of the JSCC user in that single source layer, and the combined source channel coding parameters shared by all source layers of the JSCC user. For example, as shown in Figure 7, the JSCC-SIG field of a JSCC user in a single source layer may further include at least one of the following: the Modulation Coding Scheme (MCS) field for the layer, the Prob of Source field, the Frame Rate field, etc. It should be understood that Figure 7 shows only some of the fields included in the JSCC-SIG field of a JSCC user in a single source layer.

[0161] In another possible embodiment, Figure 8 is yet another frame structure of a PPDU corresponding to a case in one embodiment of the present application where the resource unit allocation subfield indicates a layer frequency domain resource. The frame structure of the PPDU shown in Figure 7 is similar to that shown in Figure 8, the difference being that in the frame structure of the PPDU shown in Figure 7, one user field corresponding to a JSCC user does not include a layer number field, but one JSCC-SIG field corresponding to a JSCC user includes a layer number field and a layer identifier field, while in the frame structure of the PPDU shown in Figure 8, one user field corresponding to a JSCC user includes a layer number field, but one JSCC-SIG field corresponding to a JSCC user does not include a layer number field or a layer identifier field.

[0162] In a multi-user transmission scenario, if the resource unit allocation subfield indicates the total frequency domain resources across all source layers for the user corresponding to each user field, please refer to one of Figures 9 through 13 for the PPDU frame structure. In Figures 9 through 13, please understand that one JSCC user corresponds to one user field, and one non-JSCC user corresponds to one user field.

[0163] In one possible embodiment, Figure 9 shows the PPDU frame structure corresponding to a case where the resource unit allocation subfield indicates the total frequency domain resources, according to one embodiment of the present application. The PPDU frame structure shown in Figure 7 is similar to that shown in Figure 9, with the differences being as follows:

[0164] 1. In the PPDU frame structure shown in Figure 7, one JSCC user corresponds to multiple user fields, and one non-JSCC user corresponds to one user field. In the PPDU frame structure shown in Figure 9, one JSCC user corresponds to one user field, and one non-JSCC user corresponds to one user field.

[0165] 2. In the PPDU frame structure shown in Figure 7, one JSCC user corresponds to one JSCC-SIG field in one source layer, and one JSCC-SIG field may include a layer number field and a layer identifier field, and one JSCC-SIG field may further indicate the JSCC user's combined source channel coding parameters in one source layer and the combined source channel coding parameters shared by all source layers of the JSCC user. In the PPDU frame structure shown in Figure 9, one JSCC user corresponds to one JSCC-SIG field in all source layers, and one JSCC-SIG field includes a layer resource assignment (layer RU assignment) field, and one JSCC-SIG field may further indicate the JSCC user's combined source channel coding parameters in each source layer and the combined source channel coding parameters shared by all source layers of the JSCC user. As shown in Figure 9, the common info for all layers indicates the combined source channel coding parameters shared by all source layers of the JSCC user, info for layer 1 indicates the combined source channel coding parameters of the JSCC user in source layer 1, and info for layer 2 indicates the combined source channel coding parameters of the JSCC user in source layer 2. Figure 9 shows only the info fields for two layers, and it should be understood that it may include info fields for other layers as well. This is not limited to this specification.

[0166] Note that if the JSCC user's layer frequency domain resources in each source layer are predefined frequency domain resources, the layer resource unit allocation field in Figure 9 may be omitted.

[0167] In another possible embodiment, Figure 10 is yet another frame structure of a PPDU corresponding to one embodiment of the present application, where the resource unit allocation subfield indicates the total frequency domain resources. The frame structure of the PPDU shown in Figure 9 is similar to that shown in Figure 10, the difference being that in the frame structure of the PPDU shown in Figure 8, the user field corresponding to the JSCC user does not include the layer number field, but the JSCC-SIG field corresponding to the JSCC user includes the layer resource unit allocation field, while in the frame structure of the PPDU shown in Figure 10, the user field corresponding to the JSCC user includes the layer number field, and the JSCC-SIG field corresponding to the JSCC user does not include the layer resource unit allocation field.

[0168] Note that if the JSCC user's layer frequency domain resources in each source layer are predefined frequency domain resources, the layer number field in Figure 10 may be omitted.

[0169] In another possible embodiment, Figure 11 shows yet another frame structure of a PPDU corresponding to one embodiment of the present application, where the resource unit allocation subfield indicates the total frequency domain resources. The frame structure of the PPDU shown in Figure 11 is similar to that shown in Figure 9, the difference being that in the frame structure of the PPDU shown in Figure 9, one JSCC user corresponds to one JSCC-SIG field in all source layers, and one JSCC-SIG field may also include a layer resource unit allocation field, and one JSCC-SIG field may further indicate the combined source channel coding parameters of the JSCC user in each source layer, and the combined source channel coding parameters shared by all source layers of the JSCC user, and the frame structure of the PPDU shown in Figure 11 In the framework structure, one JSCC user corresponds to one JSCC-SIG-A field in all source layers, one JSCC user corresponds to one JSCC-SIG-B field in one source layer, the JSCC-SIG-A field may include a layer resource unit allocation field, the JSCC-SIG-A field indicates the combined source channel coding parameters shared by all source layers of the JSCC user, and the one JSCC-SIG-B field indicates the combined source channel coding parameters of the JSCC user in one source layer.

[0170] Note that if the layer frequency domain resources of the JSCC user in each source layer are predefined frequency domain resources, the layer resource unit allocation field in Figure 11 may be omitted.

[0171] In another possible embodiment, Figure 12 is yet another frame structure of a PPDU corresponding to one embodiment of the present application, where the resource unit allocation subfield indicates total frequency domain resources. The frame structure of the PPDU shown in Figure 12 is similar to that shown in Figure 11, the difference being that in the frame structure of the PPDU shown in Figure 11, the user field corresponding to the JSCC user does not include the layer number field, but the JSCC-SIG-A field corresponding to the JSCC user includes the layer resource unit allocation field, while in the frame structure of the PPDU shown in Figure 12, the user field corresponding to the JSCC user includes the layer number field, and the JSCC-SIG-A field corresponding to the JSCC user does not include the layer resource unit allocation field.

[0172] Note that if the JSCC user's layer frequency domain resources in each source layer are predefined frequency domain resources, the layer number field in Figure 12 may be omitted.

[0173] In another possible embodiment, Figure 13 shows yet another frame structure of a PPDU corresponding to one embodiment of the present application, where the resource unit allocation subfield indicates total frequency domain resources. The frame structure of the PPDU shown in Figure 13 is similar to that shown in Figure 9, the difference being that in the frame structure of the PPDU shown in Figure 9, one JSCC user corresponds to one JSCC-SIG field in all source layers, one JSCC-SIG field includes a layer resource assignment (layer RU assignment) field, one JSCC-SIG field may further indicate the combined source channel coding parameters of the JSCC user in each source layer, and combined source channel coding parameters shared by all source layers of the JSCC user, whereas in the frame structure of the PPDU shown in Figure 13, one JSCC user corresponds to one JSCC-SIG field in each source layer, one JSCC-SIG field includes a layer resource assignment (layer RU assignment) field. The assignment field is not included, and one JSCC-SIG field may further indicate the combined source channel coding parameters of a JSCC user in one source layer, for example, one JSCC-SIG field may include layer information field 1, layer information field 1 indicates the combined source channel coding parameters of a JSCC user in source layer 1, and one JSCC-SIG field may further indicate the combined source channel coding parameters shared by all source layers of the JSCC user.

[0174] In multi-user transmission scenarios where users carry different source layers on allocated time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources, please refer to Figures 14A and 14B for the PPDU frame structure. Figures 14A and 14B show the PPDU frame structure according to one embodiment of the present application, corresponding to the case where different source layers are carried on time-frequency resources. The PPDU frame structures shown in Figures 14A and 14B are similar to those shown in Figure 13, the difference being that in the PPDU frame structure shown in Figure 13, one JSCC user carries only one source layer on the time-frequency resource, whereas in the PPDU frame structures shown in Figures 14A and 14B, one JSCC user carries different source layers on the time-frequency resource.

[0175] Furthermore, Figures 7 through 13 show that a single JSCC user may carry different source layers on a time-frequency resource, and no example of a PPDU frame structure is provided.

[0176] For the PPDU frame structure in a single-user transmission scenario, please refer to Figure 15. Figure 15 shows the PPDU frame structure in a single-user transmission scenario according to one embodiment of this application. The single user is a JSCC user. The PPDU frame structure shown in Figure 15 is similar to that shown in Figure 7, with the differences being as follows.

[0177] 1. The PPDU frame structure shown in Figure 7 includes an XT-SIG field, a JSCC-SIG field for JSCC users at each source layer, an XT-STF field for non-JSCC users at one source layer, an XT-LTF field for non-JSCC users at one source layer, a data field for non-JSCC users at one source layer, and a packet extension field for non-JSCC users at one source layer. The PPDU frame structure shown in Figure 15 does not include an XT-SIG field, an XT-STF field for non-JSCC users at one source layer, an XT-LTF field for non-JSCC users at one source layer, a data field for non-JSCC users at one source layer, or a packet extension field for non-JSCC users at one source layer.

[0178] 2. The PPDU frame structure shown in Figure 7 includes at least one user block, and one user block may include at least one user field, and the PPDU frame structure shown in Figure 15 includes one user block, and one user block includes one user field.

[0179] 3. The PPDU frame structure shown in Figure 7 does not include a JSCC common field or a layer block field, while the PPDU frame structure shown in Figure 15 includes a JSCC common field and a layer block field, where the JSCC common field is the combined source channel signal field in Figure 6, and the layer block field may include at least one layer field and cyclic redundancy check and a tail field, where the layer field indicates the user's combined source channel coding parameter corresponding to one user field in one source layer. As shown in Figure 15, the layer block field may include layer block field 1 and layer block field 2, where layer block field 1 indicates the user's combined source channel coding parameter corresponding to one user field in source layer 1, and layer block field 2 indicates the user's combined source channel coding parameter corresponding to one user field in source layer 2.

[0180] 4. In the PPDU frame structure shown in Figure 7, the general-purpose signal field and / or general-purpose signal overflow field indicate that the PPDU is for coupled source channel transmission, while in the PPDU frame structure shown in Figure 15, the general-purpose signal field and / or general-purpose signal overflow field indicate that the PPDU is for single-user coupled source channel transmission.

[0181] Note that the XT-SIG field in Figure 15 is the third signal field in Figure 6.

[0182] The above describes the solution provided in this application from the perspective of inter-device interaction. It will be understood that in order to perform the aforementioned functions, the aforementioned devices may include corresponding hardware structures and / or software modules for performing the functions. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that this application can be implemented by hardware or by a combination of hardware and computer software, in combination with the example units and algorithmic steps described in the embodiments disclosed herein. Whether the functions are performed by hardware or by hardware driven by computer software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art may use different methods to perform the described functions for each specific application, but those embodiments should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0183] In embodiments of this application, the AP or STA may be divided into functional modules based on the method examples described above. For example, the AP or STA may be divided into functional modules corresponding to functions, or two or more functions may be integrated into a single processing module. The integrated module may be implemented in hardware form or in the form of a software functional module. Note that in embodiments of this application, the division into modules is an example and merely a logical functional division. In actual embodiments, other division methods may be used.

[0184] When an integrated module is used, Figure 16 shows the structure of a communication device according to one embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1600 may be used in the manner shown in Figures 5 and 6. As shown in Figure 16, the communication device 1600 includes a processing module 1601 and a transceiver module 1602. The processing module 1601 may be one or more processors, and the transceiver module 1602 may be a transceiver or a communication interface. The communication device may be configured to implement an AP or STA of any one of the method embodiments described above, or to implement the functionality of a network element of any one of the method embodiments described above. The network element or network function may be a network element of a hardware device, a software function running on dedicated hardware, or a virtualization function instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). Optionally, the communication device 1600 may further include a storage module 1603 configured to store the program code and data of the communication device 1600.

[0185] In one example, when a communication device is used as an STA, or a chip to which an STA is applied, and performs the steps performed by the STA in the method embodiment described above, the transceiver module 1602 is configured to support communication with an AP, etc., and the transceiver module specifically performs the transmission and / or reception performed by the STA in Figures 5 and 6, for example, the transceiver module 1602 assists the STA in performing step 502 and / or another process of the technology described herein, and the processing module 1601 may be configured to assist the communication device 1600 in performing processing operations in the method embodiment described above, for example, the processing module 1601 assists the STA in performing step 503 and / or another process of the technology described herein.

[0186] For example, the transceiver module 1602 is configured to receive a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) such that the PPDU includes a first signal field, the first signal field includes a resource unit allocation subfield and at least one user field corresponding to each user, the resource unit allocation subfield indicates the frequency domain resource allocated to the user corresponding to each user field, the user corresponding to each user field includes a first user using coupled source channel coding, the PPDU further includes a second signal field for the first user, the second signal field for the first user indicates the coupled source channel coding parameters of the source layer corresponding to the first user, and the second signal field for the first user is located on the frequency domain resource allocated to the first user. The processing module 1601 is configured to obtain the coupled source channel coding parameters of the source layer corresponding to the first user on the frequency domain resource allocated to the first user, and the processing module 1601 is further configured to perform coupled source channel decoding based on the coupled source channel coding parameters of the source layer corresponding to the first user.

[0187] As another example, transceiver module 1602 is configured to receive a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) in which the PPDU includes a general-purpose signal field and a third signal field, the third signal field including a general-purpose signal overflow field, the general-purpose signal field and / or the general-purpose signal overflow field indicating that the PPDU is a PPDU for single-user coupled source channel transmission, the third signal field further including a resource unit allocation subfield, a layer block field, and a user field corresponding to a user, the resource unit allocation subfield indicating the layer frequency domain resources at each source layer for the user corresponding to the user field, and the layer block field indicating the coupled source channel coding parameters for each source layer of the user corresponding to the user field, and processing module 1601 is configured to perform coupled source channel decoding based on the coupled source channel coding parameters for each source layer of the user corresponding to the user field.

[0188] In one example, if the communication device is used as an AP or a chip applied to the AP and performs the steps performed by the AP in the method embodiment described above, the transceiver module 1602 is configured to support communication with an STA, etc., and the transceiver module specifically performs the transmission and / or reception performed by the AP in Figures 5 and 6, for example, the transceiver module 1602 assists the AP in performing step 501 and / or another process of the technology described herein, and the processing module 1601 may be configured to assist the communication device 1600 in performing processing operations in the method embodiment described above, for example, the processing module 1601 assists the AP in performing another process of the technology described herein.

[0189] For example, the processing module 1601 is configured to generate a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) such that the PPDU includes a first signal field, the first signal field includes a resource unit allocation subfield and at least one user field corresponding to each user, the resource unit allocation subfield indicates the frequency domain resources allocated to the user corresponding to each user field, the user corresponding to each user field includes a first user using coupled source channel coding, the PPDU further includes a second signal field for the first user, the second signal field for the first user indicates the source layer coupled source channel coding parameters corresponding to the first user, and the second signal field for the first user lies on the frequency domain resources allocated to the first user, and the transceiver module 1602 is configured to transmit the PPDU.

[0190] As another example, the processing module 1601 is configured to generate a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU), the PPDU comprising a general-purpose signal field and a third signal field, the third signal field comprising a general-purpose signal overflow field, the general-purpose signal field and / or the general-purpose signal overflow field indicating that the PPDU is a PPDU for single-user coupled source channel transmission, the third signal field further comprising a resource unit allocation subfield, a layer block field, and a user field corresponding to a user, the resource unit allocation subfield indicating the layer frequency domain resources at each source layer for the user corresponding to the user field, and the layer block field indicating the coupled source channel coding parameters at each source layer for the user corresponding to the user field, and the transceiver module 1602 is configured to transmit the PPDU.

[0191] In one possible embodiment, if the STA or AP is a chip, the transceiver module 1602 may be an input / output interface, pins, circuitry, etc. For example, the input / output interface may be configured to input data to be processed into a logic circuit, and to output the processing results of the logic circuit to an external source. In specific implementations, the input / output interface may be a general-purpose input / output (GPIO) interface and may be connected to multiple peripheral devices (e.g., a display (LCD), a camera, a radio frequency (RF) module, an antenna). The input / output interface is connected to the processor via a bus.

[0192] The processing module 1601 may be a logic circuit, which may execute stored instructions to enable the chip to perform one of the embodiments shown in Figures 5 and 6. It will be understood that the instructions may be stored in the storage module.

[0193] The memory module may be an internal memory module on the chip, such as a register or cache. Alternatively, the memory module may be an external memory module, such as read-only memory (ROM), another type of static memory device capable of storing static information and instructions, or random access memory (RAM).

[0194] It should be noted that the functions corresponding to each logic circuit and input / output interface may be implemented using hardware design, software design, or a combination of software and hardware. This is not limited to the foregoing.

[0195] One embodiment of this application further provides a communication device including a processor and a transceiver. The processor is configured to assist the communication device in performing any one of the embodiments shown in Figures 5 and 6. The transceiver is configured to assist communication between the communication device and another communication device other than the communication device. The communication device may further include memory, which is configured to be coupled to the processor, and the memory stores program instructions and data required by the communication device. The transceiver may be integrated into the communication device or independent of the communication device; this is not limited herein. For example, in a distributed scenario, the transceiver may be located independently of the communication device.

[0196] One embodiment of this application further provides a chip comprising at least one logic circuit and an input / output interface. The logic circuit is configured to read and execute stored instructions, and when an instruction is executed, the chip is enabled to perform one of the embodiments shown in Figures 5 and 6.

[0197] One embodiment of this application further provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, the computer program includes program instructions, and when the program instructions are executed by a computer, the computer is enabled to perform one of the embodiments shown in Figures 5 and 6.

[0198] One embodiment of this application further provides a computer program product including instructions. When the computer program product runs on a computer, the computer is enabled to perform one of the embodiments shown in Figures 5 and 6.

[0199] The aforementioned units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and the parts shown as units may or may not be physical units, 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 actual requirements in order to achieve the objectives of the solutions of the embodiments of this application. Furthermore, the network elements of 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. The integrated unit may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software network elements.

[0200] If the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software network element and sold or used as a standalone product, the integrated unit may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, an essentially contributing portion of the technical solution of this application, or all or part of the technical solution, may be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored on a storage medium and includes several instructions for instructing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, terminal device, cloud server, network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the method described in the aforementioned embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes any medium capable of storing program code, such as a USB flash drive, removable hard disk, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk, optical disk, etc. The foregoing description is merely a specific embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Any modifications or substitutions readily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the scope of the art disclosed in this application shall 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]

[0201] 400 Communication devices 401 Processor 402 Communication Line 403 memory 404 Communication Interface 405 Output Device 406 Input Devices 407 Processor 1600 Communication equipment 1601 Processing Module 1602 Transceiver Module 1603 Memory Module

Claims

1. A communication method, wherein the method is A step of generating a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU), wherein the PPDU includes a first signal field, the first signal field includes a resource unit allocation subfield and at least one user field corresponding to each user, the resource unit allocation subfield indicates the frequency domain resources allocated to the user corresponding to each user field, and the user corresponding to each user field includes a first user using coupled source channel coding. The PPDU further includes a second signal field of the first user, the second signal field of the first user indicating the coupled source channel coding parameters of the source layer corresponding to the first user, and the second signal field of the first user is on a frequency domain resource allocated to the first user, The step of transmitting the PPDU and A communication method that includes this.

2. A communication method, wherein the method is A step of receiving a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU), wherein the PPDU includes a first signal field, the first signal field includes a resource unit allocation subfield and at least one user field corresponding to each user, the resource unit allocation subfield indicates the frequency domain resources allocated to the user corresponding to each user field, and the user corresponding to each user field includes a first user using coupled source channel coding. The PPDU further includes a second signal field of the first user, the second signal field of the first user indicating the coupled source channel coding parameters of the source layer corresponding to the first user, and the second signal field of the first user lies on a frequency domain resource allocated to the first user, step, The steps include obtaining the coupled source channel coding parameters of the source layer corresponding to the first user on the frequency domain resources allocated to the first user, The steps include: performing combined source channel decoding based on the combined source channel coding parameters of the source layer corresponding to the first user; A communication method that includes this.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first signal field further includes instructional information that instructs the first user to use coupled source channel coded transmission.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the instruction information instructing the first user to use coupled source channel coded transmission is located in a user field corresponding to the first user.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the user field corresponding to the first user further includes a modulation coding scheme field, the modulation coding scheme field instructs the first user to use coupled source channel coding transmission.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the resource unit allocation subfield indicates the layer frequency domain resources in each source layer for the user corresponding to each user field.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the user fields corresponding to different source layers of the first user use the same station identifier field.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the number of source layers for the first user is equal to the number of user fields using the same station identifier field, and the station identifier field identifies the first user.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the second signal field of the first user further indicates at least one of the total number of source layers for the first user and an identifier for one source layer corresponding to the first user.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the combined source channel coding parameter of the source layer corresponding to the first user includes at least one of the combined source channel coding parameter of one source layer corresponding to the first user and the combined source channel coding parameter shared by all of the source layers of the first user.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the resource unit allocation subfield indicates the total frequency domain resources in all source layers for the user corresponding to each user field.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the second signal field of the first user further includes a layer resource unit allocation field, the layer resource unit allocation field indicating at least one of the number of all source layers of the first user and the layer frequency domain resources of the first user in each source layer.

13. The method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the first user layer frequency domain resource in each source layer is a predefined frequency domain resource.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the combined source channel coding parameter of the source layer corresponding to the first user includes at least one of the combined source channel coding parameter of each source layer corresponding to the first user and the combined source channel coding parameter shared by all of the source layers of the first user.

15. The second signal field of the first user further includes a signal A field and a signal B field, wherein the signal A field is located on the total frequency domain resources of the first user in all source layers, and the signal B field is located on the layer frequency domain resources of one source layer corresponding to the first user. The signal A field indicates the combined source channel coding parameter shared by all of the first user's source layers, and the signal B field indicates the combined source channel coding parameter for one of the source layers corresponding to the first user. The method according to claim 12 or 13.

16. The method according to claim 10, 14, or 15, wherein the combined source channel coding parameter of one source layer corresponding to the first user further includes the length of the physical layer service data unit of one source layer for the first user, or the number of symbols carried in the data field corresponding to one source layer for the first user.

17. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the first user carries different source layers on allocated time-domain resources and / or frequency-domain resources.

18. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the PPDU further comprises a general-purpose signal field, the first signal field further comprises a general-purpose signal overflow field, and the general-purpose signal field and / or the general-purpose signal overflow field indicates that the PPDU is a PPDU for coupled source channel transmission.

19. A communication method, wherein the method is A step of generating a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU), wherein the PPDU includes a general-purpose signal field and a third signal field, the third signal field includes a general-purpose signal overflow field, the general-purpose signal field and / or the general-purpose signal overflow field indicates that the PPDU is a PPDU for a single-user coupled source channel transmission, the third signal field further includes a resource unit allocation subfield, a layer block field, and one user field corresponding to a user, the resource unit allocation subfield indicates the layer frequency domain resources in each source layer for the user corresponding to the user field, and the layer block field indicates the coupled source channel coding parameters for each source layer for the user corresponding to the user field. The step of transmitting the PPDU and A communication method that includes this.

20. A communication method, wherein the method is A step of receiving a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU), wherein the PPDU includes a general-purpose signal field and a third signal field, the third signal field includes a general-purpose signal overflow field, the general-purpose signal field and / or the general-purpose signal overflow field indicates that the PPDU is a PPDU for a single-user coupled source channel transmission, the third signal field further includes a resource unit allocation subfield, a layer block field, and one user field corresponding to a user, the resource unit allocation subfield indicates the layer frequency domain resources in each source layer for the user corresponding to the user field, and the layer block field indicates the coupled source channel coding parameters for each source layer for the user corresponding to the user field. The steps include: performing combined source channel decoding based on the combined source channel coding parameters of each source layer of the user corresponding to the user field; and A communication method that includes this.

21. The method according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the third signal field further comprises a combined source channel signal field, the combined source channel signal field indicating a combined source channel coding parameter shared by all of the user's source layers corresponding to the user field.

22. A communication device comprising a processing module and a transceiver module, The processing module generates a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU), the PPDU comprising a first signal field, the first signal field comprising a resource unit allocation subfield and at least one user field corresponding to each user, the resource unit allocation subfield indicating the frequency domain resources allocated to the user corresponding to each user field, and the user corresponding to each user field comprising a first user using coupled source channel coding. The PPDU further includes a second signal field of the first user, wherein the second signal field of the first user specifies the coupled source channel coding parameters of the source layer corresponding to the first user, and the second signal field of the first user is configured to be located on a frequency domain resource allocated to the first user. The transceiver module is configured to transmit the PPDU. Communication device.

23. A communication device comprising a processing module and a transceiver module, The transceiver module receives a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU), the PPDU includes a first signal field, the first signal field includes a resource unit allocation subfield and at least one user field corresponding to each user, the resource unit allocation subfield indicates the frequency domain resources allocated to the user corresponding to each user field, and the user corresponding to each user field includes a first user using coupled source channel coding. The PPDU further includes a second signal field of the first user, wherein the second signal field of the first user specifies the coupled source channel coding parameters of the source layer corresponding to the first user, and the second signal field of the first user is configured to be located on a frequency domain resource allocated to the first user. The processing module is configured to acquire the coupled source channel coding parameters of the source layer corresponding to the first user on the frequency domain resources allocated to the first user, The processing module is further configured to perform combined source channel decoding based on the combined source channel coding parameters of the source layer corresponding to the first user. Communication device.

24. A communication device comprising a processing module and a transceiver module, The processing module is configured to generate a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU), the PPDU comprising a general-purpose signal field and a third signal field, the third signal field comprising a general-purpose signal overflow field, the general-purpose signal field and / or the general-purpose signal overflow field indicating that the PPDU is a PPDU for single-user coupled source channel transmission, the third signal field further comprising a resource unit allocation subfield, a layer block field, and one user field corresponding to a user, the resource unit allocation subfield indicating the layer frequency domain resources in each source layer for the user corresponding to the user field, and the layer block field indicating the coupled source channel coding parameters for each source layer for the user corresponding to the user field. The transceiver module is configured to transmit the PPDU. Communication device.

25. A communication device comprising a processing module and a transceiver module, The transceiver module is configured to receive a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU), the PPDU comprising a general-purpose signal field and a third signal field, the third signal field comprising a general-purpose signal overflow field, the general-purpose signal field and / or the general-purpose signal overflow field indicating that the PPDU is a PPDU for single-user coupled source channel transmission, the third signal field further comprising a resource unit allocation subfield, a layer block field, and one user field corresponding to a user, the resource unit allocation subfield indicating the layer frequency domain resources in each source layer for the user corresponding to the user field, and the layer block field indicating the coupled source channel coding parameters for each source layer for the user corresponding to the user field. The processing module is configured to perform combined source channel decoding based on the combined source channel coding parameters of each source layer of the user corresponding to the user field. Communication device.

26. A chip comprising at least one logic circuit and an input / output interface, wherein the logic circuit is configured to read and execute a stored instruction, and when the instruction is executed, the chip is enabled to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 21.

27. A computer-readable storage medium, the computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, the computer program including program instructions, and when the program instructions are executed by a computer, the computer is enabled to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 21.

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